TiVo Frequently Asked Questions - TiVo FAQ

TiVo DVR with DVD Recorder FAQ

What TiVo DVRs have DVD Recorders built in?

Currently, Humax is the only companies manufacturing TiVo DVRs with a built-in DVD burner. Pioneer previously manufactured the DVR-810H and the Elite DVR-57H, but the Pioneer units have been discontinued. Toshiba previously manufactured the RS-TX20 and RS-TX60, but those units, too, have been discontinued.

The Humax factory models are the DRT400 (40 GB) and DRT800 (80 GB). WeaKnees also offers these units in larger capacities for those looking for more recording time.

What are the differences between the Toshiba and the Humax?

These units are the same in all respects (same functionality, same parts, same cables, same accessories, etc.), except for the following:

The Toshiba comes with TiVo Basic and does not require a subscription to the TiVo service. The Humax requires a subscription (see below).
The remotes and faceplates have "Humax" or "Toshiba" stamped on them
There are slight differences in the appearance of the faceplate
The Humax DRT400 has no FireWire port

Can the Toshiba and Humax units record VHS tapes onto DVD? Can I record home movies onto DVD?

Yes. Using composite inputs (red/white/yellow) on the back of the units, you can attach any input source, including a home video camera or a VCR for recording to DVD. Once you have the external source connected, the Humax and Toshiba will both allow you to record to DVD from that source. In addition, all units except the DRT400 have digital inputs that will allow you to connect a digital video sources (eg. Mini-DV).

Will the Toshiba and Humax units allow me to edit content before burning to DVD?

No. These units do not include editing features. But it will allow you to set the DVD to burn several shows in order, and it will create a TiVo-style menu on the DVD for accessing those recordings.

How long does it take to burn DVDs?

These units include up to 4x record speed. It takes about 15 minutes to burn a 1-hour program to DVD in basic quality mode (using DVR Version 2.0 4X Media). Recordings at higher quality levels will take somewhat longer to burn. Recordings from an external source (video camera, VCR, etc., burn in real time).

Can I burn multiple recordings onto DVD?

Yes. Before burning, you will be given a list of your recorded shows. You will select which shows you want to burn and the order in which you want them to appear. When played, the burned DVD will show an on-screen menu allowing you to navigate to the show you want to play.

If I burn a DVD, can I move that DVD to a laptop or other DVD-player to watch the recorded shows?

Yes. The DVDs recorded onto the Pioneer will play in most standard DVD players, including DVD players in PCs.

I have a Series 2 standalone TiVo with the Home Media Option. If I buy the Toshiba/Humax, can I burn the shows from my other TiVo onto the DVD in the Toshiba/Humax?

Yes and no. No, you cannot use the Home Media Features to burn shows in digital format. You can, however, connect the standalone TiVo to the Toshiba/Humax and burn recordings in real time, just as you would save a show to VCR.

Do the Humax/Toshiba units come with lifetime service?

Yes and no. The Toshibas (but NOT the Humaxes) includes "TiVo Basic" service, which is a stripped-down version of the full TiVo service (called "TiVo Plus"). If you want the full features of the TiVo service, you must order TiVo Plus. If you want to network your TiVo and take advantage of the Home Media Features, you must purchase the TiVo Plus service. See the chart below (Source, TiVo.com)

Feature	TiVo Basic	TiVo Plus with Home Media Features
Hard Disk Recording	Yes	Yes
Record from Guide	Yes	Yes
Record by time & channel	Yes	Yes
Control Live TV	Yes	Yes
Program Guide Data	3 days	14 days
Broadband Connectivity	Yes	Yes
Search By Title	No	Yes
Season Pass?	No	Yes
WishList?	No	Yes
Smart Recording Options	No	Yes
TiVo Suggestions	No	Yes
Digital Music & Photos	No	Yes
Multi-Room Viewing	No	Yes
Remote Scheduling	No	Yes
Video Transfer to PC	No	Yes

Do the Humax/Toshiba units work with DirecTV? I have DirecTV and want TiVo and a DVD burner, what should I get?

