Directv DVR

[panerd]

So I have had a Directv/Tivo for over a year and came to find out that you could add additional DVR boxes for no additional monthly charge. I thought what the hell, why not add one to my downstairs so that I can watch movies etc while I am hanging out down there. So I bought one of Directv's new non-tivo boxes figuring it probably wouldn't match my Tivo's qulaity, but it would certainly be similar to our local cable's "Moxi" box. Well, who the fuck designed this piece of shit? It is like they took every decent feature and timesaver from the Tivo version and replaced them with some flashy graphics. Does Tivo have a copyright on logical recording menus? Are there any new features I am missing or did Directv just go to a local community college electronics class and give the class an assignment to design their new DVR box?

[Eaglesfan27]

If you have the R-15 (I believe it is R-15) model, it will mess up a lot as well and lose shows. At least, 2 of mine have..

However, my HD-DVR box has performed like a champ (of course it is a TIVO version.)

Just double checked, and it is the R15.

[Draft Dodger]

it's amazing how lousy it is. it's loud, very slow to respond, and has just about the most confusing interface I've seen outside of SI's website (*rimshot*).

our main TV has the DirecTV Tivo. our bedroom has the new pos. luckily, we don't need to use that one for much more than simple channel surfing at bedtime. if the Tivo one downstairs goes, I think I'm just going to stop watching TV altogether.

funny anecdote: a couple weeks ago, I had to call DTV for a repair issue (which was a story all to itself, albeit for another time). While talking to the rep, I happened to mention how much the new R15s are a piece of crap compared to the old Tivo versions. She was either a great actress or was legitimately SHOCKED to hear that, as I was, literally, the FIRST PERSON who she had heard from that preferred the Tivo version. (yeah, she was a great actress).

[saldana]

the r15s SUCK... i am on my 3rd one since christmas, and it just died for no reason sunday night, so i have to trade it in again....i have just about had it with directv...if it werent for the fact that my house is totally set up for satellite (i dont even have normal cable lines run) i would probably have packed them up by now

[Eaglesfan27]

If my most recent R15 dies again, I'm demanding a different model. Trust me, that rep was an actress. It's all over various boards how bad the R15 is. I only realized that after my first one died.. My rep was a great actress too.

[panerd]

Originally Posted by saldana

the r15s SUCK... i am on my 3rd one since christmas, and it just died for no reason sunday night, so i have to trade it in again....i have just about had it with directv...if it werent for the fact that my house is totally set up for satellite (i dont even have normal cable lines run) i would probably have packed them up by now

Not sure I understand the cable lines part. Except for running the cable into your house you should be able to use all of your current lines for either Directv or cable.

Sunday Ticket is what has me. I don't really have a problem with Directv, but I have two or three places (my computer room, my bar, a workout area) where it would be nice to have a tv set but I am not going to shell out another $6 mirroring fee in any of those places.

[saldana]

Originally Posted by panerd

Not sure I understand the cable lines part. Except for running the cable into your house you should be able to use all of your current lines for either Directv or cable.

Sunday Ticket is what has me. I don't really have a problem with Directv, but I have two or three places (my computer room, my bar, a workout area) where it would be nice to have a tv set but I am not going to shell out another $6 mirroring fee in any of those places.

should have been more clear...i dont have a cable line coming off the pole or one of their little boxes on the outside of my house

[panerd]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

it's amazing how lousy it is. it's loud, very slow to respond, and has just about the most confusing interface I've seen outside of SI's website (*rimshot*).

.

Yeah I thought that I might just be used to Tivo or the Moxi interface, but this directv dvr just doesn't make sense. I wonder if they agreed to not make their menu system similar when they broke off their connection with Tivo or if they actually thought what they have now is easier to navigate. I think the only feature that is an improvement is the length of time you can rewind a live tv show as compared to Tivo. But I have no idea what the 4 colored buttons purpose is half the time.

