Comcast. Ew.

[tfabris]

Due to several factors out of my control, I'm investigating Comcast cable TV for the new place (also bundling Internet service).

Normally I'd run screaming from cable companies, having been wronged by them too many times in the past. But I've been given no choice.

Does anyone have experience with their so-called Tivo service? Supposedly, via a Comcast+Tivo partnership, you can run Tivo software on their cable DVR boxes. But having been a long time DirecTv+Tivo fan, and having seen Comcast's cable DVR boxes, I am leery. I worry that this option is little more than a Tivo logo slapped on top of Comcast's generally awful DVR software. How is the responsiveness (menu and guide screen speed) on a Tivo-fied Comcast box as opposed to a real Tivo?

Update: Getting a Tivo-fied Comcast box is apparently not available in my area. So I'm now looking at buying a standalone HD Tivo box with a CableCard slot. Anyone got a used one to sell?

Comments

[closer2myself.livejournal.com]

The majority of my experience with Comcast has been in Atlanta. When I moved out here to WA I was exposed to Tivo. I believe the Tivo model we might be using is an older one but I don't really know for sure, so you might want to double check in terms of technology.

We use a Harmony remote to control everything and very seldom even bother with the Comcast remote. The only time we need the Comcast remote is when we want to watch On Demand, which we seldom do because the remote is very very difficult to use, and does not respond well when we try. I don't know if the remote has bad batteries, might just need replacing, or is generally relfective of Comcast remote tech in the Seattle area.

What I did like about my Atlanta Comcast DVR service which I don't get with our current Tivo? My Atlanta Comcast DVR allowed me to either watch one program while recording another, or record TWO programs while watching one or the other (though you couldn't record two and watch a third).

With our current Tivo, you can only watch what is being recorded. If you want to watch something other than what it is being recorded at a given time, you have to sacrifice your recording. Meh.

So depending on your Tivo device and how it records, one of the elements you might want to consider is whether you can view one show and record another at the same time. Comcast DVR should allow you to do this, but Tivo might not.

[tfabris.livejournal.com]

Dual-tuner and Harmony remote stuff is already within my experience. I wouldn't dare buy into any system without dual-tuner support, for the exact reasons you specify. And I've already got the latest Harmony model and love it (although I hate its programming software, at least it *works* once you've programmed it).

Re: the remote

[lisakit.livejournal.com]

We have one that works so-so and one that works great. You might just have an older one.

[zonereyrie.livejournal.com]

The ComcasTiVo is only available in select areas, and it doesn't have all the features of a standalone TiVo, but is perhaps more comparable to a DirecTiVo. There have been performance issues with it, as the cable boxes it runs on aren't the most powerful and it is Java software running in an OCAP/tru2way environment (well, precursor to OCAP at this point). But they've made improvements with each update.

If you want the best experience, I'd go with a TiVo HD or TiVo HD XL and CableCARD. You lose the ability to use OnDemand/PPV (maybe added in the future), but you get Amazon VOD, Netflix, Jaman.com, YouTube, and CinemaNow/Blockbuster - so you still have plenty of video options.

[tfabris.livejournal.com]

Yup. From the looks of it, it appears as though that's going to be my only option. Can't get the Tivo-fied comcast box in my area.

[tollermom]

I know you didn't ask about their internet service, but my sister got Comcast internet when she moved to Jersey City and she swears at it on pretty much a daily basis, so you might wanna have a fallback plan if their service sucks as badly out there as it does on the east coast.

[tfabris.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's at the heart of the problem as to why I'm switching from Qwest to Comcast. On that particular street in that particular neighborhood, I can't get Qwest DSL (which I would have preferred), leaving me with Comcast as my only option.

We'll see if I end up swearing at Comcast more than I swore at Qwest.

[slantiness.livejournal.com]

i has comcasts i lieks comcasts

basic cable only ten bucks a month and it includes local channels as well as discovery, cw, etc etc...hmmmm

[lisakit.livejournal.com]

Don't know about Tivo compatibility, but the cable DVR interface is buggy. You tell it to record new shows only and it still records all occurrences of the show (even ones that clearly say "repeat" in the description). Also, when you go to the recording list and individually cancel things showing by showing, the next day or two it ends up being set to record again. Or anytime you make a change in your line-up you have to re-tweak that again.

That being said I'm rather happy with Comcast overall. Their internet provision is better than most places I've worked and with expanded basic cable (1 step up from basic, you get BBC, SciFi & home/garden networks) there's lots of viewing options.

Anyway, hope my 2 cents helps.