question about Tivo

[curlybop]

We're having Directv install this week for ours. It holds 100 hours. From what I understand, now you can record 2 shows at once? It will be fun programming it so I don't miss anything.

 

[Minnie's Mate]

I especially like being able to transfer between TiVo's (via WiFi). I record all my season's passes in the basement, while my dh watches live tv in the living room. Then I transfer them upstairs for later viewing. If I wasn't so dang tired, I would go on and on and on about how great TiVo is.

Is this only with the TiVo branded units? We have a TiVo unit that we currently aren't using and we have a DirecTV branded unit in our bedroom that we do (it is a newer unit that holds 100 hours). There are times when my wife wants to go to bed that I would like to watch one of the shows I have "TiVo'ed" but have to watch live TV in the living room or media room. If I put the TiVo in the media Room and set up the wireless router setup, could I transfer the shows to that unit from the DirecTV unit and watch it there? How long would the transfer take?

 

[frannn]

We have digital cable, but do not have Tivo or DVR. Is there an inexpensive way to watch one show and be able to record another, or do we need to sign up for Tivo or something? I would prefer to pay one time instead of a monthly fee. Is there something like that?

 

[katerkat]

Is this only with the TiVo branded units? We have a TiVo unit that we currently aren't using and we have a DirecTV branded unit in our bedroom that we do (it is a newer unit that holds 100 hours). There are times when my wife wants to go to bed that I would like to watch one of the shows I have "TiVo'ed" but have to watch live TV in the living room or media room. If I put the TiVo in the media Room and set up the wireless router setup, could I transfer the shows to that unit from the DirecTV unit and watch it there? How long would the transfer take?

My sister has a dish (don't know who) Tivo and she can't transfer shows. They did figure out how to transfer them enough to burn them on a separate DVD-burner. I can ask her if you want.

Transfering takes about as long as the show - 30 minutes for a half hour show, 60 for an hour. We have our Tivo connected into our router so we can transfer to any computer on our network. Unlike our friends, we don't have to buy any Backyardigans DVDs because we have the episodes on the laptop for road trips. I also transfer all my husband's shows when he's deployed, because...

...we have the "free" box and we can fit about 29 hours of programming at the second level of quality. Which means if we leave for a week I panic and make sure I clean up the recording list. And it's a single tuner, so I can only record one at a time. (But it's on a second thingie on the TV so I can watch live tv while Tivo is taping everything.) And it's not HD. When we move, we're paying for an upgraded, HD-capable dual tuner with way more hours.

(And thanks for that weaknees link!)

 

[babynurse1]

subscribing

 

[Minnie's Mate]

My sister has a dish (don't know who) Tivo and she can't transfer shows. They did figure out how to transfer them enough to burn them on a separate DVD-burner. I can ask her if you want.

That would be great if you don't mind. My DirecTV branded unit has a USB port and I asked the technician if I could use my external DVD burner to make DVD's of the shows I wanted to keep and he acted rather unsure but said yes. The manual said it was for "future optional services" or something to that effect.

It would be great to burn copies of some of the kids shows to view in the car on long road trips, i.e. trips to Disney World.

 

[katerkat]

That would be great if you don't mind. My DirecTV branded unit has a USB port and I asked the technician if I could use my external DVD burner to make DVD's of the shows I wanted to keep and he acted rather unsure but said yes. The manual said it was for "future optional services" or something to that effect.

It would be great to burn copies of some of the kids shows to view in the car on long road trips, i.e. trips to Disney World.

Sorry it took a couple days - my sister's husband was sick. She said:

Basically, we bought a mid-priced DVD-Recorder, hooked it up as if it was a VCR to the TiVo box, and then use the "Record to VCR" option off the TiVo menu. I think we had to change the format of the TiVo box, but that could have been for our personal set up.

I hope that helps at least getting started!

 

[mtrak17]

We have Direct TV and just added the Tivo last weekend. We got free installation and equipment and now pay an extra $5.99 a month for the Tivo. All we had to do was agree to stay with Direct TV for at least another 2 years. Our Direct TV receiver was going on the fritz (after 7 years), so we needed that upgraded anyways. This is not an advertised deal, but if you call and then say "maybe we'll switch to XXXX company because they have free sign-on bonus," then Direct TV will do the install and equipment for free to keep your business.

This is what we pay. I called DirectTV and told them I wanted to upgrade to a a free dual tuner TIVO with installation, etc. (I know someone who got a single-tuner, because they didn't ask) We also only pay $5.99 per month for subscription, with the two-year commitment. Why are some people paying so much more? Is that for High-Def or because you didn't want to sign a commitment, or because you have more boxes?

 

[Minnie's Mate]

Sorry it took a couple days - my sister's husband was sick. She said:

Basically, we bought a mid-priced DVD-Recorder, hooked it up as if it was a VCR to the TiVo box, and then use the "Record to VCR" option off the TiVo menu. I think we had to change the format of the TiVo box, but that could have been for our personal set up.

I hope that helps at least getting started!

I don't know if my menu has a "Record to VCR" option. I've never noticed but I'll have to check it out. I'll also have to see if my DVD recorder has AV inputs. I know it has the USB port. I think that may be the method I would have to use. I'll just have to experiment.

Thanks again for asking and I hope your brother-in-law had nothing serious and has a speedy recovery.

 

[katerkat]

I think the "Record to VCR" option is on the specific show, around the "Keep Until..." option? I always manage to hit it when I'm trying to delete something.

He just had a virus, he's fine, but thanks for your concern!