Do you own a Tivo?

[vhsiv]

This issue came up in another thread as a result of Nielsen's decision to partner with Tivo to include *some* Tivo numbers in their forthcoming reports.

I know this is something of a repeat poll, but we've added quite a few members since that last survey.

This is my first poll, so bear with me...

[AyuRocks]

Ahhhh... well.. I voted for "No thank you, I've already got more than enough boxes with liitle blinking lights in my life right now" but totally didn't see the "Yes, sort of - I've got a television card in my PC."

Cos yeah, I have a TV tuner in my comp and use it regularly.

Ashley

[BaseLine]

I chose: Sadly, but enviously, no. TiVo is not available over here (damn you Philips!). I do have a tv tuner in my pc, so I can mimick some functionality, but I hardly use it for recording.

[grinner]

Well, I have a DishNetwork Sat. Receiver that has a DVR built in. It is NOT a Tivo unit though. So I don't know which to vote for.

[vhsiv]

Originally posted by grinner
Well, I have a DishNetwork Sat. Receiver that has a DVR built in. It is NOT a Tivo unit though. So I don't know which to vote for. That's what I meant by "integrated with my sattelite or cable service" - it's not Tivo™, but a Tivo-like service or capability, just like a tv-card in your PC.

[Darth Buddha]

This was a capital time to do a more detailed poll, vhsiv. I think this time it will really take!

[MediaSavant]

As I said elsewhere, yes.

I think I'm one of the longest Tivo owners in the country. I got my first one back in May, 1999.

It's one of those devices that after you get one, you can no longer imagine life without one.

(that sounds corny, I know)

[CosmicTheorist]

I voted no but seriously considering getting one. Why? Because of the Nielsen and Tivo deal. The Tivo "sample" will be composed of people who volunteer to have their viewing habits tracked. The advertising profession wants to know what people with DVRs do during commercial breaks. I think this is an OPPORTUNITY for Farscape. The simple act of watching recordered ads, or even better, rewatching the ads, could influence the "money" that makes the television world go round, i.e. the almighty advertising dollars.

I want the media buying community to know that I pay attention to the ads during Farscape, and only Farscape, as a passionate and committed Farscape viewer. That's why I'm checking into Tivo with an eye towards buying.

;)

[La Bomba]

I have the integrated DVR in my cable service as well.

[vhsiv]

Originally posted by CosmicTheorist
I voted no but seriously considering getting one. Why? Because of the Nielsen and Tivo deal. The Tivo "sample" will be composed of people who volunteer to have their viewing habits tracked. The advertising profession wants to know what people with DVRs do during commercial breaks. I think this is an OPPORTUNITY for Farscape. The simple act of watching recordered ads, or even better, rewatching the ads, could influence the "money" that makes the television world go round, i.e. the almighty advertising dollars.

I want the media buying community to know that I pay attention to the ads during Farscape, and only Farscape, as a passionate and committed Farscape viewer. That's why I'm checking into Tivo with an eye towards buying. CT, I strongly recommend that you copy that comment onto a couple of postcards and send them to the following peeps:
Ed Lockwood, Investor Relations
Jessica VanPernis, Media Inquiries
Rebecca Baer, Public Relations
Tivo Administrative Offices
2160 Gold Street
P.O. Box 2160
Alviso, CA 95002-2160

[MediaSavant]

Originally posted by vhsiv
CT, I strongly recommend that you copy that comment onto a couple of postcards and send them to the following peeps:
Ed Lockwood, Investor Relations
Jessica VanPernis, Media Inquiries
Rebecca Baer, Public Relations
Tivo Administrative Offices
2160 Gold Street
P.O. Box 2160
Alviso, CA 95002-2160

I'd be cautious about that. Nielsen has always tried to screen their system against people who have an inordinate reason to skew the results. For instance, if you work for a TV station or a network you can't be in the Nielsen sample. A person who works for a TV network might have a reason to make their network look better than it really does.

Even though this is an "opt in" panel, they may be screening against the kind of activity we are discussing here. Or if they begin to see that people are opting in with the goal of skewing the results, they may change the rules and start to look for unusual behavior like this and reject you.

I wouldn't advertise to Tivo the reasons you want to opt in just in case.

Maybe I'm being paranoid, but I'm aware a little bit more of Nielsen's rules than most of you.

