What to do to get DirecTV Hd

[aspen0]

Here is my situation.

I have the DirectTV HD DVR with Tivo upstairs. I have two complaints about it though.

1. No folders. Seriously, I need folders in my now playing. Will they ever update that software? I've called DTV to ask but they say now.

2. The controller does not work well anymore, and I'm pretty sure the problem is with the system, not the controller, since I've tried other controllers. I've also completely reset the Tivo and it hasn't helped.

Now downstairs I have an even bigger HDTV, but no HD programming for it yet. I'm tired of waiting for the Tivo Series 3. Plus, I know if I get the Directivo HDDVR they'll include my second tuner for free, whereas I imagine I'd have to pay for 2 DTV tuners if I got the Tivo series 3 and wanted to use dual tuner functionality.


So, I don't know what to do.

1. Get the non-tivo DirectTV HD DVR (do they even have one yet?)
2. Get another DirecTivo HD DVR, despite the fact that I'm not entirely happy with my existing one. (Are they still making this one? I can't tell if the one on directv.com is the "Plus" or "Tivo" one).
3. Wait even longer for Series 3, pony up extra money to use it, and miss all the HD programming I could be watching downstairs this fall.

Any advice or opinons?

[newsposter]

just FYI for you...S3 has dual tuners HD

http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/05/tivo-announces-series-3-hd-tivo-due-this-year/

can't help you with the rest as I'm loving my HD stuff OTA and except for speed, dont need any upgrades.

[aspen0]

Yes, I know, but I'd need 2 DTV HD receivers to use it with dual tuners, and you know DTV will charge me for both. So thats more expensive on top of the say $800 is it price tag?

[Charlutz]

Directv is giving very good deals on leased hd dvr's. You could try to get one of those to replace your current hd tivo. See the 'almost free hd dvr' thread in this forum. The directv non tivo hd dvr is supposed to be out in the next month or two. You can try that as well. Seems like you'd need a second hd dvr anyway. Compare the two and decide which you like better. Re folders, you should read the '6.3 at last' or whatever it's called thread in this forum. Sorry no certain answers, but that should give you some info from which to make informed decisions.

[rlj5242]

I imagine I'd have to pay for 2 DTV tuners if I got the Tivo series 3 and wanted to use dual tuner functionality. I assume that by DTV you meant DirecTV (D* is the appropriate abbreviation for DirecTV. DTV=Digital Television.) A Series 3 has QAM/cablecard/ATSC tuners in them. They are not designed to work with D*.

-Robert

[aspen0]

So if I bought a series 3 I couldn't use it with Directv?

I don't think you know what you're talking about, or you think I don't, or you're misunderstanding what I'm asking.
Stop worrying so much about abbreviations and maybe consider the actual subject matter of the post a little more.


Directv is giving very good deals on leased hd dvr's. You could try to get one of those to replace your current hd tivo.

Aren't they the same thing? Directv's only HD DVR is the Tivo one, Tivo's only HD system is the Directv one.

[georgemoe]

Here is my situation.

I have the DirectTV HD DVR with Tivo upstairs. I have two complaints about it though.

1. No folders. Seriously, I need folders in my now playing. Will they ever update that software? I've called DTV to ask but they say now.

2. The controller does not work well anymore, and I'm pretty sure the problem is with the system, not the controller, since I've tried other controllers. I've also completely reset the Tivo and it hasn't helped.

Now downstairs I have an even bigger HDTV, but no HD programming for it yet. I'm tired of waiting for the Tivo Series 3. Plus, I know if I get the Directivo HDDVR they'll include my second tuner for free, whereas I imagine I'd have to pay for 2 DTV tuners if I got the Tivo series 3 and wanted to use dual tuner functionality.


So, I don't know what to do.

1. Get the non-tivo DirectTV HD DVR (do they even have one yet?)
2. Get another DirecTivo HD DVR, despite the fact that I'm not entirely happy with my existing one. (Are they still making this one? I can't tell if the one on directv.com is the "Plus" or "Tivo" one).
3. Wait even longer for Series 3, pony up extra money to use it, and miss all the HD programming I could be watching downstairs this fall.

Any advice or opinons?

1) What you're looking for is the 6.3 upgrade on the HR10-250 . It is suppose to be coming. There are 1000 topics about it on the main page.

2) This (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=296309) will help you with the slowness. Worked great for me.

Sorry but I don't know much about the Tivo S3 and what will be required for tuners.

