Got a Plasma during Black Friday Sales - What to do?

[Antix]

I love my Tivo...

But I got a Plasma during the sales after Thanksgiving, and now I'm considering the HD package from DirecTV. But they only have this DirecTV HD DVR Plus thing that ISN'T Tivo. And the dilema begins...

Weaknees has the HD Tivo's, but for WAY more than I want to pay. My monthly is going to increase as it is if I upgrade the DirecTV service, and I'll need a bigger dish, a larger multiswitch, and find a way to get more coax through the little hole in the wall of my Apartment!

Will my current Tivo still work after I upgrade? I know it won't record the HD signal, but it will still record the regular stuff, right?

Is there a downside to the new HD DVR they offer?

Should I do it?

[ebonovic]

1) Yes.. .your current TiVo will still work as you described
2) See www.dbstalk.com for all the details about the HR20

[Bonanzaair]

Bottom line is that the HR20 isn't and never will be a Tivo.

There is always a Tivo HD S3 product to consider....but then you would have to switch to cable. Here is the link for the S3.

http://www.tivo.com/2.0.boxdetails.asp?box=series3HDDVR

The pricing should come down after Christmas, along with a software update that will offer features currently dreamed about at DirecTV.

Bonanza

[willbhome]

With the HR10-250, you would need the oval dish, not the behemoth 5LNB dish. You could then get the local HD channels OTA. I've found this a good compromise.

[Bonanzaair]

The HR10-250 is only a stop cap measure. Sometime in 2007( Just a short month from now) DirecTV will be adding additional HD content to their satelllites. Unfortunately this will be in the mpeg4 format only a format that the HR10-250 can't handle.

That's why I made my decision to move away from the HR10-250. Since both the Tivo and HDTV experience was important to me I decided to go with the S3.

If someone does decide to compromise on the HR10-250 be careful not to purchase the unit used. Here is the link to my recent experience with a used HR10-250.

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=329414

Get your DirecTV HD Tivo from Weekness or if still possible DirecTV. You will pay more but have overall better experience wth DirecTV.

Bonanza

[poppagene]

I love my Tivo...
Will my current Tivo still work after I upgrade? I know it won't record the HD signal, but it will still record the regular stuff, right?

I have both an HR10-250 and a philips stand alone series one tivo connected to a hughes htl-hd. THe hr10-250 is great and it records satellite and ota high definition. I got the hughes directv receiver on ebay because it is the last model to support the serial connection to my tivo making it easier to set up recordings and season passes. The series one tivo gets guide information for satellite channels (including high def) and records the high def output via s video which at highest quality looks pretty good. It will not tune the directv receiver to OTA digital channels and does not get guide information for the OTA digital channels. I can switch the live viewing input on the tv to hdmi and watch the high def directly from the Hughes htl-hd receiver and by manually tuning to an ota hd channel on the hughes directv receiver, the SA tivo can record and buffer OTA broadcasts.

[DblD_Indy]

As a third generation Directv DVR user I am exceptionally disappointed with the features and usability of the new Plus HD DVR. I can only best describe this unit as “another crappy cable box DVR” with HD.

All of the features I had grown to love on my two previous units were gone. (I have both a forty-hour unit and eighty-hour unit this unit only has 50hrs of HD recording time). I can only say that this software package has more problems than Microsoft's Windows 95 even though 95 was an upgrade from 3.11, this DVR is a joke. As an avid PC user I am certain that when I purchase my first Windows Vista PC there is going to be a similarity between XP and Vista. With this upgrade I feel like I am going from a Windows environment to Linix and having to do so without notice.

Gone is the ability pause one tuner and switch to the other tuner and back. This is a huge deal for multi-sport TV watchers. I love being able to pause one sport switch to the other and bounce back with out missing any exciting minute of action.
The system default is a clumpy category view and no way to set your own preferred main menu. This was part of the reasons that I never previously considered switching to Dish Network. I really dislike this....
The remote control has no likeness of my previous unit, I love turning on the light at night to find out what button is what on this jumbled mess of buttons.
The unit supports a HDMI connection but does not even ship with the cable!
It has some how has just skipped recording two scheduled programs. I have had it for less than a week!
It frequently has a lag between audio and video not only in playback but even in watching live TV! It is like watching a badly dubbed Kung Fu movie.