[Eaglesfan27]

Speaking of the devil, my R15 died yet again tonight. After speaking for over an hour and going up the chain to two different supervisors, I got them to waive the 1 HD-DVR per household policy. Now, I'll be getting my R15 upgraded to a HR10-250 (which has worked great for me, and I'm glad to have two HD-DVR's.)

[Hammer755]

I have the Dish Network dual-DVR and love it. You can either hook both lines up to one TV and be able to watch one show while recording another, or you can split the single DVR to two TV's and be able to watch & record the same shows on both televisions (this is what we do).

One of my buddies has DirectTV with a TiVO, and, while the TIVO UI is fantastic, mine holds more than twice as much programming and I didn't have to buy the box. I also have a friend with DigiCable, and the Dish blows it away by miles in pretty much every facet.

The only thing that I really don't like about Dish (other than not having Sunday Ticket) is that they don't offer a free HD-DVR option. I don't have an HDTV just yet, so it's not a huge deal right now, but you either have to choose an HD box, a DVR, or pay out the nose for the combo unit.

[Cuckoo]

I've had the R15 for several months now. While I've had some minor issues with it, there hasn't been anything major yet. But after reading this thread, I'm now worried.

[cuervo72]

Like DD, I called up to try to get an R-10 (tivo), having heard that the R-15 is a piece of dung. The csr seemed indignant at that thought, and wanted to know what I'd be missing *specifically* in not getting a TiVo enabled box (I found a list later (hxxp://www.wkblog.com/2005/12/the_weaknees_r10_r15_compariso.html).

I wona SD-DVR40 off of eBay instead, and plan to hook that up to our main TV. We have a couple HDVR2's already, though the main one is starting to pixleate on the second tuner. I plan to move that upstairs (where we only have one feed anyway) and replace it with this one.

Daimyo relayed that he got an R-10 as a replacement for his in-laws, but when I asked about that the csr was steadfast in saying that was not possible, that all they had were R-15's. She wished me good luck with finding a DirecTiVo elsewhere.

[Eaglesfan27]

I asked about getting an R10 and was told that was impossible. Then again, I was told it was impossible to get a 2nd HR10-250 as well, until I got up to my 3rd level of supervisors.

The 2nd HR10-250 is supposed to be connected early next week (as long as it is in time for Football season, I will be happy.) With Sunday Ticket, I plan on taping and watching at least 5 or 6 football games per week.

[Subby]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

Speaking of the devil, my R15 died yet again tonight. After speaking for over an hour and going up the chain to two different supervisors, I got them to waive the 1 HD-DVR per household policy. Now, I'll be getting my R15 upgraded to a HR10-250 (which has worked great for me, and I'm glad to have two HD-DVR's.)

EF - are you still getting your locals via the antenna? How is that working with the DVR?

[cuervo72]

Oh, and regarding the space issue...it's pretty trivial to upgrade space on one of the TiVo boxes, but from what I understand that isn't an option on the R-15. You're stuck with what you got (which is more to start out with, granted...but the R-15 is in no way upgradable/hackable. Though I haven't hacked any of our boxes themselves anyway, though if the pixleation problem is actually a HD one, I'll gladly swap in a new HD for it).

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by Subby

EF - are you still getting your locals via the antenna? How is that working with the DVR?

I'm getting local non-HD channels via DirectV's main signal right now. I'm considering adding an antenna (however, our neighborhood association has a lot of rules about what can be in the yard, attached to the house, etc.) for HD Local channel access which is possible with the HR10-250 (it has 2 different inputs for an antenna.)

[Subby]

Ok - so if I switch to HD and opt to not have an antenna I can still get local channels via that signal? They just wont be in HD...right?

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by Subby

Ok - so if I switch to HD and opt to not have an antenna I can still get local channels via that signal? They just wont be in HD...right?

I'm confused.. My future in-laws in Springfield have the local channels in HD via the satellite...

