So I got the new Comcast HD DVR box today

[dsfunk]

I'm on the list for one from comcast.

 

[b3b0p]

Originally posted by: arod

Originally posted by: b3b0p

Originally posted by: arod
that recording HD content is a bit low, most other pvrs have 30 hrs HD capacity.

Still beats the crap outta DirecTV HD-Tivo that comes in at a paltry $1000.

MSRP, but no one should have to pay MSRP. Look around. Call DirecTV. Ask retailers. I know many that have gotten them for $600.

600 is still 300 more than Id pay for one.... Voom's dvr will be modeled like cable dvr where its a small monthly fee (rumored to be $10/month), and will be quite a bit more powerful than any tivo or cable dvr (with its whole house networking, this is all provided voom stays in buisness.

Agreed, but I am just saying that you don't have to pay $1000 for the HD Tivo. Also, everyone I have talked to that has both cable and DirecTV (yes, some people actually do) the Tivo interface and useability is far better then anything else currently offered.

The Voom option sounds wonderful, but can they ever get it done and release it? How buggy will it be?

I don't have cable or DirecTV or any payed for TV service. I dumped mine a couple months ago only because there was one HD channel I watched, ESPN-HD and only for Sunday Night Football. Was not worth it too keep I decided. HBO cropped, chopped, and butchered their HD movies most of the time, so canceled that. Showtime did not have enough HD to even bother to consider them. I got all my other HD offerings OTA. Uncompressed and artifact free too.

 

[KLin]

Originally posted by: b3b0p

Originally posted by: arod

Originally posted by: b3b0p

Originally posted by: arod
that recording HD content is a bit low, most other pvrs have 30 hrs HD capacity.

Still beats the crap outta DirecTV HD-Tivo that comes in at a paltry $1000.

MSRP, but no one should have to pay MSRP. Look around. Call DirecTV. Ask retailers. I know many that have gotten them for $600.

600 is still 300 more than Id pay for one.... Voom's dvr will be modeled like cable dvr where its a small monthly fee (rumored to be $10/month), and will be quite a bit more powerful than any tivo or cable dvr (with its whole house networking, this is all provided voom stays in buisness.

Agreed, but I am just saying that you don't have to pay $1000 for the HD Tivo. Also, everyone I have talked to that has both cable and DirecTV (yes, some people actually do) the Tivo interface and useability is far better then anything else currently offered.

The Voom option sounds wonderful, but can they ever get it done and release it? How buggy will it be?

I don't have cable or DirecTV or any payed for TV service. I dumped mine a couple months ago only because there was one HD channel I watched, ESPN-HD and only for Sunday Night Football. Was not worth it too keep I decided. HBO cropped, chopped, and butchered their HD movies most of the time, so canceled that. Showtime did not have enough HD to even bother to consider them. I got all my other HD offerings OTA. Uncompressed and artifact free too.

They're having a showtime preview for the next 2 months and just about every movie they've shown so far has been in HD. Tonight they're showing Tombstone in HD and OAR then Pulp fiction in HD and OAR right after. It looks pretty good from what I can tell. Anyways, 10 dollars a month was definitely worth it to upgrade to DVR.

 

[arod]

Originally posted by: b3b0p

Originally posted by: arod

Originally posted by: b3b0p

Originally posted by: arod
that recording HD content is a bit low, most other pvrs have 30 hrs HD capacity.

Still beats the crap outta DirecTV HD-Tivo that comes in at a paltry $1000.

MSRP, but no one should have to pay MSRP. Look around. Call DirecTV. Ask retailers. I know many that have gotten them for $600.

600 is still 300 more than Id pay for one.... Voom's dvr will be modeled like cable dvr where its a small monthly fee (rumored to be $10/month), and will be quite a bit more powerful than any tivo or cable dvr (with its whole house networking, this is all provided voom stays in buisness.

Agreed, but I am just saying that you don't have to pay $1000 for the HD Tivo. Also, everyone I have talked to that has both cable and DirecTV (yes, some people actually do) the Tivo interface and useability is far better then anything else currently offered.

The Voom option sounds wonderful, but can they ever get it done and release it? How buggy will it be?

I don't have cable or DirecTV or any payed for TV service. I dumped mine a couple months ago only because there was one HD channel I watched, ESPN-HD and only for Sunday Night Football. Was not worth it too keep I decided. HBO cropped, chopped, and butchered their HD movies most of the time, so canceled that. Showtime did not have enough HD to even bother to consider them. I got all my other HD offerings OTA. Uncompressed and artifact free too.

Ive actually heard the new Cox box (i beleive its a motorola 6412.. they started sending them out 2 weeks ago so they are the very latest box) and most tivo people say the only thing its missing over the tivo boxes is teh wishlists, and I wouldnt ever use that so for the price difference theres no comparison.