The Humax and Toshiba units will work with cable, DishNetwork, DirecTV and antenna inputs. However, these units do not have a built-in DirecTV receiver. If you have DIRECTV and want TiVo, you should consider a DIRECTV DVR and a standalone DVD recorder.

The Humax/Toshiba units lack many of the features present in the DirecTV/TiVo DVRs (such as the ability to record two shows at the same time).

If you have DirecTV and are looking for a TiVo that can also burn to DVD, then you have a tough decision. On one hand, you can purchase a DirecTV/TiVo unit and a separate DVD recorder (see here) without TiVo. Alternatively, you can purchase a Toshiba or Humax unit with a burner and use it with a separate DirecTV receiver. Here are our thoughts:

Using DirecTV with a DVD-Recorder: The Options

	DirecTV/TiVo with separate DVD-recorder	Standard DirecTV receiver with DRT400, DRT800 or RS-TX20/60
Cost of TiVo service	$5.99/month or free for Total Choice Premier subscribers	TiVo Basic service: Free TiVo Plus service: $12.95/month or $299 for the life of the TiVo Second unit on account is $6.95/month
Record digital picture to hard drive for playback without first converting to analog	Yes. Digital signal from DirecTV will be recorded in digital format on the DirecTV/TiVo hard drive.	No. Digital signal from DirecTV receiver will be converted to analog signal when sent to the TiVo, and then converted back into digital before being recorded onto the TiVo's hard drive. Television viewed through the TiVo (whether recorded or live) will be analog.
Conversion from digital to analog and back to digital.	Yes, when burning DVDs; no, when watching recorded shows that have not been burnt to DVD. When watching shows from the TiVo, there will be no loss of picture quality, because the TiVo is recording the all-digital signal from DirecTV. When burning to DVD, the digital signal must be converted to analog before being sent to the separate DVD-recorder. During this conversion to analog, there will be some picture quality loss.	Yes, in all cases. The TiVo will convert DirecTV's digital signal to analog, at which point there will be some loss of picture quality. The degree of loss will depend on the level of compression. You can choose the level of compression using the TiVo's recording quality menu. Once a show has been recorded to the hard drive, it will be in digital format and can be burned in digital format to the DVD.
Menu-driven DVDs	Your standalone DVD-recorder will determine the features of your DVDs; ie., whether you can edit content, create menus, etc. on your DVDs. Generally, lower-end DVD-recorders function like VCRs and record whatever is being sent to them.	The Humax/Toshiba will record multiple shows to DVD and will create a menu within the DVD that enables you to select which show you want to watch. The Toshiba/Humax will not allow you to create multiple chapters within each recorded program.
Record multiple shows to DVD	The DirecTV/TiVo will not currently allow you to play multiple programs back-to-back. Therefore, if you wanted to record multiple shows to DVD, you would have to manually select the shows to save.	Yes. The Toshiba/Humax will save multiple shows to DVD. Once you select which shows to save, no further user input is required.
Time to burn DVDs	Real time. One hour of programming takes one hour to burn, etc.	Digital; depends on the quality of the recording and the DVD media being used. A one-hour show at basic quality can take as short as 3 minutes to burn to DVD.
Digital (5.1) sound output	Includes digital optical (5.1) out for playback of live TV and recorded programming. Will pass 5.1 to DVD recorders supporting this feature. Generally, only fairly expensive DVD recorders include 5.1 input ports.	Digital (5.1) output available for playback of DVDs that have been properly encoded with 5.1 sound. DVDs burned using the Pioneer will not have 5.1 sound, and live TV and recorded programs will not play back with 5.1.
Home Media Features (networking, remote scheduling, video transfer, MP3 and photo play, etc.)	Not available	Free with paid TiVo service

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