[ERobS]

I have been looking into getting a Replay/Tivo for approx. 3 months. I am typically a slow purchaser, but the two different formats has me even more hesitant. Have any of you on this list owned both a Replay and Tivo, and which, if any did you prefer. Thanks for any insight.


Rob



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Thanks,

Rob

 

[toots]

What. Again?

 

[DrStrange]

Here are comparisons by three people who've had both: Me (prefer Tivo), Cwoody (seemed mixed), and Ybrew (prefers Tivo - his comparison is based on older versions of both brands software as he no longer has the Replay). I think all three of us agree they each have their ups and downs.


[This message has been edited by DrStrange (edited 02-25-2001).]

 

[RandyL712]

If you're totally incompetant with home theater and electronics, I'd get a TIVO. If you're a hacker who wants to code everything yourself, get a TIVO. If you want 'THEM' to pick shows for you and fill up your hard drive with things you MAY enjoy, get a TIVO. (Okay, that's an optional feature). If you don't mind paying a bit less up front but either $10/month or $200 one-time, get a TIVO. (Replay is now less than $300 and there's no fee ever at mercata.com)


Certainly I'm biased. I owned a TIVO for quite a while, then bought a REPLAY and within 2 weeks I had my TIVO on EBAY http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif


The truth- they're very similar. You can read countless opinions, but you aren't going to be unhappy with either. The Replay IMHO is plenty easy to use, offers lots of advanced features for those who want them (like show padding, manual record, quick skip, etc)


And soon - MYREPLAYTV.COM where you can program everything online!


Of course, this is my opinion. You're bound here hear plenty of opinions pulling you in each direction. The reality - just don't get a Panasonic ShowStopper and you'll be happy with either the TIVO, DirecTIVO, or ReplayTV. Period.

 

[ERobS]

Thanks for the input, I hope to get ??one?? of them soon.




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Thanks,

Rob

 

[Amazingly Smooth]

I'd like it to be added that no more posts comparing Tivo and Replay be allowed. This board saves all the past posts so anyone can read through past flame wars. I'm so sick and tired of the same old stuff.


Cheers


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ReplayTV -- The only one that had firewire...

 

[toots]

How about this:


Look at both units, find which one you like. There are two things that everyone will agree on:


1) There are no bad decisions, excepting:

2) Don't get a Showstopper


Other than point #2, there aren't any hidden gotchas on either unit. You will get what was advertised, and you will be happy with it.

 

[ERobS]

Thanks again for the Helpful comments. Sorry to have bothered some by asking this topic.


Thanks


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Thanks,

Rob

 

[Ryan]

Now, come on, you know you want both!


Seriously, most people are very pleased with either. Unless you have a very specific need to meet which you haven't mentioned, you probably will too.


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Ryan

 

[jbarr]

Quote:

Originally posted by ERobS: Thanks again for the Helpful comments. Sorry to have bothered some by asking this topic.

Rob,


First off, don't feel like you bothered anyone. Many of us have been here a while and have seen this question asked over and over, and while some may get frustrated, many are not.


That said, I own a ReplayTV box, so I tend to be biased toward ReplayTV. Here's my suggestion to you: Go to your nearest Best Buy or Circuit City and look at them both on display. Try to get a feel for the interfaces and functions. Be aware that the many (including me) highly recommend the ReplayTV-brand box (ordered over the 'net) over the retail-available Showstopper, but don't let that stop you from buying it or at least trying it in the store. The features and functions, are close enough that you can make a very informed decision from the Showstopper.


Next, read all the FAQs and browse through these forums (both TiVo and ReplayTV). There is a wealth of information here and a lot of it is even good! http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/wink.gif You will find that both are fine machines and both have their shortcomings. Functionally, they both offer similar features.


It's easy to say this, but just go get one. It really doesn't matter which. Take advantage of the 30-day money-back guarantee that both offer.


Once you use it for a while, you will quickly see the enhancements it makes to your TV viewing experience.




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-Jim


ReplayTV: The only way to watch Iron Chef!

 

[alleng]

I am sorry so many of you do not like the showstopper. I have had no problem with mine. It was cheaper than the replay device and it has worked perfectly. It never occured to me to try recording my DVDs. If and when the various networks start transmitting with Macrovision then I will worry about it. No one is doing it and there are no confirmed reports of anyone planning on doing it. I hope they can fix the bug where it reports MV when there is no MV. May I suggest that replay or Panasonic have one of the people having this problem send their unit to them with a replacement and track it them selves. There are many people reporting this problem. If it is in the unit they should take them back. Al

 

[Dr. Zed]

Quote:

Originally posted by RandyL712: If you're totally incompetant with home theater and electronics....

Are you are impling what here? Both units are rather similar when it comes to competence with home theater and electronics. I'd file that comment under F for FUD.

Quote:

If you're a hacker who wants to code everything yourself, get a TIVO.

Again.... what was the point? While many people hack their TiVos, the comment "to code everything yourself" is refering to what....?

Quote:

If you want 'THEM' to pick shows for you and fill up your hard drive with things you MAY enjoy, get a TIVO. (Okay, that's an optional feature).

Yep, it's FUD Fest '00. First, suggestions don't "fill up your hard drive". They take advantage of empty space, but the space they "fill" is automatically used by the system for things you SCHEDUAL to be recorded. The idea that suggestions will "fill up your hard drive with things you MAY enjoy" just more FUD. Not only it is an "optional feature", but it's unobtrusive....

Quote:

If you don't mind paying a bit less up front but either $10/month or $200 one-time, get a TIVO.

Since the total is generally the same, what's the point?

Quote:

Replay is now less than $300 and there's no fee ever at mercata.com

I wish I could get one for "less that $300".... Is this including the loyalty rebate, because he's probably not eligible for that. I assume this also includes the one-time bonus from mercata...

Quote:

Certainly I'm biased. I owned a TIVO for quite a while, then bought a REPLAY and within 2 weeks I had my TIVO on EBAY http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif

Biased wouldn't be quite the right term. Someone who is biased would generally mention the good points of their position and the bad points of the oposite position. You seem to have taken the good points of the opposite opinion and tried to twist them into something they are not....

Quote:

The truth- they're very similar. You can read countless opinions, but you aren't going to be unhappy with either.

Absolutly. Coke or Pepsi... either way it's all good.




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"It's like living in the future."


[This message has been edited by an infinite number of monkeys (edited 10-24-2000).]

 

[PRMan]

If you like sports, especially football, hockey or boxing, get a Replay because of QuickSkip. I watched a 4-hour football game last Saturday in 1 hour, and didn't miss a single play. Hockey in 1.5 hours. Boxing between rounds. I can't watch sports on my TiVo. It's good for everything else, though.


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PRMan

 

[toots]

You know, as one of the leading anti-TiVo FUD generators on this board, I still have to balk at those who imply that TiVo's "suggested recordings" feature is a bad thing. I mean, it does a good job of figuring out what I might want to watch. But, let's settle some myths:


Myth 1) It "fills" my disk.

Yes, it can fill the disk with stuff, but then again, all of what it records on its own are flagged to be the first things to be deleted if it needs space for something that it's been instructed to record.


Myth 2) It shortens the live buffer

Actually, no. TiVo misfeature here: The live buffer is 30 minutes, has always been 30 minutes, will always be 30 minutes unless you hack your unit to make it longer. Under no circumstances will TiVo suggestions affect your live buffer.


Myth 3) It interferes with the programs that I want recorded

No. If anything, the TiVo is more deterministic about what it'll record when than the Replay is. It will absolutely not interfere with programs you've set to record.


Myth 4) My listing of recorded programs will always be littered with crap.

You can always turn the feature off. It's right there in the standard menus.


I can find a lot of things about the TiVo to complain about. This just isn't one of them. It's a totally non-intrusive feature.

 

[SleepyBob]

Quote:

Originally posted by toots: Myth 4) My listing of recorded programs will always be littered with crap. You can always turn the feature off. It's right there in the standard menus. I can find a lot of things about the TiVo to complain about. This just isn't one of them. It's a totally non-intrusive feature.

Nice summary, toots. One last comment on myth 4, though:

All TiVo suggestions are listed in the "Now Showing" list in time-order after the very last one of your own recordings that have been recorded. They are not interspersed at all, so it is not at all confusing to see which programs you recorded, and which are suggestions. You see a list of the recordings you requested, followed by a list of recorded suggestions, which can be totally ignored if you wish.

 

[jmarlowe]

I've used both systems, although the Tivo for only a couple of weeks. My opinion is that it's whatever you get used to first thatmakes you prefer on over the other. As many people have said, each has merits over the other one, and the ideal unit doesn't exist, because it's a combination of the two. I love the 30 second quickskip on the Replay, but if I started with a Tivo, I'd probably think not having it was no big deal.

John Marlowe

 

[toots]

I'm going to kind of disagree with the common assertion that you come to like the first one you buy because it's the first one you get used to.


I had specific reasons for making the original choice I made, and most of them endured. I like my first choice better for precisely the same reasons that it was my first choice.

 

[Cabinwood]

With Replay, make sure you have a local dial in number. Replay doesn't have an 800 number for those without local dial in. If you don't, the long distance charges can get pretty steep. But you can disconnect the phone line and just force a call every once in a while to try to cut down on charges.


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Jeanne