Bought a Tivo

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Lurch

1061 posts

Uber Geek

#107048 6-Aug-2012 12:11

Well bought a Tivo as our two year old Magic TV boxes tuner no longer finds any channels :-/

Experience so far with the Tivo has been an okay one but really missing the Magic TV box. The GUI on the Tivo is very "clunky" for want of a better word, not as high res as the Magic TV box.

The other thing is programing the box to record is a lot harder and a time consuming event compared to the Magic TV box.

Also finding recordings is harder on the Tivo box.

Wading through menus to find programmes and settings is an experience thats for sure. Two pushes on the remote and you are in on the Magic TV box.

Tried out caspa after waiting a long time for it to download the content, update the menu etc. First thing I noticed is the interface is far better than the Tivo box.

It looked great in HD, and easy to navigate.

If it wasn't for the lack of contact caspa would be a great option. Come on Tivo push caspa :-)

Will have a play with remote scheduling next.

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367 posts

Ultimate Geek

#668195 6-Aug-2012 12:16

Two pushes of the remote and I'm into my recordings on the Tivo, Tivo button and select. Where do you end up?

Lurch

1061 posts

Uber Geek

#668212 6-Aug-2012 12:27

Tivo button brings up the Tivo home page, then you have to find the recording from there.

There's no option that states recorded programmes. Theres the currently playing play list at the top and there is find a programme.

If you go with the play list you have to scroll around looking for it and the find programme option is a long winded waste of time.

But will have another look tonight.

Not enjoying it, if it was the same price as other PVR's would have gone with another option but when you're on a budget... :-/

Kiwi1971

696 posts

Ultimate Geek

#668214 6-Aug-2012 12:28

I for one am confused as to why you are finding the system clunky.

Look up the TiVo shortcuts which are based on the TiVo Button + a number which corresponds to a menu option. But just getting to your recordings as stated is just TiVo button >select.

Setting a recording as easy as selecting it on the EPG grid and hitting select a couple of times, select and confirm. I am not sure why you are finding it time consuming or clunky.
Same when setting recordings over the internet select and record or record with different settings or select season pass.

Do you have your EPG set up as a list or a grid? List might make it seem a hassle. Or are you using the long winded find programmes option?

Jaxson

8044 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#668215 6-Aug-2012 12:28

The TIVO interface is similar but a bit different to a 'normal' PVR. Stick with it though until you pick up some of the processes, it's a bit early to be knocking it, but agreed it may not be fully intuitive if you've used another PVR beforehand.

And yes, I wish the TIVO menus were more HD too (but ultimately that's not that important). The TV content you are viewing is the same no matter what hardware you are using.

Kiwi1971

696 posts

Ultimate Geek

#668216 6-Aug-2012 12:30

Lurch: Tivo button brings up the Tivo home page, then you have to find the recording from there.

There's no option that states recorded programmes. Theres the currently playing play list at the top and there is find a programme.

If you go with the play list you have to scroll around looking for it and the find programme option is a long winded waste of time.

But will have another look tonight.

Not enjoying it, if it was the same price as other PVR's would have gone with another option but when you're on a budget... :-/

Current Playing list is your recorded programmes folder. It is an odd choice of title though.

I really do get the feeling you are doing things a different way to everyone else. TiVo is a reall piece of p*** to use. You always see them as being "Wife approved"

GeoffisPure

459 posts

Ultimate Geek

#668218 6-Aug-2012 12:31

Lurch: Tivo button brings up the Tivo home page, then you have to find the recording from there.

There's no option that states recorded programmes. Theres the currently playing play list at the top and there is find a programme.

Now playing = Recorded Programmes.
So it should take 2 button presses to show this.

It's not what you'd expect it to be called, true.

Edit: heh, kiwi got in before me

Jaxson

8044 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#668219 6-Aug-2012 12:32

Lurch: if it was the same price as other PVR's would have gone with another option but when you're on a budget... :-/

+1.

I love what you get for the price with TIVO, not the TIVO product itself.

Don't knock the whole thing too early though, as it will get a lot better as you use it and stop comparing it to the previous unit...

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

Jaxson

8044 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#668222 6-Aug-2012 12:34

Kiwi1971:
Current Playing list is your recorded programmes folder. It is an odd choice of title though.

Ha this is one of my pet hates. But once again, if you had not used something else then you wouldn't know this is odd.

Kiwi1971:

I really do get the feeling you are doing things a different way to everyone else. TiVo is a reall piece of p*** to use. You always see them as being "Wife approved"

Yep, give it time before you knock it. Things work a bit different in the TIVO world, but it's all there, just give yourself time to find it.

allan

2044 posts

Uber Geek

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Lifetime subscriber

#668225 6-Aug-2012 12:39

You realise that once you are in "Now Playing", you can sort alphabetically or by date? Also you can group series recordings into folders. That might make it easier. Can't recall the button combinations (maybe Enter/Last), but I'm sure you'll figure it out.

BuzzLightyear

411 posts

Ultimate Geek

#668227 6-Aug-2012 12:42

I gotta say I love my tivo but my wife and family say our MySky wins hands down for useability. I've actually got both hooked up in the lounge at the moment and I'm the only one who uses Tivo.

Kiwi1971

696 posts

Ultimate Geek

#668228 6-Aug-2012 12:44

allan: You realise that once you are in "Now Playing", you can sort alphabetically or by date? Also you can group series recordings into folders. That might make it easier. Can't recall the button combinations (maybe Enter/Last), but I'm sure you'll figure it out.

+1

Definitely do it by date, so your new stuff is at the top and grouped into folders so series' are kept together.

Also turn suggestions on if it isnt already, that is a great point of difference. I can't tell you how many times I have forgotten something was on only to find it sitting in my suggestions folder. You just have to start using the Thumb buttons to train it.

Spong

1005 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#668232 6-Aug-2012 12:46

An even easier way to get to your recorded programs is to just click the TiVo button twice. Takes you straight there. Couldn't be much easier, the buttons at the top.

Tivo upgrades to operate with the new OzTivo EPG, support and service. Over 400 performed here so far. See: www.hillcrest.net.nz

Lurch

1061 posts

Uber Geek

#668235 6-Aug-2012 12:50

Thanks for the replies, will give it another look.

Even the wife prefers the magic box so not winning this battle at the moment :-)

Season pass is similar to the magic box thats pretty easy to use.

The now playing list is something that will need to be tamed.

GregV

928 posts

Ultimate Geek

#668237 6-Aug-2012 12:57

Give it time, and you'll find that it is not difficult to use. Definitely recommend grouping by folder. My 6- and 8-year-olds can find their recordings without my input.

The remote scheduling feature is aweesome. Out at a friends place, see an ad for a program I want to record, jump on my phone, and done.

I only wish that it was easy to see how much space you had left. We don't make much use of the "keep unitl space needed" setting, preferring to keep everything until we hit the delete button.

Might have to turn Suggestions back on, be interesting to see what it comes up with...

Lurch

1061 posts

Uber Geek

#668355 6-Aug-2012 15:08

Yep not giving up on it yet, although the GUI does need a bit of a polish here and there. Feel it's a step back in some places.

The big blue info box taking up most of the screen could be slimmed down if it was a higher res.

Even if you compare caspa with tivo you notice the difference. Atleast I don't have to put up with the freeview guide anymore that was a shocker.

Was wondering about the space thing, there are a few forum posts elsewhere that mention installing a larger drive.

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