Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

I just happened to find out that Tivo is going on sale. Probably to
clear inventory for HD Tivo. But before I plonk down my $$ I have
some questions for those of you who have experience with this device.
I R idiot, so please be kind.

#1. The Tivo site says that 40 hours of capacity is not enough for
recording in "best" quality. Exactly how much "best" recording time
can you actually get out of a 40 hour Tivo?

#2. Obviously, Tivo has a hard drive. How big is the hard drive in a
40 hour Tivo?

#3. I understand that you can put a second hard drive in a Tivo. Are
there any size limits? What would I achieve with a 100 gig hard
drive? Does hard drive spin speed and buffer really matter vis a vis
Tivo?

#4. Lifetime Tivo service contract: Does it look like Tivo will be
around in the next 5 years?

#5. How does Tivo plug into the TV? My TV connections are limited to
RGB.

#6. Since I am probably going to hack Tivo, should I get a minimum 40
hour referb model instead of a "better" one.

#7. Is the lifetime Tivo subscription transferable to a new Tivo,
should the old Tivo die or become obsolete?

Ok, stop laughing. I said that I was an idiot. Thanks.

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

"Scribner" <walter3ca@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:2tj3d1pq4ivl6h4tclmt88lvsvdjtsih0t@4ax.com...
>I just happened to find out that Tivo is going on sale. Probably to
> clear inventory for HD Tivo. But before I plonk down my $$ I have
> some questions for those of you who have experience with this device.
> I R idiot, so please be kind.
>
> #1. The Tivo site says that 40 hours of capacity is not enough for
> recording in "best" quality. Exactly how much "best" recording time
> can you actually get out of a 40 hour Tivo?

I think it was around 13 hours or so. But there are 4 levels and you may
find that the lower levels are fine for certain things. Some people never
use Best.

> #2. Obviously, Tivo has a hard drive. How big is the hard drive in a
> 40 hour Tivo?

40gig

> #3. I understand that you can put a second hard drive in a Tivo. Are
> there any size limits? What would I achieve with a 100 gig hard
> drive? Does hard drive spin speed and buffer really matter vis a vis
> Tivo?

With the latest software supporting LBA48, no drives are made that exceed
the limit. The older software had a drive size limitation of 137gig useable
per drive. A 100gig drive will yeild about 100 hours (at basic) 30
something at Best.

Typical rule of thumb is to use the lower RPM drives for noise and heat
concerns.

> #4. Lifetime Tivo service contract: Does it look like Tivo will be
> around in the next 5 years?

We all hope so. Their latest deal with Comcast should help.

> #5. How does Tivo plug into the TV? My TV connections are limited to
> RGB.

RF (ch 3/4), Composite and S Video.

> #6. Since I am probably going to hack Tivo, should I get a minimum 40
> hour referb model instead of a "better" one.

Cracking the case voids the warranty, so it's really not much of an issue.
Get what you feel comfortable with.

> #7. Is the lifetime Tivo subscription transferable to a new Tivo,
> should the old Tivo die or become obsolete?

Lifetime is for the hardware, not you. So no transfers.

> Ok, stop laughing. I said that I was an idiot. Thanks.

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

On 2005-07-11, Scribner <walter3ca@yahoo.com> wrote:
> I just happened to find out that Tivo is going on sale. Probably to
> clear inventory for HD Tivo. But before I plonk down my $$ I have
> some questions for those of you who have experience with this device.
> I R idiot, so please be kind.
>
> #1. The Tivo site says that 40 hours of capacity is not enough for
> recording in "best" quality. Exactly how much "best" recording time
> can you actually get out of a 40 hour Tivo?

From http://customersupport.tivo.com/kn [...] tv1009.htm, 11
hours. That will vary a little depending on what you record.

> #2. Obviously, Tivo has a hard drive. How big is the hard drive in a
> 40 hour Tivo?

Around 40GB.

> #3. I understand that you can put a second hard drive in a Tivo. Are
> there any size limits?

Not really.

> What would I achieve with a 100 gig hard
> drive?

~100hours of basic recording. Just do the math based on the models listed
at the above URL for different disk sizes.

> Does hard drive spin speed and buffer really matter vis a vis
> Tivo?

No and yes. Functionality wise, no but most suggest getting the lowest
spin speed since they generate less heat and possibly use less energy.
The buffer doesn't matter for anything.

> #4. Lifetime Tivo service contract: Does it look like Tivo will be
> around in the next 5 years?

Hell yeah.

> #5. How does Tivo plug into the TV? My TV connections are limited to
> RGB.

