Posted: 1/22/2007 4:42:59 PM EDT
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I am looking at the dual tuner unit from Best Buy. It says I can record two programs at once. Can I record 2 programs at once and watch a third on the same tv? Thanks. |
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I would think so. If not, just put a splitter in line and run to your TV. If you have anything reasonably new (like a LCD/Plasma) there are multiple inputs available. Just have an input straight off of cable, and one from Tivo - that's what we do with an older Tivo unit. |
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It depends on the unit. Generally speaking with a two tuner DVR you can record two different shows and watch a third RECORDED show, but you can't watch another broadcast while recording from all tuners. My DVR has two satellite tuners and an OTA tuner, so I can actually record three things at one. |
| Yes you can. you will need a 3-way coax splitter (and a cable box ofcourse). 1 coax to TV, 1 to cable box-hooked to tivo which then hooks to Tv via composite or s-video) and 1 coax to tv tuner. Tivo can record on its tuner input AND on input from cable box, and you can press INPUT on your tv remote to use your TV's tuner while the tivo is dual-cording. |
BUZZZ!!!!!!!!! see my post above. I've got a dual tuner (and two single tuner units. ME LIKEY!!!!!) |
Very nice, but this schematic is for a tivo with only one tuner. Right? |
| Make sure you find out about not seeing commercials when you fast-forward through commercials. I hear that TIVO is forcing people to watch ads while they fast-forward through commercial, which kinda defeats the purpose many people get it for, and pay good money to boot. (to not see commercials) |
Not true. I got tivo last DEC. I love it! |
I'm not saying they're doing it NOW, but I've seen mention of it being considered/implemented. Can't say as I don't have one of the players, but it'd be a huge turnoff if true. Just wanted the OP to be aware of the possibility. |
Yes The new units have two tuners. You will need to split the cable before it gets to the unit. It will record two basic or one basic and one digital channel (through the cable box) at the same time. It will not record two digital channel unless you have two cable boxes. You can watch something that has been previously recorded while it is recording. |
What he said.  I did the same thing. I can record two channels and what a third on TV by changing the source selection. |
This is a dual tuner set-up. Technically their "dual tuner" units are more correctly dual "recorder" units because they simultaneously record from it's own built in tuner and via the A/V input connected to your cable box (and it's tuner). As for skipping commercials, i've heard the rumors but doubt it will ever reach fruition. TiVo would lose 99% of it's customers. I'm more pissed that you can't purchase the lifetime service option any more! I have 2 boxes with lifetime service and 1 box billing me 6.99 a month... 
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Tivo has far more storage than a VCR, and way more features as far as selecting recordings. Since programs are digitally recorded on hard drives, rather than tape - access is random and not sequential - no rewinding. Tivo downloads the program schedules and lets you search by a few different ways. If you watch TV thru your Tivo, you have constant instant replay. The "season pass" feature allows you to record every episode of whatever show with a single setup. Tivo will change channels on your CATV box too, if you need that. Now if we can just get COMCAST to the re-enable access to the serial port on my CATV box life would be better - since they've shut that down, I have to use IR, and that is not as reliable. Can anyone explain why COMCAST did that to the serial input on the back of the CATV boxes - I used to be able to have TIVO change channels via serial cable, not I have to use IR, and that sucks - in fact COMCAST sucks as they avoid the whole issue. |
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Not to mention that Tivo will pay attention to what you record and start recording things it thinks you may like.. I.e. did you record Future Weapons last night? if so tivo might record that documentary about the M-16 on next week. And also if you put your Tivo(s) on a network you can transfer recordings from one to the other or to your PC or laptop (for on the go... you can even get software to transfer them to your Ipod) and say you're out of town and see a commercial for something you wanna tape... NO prob!!! just get online and tell your tivo to record it at least one hour ahead of time. Done!! TiVo is a pimp... with a strong back hand! |
That is how mine works too. But I have satellite and the tivo is built in to the satellite receiver. If you have cable or just an antenna then I guess you can watch and record 3 different on air programs. |
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Just a FYI - until recently TIVO was not hi-def, so when we went hi-def on 2 Plasmas we moved TIVO into the bedroom, and replaced our living room CATV Converter box with a CATV Converter/DVR unit that only added less than $10/mo to our bill. It has a huge capacity compared to TIVO. TIVO is nice, but after all is said and done its just a DVR, and the cost of buying the unit plus the yearly subscription adds up and we couldn't justify waiting for the new hi-def TIVO unit. Also keep in mind that you have to maintain an internet connection for TIVO to access programming info. Long story short is consider just renting a hi-def CATV/DVR unit like we did rather than TIVO - in fact Comcast has recently signed a deal to begin using TIVO software soon. When it's all said and done, TIVO is just software. If you can rent the DVR from the CATV company then consider doing that since when new models come out you just call and trade up. Although I like TIVO more, I also like the hi-def DVR too - thats a Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300HD. The techs say they get pallates of them in, and thier gone in a day or two - very popular alternative to TIVO, and ultimately they will likely be running TIVO software - resolves any Pay Per View/CATV Box/Cablecard issues. |
Tivo is SO much better than a VCR. It's a set and forget device (you don't have to remember to turn off your VCR so it can record). It can record while you're watching a previously recorded show which frees you to watch any of your recorded shows any time you want to. If you like to record a lot of shows it would be difficult juggling your recording and viewing with a VCR. Once you get a Tivo you'll never go back to a VCR. |
 Uh, not sure if he's talking cable or satellite. If satellite, then no to a splitter. He'll need 2 wires from a dual LNB off the dish into the TIVO (or 3 if he wants to tape 2 different channels simultaneously while watching a third channel live). |
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As a long time TiVo/Replay fan, I hate to say this but: just get the DVR from the cable company. It is not as nice as a TiVo, but it records two digital shows (including HD) at the same time without the need for any manual switching. eta: Plus it is cheaper than TiVo. I pay $8/mo for my DVR. |
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I pulled the trigger last night and bought the 2 tuner unit and 3 years of service (it costs the same as 2 years of service right now). I figured just about everything out, but how do you skip commercials? I know I can fast forward through them, but don't know how to actually skip them. Thanks, tivo rocks!! |
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The number of tuners dictates. With two tuners, one can be recording and the other watching live TV, or both recording. To have twoprograms recording and watch live TV would require three tuners. As mentioned, you can have both tuners recording and watch a previously recorded program. In order to record with both tuners and watch live TV, you have to use a splitter as mentioned above. |
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On video one input of my TV I have the 2 tuner Tivo. On that I can record two programs and watch a third show already recored. On video input two I have another DirecTv tuner , on this one I can switch the TV to input 2 and watch a third live show. On video 3 I have the DVD/VHS player/recorder. When I built this house 2 years ago I wired 4 home runs to each location where a TV might be wanted. Best investment I ever mad of a 1000 ft reel of RG6 cable |
You don't really "skip" its just a 3-speed fast-forward. At top speed it takes about 3 seconds to pass them. It will take you a few trys to get your timing right because the faster you FF the more it will "set-back" where it starts. (That will make sense when you start to use it, trust me). |
Yeah, it confused me the first couple of times, but I got the hang of it now. I came home yesterday and checked tivo and it had recorded all kinds of shows while I was gone. Very cool!! |