PVR vs TIVO

[The Saint]

I don't have either but I'm looking into a means of recording digitally. What do these two offer. Do I still need a digital box?

Thanks for helping out a technological dinosaur

[Sakuraba]

I've been resisting this technology for a long time too, Chris. For the TV lover, I believe it is the kind of tech that will make you wonder how you watched tv without one.

A friend has a dual hd PVR satellite receiver from Bell, which has failed him 4 times and been replaced under warranty by Bell.

Are you cable or satellite, or considering both options?

[The Saint]

Cable

[Kilroy]

I didn't think you could use a TIVO on Rogers.

[bobblehead]

Do I still need a digital box?

Nope. The Rogers HD PVR has a built in HDTV digital terminal.

[Chambokl]

I don't think Tivo supports HD in Canada.

Because of this I would say you have to go with a Bell HD PVR... I just bought a 9242... It is awesome. You could have 2 different channel on pause...you can watch one channel and record another one... you could watch a PVR show and record 2 other channels.

PS: I am with Bell Expressvu

[fundonny]

PVR changed my life. I have the Bell HD PVR, 2 tuner, never had a single issue. My wife, who thought i was nuts at first when I bought it a few years ago, now could not live without it. And you know, we still have time for eachother. lol

[jeffc]

AFAIK TIVO is not supported on Bell or Rogers, you have to go with one of their boxes. I am with Rogers, HDPVR and its great. I didn't like Bell as the signal sometimes got messed up in bad weather and if you mount your dish where is inacessible, snow can affect your signal. Haven't seen the Bell PVR but the rogers one is good, though I think the interface is a little dated. I can't live without it now and rarely watch shows live unless it is sports. only problem is my 5 year old now knows how to record shows so our pvr is filled with treehouse shows now.

[spackler]

Tivo is supported in Canada, but it's not the same as their american service. We looked into it a few years ago when we got a new tv. The main drawback is that you can't record in high def on their PVR here. It's a big drawback. Plus, on top of the $200 charge for the Tivo PVR you have to pay a $13 monthly fee, but that doesn't include your cable charge, it's just for having the Tivo interface. So you'll have to have a Rogers or Bell box, and still pay their fees on top of Tivo's. I like the Tivo interface a lot, but it's useless for me if you can't record in HD.

[Hacker]

Rent a PVR from Rogers. I've had one since they've launched and it is simply amazing. My wife NEVER watches live TV any more.......she hate commercials.

I say rent vs. buy because if your TV is on a lot (I have 2 young kids) it is equivalent to your computer hard drive writing data constantly for 8-9 hours a day (i.e. it will die a painful death every year or two). I've had 6 different PVRs now, but when the write head goes a quick call to Rogers and a new one is delivered the next day. I'd never buy one of these

[dbleber]

I had a rented PVR for almost 4 years and just bought one for a great deal off eBay. If it it dies in 2 years you're no further ahead renting versus buying since it will cost you approx $540 in rental fees which is the cost to buy retail. Look around and find a new in the box one off eBay and if it lasts 2 years you'll be better off from a dollar position.

[jeffc]

I got a great deal about 5 years ago from Rogers. They had a deal where I traded in my Bell receiver and I have a free HD PVR rental for life. That deal is long gone, but you can get a 1 or 2 year free deal if you push them. Check out redflagdeals.com - there is a thread on there about a ton of people that have gotten this deal.

[hoolio]

+1 Jeff. I've had a HD PVR for over 2 years now from Rogers and haven't paid a dime. You just have to say the right things on the phone and they'll give it to you for free.

[Big Johnny69]

+1 Jeff. I've had a HD PVR for over 2 years now from Rogers and haven't paid a dime. You just have to say the right things on the phone and they'll give it to you for free.

Or threaten to come over and eat their children, right???

[Weazl]

I am on year three with Rogers and have an HDPVR as well as an HD Recveiver for which I have not paid.

The one benefit BELL has is a bigger hard drive with easy access to hook up an external hard drive for even more storage, however you need to put the god awful receiver or dish on your roof which I hate. I also do not like Bell's functionality and look, ghowever friends of mine who have Bell do not like my Rogers looks and functionality - go figure!

[tmacgolf]

Welcome to the dark side. You will wonder how you lived without the PVR before this. I'm also with rogers and have two in my house (one HD one regular). I purchased one of the PVRs several years ago and it is still working as good as ever. The savings over time surpass the rental fees greatly. You need to check the conditions of your cable contract though. If you are on a special rate e.g. Rogers VIP, one of the conditions is that a digital box is rented, otherwise the package is negated. For that reason, one of our's is still a rental. If you have more than one cable box in your home, but only are getting one PVR, it might be better to rent the non-PVR box, as they are cheaper to rent.

[jeffc]

The hdpvr is on for $349 at FS this week

[The Saint]

Is that a good one?

The hdpvr is on for $349 at FS this week

[jeffc]

Yep it's what I have

fyi last year after Xmas they were on for $299

[John]

Bought ours and love the HDPVR, only way to watch the tube!! Tape golf and you can get through rounds in 1/4 the time!!

Jeff you a Bragg fan? He's one of my faves. Check out his collaboration with Wilco if you haven't already!!

[jeffc]

Bought ours and love the HDPVR, only way to watch the tube!! Tape golf and you can get through rounds in 1/4 the time!!

Jeff you a Bragg fan? He's one of my faves. Check out his collaboration with Wilco if you haven't already!!

Yep, big fan. Saw him a month ago when he was here- great show. Also caught him in 1993 at carleton u.

And yes I have both mermaid avenue cd's the first of which i think i wore out.

[OutOfTheRough]

I have a hdpvr from Rogers and have been renting about 2 years now. Have thought of purchasing but because of the hard drive haven't.

One great thing with the hd pvr is if you have a DVD recorder. You can take anything that you have recorded on the pvr and move it to DVD... Great if you also subscribe to TMN.... Definitely check Boxing Day sales....

Costco even sells the hd pvr with the 320 GB hard drive, where the one rogers sells is 160GB....

[fundonny]

Wow, appears i'm in the minority with Bell.