On 05/10/03 21:33, G50AE said...
Spiky, since as you say, you are a bit behind,
let me catch you up. TIVO is basically a computer
hard drive that is used as a VCR. They have through
marketting only, managed to obtain a sizable share
of the VCR market. They provide no real advantages
over a real VCR and have several drawbacks.
First, I was being sarcastic and pointing out (to those who are capable of understanding) that you are incorrect about Tivo=VCR. Are you really this obtuse??
Drawback 1- You have to pay a subscription to
use a home theater product you own. What other
VCR system requires or required this?
Not necessarily. And I already subscribe to someone just to get the channels, what's a little more? Figure it into your total cost of entertainment. If it isn't for you, fine. FWIW, Dish has PVRs that do NOT cost any more. A DVD burner will set you back about the same as a Tivo with Lifetime Subscription, meaning no monthly payments. And some people set up their own PVR on a PC they already own, saving plenty o cash.
Drawback 2- The material recorded cannot be removed
from the VCR to use on another unit. This is
akin to having a VHS unit with the tape permanently
stuck in the deck. Some people would counter
that you can back-up the information to tape,
but you are making a copy and as such suffer from
degredation inevitable in any copy process. Why
not just start with a recording on tape?
Sure it can. Copy to a VCR/DVD/PC/etc. Use quality components and there is no degredation.
Drawback 3- Sharing recorded movies is a heck
of alot harder. If you have a recording that
a friend wants to watch, you need to either make
a back-up copy, lend out the whole unit, or have
them watch it at your place. A tape based system
allows you to share recordings alot easier.
The day I loan you one of my movies is the day you broke into my house and stole it.
Drawback 4- If the unit requires servicing, it
must be done by TIVO themselves. Every city has
one or two repair places that can work on VCRs
and have you up and running prety fast, most of
these places cannot work on the TIVO recorders.
Are you for real? What did you type this on? Tivo is a Linux computer, fix it yourself. Not to mention that Tivo is a software company. My Tivo is a Philips, there are also Hughes and Sony boxes and some others. If there was a serious hardware problem it would be fixed by the hardware mfgr. So you obviously know NOTHING about Tivo. Perhaps you meant Replay/Sonic Blue which makes both their hardware and software.
Basically TIVO has gotten where they are today
by marketting only. They have not provided a
product with any new features or advantages that
were not present with the S-VHS recording system.
Basically TIVO is alot like Monster Cable, Sony,
and BOSE, all the money is spent on marketting
so that the customer can think they have a great
product.
You so clearly have never used a PVR it is absolutely incredible that you have such strong opinions. Try one out for a month somehow and you will see. I no longer wish I could see a show, I simply tell my DTivo that I want it, and then go watch it sometime.
A PVR is not a VCR, it is TV on YOUR terms, not someone elses. This is why there are lawsuits against the providing companies, Hollywood and their ilk are against the consumers taking control of their entertainment back.
This message was edited by Spiky on 05/12/03 11:08.
