Although you make a compelling argument, I'll try to break through that airtight statement...
What makes you think Tivo is 'telling HQ' what you watch while Replay isn't? AFAIK, neither company transmits 'what you watch' info back to the server. Both pretty much do the same thing: dial up a server each night and download listing info. The potential is there for both companies to sell your info to marketing companies (although neither have stated any plans to do so). Why would Replay be above the temptation while Tivo has apparently (based on your in depth analysis) already signed the dotted line?
Yes, my Dish Network system has more lines of resolution, etc. than Tivo at it's lowest quality setting. Honestly, unless there's a lot of movement (action scenes, football game), I just can't see a difference. Even then, it's the blocky compression artifacts, not a grainy picture, bad sound and other imperfections that make watching something on tape annoying. A lot of people think the lowest picture setting is competely unacceptable. I was afraid of the same thing, but was pleasantly surprised to find that I'm happy with the basic setting. If you're thinking of getting one and you're concerned about picture quality, try to demo one at a store or check out a friend's machine. You may be surprised too.
BTW, 'live' TV is always recorded at the best setting. Even when you hit the 'live tv' button, your signal is still going through the Tivo. At the 'best' setting, I can't tell ANY difference whatsover (remember, the second worst setting looks the same to me though). The 'best' setting is supposed to rival DVD as far as lines of resolution (I admit, that sounds like marketing-speak). My default setting of 'basic' only affects what I tell it to record. You don't have an option with live tv, it's always 'best'.
The best part of this thing though is that you don't watch much live tv anymore. We always go to the 'now showing' menu and pick from the shows listed. When a show airs doesn't have much of a meaning any more. If Fox shows a bonus episode of 'The Simpsons', I don't have to worry about it (my season pass will pick it up). I love 'Family Guy' but it hasn't been on lately. Since I have a season pass though, my Tivo is set to record the episode that will be on this week. I would've missed it otherwise (probably). I don't want to discount the concerns of others about picture quality, because I know that is a VERY big issue for a lot of people. For me though, the picture looks fine and the convenience has paid for the Tivo several times over.
I've had the 14 hour model for about 2 months now. It's the best geek purchase I've ever made. I've never run into any space problems, but I use the highest compression/worst quality setting for everything (which looks great to me).
The space management is great, when Tivo needs space to record something, it deletes it's suggestions first. After that, any show that is at least 48 hours old will be eligible for deletion. The 'now showing' menu gives you a quick picture of what's available, using icons to identify those shows that are about to be axed if Tivo needs space. You can also tell it to save a show until you delete it.
If you're on the bubble, buy it and take advantage of the return policy if necessary. I doubt you'll want to give it back though. "There's nothing on but crap" quickly changes to "I don't have enough time to watch all these great shows". I've seen more great documentaries on the Discovery Channel, History Channel, etc in the last few weeks than I've watched all year.
Oh yeah, if you have DirecTV, you get a $100 rebate. If you sign up for the service between 12/15 and 12/31, you get another $100 back. Also, at least until the end of the year, they have a $50 refer a friend program where BOTH parties get $50 back (with up to $250 back per person). That's a pretty easy $250 back for a lot of people (I don't have DirecTV and I missed the other deal too).
For me, the lowest quality setting is great (14 hours). I use basic for everything and it looks a lot better than my worn out VHS tapes. I do see compression artifacts occasionally, but it just doesn't bother me. Other people obviously have a different opinion. There are several quality settings, but I can't even tell a difference between the 2nd lowest level and my Dish receiver. When I want the ultimate picture, I watch a DVD. When I want to see last week's Futurama, I watch Tivo. I LOVE this thing...
I'm curious about different eye doctor's opinions. A few months ago, I went to a new eye doctor for the first time. I was surprised to hear him ask if I'd ever considered this type of procedure. He seemed to be pretty positive about it. He did recommend waiting a while for some newer procedures to be approved by the FDA (maybe that's the corneal rings mentioned in other replies?). His reason for waiting was mainly the fact that competition (different procedures) would drive the price down. Anyway, it's interesting to hear some people saying that their doctors endorse it, while others don't recommend it. Time will tell I suppose.
The web site mentions that you need at least OS 3.0 or higher (Palm III, V, VII, etc.). Does anyone know why? I have an original 1000 that's been upgraded to Pro 2.05. I guess it's time to cave in and get one of the new models...
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Although you make a compelling argument, I'll try to break through that airtight statement...
