Campquake Senate

Does anyone know if you have to subscribe? what do you lose/gain by not vs. subscribing?

BD wrote:Does anyone know if you have to subscribe? what do you lose/gain by not vs. subscribing?

I consider TIVO kin to AOL.

With AOL I have to pay them to access the internet, use their software "sock", etc. Instead, I could easily pay an internet provider and connect to the internet without an AOL software "sock".

TIVO is the same IMHO. Any Digital Video Recording device can record from the input source. Many providers will charge a fee to access their program guide so you can record it, but in truth only an imput is needed.

That written, TIVO does have a nice layout and services not available with other providers. Our Dishnetwork package charges a $5 a month for "guide" access so that the DVR can record it, but I could easily switch the device to record from the AIR, VCR, DVD, whatever.

My two cents.

It's all a matter of convenience.

If you go with Dish Network (like I have), the new receivers that they give out standard now have a built in TIVO-like system, that can record up to 118 hours of stuff, and you can program it to do recordings when you're away and whatnot. Also, some Dish Network receivers come with a dual switch, so not only can you wire one receiver for 2 TV's and watch two different shows at the same time, but you can also instead use one input to record and the other to go watch something else at the same time.

D.A.R.K.[CotC] wrote:If you go with Dish Network (like I have), the new receivers that they give out standard now have a built in TIVO-like system, that can record up to 118 hours of stuff, and you can program it to do recordings when you're away and whatnot. Also, some Dish Network receivers come with a dual switch, so not only can you wire one receiver for 2 TV's and watch two different shows at the same time, but you can also instead use one input to record and the other to go watch something else at the same time.

or do what i do........record two shows and watch a third - recorded - show.

dish dvrs are awesome. heheh

Great, I can't put a dish on my apartment. And thanks to all of you who contributed to this thread without answering my question.

Still lost.

BD wrote:Great, I can't put a dish on my apartment. And thanks to all of you who contributed to this thread without answering my question.

Still lost.

from what i have been told / read in the past.... all you are subscribing is to their updating of channel guides, descriptions of shows, etc.. thats part of the problem with a tivo... you could make your own free with updates... that is better though...chk out http://www.mythtv.org

Yes, you do have to subscribe, but IMHO, I'd subscribe again in a second.
I haven't found one DVR yet that was as user friendly and as free of bugs as my Tivo was. Granted I had to have the damn thing plugged into a phone line all the time, or at least dial out with it once every couple months.

If you don't feel like paying a $5 monthly fee though, a standard non-Tivo DVR will get you by, it just won't be as easy....