See Chapter 2 of:

http://www.tivo.com/images/manuals [...] es2-IG.pdf

composite/SVideo or coax/RF.

> #6. Since I am probably going to hack Tivo, should I get a minimum 40
> hour referb model instead of a "better" one.

Get the very minimum you can find and add your own - much cheaper to go
this route.

> #7. Is the lifetime Tivo subscription transferable to a new Tivo,
> should the old Tivo die or become obsolete?

Um, I believe with a fee you can do a one-time transfer but I don't know
for sure. It is touched on here
http://customersupport.tivo.com/kn [...] tv1003.htm


--
This is my .sig

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

On Mon, 11 Jul 2005 02:36:18 GMT, "Seth"
<seth_lermanNOSPAM@hotmail.com> wrote:

>"Scribner" <walter3ca@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>news:2tj3d1pq4ivl6h4tclmt88lvsvdjtsih0t@4ax.com...
>>I just happened to find out that Tivo is going on sale. Probably to
>> clear inventory for HD Tivo. But before I plonk down my $$ I have
>> some questions for those of you who have experience with this device.
>> I R idiot, so please be kind.
>>
>> #1. The Tivo site says that 40 hours of capacity is not enough for
>> recording in "best" quality. Exactly how much "best" recording time
>> can you actually get out of a 40 hour Tivo?
>
>I think it was around 13 hours or so. But there are 4 levels and you may
>find that the lower levels are fine for certain things. Some people never
>use Best.
>
>> #2. Obviously, Tivo has a hard drive. How big is the hard drive in a
>> 40 hour Tivo?
>
>40gig
>
>> #3. I understand that you can put a second hard drive in a Tivo. Are
>> there any size limits? What would I achieve with a 100 gig hard
>> drive? Does hard drive spin speed and buffer really matter vis a vis
>> Tivo?
>
>With the latest software supporting LBA48, no drives are made that exceed
>the limit. The older software had a drive size limitation of 137gig useable
>per drive. A 100gig drive will yeild about 100 hours (at basic) 30
>something at Best.
>
>Typical rule of thumb is to use the lower RPM drives for noise and heat
>concerns.
>
>> #4. Lifetime Tivo service contract: Does it look like Tivo will be
>> around in the next 5 years?
>
>We all hope so. Their latest deal with Comcast should help.
>
>> #5. How does Tivo plug into the TV? My TV connections are limited to
>> RGB.
>
>RF (ch 3/4), Composite and S Video.
>
>> #6. Since I am probably going to hack Tivo, should I get a minimum 40
>> hour referb model instead of a "better" one.
>
>Cracking the case voids the warranty, so it's really not much of an issue.
>Get what you feel comfortable with.
>
>> #7. Is the lifetime Tivo subscription transferable to a new Tivo,
>> should the old Tivo die or become obsolete?
>
>Lifetime is for the hardware, not you. So no transfers.
>
>> Ok, stop laughing. I said that I was an idiot. Thanks.

Thank you.

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

On Mon, 11 Jul 2005 02:44:33 -0000, Mike Hunt <in2sheep@yahoo.com>
wrote:

>On 2005-07-11, Scribner <walter3ca@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> I just happened to find out that Tivo is going on sale. Probably to
>> clear inventory for HD Tivo. But before I plonk down my $$ I have
>> some questions for those of you who have experience with this device.
>> I R idiot, so please be kind.
>>
>> #1. The Tivo site says that 40 hours of capacity is not enough for
>> recording in "best" quality. Exactly how much "best" recording time
>> can you actually get out of a 40 hour Tivo?
>
>From http://customersupport.tivo.com/kn [...] tv1009.htm, 11
>hours. That will vary a little depending on what you record.
>
>> #2. Obviously, Tivo has a hard drive. How big is the hard drive in a
>> 40 hour Tivo?
>
>Around 40GB.
>
>> #3. I understand that you can put a second hard drive in a Tivo. Are
>> there any size limits?
>
>Not really.
>
>> What would I achieve with a 100 gig hard
>> drive?
>
>~100hours of basic recording. Just do the math based on the models listed
>at the above URL for different disk sizes.
>
>> Does hard drive spin speed and buffer really matter vis a vis
>> Tivo?
>
>No and yes. Functionality wise, no but most suggest getting the lowest
>spin speed since they generate less heat and possibly use less energy.
>The buffer doesn't matter for anything.
>
>> #4. Lifetime Tivo service contract: Does it look like Tivo will be
>> around in the next 5 years?
>
>Hell yeah.
>
>> #5. How does Tivo plug into the TV? My TV connections are limited to
>> RGB.
>
>See Chapter 2 of:
>
>http://www.tivo.com/images/manuals/installguide_series2/Series2-IG.pdf
>
>composite/SVideo or coax/RF.
>
>> #6. Since I am probably going to hack Tivo, should I get a minimum 40
>> hour referb model instead of a "better" one.
>
>Get the very minimum you can find and add your own - much cheaper to go
>this route.
>
>> #7. Is the lifetime Tivo subscription transferable to a new Tivo,
>> should the old Tivo die or become obsolete?
>
>Um, I believe with a fee you can do a one-time transfer but I don't know
>for sure. It is touched on here
>http://customersupport.tivo.com/knowbase/root/public/tv1003.htm

