DirecTV/TiVo Question

[Saint Austin]

So today I bought a DirecTV/TiVo receiver from Best Buy and have spent the better part of the day playing with it trying to figure out how everything works. However, now it seems that I can only record programs that are shown through DirecTV and not local channels. Is there anyway for me to still record local channels or do I now have to get the local channels through DirecTV too?

 

[TEXASMADE]

yes, you have to add the local channels to your package.

 

[shrevehorn]

Will only record stuff rec'd via Directv. If you are trying to record off cable, no dice.

 

[mojo mofo]

I agree with what they said plus, you should know it's the best invention EVER!

 

[rpongett]

The reason you can record only off of DirecTV is that the DirecTV-Tivo doesn't actualy have a video encoder. It just records the DirecTV satellite signal straigh onto the hard drive. The unit doesn't have to digitize and crunch the video.

The big advantage here is that the video feed you record is crunched by DirecTV's headquarters servers in realtime in a way that's far more efficient than the realtime non-DirecTV Tivo recorder can do. So, for example, with a 90 meg hard drive, you get about a 80 hours of perfect digitial video in its original DirecTV form, while you'd only get about 30 hours of "Best" quality video on a non-DirecTV Tivo with a similar sized drive.

But you have to get your locals through DirecTV. Which I much prefer anyway for clarity.

 

[BA93]

sounds like you get more recording with the DirecTV Tivo, but don't you lose some of the other features that regular TIVO offers like the Home Media Option and maybe the new TivoToGo?

 

[HornHawk]

For those using TiVo, did you pay the up front $299 (or whatever it is) for the lifetime service or are you paying the monthly service fee?

 

[happy fun ball]

If you get the full big daddy $85 a month package, they throw the monthly Tivo charge in for free. Save the $299 and get more channels, man.

 

[Saint Austin]

Thanks for the responses. Finally called up DirecTV and bought the local channel package now too. This whole ordeal has been more than I was wanting to pay but hopefully it'll still be worth it.

 

[Saint Austin]

Just got back from LA and finished watching the TiVoed Rose Bowl. And yes, it is indeed the greatest invention ever.

 

[JohnnyM]

The new HD Tivo through DirecTV WILL allow you to record locals that you get through antenna. They don't offer HD locals but this new box will let you record those channels.

 

[Get Hooked]

How much will the HD Tivo box through DirecTV cost per month? Buying one from a retail outlet is very expensive.