DirecTivo or UltimateTV?

[TWood]

Hello All.

I'm new here, but have been lurking for a while. I know this question has been asked before, but not recently, so I want to see if opinions have changed.

I am currently subscribed to E* and am considering switching to D* for the PVR (I don't like the price of the 721 for current subs, nor the fact that it doesn't have name based recording).

Now my question is whether to go with a DirecTivo or a UT receiver. I really like the PIP feature offered by UT, but I have heard and read so many great things about Tivo and just want to be sure the UT systems are comparable in quality.

Also the Hughs HDVR2 DirecTivo receiver is available locally to me for about $200 at HiFi Buys. Are there any good deals for a new sub for UT receivers? The best I've seen is the SAS-W60D at Orbitsat.com for $249.95 + shipping. Does anyone know of any better deals?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[Karl Foster]

I would go DirecTivo Series 2. Microsoft has scaled back the Ultimatetv division and new units are not being produced. While the service and receivers are great, I would have to recommen you go the other route.

[TWood]

Thats disappointing to hear. It looks like a great product. Any hope that the Direct Tivo Series 2 units will get a PIP feature?

[Karl Foster]

There's always hope. You really don't need PIP as you can switch tuners easily on the Tivo. In order to switch tuners on the UTV, you have to use the PIP.

I don't know why the UTV didn't take off like gangbusters. I have been very pleased with both of mine. People don't understand the concept, I guess.

[TWood]

Thanks Karl. Thats good to know. However, I want a PIP feature because I have a 55" TV, and like to actually watch two programs at once. Usually a baseball game in the PIP, while watching another show on the main screen.

I would be happy if they would just setup the HDVR2 to output the A/V from both tuners. My TV has multiple A/V inputs, so I could just use the TV's PIP functions. However, I know its not likely to happen since that would probably require a change in the hardware in the unit.

[Karl Foster]

What many people have done with PIP tv's is to hook up their rooftop antannae (if you have one) as one of the inputs, so you could at least have locals on your tv in addition to the satellite input, and that would be free. You could also have a second basic satellite receiver hooked up to the second input (at a cost of $4.99 per month).

Just a thought. The UTV PIP is part of the UTV setup and not a secondary output. It works with all tv's whether they have built-in PIP or not. All outputs on the back of a UTV (RG-6, S-Video, optical sound, and two sets of composite video) all display the same picture and sound. Does that make sense?

[TWood]

Originally posted by karl_f
You could also have a second basic satellite receiver hooked up to the second input (at a cost of $4.99 per month). 

This had occured to me. In fact, I do sometimes run a long cable from my bedroom Dish receiver to the TV so I can use the PIP. It just seems like a waste with a dual tuner system sitting right there already.

Originally posted by karl_f
Just a thought. The UTV PIP is part of the UTV setup and not a secondary output. It works with all tv's whether they have built-in PIP or not. All outputs on the back of a UTV (RG-6, S-Video, optical sound, and two sets of composite video) all display the same picture and sound. Does that make sense?

Yes, I understood that. I just think it would be a great feature for a dual tuner PVR to be able to output A/V from both tuners at the same time. So those with PIP TVs could use the TVs PIP functions. Maybe this is cost prohibitive, I don't know.

Anyway, thanks for your help. :)