Tivo and UltimateTV, are they same product? If so, which is better? What should I look for in digital recording when purchasing? What is considered a good receiver/recorder? So many brands and options??? Last, can I convert Tivo to write in vcd or dvd format via computer?

Jon, they are almost the same. The main difference is that the UltimateTV includes a WebTV function, along with a dual-tuner TiVo like my Philips DSR6000R's have.

Larry

I looked at the Ultimate TV before I bought the Philips DSR6000 and decided on the TiVo because with TiVo you can tell the machine one time that you want to record all episodes of a series that you like. From then on it will record it every time it is on forever. With Ultimate TV you have to search and select each and every program you want to record. TiVo calls this a Wish List.

Another reason to stay away from Ultimate TV is that it is a Microsoft product. Microsoft will try to force their WebTV on you. If we let Microsoft get a hold of the entertainment industry like they have the software business we will regret it.

I own the UltimateTV box. It is much better than Tivo for one major reason...

- ability to record two shows at the same time

I have had no difficulty in setting the system to record all episodes in a series at the simple press of the record button. once for recording once, a second time to record the entire series.

Also, even though it comes with WebTV for free, I never use it.

Microsoft likes being big, and it seams that they don't mind putting money in a product as long as they think they can get control. Look at what they did in the remote business, they where in Harman Kardon and Madrigal to built a touchscreen remote. Microsoft quit when it noticed that it's product could not compete with the Pronto. Tivo and Replay are established, and have a big following, I don't know if MS will decide to stick with it, rebrand itself (like it is doing every few years in the PDA arena) or will it just quit.

The Philips DSR6000 has two tuners as well and is able to record 2 programs at once.

When I looked at Ultimate TV the sales person could not demonstrate what you describe.

CPS, as Daryl pointed out, the DSR will indeed record two different programs, and will even allow you to watch a third, previously recorded program at the same time. Plus, how did the price on your UTV compare to $99?

Larry

Daryl, you can record a program forever VERY easily on UltimateTV as well. All you have to do is press the record button twice in rapid succession (double click) The search routine process that you describe is not REQUIRED, but an alternative. HTH-Carl

We bought an UltimateTV unit for my in-laws yesterday, installed it, then promptly boxed it back up to go back to the store. My in-laws now have a DirecTV/TiVo combo unit that does the same things the UltimateTV box did, sans the useless WebTV features.

Why the exchange? I found that the UltimateTV interface to be frustrating and non-intuitive. From further research I found the newer TiVo's also can record two shows at once, etc which was a big deal for my in-laws who like their particular shows.

My two cents. ;-)

Will Ultimate TV do this? Let’s say I have a thing for Sharon Stone. With TiVo I can create a “Wish List” that will record anything that Sharon Stone is in. It doesn’t matter what channel it is on, when it is on or if it is next week or next year. It will record every movie she is in forever. When I looked at Ultimate TV the sales person told me that it couldn’t do that. If it could have I probably would have given him the $400 bucks. I’m glad I didn’t buy it because the DSR6000 was only $99 from Circuit City.