DVR vs. Tivo

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 11/3/09 at 10:26pm

which is more cost effective... renting a DVR or buying a Tivo and getting a subscription (and let's assume it's HD for both)... for Tivo HD don't you have to have a special card or something to access HD from your cable provider? i'm just trying to see which one I should use... thanks

[ThoroughlyModern]

Posted: 11/3/09 at 11:15pm

For the TiVo HD you have to purchase a CableCard decoder in addition to the monthly HD cable subscription from your provider. The fee varies. I believe my cable service was charging $4 per month for each card. Even though the cards are fairly simple to install my cable company also required an at home visit so they could install the card.

Updated On: 11/3/09 at 11:15 PM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 11/5/09 at 11:29am

I'm paying less for renting the DVR/Cable box combo through my cable company than the monthly Tivo subscription alone.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 11/5/09 at 12:41pm

If you end up buying three years in advance, it is about a wash.

I spent 300 on a Tivo, and 200 for three years of service, which is just shy of 14 a month. You can buy the forever service for 400, but it does not transfer to another machine if you upgrade, so I decided against that. And, I pay 4 dollars for a Multiplex card from TW. I ended up paying about 1 dollar more a month for a far better system with a much more stable interface.

The DVR rental and service from TW was about 17 dollars a month.

If you pay monthly, TiVo is definitely more. But, if you pre-purchase service, it its pretty close. (with the 1 or three year service deals, you can transfer the service to an upgraded TiVo if you like.

I did it because I found the TW machines and software to be insufferable.

[DAME]

Posted: 11/5/09 at 1:35pm

I have two tivo machines and a directv hd dvr. If you have satellite and want HD recording then tivo is not a option right now. It will be soon. The actual system of Tivo is better running . But basically they both do the job.