Getting ready to upgrade from my Tivo/Directv to HD-DVR 5 LNB system. I have read some complaints / bad reviews about the HD-DVR and want to know if anyone has one.
I'm going to high def anyway, just may look at other options for recording if this unit is that bad (media pc or stand alone Tivo)
Thanks
To remove first post, remove entire topic.
Getting ready to upgrade from my Tivo/Directv to HD-DVR 5 LNB system. I have read some complaints / bad reviews about the HD-DVR and want to know if anyone has one.
I'm going to high def anyway, just may look at other options for recording if this unit is that bad (media pc or stand alone Tivo)
Well I ordered it anyway - if it sucks I'll just find another DVR solution. Directv is supposed to be up to 150 HD channels by the 3rd qtr of 2007, and I would die without my Sunday Ticket and college football packages so it's not like I'd go to cable anyway. Really want to scope out the media pc solution though.
Well I ordered it anyway - if it sucks I'll just find another DVR solution. Directv is supposed to be up to 150 HD channels by the 3rd qtr of 2007, and I would die without my Sunday Ticket and college football packages so it's not like I'd go to cable anyway. Really want to scope out the media pc solution though.
i have one...its good...not many HD channels but the sunday ticket is in HD...also if u get an "off air antenna" i think u get tyour local channels stuff in HD
i have one...its good...not many HD channels but the sunday ticket is in HD...also if u get an "off air antenna" i think u get tyour local channels stuff in HD
Thanks NJDevils - Diretcv sells an antenna that goes on your dish, but I can't but it from them because they offer my stations in HD and will charge me instead of allowing me to get them free over the air. I think locals are part of the HD package price so no big deal.
I'm going from Tivo - how is the DVR in comparison to Tivo.
Really not happy about ditching Tivo, but from what I understand the new Sat's use mpeg4 and i need the Diretv receiver to take advantage of that.
Thanks NJDevils - Diretcv sells an antenna that goes on your dish, but I can't but it from them because they offer my stations in HD and will charge me instead of allowing me to get them free over the air. I think locals are part of the HD package price so no big deal.
I'm going from Tivo - how is the DVR in comparison to Tivo.
Really not happy about ditching Tivo, but from what I understand the new Sat's use mpeg4 and i need the Diretv receiver to take advantage of that.
Had it since Saturday, and it takes a bit of getting used to after having Tivo for four years.
Some things are easier, some aren't. The picture is freaking awesome though - I have spent the last two weeks using an over the air antenna to get my high-def channels and this is much clearer & requires no fine tuning. Many more channels will be in high def in the next 6 months (saying 150) so I think this is the way to go.
Recommend
Had it since Saturday, and it takes a bit of getting used to after having Tivo for four years.
Some things are easier, some aren't. The picture is freaking awesome though - I have spent the last two weeks using an over the air antenna to get my high-def channels and this is much clearer & requires no fine tuning. Many more channels will be in high def in the next 6 months (saying 150) so I think this is the way to go.
Had it since Saturday, and it takes a bit of getting used to after having Tivo for four years.
Some things are easier, some aren't. The picture is freaking awesome though - I have spent the last two weeks using an over the air antenna to get my high-def channels and this is much clearer & requires no fine tuning. Many more channels will be in high def in the next 6 months (saying 150) so I think this is the way to go.
Recommend
I find it surprising you'd say the DTV HD is clearer than the OTA signal........unless your OTA sig's were cutting out on you due to marginal signal strength. I get one OTA HD channel (FOX) & it's stellar..........minimal compression. I've been waiting to switch to the DTV HD because, rumor had it, my area was going to get the FIOS from verizon. Well, that's not going to happen any time soon, so I'm going to make the jump from SD to HD...........via Directv. I love the Tivo & hope the HR20 is as good........wish they'd put a bigger storage drive on it. Also, I wouldn't take the "150 HD chans" to heart. I think that figure includes the 4-5 HD chans for all the local markets they'll be serving, which obviously we'll not be seeing. I think 40-50 HD's is a more realistic number. Hope I'm wrong about that. So what are the big differences in the new HD-dvr vs. the Tivo?
Quote Originally Posted by 3rd_and_Long:
Had it since Saturday, and it takes a bit of getting used to after having Tivo for four years.
Some things are easier, some aren't. The picture is freaking awesome though - I have spent the last two weeks using an over the air antenna to get my high-def channels and this is much clearer & requires no fine tuning. Many more channels will be in high def in the next 6 months (saying 150) so I think this is the way to go.
Recommend
I find it surprising you'd say the DTV HD is clearer than the OTA signal........unless your OTA sig's were cutting out on you due to marginal signal strength. I get one OTA HD channel (FOX) & it's stellar..........minimal compression. I've been waiting to switch to the DTV HD because, rumor had it, my area was going to get the FIOS from verizon. Well, that's not going to happen any time soon, so I'm going to make the jump from SD to HD...........via Directv. I love the Tivo & hope the HR20 is as good........wish they'd put a bigger storage drive on it. Also, I wouldn't take the "150 HD chans" to heart. I think that figure includes the 4-5 HD chans for all the local markets they'll be serving, which obviously we'll not be seeing. I think 40-50 HD's is a more realistic number. Hope I'm wrong about that. So what are the big differences in the new HD-dvr vs. the Tivo?
