TiVo: I've got DirecTV already.. now what? (yes, another TiVo thread)

Cafe Society
1

I’m looking for opinions here on what I should do. I am a happy DirecTV customer, and do not see myself leaving them anytime soon. Now, I am ready to take the TiVo plunge. A few questions:

  1. Should I buy a Tivo standalone, or buy a Tivo/DirecTV reciever combo? I’ve priced a little bit but I am really getting varying costs. If they are the same cost, I will like get the combo, just to save space and cut down on a remote. If I am paying more for a combo, are there features specific to the combo that I should consider?

  2. What brand should I buy? Hughes, Sony? Are there more brands? Any notable difference in Durability/performace associated with either brand?

  3. Whassup wit this Tivo 2 jazz? Anyone got this? Are the new bells and whistles worth the extra loot?

  4. My current DTV setup: Dual LNB dish, two recievers, one upstairs and one downstairs. To get the “watch one thing live while you record another” dealie , I assume you have to have the dual lines coming to the same Tivo reciever, thus eliminating this possibility (or my upstairs TV) ?

Methinks thats all of my questions. thanks in advance.

2

I only have a standalone, but from what I understand, the monthy cost for a DTivo is $4.95 while the standalone is 12.95 (not sure about lifetime for DTivo). Also the other advantages for DTivo are a Dual Tuner (record one thing and still watch something else live, or record two things at the same time), and since Digital TV is, well, digital, there is only one recording quality, perfect. Everything you record, will be played back at exactly the same quality it was broadcasted in. Us Standaloners have to choose from a few different qualities. (BTW when it says it records 60 hours, it means at basic quality, there’s not many shows you would want to watch at basic quality). Oh and one big downside to DTivo is that you can’t get HMO(for more info on HMO check out the TiVo website. Anyways over all I am VERY happy with my standalone. If you have any more questions check out http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/

3

HMO?

4

Home Media Option?

5

There’s a monthly charge for TiVo? Really?

I’m buying Mr. Tech a TiVo for his birthday. Well, I might buy it as a Father’s Day gift because I, er, I mean he (yeah, that’s the ticket) can’t wait until August.