[RobinC]

I've been seriously thinking about getting Tivo since I read the report of the Nielsen/Tivo deal, too. Not just for Farscape, but because I'm so doggoned tired of my tastes in television shows not counting for squat with the networks. Not that I think this will change much.

Of course, I'd also like all those cool features that Tivo has...!

Robin

[JadedLegend3]

No idea what Tivo is. :shrug:



Jacqui :love:

[vhsiv]

Jacqui - check out http://www.tivo.com - they do a better job of selling than I could - just think of it as a VCR with a brain.

Now think of all the shows and movies you'd ever wanted to watch, the shows your friends might suggest and some you never heard of... Tivo is an electronic box that will record and store all that programming for as much disk capacity as you have installed. Many of the units have about 80 hours of storage capacity, but many entreprenurial folks like myself have upgraded these units to hold as much as 300 hours.

But again, check out the Tivo website - they do a better job of explaining than I ever could - that is, unless we were standing on a showroom floor...

[Ammit]

We have two Tivos... and I couldn't live without one. I wish I could filter life through a Tivo, and fastforward through, say, work and stoplights.

[qu0s]

The day they bring TiVo to Australia, I'm going to get down on my knees and thank the television gods. I've wanted one since forever, because most of the shows I watch are shoved in late night time slots and then shifted around without warning.

Plus, no ads? Heaven.

[Darth Buddha]

Digital Cable with DVR?

Well, my cable company is scheduled to offer cable boxes with a DVR built in (I subscribe to COX communications). But there are some serious questions about their system...

They claim you can watch a recorded show while recording TWO others simultaneously. Is TiVo capable of recording two at once?

Just how much recordinig time do these bundled cable box/DVR's offter?

What can those who have units like this say about them? Yay or Nay?

[JadedLegend3]

Originally posted by vhsiv
Jacqui - check out http://www.tivo.com - they do a better job of selling than I could - just think of it as a VCR with a brain.

Now think of all the shows and movies you'd ever wanted to watch, the shows your friends might suggest and some you never heard of... Tivo is an electronic box that will record and store all that programming for as much disk capacity as you have installed. Many of the units have about 80 hours of storage capacity, but many entreprenurial folks like myself have upgraded these units to hold as much as 300 hours.

But again, check out the Tivo website - they do a better job of explaining than I ever could - that is, unless we were standing on a showroom floor...

Thanks! I'll check that out later. I'm off to work now!



Jacqui :love:

[Roland]

No, but I would like one. Do they have these in europe?

[MediaSavant]

Originally posted by Darth Buddha
[b][color=orange][size=5]Digital Cable with DVR?[/color

[list]They claim you can watch a recorded show while recording TWO others simultaneously. Is TiVo capable of recording two at once?

My standalone model doesn't.

Just how much recordinig time do these bundled cable box/DVR's offter?

It probably varies from one partner to the next. You will have to ask. Also, keep in mind that Tivo offers three recording qualities (the equivalent of speeds on a VCR). The amount of time you get depends on what level of quality you prefer.

On my series 2 Tivo box, the maximum is 88 hours if I record at the lowest quality. I usually record at medium quality, which gives me 51 hours. Farscape, of course, gets recorded at high quality.

Keep in mind that the reason this poll was started was related to being counted in the new Nielsen/Tivo research. That only is being done with the standalone boxes.

Of course, you can make your product decision based on other criteria than that.

[BaseLine]

Originally posted by Roland
No, but I would like one. Do they have these in europe?

TiVo is only available in the US and the UK. It is possible to buy a device in the UK and use it in another country with the same video format (in this case PAL). However, you will be missing the more advanced features (such as program listings and recommendations), so it's not really worth the effort.

[SweetpeaAeryn]

I don't have one, but I'm a college kid so I don't have the money.

[vhsiv]

Originally posted by Darth Buddha

Well, my cable company is scheduled to offer cable boxes with a DVR built in (I subscribe to COX communications). But there are some serious questions about their system...

They claim you can watch a recorded show while recording TWO others simultaneously. Is TiVo capable of recording two at once?

Just how much recording time do these bundled cable box/DVR's offter?