As for voom's box, I really dont knwo (although i know it will be similar to the 6412, just a heavily modified version to support show shifting and whatnot).... so it will probably have a few bugs on release but they have pushed it back so many times I assume it will be a very stable box on release. Still the feature set it will have will be well worth any bugs (within reason) it will have.

 

[Queasy]

Voom is actually being sold off by it's parent company because it is performing very poorly. DISH's parent company is reportedly interested in buying it.

DirecTV will be launching two satellites during the first half of 2005 to provide over 1,000 HD channels including locals in HD. They also are releasing their own DVR to compete with the DirecTivo DVR later next year. No word yet on pricing or if it will be HD compatible.

I keep getting tempted to go with Comcast but I am constantly reminded on how badly they screwed up one of my bills that it required over 20 hours of phone time with one lieing CSR after another to get it resolved. However, everything I hear is that the Motorola receiver is miles better than the Scientific Atlanta receiver but still not quite as good as a DirecTivo receiver.

 

[cerebusPu]

i have the scientific atlanta DVR and Im okay with it. i dont have a HD capable TV though.

 

[arod]

Voom isnt being sold off yet.... they arent spinning of into its own company (that is the only thing that has been announced)..... most people seem to think from this news that they are being sold.

But voom has added new channels this week and their new install deal has yeilded record sales for voom.

And if you want to play the future game voom has a contract with lockheed martin for 5 satellites that will give them 5000 HD channels.

 

[Train]

$10 a month extra? ha ha sucker, I got mine free when it was on special.

 

[Queasy]

Link

Cablevision Systems Corp. yesterday said it will suspend plans to spin off its troubled nationwide satellite television service, increasing the chances the venture will be sold.

The Bethpage-based company, the largest cable television operator in the New York area, said in a brief filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that instead it will seek "strategic alternatives" for its Rainbow Media Enterprises, the business unit that contains its Voom satellite service and three cable networks. Analysts say that usually means a company is looking to sell a business or bring in a partner. A Cablevision spokesman said the company would not comment further.

We'll see what happens with Voom. I'm not dissing them or trying to pump DirecTV. Just thought others might want to be aware of Voom's uncertain future and DirecTV's HD plans. I still refuse to buy a $600-$1000 HD DirecTivo for 13 HD channels for $12 a month plus extra for those channels that are part of the movie packages. Hopefully, prices will drop in the next year or so as more people get HDTVs and HD channels become more available.

 

[arod]

Originally posted by: Queasy
Link

Cablevision Systems Corp. yesterday said it will suspend plans to spin off its troubled nationwide satellite television service, increasing the chances the venture will be sold.

The Bethpage-based company, the largest cable television operator in the New York area, said in a brief filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that instead it will seek "strategic alternatives" for its Rainbow Media Enterprises, the business unit that contains its Voom satellite service and three cable networks. Analysts say that usually means a company is looking to sell a business or bring in a partner. A Cablevision spokesman said the company would not comment further.

We'll see what happens with Voom. I'm not dissing them or trying to pump DirecTV. Just thought others might want to be aware of Voom's uncertain future and DirecTV's HD plans. I still refuse to buy a $600-$1000 HD DirecTivo for 13 HD channels for $12 a month plus extra for those channels that are part of the movie packages. Hopefully, prices will drop in the next year or so as more people get HDTVs and HD channels become more available.

Increases the chances, doesnt say they will be sold. Like I said everybody is taking this news and saying voom will be sold, but a company that is being sold doesnt bother adding new TV networks. CES will be big this year for voom, if they have a big booth and show the dvr they will be around for a while still.

I hope they are around for the long haul because they are by far the best HDTV service.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: arod
Increases the chances, doesnt say they will be sold. Like I said everybody is taking this news and saying voom will be sold, but a company that is being sold doesnt bother adding new TV networks. CES will be big this year for voom, if they have a big booth and show the dvr they will be around for a while still.

They'll have to have one helluva showing at CES as Voom had $5million in sales and $75million in operating costs in the last year. I've seen a demo of their new receivers and they are very cool with the sharing of recorded programs between each other. You can't even get DirecTV to activate the USB ports on the DirecTivos and utilize Tivo's Home Media Option....bastards.

 

[arod]

Yes i know, but the 5 mil was with only 26000 subs, with the new deal the sub numbers have increased alot (some people on satelliteguys say almost 200%)..... so the numbers sould increase, hopefully its not too late. The question is how much longer can they go losing money.... while more and more get HDTV's although their SD lineup is pretty complete now and eap in march when they go to 70HD and 350SD channels, (they have 40/150 now)