# Tivo! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 3, 2003, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tivo/152530 "2003-02-03T16:58:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Keweenaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Keweenaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keweenaw)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2003, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tivo/152530/21 "2003-02-04T22:31:59Z")
Debaser said > [@](#): > > They are basically the same in most ways except for one huge point in Replay’s favor: Replay TV has a network jack on it. It will talk to your PC. So, buy the smallest size HD for the cheapest price, then save your TV shows to your computer. > > TIVO has no such feature. To me, it seems pointless to be able to save tv shows if you can’t transfer them around your house from one tv to another PC, etc. YMMV. aahh you are misinformed. Check out Tivo’s networked home entertainment option [here](http://www.tivo.com/0.9.asp) Plus Tivo is fairly easily upgraded to a larger hard drive. ---
**Author:** ![Lao\_Tsu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e79b87/32.png) [@Lao\_Tsu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lao_Tsu)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2003, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tivo/152530/22 "2003-02-04T22:48:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by voguevixen \* > \*\*… > Wow, you’re entirely missing the point of TiVo. (Where did you get the idea it’s only for movies? LOL!) … \*\* No, I get all that. My point is TIVO is essentially a hd that will record tv. That’s it. TIVO wants me to fork out $250 bucks after I’ve bought the requisite hardware to recieve what I recieve over my anttena for free (Guide Plus). Hardly seems like a deal to me, but to many people it may. Essentially, I guess you’re paying for more TV recommendations. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2003, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tivo/152530/23 "2003-02-04T22:59:17Z")
Err… no you are paying for the ability to schedule things and such… season passes are what I use almost exclusively. Like “X-Files”… it gets recorded at any time on any channel–automatically. If a show changes days or times, I don’t even notice, it still records it. Stuff like that. I don’t use the recommendations. ---
**Author:** ![Keweenaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Keweenaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keweenaw)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2003, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tivo/152530/24 "2003-02-04T23:26:23Z")
Tivo is the service you pay for. The HD hardware is manufactured by Philips, Sony, Hughes, etc. If you just want the HD hardware, buy it seprately. The All-in-Wonder 9700 has DVR capabilities and with a large HD you’ll be in business. I prefer the functionality of the Tivo box, plus my wife is used to it know too. ---
**Author:** ![Dave\_D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@Dave\_D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dave_D)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tivo/152530/25 "2003-02-05T04:58:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Badtz Maru \* > \*\*Would there be any difficulties getting it to work with digital cable? My big-ass cable box has a guide system in it that you can use to set reminders and buy pay per view, not sure how the TiVo would change it’s channels but I’m sure they’ve figured it out. \*\* Actually it might have problems. One of the big digital cable boxes is one by motorola. It’s known to have a flakey IR sensor. What happens is if it gets a little too much garbage IR it’ll refuse to change.(I have one of these boxes and it misses channel changes more often than my previous cable box. The most likely time is when I’m using the Tivo remote to select things on the Tivo and while I’m doing that Tivo uses its remote to try and change the channel.) What’s really stupid is that my cable box has a serial port connector. Theoretically I could hook that serial port directly up to my Tivo.(Since it has a serial connector.) However Tivo turned this off in many units. As far as I know the only units where this works is the DTivo and the AT&T branded Tivo’s.(There’s a console script that should turn it back on but I haven’t gotten around to trying it out.) Oh, the box that has trouble(In my case) is the DCT 2224 ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Harvey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac8455/32.png) [@Max\_Harvey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Harvey)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tivo/152530/26 "2003-02-05T06:51:29Z")
I have a Motorola digital cable box, and my Tivo changes the channels on it with the infrared thingy quite well. Sometimes it will drop a number when I’m using the Tivo remote at the exact time the Tivo is trying to change the channel on my cable box, but this is easily detected since the Tivo remote will be unresponsive for a few seconds, and then I know to check live TV to see if the right channel is being recorded. Nine times out of ten it is, so it’s a very minor problem. Supposedly it can be eliminated entirely by putting a “tent” (an opaque black cloth) over the cable box sensor and the Tivo’s doohickeys. I’ve had my Tivo for about a month, and I can’t remember the last time I bought something that turned out to be much more useful than I imagined. Like others have said, the ability to pause and rewind “live” TV will completely spoil you. And the “best” video quality is indistinguishable from broadcast. Even at the “basic” setting the recorded programs are much better than merely watchable, although I wouldn’t recommend it for cartoons or sports. I remember reading somewhere else when I was doing my own research, “If you’re thinking about buying a Tivo, then you _have_ to buy one.” Especially if you have digital cable or satellite. My Tivo “suggested” the old Late Night with David Letterman on Trio a couple of weeks ago, and I didn’t even know they were airing it! ---
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tivo/152530/27 "2003-02-05T14:14:21Z")