What can those who have units like this say about them? Yay or Nay? Well, it depends - Speaking to the stansalone models many support A/B Line support, meaning that they can support two separate streams of AV input. Word on the street is that the older Philips models can do this, yet the Sony models (mine) do not - or they do, sort of. Often the pack panel of the machines sport two different kinds of input options, an analogue coaxial input (STD cable input) and 3 RCA inputs - 2 for stereo and 1 for the video signal. The trick is in knowing how to configure the systems to take two feeds at once. Again, I know that the Philips models do this, but I'm not sure of the Sonys. My problem and reluctance is that I have a separate 'digital' cable box sitting between my Tivo and the rest of my AV components, so I leave well enough alone, esp. since I'm content to tape or watch in another room, if I ever have a programming conflict.

OTOH - and to step out of Geekworld to answer your question - if Cox says they can support dual- or triple-channel recording with the box they're supplying you with, well, they probably can. And your life will be entirely easier if the DVR box and the tuner are one integrated unit. I have a considerable amount of experience with these kinds of things, and I know that the average consumer couldn't be bothered with the workarounds that I'd have to effect to support two streams of input. If they say it'll work - well, you'll just have to trust them. However, unless you've got a significant other, you probably won't have to worry about recording two or three shows at once. However, disk capacity is another matter.

Most DVRs - Tivo, SonicBlue, etc. - come off the shelves with a 60-80 hour recording capacity. Many of the earlier Tivos cheaped out with a 20-30 hr. capacity. I would suspect that anything the cable company is going to lease you will be in the 40-60 range. I solved my problem there by installing an additional 120Gb internal HD. But again, that's not a task for the average user, nor would I expect that to be something your cable company is going to allow you to do. With my added storage capacity, I still have a burgeoning tape library of some 200+ tapes. So be prepared to tape anything you want to keep long term.

60-80 hours may seem like a lot, but it quickly diminshes if you start to archive four seasons of Farscape (88 hours).

Find out who manufactures Cox's DVRs, and research the model(s) that you're thinking of getting.

[Roland]

Originally posted by BaseLine
TiVo is only available in the US and the UK. It is possible to buy a device in the UK and use it in another country with the same video format (in this case PAL). However, you will be missing the more advanced features (such as program listings and recommendations), so it's not really worth the effort.

Thank's! :)

[guyricardo]

Originally posted by Darth Buddha

Well, my cable company is scheduled to offer cable boxes with a DVR built in (I subscribe to COX communications). But there are some serious questions about their system...

They claim you can watch a recorded show while recording TWO others simultaneously. Is TiVo capable of recording two at once?

Just how much recording time do these bundled cable box/DVR's offter?

What can those who have units like this say about them? Yay or Nay?

I don't doubt that it can. My integrated DirecTiVo does just that. Despite having an option of multiple vidoe input sources, I doubt that any standalones can actually record more than one show at a time. This would require having two tv tuners built in to the box. DirecTV was able to add the second tuner because they only broadcast in digital, and chose to leave out any analog recording and conversion hardware. The down side is that I have to subscribe to my local stations through DirecTV, since my unit can't record off air or from cable.

Recording time varies in 2 ways. One is hard drive capacity, and the other is compression rate, which would equate to the VCR speed modes as MS mentioned.

Hard Drives - the basic models have a 40GB HD. 80G models are becoming more common, but ussually at a steep price upgrade, and I've seen some factory models with as much as 200+GB. Many tech savvy opt to forego thier warranty, and install up to 400GB worth of disk storage. Mine has the original 40GB, plus an additional 60GB, good for about 90hrs of recording space.

Compression - this mostly applies to standalone or non-DTiVo units. As mentioned, DTV only records in digital and doesn't have an option for video quality. Witht he standalone, you have the option of selecting what quality you would like the shows recorded at, therefore changing the capacity on any given hard drive. Obviously the lower the quality, the more stuff you can record. Overybodies preferences will vary, but a good rule is to use the highest quality for shows that need it (sports, action, FarScape :)) and use a lower level for shows that don't (news, documentaries, etc.)

As for your really question? I'd give it big HELL YEAH!! Once you go TiVo (or any other DVR), you'll never go back to VCR's or just plain live tv again. It has complettly revolutionized the way I watch TV...for the better.

[Scaper989]

I don't have Tivo, 'cause I have a cell phone instead of a land
line.

[Leppard]

Originally posted by grinner
Well, I have a DishNetwork Sat. Receiver that has a DVR built in. It is NOT a Tivo unit though. So I don't know which to vote for.

Um... mine is actually TiVo AND directv...so how would I answer then? It's not a standalone..it's integrated and most certainly TiVo.

