Question about Comcast cable HD DVR service

[MattMathai]

as it relates to soccer.

I use Tivo now w/ my DirecTV service, but plan to drop it and go w/ cable exclusively.

1) How does the DVR interface compare to Tivo?

2) Is it flexible enough to allow you to add time to a recording? I currently add 30 min. to every DCU match I record. Could I do that with the Comcast DVR? Could I do that while the show is being recorded?

3) Who makes the DVR box?

4) Does it have more than one video output? What format is the primary output, HDMI? DVI? If there are additional video outputs, what format are they?

5) If I want to record a show to DVD, how does the conversion work? Is the video quality any better than if I had recorded an analog satellite broadcast? In what aspect ratio does the recorded show display?

6) How large is the hard disk in the DVR? How much HD programming does it hold (in real life)? Are there ways to increase capacity (as there are for Tivo boxes)?

7) Any real news on the rumors about Comcast offering a Tivo box?

8) Any other items of interest?

Now that the offseason has begun, I can make a bunch of changes.

Thanks in advance for any help...

[morrissey]

as it relates to soccer.

I use Tivo now w/ my DirecTV service, but plan to drop it and go w/ cable exclusively.

1) How does the DVR interface compare to Tivo?

2) Is it flexible enough to allow you to add time to a recording? I currently add 30 min. to every DCU match I record. Could I do that with the Comcast DVR? Could I do that while the show is being recorded?

3) Who makes the DVR box?

4) Does it have more than one video output? What format is the primary output, HDMI? DVI? If there are additional video outputs, what format are they?

5) If I want to record a show to DVD, how does the conversion work? Is the video quality any better than if I had recorded an analog satellite broadcast? In what aspect ratio does the recorded show display?

6) How large is the hard disk in the DVR? How much HD programming does it hold (in real life)? Are there ways to increase capacity (as there are for Tivo boxes)?

7) Any real news on the rumors about Comcast offering a Tivo box?

8) Any other items of interest?

Now that the offseason has begun, I can make a bunch of changes.

Thanks in advance for any help...


Comcast signed a deal w/ TIVO, so it is not a rumor. The actual current interface for their box is probably the worst out on the market. Nothing is intuitive. If you go w/ cable wait until the TIVO becomes part of the system. There is currently no better DVR tech on the market (as a previous DirecDVRw/TIVO (now Dish - more soccer coverage - worse DVR) TIVO is just the best, but people won't know because the stand alone boxes aren't really much of an option for most people.

james

[elconejito]

Tivo is hands down the best user interface, so if Comcast does have that option it would be the way to go. I use a Cox DVR at the moment made by Scientific Atlanta (8000 model i think) and it has a really clunky and slow interface. There is no search function like tivo has (by title, actors, keywords, etc), nor does it have the Tivo recommendations. It says it has an 80hr capacity (doesn't say how big the HD is), but i think that is an "optimistic" estimate. The advantages is that it has 2 tuners (Tivo has only one) so i can watch and record two different things at the same time or record 2 shows at the same time, and it doesnt need an additional cable tuner (all in one box).

A big issue, IMO, is how to get shows off of your Tivo/DVR. Cox's DVR does not have a DVD burner attached, nor any USB or network ports you can use. They do not offer a version with a DVD burner (and say they have no plans for it) either. The only output is S-Video/RCA which you can attach to your own standalone DVD burner, VCR, etc. The reason is that they don't want to "encourage" piracy of TV shows by making it easy for you to get the shows onto another medium.

I use my "ghetto Tivo" which is basically my home PC with a TV card in it that I use to record basic cable (straight from the jack, no cable box). I can then edit out commercials, convert to Divx to watch on my laptop later, or make nice DVDs with menus and such. My DVR doesn't allow me to do that.

Most Tivo standalone boxes currently have a USB port where you can attach a network connection and send files to your home computer (or anywhere for that matter), so I don't know how they skirt the "piracy" issue. But they may have to make concessions if they start working with cable companies. I don't know if the DirecTivo had this enabled or not (which would kinda answer the question).

