I am looking for a solution to use a common time synced HD and SD signal to allow me to use the HD on our Mitsubishi HD screen, while also running an S-Video to other destinations (a projector in the bar, 2 other TVs, etc.). As it is currently, it’s very hit or miss on the timing… the HD signal is often behind time (as much as 6-7 seconds) since I’m using 2 separate sources. When we have football parties, and there’s a big play, the group of people in the bar scream and cheer; this let’s everyone watching HD know what happened early. Bummer. It would also be nice to use pause, replay, etc. on all screens at once.

I really have 2 questions:

1) Can I do this with the Tivo HD units alone?
2) Can you help me identify other equipment that can accomplish this?
3) Can I [cheaply] use an adjustable delay on the SD?

Thanks in advance for any help.
Hans

Thanks again for taking the time to answer, and answering so quickly! Great site, and I did click on your amazon link!

Personally I lean toward the S3 with the prices being so close, but some of the factors that sway may don’t apply for you.

In the S3′s favor:
- Larger drive (250GB vs 160GB)
- Nicer remote ($50 value)
- Nicer chassis with OLED display and on-box controls (HD has no on-box controls and just LEDs)
- THX certification
- Supports any eSATA drive, not just ‘TiVo Verified’ drives

In the HD’s favor:
- Supports M-Card CableCARDs, not just S-Cards
- Cheaper

Technologically, the HD may have an edge on the S3 as it uses a newer generation of chips. For example, instead of one SoC with the MPEG-2 decoder and a separate chip for MPEG-4/VC-1, the HD has one SoC with all the decoders integrated. But it remains to be seen if that creates any functional differences down the road or not. They seem to be fairly equally capable, feature-wise, just implemented with different generations of HW. The main advantage of the HD may be a reduced component count and cheaper unit costs and not anything functional.

I always recommend wired Ethernet when possible. Wired is almost always going to give better performance. And it is not susceptible to interference, congestion, etc. And it is just easier to work with – no WPA keys, etc. But WiFi is more convenient if running a cable is a problem, and performance with the TiVo adapter (and use ONLY the TiVo adapter) is good, so it isn’t a major problem. So what it comes down to is asking yourself how hard it will be to run Cat5, and if it is too much effort then use WiFi.

As for the eSATA drive – I’d wait. See if you really need the space first. And if you do, by the time you buy a drive then larger and/or cheaper options may be available. Keep in mind that the TiVo HD is ‘locked down’ and only works with the My DVR Expander ‘TiVo Verified’ drive – unless you open it up and use the manual ‘marrying’ procedures with another drive. While the S3 works with pretty much any eSATA drive – though you’ll want to get one suitable for DVR use. You could use the My Book drives on the S3 – but not the HD (without the hacks).

If you get a Series3 then you will need two CableCARDs. Either two S-Cards or two M-Cards (or one of each, whatever). The S3 doesn’t support M-Cards, so they fall-back to working as S-Cards in the S3. The TiVo HD does support M-Cards, so you’d need *one* M-Card, or two S-Cards in the HD. That’s the one real advantage to the HD. The S3 may support M-Cards at some point. TiVo planned to, but I think they have had issues getting code to handle M-Cards from their chipset vendor for the S3. They switched chips in the HD to one known to have code available to support M-Cards.

No reason I can think of to stick with DirecTV – but I’ve never been a fan of them anyway, and never used them myself.

I am deciding between the S3 and the HD.

Questions:
1. At this point the price is almost equal with rebates. I can get the S3 from Amazon for $349.99 OR the HD for $253.88. Is it worth the extra $100 for the bigger harddrive? Meaning, other than harddrive space, is there any reason to get the S3 that is not trivial like the OLEDs/THX logo/Remote (I use my own remote)? So, technically, is it superior or anything?

2. WiFI or Wired ethernet to the machine. Will I see any advantage having a wired connection?

3. Should I spend the $199 now on the eSata HD from WD? Or wait for a larger device. I figure I wont fill the original harddrive right away, so I can wait…thoughts? Can I use the WD 1TB RAID MY Book drive? or the 750GB My Book?

