I feel completely inept and dumb, and several hours of the Googles have only sharpened my sense

I have Comcast high speed internet and their "basic cable" option (cheapest way to get their fastest internet).

I don't watch much tv, but am finding that there are a few shows on HBO and Comedy Central, e.g., that I would like to be able to watch.

Was looking at a used Tivo on local CL, but am feeling completely stupid:

a) If I got a Tivo and wanted to "tape" (that dates me, doesn't it?) a few shows, can I do that simply through a Tivo subscription or do I also have to subscribe to those shows on Comcast itself?

b) I see that Tivo wants (needs?) a phone line. I have VOIP (Ooma) and no phone line anywhere near the router/Ooma box.

Open to any other suggestions, given my modest DVR'ing needs

1) Yes, TiVo can only record what your cable provides you. Current generation TiVo's use CableCard, and will replace your Comcast cable box. Old (2-3 generations ago) TiVo's use an IR blaster to control your cable box and record what it spits out.

2) Only the really, really old TiVo's need a phone line. Anything 6-7 years and newer will be able to do Ethernet.

Bottom line - you'll need a TiVo, a cablebox, a Comcast subscription AND a TiVo subscription.

I'd recommend asking what kind of DVR deal Comcast has for you, or getting a new generation TiVo (like a Premiere) or old Series 3, then replacing your cablebox with TiVo and CableCard (which Comcast will provide you).

If you don't want to switch your comcast box (or if you potentially want to quit cable): some Tivos will record over the air (OTA) signals, newer ones won't record OTA but they will play web content (like Hulu, Netflix, Amazon, etc). In either case you'll still need pay for the Tivo subscription to make them go.

Did you look at this page? http://www.tivo.com/products/tivo-wa...ugh/index.html

Get one of these: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Magnavox-H...320GB/20710260

No subscription required.

There are a few considerations here that others have touched on but I want to lay it out a little more cleanly hopefully.

First and foremost, you have to subscribe to the channels that contain the programing you want to watch from Comcast. For example, if you just have basic cable, a TiVo won't get you HBO, you have to get HBO from Comcast to start.

Second, when you buy a TiVo, unless it is an odd duckling with lifetime service, it will not have the service/subscription component required to let it operate correctly. This costs about $20/month, give or take, depending how long you lock in for. Any new TiVo (series 2 or higher) will connect to this service via ethernet, no phone required.

Third, most Comcast premium cable channels these days are encrypted. This means that you will most likely need a cable card compatible TiVo, (required if you want HD). I am not sure how you get your cable right now, but my guess is you probably plug it straight into your TV. This CableCard will cost extra to rent each month from Comcast ($2-8/month).

This leads me to my final point as ScottC alluded to, my guess is the best bet is to go the cable company DVR route (ie a cable company set-top box that records shows). It is probably the most straightforward option, you don't have to mess with CableCards, you don't have to worry about another bill from TiVo and if something is not working there is only one number you have to call (although you would have to talk to Comcast, so I am not so sure that is the best consolation). The price is very competitive with the cost of the TiVo service and I wouldn't be surprised if it is even cheaper. Plus you would get video on demand built right in (not available except on the latest TiVo boxes).

Alright. My thanks to you both. I think, though, I may ought to try going to the local Comcast "Service" Center. There are no options that I like at all for adding such online through my account, and I dread talking on the phone to the Scripted CSRs

Yes, I did, thank you. But it doesn't that I can see answer my stupid question: Do you need to subscribe to the content you want to watch via your cable company before you can actually subscribe for recording via Tivo. Maybe it's an exceedingly dumb question, but if one simply reads the Tivo advertising copy it would never occur to anyone who doesn't know much about the subject (:raiseshand: ) that the Tivo subscriptions aren't enough by themselves -- in fact the ad copy goes out of its way to make it sound like ALL you need is Tivo.

I think you didn't click deep enough - a lot of your questions are answered here:

http://www.tivo.com/products/tivo-wa...ble/index.html

Thanks, Scott.

It still doesn't strike me as quite enough

to answer the incredibly basic/stupid questions I had about whether you can get specific Tivo content if you're not subscribed to that content on Comcast. "Keeping my service" is one thing; having to know that I also have to subscribe to, e.g., Comedy Central on Comcast before being able to get it via Tivo is another.

But I'll keep clicking and reading more and appreciate the follow-up. And clearly I have so little concept of how this all works that maybe I'm a pretty hopeless case

Your cable box is nothing but a way to display your cable SERVICE. You have cable SERVICE, your TiVo (or Comcast DVR) can display the cable PROGRAMS you subscribe to. A TiVo won't get you Comcast channels you don't subscribe to.

Think of a Tivo as a fancy VCR - anything you could turn on your television and watch, it can record. It can't record anything from channels you don't "get" on your tv.

Keep in mind, the in-person service centers and the phone reps use entirely separate pricing models. It can be a very frustrating experience since, for example, a phone rep will tell you to "just stop in" and the service center rep will have zero visibility to the pricing that was offered on the phone. (And there is a third pricing model - "authorized resellers", who can develop their own pricing models, depending on the margin they want.)

After having extensive experience trying to figure out the best deals in this thoroughly opaque situation, I've found the best route is to call and negotiate with a US rep on the phone. They ARE allowed to negotiate with you beyond the script, if you can patiently lead them in that direction. Usually takes about a half hour and their discounted offers last 6-12 months.

Relevant to a DVR, the phone rep can offer a package deal with cable + internet + DVR service + HBO with a net total price lower than anything you'll see publicly advertised, if the rep decides you're worth the trouble.

EDIT: Specifically, the phone reps have a large database of pricing scenarios (which combinations of elements, timeframes, bundles, etc.)... most of these are not easily available in any one place to the public. But if the rep wants to, he/she can sort thru them, one at a time, trying to find all of the elements of the service you want and compare each of the pricing scenarios.

Speaking of 3rd party resellers I have found the Best Buy connection center reps to have some of the best deals around. I got my connection from my PHL area best buy whose monthly plans were significantly lower than those you could get from the website. Might be worth giving it a shot.

Cut the cord! Buy what you want when they come out on BluRay!

Do you get HBO and Comedy Central now?

If you don't watch a lot of TV, I don't know that either a Tivo or a Comcast DVR will be worth the money. Especially if you have to add HBO and a higher tier of programming to get Comedy Central.

I've had a number of Tivos over the years and love them. Besides the ergonomics, I get the pleasure of knowing that it's what little I can do to express my disdain for cable tv companies.

If you do go the Tivo route, I recommend buying one with a lifetime subscription on eBay. You'll be able to try it out and it will sell for what you paid for it if you ever decided to get rid of it.

Another option is the On Demand feature you already have on comcast. Go to the comedy central channel On Demand and watch The Daily Show, Colbert, South Park and others whenever you want without any other equipment. They don't have all shows, but a pretty complete lineup.

Like Scott said, You'll need to pay Comcast (for the TV signal) and Tivo (for the fancy recording features).

Since it sounds like you're sticking with comcast, like Scott said: get their DVR, it'll be cheaper.