US Cable Support > OptimumOnline > DVR vs. TIVO

DVR vs. TIVO

Why don't you want to do CableCARDs? The process is incredibly simple these days.

I'd go some TiVo HDs or a single TiVo Premier XL4 + the TiVo IP-STB when it is released later this year or early next year.
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University of Southern California - Fight On!

reply to brn2rn
I had a series 3 HD with IO and it worked flawlessly. I like the fact that the TiVo has more tuners
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Romney - Ryan 2012

reply to brn2rn

You will also be able to get more storage with a physical DVR
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Romney - Ryan 2012

reply to brn2rn
After having the Tivo interface, you may not like going back to CV's DVR. Personally, I like the ability to upgrade the hard drive on Tivo's DVR. All my Series 2's were upgraded and the first thing I did when I got the Premiere unit was to take out the 320GB HD and put in a 2TB one.

Also there's the CV monthly cost. For having CV's DVR you have to pay for the tuner(cable box), the DVR and remote costs, vs. just $2 for the cable card. When I got my Premiere, I think the break even point was 26-28 months. It may be less now as the low end Premiere units are cheaper then when I bought mine

The only thing I've been annoyed with are the problems with the tuning adapter you'll need if you get certain premium channels. I have 3 Premieres in the house and all 3 tuners have been swapped out at least once. I don't know why CV has problems with them.

If you really enjoyed the Tivo interface I would suggest staying with it, but I don't know all the factors in your decision.

What's the monthly charge for Tivo's guide? Is that factored into your break even analysis, or is the TiVo guide free?

Right. So what's the talk about a break even? When you factor in the monthly TiVo guide cost, plus the CableCard, plus the up front hardware investment, how do you end up ahead financially???

You might get a bit more function or a slicker interface for the same money, but I am not sure I see a break even...

And, if your TiVo needs to be replaced, it looks like you could end up worse off, financially speaking.

Am I missing something?

Not to jinx myself, but I've had my HD TiVo (Series 3) for six years now with the lifetime service and it is still going strong. I get a decent interface (definitely much better than the current one on the Samsung boxes), Pandora, YouTube, video podcasts, Netflix, Amazon, Live 365 and a whole other bunch of apps. I can also put videos onto my TiVo from other sources, stream from DLNA NASes and I can pull videos I recorded off of my TiVo that do not have the copyright flag (which most channels still do not have) for later viewing. I see way more advantages with a TiVo over a cable TV based DVR hands down.

reply to brn2rn
Ive kinda said not to get a Tivo if your plan is to pay less than you would with CV's DVR.. You do, however, get more bang for your buck.

I have two Tivo Premiers on my account:

Tivo 1: Paid $0 up-front in 2010, but paid $19.99 for monthly service over 2 years, then dropping to $14.99 in December with another one year commit
Tivo 2: Paid $99 up-front.. With multi-service discount, I opted for $12.99 per month for that unit and 1-year commit.

You do get a lot more capability with a Tivo than you do with a CV DVR... You can stream from your home PC, you can transfer recordings TO your PC.. You have Netflix built-in, you have Amazon VOD.. Pandora... Hulu Plus.. It just does a lot more than the CV DVR. And you have a UI that is still better than the new CV UI.

Its a matter of personal preference.. I'm all digital in my area and don't need a tuning adapter, so I just have the CableCards at $2 each.

Rick

reply to limegrass69
You're missing that TiVo is much, much better than the cable company DVRs. Nice things cost more.

I think the break even point referred to is when buying the TiVo with a lifetime subscription.. That's the best deal.

I've had TiVos since 2001 - 8 of them. All of them work still perfectly. Risk of irreparable hardware failure is very low.
--
University of Southern California - Fight On!

reply to brn2rn
Tivo is much better than Cablevisions DVR. You also get a lot of extra functionality that we wont see on Cablevision supplied hardware ever.

reply to brn2rn
I think if Tivo didn't charge 15/month for its service (a guide) more people would have it. I mean i could see like 4.99/month but 14.99 really?

reply to limegrass69
If you go to this Tivo site (»www3.tivo.com/store/upgrade.do) you can get a discount on the lifetime service when you upgrade to Premiere. I did this with my 2 Series2 Tivos and got $100 off on each the lifetime subscription.

reply to RickNY
I just ment it that I get why Cablevision is charging me the 9.95/month no hardware to buy. I don't see how Tivo is charging 14.99/month plus making me buy hardware.

I don't think it's $9.95 a month. You have pay for both the unit and the DVR service. When you take both, plus the wonderful 25 cent rental for the remote, it's about $17 a month.

reply to mab631
Even if it was - there is a question of truly comparable functionality (disclaimer: I have been a day 1 Tivo Customer - and never regretted it)
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I am addicted to speed --- Boost + speed that is ---

I had a regular CV DVR (8300HD) and soon switched over to a Series 3 HD with lifetime service and I instantly liked the Tivo better because of the added features
--
Romney - Ryan 2012