But to answer your questions more specifically....
1) Depends on the model. a quick google search came up with this link to PVRBlog (http://www.pvrblog.com/pvr/2003/12/comcast_set_to_.html) which says it is a Motorola (http://broadband.motorola.com/dvr/) DVR box. I think i recall when i was doing searches about the Cox DVR, that the motorola was a good one. you can also call to find out the models if its not listed on Comcast's website and then google the model #'s

2) dunno, see #1 ;)

3) dunno, see #1 ;)

4) as per #1, if it is that motorola you get component, DVI, firewire, usb, etherenet, SPDIF (?), smartcard (?)

5) If there is an "internal" DVD burner or you can output the digital MPG file, then quality should be top notch. If you have to output to S-Video or RCA or something like that then there would be a loss of quality altho i suspect it should be reasonable. Aspect would be (I assume) limited by the output format

6) see #1 for capacity. Whether or not you can change the hard drive depends on whether you want to void the warranty and how good a googler you are to find somebody who has done it before you...

7) Morrissey seems to have that one covered

8) If you don't like it, give heavy consideration to building your own DVR :D

Good luck!

[nobletea]

as it relates to soccer.

I use Tivo now w/ my DirecTV service, but plan to drop it and go w/ cable exclusively.

1) How does the DVR interface compare to Tivo?

2) Is it flexible enough to allow you to add time to a recording? I currently add 30 min. to every DCU match I record. Could I do that with the Comcast DVR? Could I do that while the show is being recorded?

3) Who makes the DVR box?

4) Does it have more than one video output? What format is the primary output, HDMI? DVI? If there are additional video outputs, what format are they?

5) If I want to record a show to DVD, how does the conversion work? Is the video quality any better than if I had recorded an analog satellite broadcast? In what aspect ratio does the recorded show display?

6) How large is the hard disk in the DVR? How much HD programming does it hold (in real life)? Are there ways to increase capacity (as there are for Tivo boxes)?

7) Any real news on the rumors about Comcast offering a Tivo box?

8) Any other items of interest?

Now that the offseason has begun, I can make a bunch of changes.

Thanks in advance for any help...


I'll take a shot at some of it. I have Comcast Digital (Non HD but my box is HD). It's a Motorola. Haven't had Tivo, but the interface is not anything to get excited about on my DVR. It works. Yay. I think we have 40 hours of recording time on ours. You can add 2 hours or more I think to any recording time. You can also add time to start early. Even if you can't add time while you're recording, you could just hit the record button the moment it stops recording and then add time to the regularly scheduled program. Ours has S-video, component, rca-- all out. There's also a flash card slot and a USB port which I have not even thought about using yet. The documentation Comcast provided is super skimpy.

Most wonderful thing I like, which I'm sure Tivo does as well, as I can set all the series recordings, and some of them you can set to automatically delete if space is needed. So our box is full of South Park episodes, but as soon as it starts recording something it kills however many Southparks it needs to record.

Like the otherssaid, if you're used to Tivo, I'd wait until Tivo is available on Comcast.

[Neutral Fan]

Hi MattMathai,

I own one of the first generation DVR’s, the Panasonic Showstopper. I used it for years. Next I got two cable/dvrs from Cox cable here in Phoenix. When they became available I got the HD/DVR. All the DVRs from Cox were built by Scientific Atlanta. Today I have two Dish Network DVRs. I dislike the cable DVRs built by Scientific Atlanta. No 30-second jump. When you start watching a program before it is finished recording on the DVR it would start at beginning when the DVR was finished recording. An example would be you are watching the game 30 minutes behind the actual time when the DVR stop recording the DVR would start at the beginning of the game. You could not hide programming on the guide that you had no interest in. My HD/DVR built by Scientific Atlanta could record about 15 hours of HD programming. In my opinion the Scientific Atlanta is the worst DVR, but it is 100 times better than no DVR.

Aaron

[TheYank]

as it relates to soccer.

I use Tivo now w/ my DirecTV service, but plan to drop it and go w/ cable exclusively.

1) How does the DVR interface compare to Tivo?

2) Is it flexible enough to allow you to add time to a recording? I currently add 30 min. to every DCU match I record. Could I do that with the Comcast DVR? Could I do that while the show is being recorded?

3) Who makes the DVR box?

4) Does it have more than one video output? What format is the primary output, HDMI? DVI? If there are additional video outputs, what format are they?