What makes you think Tivo is 'telling HQ' what you watch while Replay isn't? AFAIK, neither company transmits 'what you watch' info back to the server. Both pretty much do the same thing: dial up a server each night and download listing info. The potential is there for both companies to sell your info to marketing companies (although neither have stated any plans to do so). Why would Replay be above the temptation while Tivo has apparently (based on your in depth analysis) already signed the dotted line?
Yes, my Dish Network system has more lines of resolution, etc. than Tivo at it's lowest quality setting. Honestly, unless there's a lot of movement (action scenes, football game), I just can't see a difference. Even then, it's the blocky compression artifacts, not a grainy picture, bad sound and other imperfections that make watching something on tape annoying. A lot of people think the lowest picture setting is competely unacceptable. I was afraid of the same thing, but was pleasantly surprised to find that I'm happy with the basic setting. If you're thinking of getting one and you're concerned about picture quality, try to demo one at a store or check out a friend's machine. You may be surprised too.
BTW, 'live' TV is always recorded at the best setting. Even when you hit the 'live tv' button, your signal is still going through the Tivo. At the 'best' setting, I can't tell ANY difference whatsover (remember, the second worst setting looks the same to me though). The 'best' setting is supposed to rival DVD as far as lines of resolution (I admit, that sounds like marketing-speak). My default setting of 'basic' only affects what I tell it to record. You don't have an option with live tv, it's always 'best'.
The best part of this thing though is that you don't watch much live tv anymore. We always go to the 'now showing' menu and pick from the shows listed. When a show airs doesn't have much of a meaning any more. If Fox shows a bonus episode of 'The Simpsons', I don't have to worry about it (my season pass will pick it up). I love 'Family Guy' but it hasn't been on lately. Since I have a season pass though, my Tivo is set to record the episode that will be on this week. I would've missed it otherwise (probably). I don't want to discount the concerns of others about picture quality, because I know that is a VERY big issue for a lot of people. For me though, the picture looks fine and the convenience has paid for the Tivo several times over.
ReplayTV - $699.
Tivo - $499 + $199 for 'anal' lifetime subscription (or, you can pay 9.95/month or 99/year).
What's the difference?
I've had the 14 hour model for about 2 months now. It's the best geek purchase I've ever made. I've never run into any space problems, but I use the highest compression/worst quality setting for everything (which looks great to me).
The space management is great, when Tivo needs space to record something, it deletes it's suggestions first. After that, any show that is at least 48 hours old will be eligible for deletion. The 'now showing' menu gives you a quick picture of what's available, using icons to identify those shows that are about to be axed if Tivo needs space. You can also tell it to save a show until you delete it.
If you're on the bubble, buy it and take advantage of the return policy if necessary. I doubt you'll want to give it back though. "There's nothing on but crap" quickly changes to "I don't have enough time to watch all these great shows". I've seen more great documentaries on the Discovery Channel, History Channel, etc in the last few weeks than I've watched all year.
Oh yeah, if you have DirecTV, you get a $100 rebate. If you sign up for the service between 12/15 and 12/31, you get another $100 back. Also, at least until the end of the year, they have a $50 refer a friend program where BOTH parties get $50 back (with up to $250 back per person). That's a pretty easy $250 back for a lot of people (I don't have DirecTV and I missed the other deal too).
For me, the lowest quality setting is great (14 hours). I use basic for everything and it looks a lot better than my worn out VHS tapes. I do see compression artifacts occasionally, but it just doesn't bother me. Other people obviously have a different opinion. There are several quality settings, but I can't even tell a difference between the 2nd lowest level and my Dish receiver. When I want the ultimate picture, I watch a DVD. When I want to see last week's Futurama, I watch Tivo. I LOVE this thing...
My early Christmas present, and I love it (my wife is even growing fond of it). Linux under the hood too...
I've read a few PG texts on my Pilot. It was easier to read than I thought it would be. If you have a Palm device, definitely give it a shot.
I'm curious about different eye doctor's opinions. A few months ago, I went to a new eye doctor for the first time. I was surprised to hear him ask if I'd ever considered this type of procedure. He seemed to be pretty positive about it. He did recommend waiting a while for some newer procedures to be approved by the FDA (maybe that's the corneal rings mentioned in other replies?). His reason for waiting was mainly the fact that competition (different procedures) would drive the price down. Anyway, it's interesting to hear some people saying that their doctors endorse it, while others don't recommend it. Time will tell I suppose.
The web site mentions that you need at least OS 3.0 or higher (Palm III, V, VII, etc.). Does anyone know why? I have an original 1000 that's been upgraded to Pro 2.05. I guess it's time to cave in and get one of the new models...