Thank you.

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

"Seth" <seth_lermanNOSPAM@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:CWkAe.583$cg.359@news02.roc.ny...
> > #4. Lifetime Tivo service contract: Does it look like Tivo will be
> > around in the next 5 years?

I hope so, but you really need only concern yourself with the next two
years:

300 / 13 = ~23

So 23, 24 months to break even. In my experience it's been worth it. Since
you can replace a hard drive, replace the modem with a NIC, and there are
places to get IR modules, power supplies, etc., a lot of potential problems
can be fixed. I've got a Series 1 box that's still up and running strong, I
think coming up on 5 years.

> > #6. Since I am probably going to hack Tivo, should I get a minimum 40
> > hour referb model instead of a "better" one.

Refurb or not is up to you, but yeah, it doesn't make much sense to me to
pay more for a bigger drive.

> > #7. Is the lifetime Tivo subscription transferable to a new Tivo,
> > should the old Tivo die or become obsolete?

It's the lifetime of the unit, so the general answer is no. However, if it
dies prematurely, you might be able to swing something. If it becomes
obsolete, well, I guess that depends. Becomes obsolete because it's 6 years
old and they've got newer models? Probably not. Becomes obsolete because a
year from now they intro the whiz-bang Series 3 unit, that's light years
ahead? Maybe, I think they did a special transfer offer when the S2's came
out.

Ed
89CamaroZ28@nowherenow.com

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

Scribner wrote:
> On Mon, 11 Jul 2005 02:36:18 GMT, "Seth"
> <seth_lermanNOSPAM@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>> "Scribner" <walter3ca@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:2tj3d1pq4ivl6h4tclmt88lvsvdjtsih0t@4ax.com...
>>> I just happened to find out that Tivo is going on sale. Probably to
>>> clear inventory for HD Tivo. But before I plonk down my $$ I have
>>> some questions for those of you who have experience with this device.
>>> I R idiot, so please be kind.
>>>
>>> #1. The Tivo site says that 40 hours of capacity is not enough for
>>> recording in "best" quality. Exactly how much "best" recording time
>>> can you actually get out of a 40 hour Tivo?
>>
>> I think it was around 13 hours or so. But there are 4 levels and you may
>> find that the lower levels are fine for certain things. Some people never
>> use Best.
>>
>>> #2. Obviously, Tivo has a hard drive. How big is the hard drive in a
>>> 40 hour Tivo?
>>
>> 40gig
>>
>>> #3. I understand that you can put a second hard drive in a Tivo. Are
>>> there any size limits? What would I achieve with a 100 gig hard
>>> drive? Does hard drive spin speed and buffer really matter vis a vis
>>> Tivo?
>>
>> With the latest software supporting LBA48, no drives are made that exceed
>> the limit. The older software had a drive size limitation of 137gig useable
>> per drive. A 100gig drive will yeild about 100 hours (at basic) 30
>> something at Best.
>>
>> Typical rule of thumb is to use the lower RPM drives for noise and heat
>> concerns.
>>
>>> #4. Lifetime Tivo service contract: Does it look like Tivo will be
>>> around in the next 5 years?
>>
>> We all hope so. Their latest deal with Comcast should help.
>>
>>> #5. How does Tivo plug into the TV? My TV connections are limited to
>>> RGB.
>>
>> RF (ch 3/4), Composite and S Video.
>>
>>> #6. Since I am probably going to hack Tivo, should I get a minimum 40
>>> hour referb model instead of a "better" one.
>>
>> Cracking the case voids the warranty, so it's really not much of an issue.
>> Get what you feel comfortable with.
>>
>>> #7. Is the lifetime Tivo subscription transferable to a new Tivo,
>>> should the old Tivo die or become obsolete?
>>
>> Lifetime is for the hardware, not you. So no transfers.
>>
>>> Ok, stop laughing. I said that I was an idiot. Thanks.
>
> Thank you.

