As important as religion
This is a debate that rages amongst certain circles. The uninitiated don't understand, and the experienced whince. Large sums of money ride on the choice.
Series 3 Tivo or Comcast HD DVR.
It's the struggle I'm having deciding between the two, and the emotions that rage across the internet when you research this, trying to make an objective choice. I don't believe there is a single objective choice out there on the subject - its all down to your home theatre background and beliefs :)
My background
I have a regular Comcast cable subscription, and a perfectly functional Series 2 Tivo, with life time subscription. This means the only money I pay out monthly is for my programming. I love Tivo. It changed the way I watch TV infinitely. I love the interface, I love the company, I love the hardware and it's functionality.
I have TivoToGo on my server, downloading my favourite programs automatically, although it can be a bit picky and crash occasionally.
However, I have a 46inch HDTV. I have an upscaling DVD player. I have an xBox 360 playing in hi-def.
Obviously, I'm not making the most of my setup by running a regular Comcast Cable connection. I need HD cable. Thats not a hard choice either, a regular upgrade to HD is only a few dollars a month, plus a small call out fee.
The issue is the DVR. Tivo, or Comcast.
The Series 3 Tivo is an awesome piece of machinery. Dual tuners, plenty of drive space for me. HD recording. I'd love my TivoToGo, and it wouldn't talk with my series 2 Tivo, but I could forgive that. What I can't forgive is the $500 -$700 price tag. OUCH.
Comcast DVR though - thats only $15 a month, which is a much nicer number. It is also dual tuner, and also records in HD, despite it apparantly not having much drive space. It's the interface I'm cautious of. People who like it, haven't used a Tivo. People who hate it, have used a Tivo.
Is it worth the risk to go for the Comcast box, save some money, but lose my beloved Tivo menus, options and sound effects? Or should I save my pennies. I could wait for the rumoured Series 3 Lite, or the Tivo interface on Comcast options coming in the future, but neither have a date, neither are pending, and both could be terrible. Plus I have no patience.
Like I said, religious debates - Tivo or Comcast, Comcast or Tivo.
Labels:
comcast,
dvr,
geek,
high definition,
tivo
8 comments:
It's a religious and philosophical issue. I'd love to have the series 3 to go with my yet to be purchased HDTV. I just don't know if I can justify spending that much on a new TiVo.
Thats the reason I've not gone that way yet - that and the higher than Comcast monthly fee - I've a life time plan on my series 2
You seem to be intertwining value for money with cutting edge technology (well, as cutting edge as the home user can get).
Tivo3 is expensive because it's new tech. Remember when you were paying tens of pounds for a Mb of ram? Silly money for MP3 players?
You say you like Tivo, the product and the company. Buy the 3rd gen unit - you know you won't be disappointed and, realistically, 500 bucks isn't a huge amount of money these days.
Besides since when do toys have to be justified?
Damn you DNC, I'd just convinced myself to buy the Comcast box and be fiscally responsible, and now you go and convince me otherwise! ;)
This is my apologetic face :p
Yeah yeah yeah.
Next day shipping from Amazon - a series 3 Tivo should be here today.
Damn you!
I'll give you fifty bucks for that Tivo2 and subscription ;)
heh, thats what I paid for it in the first place, with lifetime membership ;)
But it'll be heading upstairs into the bedroom on our other cable hookup
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