We've had home theater threads in here before, so I'm throwing this up for discussion.

I'm considering getting a DVR and I'm having trouble deciding between getting a DirecTV receiver with TiVo (also known as DirecTiVo) or Ultimate TV.

For background, I've already got DirecTV, which I've had for five years. I've also got basic cable and a S-VHS VCR that can record both the cable stations (no box required) as well as the satellite stations. The whole setup works pretty well and records F1 on Speedvision flawlessly at 4:30 AM, but a DVR offers so much more.

If I get the DVR, I'll also probably get DirecTV local stations, which, in my area, require the 24" elliptical dual LNB satellite dish. That way I'll be able to record both local stations as well as the satellite stations on the DVR.

So I'm looking for feedback from people who currently have a DirecTiVo unit or the Ultimate TV unit, preferably both.

I've read the SAT-T60 user manual (available in PDF format at http://www.directv.com) and I've played with the RCA Ultimate TV receiver in the store and it appears that the TiVo software (v2.0.1) is much more feature-laden than Microsoft's initial UTV release. I've read all the discussions of both systems at http://www.avsforum.com and I'm aware of all of the features of both, as well as the rumored features coming later this year, but I'm looking for opinions from other S2000 owners.

I know Jake Pratt is a big DVR advocate, so I'd appreciate your input Jake if you're still around.

 

Well...we've come to a subject I know fairly well (have 4 TiVo's and 3 DTV tuners going now). As you can see, I am a Tivo kinda guy. The only differences are:

* UTV has dual tuner (Sony has the T60 w/ dual tuners selling now for TiVo but the software isn't due until June. Then this will not be an advantage)

* TiVo is mature and Ultimate has a few buggies (empty space bug, missing recordings, etc)

* Ultimate charges $10 per month...perios. There is no lifetime offer or nada!! Could get expensive (TiVO is offering a lifetime subscription for $199 until June. Then it goes to $250. These can be sold with the box as well...nice value add)

* TiVo has some bonus features as well. Wishlists, Season Program Manager...Ultimate doesn't.

Go for the TiVo (Specifically the Sony T60 model). If you want more info...

http://www.avsforum.com/ubbcgitivo/Ultimat...passCookie=true

I love my TiVo!!

Mark

P.S. - No...I don't work for them or sell there products.

 

Repeat after me.....I love my TiVo....

I LOVE MY TiVo!

That being said the Tivo community at AVSForums in many cases parallels what we have herel. There are a ton of hackers there that love to expand the Tivo's capabilities and lots of very helpful people. Tivo's staff hanging around doesn't hurt either.

As a beta tester of v2.1 for the non-DirecTiVos I find it refreshing how a company that has taken my money is so interested in what I have to say. They appear to be far more responsive than MS in that regard.

The only fear I have with TiVo is the long-term viability of the company. As you may be aware they recently layed off a good portion of their staff and are cutting purse strings extensively. There have been hints that they may be insolvent by the end of the summer.

Check here: http://news.search.com/search?tag=ex.ne.fd....srch.ne&q=tivo

You know MS isn't going anywhere, but you always have to question their resolve. Ask any WebTV user.

 

Do you need a second phone line for DVR's? Why don't they just use an ethernet port so I can plug it into my DSL? I really don't like the idea of any consumer electronics that use my telephone -- reminds me of crap like DivX.

I think DVR's would be great if they were stand-alone boxes that would download program information from the satellite. Can they do that? I mean, if you use DirecTiVo, do you have to plug the DVR into the phone line. ('Scuse my ignorance.)

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Sunchild
[B]Do you need a second phone line for DVR's?

 

As mentioned above, the TiVo does normally require a phone connection in order to download directory data.

The thing to know is that a TiVo is basically a Linux-based PC. When dialing it is making a PPP connection and then an TCP/IP connection to TiVo's computers.

Keeping that in mind, you can add an ethernet NIC to a TiVo (not sure if it works with DirecTiVo), and download directory info over broadband.

http://www.9thtee.com/tivonet.htm

There are many hacks available for the TiVo for those inclined:

http://www.tivofaq.com/hack/faq.html

It should be noted that although TiVo (the company) does not actively encourage this hacking, they certainly do not discourage it either.

 

My understanding is that stand-alone (SA) TiVos download all of their information using a phone connection. The DirecTV with TiVo (DirecTiVo) units download the guide information from the satellite. The phone line is used for TiVo to send back it's collected profile info (the infamous TiVo privacy issue). You can tell TiVo not to collect any data.

Some people with DirecTiVo have reported not hooking up their phone line and having no problem.

 

Cool. Now I just need to ask my landlord for permission (yuck).

 

No one's mentioned the company that pays me the money that pays for the stook, ReplayTV. You can get Panasonic Showstoppers for a pretty good deal. If you're set on a combo product, then you are left with the DirecTivo or UTV.

avsforum is a great resource for PVR information.

Oh, and as far as asking your landlord for permission, you may not have to. http://www.fcc.gov/csb/facts/otard.html

 

thanks, pellisS2k. Being a lawyer, i drilled the DirecTV guys about their rule on getting landlord's permission. They clearly didn't know about the rule that you cited. I will fax them a copy tomorrow, so they can sell me the dang thing. DirecTiVo -- in. Time Warner Cable -- takes a flying f$ck.