#242915 - 30/11/2004 20:39
Off-Topic WTB: entry-level DVR
|
carpal tunnel
Registered: 19/01/2002
Posts: 3584
Loc: Columbus, OH
|
This will be my first DVR. I don't know whether Tivo or ReplayTV is better, but I'm willing to try either.
I'm looking for an inexpensive entry-level unit (40-80 hr?). It will be used with regular analog cable for right now. Does not need to be able to update over broadband or anything fancy like that. If anyone wants to upgrade their DVR and is looking to get rid of an old one, let me know.
_________________________
~ John
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#242916 - 30/11/2004 21:02
Re: Off-Topic WTB: entry-level DVR
[Re: JBjorgen]
|
pooh-bah
Registered: 12/02/2002
Posts: 2298
Loc: Berkeley, California
|
Replays (and I assume tivo's) are pretty damn cheap these days. Replays go for $100 with a $50 rebate. Of course, then you're left with activation, which is the main expense. If you're still "trying things out" you can go monthly, but beware as that adds up. The nice thing about lifetime activations is they don't seem to depreciate so you can usually get your money back.
Matthew
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#242917 - 01/12/2004 00:44
Re: Off-Topic WTB: entry-level DVR
[Re: JBjorgen]
|
enthusiast
Registered: 18/03/2002
Posts: 225
Loc: San Diego, California USA
|
There's a wealth of information at AVS Forums about both the TiVo and ReplayTV units. I'm a big Replay TV guy, all the way back to the Model 2004 (28 hours) to today where I have 4 modified 5000 units (larger hard drives installed).
You'll love this new way of watching TV whenever you like. There's lot of good features on both brands that you can use to pause live TV, time-shift, skip ahead, back, etc.
One thing to note on the ReplayTV series....
The 5xxx series are the most desirable right now, because they have the automatic commercial skip and Internet Show Sharing features. Those features were removed when ReplayTV was sued recently and the latest models (the 55xx series) do not have these features.
So you'll see on eBay that the 5504 is cheaper than the 5040 (both 40 hour units) because the 5504 doesn't have the commercial skip and show sharing features. They're still great machines...
With commercial skip, you can watch a 60 minute show in about 40 minutes. You can still skip manually if you have a non-commercial skip machine. And you can watch a 3 hour football game in about 70-80 minutes by using the Replay 30 second skip button right after the ball goes out of play to skip ahead to the next play.
Once you get one, you'll never look back. You'll probably want one on every tv....
Let me know if you have any questions and I can help. I'm more familiar with Replay than Tivo, but I think Tony can help with the Tivo questions....
Randy
_________________________
Happy owner of 2 Centrals, 2 Empegs Mk2a 160GB, 1 Empeg Mk2a 60 GB, a Rio Riot, 4 Rio Receivers, and two 1GB iPod Shuffles...
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#242918 - 01/12/2004 01:30
Re: Off-Topic WTB: entry-level DVR
[Re: The Central Guy]
|
carpal tunnel
Registered: 24/01/2002
Posts: 3937
Loc: Providence, RI
|
If you get a ReplayTV, the 4000 and 4500 series also have internet show sharing, but only amongst themselves, not to 5000 series.
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#242919 - 01/12/2004 02:06
Re: Off-Topic WTB: entry-level DVR
[Re: JBjorgen]
|
enthusiast
Registered: 20/11/2000
Posts: 279
Loc: Pacific Northwest
|
I have a ReplayTV 3030 (but now it is a 3160 after a drive upgrade...) and have had the 50xx model and I have to say I sold my 50xx because of the sluggish UI. Judging by friends who bought the 50xx's I had and who'd never been exposed to the earlier models you'll love it. But for me the performance of the UI in the newer models made them almost unusable. Changing channels took ~2-5sec and made channel flipping a tiresome chore.
I'm sure I could've enjoyed the commercial skip--even more so the Ethernet out on the newer models, but just not enough to part with my older unit.
Either way, you'll never watch TV the same way again--unless you're traveling, which really sucks cause you don' t have that 30-sec-skip-forward or 7-sec-skip-back button in the hotel. ;-)
Edit:Ooh, and I forgot to mention: the 20xx, 30xx models have no monthly fee for programming info!
Edited by time (01/12/2004 02:08)
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#242920 - 01/12/2004 03:27
Re: Off-Topic WTB: entry-level DVR
[Re: time]
|
addict
Registered: 30/05/2002
Posts: 695
|
... I have to say I sold my 50xx because of the sluggish UI. I've read about this a few times over at AVSForum, but I've never understood why this is true for some users and not for others. The UI has always been quick for me, both before and after a hard drive upgrade.
Changing channels took ~2-5sec and made channel flipping a tiresome chore. I thought of it this way as well, at first. But these things really do change the way you watch TV, regardless of which brand you choose. I personally never watch live TV anymore. Or on the extremely rare occassion that I do, I "guide surf." But then, I was never much of a channel surfer before I had a ReplayTV.
