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Topic:
Direct TV, Dish, or Comcast
This thread has 25 replies. Displaying posts 16 through 26.
Post 16 made on Monday August 17, 2015 at 09:52
KeithDBrown
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On August 16, 2015 at 22:06, roddymcg said...
I just went from Comcrap/TiVo to DTV about 2 months ago, I miss the TiVo interface. I now have an HR44.

Once you become proficient at using a system a move to another system needs to have appreciable advantages otherwise it will typically be viewed as a lesser option.

That said, TiVo is basically just an interface. It doesn't provide the service, so comparing any service to TiVo is a little unfair.
Post 17 made on Monday August 17, 2015 at 10:41
King of typos
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So wait a minute, TiVo is available as a "bonus" of sorts? Do I just ask my provider to send me a TiVo receiver, or do I have to purchase one? If purchase, where from?

What providers does TiVo work with?

KOT
Post 18 made on Monday August 17, 2015 at 11:15
mdavej
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You buy Tivos from Tivo, retailers (Amazon, BestBuy, etc.) or individuals. You either pay a monthly fee ($15) or lump sum for lifetime service ($250-$500 depending on promos). Works with all US cable companies, FIOS and DirecTV. Doesn't work with Dish or U-verse. Some companies do directly offer Tivo as an option, but not many.

Tivo has a great sale going on right now with half price lifetime service. I just bought a couple myself.

IMO, the main reasons to get Tivo are their superior interface (most cable DVR's interfaces look like my 1970s Atari), functionality (search integrates TV and all major streaming services which are all built in) and cost savings (pays for itself in about 18 months then is essentially free). Tivo also retains a high resale value. So if you ever sell, you get most of your money back.

The exception is DirecTV's version of Tivo. IMO, it's inferior to Genie. But if you prefer the Tivo interface, you'll probably like it better.
Post 19 made on Monday August 17, 2015 at 11:21
King of typos
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Ok. So I have to pay for TiVo service plus the service from the provider? In my case would be Comcast.

KOT
Post 20 made on Monday August 17, 2015 at 14:14
mdavej
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On August 17, 2015 at 11:21, King of typos said...
Ok. So I have to pay for TiVo service plus the service from the provider? In my case would be Comcast.

KOT

What do you mean by "service"? Yes, you still have to pay for your programming package. But all other fees (DVR service, hardware rent/lease) go away entirely.

For example, my cable company charges $20 for DVR service plus $7 for each box. So my 4 TV system would normally cost $48 in fees alone.

With Tivo, there are two scenarios. If I have subscription service on my main DVR plus 3 Minis, then my fees would be $15 paid to Tivo and $2 paid to my cable company for the cable card for a grand total of $17 (Minis never have a monthly fee). If my main DVR has lifetime service, the my grand total is $2 (Minis include lifetime service for free). I have lifetime, so my monthly savings is $46 (~$550/year). That pays for my main DVR with lifetime ($300) plus 2.5 Minis. The other 1.5 Minis are paid for 3 months later. So beginning in month 16, I save $46/month.

I think Comcast actually gives you a credit for using a cable card. So you actually make money by using Tivo.
Post 21 made on Monday August 17, 2015 at 14:39
King of typos
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On August 17, 2015 at 14:14, mdavej said...
What do you mean by "service"? Yes, you still have to pay for your programming package. But all other fees (DVR service, hardware rent/lease) go away entirely.

For example, my cable company charges $20 for DVR service plus $7 for each box. So my 4 TV system would normally cost $48 in fees alone.

With Tivo, there are two scenarios. If I have subscription service on my main DVR plus 3 Minis, then my fees would be $15 paid to Tivo and $2 paid to my cable company for the cable card for a grand total of $17 (Minis never have a monthly fee). If my main DVR has lifetime service, the my grand total is $2 (Minis include lifetime service for free). I have lifetime, so my monthly savings is $46 (~$550/year). That pays for my main DVR with lifetime ($300) plus 2.5 Minis. The other 1.5 Minis are paid for 3 months later. So beginning in month 16, I save $46/month.

I think Comcast actually gives you a credit for using a cable card. So you actually make money by using Tivo.

Oh ok, that makes since now. Thank you for that.

How does HD tuning work? Currently on my X1 box. If I were to press channel 3, which is my local CBS, it will auto tune to the HD equivalent of channel 3. Which is somewhere in the 1,000's I think.

How will the TiVo box handle that?

KOT
Post 22 made on Monday August 17, 2015 at 18:05
mdavej
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It doesn't auto tune. You'll have to get used to the 1000 numbers. First thing I do whenever I set up my systems is delete all the SD channels, shopping, religious, PPV and channels that aren't in my package. That would include channel 3, leaving only the HD version in the high numbers. I rarely use channel numbers anyway, only the guide and favorites on the DVR or favorites on my remote. On my system they're very easy to remember anyway. 4 -> 704, 13 -> 713, etc. Never been a problem for me.

X1 isn't a bad system, so Tivo wouldn't be that big of a change for you. It was a huge change for me.
Post 23 made on Monday August 17, 2015 at 18:47
edizzle
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Directv BY FAR, has the best technology in their boxes. Best HD lineup, Best sports programming hands down. Best control options, IR w/ discreets, Serial, IP.
I love supporting product that supports me!
Post 24 made on Monday August 17, 2015 at 19:09
roddymcg
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On August 17, 2015 at 09:52, KeithDBrown said...
Once you become proficient at using a system a move to another system needs to have appreciable advantages otherwise it will typically be viewed as a lesser option.

That said, TiVo is basically just an interface. It doesn't provide the service, so comparing any service to TiVo is a little unfair.

I had DTV for many years before going to the TiVo combo, plus I deal with DTV on a regular basis with our clientele. I feel my comparisons are very fair.

If DTV did not get you for paying for the DVR service on top of the TiVo charges to me it would be a no brainer using TiVo. But I do not feel it is worth the extra $20 a month with the amount of TV I really watch.
When good enough is not good enough.
Post 25 made on Monday August 17, 2015 at 19:14
goldenzrule
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On August 16, 2015 at 11:59, Neurorad said...
My plan is to switch back and forth from DirecTV to Comcast every couple years.

Different companies, same headache.

Moneywise, trying to save a few hundred a year, by switching back and forth.

I had Comcast for 12 years, for TV. Switched to DirecTV for the last couple years, not very impressed. Will switch back, for 2 years. We don't watch much TV, honestly.

My biggest gripe for DTV is their GUI, very slow. Maybe I'm just impatient.

I don't get this mentality. The aggravation of dealing with installation and learning new channels and different equipment and/or gui features every two years to save a little money is crazy. It may cost more to keep one service and not switch, but my life is easier which is all I want. Come home and just relax. That's worth paying for.
Post 26 made on Monday August 17, 2015 at 19:46
King of typos
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On August 17, 2015 at 18:05, mdavej said...
It doesn't auto tune. You'll have to get used to the 1000 numbers. First thing I do whenever I set up my systems is delete all the SD channels, shopping, religious, PPV and channels that aren't in my package. That would include channel 3, leaving only the HD version in the high numbers. I rarely use channel numbers anyway, only the guide and favorites on the DVR or favorites on my remote. On my system they're very easy to remember anyway. 4 -> 704, 13 -> 713, etc. Never been a problem for me.

X1 isn't a bad system, so Tivo wouldn't be that big of a change for you. It was a huge change for me.

Oh, deleting channels didn't come to mind. I do have favorite channels programed into my Pronto. But the occasional channel that isn't in my fav may get used.

This idea of my switching to TiVo is at least 18 months away any how, as I am 6 months into my Dish contract right now.

Good to know information though, thank you.

KOT
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