4. I will be using Comcast, does it matter if I get 2 M-Cards or 2 S-Cards? Does this factor into my decision of model (S3 or HD)?

5. Last question: I currently have Directivo, with the HD tivo machine – HR10-250. Is the ANY reason anyone would tell me to keep it and NOT switch to a new machine and a cable connection??? One of my main issues is Directv will not allow me to get local HD channels here in Seattle using this machine.

Thanks in advance for any help/suggestions.

JC

The link I wanted to do was http://www.tivo.com/hdservicetransfer/ so it’s a good thing I waited for like a “A TiVo steal-of-a-deal for Product Lifetime!” I am very happy have Lifetime on a TiVo HD.

-Raymond Day

I am looking forword to getting this. I called Comcast. They don’t have a M card so have to have 2 and the 2nd one will cost $1.50 a month more. I guess if they had the M cable card would not have to pay the $1.50 more. Said it will cost for them to come out too. They have to install it. I guess because they have to read the cable card number back to them.

-Raymond Day

One last question: is the TiVoHD ‘required’ to be plugged into a phone line? If so, why?

Thanks again.

Brief background=NO cable in our area, understand satellite not supported, therefore HD OTA only interest.

Question: If I have no cable, hence no cable cards; will the TiVo HD record OTA HD? Also, with no cable cards, will TiVo HD record 2 OTA HD programs at the same time?

Thanks.

The happy ending is that our tivo HD is now working with it’s multistream card and we’re getting all our channels. The ugly middle was that all we could get for days was unencrypted channels and unknowledgeable, unhelpful people at Charter. Finally had a lead tech come out…

…he unplugged our tivo and plugged it back in and it works beautifully.

I. can. not. believe. I didn’t try that.

Not the combination of answers I was hoping for. No, they don’t really have to install them for you, but yes, they will make you make them install them. :\

M – Technically there is no reason they can’t hand you the cards and allow you to self-install them and call in the information. Some cable MSOs do that. However, Charter will not do that – they don’t even keep cards at the local offices to give out. The only way to get cards is for an installer to come out and deliver them. I’ve tried a few times. The best I can do is get my cards re-paired when I need to – and only because I was persistent and I brought my info to the local office and ended up making a contact there who will help me. But when I need new cards I still have to get a truck roll.

My question now is…

…does the cable company HAVE TO install the cable cards?

I’ve already spent WAY too much time on the phone with them and waiting for them to come out and NOT bring what I ordered to spend another Saturday waiting for the cable guy. Charter is saying they have to, because it’s their policy. I was hung up on by a supervisor. I’m going to the office tomorrow to have a give them their crusty old box and have a ‘discussion’ with them. Is there any reason they shouldn’t be able to hand me two cable cards and be happy to be rid of me?

>> If I can get either 2 type s cable cards from comcast or one
>> type m (if supported by them), can the Tivo HD record *2* cable
>> HD channels simultaneously?

Yes, you can simultaneously record two different HD cable channels while you watch a third, previously recorded program. The TivoHD records the original digital signal so all recordings are 100% original to the live broadcast.

>> I am also curious if the Tivo HD and comcast digital cable service
>> get along. Does On Demand work?

The TivoHD works with Comcast digital cable, but On Demand does not work. There is no way to Tivo to support On Demand. Of course, with a larger hard drive, the TivoHD can become what is effectively an On Demand box.

My TivoHD has over 100 hours of HD storage.

Please let me tell our story.

When we got our HDTV, we naturally had to give the old series2 Tivo box the boot. Before that, we adored Tivo and after getting the Motorola HD-DVR, we soon grew to miss Tivo greatly. I *do* like being able to record dual HD channels simultaneously.

When I first learned of the series 3 we were elated, but found the once $800 price tag to be crushing.

Now there is Tivo HD, hope is reborn! But first a few questions:

If I can get either 2 type s cable cards from comcast or one type m (if supported by them), can the Tivo HD record *2* cable HD channels simultaneously?

I am also curious if the Tivo HD and comcast digital cable service get along. Does On Demand work?

Any insights your readers can provide is greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

-Harold

Here is there ad I got in the e-mail.

I hope they do this again for the Series 3 lite!

-Raymond Day