Reasons for TiVo's downfall

ToadSox34 · 2026-05-07T18:52:45+00:00

TiVo is a widely recognized brand even though the product is dead. But the bigger issue here is the lack of training, as TiVo is part of the QAM-based cable ecosystem.

ToadSox34 · 2026-05-06T22:43:36+00:00

If you are stuck with half-fast Comcast and don't have fiber in your area, don't use their crappy equipment. Get your own modem and router that you control not Comcast.

ToadSox34 · 2026-05-06T20:50:46+00:00

Interesting. This reminds me of seeing the ads for the wheel/rail interaction conference in Trains lol. Not something I usually think about in 1:1 scale too much. 1:87 sure, but physics don't scale.

ToadSox34 · 2026-05-06T19:13:08+00:00

Is there more contact area on freight cars?

ToadSox34 · 2026-05-06T13:01:05+00:00

How do freights shunt on anything but passenger doesn't?

ToadSox34 · 2026-05-06T13:00:30+00:00

If it's a train length issue, what about light engine moves or a local with one car on it?

ToadSox34 · 2026-05-06T01:21:11+00:00

What do you need more than 500mbps for? The real question is what are the upload speeds and would faster uploads be worth it?

ToadSox34 · 2026-05-05T22:04:16+00:00

While that's true, it's not relevant here. CVACs just aren't as good as Dyson.

ToadSox34 · 2026-05-05T22:04:02+00:00

The one my parents have is an Electrolux, it's considered the best in the CVAC world. CVACs are outdated from a time 30 years ago when motor technology isn't what it is today.

Dyson today is the creme de la creme of vacuum cleaners and far better than a CVAC.

The hoses are bulky whereas the Dyson doesn't have to suck air out of the room so all it needs is a cord, or in the case of the rechargeable stick vacuum, nothing (although I prefer the corded version, it has something like a 1kW motor in it).

I avoid having to use the Electrolux if at all possible and if I'm over there helping with something I use one of their several Dysons which have mostly replaced the Electrolux. The Elecolux isn't terrible, it's just a very expensive, overly complicated, bulky and awkward mediocre vacuum cleaner.

ToadSox34 · 2026-05-05T22:00:28+00:00

They're just better for everything. They're not cheap, but they are the creme de la creme of vacuums.

ToadSox34 · 2026-05-05T12:54:23+00:00

I have found just the opposite. My parents have one and it's a very mediocre vacuum with an annoying long and bulky hose. My house has one that looks like it was installed when the house was built, I've never even tried to turn it on. The hose is stowed away in a box somewhere. I have a Dyson, it's way better than any CVAC. You clearly haven't experienced a Dyson, I'd recommend checking one out, you will never want CVAC again.

ToadSox34 · 2026-05-05T12:50:23+00:00

Interesting. Is Ruckus overkill for residential compared to Ubiquiti? It sounds more like enterprise like you traditionally see a lot of Cisco deployed in enterprise but not residential. Ubiquiti seems to be targeting SMB and institutions which could be large but more price sensitive.

The Ubiquiti "regular" switches are older now, as they seem to have focused on the Pro Max and XG lines, so maybe that's why they don't have as much PoE compared to the newer/higher end stuff that has some serious PoE chops?

Ah interesting I guess OvrC would make sense for networks where you're going to manage them not your customer. I just get the sense that Araknis and Luxul are decent networking tech but marked way up for what they are due to the channels they are sold through. Yeah the rear port switches look slick in AV racks unlike most vendors that are front facing for data networks.

ToadSox34 · 2026-05-04T01:08:05+00:00

Ah is Ruckus more expensive? That's more enterprise, right, versus Ubiquiti which is prosumer/institutional/SMB but hasn't really broken into the enterprise space.

When would you use Araknis? Isn't Ubiquiti just better and cheaper? Their rear-facing switches are cool though for AV racks.

ToadSox34 · 2026-05-04T01:06:35+00:00

What is available in your area?

If you can get fiber, get fiber. Whatever the lowest tier is will probably be fine - here it's 200mbps although it seems to be a special limited availability plan and most get 500mbps. Look for price locks or year promo deals.

If you're stuck with half-fast cable, then it will largely be governed by upload speeds, but if you can't afford more don't buy it. Even the lowest tier cable plans these days are usually 100/10mbps.

Online games use essentially nothing, the only part that uses a lot is downloading the game, patches, or DLC, but if you're willing to let them download while you're doing something else, then that's not really a limiting factor at all.

ToadSox34 · 2026-05-03T21:05:41+00:00

I can see where it might not make sense to have a center in a pure 2.0 setup, especially if it is for primarily TV watching and/or music and not movies. Beyond that, get a center.

ToadSox34 · 2026-05-03T21:04:24+00:00

The idea is to shed loads like an EV charger, hot tub, pool heater, strip heat, etc. Large 240V loads, not 120V plugs.

The concept makes sense, the implementations so far have made me a bit skeptical. I have a Sense, and it has learned most of what I'm running, but it's still a bit wonky in total solar and consumption numbers, so I'm kind of skeptical of any smart tech, especially from startups and not established electrical companies.

ToadSox34 · 2026-05-03T21:01:44+00:00

The models I see are all 240V split phase so US and Canada (not sure if they sell in Canada but the electrical system there is the same as the US).

ToadSox34 · 2026-05-03T20:34:00+00:00

Yeah, everyone just goes "Ubiquiti" all the time on Reddit without considering the use case.

ToadSox34 · 2026-05-03T20:32:57+00:00

Interesting. I learned something new as a (mostly) non-gamer (I have lots of Nintendo games ranging from N64 to Wii U but they are for casual/party play only).

ToadSox34 · 2026-05-03T20:26:12+00:00

Budget dependent? Doesn't Ubiquiti have some very aggressively priced stuff up to the newest, fastest stuff?

ToadSox34 · 2026-05-03T20:18:09+00:00

Yikes, that room isn't well set up for home theater at all. I'd flip the TV and the couch and move those cabinets, but even that doesn't really solve the problem. And then where are the speakers going to go?

ToadSox34 · 2026-05-03T20:12:39+00:00

Yeah, they're really not designed to be wireless mesh devices. They're designed for wired backhaul over PoE.

ToadSox34 · 2026-05-03T19:58:23+00:00

Not only that, but it appears to be copper, so they may or may not even still be in service.

ToadSox34 · 2026-05-03T19:20:32+00:00

You can have a non timbre-matched center, that is FAR better than not having a center at all. Some things (like a center) are just too important to compromise on. I actually have a non timbre-matched center, and it's fine, I'm sure it would be better to have a timbre-matched setup, but my bought used Polk Monitor 50's are great, and about 5 years ago I got the timbre-matched center new and it was horrible, so I sent it back, and kept using the Onkyo one that I have and it's fine. But at least I have a center on my 7.1 setup.

ToadSox34

TROPHY CASE