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Cinemax just plain sucks. With Dish Network, which is what I have, it's only $3 per month when purchased with HBO, and it still isn't worth it! So, don't blame DirecTV for that one.

Ken F said:

eibon,

I didn't see you mention DirecTivo in your post. Did you get a DirecTivo? The DirecTivo DVR is the best reason to get DirecTV service and their greatest advantage over cable. If you don't have one, you are really missing out. DirecTV service just isn't the same without it. DirecTV will sell you one for $49-$99.

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Hi. No, I have very little interest in TIVO or anything of that sort, since I already have a DVD recorder that supports DVD-RW, and plan on buying another one within a year that has a hard drive. I know TIVO has advantages over that, but I would rather have the option to record the stuff permanently to DVD-R At least I can do that until HBO and the other a**holes start sending a signal to prevent recording, if they do indeed do that (it is a likelihood at this point from what I understand, and Panasonic DVD recorders are equipped to accept such signals).

Now for the HDTV comments... all this talk about analogue dying in 2006 seems silly to me. Sure a lot of people SAY that, but come on, we were supposed to convert to the metric system 40 years or so ago as well. I know of ONE person that has a HDTV. That's it. And I know a few people that make $100,000+/yr., even they haven't upgraded yet.

How much does a 32" HDTV cost these days anyhow?

E

GaryPen said:

Cinemax just plain sucks. With Dish Network, which is what I have, it's only $3 per month when purchased with HBO, and it still isn't worth it! So, don't blame DirecTV for that one.

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Yes, the REGULAR Cinemax channel sucks, BUT these off the wall ones they have seem to kick ass. Come on, 'Race With the Devil' and 'The Entity' in the same day? Who wouldn't want THAT?

E

Hi. No, I have very little interest in TIVO or anything of that sort, since I already have a DVD recorder that supports DVD-RW, and plan on buying another one within a year that has a hard drive. I know TIVO has advantages over that, but I would rather have the option to record the stuff permanently to DVD-R

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A DVD writer is a substitute for a VCR; it's not a substitute for a Tivo, as anyone on this forum will tell you. I have a DVD writer, but it doesn't do a tenth of what the DirecTivo does.

Every time you click a recording on the Tivo, you have the choice to play it, delete it, or save it to VCR / DVD writer. Whenever you click the save to VCR item, it puts a screen at the start of the recording with the program name and a description. I don't know about you, but I don't save every single program I watch to DVD. I only save the best programs and shows to DVDs -- that's why the Tivo has the Record to VCR / DVD writer feature.

The Tivo is not a replacement for a DVD writer; rather, it is a replacement for a standard receiver. It lets you pause, instant replay, slow mo, and rewind on live programming; it lets you easily skip commercials on recorded and buffered programming. It automatically records new episodes of all your favorite shows, regardless of when they are showing, and ignores the repeats and duplicate episodes. It has two tuners to record two programs at once; if three programs are showing at the same time, it will record two based on the priority order you have set, and record the third program or episode the next time it is showing.

The Tivo lets you easily search all programs showing in the next 14-days, just by selecting the first few characters of the title from the on-screen keyboard. It has wishlists which let you auto-record content from all channels based on criteria you select; examples of wishlists to auto-record regardless of date, time, and channel: all comedies with Julia Roberts; all dramas directed by Steven Speilberg; all science fiction programs with "Taken" in the title; all documentaries about the Civil War; all action movies starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.

All DirecTivo recordings are identical in quality to the original broadcast, unlike DVD recorders which degrade the quality (because of MPEG-2 re-encoding). Unlike the standalone Tivo which has a $12.99/mo fee, the DirecTivo only has a $5/mo DVR fee (for an unlimited number of DVRs in your home). If you subscribe to DirecTV's top programming package, the DVR fee is waived completely.

Now for the HDTV comments... all this talk about analogue dying in 2006 seems silly to me. Sure a lot of people SAY that, but come on, we were supposed to convert to the metric system 40 years or so ago as well. I know of ONE person that has a HDTV. That's it. And I know a few people that make $100,000+/yr., even they haven't upgraded yet.

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Analogue isn't dying in 2006, just like VCRs didn't die when DVD recorders came out. I see you didn't wait until VCRs were no longer available to buy a DVD writer. When something better comes along, the old and obsolete technologies still remain around for a long time. However, that doesn't mean that all or much of your favorite programming isn't available in HDTV with DD5.1 sound today.

How much does a 32" HDTV cost these days anyhow?

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Sony's newest 27" HDTV-ready set is $799; their 30" widescreen model and 32" 4:3 model both have a MSRP of $999. The 34" widescreen model has a MSRP of $1499. Subtract $100-$200 if you buy online (ex: J&R Music World). Some models from manufacturers like Toshiba can be found for $100-$200 less. Give it another six months and prices on these models should be $100-$200 lower.

Just swich to HBO from cine, get the starz pak with it. Thats enough.