[Eaglesfan27]

My understanding from DirecTV's site is that most markets have local channels via the satellite, and that a fair percentage of markets have local channels in HD from the satellite. They also have a list of cities that have had or will be getting HD local channels in the next few months. I believe Springfield is on that list. Unfortunately, I don't see Baton Rouge on the list yet. I'm guessing that Baton Rouge will be added in the next year, which is why I'll probably just hold off on getting an antenna and fighting that battle with my neighborhood association.

[Subby]

Yeah - the issue is that they don't have an HD-DVR that does locals...

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by Subby

Yeah - the issue is that they don't have an HD-DVR that does locals...

However, you can still get local channels, just not in HD, I believe. We definitely get local non-HD channels despite having the HD-DVR on the TV.

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by Subby

Yeah - the issue is that they don't have an HD-DVR that does locals...

ahhhhhhhhh.. .well, that makes no sense whatsoever...

I know that my twin brother who lives in Logan Circle in DC uses an antennae for HD Locals and has an HD-DirecTivo fwiw...

[lordscarlet]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

I'm getting local non-HD channels via DirectV's main signal right now. I'm considering adding an antenna (however, our neighborhood association has a lot of rules about what can be in the yard, attached to the house, etc.) for HD Local channel access which is possible with the HR10-250 (it has 2 different inputs for an antenna.)

What most people do is put the antenna in their attic. It works fine and doesn't ugly things up outside.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by lordscarlet

What most people do is put the antenna in their attic. It works fine and doesn't ugly things up outside.

Thanks for the info! I thought it had to be outside for it to work.

[lordscarlet]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

Thanks for the info! I thought it had to be outside for it to work.

I'm on the first floor, in the city, with glorified bunny ears, and it works. Passing through one wall shouldn't be a problem. (Granted, the glorified bunny ears probably wouldn't work as well for people that aren't within 2 miles of all the broadcast towers)

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

Thanks for the info! I thought it had to be outside for it to work.

I thought they made an antenna that mounted right onto the satellite dish as well, at some point. Maybe you could also install that one, as it wouldn't seem to be much different from the dish that's already there.

[Bee]

Originally Posted by wade moore

ahhhhhhhhh.. .well, that makes no sense whatsoever...

I know that my twin brother who lives in Logan Circle in DC uses an antennae for HD Locals and has an HD-DirecTivo fwiw...

That's interesting. When I looked into it a year or so ago I was told the same thing as Subby, that Directv didn't offer an HD-Tivo. That's why I stuck with Cox since they offer a HD-DVR. If Directv now offers a HD-Tivo, that might get me to switch.

[Ksyrup]

We tried to do the antenna for local HD and it didn't work. It is a grill-looking thing that mounts right on the main satellite base. The guy who installed it told me if it didn't work, he wouldn't charge me for it. Then, of course, I got charged, and when I bitched to DTV, they read me the standard disclaimer about how they don't guarantee a signal. But I made clear to them that the installer gave me the option, and had I known I was stuck with it if it didn't work, I would have told him no. So they refunded the charge and I've still got the (useless) antenna.

The funny thing is, AFTER he installed the damn thing and found that it didn't work, he pulled out the 2-inch antenna that comes with the until and screws onto the back of the DTV receiver. And we get 3 of the 6 channels in HD that we wanted. So you might want to try that option as well, because you might end up with better reception than with the add-on antenna. I get ESPNHD, the Sunday Ticket HD package, and local NBC in HD, so I'm happy with that.

[lordscarlet]

Originally Posted by Bee

That's interesting. When I looked into it a year or so ago I was told the same thing as Subby, that Directv didn't offer an HD-Tivo. That's why I stuck with Cox since they offer a HD-DVR. If Directv now offers a HD-Tivo, that might get me to switch.

I have had my DirecTV HD Tivo since April of 2005. It wasn't brand-new then. You have to do research outside of the moron people on the phone.

hxxp://directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPage.jsp?assetId=900025

[marshall881]

I live about 45 miles outside of Nashville and have a Digital Antenna in my attic.
It picks up all of my locals just fine.
It is a Terk unit that is a 2'-6" square grey plastic box. It just sits in the attic and works great.

[marshall881]

I live about 45 miles outside of Nashville and have a Digital Antenna in my attic.
It picks up all of my locals just fine.
It is a Terk unit that is a 2'-6" square grey plastic box. It just sits in the attic and works great.

[Bee]

Originally Posted by lordscarlet

I have had my DirecTV HD Tivo since April of 2005. It wasn't brand-new then. You have to do research outside of the moron people on the phone.

hxxp://directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPage.jsp?assetId=900025

Sorry I misread wade's post. I thought he said his brother was getting the HD local channels through Directv vs an antennae. I know you can do it with an antennae but I wanted the local HD channels using the HD Tivo without the antennae. I'm assuming that's what Subby was looking at as well.

[cuervo72]

I think you have a problem with a signal repeater.

[Subby]

Originally Posted by Bee

Sorry I misread wade's post. I thought he said his brother was getting the HD local channels through Directv vs an antennae. I know you can do it with an antennae but I wanted the local HD channels using the HD Tivo without the antennae. I'm assuming that's what Subby was looking at as well.

Yeah exactly. Apparently they are debuting the unit in the LA area this month - so I guess it is going to make its way here eventually...

[saldana]

i do get my hd locals through my dish, without any extra antenna...i had to get an enourmous 5 lnb dish mounted on my roof to do it with, and as far as i know, there is still the issue with the HR10/250 not being able to pick them up. last time i talked to the dummies at DTV about it, they said the model would be out this summer...maybe thats what you were talking about being in the LA market, Subby?

[saldana]

dola, the dish i have is probably 2x the size of the oval 3 lnb dishes

[Subby]

saldana - yeah - the issue is not being able to do HD locals with a HD compatible DVR. the unit that can do that is being tested in LA starting this month

[lordscarlet]

OK. Here's the deal. You can get an HD Tivo through DirecTV only (for now). You can get HD locals over the satelite only with a non-DVR reciever (for now). You will never, as far as has been announced, be able to get a Tivo that gets local HDs over the satelite. There will be an HD-DVR with the same OS as the R15 that can pick up local HD signals from the satelite.

The Tivo Series 3 will do HD and have dual tuners, and it is scheduled for the fall. It will probably bring a lot of people back to cable that went to DirecTV for it's version of the Tivo box. If it weren't for Sunday Ticket, there'd probably be a lot more people that switched back as well. I will have to face the dilemna when the Series 3 comes out.

[Eaglesfan27]

Thanks to info in this thread, I just did some research (not sure why I didn't do it over the last few months) but according to antennaweb.org's site and a few other places that I read, and based on the environment around my place, I think a good size indoor antenna should work well for my Local HD needs. I just bought it from Bestbuy and will pick it up tomorrow.

[saldana]

Originally Posted by Subby

saldana - yeah - the issue is not being able to do HD locals with a HD compatible DVR. the unit that can do that is being tested in LA starting this month

so i just called the dummies at DTV and got two tidibits i thought i would share.

1. i asked about the HDDVR that could record local networks through the dish, and the girl told me it is now available...$399...model number is HR20-700. i did some googling and this is what i found as far as spec go.

Here is a brief summary of the HR20 features

-) High Definition TV Output (via HDMI and Component)
-) 2 Sets of RCA (Red/White/Yellow Outputs) - 1 S-Video
-) 1 Optical Digital Output
-) Dual SAT Tuners
-) Dual ATSC Tuners (functionality is disabled at this time, see notes later in the review)
-) Wired RJ-45 Ethernet Port
-) External SATA Connection
-) 300gb SATA Internal Hard Drive
-) RF Remote Compatible with the Included RC24, and the soon to be released RC32RF

Estimated Recording Space (Not a cumulative value)
~ 30 Hours of MPEG-2 (OTA) HD
~ 50 Hours of MPEG-4 HD
~ 200 Hours of Standard Definition (SD)

