Like most Americans, I plan on watching the Super Bowl later on today. The only problem is that my cable company (Time Warner) uses Switched Digital (SDV) to broadcast Fox in high definition. Obviously, this presents a problem since my Series 3 TiVo is unable to tune SDV content. This will all change once TiVo comes out with a SDV dongle but for now, I’m stuck having to use my over the air (OTA) antenna to watch Fox in high definition. The only problem with this approach is that sometimes Fox doesn’t come in clearly if the weather is bad outside. Hopefully I won’t have any problems tonight and I will be able to watch the Super Bowl in HD.

Wish me luck :)….

bkdtv has posted a great FAQ about TiVoToGo (TTG), Multi-Room Viewing (MRV) and TiVoToComeBack (TTCB) on the Series 3 and TiVo HD. The FAQ answered several questions I had about TiVoToGo including why TTG on the Series 3 is faster than TTG on my Series 2 DT.

Check it out if you have some questions about TTG, MRV or TTCB on the Series 3 and TiVo HD.

I’m pretty sure that this is the same video that is also available on TiVo’s website.

Spotted on TiVoLovers.

TiVoLovers is reporting that the newly released TiVo HD is having a number of video issues even after a recent software update. The issues seem to be linked to Scientific Atlantic CableCARDs. If you’re having any pixelation problems with the TiVo HD, you might want to check out the post over at TiVoLovers as well as a thread on TiVoCommunity.com. According to TiVoLovers, TiVo is aware of these problems and they are working on a fix.

I’m really not surprised that there are issues with the TiVo HD. Most first generation devices have problems early on. TiVo has always been good about fixing their software so I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a fix soon.

TiVo has officially launched the much anticipated lightweight HD DVR that I’ve been blogging about since March of this year. The DVR is pretty much as we expected. In terms of the specifications, the TiVo HD includes two CableCARD slots, an ATSC tuner (so that you can record OTA content), 180 GB HD, HDMI output & an eSATA port. In my opinion, the TiVo HD is essentially a Series 3 with a smaller hard drive and without the features that you really don’t need like a glo remote and a LED front display. The TiVo HD is currently selling for $299.99 on TiVo’s website.

If I didn’t own a Series 3, I would definitely pick this DVR up. $299.99 is a reasonable price for a HD enabled TiVo.

If you decide to purchase a TiVo HD, I would appreciate it if you put me down as your referrer (raianoat AT gmail DOT com) when you activate your TiVo.

Last Thursday I blogged about my phone conversation with Time Warner Cable and how I setup an appointment to get two CableCARDs installed in my Series 3 TiVo. Well, my appointment was yesterday and after two hours of dealing with Time Warner’s incompetence, I am happy to say that I now have two CableCARDs installed and working in my Series 3 TiVo. Before I get into any more detail about the installation, I’d like to make it clear that the issues I encountered, had nothing to do with my S3 TiVo. All of the problems I had, stemmed from the fact that the Time Warner Cable (TWC) reps that I worked with had no clue about CableCARDs and how to install them. If the TWC reps were more capable, it would have only taken a couple of minutes to get both cards installed. I’m not trying make a blanket statement that all TWC employees are bad. Instead, all I’m trying to say is that the individuals that I had to work with didn’t know how to install a CableCARD and get it working properly.

My appointment was scheduled for 12-5PM however, around 11:15AM my wife called me at work to let me know that the TWC installer was at our house (45 minutes early). Since I expected there to be a problem, I left work to go home. While on the way home, my wife called me and told me that the rep asked if the TV could be removed from its wall mount so that he could install the cards. I told my wife that it wasn’t necessary and that I would be home shortly. Along with this comment, the rep also mentioned to my wife that he “hates this kind of job”. I’m not sure what that means. Maybe it is because he didn’t know what he was doing and TWC should get him some training?

When I arrived home, I was surprised to see that the console table that holds my electronic devices had been moved. There really wasn’t a need for the rep to move it but I didn’t say anything because I could tell that the rep was confused. Right from the get go, the rep was puzzled as to why I needed two CableCARDs, I explained it to him why I need two cards and he went ahead and got another card out of his truck. I gave the rep the instructions (PDF) that are included with all Series 3 TiVos and the rep proceeded to install each of the cards.

I can’t even tell you how many times the rep popped each of the cards in and out of my TiVo. Each time he did, he seemed to be hoping that something would magically start to work. In the end, the problem had to do with the fact that the agent that he spoke with, didn’t actually “activate” the second CableCARD. Until they activated the second card, I wasn’t able to get any high definition content on the second CableCARD. The entire time the rep was pretty much helpless. He wasn’t able to understand any of the diagnostic screens and I even had to help him troubleshoot the problem. On a number of occasions, I mentioned to the rep that he probably had to activate or pair the cards with my DVR. Maybe I should get a job with TWC. What do you think?

