Moving from Hopper to Tivo

[comfortably_numb]

Posted in the pub thread that was discussing a similar issue.

Well, just ordered a new antenna which I will mount on the roof using the old Directv mounting pad, some wire, a signal amp, and the tivo roamio. I figure Ill give it a try on the bedroom tv and see how it goes from there. If it is all acceptable, ill order at least one more tivo and drop sat service.

You could also get an HD Homerun and attach it to a dedicated PC with HDMI output. Windows Media Center works great as a DVR and there are no Tivo fees. I briefly tried out a Tivo Series 3, and while the scheduling features were nice, the GUI was not in HD and it felt like buying into old technology. I got an HD Homerun, Hd Homerun Prime and now I have 5 tuners and I'm very happy with the setup. Saving a buttload of money too. You can also access the content on any other PC or phone in your network, and there is a Roku app now, too.

 

[Mochuf]

You could also get an HD Homerun and attach it to a dedicated PC with HDMI output. Windows Media Center works great as a DVR and there are no Tivo fees. I briefly tried out a Tivo Series 3, and while the scheduling features were nice, the GUI was not in HD and it felt like buying into old technology. I got an HD Homerun, Hd Homerun Prime and now I have 5 tuners and I'm very happy with the setup. Saving a buttload of money too. You can also access the content on any other PC or phone in your network, and there is a Roku app now, too.

Maybe because the TivoHD is old technology? The new Roamio is worlds better than the old TivoHD. If he does end up buying a Roamio, he will be happy he did. I do use a WMC w/HD Homerun for OTA recordings, so I know that there is nothing wrong with that option. But MS hasn't done anything with Media Center for a long time, and you have to wonder how much longer they will support it.

 

[comfortably_numb]

As long as MS continues to feed the guide data, I'll be happy

 

[Dan in VA]

Anyone else in the thread cut the cord yet? My HD signal is great and I'm looking at buying a Tivo w/ lifetime plus a mini when my contract expires in a few months. I called Dish tonight just to see how much longer I have left on my contract and they lowered my bill $5 a month. I expressed my gratitude but explained I was still canceling once contract is up.

 

[ncted]

Anyone else in the thread cut the cord yet? My HD signal is great and I'm looking at buying a Tivo w/ lifetime plus a mini when my contract expires in a few months. I called Dish tonight just to see how much longer I have left on my contract and they lowered my bill $5 a month. I expressed my gratitude but explained I was still canceling once contract is up.

Not yet. My plan is to get the antenna situation figured out by the end of the month, so I can have good data on reception before I drop the big bucks on Tivo.

 

[mike123abc]

Anyone else in the thread cut the cord yet? My HD signal is great and I'm looking at buying a Tivo w/ lifetime plus a mini when my contract expires in a few months. I called Dish tonight just to see how much longer I have left on my contract and they lowered my bill $5 a month. I expressed my gratitude but explained I was still canceling once contract is up.

I did for a while, then of course the cable company (TWC) comes up with a deal that for just $20 more than my internet only service I can get cable + free HBO for a year (yes I know it jumps up at the end to an obnoxious amount). So, I am doing that. That is the nice thing about the basic Roamio, I can go back and forth as deals present themselves.

 

[jayn_j]

Not yet. My plan is to get the antenna situation figured out by the end of the month, so I can have good data on reception before I drop the big bucks on Tivo.

Don't forget that reception is dependent on both the signal from the antenna and the quality of the tuner.
I mention this because the tuner in the TIVO Premiere is frankly, inadequate (I am being generous) If you buy one with lifetime, get a series 3 HD, or better still a new Roamio.

I had a Premiere and suffered from frequent drop outs that made some shows unwatchable. The Roamio fixed 90% of this.

 

[ncted]

Don't forget that reception is dependent on both the signal from the antenna and the quality of the tuner.
I mention this because the tuner in the TIVO Premiere is frankly, inadequate (I am being generous) If you buy one with lifetime, get a series 3 HD, or better still a new Roamio.

I had a Premiere and suffered from frequent drop outs that made some shows unwatchable. The Roamio fixed 90% of this.

Yes, my plan was to go with a Roamio.

 

[Dan in VA]

Decided to make the switch and purchased a Roamio basic with lifetime. Used an eBay code so the total was $450 and some change for tax. Can't wait to cancel Dish.

 

[ncted]

My ability to receive good OTA reception on all the channels I want seems to be stymied by tree-caused multi-pathing of a significant nature. I've now tried several highly rated antennas, both indoors and out, and none of them can consistently receive PBS, CBS, ABC, NBC, CW, and FOX where I live. I can either get everything but NBC or everything but ABC and PBS based on my testing.

Per tvfool.com, I should be able to get everything pretty reliably.

 

[Dan in VA]

Stealth hawk worked for me, there is another thread I started in here that details my journey. Another poster suggested it and he was spot on. It exceeded my expectations and cost less than $10 to make. I have since made five more for others and they have all been happy.

 

[ncted]

Interesting development: I ordered the OTA module for my Hopper, planning to use it to record PBS on Sunday nights when my other tuners are all busy. Well, when I install it and do a channel scan, I can now reliably pick up everything I want, including PBS, CBS, ABC, NBC, CW, and Fox, on my Cleastream 2v. This is with the antenna sitting on top of my entertainment center in the family room on the first floor. I am going to try again this weekend with the antenna outside to see how the OTA module works with that setup. This makes me think the tuners in my Samsung TVs aren't all that great. Signal levels with the OTA module are all consistently 75-100%.

 

[Dan in VA]

LOL, now what other site have I read this before.

 

[ncted]

LOL, now what other site have I read this before.

That is exactly what I thought when you recommended the stealth hawk.

 

[ncted]

Interesting development: I ordered the OTA module for my Hopper, planning to use it to record PBS on Sunday nights when my other tuners are all busy. Well, when I install it and do a channel scan, I can now reliably pick up everything I want, including PBS, CBS, ABC, NBC, CW, and Fox, on my Cleastream 2v. This is with the antenna sitting on top of my entertainment center in the family room on the first floor. I am going to try again this weekend with the antenna outside to see how the OTA module works with that setup. This makes me think the tuners in my Samsung TVs aren't all that great. Signal levels with the OTA module are all consistently 75-100%.

My easy outside location did not provide excellent results, but I did find a nice spot upstairs in my loft which provides 100% signal on all the major networks, at least on a sunny afternoon.

 

[Dan in VA]

That's good news, in other news my TiVo arrived today. Hopefully tonight I will get to play with it.

 

[mike123abc]

That's good news, in other news my TiVo arrived today. Hopefully tonight I will get to play with it.

Are you going to switch out the HD?

 

[Dan in VA]

Yes, most likely sooner rather than later. We don't record much anymore on our Hopper but moving from 2TB to 1/2TB is enough to justify it. I've been on the TiVo forums learning the best drive and settled on the WD30EURX.

 

[ncted]

That's good news, in other news my TiVo arrived today. Hopefully tonight I will get to play with it.

Mine should be here on Wed. I think I will miss the Hopper, but hopefully the Tivo will work out.

 

[mike123abc]

Yes, most likely sooner rather than later. We don't record much anymore on our Hopper but moving from 2TB to 1/2TB is enough to justify it. I've been on the TiVo forums learning the best drive and settled on the WD30EURX.

I went with that drive and it has worked well.