So I've narrowed down my choices to the following options:
A DVD Recorder, perhaps a Blue Ray with memory as well. They act exactly like a VCR only they use discs and I'd imagine will be less likely to get mangled. It's a one time fee and will cost anywhere from $150 to upwards of $500.
A DVR/PVR from the cable company. I have a few friends with these and well they do enjoy the convenience of them, I've known quite a few to break down often enough that it doesn't warrant the $500 price tag to buy it out fully. You can rent them, however they are $20 a month and on top of that I would have to pay another $4 for digital channels. Seems rather silly to fork out that amount of money and not own anything in the end....I dislike renting.
Lastly, I've been looking at TIVO which so far has been at the top of my list. The machine itself is only $200, you can also get an extended 5 year warranty for like $40 which is not bad at all. The only catch is that you have to pay a monthly fee which in the end is about $129 a year. The reason I dig TIVO so much is that you can tape 2 shows at once, you don't have to deal with tapes/discs or anything at all and can store anywhere from 35 to more than 80 hours worth of shows. As well there is the added bonus of having the recorder tape your shows faithfully every week. If the scheduling gets buggered up, TIVO will find your show and tape it. Sounds like heaven to me :)
So I'm just curious what my fellow bloggers think......do you use any of these devices? Which do you think is the better option? I would most likely opt for the DVD Recorder because the one time fee is enticing, however I really dig the options that TIVO offers and would love the freedom to tape a few shows at once. No more "oh I have to be home at 8 as Survivor and CSI are on at the same time."( I know the DVR offers the same as TIVO however the price is bleh)
13 comments:
I have a DVR, but I hear Tivo is a better way to go financially. It's just easier when you already have cable to add the DVR/PVR, and we do On Demand movies, which are actually cheaper than renting (a little) but can add up on your monthly bill if you're not careful!
I had a Tivo for years, and loved it. Then, when I got digital cable for High-def programming, it wouldn't work any longer (a conspiracy I know). So, now I have 2 DVR devices from the cable company and eat the cost each month. One has been working with no problems for over 2 years, and the other I've had to replace once. I would go with Tivo, but do check into the compatability with your cable system. I bought mine several years ago, so I'm sure they've changed in the interim. Regardless - all options are better than a VCR. Ha.
Based on your research it seems that a DVD recorder or a TIVO is the way to go. I am not a big enough TV buff to get one for myself.
I don't watch much television, but it sounds like you'd be better off with a Tivo. The money is worth the convenience. The DVD recorder, if you go Blue Ray, will be a better value since DVDs will go that route anyways.
So it's price vs convenience. It just depends on how much tv is worth to ya.
I've got the HD-PVR from Rogers. It's clunky, it has a poor quality feel to it, but it does record two shows simultaneously. Gives you all the pause live TV bullcrap. Problem is getting the show off the machine and onto a disc. That's a pain. I've got an old DVD recorder. I don't like it all.
Contact Bob for his thoughts. He lives by his DVD recorder. It's actually kind of sad.
JLee, I just hesitate when I know so many people have had issues with theirs, and it's pricier.
2DP, I called Tivo and they said it was compatible with my cable company so I might go that route.
Yrautca, I wish I wasn't a slave to the TV :)
Wiwille, it's worth enough I'd say haha. Just depends if I want the convenience of taping two shows at once.
WIGSF, I'd imagine if I tape something and watch it, then I will not need to put it onto a disk. I can just erase it. That will also help my "I have a million tapes and nowhere to put them" problem.
Tivo because it's cute - but that's my only reason. I have none of these yet - I also have a VCR (you are not alone).
I HATED Tivo and returned it after just a couple of weeks. However, I love my DVR... it's not expensive either - $6 a month I think. Worth every cent.
Hi, Bob here.
Like WIGSF said, I have a DVD recorder. I think whatever you do, you need to have one with a hard-drive. You don't want to have to put it on a disc all the time. The DVD recorder I have does have a hard-drive and it was a great price at Price Club but it was a one time buy that I pretty much had to line-up for. I have heard good things about TIVO but I am unsure about all the positives and negatives of it. You sound like you have read up on them yourself. Now I should mention I can only record one thing at a time but I can pause live tv. Also the recorder I got makes burning to DVD quite an easy process. When I get home I can doublecheck the brand for you if that helps any.
I don't have any of them...but my friends with TiVos LOOOOVE them. Seriously. It's like, unhealthy, or something. ;)
Cxx
Rawbean, Woo Hoo!! I love that we both still have VCR's.
SS, why did you hate Tivo??
Bob, let me know what brand you have and the details or what is good to look for in a burner Thanks!
Claire, I'm still leaning that way but haven't totally made up my mind yet!
Get the PVR for sure. You can tape two shows at once and also watch a third on the same TV. You can pause and rewind live TV, you get picture in picture.
As for owning, why do you want to own something that is going to be totally out of date in 2 years?
I have a PVR, a VCR (a few actually, let me know if you want one) and a playstation.
This suits my needs pretty well, I have the PVR for obvious reasons, then the VCR in case anyone wants an episode(s) of a show I recorded on the PVR, and the Playstation to play on and play DVDs too.
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