On top of all this many of the positives mentioned in positive reviews of the Directv Plus HD DVR do not even function. Praising Directv for adding a non-working USP and Ethernet ports is like praising General Motors for putting a non-working engine in a car and saying with future upgrades it should start...???? I really loved reading the positive review from a user that says that he is excited that upgrades come out each week.... DUDE that is not what you should expect from a new software package unless you are a beta tester! GET A CLUE!

My only suggestion is that Directv fix it and do so ASAP; or we all join together in a class action suit and get our $$$ back and go TIVO. I can hear the sound of Hughes stock falling as I type this. SELL, SELL, SELL !!!!

Finally; without a doubt my Directv Plush HD DVR is the worst Christmas present ever! At lease I could get heat out of a lump of coal! Other than providing a HD picture on my TV it does not offer ANYTHING I had expected. I would only guess that this package was developed with only the almighty dollar in mind and no concern what-so-ever was paid to what Directv clients expect or prefer.

[Antix]

Anyone care to address what DblD_Indy says?

[ebonovic]

Anyone care to address what DblD_Indy says?

Since you asked

As a third generation Directv DVR user I am exceptionally disappointed with the features and usability of the new Plus HD DVR. I can only best describe this unit as “another crappy cable box DVR” with HD.

All of the features I had grown to love on my two previous units were gone. (I have both a forty-hour unit and eighty-hour unit this unit only has 50hrs of HD recording time). I can only say that this software package has more problems than Microsoft's Windows 95 even though 95 was an upgrade from 3.11, this DVR is a joke. As an avid PC user I am certain that when I purchase my first Windows Vista PC there is going to be a similarity between XP and Vista. With this upgrade I feel like I am going from a Windows environment to Linix and having to do so without notice.

Gone is the ability pause one tuner and switch to the other tuner and back. This is a huge deal for multi-sport TV watchers. I love being able to pause one sport switch to the other and bounce back with out missing any exciting minute of action.
The system default is a clumpy category view and no way to set your own preferred main menu. This was part of the reasons that I never previously considered switching to Dish Network. I really dislike this....
The remote control has no likeness of my previous unit, I love turning on the light at night to find out what button is what on this jumbled mess of buttons.
The unit supports a HDMI connection but does not even ship with the cable!
It has some how has just skipped recording two scheduled programs. I have had it for less than a week!
It frequently has a lag between audio and video not only in playback but even in watching live TV! It is like watching a badly dubbed Kung Fu movie.

On top of all this many of the positives mentioned in positive reviews of the Directv Plus HD DVR do not even function. Praising Directv for adding a non-working USP and Ethernet ports is like praising General Motors for putting a non-working engine in a car and saying with future upgrades it should start...???? I really loved reading the positive review from a user that says that he is excited that upgrades come out each week.... DUDE that is not what you should expect from a new software package unless you are a beta tester! GET A CLUE!

My only suggestion is that Directv fix it and do so ASAP; or we all join together in a class action suit and get our $$$ back and go TIVO. I can hear the sound of Hughes stock falling as I type this. SELL, SELL, SELL !!!!

Finally; without a doubt my Directv Plush HD DVR is the worst Christmas present ever! At lease I could get heat out of a lump of coal! Other than providing a HD picture on my TV it does not offer ANYTHING I had expected. I would only guess that this package was developed with only the almighty dollar in mind and no concern what-so-ever was paid to what Directv clients expect or prefer.

Where to start...

Umm.. One (my normal statement), for more details on the HR20, visit TCF's sister site: www.dbstalk.com

From the your post, I am assuming here you have an HR20 (and most likely an HR10), so I am going to keep it there... (There is also the R15, and most of this will apply as well).

Toggling between the two buffers: You are right, it is not there. There are some "work arounds", but nothing as fluid as the toggling between the two tuners. It is a big deal for some... that try to watch two live broadcasts at once. But for others, that don't use their unit for live broadcasts, let alone two... They might not even know that feature existed on a DTivo

System Default Not sure if you are refering to the favorites list, or the fact you go into the "category" screen before entering the guide. The later one is an pain, not sure why they went that route... but a double tap on the guide button skips past it, and just like you get used to any "comand" sequence... you get used to it here.

