TiVo

[BlackHawkA4]

Ok, first: I don't understand why the hell you need to pay a monthly subscription. Especially from your provider....

Anyone have cablevision and know the answer to this?

Right now I'm paying 15 a month for an HD box. Now, from my understanding: if you get a TiVo you don't NEED the other cable box? If that's correct: Do I need to get the card from Cablevision to plug in; or, does TiVo provide it? (And if TiVo doesn't provide it what the hell am I doing paying them 20 a month). And if cablevision provides it: what is the cost for just the card with no box?

Thanks guys.

 

[BlackHawkA4]

Nevermind. I calles up and spoke with them.

Anyone with one Think I should get it?

 

[BlackHawkA4]

And I spoke to another helpful lady just now. Said the magic words! ANDROID.

I'm sold. Gonna get one. Anyone who's been pondering a TiVo but couldn't think if they wanted one (And didn't know this like I didn't). You can download what you've recorded to your computer and transfer the files to your Andriod phone! And, you can go to the website on your phone (If your not at home and you just recorded something) and download straight to your phone. AMAZIN! Exactly what I need.

I might even cancel Netflix streaming which I kept.. (I don't know though). Since I barely use it on my phone right now and could get what I record later to my phone anywhere.

I hope they add streaming to this soon so I can watch some NHL on the go. F YOU VERIZON! Exclusive rights.

 

[BlackHawkA4]

Now, I'm looking more into it, and notice that it may not be possible for some videos to be recorded/transfered to another device?... Anyone know how wide that content is?

 

[jdbower]

I had Tivo briefly in a DTV receiver (probably 4-5 years ago). Tivo is more than a DVR, it's a service. You pay for the guide (which isn't bad, but nothing special by today's standards) but more importantly the analytics. Based on the shows you rate and watch it will suggest new shows for you and record them in the spare HD space. Sometimes this works (I've picked up a few series based on their suggestions), sometimes it doesn't (watching MASH is very different than wanting every Korean war special on the HIstory Channel).

Tivo at the time was all DRM protected content. Video distribution is a horribly complex set of licensing and outdated ideas of how to actually be profitable. It was also all self-contained, but I think the concept of gateway DVR boxes is much more popular now (where you've got one DVR that can stream to set top boxes all over the house). You probably won't find any consumer product that will record TV and let you move the file to other devices because then you can strip out the commercials and just share the video to people who don't have rights to the content.

However, you may want to look into a SlingBox which can stream the video to various devices. Or just build your own Home Theater PC (HTPC), check out MythTV or Mythbuntu as a base. I don't use any of those, between NetFlix and Amazon Prime I've got access to a decent amount of streaming stuff. I have a PlayOn server in the basement sharing Hulu and my own media files, and I use MakeMKV to convert my DVDs and BluRays to MKV files I can stream with PlayOn. PlayOn can stream to a DLNA device like a PS3 or XBox 360, also has web interfaces for the Wii, Android devices, and Google TV.

 

[BlackHawkA4]

Yea, I'm really deciding against it now. Verizon has an offer right now for a free DVR anyways for the "life" of your address. (As long as you don't move, lol). Look into that for DVR.

I might get a slingbox instead. Because really the biggest thing I want is to be able to watch NHL and NFL games on the go.

Anyone know the picture quality difference between the HD and none HD. The HD doesn't even have an HDMI if I'm correct.... is it really that marginal?

 

[BlackHawkA4]

So, as far as DVR's and Providers go: looks like I'm stuck with Cabelvision.

1) Was ready to go on over to Verizon. They are missing ONE channel which break the entire deal. MSG
2) TiVo; most likely not going to be able to move over recordings to my device. Bummer.

I don't understand how Verizon and Direct TV are together; but, Direct TV has MSG. O well.

Called up Cablevision. Same price to rent a HD box as it is a DVR HD Box. So.. It's just 11 more (Most truthful thing they've said), really, for DVR service. Wonder if I should do it. And drop the Blockbuster thing. (Then I lose games though)