ExpressVu and Tivo

  • Thread starter Thread starter dschell_2000
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But TiVo does not sell any of the units you are talking about in Canada. And I'd guess removing the hard drive and putting a new one also removes your warranty.

To duplicate your set-up, the Bell ExpressVu customer would need:
  • 2 Canadian TiVos at $199 each
  • 2 Canadian TiVo wireless adapters at $60 each
  • a home wireless network router
  • a $12.95/mth subscription to the TiVo listings service
  • a $9.95/mth "multi-user" fee for the second TiVo
  • two ExpressVu satellite receivers already connected to two TVs
That's around $500 upfront for hardware; US$22.90/mth min 1 year contract for the service (ie. $275); and each "dual tuner" TiVo will only be able to record with one tuner.

One 9242 Bell PVR will do multi-room, dual tuner SD, one TV HD, record 200 hrs instead of 80 hrs per box (and in better quality). And do all that $600 upfront or $20/mth as a rental or probably for $300 to $450 at Bell World or local dealers with 9200s still in stock.

You may be disappointed that TiVo doesn't offer HD in Canada but they also don't offer HD in the US for satellite users (which also do not support CableCard technology; that sidetracks about 25 million US households right there). TiVo may be useful for some people with special needs or an affection for the funky brand; but this is not a good value mainstream product for typical Bell customers.
 
I wouldn't say it blows them out of the water
Two major drawbacks are the 80hours of recording time, and no High Def recording capabilities
Never seen one in action, but I would consider getting one if they could record HD...
 
TiVo will work with ExpressVu although it might get cranky.

It doesn't matter if you get a single tuner or the DT model, for the purposes of connecting to satellite they are the same. The extra tuner on the DT only works with analogue cable.
 
Standard warranty was for 1 year, so yes, after the warranty was up, I swapped the drives. I've never heard of anyone having problems doing this upgrade.

The BEV setup still doesn't match the features and functions that the Tivo unit has to offer apart from HD content. There is no way that I know of to transfer recorded content from one BEV receiver to another one in another room of the house for instance. I don't know of any way to burn the recorded content to DVD on a BEV PVR either.

I'm not bashing the BEV HD PVR. I think it's the best option for Canadians wanting to record HD content currently.

Any Series 2 will work in Canada. There are online retailers that will ship to Canada, so even if you can't go to your local store, you can still get a different model of Tivo shipped to your address in Canada. Yes, I did pick my Toshiba up on a trip to the US but I bought my TCD54x from an online retailer who used BorderFree to ship to my house. You don't have to buy the Tivo brand wireless adapter. If you check on the Tivo Support site, they have a fairly long list of USB network adapters that are certified by them and will work. Some wireless, some wired. I use 2 wired Linksys USB adapters that I picked up for $30/each. I already had the BEV receivers since I'm a BEV subscriber and I already had a home network since I have more than 1 computer at home.

Rumours are circulating that Tivo will release an HD product in 2008 that will support HD. They are taking alot of criticism from all sides on not having support for HD satellite users.
 
Oh, and I forgot...Tivo is having their holiday rebate of $150USD.
The rebate form says valid only for US, but I know Canadians that have called and they will honor the rebate for Canadians as well. So, call ahead and verify they will honor that rebate and you can pick up a Series 2 DT Tivo for $199 - $150 = $49

When I bought my two Tivo units, I received both $150 rebates even though I was in Canada.

Also, something interesting for BEV (Echostar) PVR users...
http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=204400405
It appears that Echostar infringed on a Tivo patent...
 
I have been told that my 9220 that I bought wont work because there is not way to route 2 wires to it. I currently have d.net which works with High Def. I took the 9220 back and got a 6100 HD receiver but Id like to record hd sat programming preferably without a monthly charge (Tivo) Is there a after market recorder that will have a hard drive and sat tuner to record programming from EV hopefully in high def and 5.1 Can the 508 D.net be put back to virgin and installed as new hardware with a Bell card. Thanks
 
None of this changes the fact that you continue to describe scenarios not available to Canadians through the approved Canadian TiVo sales and support channel.

If you go to FS or BB you will pay $199 * 2 = $398 and zero rebate for two dual tuner TiVos that, in fact, only operate as single tuner models on ExpressVu. And then pay an additional $22.90/mth to keep them active. Bell 9200 or 9242 HD PVR runs on two TVs, in HD on one, and delivers far more value for much less upfront and ongoing cost.
 
You must have a lot of money to give away ... no way in the world I would pay a monthly fee for a PVR. The BEV PVR's have their glitches, but I wouldn't give up mine for a TIVO. Buy a BEV PVR and save your money (as the ING guy would say)!!
 
cbx1100,
You CAN use the 9200 with only ONE line from the dish going into it (whatever you have running into your 6100 will work with the 9200). You just won't be able to record two things at once.

I heard this in theory, and then did it for a while with one of my 9200 receivers.

Gives you exactly what you're looking for.
 
It doesn't have to be an either/or thing.
I've used a BEV 5900 for several years, and then the hard drive went bad.
I could have chosen to repair it or replace it but I don't "have a lot of money to give away".
I found a way to get the Series 2 DT TiVo from the TiVo web site for $85, including wireless NIC. I did not find setup to be difficult. Connect S-Video out to S-Video in, audio out to audio in, and follow the wizard.

I use the TiVo at best quality, which gives only 25 hours of recording time, but unlike the 5900, there are several web sites which walk you through the process of replacing the hard drive with a bigger one. $110 for a 100 hour hard drive.

You don't want to pay a monthly fee, but you haven't experienced great PVR software until you've used a TiVo. I wouldn't want to pay a monthly fee for BEV PVR software, either, but that's the difference.

Dave S.
 
my 9200 has a 14 day guide and can record "new episodes only".

i am on the "waste of money" bandwagon when it comes to the TiVo...i think the TiVo is a great product, 7 years ago when there was little else to compete...i think now it doesn't compete with other options out there, that don't cost a monthly fee to use.
 
Humm....i don't think Bell Wants you nor will allow you to use another companies equipment to receiver signal.

For the HD PVR to work, yes you'll need both wires in.

If you want a free alternative, get a DVD Burner for the TV, with a Hard Drive.....However i heard a while back you can't record bell's HD to a HD or DVD from these machines, i have not tried it my self thoe....
 
The "season pass" feature of Tivo is,..as you say...about 7 years old and BEV is just introducing it now...wow... Of course, the Tivo can do much more since it has not only the 14 day guide, but so many more search features that none of the cable/satellite pvrs have...I don't want to bore anyone else with listing all the functions...you just need to go to tivo.com to see all the innovations that they've come up with in the last few years. Moving more into the internet "connected" space...

As far as the waste of money goes..Tivo basically gives you free hardware and then recoups their cost through subscriptions. BEV charges you upfront for the hardware...or you can rent it for $20/month....which is more than the Tivo subscription fee/month.

In any case, Canada represents a tiny market for Tivo so I am just glad they finally are moving towards more expansion. Like I said previously, if they had partnered with Rogers/Cogeco/Shaw/BEV/Starchoice 6 years ago, they would've had much more traction in Canada.
 
CBX1100, Please read the Digital Home FAQ (under help) "Recording HD". Other than the 9200 and a "modified" 6000, no way to get HD/DD5.1. I also answered this question for you on December 11.

Please do not cross post. Your other posts have been deleted.
 
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