Remote your right, it has no likeness to the TiVo peanute.... but how often have you gotten a remote for a different device, that was the same as the one you had before? Even if it was the same maker? However... those comming from other DirecTV products (such as their NON-DVRs units like the D10 and D11), the remote is the EXACT same one.

As for the "night", they do offer a backlit one, with RF support RC32RF

HDMI Cable. Okay... so ask how many people have an HR10-250, that are using all three of the included cables: Component; HDMI->HDMI; HDMI->DVI So DirecTV chose to supply one, which is probably the most common amongst all HDTVs (not just those produced in the last couple years).... and also, most installers will offer you a swap of the HDMI for the component, if you so desire.

What if they included a 3ft HDMI... but you need a 6... If they included a 6, you need a 9... and so on... Shoudl that also included RCA and optical cables?

Mised recordings and Lag Yes, the HR20 has some issues with it... not saying it doesn't. For what ever reason, it does miss some recordings for some people. But again, for others it doesn't. And the audio lag. Again, and issue that effects some.. but not all... and often can be "corrected" by hitting pause and play. Other times, it IS the broadcast... Heck, even the HR10 has lag issues once and a while.

USB Ports and Ethernet Hmmm last time I checked the USB ports where just as functional as your comparison unit, the TiVo... they are good for power.. .but unless you "hack" the HR10... that is all they are good for.

The DTivo doesn't have an included Ethernet port... so if they did want to use it, you would have to purchase an USB version. As for the HR20 usage of it... Just like OTA... in a short period of time, that also will no longer be an "future" use item.

Beta testers Funny... I see some of the same complaints in the TiVo Series 3 forum as well... worded nearly the same way.. If you don't like the state the unit is right now... there is no one forcing you to aquire it, and use it...

And all of those that got v3.1 on the SD Dtivos... followed by 3.1a;b;c;d;e;f where we all beta testers to?

Class Action good luck with that... really seriously... look up how much the "average" consumer ever gets out of a Class Action... the last one I was a part of... I got a whoping $0.18 credit on my Best Buy statement. And you are threating a Class Action on a unit that is not even 4 months "old"... Again... good luck with that.

Hughes Stock So what does that have to do with DirecTV? DirecTV has their own stock ticker... DirecTV hasn't been owned by Hughes for a long time, nor GE.... And recently DirecTV was added the S&E 500 index (I think that is the one they where added to).... And News Corp is the major stake holder of DirecTV right now.

Christmas Gift Happy Holidays....

Stick with your DTivos if you are happy with them. You don't have to switch.

[Bonanzaair]

And News Corp is the major stake holder of DirecTV right now.

And if there a God....not for much longer! Come on Liberty Media! Save us from Rupert Murdock and give us back our Tivo, even if we have to wait a while for a new DirecTV MPEG4 HD Tivo. Just knowing that good management, making a good business decision will bring back Tivo!

Stick with your DTivos if you are happy with them. You don't have to switch.

Thank God for that! - Bottom line is that the HR20 just isn't and never will be a Tivo.


Bonanza

[ebonovic]

Thank God for that! - Bottom line is that the HR20 just isn't and never will be a Tivo.


You are right.. it is not a TiVo...
And the sooner people learn that it is not a TiVo... the better

[Bonanzaair]

You are right.. it is not a TiVo...
And the sooner people learn that it is not a TiVo... the better


I'll say! Anyone remember how long it took Coca-Cola management to reverse their New Coke decision back in the 80's. We could have only hoped that the powers that be at DirecTV had been that gifted. Here's to dreaming that someday the HR20 gets the Tivo software push it sorely needs.


Bonanza

[samo]

I'll say! Anyone remember how long it took Coca-Cola management to reverse their New Coke decision back in the 80's. We could have only hoped that the powers that be at DirecTV had been that gifted. Here's to dreaming that someday the HR20 gets the Tivo software push it sorely needs.


Bonanza
Even if push was possible, how about people like me who like HR20 better than TiVo? HR20 has quite a few features that TiVo never had and probably never will. S3 has almost the same ugly DOS like UI as my series 1 had back in 1999. I never liked it, but that was only thing available besides Replay. HR20 UI is much cleaner and user friendly. I don't want to lose PIP, FSI or CID. Nor do I want to lose nice grid and get TiVo tablet or abortion that they have for a grid option.

