Is TiVo what we needed?

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technicaljoe

248 posts

Master Geek

#50164 23-Nov-2009 22:12

Hi Everyone,

We've beening wanting to have a way to record TV shows for a while.

When we saw TiVo, we thought it could be the thing we are after. Movie download isn't what we really after, but the web and mobile based recording schedule certainly sounds attractive. And when we compare it to other typical hard drive recorder, which isn't that much more expensive.

However, I went visit one of the Telecom store today. The somewhat confused store people first ask me to check for Tivo coverage (I presume they mean Freeview coverage). Once they worked out where that is on their website, they proceed to inform me about the no refund and they don't repair if it breaks (only send back to a third party repairer I think).

Anyway, that puts me off a bit (and I was going to buy it today!!)

Because I've got an internal aerial sit in the roof cavity, but I think it's an UHF... The store people's comments re no refund didn't make me feel very confident anymore....

I would realy appreciate people's comment about:

1) Does the aerial in my roof looks right for Freeview?

2) Is Tivo worth it? Or should I get something like: JCMatthew DVR-320T

Thanks!

Joseph

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1285 posts

Uber Geek

#275647 23-Nov-2009 22:20

Yep that's a UHF antenna - but your signal strength for freeview will dictate how well Tivo will work, digital signals are a lot more fussy than the old analogue system and the roof cavity isn't the best place for an antenna.

I don't have a Tivo myself as i'm not in the freeview UHF area but it looks like a great system I would be happy to get rid of sky and just have tivo

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Hammered
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#275650 23-Nov-2009 22:24

We picked up a TiVo on Saturday with the thought that we might have to upgrade our UHF aerial as analogue UHF channels are dodgy most of the time. Fortunately there seems to be no problem with the digital signal though as it works well!

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

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technicaljoe

248 posts

Master Geek

#275662 23-Nov-2009 22:50

Thanks guys!

So, should I get a TV person to come in and check the signal strength first before buy one?

Or should I just buy one and see if it work? :-)
(the way those Telecom kids phrased their disclaimer made me somewhat disturbed)

nzbnw

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#275664 23-Nov-2009 22:56

No refund is more likely to mean, they won't refund your money if you simply change your mind, which when an item is purchased face to face in a retail situation, the retailer is not obliged to do so.

I believe, after sales support if handled either directly (or indirectly if via the store) via the general 123 que.

nzbnw

technicaljoe

248 posts

Master Geek

#275668 23-Nov-2009 23:12

Good point nzbnw. I guess they are just not very good sales people :-)

allstarnz

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#275675 24-Nov-2009 00:03

perhaps you could find someone who has a Freeview|HD box for you to borrow for a few hours?

or you could (in theory) 'buy' one from those shops that have generous return policies....

timestyles

424 posts

Ultimate Geek

#275679 24-Nov-2009 00:53

Couple of random thoughts.

Aerials are meant to go on top of the roof, not below it. $100 approx installation fee isn't that much in the whole scheme of things.

TiVo can record whole series of episodes and can predict what you want to watch. Maybe other Freeview recorders can do this, I don't know.

For a review of TiVo, see http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/gadgets/3069776/Buyers-guide-to-TiVo-and-Caspa

cafeg

697 posts

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#275693 24-Nov-2009 06:27

Once you get Tivo going with a strong signal the picture quality is great as well.
I think its clearer than MySky hdi.
We only watch 1,2,3,4,7,8 and prime anyway, I get movies elsewhere.
We are enjoying it, the timeshifting features are better and easier to use and being able to control your TV and Tivo thru one remote is great.
Your aerial is important though as a digital signal works or it doesn't, if your signal is weak you will also probly get a lot of dropouts.

Lunar7

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#275699 24-Nov-2009 07:04

nzbnw: No refund is more likely to mean, they won't refund your money if you simply change your mind, which when an item is purchased face to face in a retail situation, the retailer is not obliged to do so.

I believe, after sales support if handled either directly (or indirectly if via the store) via the general 123 que.

nzbnw

I don't think that is correct, under the consumer guarantee act the retailer is required to take the product back no matter what the reason

timestyles

424 posts

Ultimate Geek

#275705 24-Nov-2009 07:36

Lunar7:
nzbnw: No refund is more likely to mean, they won't refund your money if you simply change your mind, which when an item is purchased face to face in a retail situation, the retailer is not obliged to do so.

I believe, after sales support if handled either directly (or indirectly if via the store) via the general 123 que.

nzbnw

I don't think that is correct, under the consumer guarantee act the retailer is required to take the product back no matter what the reason

Nope, you can't take it back if you change your mind. Or rather, some retailers will take it back, some won't. Any law that required stores to take back things because people changed their minds would cause a number of stores to go bust, although my brother would love it.

itey

471 posts

Ultimate Geek

#275722 24-Nov-2009 09:03

If I were you I would buy a freeview HD box from dick smith, test your signal, then return it and buy a tivo if you got signal.

josephhinvest

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#275743 24-Nov-2009 10:45

Lunar7:
nzbnw: No refund is more likely to mean, they won't refund your money if you simply change your mind, which when an item is purchased face to face in a retail situation, the retailer is not obliged to do so.

I believe, after sales support if handled either directly (or indirectly if via the store) via the general 123 que.

nzbnw

I don't think that is correct, under the consumer guarantee act the retailer is required to take the product back no matter what the reason

This is not correct, the CGA, you can read it here, is very clear.
Very few retailers will accept a return just because you have changed your mind, you have no legal right to expect the retailer to give you your money back.
If the goods are faulty, or have been misrepresented, then you have the right to return.

Cheers,
Joseph

Bainn

44 posts

Geek

#275798 24-Nov-2009 14:16

I'm in Christhcurch and do not have a UHF external aerial (just a regular 1950s model) and mine works great!

technicaljoe

248 posts

Master Geek

#275984 24-Nov-2009 22:46

Thanks so much everyone!! :-)

I think we will arrange for a Freeview installer to come and test out the signal. If all good, then go get Tivo. Anyone know a good TV person in West Auckland?

timestyles: You do have a very interesting point there, aerial is meant to go on top of roof, not below it... Why an extra layer of interference?

I feel a bit bad to take advantage of the goodwill of those more generous retailer (even though they probably make the money back through extended warranty and hiked up price).

rscole86

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#275993 24-Nov-2009 23:09

This no questions ask return period, is a goodwill gesture. If to many people abuse it, then it will eventually be taken away from us.

Your antenna in the roof space may be fine, it all depends on how close you are to the nearest transmitter.

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