The OP said HD Tivo and his TV input is RGB. So I think he means HD and that
would change all the specs related to hard drives... would it not.

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

"DanR" <dhr22@sorrynospm.com> wrote in message
news:MPwAe.382$c41.151@newssvr30.news.prodigy.com...
>
>
> Scribner wrote:
>> On Mon, 11 Jul 2005 02:36:18 GMT, "Seth"
>> <seth_lermanNOSPAM@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> "Scribner" <walter3ca@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>> news:2tj3d1pq4ivl6h4tclmt88lvsvdjtsih0t@4ax.com...
>>>> I just happened to find out that Tivo is going on sale. Probably to
>>>> clear inventory for HD Tivo. But before I plonk down my $$ I have
>>>> some questions for those of you who have experience with this device.
>>>> I R idiot, so please be kind.
>>>>
>>>> #1. The Tivo site says that 40 hours of capacity is not enough for
>>>> recording in "best" quality. Exactly how much "best" recording time
>>>> can you actually get out of a 40 hour Tivo?
>>>
>>> I think it was around 13 hours or so. But there are 4 levels and you
>>> may
>>> find that the lower levels are fine for certain things. Some people
>>> never
>>> use Best.
>>>
>>>> #2. Obviously, Tivo has a hard drive. How big is the hard drive in a
>>>> 40 hour Tivo?
>>>
>>> 40gig
>>>
>>>> #3. I understand that you can put a second hard drive in a Tivo. Are
>>>> there any size limits? What would I achieve with a 100 gig hard
>>>> drive? Does hard drive spin speed and buffer really matter vis a vis
>>>> Tivo?
>>>
>>> With the latest software supporting LBA48, no drives are made that
>>> exceed
>>> the limit. The older software had a drive size limitation of 137gig
>>> useable
>>> per drive. A 100gig drive will yeild about 100 hours (at basic) 30
>>> something at Best.
>>>
>>> Typical rule of thumb is to use the lower RPM drives for noise and heat
>>> concerns.
>>>
>>>> #4. Lifetime Tivo service contract: Does it look like Tivo will be
>>>> around in the next 5 years?
>>>
>>> We all hope so. Their latest deal with Comcast should help.
>>>
>>>> #5. How does Tivo plug into the TV? My TV connections are limited to
>>>> RGB.
>>>
>>> RF (ch 3/4), Composite and S Video.
>>>
>>>> #6. Since I am probably going to hack Tivo, should I get a minimum 40
>>>> hour referb model instead of a "better" one.
>>>
>>> Cracking the case voids the warranty, so it's really not much of an
>>> issue.
>>> Get what you feel comfortable with.
>>>
>>>> #7. Is the lifetime Tivo subscription transferable to a new Tivo,
>>>> should the old Tivo die or become obsolete?
>>>
>>> Lifetime is for the hardware, not you. So no transfers.
>>>
>>>> Ok, stop laughing. I said that I was an idiot. Thanks.
>>
>> Thank you.
>
> The OP said HD Tivo and his TV input is RGB. So I think he means HD and
> that
> would change all the specs related to hard drives... would it not.

Yeah, he did say HD TiVo. Oops. But based on the context of the rest of
the message, I'm going to guess HD stands for Hard Drive as he mentions 40
hour and lifetime which would not apply to a HiDef DirecTiVo.

But just in case he is referring to a HiDef DirecTiVo and not a standalone,
the following addendums...

In that case, system comes with 250gig drive which yields about 30 hours of
HD and 200 hours of SD (and a mix in between).

Also, no lifetime service is available at all as it is a DirecTV unit.

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

> #4. Lifetime Tivo service contract: Does it look like Tivo will be
> around in the next 5 years?
>

While the guide service most likely will be bought up, Tivo as the
current entity will not last anywhere near 5 yrs. Don't listen to
flamers on newsgroups, ask financial people. The stock is rated "junk"
by 2 services and 2/3 of the subcribers are from Direct and Direct is
not renewing their contract with Tivo and is sourcing its' own PVRs.

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

On 2005-07-11, Tony D. <nospam@nospam.com> wrote:
>
>> #4. Lifetime Tivo service contract: Does it look like Tivo will be
>> around in the next 5 years?
>>
>
> While the guide service most likely will be bought up, Tivo as the
> current entity will not last anywhere near 5 yrs. Don't listen to
> flamers on newsgroups, ask financial people. The stock is rated "junk"
> by 2 services and 2/3 of the subcribers are from Direct and Direct is
> not renewing their contract with Tivo and is sourcing its' own PVRs.

