TiVo Its like being your own Network Scheduling Executive
Written: Nov 23 '00
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Pros: Almost everything
Cons: Modem is sensitive to noise and surge
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| Hi-TechRedneck's Full Review: Philips TiVo PTV 300 Digital Recorder |
I bought my first TiVo for several reasons:
1. I was tired of missing quality TV programs because of some network suit arbitrarily playing musical programs with my favorite shows.
2. I work from dusk til dawn, which precludes me from viewing LIVE TV. This in and of itself requires me to RECORD most of my favorite programs in order to view them at all!
3. When recording my favorite programs with an ordinary VCR to tape, one is very limited to how many programs that can be recorded before changing tapes.
4. The hours I work allow for limited rest time between shifts (I drive a truck), and any time I use for TV viewing need to be used efficiently to maximize the amount of rest I receive.
TiVo has its own built-in TV guide which is updated on a daily basis via a local phone call in most cases. In other cases, a Toll Free number is used to download the data which is used. This Guide Info is sorted and indexed with the software that runs TiVo. When TiVo completes the sorting and indexing of this information, it only needs YOU to push the buttons to tell it what you want recorded. For instance, JAG is one of your favorite programs. You just can't live through the week without viewing the latest episode. Just touch a button to access TiVo's Search Function to find "JAG" in the alphanumeric search. Highlight "JAG", push a button to view the episode title, episode description, airtime, duration,rating, channel, and genre. You are given at least three sometimes four options: Record this showing, Get A Season Pass, Don't do anything (which returns you to previous menu), and if the show is currently airing you can Watch Now. Selecting SEASON PASS will cause TiVo to search and track all episodes within the next 9-13 days of programming data to schedule an automatic recording. No more searching your newspaper or Cable TV Guide, or Satellite TV Guide for air-times. TiVo knows when the show will air on that particular channel and keeps you from doing the extra work to program your VCR. If the show you choose is in syndication on other networks or channels, you will need to select a SEASON PASS for the show on that channel as well if you choose to record the syndicated series.
TiVo also allows you to approve or disapprove certain shows according to your personal tastes via the "THUMBS UP" or THUMBS DOWN" buttons on the remote control. Based on your use of the "THUMBS" feature, TiVo can and will suggest and record for you, shows that fall into the categories you prefer. However all "SUGGESTIONS" receive the lowest priority for storage as TiVo begins to fill up the hard drive with your chosen programs, meaning the lower priority shows will be automatically deleted as the space becomes needed for your chosen programs.
TiVo has a variable capacity for recording based upon the "VIDEO QUALITY" selected for its recordings. The HRD312, HRD31201, and HRD31202 all have at least 30 hrs minimum recording time when "BASIC" quality is selected, and ranges downward in total time to slightly more than 9hrs in "BEST" quality which is near DVD quality. Unless you are using a LARGE SCREEN TV say in excess of 36 inches, or you have an extremely discriminating eye, Basic or Medium quality will easily suffice for most types of programs. Fast Action movies or sports may require a higher quality selection based upon your preferences.
At first glance, TiVo may appear to be a HIGH DOLLAR VCR. That isn't totally correct. There are a few things a VCR can do that TiVo cannot, but there are many things TiVo can do that a VCR can't.
Comparison: TiVo cannot passthru RF signal to a TV to allow viewing a channel while recording from a second channel. It can be accomplished but a splitter and an extra coax are required as well as RF/AV switching capability or the TV, or use of a manual or Infrared remote RF switcher.
A VCR cannot allow you to begin viewing a program in progress from the beginning that is being recorded. TiVo allows this. A VCR* will not allow you to view a previously recorded program while simultaneously recording another program. *SINGLE DECK VCR's only. Does not apply to DUAL DECK VCR's. TiVo allows you to begin DELAYED viewing of a recording in progress from the beginning while allowing you to catch up to REAL TIME by Zapping the commercials at varying speeds. SEE BELOW! No VCR known to me can do this!
TiVo allows you three different speeds (3x,20x,60x)with which to ZAP commercials while still viewing some of the content. Most VCR's only have one speed to FAST SCAN thru commercials. TiVO allows you to perform your own INSTANT REPLAYS in 8 second quantities while watching LIVE TV. VCR's do not allow for Live Instant Replays. Same goes for Live Slo-Mo.
TiVo allows you to PAUSE LIVE TV for up to 30 minutes for whatever reason: potty break, make a sandwich, answer the phone, start or empty the washer or dryer, so on and so forth.
TiVo allows you to seamlessly integrate a DBS signal(DTV or DISH) or CATV w/box, with CATV no box, or Over The Air Local Broadcast without any extraneous mechanical or electronic switchers. TiVo also controls channel changing of most CATV convertor boxes and DBS satellite Set top boxes via an IR emitter. TiVo will control nearly all RCA DTV boxes via a SERIAL PORT connection.
Some folks may balk at what appears on the front end to be a nothing more than a HIGH PRICED VCR with a hard drive and a few extra bells and whistles that happens to have a service fee attached (*see below), but after purchasing no less than 3 TiVo's and winning a fourth one in the Great TiVo Giveaway, I can tell you that TiVO will literally change the way you watch and enjoy television! If you have some 200+ DBS or DIGITAL CABLE channels from which to choose, TiVo will allow you to get more for your programming dollar than you could ever get from a VCR
If you choose to get a TiVO, a few things to which you need to be made aware!
1. No matter what you have been told, or what you have learned, GET SOME GOOD SURGE PROTECTION! Do not get an EL CHEAPO Blue Light Special. Get one that is rated in Picoseconds or Instantaneous and also provides phone modem protection. Anything else is just an overpriced extension cord and you will ultimately be asking for trouble!
2. Be prepared for a marathon when doing the initial Guided Setup of TiVo. The actual wiring and cable connections are fairly simple and straight forward, but the actual initial DOWNLOAD and INDEXING of data will seem like it takes forever. It is best to begin the the "DREADED GS" just before retiring to bed for the evening. Everything should be ready to go by the morning. That is unless you just want to watch the little progress bar all night and don't have to be up at the crack of dawn the next day. <G> That part can take between 2.5-6.5hours+, depending on what your signal sources happen to be. CATV+DBS Satellite being the worst in terms of length.
3. If you get a TiVo and become distraught or frustrated because something is not going just right, fear not!. There is a TiVo forum where there are thousands of unpaid volunteers (myself included)who will act in the stead of customer service offering more advice and assistance than you could ever get during 100 phone calls and we are open 24/7 to help. Just copy and past the following URL into your browser:
http://www.avsforum.com/ubbcgitivo/Ultimate.cgi
4. And probably one of the most important items, DO NOT be fooled into paying a monstrously high price for a 30hr TiVo. Since the huge price drops in the Spring 2000, a fair price online would be slightly over $300 S&H incl. Retail at a B&M store $350-$399 MAX. Rebates notwithstanding. The new 20 & 60 hour TiVos are priced around $299 and $599 if I am not mistaken. Add to that the subscription fee ($9.95/mo., $99/yr.,$199/Lifetime of the hardware.) The prices are almost exactly that of the competing ReplayTV except that ReplayTV bundles (for lack of a better word) the sub cost into the purchase price of their respective unit. TiVo offers three different payment plans as mentioned above.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 545.00
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Epinions.com ID:
Hi-TechRedneck
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Reviews written: 6
Trusted by: 2 members
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