5) If I want to record a show to DVD, how does the conversion work? Is the video quality any better than if I had recorded an analog satellite broadcast? In what aspect ratio does the recorded show display?

6) How large is the hard disk in the DVR? How much HD programming does it hold (in real life)? Are there ways to increase capacity (as there are for Tivo boxes)?

7) Any real news on the rumors about Comcast offering a Tivo box?

8) Any other items of interest?

Now that the offseason has begun, I can make a bunch of changes.

Thanks in advance for any help...
Just curious, why are you getting rid of your Direct TV? Problems?

[MattMathai]

Just curious, why are you getting rid of your Direct TV? Problems?

No problems. I've had great experience w/ DirecTV.

I have a brand spanking new TV that displays HD in spectacular fashion. (I get some HD programming on my basic cable package.)

The cost of getting into DirecTV's HD universe is quite high right now (over $1000) and there's a fairly limited amount of programming available. I've also heard rumblings about an upcoming format change that will render all current hardware obsolete.

I can't do Dish, because the satellite is too low (below the tree line) in my neighborhood.

So, I have to go to cable to get HD. Comcast HD looks very good, and I don't have to buy anything. The only programming I'd have to give up by leaving DirecTV is the Setanta Sports Channel ($12.95/mo) on which I see all kinds of rugby. European World Cup qualifiers, and various Champions League matches. My overall monthly cost will be the same.

I currently use a two-tuner DirecTivo box which is awesome. I'd hate to lose that capability, which is why I might wait until the Comcast-Tivo offering is available.

Thanks to everyone for the responses. It looks like I'll wait a little bit longer to make the switch to cable. I'm hoping to do that by next summer so that I can capture World Cup matches.

[Primate]

Comcast actually have two brands of boxes and it depends on where you live what brand you get. Scientific Atlanta and Motorola. I think Alexandria or somewhere around there get the SA boxes.
Now, with the Motorola boxes, there are actually two different ones, they have a large stock of older ones without HDMI but if you ask when you order they will send you the ones with HDMI, if you don't ask they will likely send you the one without.
I think I heard that they have two tuner boxes now too, but I'm not positive on that.

[MattMathai]

Comcast actually have two brands of boxes and it depends on where you live what brand you get. Scientific Atlanta and Motorola. I think Alexandria or somewhere around there get the SA boxes.
Now, with the Motorola boxes, there are actually two different ones, they have a large stock of older ones without HDMI but if you ask when you order they will send you the ones with HDMI, if you don't ask they will likely send you the one without.
I think I heard that they have two tuner boxes now too, but I'm not positive on that.

Thanks. HDMI would be sweet. My TV uses HDMI inputs, and my upconverting DVD player outputs HDMI. All I need to do is to upgrade my pre-processor to switch HDMI, but what's a little more money? :)

Sounds like I need to have a heart-to-heart w/ a Comcast rep. Hope I can find one who knows the jargon.

In an ideal world, I can get all this, get the Tivo s/w interface, be able to order extra hard disk space, and have Setanta and HDNet be available on Comcast. I might never leave my house!

[MikeLastort2]

I have the second-generation Motorola HD box. The playback of HD DVR that I record is absolutely stunning.

As far as the interface, it works for me.

[usasoc]

I have the second-generation Motorola HD box. The playback of HD DVR that I record is absolutely stunning.

As far as the interface, it works for me.


are u saying that yu record to a dvd with the motoroal HD box. we have been trying to find something to record to a dvd but haven't had any luck .. could you PLEASE tell me what you wire together. we have taken two different type of recorders back..... the last was i think panasonic HD DvD recorder ....

[MattMathai]

are u saying that yu record to a dvd with the motoroal HD box. we have been trying to find something to record to a dvd but haven't had any luck .. could you PLEASE tell me what you wire together. we have taken two different type of recorders back..... the last was i think panasonic HD DvD recorder ....

Not sure what an HD DVD recorder is since there is no agreed-upon standard for HD-DVD.

You can record to a regular DVD recorder by sending audio and video output from the HD DVR to the recorder, either directly or switched through a pre-processor.

[Ricky_DCU]

Not sure what an HD DVD recorder is since there is no agreed-upon standard for HD-DVD.