And trolls have been saying stuff just like this for the last 5 years yet
TiVo is stronger than ever.

--
This is my .sig

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

* Tony D. Wrote in alt.video.ptv.tivo:

> Don't listen to
> flamers on newsgroups, ask financial people.

You mean like the ones the post their opinion on finacial pages like
Yahoo? Where the Mean rating is 2.48 which is closer to BUY than SELL?

--
David

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

"Scribner" <walter3ca@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:2tj3d1pq4ivl6h4tclmt88lvsvdjtsih0t@4ax.com...
>
> #1. The Tivo site says that 40 hours of capacity is not enough for
> recording in "best" quality. Exactly how much "best" recording time
> can you actually get out of a 40 hour Tivo?

Other people have answered how many hours you can get at "Best", but for what
it's worth, I have 120 GB in my Tivo and I rarely record anything higher than
"High" quality. Given the quality of my source (dish network digital standard
def), high is virtually indistinguishable from best except in very fast motion
(sports, perhaps).

Ken

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

"DanR" <dhr22@sorrynospm.com> wrote in message
news:MPwAe.382$c41.151@newssvr30.news.prodigy.com...
>
>
> The OP said HD Tivo and his TV input is RGB. So I think he means HD and
> that
> would change all the specs related to hard drives... would it not.
>
>

The OP only mentioned a future HD Tivo as being a reason for the sale on
current models. He did not say anything about getting an HD Tivo.
And yes, with HD Tivo the info related to hard drive recording capacity
would be different.

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

On Mon, 11 Jul 2005 10:28:59 -0400, "Ken Alverson"
<USENET.Ken@Alverson.net> wrote:

>"Scribner" <walter3ca@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>news:2tj3d1pq4ivl6h4tclmt88lvsvdjtsih0t@4ax.com...
>>
>> #1. The Tivo site says that 40 hours of capacity is not enough for
>> recording in "best" quality. Exactly how much "best" recording time
>> can you actually get out of a 40 hour Tivo?
>
>Other people have answered how many hours you can get at "Best", but for what
>it's worth, I have 120 GB in my Tivo and I rarely record anything higher than
>"High" quality. Given the quality of my source (dish network digital standard
>def), high is virtually indistinguishable from best except in very fast motion
>(sports, perhaps).
>
>Ken
>
Ok, thanks.

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

On Mon, 11 Jul 2005 15:37:23 -0500, "Zardaz" <wizofoz@emerldcty.com>
wrote:

>
>"DanR" <dhr22@sorrynospm.com> wrote in message
>news:MPwAe.382$c41.151@newssvr30.news.prodigy.com...
>>
>>
>> The OP said HD Tivo and his TV input is RGB. So I think he means HD and
>> that
>> would change all the specs related to hard drives... would it not.
>>
>>
>
>The OP only mentioned a future HD Tivo as being a reason for the sale on
>current models. He did not say anything about getting an HD Tivo.
>And yes, with HD Tivo the info related to hard drive recording capacity
>would be different.
>
I used HD to refer to High Def. Thanks.

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

On 2005-07-11, Scribner <walter3ca@yahoo.com> wrote:
> On Mon, 11 Jul 2005 15:37:23 -0500, "Zardaz" <wizofoz@emerldcty.com>
> wrote:
>
>>
>>"DanR" <dhr22@sorrynospm.com> wrote in message
>>news:MPwAe.382$c41.151@newssvr30.news.prodigy.com...
>>>
>>>
>>> The OP said HD Tivo and his TV input is RGB. So I think he means HD and
>>> that
>>> would change all the specs related to hard drives... would it not.
>>>
>>>
>>
>>The OP only mentioned a future HD Tivo as being a reason for the sale on
>>current models. He did not say anything about getting an HD Tivo.
>>And yes, with HD Tivo the info related to hard drive recording capacity
>>would be different.
>>
> I used HD to refer to High Def. Thanks.

Well, what the OP said was:

I just happened to find out that Tivo is going on sale. Probably to
clear inventory for HD Tivo. But before I plonk down my $$ I have
some questions for those of you who have experience with this device.
I R idiot, so please be kind.

So yes, HD is obviously High Def here, but it isn't obvious if he is
planning on plonking down $$$ for a SATiVo, a DTiVo, or a HDDTiVo.
Most/many assumed SATiVo and answers will be different for DTiVo and
HDDTiVo.

--
This is my .sig

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

Mike Hunt wrote:
> On 2005-07-11, Tony D. <nospam@nospam.com> wrote: