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I'm looking to pick up a PVR for my Christmas present to myself. After scouring the web for info on these PVR things, it seems this is the most knowledgable forum, so I'm hoping someone can clear up a few things I'm still unsure on. Any response to any part of the post appreciated.
For reference sake, I'm looking at getting a ReplayTV 5080, though I haven't totally ruled out a Tivo Series 2 (I like Tivo's conflict resolution system, but I think the Replays network friendliness, 480P capability and betting input/output connections win out).
1. I've read up a bunch on the Replay 5080 and the Tivo and have found conflicting info on this point - I'm hoping someone can clarify it for me. Can you watch one program live and record another program on a different channel ? I know you can watch a recorded program while recording another, but for those rare instances when there are two things on at the same time that I want to see (usually a hockey game interfering with nightly TV), I want to know if I can use the same TV to watch both. I've got a digital cable box, a cable ready TV, and a cable ready VCR on the same TV ... and have 2 premium stations that need to be descrambled through the box. I currently run all audio/video source through a Sony S-video switchbox (along with a DVD Player and an Xbox), that automatically senses and routes sources.
2. What are the chances that a simple "To-Do" list for conflict resolution (a la Tivo) might be implemented in a future software upgrade for the Replay 5xxx units ? I don't know Sonic Blue's history on continual software support or improvement, so barring specific info, a comment on that would help me out.
3. Presuming I love the system and I'm a mildly knowledgable computer geek (who has built a few machines, yet toasted a Playstation while attempting to install a MOD chip) .... how hard is it to upgrade the HD if I want to beef the system up ? Will they repair it for a reasonable fee if I toast it somehow ?
4. My system right now is pretty basic (a decent 35" TV, audio through a standard stereo receiver). When I move in 6 months, the wife is letting me get a decent HD ready widescreen (16:9) HD(ready)TV (no more than 60") and a surround sound system. How will the Replay work out with the widescreen ? Does it maintain 4:3 aspect and just leave black space on the sides of the screen ? Is it watchable ?
Thanks for your help. I know it's not a break the bank purchase, but I like these kinds of gadgets and like to do my homework before committing to a new toy. I like a lot of what Replay has to offer, though I still can't shake the feeling that I'll buy the thing and a super new model will be out 2 months later (with 16:9 support, dolby digital, 100Mbps Ethernet support, etc).
For reference sake, I'm looking at getting a ReplayTV 5080, though I haven't totally ruled out a Tivo Series 2 (I like Tivo's conflict resolution system, but I think the Replays network friendliness, 480P capability and betting input/output connections win out).
1. I've read up a bunch on the Replay 5080 and the Tivo and have found conflicting info on this point - I'm hoping someone can clarify it for me. Can you watch one program live and record another program on a different channel ? I know you can watch a recorded program while recording another, but for those rare instances when there are two things on at the same time that I want to see (usually a hockey game interfering with nightly TV), I want to know if I can use the same TV to watch both. I've got a digital cable box, a cable ready TV, and a cable ready VCR on the same TV ... and have 2 premium stations that need to be descrambled through the box. I currently run all audio/video source through a Sony S-video switchbox (along with a DVD Player and an Xbox), that automatically senses and routes sources.
2. What are the chances that a simple "To-Do" list for conflict resolution (a la Tivo) might be implemented in a future software upgrade for the Replay 5xxx units ? I don't know Sonic Blue's history on continual software support or improvement, so barring specific info, a comment on that would help me out.
3. Presuming I love the system and I'm a mildly knowledgable computer geek (who has built a few machines, yet toasted a Playstation while attempting to install a MOD chip) .... how hard is it to upgrade the HD if I want to beef the system up ? Will they repair it for a reasonable fee if I toast it somehow ?
4. My system right now is pretty basic (a decent 35" TV, audio through a standard stereo receiver). When I move in 6 months, the wife is letting me get a decent HD ready widescreen (16:9) HD(ready)TV (no more than 60") and a surround sound system. How will the Replay work out with the widescreen ? Does it maintain 4:3 aspect and just leave black space on the sides of the screen ? Is it watchable ?
Thanks for your help. I know it's not a break the bank purchase, but I like these kinds of gadgets and like to do my homework before committing to a new toy. I like a lot of what Replay has to offer, though I still can't shake the feeling that I'll buy the thing and a super new model will be out 2 months later (with 16:9 support, dolby digital, 100Mbps Ethernet support, etc).