How reliable is the Freeview HD testing for Tivo?

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Kookoo

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#54018 15-Dec-2009 11:10

So, I am considering getting a Tivo, but the Freeview HD availability test returns "Likely"... Although the property next to us is "Very likely". How reliabile is this reading, and is there a way to confirm availability before actually getting locked into a 2 year Tivo contract?

Hello, Ground!

codyc1515

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#282605 15-Dec-2009 11:14

The only way to confirm availability is to actually get the unit in, and try it, or ask your neighbours if they have Freeview. I think there may be some sort of 7 day return period with products such as this from Telecom, I would suggest giving them a ring at 0800-TELECOM.

--cody

rscole86

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#282606 15-Dec-2009 11:15

Buy a freeview box from a retailer that accepts no questions asked, full money back returns. Test it, return it, then either buy or do not buy a TiVo.

wellygary

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#282615 15-Dec-2009 11:28

Kookoo: So, I am considering getting a Tivo, but the Freeview HD availability test returns "Likely"... Although the property next to us is "Very likely". How reliabile is this reading, and is there a way to confirm availability before actually getting locked into a 2 year Tivo contract?

Where are you?, what do the Coverage maps look like in you area?

I think "very likely" is as good as it gets in terms of coverage...

camo786

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#282616 15-Dec-2009 11:30

There is no contract with TIVO - As the name suggest its Free, its only a payment plan you have with Telecom, and you may choose to purchase the device outright

Kookoo

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#282630 15-Dec-2009 11:52

We are in Glenfield. Yeah, the neighbours get it, but their address returns "very likely" whereas ours returns "likely". I can't check it with their receiver because my uhf aerial is broken, so if I was to get Tivo I'd also have to sort that out.

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Nety

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#282643 15-Dec-2009 12:21

Get the aerial sorted first. If you get someone in to install it they can check how good your reception is. However I would say it is very unlikely that your neighbors can get Freeview|HD and you could not.

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Kookoo

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#282698 15-Dec-2009 13:56

I guess I'll have to do that. Thanks Nety.

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JAYJAY

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#283976 19-Dec-2009 11:09

From a personal experience I do not think the freeview HD test is reliable.

Searching for my address it brings up on the first result that via UHF aerial we are "VERY LIKELY"

However, it shows TWO addresses for my house. I select the second one which says "VERY LIKELY WITH A HIGH AERIAL"

As it happens, I have a pretty high house and the UHF aerial is also very high.

So, I have to say, based on the info I had, I was good to GO for TiVo and I ordered it.

It arrives, I plug it in, set it up, all is going well! And then it finds the channels (all 18 of them). I end up doing a quality check for channels 1 and 2. Everything else is crystal clear bar 1 and 2. 1 and 2 how a signal quality of 60 to 61 percent whereas the others are all above 80%. Channels 1 and 2 have some very serious signal problems.

I did a quick search on the houses around my area to find "Likely" and "Very Likely with a High Aerial". The aerial must be a good 30ft off the ground and we're elevated above the road too. Admittedly we are surrounded by hills but the site says we should get it!!

I'll see what I can do.

Don't take life too seriously. Remember, no one gets out alive.

JAYJAY

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#284018 19-Dec-2009 14:51

Turns out that it is the TVNZ channels which are having reception trouble. 60% signal strength opposed to 80% on the others.

Don't take life too seriously. Remember, no one gets out alive.

Kookoo

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#284070 19-Dec-2009 20:25

Ok, got my Tivo and it works just fine, so in my case having a "Likely" was good enough. The wife is even happier than I am. Tonight she is going to watch the Notebook while recording School of Rock. :)
Wish I could record MIIB at the same time - just for the sake of it, I didn't actually like that movie - but the Tivo can't do 2 recording sessions + 1 live as far as I know, it can only do 2 recording sessions + 1 playback.

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rscole86

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#284097 19-Dec-2009 22:38

Correct, you can watch one pre-recorded and record two live shows. Or record and watch one live show, and record another live show.