Best off-the shelf TIVO replacement

Forums › TiVo › Best off-the shelf TIVO replacement

red89mx

81 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 16

#218066 24-Jul-2017 14:01

Starting a new thread for those who are interested in replacing their Tivo once the service is dead with another comparable device.

There is some great info in the Tivo Service ending on 31 October 2017 thread, but it is both large and covers numerous topics such as ”how to keep Tivo going” and PC based solutions such as HTTPC and MythTV..

Even with Freeview Plus and the various on-demand solutions in NZ, there is still a requirement to have a recording and replay option for NZ digital TV, this is particularly true for hard of hearing folk due to the lack of captions supplied on NZ streamed channels (Netflix is a welcome exception – with great caption coverage).

I identified four options

Panasonic PVR's/BDP's....1 TB PVR can be purchased for $320 with a bit of haggling.
Samsung PVR's/BDP (BD-F850)....seems pricey at approx $500, and not many stores seem to stock. May be limited to old stock?
Dish TV offerings - feedback indicates these have a number of operating/software issues. Dish also looked after MagicTV, which I think are now discontinued.
DTVS offerings (http://www.dtvs.co.nz/) HomecastHT9200 - price slightly < than Panasonic but old and only 500Mb. Not great feedback on some forums. no freeview plus? no netflix.

It is a pity the Fetch TV offering from Australia is not available in NZ, hopefully there will be some deals over the next few months.

Are there other digital TV recording options folk have seen?

Based on the above, I recently purchased two Panasonic DMR HWT260’s and have been running these in parallel with our two Tivos. They are OK, but there is pain with the Wife as they are not “Tivo’s” and are not as intuitive for recording.

Thoughts to date on Panasonic HWT260’s;

Not as intuitive recording – I have missed some shows by not taking enough care.
Does not seem to retain the subtitle setting – need to turn on again after “sleep mode”
Does not group the recordings as well – Tivo grouped into sets of same show
Is a little bit laggy
Set up is easy and it has a good signal strength menu (same as the Pana TV)
The Netflix integration is great.
It boots up nice and fast (unlike Tivo)
If I took some power-save function off (i.e stop it sleeping) I think it would preserve the subtitle settings.

I have not enabled freeview plus (as there are no captions) and have not yet tried the Panasonic android app (reviews are terrible).

Looking forward to reviews, advice, options and comments to help guide others about to embark on the same journey.

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542 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 217

#1828420 24-Jul-2017 14:08

Do you use the keyword search (similar to TiVo's Wishlist) to record programming? Obviously is a bit more clumsy than a Season Pass but apparently the Panasonics don't pick up new seasons of a series if they start after 13 weeks from the previous season finishing.

Yabanize

2351 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 584

#1828437 24-Jul-2017 14:16

If you don't care about captioning, On Demand should be a real consideration especially with Chromecast support now, or if you already have a PS4 or Xbox etc.

trig42

5894 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2100

ID Verified

#1828454 24-Jul-2017 14:49

Unfortunately, IMHO, MySky is the best TiVo replacement (and even then, it probably isn't as good as the TiVo).

I think you can get the Freeview Only option of MySky for $17ish a month?

The Panasonic and DishTVs are OK, but not up to MySky or TiVo.

red89mx

81 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 16

#1828455 24-Jul-2017 14:51

A quick link to other PVR threads on Geekzone, so that we do not repeat too much.

Panasonic DMR-HWT260 owners Thread

DishTV Aerialbox T2200

HomeCast 9200TDR (Old review)

Another Thread requesting best Tivo replacement ( I missed this) - Tivo replacement thread in freeview forum

mattwnz

20532 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4806

#1828497 24-Jul-2017 15:28

Yabanize:

If you don't care about captioning, On Demand should be a real consideration especially with Chromecast support now, or if you already have a PS4 or Xbox etc.

Apart from the adverts which you can't skip. Also the programs disappear after a few days. Also a nightmare to get back to as it does resume (from my trial of it). The video quality is also potentially worse, as when I used it it didn't look full HD sharpness like terrestrial etc.

mattwnz

20532 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4806

#1828498 24-Jul-2017 15:30

For a replacement, the panasonic is pretty good and possibly the best option, due to a lack of competition in this type of product. It does also have freeview plus built in. However that technology seems outdated these days since chromecast support has been added.

Mighty Ape

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qwertee

738 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 259

Lifetime subscriber

#1828505 24-Jul-2017 15:38

red89mx:

Starting a new thread for those who are interested in replacing their Tivo once the service is dead with another comparable device.

There is some great info in the Tivo Service ending on 31 October 2017 thread, but it is both large and covers numerous topics such as ”how to keep Tivo going” and PC based solutions such as HTTPC and MythTV..

Even with Freeview Plus and the various on-demand solutions in NZ, there is still a requirement to have a recording and replay option for NZ digital TV, this is particularly true for hard of hearing folk due to the lack of captions supplied on NZ streamed channels (Netflix is a welcome exception – with great caption coverage).

I identified four options

Panasonic PVR's/BDP's....1 TB PVR can be purchased for $320 with a bit of haggling.
Samsung PVR's/BDP (BD-F850)....seems pricey at approx $500, and not many stores seem to stock. May be limited to old stock?
Dish TV offerings - feedback indicates these have a number of operating/software issues. Dish also looked after MagicTV, which I think are now discontinued.
DTVS offerings (http://www.dtvs.co.nz/) HomecastHT9200 - price slightly < than Panasonic but old and only 500Mb. Not great feedback on some forums. no freeview plus? no netflix.