You can record to a regular DVD recorder by sending audio and video output from the HD DVR to the recorder, either directly or switched through a pre-processor.

I'm no expert, but my understanding is that there are two competing next gen formats- one of them actually is called HD DVD and was developed by Toshiba & NEC, while the other is Blu-Ray which was developed by Sony.

[MikeLastort2]

are u saying that yu record to a dvd with the motoroal HD box.

No. I'm saying "I have the second-generation Motorola HD box. The playback of HD DVR that I record is absolutely stunning."

we have been trying to find something to record to a dvd but haven't had any luck .. could you PLEASE tell me what you wire together. we have taken two different type of recorders back..... the last was i think panasonic HD DvD recorder ....

I have no idea what you're talking about.

[QTip]

I have found this site to be exceptionally informative (I am figuring out the HDTV options myself as Germany '05 approaches)
http://www.highdefforum.com/
They even have a forum on DirecTV that may alleviate some of the rumour concerns..

[MattMathai]

I'm no expert, but my understanding is that there are two competing next gen formats- one of them actually is called HD DVD and was developed by Toshiba & NEC, while the other is Blu-Ray which was developed by Sony.

Thanks. You could well be right. I know there are two competing formats that are still trying to work out some sort of compromise. I always thought HD-DVD was a generic term for the technology of which both formats were implementations.

[owendylan]

No problems. I've had great experience w/ DirecTV.

I have a brand spanking new TV that displays HD in spectacular fashion. (I get some HD programming on my basic cable package.)

The cost of getting into DirecTV's HD universe is quite high right now (over $1000) and there's a fairly limited amount of programming available. I've also heard rumblings about an upcoming format change that will render all current hardware obsolete.

I can't do Dish, because the satellite is too low (below the tree line) in my neighborhood.

So, I have to go to cable to get HD. Comcast HD looks very good, and I don't have to buy anything. The only programming I'd have to give up by leaving DirecTV is the Setanta Sports Channel ($12.95/mo) on which I see all kinds of rugby. European World Cup qualifiers, and various Champions League matches. My overall monthly cost will be the same.

I currently use a two-tuner DirecTivo box which is awesome. I'd hate to lose that capability, which is why I might wait until the Comcast-Tivo offering is available.

Thanks to everyone for the responses. It looks like I'll wait a little bit longer to make the switch to cable. I'm hoping to do that by next summer so that I can capture World Cup matches.
I don't know why you think the cost of gettting into HD with Directv is so high. As an existing customer I was able to get their HD Tivo for $299 with a $100 mail-in rebate. I also got 6 months of the HD package at half price and they cut my HBO subscription in half as well for 6 months. You do have to have a 3 LNB dish. As for teh future upgrades, trued they are going to an MPEG-4 format which will eventually render exsiting HD equipment obsolete, according to the info I'm hearing that's going to take them a few years so they will have to offer both the current MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 format. Also they are planning on having an offer to convert people to the next generation stuff. What I have heard and it's not confirmed but semed to come from fairly connected people in the industry, is that non-TIVO HD boxes will be upgraded for free as will the new dish that is need for MPEG-4 ( a 5 LNB dish). There is some debate as to whether they will replace HD TIVO's for free with their new DVR box, which I don' believe will be TIVO as Fox (who now owns a controlling percentage of DTV) has their own DVR that Uncle Rupert has been developing. If the upgrade isn't free people are thinking it won't cost more than $100 so that they won't drive customer to cable. Lastly starting probably in December or early next year (it depends on when the satellite gets launched) DTV will offer local stations in HD, which means you won't need an external antennae to get local HD stations. The new satellites will also allow DTV to carry HD version of stations like TNT, TBS, FX and any of the other "National" cable stations.

You might want to rethink HD with Directv. Call the customer retention number at I believe 888-355-7530, tell them your iterested in upgrading to HD and what kind of deal will they give you since yuor a long standing customer. If you don't think your getting a good deal tell them you'll be switching to cable and see if they sweeten the pot. You might also mention that someone you know got the deal I describe above, that usually gives them an idea of what you are looking for.

For more info on HD stuff in general, bu also some good info on DirecTV you should check out www.avsforum.com. a very informative website for all things Audio/Visual.

