Why I bought a TiVo Series3
I’m a huge fan of Windows Media Center. I really do think it’s one of the best things Microsoft’s done in years, and they really nailed an intuitive, easy to use alternative to TiVo’s best-of-breed DVR. Foolishly, I expected to see some Vista CableCARD machines — the holy grail of PC HD DVRs — in January or February with the launch of the latest version of Windows. Obviously consumers like me have had no such luck.
I’d definitely considered a Series3, especially since we’re already paying for service on a Series2 for all our standard def recording needs — the Comcast box we have, as I’ve said in the past, is godawful, and we use it as little as possible. But with the promise of a Vista CableCARD machine constantly around the corner, it was hard to justify the outlay for a fancy new TiVo — especially considering that I wanted a new media PC anyway, and you don’t pay annoying monthly service fees with Media Center.
Then I saw that the Series3 dropped to $500. Considering the two CableCARD tuners for a PC will cost in the neighborhood of $400 - 600 alone (not including the cost of the special CableLabs certified boxes they must be tied to), it was kind of a no-brainer. Sure, it stung a little bit plunking down, but the fact is due to ATI and CableLabs related delays, Vista has yet to deliver the goods. And there’s TiVo, lying in wait with what’s still a fantastic device and service.
Ryan, what about the new Sony XL3 Media Center? Comes with Vista, CableCARD support out of the box, HDMI, Blu-Ray, and the usual Sony madness that they put into their “high-end” media devices…Sony’s available now, return the TiVo baby!
Comment by Boy Genius — Friday, April 27, 2007 @ 10:44 am
$3,300 to record shows? You’re kidding right? :P
Comment by Ryan Block — Friday, April 27, 2007 @ 12:14 pm
Mmmm…Sony….
Comment by Boy Genius — Friday, April 27, 2007 @ 12:20 pm
DAMMIT! I was so ready to build a HD HTPC complete with DX10 card, and everything. Stupid DRM.
And I have lifetime on my ancient Series 2, but it’s too late to switch that over to Series 3, so I’d be stuck paying a ridiculous monthly fee to help their failing business model. *sigh* Torrents it is.
Comment by Chris Grant — Friday, April 27, 2007 @ 2:00 pm
My advice is to definetely upgrade the hard drive. It’s really nice never having to worry about running out of space and those HDTV shows are storage hogs.
Comment by davis freeberg — Friday, April 27, 2007 @ 4:38 pm
What’s the deal with eSATA? No one gotten that functioning yet?
Comment by Ryan Block — Friday, April 27, 2007 @ 5:24 pm
I’d be tempted to get a Series 3 if the monthly charge wasn’t so ridiculous. I might break if they dropped it to $5 a month, but in this day and age I don’t see how they can justify $15+ a month.
Media Center in Vista has been incredibly disappointing. There is no technical reason that we shouldn’t be able to roll our own beefy media centers with 3 or 4 CableCards and setup exenders or Xbox 360s on multiple TVs. Unfortunately, as long as a Media Center has to be certified by CableLabs that won’t be an option for mere mortals. Grrr.
Comment by Chris — Saturday, April 28, 2007 @ 3:13 pm
While I am waiting for the Vista CableCard support I upgraded my MCE2005 box to Vista (but watch it via a Xbox360) and just keep it in a never ending trail mode so I do not have to pay for the upgrade. In addition to the cablecard support I am looking forward to the Xbox’s software update so I can watch the h.264 movies sitting on my Windows Home Server.
Comment by ChrisTots — Sunday, April 29, 2007 @ 2:18 am
Thanks for the link. The deal ends Monday, April 30th, fyi.
Comment by Kato — Sunday, April 29, 2007 @ 3:59 pm
[...] yeah, I snagged that TiVo Series3, and have been using it the last week. (I’m in New York now, but have been meaning to fire [...]
Pingback by TiVo Series3 latecomer thoughts » Ryan Block — Saturday, May 12, 2007 @ 7:26 am