Thanks for the info, **Keweenaw**. It should be noted, however that that is a brand new Tivo which isn’t available for sale quite yet according to that link. ---
**Author:** ![beagledave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6de8d8/32.png) [@beagledave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beagledave)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tivo/152530/28 "2003-02-05T14:44:11Z")
Tivo rocks our world. With an 18 month old, it’s great to always have a few episodes of the Wiggles or Blues Clues ready to roll. I second the suggestion to check out the Tivo Community forum for lots of suggestions. We bought the Tivo Series 2 80 Gig model, with a lifetime service. This model is fairly easy to add an additional Tivo blessed drive later. You can either buy a regular HD at Best Buy and use your Mac/PC (and a free utility) to bless it before installing, or go to [Weaknees](http://www.weaknees.com/) and buy a ready made upgrade kit (with the Torx driver and mounting strap). ---
**Author:** ![jeevmon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@jeevmon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jeevmon)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tivo/152530/29 "2003-02-05T15:09:51Z")
OK, I’m something of a novice with respect to these issues, so please forgive me if these seem like ignorant questions: 1. I subscribe to a digital cable service (AT&T cable in Chicago) which requires use of a converter box (General Instruments). My biggest complaints with this setup are that I can’t tape one program while watching another, and if I want to tape two programs on the same day on the same channel, I have to actually come home and switch the channel on the converter box. (Example - I like both “Buffy” and “Smallville”, which are on one after the other on different networks. In order to tape both, I actually have to be home to switch the cable from Channel 8 UPN to Channel 9 WB). Would a Tivo setup allow me to use the digital cable service but avoid these limitations? (I think the answer is yes, but would appreciate clarification). 2. I suspect I know the answer to this, but does Tivo allow me to tape programs that are being broadcast simultaneously on two different networks? (Example 2 - I like “Smallville” and “Angel”, **jeevgurl** prefers “24” and “West Wing”, which air at the same time.) Can we set up one Tivo box to tape both programs, or do we need two boxes? When **jeevgurl** and I move in together, we will have 2 TVs and 2 VCRs, and will have options (because we’re moving into a new construction low-rise) with respect to cable/ satellite service. I’d prefer digital service because of picture quality, etc., but here in the Windy City, it appears that digital service is impossible without converter boxes. (AFAIK) If one Tivo box allows me to avoid the limitations of converter boxes with respect to taping shows, it may be an option I’d explore, but if I would need two Tivo boxes to do the simultaneous taping thing, the relative benefits of Tivo don’t outweigh the convenience of simply continuing analog cable service and using our VCRs. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tivo/152530/30 "2003-02-05T15:18:09Z")
You can only record one thing at a time, and you can’t watch another channel while something is recording. This has never been a problem for us, though, as we just watch stuff that is already recorded and never pay much attention to “live” tv (what an outdated concept!) ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tivo/152530/31 "2003-02-05T15:19:22Z")
I don’t really see many similarities between TiVo and a VCR. TiVo is just soooo much more. It’s sort of like comparing a bran muffin to a 7 course meal. ---
**Author:** ![jeevmon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@jeevmon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jeevmon)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tivo/152530/32 "2003-02-05T15:55:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by OpalCat \* > \*\*You can only record one thing at a time, and you can’t watch another channel while something is recording. This has never been a problem for us, though, as we just watch stuff that is already recorded and never pay much attention to “live” tv (what an outdated concept!) \*\* Yeah, well, if TiVo doesn’t allow me to tape one program while watching another, it is denying me a benefit that is actually important to my life. Pooh poohing “live” TV and calling it “outdated” misses the point. Both my girlfriend and I are active TV viewers, but we often watch shows that are on simultaneously on different networks. With analog cable and a VCR, we can compromise because one of us can watch while the other records. If TiVo prevents that option, it is inferior to the VCR/ cable option. Similarly, if taping two programs at once requires two different TiVo boxes, then it is not superior to two TVs and VCRs, because we already have the two TVs and VCRs (a situation that also helps ameliorate the situation described above w/r/t taping one program and watching another with a digital cable/ converter box setup- one of us can watch or tape in one place, and the other in another place). If getting the benefits I need require getting digital cable (and two converter boxes), getting two TiVo boxes and paying all associated fees, I’m better off without TiVo. ---
**Author:** ![tanstaafl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba8739/32.png) [@tanstaafl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tanstaafl)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tivo/152530/33 "2003-02-05T16:06:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by OpalCat \* > **… you can’t watch another channel while something is recording.** Yes you can, you just can’t watch it through the Tivo. Set the Tivo to Standby (under Messages and Setup) then use your TV and remote normally. Sure, you can’t do any of the Tivo tricks like pausing live TV but you can certainly watch one channel while the Tivo records another. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tivo/152530/34 "2003-02-05T16:17:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jeevmon \* > \*\*With analog cable and a VCR, we can compromise because one of us can watch while the other records. If TiVo prevents that option, it is inferior to the VCR/ cable option. Similarly, if taping two programs at once requires two different TiVo boxes, then it is not superior to two TVs and VCRs, because we already have the two TVs and VCRs \*\* Seems like the obvious solutions is one TiVo and one VCR 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tivo/152530/35 "2003-02-05T16:20:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tanstaafl \* > \*\*Yes you can, you just can’t watch it through the Tivo. Set the Tivo to Standby (under Messages and Setup) then use your TV and remote normally. Sure, you can’t do any of the Tivo tricks like pausing live TV but you can certainly watch one channel while the Tivo records another. \*\* Here is another way to do it, which I can’t do because I have dishnetwork. But cable users can do it: [http://tivo.com/4.4.1.asp](http://tivo.com/4.4.1.asp) ---
**Author:** ![Keweenaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Keweenaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keweenaw)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tivo/152530/36 "2003-02-05T17:35:04Z")
I don’t have it, but I believe with DirecTivo you can record one live show while watching another live show. ---
**Author:** ![voguevixen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5ac83/32.png) [@voguevixen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voguevixen)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tivo/152530/37 "2003-02-05T17:42:41Z")
Re: Watching TV while recording. Yes you can do it. The way it works on our TV is we have multiple “video” inputs and we use the remote to switch to the one we want to watch. Video 1 is TiVo, video 2 is the DVD player, then there’s a setting for regular TV that we have split with the VCR. (So not only could we watch TV while recording, we could watch a video or DVD as well.) > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lao Tsu \* > \*\*No, I get all that. My point is TIVO is essentially a hd that will record tv. That’s it. TIVO wants me to fork out $250 bucks after I’ve bought the requisite hardware to recieve what I recieve over my anttena for free (Guide Plus). Hardly seems like a deal to me, but to many people it may. Essentially, I guess you’re paying for more TV recommendations. :rolleyes: \*\* ::bangs head on desk:: You really have to go to a store and see a demo or something. The TiVo service is like the internet of TiVo. It’s like you’re saying “I can already do word processing and play Freecell on my computer, why should I pay extra for the internet?” No one has even touched on the TiVo specific programming yet. You get sports/movie/music previews/info/interviews that other people either have to wait for or don’t get to see at all. Some stuff you can watch over TV that others have to see in a theater or online (such as the BMW films series). I am the official cheapest person in the world (I make my own laundry soap, for crying out loud) and even _I_ know this is a good deal. ---
**Author:** ![Atrael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Atrael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atrael)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tivo/152530/38 "2003-02-05T18:19:31Z")
See, I like the concept of Tivo, but until they include the capability to write a program out to disk, I’m just not interested. I want to be able to archive shows that I like on DVD. [This product](http://www.prodcat.panasonic.com/shop/NewDesign/ModelTemplate.asp?ModelId=16079&show_all=false&product_exists=True&active=1&ModelNo=DMR-HS2&CategoryId=2596) lets me do that, but it doesn’t have all the neat capabilities that Tivo has. I’m hoping that in the next year or so, Tivo will include that capability. A doper on here has a Desktop DVD recorder like the one I linked, I just can’t remember who. ---
**Author:** ![jeevmon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@jeevmon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jeevmon)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tivo/152530/39 "2003-02-05T18:56:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Atrael \* > \*\*See, I like the concept of Tivo, but until they include the capability to write a program out to disk, I’m just not interested. I want to be able to archive shows that I like on DVD. [This product](http://www.prodcat.panasonic.com/shop/NewDesign/ModelTemplate.asp?ModelId=16079&show_all=false&product_exists=True&active=1&ModelNo=DMR-HS2&CategoryId=2596) lets me do that, but it doesn’t have all the neat capabilities that Tivo has. I’m hoping that in the next year or so, Tivo will include that capability. A doper on here has a Desktop DVD recorder like the one I linked, I just can’t remember who. \*\* Actually, archiving shows is a form of copyright infringement. Time-shifting shows so that you can watch them later is a legitimate fair use, but if you’re using your recorder (be it VCR or TiVo) to build a library to watch again and again, that’s a form of copyright infringement. Yeah, I know everyone does it, but it’s still technically a violation of the law. I believe that the VCR manufacturers pay some $$ to the studios in exchange for immunity from suits related to people archiving stuff, since the studios aren’t going to go after everyone for it. But if TiVo were ever modified to do what you’re proposing, they would either have to pay a similar royalty or face a lawsuit. ---
**Author:** ![Atrael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Atrael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atrael)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2003, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tivo/152530/40 "2003-02-05T19:00:10Z")
Isn’t that what part of the price of VHS tapes is for? Compensasion for the copywrite holders? And if this is a true statement, how can products like the one I liked to exist? I mean, it’s basically just like a Tivo, just without all the extra bells and whistles. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tivo/152530.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tivo/152530.md?page=3)