amro4
join:2008-10-07
Colleyville, TX | [TIVO] Anyone regret getting TiVo? I'm kind of sick of the FiOS DVRs and their slow evolution, and I'm looking at switching to TiVo. Oddly enough, I still have a TiVo Series 1 with a lifetime subscription ($249 back then) that still works. I haven't kept up much with the 4-tuner TiVo's, but I seem to remember reading that they were slow based on them using Java? Also, if I switch to TiVo I won't have to worry about that stupid FiOS router and trying to use my own wireless router while still trying to use Remote DVR and Scheduling.
Thoughts, especially those of you who switched. Thanks  |
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 wmcbrine213 251 145 96
join:2002-12-30
Laurel, MD
kudos:1 | said by amro4:I haven't kept up much with the 4-tuner TiVo's, but I seem to remember reading that they were slow based on them using Java? None of that is true, although I'm sure some people think that. (I.e., they don't use Java; they're not slow; and Java isn't slow, either.) I do hear that the 4-tuner versions are slower than the 2-tuner Premieres, due to the increased load; and the new "HDUI" (high definition user interface) is indeed slower than the SDUI (due mainly to its network dependencies, I think -- not due to its being written in Flash), but you can always switch to the SDUI if that bothers you. The base performance of the Premiere is much faster than any previous model of TiVo.
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| said by wmcbrine:The base performance of the Premiere is much faster than any previous model of TiVo.
Concur. Switched from Series3 to XL4 and performance is just fine. Much faster in SD interface mode, about the same as Series3 in HD interface mode.
The slowness in HD mode is from downloading information from the internet to be displayed (You may like..., etc). |
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 ThinkdiffPremium,MVM
join:2001-08-07
Bronx, NY
kudos:6 | reply to amro4
I've had TiVos since 2002. Starting with a single DirecTiVo (Series 2) which eventually lead to 5 DirecTiVos. Then 2 years ago I made the switch to 4 TiVo HDs. Last year I upgraded one TiVo HD to a TiVo Premier Elite (now called XL4).
The XL4 can be significantly slower than the TiVo HD due to the new HDUI (based on Flash, not Java) and just the hardware being a bit underpowered.
With the recent Fall update, the issue isn't so much the TiVo being slow, it's that the speed is inconsistent. 90% of the time, everything works great and I'm perfectly happy with the HDUI. The other 10% of the time, it gets bogged down and slightly frustrating, but never enough to regret getting the TiVo. Just don't plan on using YouTube (that app is a steaming pile of crap).
TiVo offers a money back guarantee - doesn't hurt to try it out and decide for yourself.
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University of Southern California - Fight On! |
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 dosdoxiesPremium
join:2004-12-15
Wallingford, PA | reply to amro4
I just replaced my FIOS 7216 with a 45 hour Tivo Premiere. I too have been a TIVO subscriber since 2003. They have a clearance sale going on until 12/14 where you can get a Premiere starting at $50 with free shipping.
»www3.tivo.com/promo/holiday2012/···e_banner
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The more people I meet, the better I like my dogs. |
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| reply to Thinkdiff
said by Thinkdiff:The XL4 can be significantly slower than the TiVo HD due to the new HDUI (based on Flash, not Java) and just the hardware being a bit underpowered.
I've read that it's currently only using one core of a dual core processor because they had reliability issues when activating the second core. Don't know if this is still the case or if it was resolved in a subsequent update. I've never seen a serious lag (but I also don't use the YouTube app). |
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| reply to dosdoxies
I have a TIVO XL4 and a FIOS 7232 sitting side by side and interchange between them. I would give a slight edge to TIVO only because I like their HD interface better.
If I had to give up one or the other, however, it would be the TIVO with VOD as the game changer.
In terms of basic functionality like recording, scheduling, playback, reliability, sound and picture quality, they are a wash. TIVO guide data is better, but FIOS has improved IMO.
People manage their DVR's differently. What I like you may not. What I dislike you may not. As previous posts indicate, you can make the change to TIVO rather inexpensively. Give it a try. It's not a lifetime commitment. |
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 aaronwtPremium
join:2004-11-07
Woodbridge, VA
 ·Verizon FiOS
| reply to knarf829
said by knarf829:said by Thinkdiff:The XL4 can be significantly slower than the TiVo HD due to the new HDUI (based on Flash, not Java) and just the hardware being a bit underpowered.
I've read that it's currently only using one core of a dual core processor because they had reliability issues when activating the second core. Don't know if this is still the case or if it was resolved in a subsequent update. I've never seen a serious lag (but I also don't use the YouTube app). They have been using both cores for a while now.