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#242921 - 03/12/2004 14:00
Re: Off-Topic WTB: entry-level DVR
[Re: DeadFire]
|
carpal tunnel
Registered: 19/01/2002
Posts: 3584
Loc: Columbus, OH
|
Ok...At Amazon, I can get a 40 hour TiVo for $70.94 (after $100 rebate) or a 40 hour ReplayTV for $49.74 (after $50 rebate). Those of you that have used both, given this choice...which would you buy and why?
_________________________
~ John
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#242922 - 03/12/2004 14:10
Re: Off-Topic WTB: entry-level DVR
[Re: JBjorgen]
|
carpal tunnel
Registered: 30/10/2000
Posts: 4931
Loc: New Jersey, USA
|
I only use Tivo because of the integration with DirecTV. If I was using cable, there is no question I would use a ReplayTV 5000 series.
_________________________
-Rob Riccardelli 80GB 16MB MK2 090000736
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#242923 - 03/12/2004 14:14
Re: Off-Topic WTB: entry-level DVR
[Re: JBjorgen]
|
addict
Registered: 01/03/2002
Posts: 599
Loc: Florida
|
I've only used a replayTV for about a week and since I already had a TiVo I gave up on the replayTV. So you can see I would say go with TiVo. But what I really want to recommend is that if you get a TiVo try to get a Philips because the remote is 100 times better and if you need to replace a dead HD the Philips images are easier to find.
Edited by Attack (03/12/2004 15:30)
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#242924 - 03/12/2004 14:36
Re: Off-Topic WTB: entry-level DVR
[Re: Attack]
|
carpal tunnel
Registered: 30/10/2000
Posts: 4931
Loc: New Jersey, USA
|
_________________________
-Rob Riccardelli 80GB 16MB MK2 090000736
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#242925 - 03/12/2004 15:23
Re: Off-Topic WTB: entry-level DVR
[Re: robricc]
|
addict
Registered: 01/03/2002
Posts: 599
Loc: Florida
|
Quote:
Quote: Phillips
Phillips Philips
Yeah, I always get it wrong and always forget to look it up..
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#242926 - 03/12/2004 15:45
Re: Off-Topic WTB: entry-level DVR
[Re: JBjorgen]
|
carpal tunnel
Registered: 24/01/2002
Posts: 3937
Loc: Providence, RI
|
The TiVo (peanut) remote is boss. There is nothing else.
I prefer interacting with TiVo. I prefer ReplayTV for extraction and show sharing. What are your (primary) goals, I guess...
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#242927 - 03/12/2004 16:26
Re: Off-Topic WTB: entry-level DVR
[Re: Daria]
|
carpal tunnel
Registered: 30/10/2000
Posts: 4931
Loc: New Jersey, USA
|
Quote: The TiVo (peanut) remote is boss. There is nothing else.
I disagree because the Sony Tivo remote (incompatible with anything but a Sony Tivo) has a secret learning function. For whatever reason, the peanut still doesn't learn or it still hasn't been discovered.
This remote is boss in my opinion. I recently bought it for $80 and couldn't be more impressed. $66 is a hot deal.
_________________________
-Rob Riccardelli 80GB 16MB MK2 090000736
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#242928 - 03/12/2004 16:58
Re: Off-Topic WTB: entry-level DVR
[Re: robricc]
|
carpal tunnel
Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
|
The ergonomics of the Sony TiVo remote suck, whereas those of the peanut remote are excellent. End of story.
_________________________
Bitt Faulk
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#242929 - 03/12/2004 17:06
Re: Off-Topic WTB: entry-level DVR
[Re: wfaulk]
|
carpal tunnel
Registered: 30/10/2000
Posts: 4931
Loc: New Jersey, USA
|
I don't have a problem with either. I get along just fine with either the Sony or the peanut.
FWIW, the ReplayTV remote I have is very similar to the Sony TiVo remote. So similar that it's obvious one is a copy of the other.
_________________________
-Rob Riccardelli 80GB 16MB MK2 090000736
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#242930 - 03/12/2004 17:23
Re: Off-Topic WTB: entry-level DVR
[Re: robricc]
|
carpal tunnel
Registered: 20/12/1999
Posts: 31597
Loc: Seattle, WA
|
Well, my Ratshack 15-1994, custom configured with all the Tivo functions and set up with a great custom labeling system is the best of all. Not as ergonomic as the peanut, but the peanut can't control all of my A/V functions or the DVD and VCR either.
Attachments
242493-15-1994.gif (131 downloads)
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#242931 - 03/12/2004 20:27
Re: Off-Topic WTB: entry-level DVR
[Re: wfaulk]
|
veteran
Registered: 19/06/2000
Posts: 1495
Loc: US: CA
|
MMmm..... Peanuts.
Attachments
242520-peanuts.jpg (130 downloads)
_________________________
Donato MkII/080000565 MkIIa/010101253 ricin.us
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#242932 - 04/12/2004 14:28
Re: Off-Topic WTB: entry-level DVR
[Re: robricc]
|
carpal tunnel
Registered: 12/11/2001
Posts: 7738
Loc: Toronto, CANADA
|
The Replay remote is a JP1 remote, like Tony's 1994. You can completely reconfigure it.