It is a pity the Fetch TV offering from Australia is not available in NZ, hopefully there will be some deals over the next few months.

Are there other digital TV recording options folk have seen?

Based on the above, I recently purchased two Panasonic DMR HWT260’s and have been running these in parallel with our two Tivos. They are OK, but there is pain with the Wife as they are not “Tivo’s” and are not as intuitive for recording.

Thoughts to date on Panasonic HWT260’s;

Not as intuitive recording – I have missed some shows by not taking enough care.
Does not seem to retain the subtitle setting – need to turn on again after “sleep mode”
Does not group the recordings as well – Tivo grouped into sets of same show
Is a little bit laggy
Set up is easy and it has a good signal strength menu (same as the Pana TV)
The Netflix integration is great.
It boots up nice and fast (unlike Tivo)
If I took some power-save function off (i.e stop it sleeping) I think it would preserve the subtitle settings.
I have not enabled freeview plus (as there are no captions) and have not yet tried the Panasonic android app (reviews are terrible).

Looking forward to reviews, advice, options and comments to help guide others about to embark on the same journey.

How do I stop the 2 Panasonic remotes from interfering with with each other? I already own a Panasonic DMR PWT 530 and need to buy another Panasonic?

GregV

932 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 304

#1828552 24-Jul-2017 16:52

Panasonic currently has a $50 Prezzy Card offer for the Panasonic Recorders - http://www.panasonic.co.nz/promotions/recorder-bonus-50-prezzy-card/ - from selected retailers (HN and NL currently both have HWT260 for $380)

red89mx

81 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 16

#1828570 24-Jul-2017 17:27

Qwertee - Panasonic remote can be configured to use up to six remote control codes (1 - 6). We have a Pana TV and both HWT260's in the main lounge as well as a Pana Blue Ray player. I have the set the remote control codes to avoid conflict. In addition I have labeled both PVR remotes so we know which is which (I did the same for the Tivo's).

Re price - it did not take much to get the units at $320 each in JB's wellington.

Using a My Sky box is a valid alternative.....but ongoing cost ($200 per year), is satellite and not UHF (Tivo's are UHF) so may require a dish, are the freeview channels via MySky HD or not (or do you need the Sky HD ticket)?

cafeg

697 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 33

Trusted

#1828599 24-Jul-2017 18:03

I hope one of the major companies bring one out before october.

My wishlist for a PVR would be be:

UltraHD / 4K capable,

BlueRay / DVD recorder player.

external streaming program apps built in like Netflix,Amazon etc.

at least a 1T hard disk, (but 500 gig is ok as Tivo was only 500gig anyway).

A good easy User Interface like Tivo has.

Fast program guide again like Tivo and not the default freeview one.

Easy Remote control with big buttons for the main features.

3 Tuners.

Series recording.

Ability to add a extra USB hard drive for recording.

anyone else want to add features ?

johcar

103 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 14

Trusted

#1828616 24-Jul-2017 18:39

cafeg:

I hope one of the major companies bring one out before october.

My wishlist for a PVR would be be:

UltraHD / 4K capable,

BlueRay / DVD recorder player.

external streaming program apps built in like Netflix,Amazon etc.

at least a 1T hard disk, (but 500 gig is ok as Tivo was only 500gig anyway).

A good easy User Interface like Tivo has.

Fast program guide again like Tivo and not the default freeview one.

Easy Remote control with big buttons for the main features.

3 Tuners.

Series recording.

Ability to add a extra USB hard drive for recording.

anyone else want to add features ?

Putting my pedantic hat on, I would point out that TiVo had two variants in NZ.

A small number of 160GB units that were given to us beta testers at the end of testing, and the 320GB variant that was supplied to retailers (and that Telecom/Spark offered as sweetners to sign up to broadband contracts).

So a 500GB HDD would be a (small) improvement on what you currently have...

If the unit on your wishlist had the ability to upgrade the HDD or was compatible with external storage, then you'd definitely be on a winner.

New World

Shop on-line at New World now for your groceries (affiliate link).

cafeg

697 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 33

Trusted

#1828705 24-Jul-2017 21:21

ok, i always thought mine was 500 gig, I bought it from telecom when they first came out..

Yes, thats what I meant, have an external hard drive via usb as part of the recording storage..

then it wouldn't really matter how big the internal drive was..

qwertee

738 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 259

Lifetime subscriber

#1828725 24-Jul-2017 21:49

thanks red89mx

mattwnz

20532 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4806

#1828728 24-Jul-2017 21:54

cafeg:
ok, i always thought mine was 500 gig, I bought it from telecom when they first came out..

Yes, thats what I meant, have an external hard drive via usb as part of the recording storage..

then it wouldn't really matter how big the internal drive was..

I am pretty sure that tivo sold an external add-on drive for the nz tivo. Was quite pricey though. Maybe some people here have one

red89mx

81 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 16

#1828734 24-Jul-2017 22:08

I have the WD 1 TB external drive for one of our tivos. Expensive and a bit noisy.

The Panasonic and some of the other pvr's take USB external HDD's.....much cheaper option.
guanxi

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