301 and TIVO questions

[hikerak]

Hello, I have been inquiring about the 721 because I have the 301 now and would like the PVR capabilities. I am relatively new to the PVR scene and am looking at my options. I did a search for TIVO on the Dish general Questions and didn't find this question.

I am now thinking of purchaseing a TIVO system to use with my 301. I have a few questions though.

Will the tivo have a week-long or so EPG(301 has a couple hours)?

Will the TIVO change the channels or will I have to use seperate remotes?

When hooking it up, does the TIVO input to the 301 or vice versa?

My rationale for this is that the 721 is $549.00 and I could get the lifetime sub for 249 and a seris 2 60 hour recorder for 149.00 with a rebate. This is about 150.00 less than the 721. Is my logic flawed??

I am sure I will have more questions, If there is a thread or website on this topic, please point me to it, otherwise any help would be appreciated...



Thanks, Matt

[MikeW]

If you get the SA tivo, you will have a 10 day guide through your TIVO. You plug your 301 into the TIVO and use TIVO's guide and remote. There is an "IR Blaster" which connects to the Tivo and sits in front of the 301. This will change the channels on the 301 through the Tivo's remote. I've had this setup with a 4900 for over a year and have had few problems.

As to cost...the major differences between your suggested setup and the 721..

1) Dual Tuner. With the configuration of SA Tivo and 301, if you are recording a program, you can only watch either a the program being recorded or something that was previously recorded to the PVR. Secondly, if there are two programs that you want to record that air at the same time, you can record them both on the 721.

2) PQ. The SA tivo has different PQ levels for recording. When Tivo says "up to 60 hours" that's what they mean. 60 hours of recording on the lowest quality (only decent for cartoons). With the 721, everything you record is at the best quality.

3) Season Passes. This is where Tivo has the 721 and 508 beat. If you want to record a program, but the day or time changes, Tivo will pick up on that and record the program by name, not simply based on a timer.

If you can spend the extra 150 and the feature of recording by title is of no interes to you, I'd go w/721. Furthermore, the 508 is much cheaper than either of the two options and the major difference between it and the 721 is dual tuner. Remember also, if you're going w/721, you will need two cables coming from the dish to the receiver to activate both tuners.

[gcutler]

hikerak, I have a TiVo with a 4900 and a 508...

Only 3 reasons to go for the SA TiVO and 301

1) You are so in love with the TiVo way of doing things (like I am) that you don't want to give up the features

2) You might be going back to cable or at least giving up E* in the near future (or aren't sure you want to keep E*) As the TiVo will move with you wherever you go. You would have to sell the 721 if you left E* as it would not serve a purpose.

3) Might be that you don't trust the PVR stability of E* products (overblown, but not unheard of)

[hikerak]

Thank you I was under the impression that the SA TIVO was a dual tuner I see the difference. I will probably go with the 721. I used to have a dishplayer and liked the features but not the bugs or the monthly fee..

Thanks so much

Matt