[owendylan]

I have found this site to be exceptionally informative (I am figuring out the HDTV options myself as Germany '05 approaches)
http://www.highdefforum.com/
They even have a forum on DirecTV that may alleviate some of the rumour concerns..
That's not a bad site. I think that www.avsforum.com is a little better and more conencted to the industry.

[MattMathai]

I don't know why you think the cost of gettting into HD with Directv is so high. As an existing customer I was able to get their HD Tivo for $299 with a $100 mail-in rebate.

That's high! :)

Actually, the $1000 price was something I'd seen some time ago for a 2-tuner HD DVR. The price you quote is quite a bit more palatable. I also face line-of-sight issues to the satellite since I live in a very wooded area.


I also got 6 months of the HD package at half price and they cut my HBO subscription in half as well for 6 months. You do have to have a 3 LNB dish. As for teh future upgrades, trued they are going to an MPEG-4 format which will eventually render exsiting HD equipment obsolete, according to the info I'm hearing that's going to take them a few years so they will have to offer both the current MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 format. Also they are planning on having an offer to convert people to the next generation stuff. What I have heard and it's not confirmed but semed to come from fairly connected people in the industry, is that non-TIVO HD boxes will be upgraded for free as will the new dish that is need for MPEG-4 ( a 5 LNB dish). There is some debate as to whether they will replace HD TIVO's for free with their new DVR box, which I don' believe will be TIVO as Fox (who now owns a controlling percentage of DTV) has their own DVR that Uncle Rupert has been developing. If the upgrade isn't free people are thinking it won't cost more than $100 so that they won't drive customer to cable. Lastly starting probably in December or early next year (it depends on when the satellite gets launched) DTV will offer local stations in HD, which means you won't need an external antennae to get local HD stations. The new satellites will also allow DTV to carry HD version of stations like TNT, TBS, FX and any of the other "National" cable stations.

I have a dual-LNB dish now. Spending money to upgrade is no big deal, but if the 3-LNB and 5-LNB dishes also require re-orientation closer to the horizon, I'm screwed.

Another issue for me is that since I live in Annapolis, 'local' is defined as Baltimore. Having grown up around DC, I want that to be my local market, and I've kept basic cable just to get DC broadcast stations.


You might want to rethink HD with Directv. Call the customer retention number at I believe 888-355-7530, tell them your iterested in upgrading to HD and what kind of deal will they give you since yuor a long standing customer. If you don't think your getting a good deal tell them you'll be switching to cable and see if they sweeten the pot. You might also mention that someone you know got the deal I describe above, that usually gives them an idea of what you are looking for.

For more info on HD stuff in general, bu also some good info on DirecTV you should check out www.avsforum.com. a very informative website for all things Audio/Visual.

Great info. Thanks. I need to call both DirecTV and Comcast to talk about what my options are. Actually, with the impending installation of Verizon FiOS in my area (15Mbps/2 Mbps!!!) a third option will be introduced. Should be a fun winter.

[owendylan]

That's high! :)

Actually, the $1000 price was something I'd seen some time ago for a 2-tuner HD DVR. The price you quote is quite a bit more palatable. I also face line-of-sight issues to the satellite since I live in a very wooded area.



I have a dual-LNB dish now. Spending money to upgrade is no big deal, but if the 3-LNB and 5-LNB dishes also require re-orientation closer to the horizon, I'm screwed.

Another issue for me is that since I live in Annapolis, 'local' is defined as Baltimore. Having grown up around DC, I want that to be my local market, and I've kept basic cable just to get DC broadcast stations.



Great info. Thanks. I need to call both DirecTV and Comcast to talk about what my options are. Actually, with the impending installation of Verizon FiOS in my area (15Mbps/2 Mbps!!!) a third option will be introduced. Should be a fun winter.

They might throw in the 3-lnb dish for free, if they don't offer it at first push them for it. I got mine off of Ebay for $20 and I think $10 shipping. I'm waiting for FIOS as well mainly for internet access. I know they are going to provide video as well, but what I have heard is instead of rebroadcasting DirecTV's service or someone else they will be signing carrier agreements with channels and networks on their own. While I'm sure they will carry all of the basic channels, I think stations like GolTV, FSC and Setanta won't be available from them for a while if ever.