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Thanks for a gogent opinion (Reply to this comment)
by dankuvasz
I've been trying to decide and your opinion laid all of the issues out for me. I already have a 2 room DirecTV installation. I'm thinking that I may buy a new dish and keep my present 2 decoders. I'll end up with a 3 room install, one with Tivo.
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Dec 30 '03
7:30 pm PST
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DirecTivo vs. Standalone Tivo... the rest of the story (Reply to this comment)
by laowai
There are a couple of important differences between DirecTivo and Standalone Tivo which the reviewer left out:
1) Quality/recording capacity:
TiVo recorders quote their recording capacities in
terms of the maximum number of hours you can record. For the standalone machines, that capacity is in "basic" mode, which uses high compression algorithms that result in some pretty nasty picture artifacts. IMHO, it's
pretty much unwatchable. "Medium" mode gives perfectly acceptable results (at least as good as a LP VHS recording), but only provides about half the maximum capacity. Beyond that, there are "High" (good for movies that you might want to transcribe to tape) and "Best" (great for motorsports) quality settings, each providing a greater quality/capacity tradeoff.
Since DirecTiVos record the incoming digital stream straight off the satellite, they don't have a quality/capacity tradeoff - everything they
record is "Perfect." A 36-hour DirecTiVo will store 36 hours of programming that is indistinguishable from the original satellite feed
(because it IS the original satellite feed!) Hence there is no quality setting (basic/medium/high/best) on the DirecTivo unit.
2) Price
If you have DirecTV, you can add Tivo service for an additional $5/month. If you have any other setup, Tivo is $13/month.
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Aug 11 '03
6:34 am PDT
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Re: Ya Know, (Reply to this comment)
by tcervo
Glad I could help...
I was just reading about a new DVD player due out soon by Go Video that will have built-in network capabilities, with the same functionality as the Home Media Option of Tivo (networked MP3 and digital photos.) Since my DVD player is getting a bit long in the tooth, this may make up for the lack of Home Media Option on the DirecTivo. (Although I still want folders in the Now Playing List! Are you listening, DirecTV????)
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May 05 '03
8:40 am PDT
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Ya Know, (Reply to this comment)
by aashok
I have been running the same debate in my head for almost a month. Thanks to your very informative review, I think I am closer to an educated decision.
Great review. Write on,
Ashok
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May 04 '03
11:31 am PDT
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