The entire experience really was a pain. Like I said before, the Series 3 worked just fine, all the problems that I encountered were the result of TWC not knowing how to install and configure their CableCARDs properly. Maybe the latest FCC mandate will force TWC to become smarter.

For whatever reason, my S3 TiVo doesn’t get all the channels that a standard TWC DVR receives. For example, I no longer am able to get A&E HD as well as ESPN2HD. I’m not sure if that is because the channels are switched digital or if it because of some other reason. Maybe somebody could shed some light on this? Along with A&E and ESPN2, I’m also not able to get any of the video on demand (VOD) content which I knew I wouldn’t get with a S3 due to the fact that the CableCARD 1.0 standard only supports one way communication.

Honestly, I really don’t care that I can’t get the content mentioned above. The S3 is so much better then a TWC DVR that I’m willing to give up VOD and some other channels for the sake of having the TiVo experience. If you’ve ever used a cable company DVR then you know what I am talking about. In actuality, I’m really not giving up a lot of content since my S3 allows me to record HD over the air using my antenna. Prior to the S3, I use to watch OTA content live.

I hope that this post doesn’t detract you from buying a Series 3 TiVo. In my opinion, the S3 is the best DVR on the market. Don’t be discouraged if it takes you awhile to get CableCARDs installed in your S3. It really is well worth it….

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As a side note, I would like to thank Jeff for putting me down as his TiVo rewards referrer. If you’d like to put me down as your referrer, all you need to do is enter my email address (raianoat AT gmail DOT com) when you activate your TiVo. Thanks Jeff!

Last night I finally got a chance to call Time Warner (TWC) and order two CableCARDs for my Series 3 TiVo. To my surprise, it was rather easy to order the cards and get the installation scheduled. I know that some people have had a tough time with getting their cable company to provide them with CableCARDs for their Series 3 TiVo. In my case it really wasn’t that bad. The CSR that I spoke with did provide me with some false information however, I don’t think this was done on purpose. According to the CSR, the installation is free and each CableCARD will cost $2.73/month. I have an appointment scheduled for next Tuesday between 12 - 5PM. I’ll be sure to let everybody know how the installation goes.

On an unrelated note, I’d like to thank both Jonahthon and Trevor for providing me with a TiVo referral.

TiVo.com is running a great special on the Series 3 TiVo. For $499.99 you can get the Series 3 TiVo plus a wireless TiVo adapter (no rebates required & free shipping)! The offer expires on April 30th so you better act fast.

If you do decide to take advantage of this offer, I’d appreciate it if you put me down as your referrer (raianoat AT gmail DOT com)

This is the lowest I’ve ever seen the Series 3. It looks like Gizmodo may have been correct when they said we would see the Series 3 price drop.

Details on the offer:

* Early termination fee and other restrictions apply. See offer for full details. Offer available for a limited time while supplies last.

† Instant Savings:

1. You save $180 instantly on the 80-hr TiVo® Series2™ DT (MSRP $249.99) plus $59.99 on the TiVo Wireless G USB Network Adapter for a total savings of $239.99, with a qualifying TiVo® service plan.
2. You save $230 instantly on the 180-hr TiVo® Series2™ DT (MSRP $349.99) plus $59.99 on the TiVo Wireless G USB Network Adapter for a total savings of $289.99, with a qualifying TiVo® service plan.
3. You save $300.00 instantly on the 300-hr TiVo® Series3 HD DMR (MSRP $799.99) plus $59.99 on the TiVo Wireless G USB Network Adapter for a total savings of $359.99, with a qualifying TiVo® service plan.

$500 is still a lot of money but it has me thinking that I should get a Series 3. I’m currently using a Time Warner DVR for my HD content however, I’m extremely unhappy with the DVR. The only thing that is nice about my SA 8300 is that I didn’t have to pay anything up front and if it breaks all I have to do is go down to my cable company’s local office and pick up another one.

Are you going to get a Series 3 TiVo now that you can get it for $500?

Spotted On Gizmodo

Will the Series 3 TiVo see a significant price drop by the end of the Q1? The folks over at Gizmodo seem to think so. Gizmodo has posted a tip that they received from one of their readers. The tipster stated that they spoke with a TiVo service rep and that the rep said that the Series 3’s price would drop significantly before the end of this quarter.

I’m going to chalk this one up as yet another rumor however, if it is in fact true, you know I’ll be one of the first individuals to buy one. Although the Series 3 has been available for as little as $588, it’s still too expensive for me. I’d really like to see it for ~$500. Having to watch HDTV live really sucks and because of my situation, I can’t go with a my cable company’s DVR.