Unit was manufactured by PACE
The Official Model Number: HR20-700

2. the original reason for my call was actually to cancel sunday ticket...the guy asked me why and i told him that the Superfan upgrade kind of had me pissed off, and since i had HD now, i would just watch the games that Fox broadcasts in HD each week, regardless of who was playing.

his response - what if i give you the superfan upgrade for free? i still said not thanks.

his 2nd response - what if i give you the superfan upgrade and 4 months of your HD package for free? so i went from cancelling my 209$ subscription to sunday ticket to getting 140$ of programming for free.....now i can watch my niners go 3-13 in HD!!!

back to point 1....i plan on calling about the HR20-700 later on, since my shitty R10 is currently dead, and i need a new DVR.

[saldana]

dola,

link to a serious review...the guy literally took the entire machine apart, pictures of external and internal so you can check out the hookups and moddablitly.

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=61862

[Eaglesfan27]

Thanks again for the information in this thread. I bought a small indoor HDTV Amplified Antenna today, and it works great for HD Local ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and (I think) UPN. It also gets PBS' HD Local Channel, although that breaks up periodically. Speaking of which, how does PBS afford HD broadcasting equipment if they are always so broke? Anyway, even if a box with local HDTV comes out that can record, I'll keep the antenna as I've read that it should still get a signal even in storms unlike the satellite at times.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by saldana

his 2nd response - what if i give you the superfan upgrade and 4 months of your HD package for free? so i went from cancelling my 209$ subscription to sunday ticket to getting 140$ of programming for free.....now i can watch my niners go 3-13 in HD!!!

I feel kind of stupid now for paying for NFL Ticket and the Superfan upgrade

[saldana]

double dola,

at the top of the thread i linked to above, there is a link to a discussion of the review Earl gave...one thing there is alot of talking about is that the ATSC tuners are disabled right now, so if you are getting HD Locals from OTA, you cant record them...if you get them from your dish, you are golden.

[Eaglesfan27]

Ok, I just re-plugged the antenna into the HR10-250 instead of directly into the TV (which has a built-in HDTV Tuner itself) and now the local HDTV channels are integrated seemlessly into my Tuner Guide and I can tune to them via the HD-DVR Box. Also, I thought I wouldn't be able to record the local HDTV channels, but they record just fine. I just recorded a stunning looking HD Nature show on PBS just to see how it worked.

[saldana]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

Ok, I just re-plugged the antenna into the HR10-250 instead of directly into the TV (which has a built-in HDTV Tuner itself) and now the local HDTV channels are integrated seemlessly into my Tuner Guide and I can tune to them via the HD-DVR Box. Also, I thought I wouldn't be able to record the local HDTV channels, but they record just fine. I just recorded a stunning looking HD Nature show on PBS just to see how it worked.

now i feel kind of stupid for not having done this 8 months ago.

[Eaglesfan27]

After you plug the antenna into the HR10-250, you'll have to re-run the setup if your stupid technician set the box to just use satellite and not use the antenna too. I thought for a few minutes that my antenna wasn't going to work with the box, until I re-ran the guided setup to make it use the antenna input as well as the satellite input. Once I did that, the integration really was/is seemless.

[Eaglesfan27]

Do local HDTV channels generally broadcast with a stronger or weaker signal at night? I'm pretty sure AM stations broadcast stronger at night and thought if anything HDTV would as well, but while NBC has come in strong all day, it is now pixelating occasionally (a second or two every 3-4 minutes) since I've started watching Sunday Night Football.

[ausonny]

Also for those who have the HR10-250 and haven't heard, the 6.3 update is finally coming, the CS reps are saying September 6, so give at least till November.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by ausonny

Also for those who have the HR10-250 and haven't heard, the 6.3 update is finally coming, the CS reps are saying September 6, so give at least till November.

Searching on the DirectV and Satelitte boards, I'm having a hard time figuring out what the 6.3 does exactly. Do you have a good link or can tell me what 6.3 will do?