DirecTivo vs. Standalone Tivo: which to buy?
May 03 '03
The Bottom Line If you want to record one program while watching another, get the DirecTivo. If you want the latest features, get the standalone.
This article is for DirecTV subscribers interested in experiencing the joys of Tivo. This article will assume you're already somewhat familiar with what Tivo has to offer (there are many great reviews here at epinions if you need more information), and are trying to decide between an integrated DirecTV/Tivo (also known as DirecTivo) unit, or a standalone Tivo.
This article will also assume 1) you're considering current Series 2 units (as opposed to used Series 1 units), and 2) only "stock" features will be discussed. While many people have been known to "hack" their Tivo units, adding additional functionality, only out-of-the-box functionality will be discussed in this article. So, let's get on with it:
The Basic Differences
The most obvious difference is that DirecTivo is a single unit containing both your DirecTV receiver and your Tivo. This reduces the number of boxes in your entertainment system, as well as some technical benefits, which I'll discuss later. The downside to this is if you decide to cancel DirecTV and go to digital cable, or some other service. Your DirecTV unit would then be useless for you. But, why would you want to leave DirecTV anyway ;-)
The standalone unit, on the other hand, will work with any source: satellite (DirecTV, Dish Network, etc), digital cable, etc. The downside is you have another box to clutter up your entertainment center as well as some technical differences that I'll discuss in the next section.
The Technical Differences
The biggest technical difference, as of this writing, is that DirecTivo has dual tuners while the current crop of standalone units are all single tuner. What does this mean? Well, it means that on the DirecTivo you can record one channel while watching another, or record two channels at the same time. You can even record two channels at once, while watching a previously recorded program! With the single-tuner standalone units, the best you can do is watch a previously recorded program while recording something else. You can't watch one live program while recording a second. (Note: you'll need to run a second cable from your satellite to your DirecTivo to take advantage of the second tuner. If you're getting a new install, they will do this for you. You may also need a multiplexer that will allow you to run more lines. If you currently have more than a 2 room setup, you probably already have one of these.)
Another major difference is the Tivo software. The DirecTivo is managed by DirecTV, while the standalone units are managed by Tivo. When I say "managed", I'm referring to how you get your software upgrades. Updates, patches, and major upgrades happen automatically. They're downloaded periodically in the middle of the night over your phone line. The difference in who's managing your software is significant. For example, in April 2003 Tivo launched a major software upgrade. This upgrade included:
* Folders in the "Now Playing" list. This allows you to reduce clutter and limit the amount of scrolling. So, for example, if you like to keep several episodes of Buffy in your Now Playing list, you can now make a Buffy folder and store them all in there.
* Broadband connectivity via the USB port. By hooking up either a wired or wireless USB network adapter, you can connect your Tivo to your home network and share your broadband connection. This eliminates the need to hook your Tivo up to a phone line.
* The Home Media Option: this option also uses a USB network card, and costs $99 (lifetime) for a single unit, and $49 (lifetime) for each additional unit. This allows true networking with your home network, and will allow you to access your Tivo remotely via the web. With remote access, you can schedule (or cancel) recordings while you're away. Other benefits include: The ability to share programs among multiple Tivos (you can record a program on the living room Tivo, and watch it on the bedroom Tivo, for example.) The ability to listen to MP3's and view digital photos through your Tivo. This is a cool feature! If you have a lot of music and/or pictures on your home computer, you can now access them via Tivo. So, let's say you have your Tivo hooked up to your home theater system. You can make a playlist on your computer, access it via the Tivo, and have hours of digital music played through your home stereo (perfect for parties!) The digital slideshow is also great for showing off your vacation photos.
Now the rub: all of the above upgrades and enhancements are currently available ONLY on standalone units. DirecTV has no current plans to offer the software upgrades. So, while Tivo the company continues to move forward and offer new features, the software that comes with the DirecTivo appears to be somewhat frozen in time. This is odd, since the DirecTivo has the built-in USB ports for "future enhancements." No word on when (or if) these features will be available to DirecTivo owners.
Which to choose?
It really depends on what is more important to you: the ability to watch one program while recording another (DirecTivo), or the availability of software upgrades and enhancements like the Home Media Option and folders in the Now Playing List (Standalone Tivo.) For me, the dual tuners is a must. However, I would love to have the Home Media Option, and am very disappointed that DirecTV is not offering the upgrade.
Good luck, and happy viewing!
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Epinions.com ID:
tcervo
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Member: Tony Cervo
Location: Sacramento, CA
Reviews written: 41
Trusted by: 6 members
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