Tivo

Well, I don't live (yet) on STX, but I do know a little bit about Tivo. Since there is cable tv on STX, you should be able to use a Tivo unit with that service. You have to buy your Tivo separately from the cable service, and will still need a stb if the cable service is digital. There is one exception, the new S3 Tivo unit, which uses cablecards, and can record in HD. I do not know if the cable service on STX is digital, offers HD, and/or has cablecards available.

DirecTv used to use tivo in its dvrs, but switched to its own service. The cable company on STX may also have a dvr available for use as well. Granted, most people familiar with Tivo find that other dvrs just aren't the same, but I have found it is better than nothing.

There is no HDTV in the VI. Given the poor condition of the local cable company's plant (Innovative) , HDTV will not be available any time soon. In order to offer HDTV the plant would have to be completely rebuilt. This would be a three to five year project. Since Innovative is in bankruptcy spending $300 million isn't in the cards.

Even if the present owners of Innovative can connive some way to get the VI government or the government employees to buy the cable and telephone system the VI government doesn't have the money to rebuild the system nor given the economics of the CATV industry and the government's debt load would any rational lender loan them the money for a rebuild.

The only hope for HDTV in the VI is continuing improvements in satellite technology.

TIVO does have a channel line up for Innovative so you can set you TIVO to work using infra red blasters on Innovative's obsolete digital cable boxes.

Jim

with dish..if you have 2 satellite dishes you can receive 14 HD channels....but soon you will have 130 HD channels available...soon ?......I only have 1 dish so only have 4 HD channels......but with my dvr it works out well

Thanks for the respones. Does the local radio shack on St. Croix sell Tivo?

No TIVO at Radio Shack.

Have you checked at Tivo's website to see if you can order one from there for delivery to STX? I have purchased a couple of units in the past directly from there (for delivery to Ky).

Yes, I tried the Tivo website, but they won't ship here. I finally ordered from Circuit City in the states and am having it shipped here for only $11.00! I thought that was pretty good.

But if you have a direct TV satellite, won't they be carrying a ton of HD stations?? and also have dvr capability. I don't know much about Tivo and how it might differ from dvr capability with service providers. Can you get Direct satellite from suppliers in STX or is it better to ship it down?

Maybe you can just go the "low tech" route and videotape the shows you might want to watch later. I don't watch much tv to start with, I admit, but some of the latest technology is going to be a while yet coming to the islands. That's one of the attractions!