TiVo questions

[jducoeur]

So here's a question to the TiVo users in the audience (I know there are a bunch of you out there):

I've got a Panasonic DVR that I'm quite happy with -- the UI suits me, it's got a big hard drive, it makes it trivially easy to burn stuff to DVD, and it doesn't attempt to be smarter than I am. It has only one drawback, but that's a *big* drawback: it only deals with two-digit channel numbers. Given that my cable actually has tons of channels beyond 99 (including all of the premium stations), that's a real limitation on what I can record. This is particularly an issue as I contemplate the second season of Rome, which is going to happen eventually.

So I'm idly curious about whether a TiVo would do better. Specifically, while I think I'd leave the Panasonic in place, I'm thinking of replacing the seldom-used VCR with a TiVo. That would allow me to hard-drive multiple shows at once, which is occasionally necessary. I think it would be worth it *if* it deals with the things that the Panasonic doesn't.

So the questions are:

1) Does TiVo deal properly with three-digit channels? (I suspect the answer is yes.)
2) Will a TiVo control my cable box? This is nearly as important, because the premium channels have to go through the cable box to get decrypted. The VCR (and, indeed, the Panasonic) has a "cable mouse" attachment that will change the channels on the cable box when needed -- does the TiVo have something similar? (This, I'm less sure about.)

Information about these questions (or suggestions of alternative ways I could configure a system that does what I want, including some device other than a TiVo) is solicited from unimind...

Comments

[dsrtao]

I've been doing the research.

For a machine that can do:
- DVD play and record
- two tuners, both capable of HDTV and NTSC recording
- 300GB storage

You need to spend roughly $1000. This is about the same as an S3 TiVo with subscription.

Tradeoffs:

TiVo does all the work.
TiVo has a great UI
TiVo is in control
TiVo S3 does not have a DVD recorder built-in
TiVo charges a subscription fee
The PC is upgradable at whim (software)
The PC is upgradable at whim (hardware)
The PC will never use CableCard, and you will want to keep a tuner for any encrypted channels (HBO, Starz...)

[zonereyrie.livejournal.com]

I'll note it isn't hard to upgrade the drive in a TiVo. And the S3 also has an eSATA port which will be enabled in a future update to make it easy to expand storage without opening the box.

Another tradeoff: privacy

[metageek.livejournal.com]

The TiVo reports what you watch. I think they've promised not to abuse that data; but that doesn't mean much. If they ever go into Chapter 11, that promise can be broken like any other contract; and, under the Patriot Act, the FBI can get all their data just by asking.

Re: Another tradeoff: privacy

[jducoeur]

A fair point. I'm explicitly *not* a privacy fanatic -- I consider my privacy to be essentially an economic good, and treat it as such -- but it's a worthwhile consideration for me to keep in mind...

Re: Another tradeoff: privacy

[metageek.livejournal.com]

I consider my privacy to be essentially an economic good

I can see that. What worries me is that, in a tyranny, privacy can be much more serious than that. For example, suppose the fundies get their way, and make most sex acts illegal; an obvious first step would be for the sex police to start data mining in records like TiVo and Google.

Re: Another tradeoff: privacy

[jducoeur]

A reasonable concern, but one that I refuse to be ruled by. Understand: while I'm a privacy advocate, it's more on principle than anything else. My instincts are towards considerable openness and honesty, and that tends to get *stronger* when I feel like I'm being bullied into secrecy. I don't like feeling like I'm hiding anything.

Besides, under circumstances like that, truth is always the first casualty. Whether I've actually done anything wrong or not is scarcely relevant in a true tyranny. If they want to take me down, they'll manage it. Evidence is easy to fabricate if you have the power and desire to do so...