[Leppard]

As for your really question? I'd give it big HELL YEAH!! Once you go TiVo (or any other DVR), you'll never go back to VCR's or just plain live tv again. It has complettly revolutionized the way I watch TV...for the better.

Yup... pretty much sums it up.

If you don't have TiVo... you don't know what you're missing.

Just like if you have never watched Farscape..you don't know what your missing.


So get it :D

[SabaceanBabe]

Originally posted by MediaSavant
As I said elsewhere, yes.

I think I'm one of the longest Tivo owners in the country. I got my first one back in May, 1999.

It's one of those devices that after you get one, you can no longer imagine life without one.

(that sounds corny, I know)

Naw, MS, that isn't corny. After all, after you've seen Farscape, you can no longer imagine life without it... :D

I don't currently have a Tivo, but my husband and I have discussed it...

[DangerWillRobinson]

I have two direct Tivos, both with duel tuners so I can record two programs at once!!!


I am such a nerd!!!

[Xev]

I have both a TiVo and the DVR offered by Cox Communications.

The Cox DVR can record two programs at the same time, but you cannot watch something else while you are recording the two shows. My stand alone TiVo cannot record two shows at the same time, but while it is recording a new show you can watch a show that has already been recorded.

However, my husband is maniac so we have two separate cable boxes, one with the Cox DVR and the hdtv converter and another cable box for the TiVo. We have tons of video inputs and can be recording up to 3 shows at once and watch live tv all at the same time. It's to complicated for me to even know what exactly is going on.

But in the end, if I had to choose between the two I would, without hesitation, choose the TiVo. The recording options on the DVR are so basic that it makes it difficult to make sure that your going to get the show that you want. While the TiVo is way more specific and customizable.

And that's my two (thousand) cents!

:)

[Farsight]

We have 2 DirecTV+Tivo's here, each able to record 2 shows and watch a 3rd... nobody misses their shows any more, or has to plan their lives around TV schedules. And when the HD DirecTivo's come out soon... oh boy... :)

[cullyn80]

tvcard in my pc. couldn't live without it. I record with it all the time.

[vhsiv]

Tivo®s and PVRs - like tv cards - are a stealth technology that I believe are going to take on greater prominence in the coming years, as any content that they record is content that people are *actually* aware of, even if they're fast-forwarding through the content.

Again, this is a curcumstance where the advertisers and the networks seem to be stuck on a 'server' and central-distribution model: I have a Tivo, and I'm aware of the commercial spots if I'm racing past them if I'm watching a time-shifted program. But if I see a commercial that's actually interesting - visually interesting - I will stop and *watch* the commercial. Not the Ditech.com commercials, not the Bowflex commercials, but some of the AT&T commercials, the IBM commercials that seemed to be styled after 'The Office', British Airways commercials, CapitalOne adverts ("What's in YOUR wallet?") and that whole series of BMW commercials (http://www.bmwworld.com/media/films/bmwfilms.htm) that they aired last year, that featured Clive Owen as 'The Hire'.

if some of these advertisers want to *target* an audience they need to stop treating advertising like toilet-paper filler and create spots that the target audiences will actually watch, rather than view as an annoyance.

Not everyone can afford the SFX of the many higher-end businesses, but if they want to increase their visibility in the age of the DVR, they could at least invest in better writers for those same spots.

[marandken]

We have two TiVos (and I'm glad to see that we're not the most excessive on the board :))

One downstairs and one in the bedroom. My spousal unit uses the Golf Academy shows to fall asleep by....

TiVo asked me to answer a survey recently because they're thinking of adding to their technology by which one can download from the hard drive in the TiVo to the computer or some other storage device and then be able to watch the programming on other portable devices. For example, download to the laptop and watch Farscape while on the train to work each am.

I think that other technology may exist to do this already but for us with less patience with new stuff, if TiVo does it, then it will be stupidly simple to figure out.

[Clarsax]

I don't have one. They're a little pricey, and its something that never interested me enough to want to put down the money to get one.

[Zhylka]

I was called to do the Nielson ratings diary for this week. I also have a standard TiVo (Love it! I don't think I can live without it). I've only been doing it for the past 4 days. It is somewhat annoying to stop and write down when you've started and stopped a show, but it's only for a week and I can live with that.

[TalynLives]

It's not available where I live. BSkyB do a service called Sky+ which offers the same functionality but it's rediculously expensive.

I might get a DVD recorder some time.