TiVo?

[simonkodousek]

Hi All,

Sorry if this has been answered, but is DirecTV still using TiVo for their DVR? Or have they switched to a different platform?

I'm just wondering because one of my friends used to have the DirecTV with TiVo before he moved to New York (He's stuck with Timewarner... :nono2: ) and I absolutely loved it!

Thanks,
Simon

[jaywdetroit]

Hi All,

Sorry if this has been answered, but is DirecTV still using TiVo for their DVR? Or have they switched to a different platform?

I'm just wondering because one of my friends used to have the DirecTV with TiVo before he moved to New York (He's stuck with Timewarner... :nono2: ) and I absolutely loved it!

Thanks,
Simon

No. DirecTV is not producing new TIVO units. They are supporting the old ones though. So if you can find one that works - buy it if that is what you want.

But if you are into HD - check out the HR20 forum. Because you will get many more channels on the HR20 than you will on the TIVO box by the end of the year.

[simonkodousek]

Alright, thanks. I wasn't actually planning to go with DirecTV for my switch. I currently have Time Warner (which is horrid) and plan to go with satellite, but I just wanted to know. If only someone could help on my other thread.....

[HDTVsportsfan]

Where?

EDIT: Never mind. It's in the Dish Forum. I'd be useles to you. Sorry.

I think it's this thread for anyone else that can help this guy.

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=839595#post839595

[jaywdetroit]

Alright, thanks. I wasn't actually planning to go with DirecTV for my switch. I currently have Time Warner (which is horrid) and plan to go with satellite, but I just wanted to know. If only someone could help on my other thread.....

Go with D* - They are going to have up to 100 HD channels by the end of the year!

[lewah33]

Simon -
There are a few things you need to ask yourself before you make your decision:
- Are you a fan of an NFL or MLB team outside of your current market?/Are you an obsessive MLB or NFL fan?
If yes to either of these, then D* is your only and best choice. Exclusive contracts with both these leagues ensures you'll always be able to watch your favorite team.
- Are you an HD enthusiast?
Not as cut and dried, but by the end of this year, D* may be your best choice. At present, D* is the only provider that has annouced the capacity for 150+ HD channels.
- Are you a TIVO fan?
Then, cable or Fios are your only options here. There are no annouced plans by either D* or E* to offer TIVO boxes @ this time
- Is cost your primary concern and do you have DSL/Cable modem/Mobile/Landline you can easily change
Many cable providers will bundle one or more of these services and give you a great price. You'll also get one bill for these services - if this is something that'll influence your decision. Never understood why ppl would make a media choice because they got one or two fewer bills each month - you will only end up saving no more than $30, I'd guess.

Good luck on your decision!

[simonkodousek]

Simon -
There are a few things you need to ask yourself before you make your decision:
- Are you a fan of an NFL or MLB team outside of your current market?/Are you an obsessive MLB or NFL fan?
If yes to either of these, then D* is your only and best choice. Exclusive contracts with both these leagues ensures you'll always be able to watch your favorite team.

No, I won't need any of the sports packages.


- Are you an HD enthusiast? Not as cut and dried, but by the end of this year, D* may be your best choice. At present, D* is the only provider that has annouced the capacity for 150+ HD channels.

It depends on what you mean by that. I have a 56" 1080p HDTV, but I don't watch too much HD programming.

- Are you a TIVO fan?
Then, cable or Fios are your only options here. There are no annouced plans by either D* or E* to offer TIVO boxes @ this time

I honestly do like TiVo a lot, but I'm just fine with getting something different, as long as the technology is good and how many hours it can record.

- Is cost your primary concern and do you have DSL/Cable modem/Mobile/Landline you can easily change
Many cable providers will bundle one or more of these services and give you a great price. You'll also get one bill for these services - if this is something that'll influence your decision. Never understood why ppl would make a media choice because they got one or two fewer bills each month - you will only end up saving no more than $30, I'd guess.

Cost is somewhat a concern of mine because I would like to have a lower bill than cable, but since I can't get cable Internet and digital phone in my area, I am unable to get it all on one bill. I think the maximum I'd pay for 6 televisions, including one that should have HD-DVR is $70 per month. Now, I do have a question about the DirecTV receivers. Do you purchase them at Best Buy because I have seen them for sale there? So, if you do purchase them, how much is an HD-DVR, and 5 regular receivers going to cost for a new customer, and will it cut down the cost of my bill like the "receiver mirroring charge"? This is important to me because I just found out I can't do this with Dish Network.

I currently have my home wired for cable with a splitter downstairs, so could I use that connection for DirecTV? I honestly can't get another connection to my HDTV.

Also... I don't have a phone line behind two of my televisions, and I heard that you need that for satellite. I have seen these things (I don't know what to call them) where you plug them into the wall they send a phone signal to a location that also has the receiver of that device. It's hard to explain...

And, finally, what is the size of the dish needed? I really don't like the look of the huge ones and a smaller one would be preferred.

Thanks Again,
Simon :grin:

[/QUOTE]

[dodge boy]

I currently have my home wired for cable with a splitter downstairs, so could I use that connection for DirecTV? I honestly can't get another connection to my HDTV.

Also... I don't have a phone line behind two of my televisions, and I heard that you need that for satellite. I have seen these things (I don't know what to call them) where you plug them into the wall they send a phone signal to a location that also has the receiver of that device. It's hard to explain...

And, finally, what is the size of the dish needed? I really don't like the look of the huge ones and a smaller one would be preferred.

Thanks Again,
Simon :grin:

[/QUOTE]

on the splitters, no you can't just split a line from the dish, it requires a multi switch or a device called a "stacker" and a "destacker" some receivers have a destacker built in, R15 being one of them, however unless stacking technology has changed, and it may have, you can't stack a signal and still get the receiver to "see" all the satellites.
on the phone, those wireless ones you talk about are o.k., I ran my extension to my basement where I slpit a phone connection down there, or you can just order pay per views with your computer.
Also ATT (which I hate) will bundle phone service, Dishnetwork service, DSL and cell phone service if you wanted to go that route. I am not a big fan of Dish but I shopped around about a month ago, tried TWC, that lasted 2 weeks before the "honeymoon" was over.

[Wolffpack]

Go with D* - They are going to have up to 100 HD channels by the end of the year!
How about: "Go with D* - They are planning to have up to 100 HD channels by the end of the year!"

[Mertzen]

..

And, finally, what is the size of the dish needed? I really don't like the look of the huge



If you want HD you'll need a Slimline dish which is rather big. Without the HD you can get the 18" dish which is a lot smaller. Also depends on where exactly you live since ome locals come of different sattelites.

[simonkodousek]

I will need HD, so could you tell me how large the dish is? Is it 24" or something?

Second, I'm trying to decide on the package I need. Here is what I'll be needing...

1 HD-DVR
1 DVR or 1 Regular Receiver
4 Regular Receivers

So, 6 TV's in total, one of them in HD. I would like to be able to watch HD programming. Currently I'm looking at the "Plus HD" package which includes 195 channels, HBO and Cinemax, DVR, and HD, so it's pretty much all I need. I do have a question though. Are you able to purchase the receivers from Best Buy or directly through DirecTV? I would like to do this in order to avoid equipment rental fees.

Also, what direction will the dish have to point? This is pretty crucial because of the exterior design of my house. I don't want to have it hanging off the edge where you can see it from the patio. I already have a place picked out, but I could change it easily so it could go other directions.

Thanks All,
Simon