Also, you can interchange the Philips and Sony remotes on a TiVo as long as you use a small patch. I was using a Sony TiVo image on my Philips TiVo and had to use a patch to switch the remote back to the peanut.
Bruno
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#242933 - 04/12/2004 19:55
Re: Off-Topic WTB: entry-level DVR
[Re: hybrid8]
|
addict
Registered: 01/03/2002
Posts: 599
Loc: Florida
|
Quote: I was using a Sony TiVo image on my Philips TiVo and had to use a patch to switch the remote back to the peanut.
Bruno
Your TiVo service is still working? Since Don't be a MORON part II says you should do this.
Don't be a MORON Don't be a moron -- part II
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#242934 - 05/12/2004 01:37
Re: Off-Topic WTB: entry-level DVR
[Re: Attack]
|
carpal tunnel
Registered: 12/11/2001
Posts: 7738
Loc: Toronto, CANADA
|
In TiVo hacking, only a "moron" would keep their box connected to the phone line in the first place.
On a Series 1 DTivo, yes, you can run a Sony image (at least of 3.1.x) on a Philips box (that means an actual Philips or Hughes). These units are pretty much all the same really.
P.S. The TiVo forums (linked above) are mostly full of hot air. So I try to avoid them.
Bruno
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#242935 - 05/12/2004 04:16
Re: Off-Topic WTB: entry-level DVR
[Re: hybrid8]
|
addict
Registered: 01/03/2002
Posts: 599
Loc: Florida
|
Quote: In TiVo hacking, only a "moron" would keep their box connected to the phone line in the first place.
Unless you have an SA unit and you have to connect to the service to get guide data.
Quote:
On a Series 1 DTivo, yes, you can run a Sony image (at least of 3.1.x) on a Philips box (that means an actual Philips or Hughes). These units are pretty much all the same really.
P.S. The TiVo forums (linked above) are mostly full of hot air. So I try to avoid them.
Bruno
The posts I linked to were made by one of the original TiVo employees, he quit around the time that 3.0 software was released. We also have the Superfriends Of Reality TV posted by TiVoPony a current TiVo employee, without the thread we would have never of known out the SORT feature for the now playing list on 3.0 software. Then we have all the MFS tools software that was original released only on above forums.
I do agree if you want to do any extraction or if you want any hack that cuts into TiVo's money you need a different site.
Plus any forum with 74,259 Registered Members is going to have a bad signal to noise ratio.
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#242936 - 06/12/2004 01:10
Re: Off-Topic WTB: entry-level DVR
[Re: Attack]
|
carpal tunnel
Registered: 23/09/2000
Posts: 3608
Loc: Minnetonka, MN
|
Or you could use ethernet
_________________________
Matt
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#242937 - 06/12/2004 01:45
Re: Off-Topic WTB: entry-level DVR
[Re: msaeger]
|
addict
Registered: 01/03/2002
Posts: 599
Loc: Florida
|
Quote: Or you could use ethernet
Thats how my TiVo's are setup (two are usings cachecards and one is using a turbonet) but it still has to connect to the TiVo service to get the Guide data.
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#242938 - 06/12/2004 02:55
Re: Off-Topic WTB: entry-level DVR
[Re: Attack]
|
carpal tunnel
Registered: 23/09/2000
Posts: 3608
Loc: Minnetonka, MN
|
I have a series 2 and it connects to the tivo service via a usb ethernet dongle.
_________________________
Matt
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#242939 - 09/12/2004 11:28
Re: Off-Topic WTB: entry-level DVR
[Re: msaeger]
|
carpal tunnel
Registered: 19/01/2002
Posts: 3584
Loc: Columbus, OH
|
Well, I just sent payment for this:
Phillips Tivo HDR 312 upgraded to 128 hours recording with LIFETIME subscription
This series 1 unit was upgraded with a second HDD (Maxtor 5400 rpm 80G HDD). Mounted with a bracket purchased from 9thtee.com. Nice clean installation. No tape or dangling wires. No problems with the modem at all. This unit will be shipped in original box with remote and manuals.
Lifetime subscription from Tivo = $299 Bracket from 9thtee = $20.74 shipped HDD = $40 shipped after annoying rebates Phillips hdr-312 = originally $199
price is $300 + actual shipping.
_________________________
~ John
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#242940 - 09/12/2004 12:13
Re: Off-Topic WTB: entry-level DVR
[Re: JBjorgen]
|
carpal tunnel
Registered: 30/10/2000
Posts: 4931
Loc: New Jersey, USA
|
Quote: This unit will be shipped in original box with remote and manuals.
You may want to pickup one of the newer, longer peanut remotes. The original ones were a little buggy with how they sent out repeating IR codes IIRC. It may not bother you. It bothered me though.
Tivo Store
_________________________
-Rob Riccardelli 80GB 16MB MK2 090000736
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#242941 - 09/12/2004 12:44
Re: Off-Topic WTB: entry-level DVR
[Re: robricc]
|
carpal tunnel
Registered: 19/01/2002
Posts: 3584
Loc: Columbus, OH
|
Thanks Rob, I'll give it a try and order one if I need it.
_________________________
~ John
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
|