tivo/replay tv

[tgm4883]

I am looking at getting a tivo, replaytv or ultimatetv (although im not really sure what the last is). I dont need all the fancy features, all I really want to do is be able to record shows, pause/rewind tv, and transfer the shows to my computer. I don't want or need to pay for the features like the program guide that tivo offers. I have heard of a system that grabs the tvguide channel or something like that. I really dont want to have to pay any kind of subscription.

My questions are these:
1. What would be my best option here.
2. I dont have satellite so if I get a directv tivo can I still do everything I want?

[TBoneit]

Well all the newer Tivos are useless without the service, Replay= Never tried, UltimateTV was Microsofts PVR for use only with DirecTV, long discontinued. BTW When you say Tivo beaware that there are two types. STandalone models work with anything, and DirecTivos that only work with DirecTV service.

CHeers

[jbenj01]

I bought a ReplayTV 5040 box for the ease of transferring shows to my computer.. very straightforward with DVArchive software and ethernet connection. You also have the ability to swap programs with other RTV members via poopli.com if you happend to miss recording some shows.

[dartboard]

I have a series 1 Tivo and love it. But frankly, if you are looking for a basic machine and you have cable, I would try their DVR first before buying a Tivo because you are required to pay a $300 lifetime fee or $13/month to get the channel line-up guide. If you don't pay for it, you Tivo will not work (not work less functionally, not work at all). Tivo now has Tivotogo which allows you to send you stored programs to a computer of other TV, but how well this works is debated.

The Tivo software is better, but the stand alone Tivos have only 1 tuner (no watching one cable channel while recording another) and they convert digital signals to analog which degrades the image quality sligthly. Some of the new cable co DVRs have done a decent job at upgrading their software and they usually give their machines away and charge about half the monthly fee.

That said, I love my Tivo and it has totally changed the way I watch TV.

[tgm4883]

I curently dont pay for cable, its included in my rent so i cant get one from the cable company.

So a directv wont work for me, and neither will a tivo without the subscription? Sounds like I will need to get a replaytv 5040.

[ssusca]

IMO Replay TV is the way to go. With a Replay, you can easily connect it to you home computer network and to other units if you choose to purchase another in the future. In addition, you can stream programs from one unit to another or to your conputer if it is running DVArchive (freeware). If you happen to forget to program your Replay unit to record something when you're not home, you can go to any internet connected computer and log on to MYRepatv.com and set up your machine to record the show. Also, if you forget to record something that you really wanted to see, you can join the Poopli.com community and share shows with thousands of other replay TV owners. All you need is a broadband connection. I think Tivo is now coming out with these two features but they cost extra. If you can find a 5000 series Replay unit, it has automatic commercial advance on recorded or delayed shows. The newer models don't have this feature because of advertiser complaints, however you can just "quick skip" through the commercials 30 seconds at a time. The only advantage I can see that Tivo (stand alone unit) has over Replay is that it has two tuners so you can record one show while watching another. However, if your TV have more than one input, then it doesn't matter. You can just watch TV through the second input while the Replay is recording the other show. Unfortunately with both Tivo and Replay, you have to pay a monthly subscription fee fro them to work.

My advice would be to take a close look at the Replay. If you really don't want to pay a monthly subscription, you can buy a lifetime activation for an additional $250 or so. Or you could just build your own DVR. There are plenty of guides on this and other sites on how to do this.

[CaptainVideo]

Looks like what you want is one of those DVD Recorders that also have a built-in hard drive. Like the Panasonic DMR-E85HS

You can look through the DVD Players list to the left and do a search for ones that have built-in hard drives.