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

[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.