Tivo series 1 questions...HELP....?

This seems to be the definitive word from TiVo. http://support.tivo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/306 You might want to look into a DVD recorder (which records on DVD discs, not hard drives) with a digital tuner as an alternative. Also, if you can find a Toshiba SD-H400 DVD/TiVo unit on eBay, that one does not require a subscription and can be linked to a converter box for OTA reception, as noted here: http://is.gd/3DQMw That one supports a free service called TiVo Basic that provides 3 days of program listings, but no advanced features like Season Pass.

Some points to know, which I think will answer your questions. A Series 1 supports only one source at a time. While they do support antenna, they do not support antenna with box, at least directly like most Series 2 models. Series 2 Single tuner models support only one source at a time. Except for the Series 2 DT or the rare "542" model, all Series 2s support antenna with most CECB converter boxes. The Series 2 DT can record from two sources, if one is cable. It does not support antenna at all, directly or with box. The HD models support analog and digital antenna directly, and with dual tuners. Two watch a second channel while a Series 1/2 is recording from a converter box or otherwise, requires you feed the antenna signal directly to your TV, with another converter box if needed. Apart from most Series 1s, and Toshiba and Pioneer DVD combo models, all TiVos require subscription. The Series 1s manufactured before October 2001 are generally the models that do not require a sub. I recommend you look for the Philips branded units, if you want to be sure to get a no-sub Series 1 TiVo. They are more plentiful, plus the remotes are easier to come by, and can use the more plentiful Series 2 Peanut remote. I recommend you get though, a Series 2 single tuner with product Lifetime, which might cost $100 to $150. Plan on buying a new HDD for it, as well as a UPS.