Looking to finally get a DVR box....which is best?

[JetSetFrog]

I have cable but not digital and I don't have a box. Is it worth the extra money to get TiVo or should I just go with one of the others? :confused:

[kgforce]

If I were you, I'd get the digital DVR offered by your cable company. (assuming they offer one).

Otherwise, I have a Replay 4xxx I'm selling! Just let me know if you're interested!:D

[RandyWalters]

Originally posted by JetSetFrog
I have cable but not digital and I don't have a box. Is it worth the extra money to get TiVo or should I just go with one of the others? :confused:

Do you want to record any HD or just SD?

Your cable company may offer DVRs for rent - you'd have to call them and ask which ones they offer and what software they're running, and how much the DVR service and rental costs. Also, to use a cable DVR you have to upgrade your cable to one of the Digital packages which costs more than basic cable with no box.

I don't know if a Tivo has a cable-ready tuner or if it would record the analog channels without having a cable converter - others will have to answer that :)

[JetSetFrog]

Thanks for the replies.

My cable company does offer the service but, as you suggested, I'd have to upgrade to digital cable and then pay the $10 a month. I was just trying to avoid doing that since I have a sweet deal right now (80 channel basic cable, cable internet and model all for $40 a month). I guess I'll have to break down and pay out.

[RandyWalters]

Originally posted by JetSetFrog
Thanks for the replies.

My cable company does offer the service but, as you suggested, I'd have to upgrade to digital cable and then pay the $10 a month. I was just trying to avoid doing that since I have a sweet deal right now (80 channel basic cable, cable internet and model all for $40 a month). I guess I'll have to break down and pay out.

I don't know much about Tivo but maybe there's a Tivo unit you can buy that has a built-in cable-ready tuner (similar to your TV's tuner) that can work with cable coming straight from the wall kinda like a Tivo version of a cable-ready VCR. And with Tivo you still have to pay for the service so maybe a nice cable DVR would be the better way to go.

July of 2003 i decided to do away with my 3 VCRs and switch to Tivo but while seeking Tivo info online i was a little put off by the clunkiness of using a IR Blaster to control the cable box, and also became aware of the cable DVR's existence so i called my cable company to inquire, got myself put on a list, and a month later i picked one up the first day they became available. It works a lot better than Tivo with cable and i've been lovin it ever since.

[FarmBubba]

I would recommend a replay, it would work great with your analog cable.

[JetSetFrog]

Originally posted by FarmBubba
I would recommend a replay, it would work great with your analog cable.

That's what I'm leaning towards, but will it work even if I don't have a cable box?

[akm3]

Yes, it will as long as your cable isn't digitally encrypted -- and if it were you would require a cable box already anyway.

So it should be perfect for you.

-Allen

[JetSetFrog]

Awesome. Thanks for the help.