Xfinity X1 vs TiVo

[Hector]

Getting ready to turn in my old Comcast Motorolla DVRs...and get their X1 package.

Anyone has the Xfinity X1 here?

But before I completely commit, I'm also still considering TiVo. But I still want to keep the Comcast programming...so they offer a card that goes into the TiVo.

I read up on the pros and cons of each.

Anybody cut the cable cord?

[Hector]

How about Roku?

[megomania]

Hector.

I actually had both a Comcast DVR and TiVo with cable card up until two weeks ago.

Turned in my DVR and cancelled TiVo and switched everything to Xfinity. You'll pay $10/mo for the cable card + $14/mo for the TiVo Svc. The deals Comcast has right now made it a no brainier. Best decision.

Primary X1 box plus a secondary box in the bedroom - just make sure they install a filter on the cable junction outside so the two boxes can talk to each other.

We can watch and record up to 5 shows and I'm digging the new X1 interface.

One thing I miss about the old Comcast DVR is the "swap" button...no more switching between tuners.

The new X1 remotes have voice recognition...I also dig the fact you can start a movie or show from the beginning if you switch to it mid-stream and it's in their library.

Make the switch to X1

-Chris

[megomania]

Also the upside with X1...whatever is recorded on the DVRs can be watched on any tv vs TiVo can only be watched on the tv/TiVo combo

[Iron Mego]

Hector.

I actually had both a Comcast DVR and TiVo with cable card up until two weeks ago.

Turned in my DVR and cancelled TiVo and switched everything to Xfinity. You'll pay $10/mo for the cable card + $14/mo for the TiVo Svc. The deals Comcast has right now made it a no brainier. Best decision.

Primary X1 box plus a secondary box in the bedroom - just make sure they install a filter on the cable junction outside so the two boxes can talk to each other.

We can watch and record up to 5 shows and I'm digging the new X1 interface.

One thing I miss about the old Comcast DVR is the "swap" button...no more switching between tuners.

The new X1 remotes have voice recognition...I also dig the fact you can start a movie or show from the beginning if you switch to it mid-stream and it's in their library.

Make the switch to X1

-Chris

Said everything I would have said. Being able to record 4 shows, and watch a different one, is major for us. The other big plus is being able to watch those recordings on either TV. The one thing I've found strange is that now when we're watching a show, and say my kid has to go to bed and wants to see the rest of it, when I hit record it starts the recording from that moment on. With our old DVR it would record from when we started watching the show (as long as we hadn't changed channels at some point). I can't figure out why this changed, but it's not that big of a deal.

[sprytel]

I was a Tivo early adopter, but I have switched over to the X1 DVR.

While it can occasionally be glitchy... it is pretty nice, polished software. It does a nice job of incorporating the On Demand content with Live and Recorded content. It can automatically switch you to the HD station. The channel change has let's you type in a channel number, a channel name, a show name, a sports team, etc... And like others have mentioned, it has plenty of space and plenty of tuners. I think you will like it.

[sprytel]

Also the upside with X1...whatever is recorded on the DVRs can be watched on any tv vs TiVo can only be watched on the tv/TiVo combo

And with the Xfinity app, you can also watch on your iPad or mobile device. It's slick.

[Hector]

Can I install the X1 myself...or do I need the Comcast technician?

[Hector]

Also...three TVs are in the main house. The fourth is in the backyard cottage, about 100 feet from the main house.

My question...will the main X1 unit be able to communicate with the additional box located in the cottage?

[Donkey Hoatie]

Count me in as an X1 user as well. Just switched over about a month or so ago to one of their Triple Play packages. There have been some technical issues along the way, for sure. However, when it works (and that's the vast majority of the time) it works really well.

I had some connectivity issues right before I signed up. They had to send a technician out to fix my lines. When I mentioned that I was getting the X1 in about a week or so, he made sure the TV in the Living Room and the one in the basement were "talking" to each other. Saved me the $35 service fee they would have charged to have a tech install it for me. Was able to do it myself and it went pretty seamlessly. Got most of it connected, but there was a bit of a delay in synching the secondary tv to the main one.

Biggest pros have already been mentioned: the ability to record 4 (or is it 5?) shows at the same time, the ability to watch DVR shows on any tv with an X1 box as well as tablets/phones/laptops, and the voice activated remote. That last one is probably my favorite. You can search for anything in their system and it will bring it up quickly. Name a show, an actor, a director, or whatever. The interface is very Netflix-y and easy to navigate.

I've never had TiVo, so I can't speak to that experience. I can just say that the X1 is VASTLY superior to their old Comcast system. Considering the fact that I was able to negotiate a much lower rate (about 40%) than I was paying on my old plan by agreeing to a 2-year rate freeze and it was definitely a win all around for me. Yeah, it's still way more money than anyone should really pay for watching TV and having hi-speed internet (the home phone is essentially costing me about $5/month), but it works for me and my family.

[sprytel]

Can I install the X1 myself...or do I need the Comcast technician?

It may have been because I have the "Triple Play", but I am pretty sure they require a technician to install it. The system can be a little temperamental if it doesn't have a strong signal, a good connection between the main DVR and the other boxes, etc. It actually took me a couple tries with Comcast before they got it all set up properly (... it is still Comcast, after all). But once the kinks got worked out, it has been solid since.

[Hector]

That's four for the X1...and none for TiVo.

That's good enough for me, ha. I hear horror stories of TiVo owners that when something goes wrong with their cable feed...they always seem to get the same response from customer service, "it's not our machine, it's the Comcast card, call them", well, screw that, lol...

I'm going for the X1 Triple Play package.

Thanks guys, much appreciated.

[megomania]

Can I install the X1 myself...or do I need the Comcast technician?

I installed the new modem and both boxes myself however what the Xfinity sales rep failed to tell me is that a filter is required on the outside junction box in order for all of the new dvrs to "talk" to each other.

I got the main dvr working fine but after a day of trying to connect to the service on the secondary box I had an installer come out...he waived the $29 service charge.

With the # of boxes you need I bet you'll need them to come out.

[megomania]

That's four for the X1...and none for TiVo. That's good enough for me, ha. I hear horror stories of TiVo owners that when something goes wrong with their cable feed...they always seem to get the same response from customer service, "it's not our machine, it's the Comcast card, call them", well, screw that, lol... I'm going for the X1 Triple Play package. Thanks guys, much appreciated.

Honestly, I have had a TiVo account and three diff boxes (now I have an HD TiVo box sitting around) for about 8+ years and never really had a problem. It's a cool service but has limitations.

[Hector]

Ok, good to know....that info helps a lot...thanks again...