Anyone use a DTivo along with a separate High-Def Receiver?

[RxMan]

I'm about to get a new HDTV capable TV. I currently have a Sony t60 DTivo which I love. I was considering purchasing a separate high-def ird and switching between the two depending on the content, etc... Anyone else do this? I have heard of the HD Tivo coming out, but, I don't want to pay $999 for it.

Thoughts?

[fixn278]

I currently switch between HD and my DTivo.

$1k is not that bad as long as the tuners are quality. A good quality non-Tivo HD tuner can run upwards of $700 anyway. I will buy an HD Tivo the second it is available.

Just my opinion.

[captain_video]

I'm thinking of doing the same thing. I don't have a HDTV yet but I plan on getting the IRD first. Most, if not all, of them are capable of receiving OTA HDTV signals so I'd like to get everything set up before I get the HDTV set. I don't see much point in getting a new HDTV set without any way to receive the HD signals. I believe most sets should have enough inputs to accommodate both the IRD and DVD player with component video outputs as well as the S-video signal from the DTivos. If not, there are several switchers available that can handle the input/output chores. I'd love to go with one of the new plasma displays but my system is already centered around a 50" Mitsubishi standard-def RPTV. I have a custom built home entertainment center that runs along both sides and across the top of the RPTV so a plasma wouldn't really work with this setup. Not much point in having a thin panel display that would have to sit two feet into the room to be flush with the cabinetry. :rolleyes:

[gsxrpilot]

I have both the DTIVO and an HD receiver and I switch between them for content. Be warned, though, watching shows "Live" again may drive you insane. Going back to scheduling your life around the program guide is hard and does make me want the HDTIVO even more.

[captain_video]

That's the main reason I haven't switched to HDTV. I can't remember the last time I actually sat through a commercial. My only hope is that they offer a special deal on the new HD Tivos to existing owners.

[RxMan]

Yeah. I wish I could get a good deal on a HDTV Tivo combo when they come out. I may pick up a HD ird on ebay and then sell it once the HD-Tivo comes out. Even after it comes out, I would like to be able to extract, etc..before it becomes really useful which may take some time.

[ilkevinli]

I use the Toshiba DST-3000 along with the HDVR2. This works great because I can use PIP with this setup. Quite useful.

[RxMan]

I forgot about PIP. Yep, I'm going to have to get one. I'm thinking about the Hughes E86 unless there is one that sells for cheaper.

[captain_video]

FYI, here's a list of HDTV IRDs I got from another site:

I would say the e-86 along with it's nearly identical brothers the Toshiba DST-3000 and the Mits HD-5 are among the most advanced HD IRDs. The Sony HD-100 is also a competant receiver.

I'm using a RCA DTC-100 that I picked up for a song, and I couldn't be happier. It's the oldest model of HD IRD, but it's bomb proof and it has an RBGHV (VGA) output that I can hook directly to my CRT front projector.

All Directv HD receivers will pick up OTA signals BTW.

Heres an old list that gets posted all the time so I doubt any of the links work:


Available now:
· Zenith HD-SAT520 $799 (DVI)
http://www.zenith.com/index.asp?url...asp%3Fcat%3D42.

· Sony SAT-HD200 $899 (DVI)
http://news.sel.sony.com/pressrelease/2587

· Samsung SIR-TS160 $699 (DVI)
http://www.atsc.org/memberpr/SIR-TS160.html


Discontinued but still available:
· Hughes HIRD-E86 $599
http://www.hns.com/default.asp?curr..._definition.htm

· RCA DTC-100 $549
http://www.rca.com/product/viewdeta...,PI640,00.html?

· Toshiba DST-3000 $699
http://www.toshiba.com/tacp/homethe...nt/DST3000.html

· Mitsubishi SR-HD5 $799
http://www.mitsubishi-tv.com/PDFs/srhdspecs.pdf

· Zenith DTV-1080 $799
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/show...threadid=177847

· Philips DSHD800 $849
http://www.philipsusa.com/global/b2...=TV&catId=DIGTV (click documents, search for model number)


Discontinued and generally not available:
· Sony SAT-HD100 $799

· Panasonic TU-HDS20 $999

· ProScan PSH-D105 $549


Note that the prices listed are the original suggested retail prices and don't reflect current prices for used models. Most of these models are available on ebay for considerably less than what's indicated.

[Loopie111]

Just got my e86 yesterday from ebay. I purchased it for $335 which included the phone remote and shipping. It was a buy it now auction and the price was the best on ebay. When I paid for the auction I found out it was CCS ( the same company that repairs tivos) and I am pretty sure they have more if you are interested. The thing looks brand new! Do a ebay search on the seller RCVRSELLER to see if he is currently selling any. If they are not just send a email and ask them.

[captain_video]

That's a great price. I picked up a refurbished E86 a few days ago on ebay for $379.00 and it comes with a warranty. At the time it was the best price I found. I just read this morning in another forum that Circuit City was selling these for $299.00 since they've been discontinued. Floor models were reported to sell for $229.00.

[RxMan]

Is that CC deal for new DTV customers only? I need to pick up a triple lnb oval dish as well. Does the oval dish allow a single receiver to pick up channels from all three satellites? If so then I would connect the E86 to one and the other two to my dual tuner T60.

After a little research, I found that these dishes have a built-in mutli switch. I guess the output from it could then be connected as I described above.

[Loopie111]

No it is not, Anyone can purchase these units. The 3lnb dish has 4 outputs and yes you would use 1 for your e86 and 2 for your tivo leaving 1 open for expansion.