Mugg - the biggest difference so far is the ability to swap tuners. I used to be able to put two channels on, and bounce between them - the buffering would basically allow me to watch two games at once without missing action - I could rewind if I missed a play (very useful during commercial breaks) Now you actually need to tape something to keep the two tuners going. I also preferred the tivo channel guide to this one. Just personal taste I guess.
I get my locals via DTV now in HD (Philly) and I'm sure they would be clearer if I had a roof antenna or a digital ota hd antenna, but they are very good via dtv. Adjusting rabbit ears is something I want to leave in the stone ages where it belongs. I had problems tuning Fox with my ota - but great picture with dtv.
I did experience about 1 minute of signal loss while taping two shows at the same time the other night - never had that happen with Tivo - picture just flaked out without bad weather.
ESPN, HBO & Discovery in HD
One strange thing with this setup - if I'm viewing via HDMI as opposed to component, the picture doesn't autosize on my tv (Samsung 4695) not much difference between the two, so I just use component - the receiver outputs whatever signal it is on its own (480, 720, 1080) and the tv accepts it correctly, but not in HDMI - I think it is an issue with my tv model.
I don't think the 150 accounts for local stations - I think they are just going to broadcast more & more other channels in HD as they become available including ppv (only one now - movies rotate)
I want FIOS too, badly, but I'm not holding my breath. Just took my internet & phone to Earthlink - 8.0 dsl & unlimited phone service for $70 month total. Love it (only available in select markets)
Mugg - the biggest difference so far is the ability to swap tuners. I used to be able to put two channels on, and bounce between them - the buffering would basically allow me to watch two games at once without missing action - I could rewind if I missed a play (very useful during commercial breaks) Now you actually need to tape something to keep the two tuners going. I also preferred the tivo channel guide to this one. Just personal taste I guess.
I get my locals via DTV now in HD (Philly) and I'm sure they would be clearer if I had a roof antenna or a digital ota hd antenna, but they are very good via dtv. Adjusting rabbit ears is something I want to leave in the stone ages where it belongs. I had problems tuning Fox with my ota - but great picture with dtv.
I did experience about 1 minute of signal loss while taping two shows at the same time the other night - never had that happen with Tivo - picture just flaked out without bad weather.
ESPN, HBO & Discovery in HD
One strange thing with this setup - if I'm viewing via HDMI as opposed to component, the picture doesn't autosize on my tv (Samsung 4695) not much difference between the two, so I just use component - the receiver outputs whatever signal it is on its own (480, 720, 1080) and the tv accepts it correctly, but not in HDMI - I think it is an issue with my tv model.
I don't think the 150 accounts for local stations - I think they are just going to broadcast more & more other channels in HD as they become available including ppv (only one now - movies rotate)
I want FIOS too, badly, but I'm not holding my breath. Just took my internet & phone to Earthlink - 8.0 dsl & unlimited phone service for $70 month total. Love it (only available in select markets)
Interesting...............my present Tivo (H10?) doesn't have auto buffering for two chans. If I leave one (w/o recording) I find the buffer cleared when I come back to it.
Funny you mention rabbit ears...........that's what I'm using to get the only OTA channel I can. I'm about 35-40 miles north of Seattle & the geography doesn't allow me to get the locals..........except the FOX affiliate, due to their odd placing of their transmission tower. Can get it with RE's........can't get anything else with a big antenna (w/o going to an extreme & pissing my neighbors off).
I don't have any equipment with HDMI yet. I've read about all the issues with it & it doesn't enthrall me yet. I have no problem running two cables, or not having auto-switching capabilities.
I've waited long enough. Now that I know DTV has gone solely to the Slimline dish, & that a good part of the new dvr issues are under control, it's time to make the jump.
Thanks for the info 3rd.
Interesting...............my present Tivo (H10?) doesn't have auto buffering for two chans. If I leave one (w/o recording) I find the buffer cleared when I come back to it.
Funny you mention rabbit ears...........that's what I'm using to get the only OTA channel I can. I'm about 35-40 miles north of Seattle & the geography doesn't allow me to get the locals..........except the FOX affiliate, due to their odd placing of their transmission tower. Can get it with RE's........can't get anything else with a big antenna (w/o going to an extreme & pissing my neighbors off).
I don't have any equipment with HDMI yet. I've read about all the issues with it & it doesn't enthrall me yet. I have no problem running two cables, or not having auto-switching capabilities.
I've waited long enough. Now that I know DTV has gone solely to the Slimline dish, & that a good part of the new dvr issues are under control, it's time to make the jump.
Hope you enjoy it - just got done watching Planet Earth that I dvr'd the other night from Discovery Channel - breathtaking.
And expect to wait about a month to get this installed - I think they are behind with the manufacturing of the boxes. Hope you wait less than I did. GL
Hope you enjoy it - just got done watching Planet Earth that I dvr'd the other night from Discovery Channel - breathtaking.
And expect to wait about a month to get this installed - I think they are behind with the manufacturing of the boxes. Hope you wait less than I did. GL
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