You are going to run into an issue down the road though. You will need the 5LNB (AT9) dish to run a new DirecTV DVR when it is finally available. You may also need to keep the 3LNB dish mounted for mPEG2 and the current HR10-250.

If you wanted HD downstairs now you could go with the H20 but it will not work with the 3LNB dish. You'll need the 5LNB dish for that (MPEG4).

[newsposter]

directv wont work with S3 is what people are trying to say

[aspen0]

2) This will help you with the slowness. Worked great for me.

Done that unfortunately.

[rminsk]

So if I bought a series 3 I couldn't use it with Directv?

I don't think you know what you're talking about, or you think I don't, or you're misunderstanding what I'm asking.The series 3 will not work with DirecTV. The series 3 was designed to work with ATSC and cablecard. Since DirecTV does not use cablecard the series 3 will not work. Please make sure you know what you are talking about before accusing others.

[ebonovic]

Aren't they the same thing? Directv's only HD DVR is the Tivo one, Tivo's only HD system is the Directv one.

That statement would be true for today.... but not for much longer...

[aspen0]

So is the HR20-250 a Tivo or the new D* NDS one?


directv wont work with S3 is what people are trying to say

So it won't have an IR blaster and won't be able to take the signal from a normal DTV receiver? That doesn't make any sense to me.

[ebonovic]

HR20-700 is not a TiVo powered unit, it is DirecTV's software package.

[aspen0]

When is the Comcast Tivo supposed to be out? I'm seriously considering switching. Does Comcast's current DVR include all the features Tivo fans know and love? Isn't it going to turn into a Tivo with a software upgrade eventually?


I called D* customer retention they only offered me $100 off. My average bill is over $100 and I've been with them around 5 years. But I did finagle $400 off my first HD DVR a year ago and still have a 1 year programming commitment.

[ebonovic]

As of right now.... there have been no speicifics on what features will be included, or excluded for the Comcast implementation of the TiVo software.

Latest we heard is that it is in "Beta" Testing, and should be out "later this year"

[phox_mulder]

So it won't have an IR blaster and won't be able to take the signal from a normal DTV receiver? That doesn't make any sense to me.

Nope, S3 is only for Cable or OTA, via Coax input only.

The other "new" TiVo, the S2-DT works with set top boxes of various origin (DirecTV, Dish Network, Cable, FIOS, Etc), analog cable via coax input, or antenna via coax input (somewhat).


phox

[rlj5242]

So if I bought a series 3 I couldn't use it with Directv? As you can see, it was answered a couple of times just to be sure.

Stop worrying so much about abbreviations and maybe consider the actual subject matter of the post a little more. If everyone sticks to the same set of abbreviations, then we can all better understand everything. Go up to the parent forum and ask the same questions. A moderator will be by quickly to correct your post.

Aren't they the same thing? Directv's only HD DVR is the Tivo one, Tivo's only HD system is the Directv one. No. DirecTV's only HD DVR just happends to run Tivo software. Tivo doesn't currently have an HD model. I know that is splitting hairs but it has to be that detailed when people start asking questions about DirecTV limiting features in the software.

So it won't have an IR blaster and won't be able to take the signal from a normal DTV receiver? That doesn't make any sense to me. Due to HDMI and copy protection issues, it wouldn't be able to record from a digital connection to a DirecTV or any other HD receiver. Tivo could add component inputs and the appropriate encoders. Those are available as PCI cards for the PC for about $2,500 each. Add a pair of the appropriate circuits into the S3 and it would cost about $5,000. They would sell a handful of them. I'd certainly be headed to a cable supplied DVR. At this price point, the S3 is still an option for me if I ever decide to leave D*.

-Robert

[aspen0]

Well I called comcast and I can get what I want for $120 a month with no setup fee.

Its a hard decision, I really want an HD DVR downstairs, but do I really want to commit for another 2 years to D*? No. Comcast does offer locals in HD, but not ABC or FOX despite the fact that I know they broadcast in HD. Then I do have to pay a cancellation penalty if I cancel D*. But on the comcast side I'm not buying my DVR so when the new Tivo ones come out I should get one...

[bidger]

Did you mention to Comcast that you're an existing D* customer considering switching? If not, you might want to call again and see if their offer changes. TWC offered to buy out my commitment to D* and Verizon DSL if I swapped both services for theirs.

[aspen0]

I did mention, I am totally going to push it home if I decide to switch. They're calling me back on Thursday.