What is the best Tivo Unit?

[AnmNatas]

Ok I bought a directtv r10 and so far am having no luck for any hardware work or anything for it as of yet. So I have been looking around and Since I am new at the whole Tivo gig. I am wanting to know whatis the best Tivo unit out there. I have been reading alot on some of the series 1 and also on the series 2. I am not familar with Tivo or anything for hardware but software is a no-brainer, so that would be mainly my route any help on this would be great.

[Narf54321]

Depends on what you are trying to do with it. I personally prefer the TiVo TCD240xxx series-2 standalone units (for cable-TV), as they are software hackable and in general seem built better than the current generation of standalone machines. But you seem to have a satellite unit, so that's probably out.

EDIT: There are also folks with the HiDef TiVos, who seem to like those, and can also be software hacked. Nice if you have HDTV service available. Depends upon what you want to do.

* EDITED for correctness about HR10-250.

[PlainBill]

Sort of like "What's the best car?" A Bentley gives a surperb ride and has a very high level of snob appeal. However, it doesn't do very well on gravel roads. A Hummer is (barely) acceptable for off-road driving, but doesn't work too well if you're trying to get 40+ mpg.

PlainBill

[cheer]

There are also folks with the HiDef TiVos, who seem to like those, however I believe even they need a PROM mod to hack.
Nope, no PROM mod required.

[AnmNatas]

i am thinking and have been looking at a Hughes Directv Tivo SD-DVR40-R, since I read that all it need is software and no hardware modding to be done.

[drez]

as far as directivo's all of these are identical in terms of hackability (hackable by software). they all can run 6.2

the only difference between these are the older series2's do not have a RID (Receiver ID) chip.

directv will not want to send you a new access card when it's time to activate the receiver with your account if it doesnt have a RID.

if you are buying a tivo to replace a regular non-tivo receiver, you can transfer the card from the old receiver to a non-rid unit with a little bit of work.
but directv won't send you a card for a non-rid.


DirecTiVo Series2 List:

Hughes 35hr HDVR2 < Non RID
Hughes 35hr SD-DVR40
Hughes 70hr SD-DVR80
Hughes 105hr SD-DVR120

Philips 35hr DSR7000 < Non RID
Philips 35hr DSR704
Philips 70hr DSR708
(there's no DSR712)

RCA 35hr DVR39 < Non RID
RCA 35hr DVR40
RCA 70hr DVR80

Samsung 35hr SIR-S4040R
Samsung 70hr SIR-S4080R
Samsung 105hr SIR-S4120R



The different looks of the boxes:


the HDVR2, SD-DVR40, SD-DVR80, SD-DVR120, DVR39 have the same design. Same design as the HDTiVo. The Hughes has a Hughes logo. The RCA has the RCA logo.
They look like this:

http://vidsyn.com/images/hdvr2.jpg
^HDVR2

http://www.circuitcity.com/IMAGE/product/detail/hns/PC.HNS.SDDVR40.CN.JPG
^ SD-DVR40, SD-DVR80, SD-DVR120

http://pictures.kyozou.com/pictures/_2/1021/1020070.jpg
^DVR39

the Philips DSR7000 looks like this:

http://www.epinions.com/images/opti/b5/6e/pr-Philips_DSR7000_Digital_TV_Recorder-resized200.jpg


the Philips DSR704 / DSR708 have this design (THE best design, hands down, end of arguement.):

http://home.earthlink.net/~eeboiler00/DSC00001.JPG


the RCA DVR40 / DVR80 look like this (an older R10 kind of look):

http://pictures.kyozou.com/pictures/_2/1022/1021891.jpg


the Samsungs look like this:

http://i18.ebayimg.com/02/i/05/a8/7d/77_1.JPG



basically if you are ebaying, look for the DSR704/DSR708. i have these myself and these look like an expensive piece of video equipment.

I also have a samsung... doesn't match the philips' classy look at ALL.


avoid the DirecTV DVR R10 at all costs if you want to do MRV,HMO,etc...
it will be a pain in the ass to get a prom and then have it soldered...