I'll take my TiVos over the FiOS DVRs just for the money I've saved. During the 64 months I've been with FiOS, I would have spent alot more money if I had been using FiOS DVRs during that time instead of using my TiVos. |
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compPremium
join:2001-08-16
Cranberry Twp, PA | reply to knarf829
Both have been enabled for over a year now |
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amro4
join:2008-10-07
Colleyville, TX | reply to amro4
Great, thanks for all the feedback. Very valuable. I've never once used the video on demand because I use AppleTV for that as well as Netflix. I have a Dune media server for all my Blu-Rays and my PS3 for Amazon Instand Video (which is a terrible interface).
What I do like is the remote DVR/TV Listings. I've used it quite a few times to schedule a recording right from my phone. And from what I've read, I can do that with TiVo. Also, I would be able to dump my FiOS router all together. The remote DVR is the only reason I have to use that crappy router. |
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UnnDunnPremium
join:2005-12-21
Brooklyn, NY Reviews:
·Verizon FiOS
| You will still need a router that supports both MoCA and Ethernet, since TiVo requires CoAX input for television and Ethernet for guide data and IP-based services. That's the primary purpose of the Verizon ActionTec router.
The Verizon router is not actually necessary for FiOS Remote DVR; it's just the easiest to use because configuration is automatic. |
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kes601
join:2007-04-14
Virginia Beach, VA
kudos:2 | The router does not need to support MOCA if the user has a TiVo. The TiVo would get the guide info via cat5 and picture/audio via coax, neither of which require MOCA.
If TiVo required a MOCA connection then it would pretty much not work on any cable system. |
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amro4
join:2008-10-07
Colleyville, TX | reply to UnnDunn
I don't think this is right. The cable is just for video, and Ethernet for guide info and remote dvr. Right? |
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UnnDunnPremium
join:2005-12-21
Brooklyn, NY | reply to kes601
You're right, but I was under the impression Verizon only enables either Coax or Ethernet at the ONT, never both, and as such a MoCA device would be required to feed the TiVo with both Coax and Ethernet. |
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amro4
join:2008-10-07
Colleyville, TX | said by UnnDunn:You're right, but I was under the impression Verizon only enables either Coax or Ethernet at the ONT, never both, and as such a MoCA device would be required to feed the TiVo with both Coax and Ethernet.
Ah, I understand. My FiOS router has both COAX and Ethernet which means, theoretically, that I can get rid of the FiOS router, hook my Netgear wireless router via the WAN port to the ONT and leave the COAX for the video.
Now, on to searching for a good sale... |
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 JackarinoPremium
join:2006-12-28
Allendale, NJ
kudos:1 | reply to amro4
I really like my TiVO |
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amro4
join:2008-10-07
Colleyville, TX | reply to amro4
The other thing is that we are so close to CES, I'm wondering if TiVo will have new hardware. |
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ThinkdiffPremium,MVM
join:2001-08-07
Bronx, NY
kudos:6 | reply to amro4
By far the best feature of the TiVo for me is pytivo. It's a third-party server package that you can run on Windows, Linux, etc. You point it to your media folder and then it does two things:
1. You can go to a webpage on your computer/phone that lists all your media. You can pick a video, pick the TiVo you want to send it to and hit send. Within 2-3 minutes, it starts transferring to your TiVo. If the source material is MPEG2, MPEG4 (x264), or WMV VC-1, it doesn't even transcode it. I watch x264 720p and 1080p videos on my TiVo all the time. If something does need to be converted, it does it on the fly.
2. It also adds a Server icon in your "My Shows" list on the TiVo. You can initiate an instant transfer from the TiVo itself, but all video will be converted to MPEG2.
This feature alone will keep me from ever using a FiOS or cable company DVR.
And BTW, the TiVo iOS app kicks the pants off everything else. Remote scheduling works great. Their Android app recently caught up with similar features, too.
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University of Southern California - Fight On! |
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| reply to amro4
I switched from FIOS DVR to TiVo Premiere series 4 about a year ago and don't regret making the move. Their mobile app allows you to view listings and schedule recordings remotely but if you want to watch your recorded content on an iPhone or iPad then you will need to purchase an additional accessory called the TiVo stream. It only allows you to stream your programs within your home network but works great. I'm looking into upgrading to a 4 tuner model with greater capacity but holding off because I'm hearing rumors of a 6 tuner model release with built in streaming capabilities and faster processing speed but who knows if or when that'll come out.
Their newer models have Ethernet and MoCa options so if you don't have a hard wired cat 5 ran to the location you can use coax to connect to their servers but will need to retain the Verizon actiontec router (or a MoCa adapter). |
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