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.