[Bonanzaair]

people like me who like HR20 better than TiVo?

....and why do you spend your time reading and posting at TivoCommunity? Why haven't you swapped out all your Tivo equipment and moved on to DBSTALK.com?
I'm really not understanding this.

Not to cause trouble...but clearly this a Tivo board - it says it in the name. If you prefer the HR20 that is great, it's America! Since DirecTV created this problem why not bring back Tivo on new DirecTV DVRs in addition to the current DVR Plus interface and let the marketplace decide - just like Coca-Cola did with their marketing nightmare of a mistake, New Coke. Let DirecTV customers have a choice. Tivo or DVR Plus. I'm all for that. Oh and tell me, when was the last time you saw a can of New Coke on the grocery shelves? All things being equal consumers choose Tivo.

I appreciate DirecTV trying go with the DVR Plus, but a mistake is a mistake. Give the majority of the customers what they want. It's only a matter of time before Tivo will be offered on DirecTV again. It's only smart business.

Bonanza

[ebonovic]

....and why do you spend your time reading and posting at TivoCommunity? Why haven't you swapped out all your Tivo equipment and moved on to DBSTALK.com?
I'm really not understanding this.


Bonanzaair; I have seen your other post like this one....

I don't know how long you may have been lurking before joining in August..

But up until probably the last 9 months or so....

"This" particular forum (TCF, and most specificially the two DirecTV ones)... where pretty much the "defacto" DirecTV discussion forums. There where very few other ones out there.

So yes.. a lot of people started here, and have been here for years... And yes, as you can see from the posts... There are still a lot of people that come here, asking questions about the non-TiVo DVRs

Yes, this is a "TiVo" featured forum system. But over the last 7 years, it evolved a bit into a "DirecTV" forum as well... and that still continues.

And hence why, "I" try to at least answer the questions that people ask, and at the same time direct them to the proper source.

[ebonovic]

I appreciate DirecTV trying go with the DVR Plus, but a mistake is a mistake. Give the majority of the customers what they want. It's only a matter of time before Tivo will be offered on DirecTV again. It's only smart business.



Honestly... IMHO... the only way this happens, if the parent company of DirecTV, or DirecTV themselves purchases TiVo Inc.

Other then that... it isn't going to happen.

[Antix]

Even if push was possible, how about people like me who like HR20 better than TiVo? HR20 has quite a few features that TiVo never had and probably never will. S3 has almost the same ugly DOS like UI as my series 1 had back in 1999. I never liked it, but that was only thing available besides Replay. HR20 UI is much cleaner and user friendly. I don't want to lose PIP, FSI or CID. Nor do I want to lose nice grid and get TiVo tablet or abortion that they have for a grid option.What do all of those abbreviations mean? I know DOS and PIP, but what is FSI and CID?


"This" particular forum (TCF, and most specificially the two DirecTV ones)... where pretty much the "defacto" DirecTV discussion forums. There where very few other ones out there.

So yes.. a lot of people started here, and have been here for years... And yes, as you can see from the posts... There are still a lot of people that come here, asking questions about the non-TiVo DVRs

Yes, this is a "TiVo" featured forum system. But over the last 7 years, it evolved a bit into a "DirecTV" forum as well... and that still continues.

And hence why, "I" try to at least answer the questions that people ask, and at the same time direct them to the proper source.I've been a lurking member here since 2003, it even says so up there in the corner of my posts, and while I know this is a Tivo forum, I get more DirecTV information here than Tivo information. This is a VERY active forum, and frankly not much changes with the DTivo's, so other discussions pop up much more frequently, very interesting and helpful discussions by people, who like me, have the DTivo units, and are discussing things that effect us.

I appreciate your help, all of it, from everyone.

I'm going to head over to that other forum and find out the difference between the 10, 20, and whatever other units there is..

[Bonanzaair]

Honestly... IMHO... the only way this happens, if the parent company of DirecTV, or DirecTV themselves purchases TiVo Inc.

Other then that... it isn't going to happen.


Ruppert Murdock already has publicly said that DirecTV is a "turd". How much longer before he unloads DirecTV? DirecTV customers that still want their Tivo just have to stay strong. Tivo already reported in their 3Q results that the decline in DirecTV subs wasn't as steep as originally expected. Ebay sales of DTvio DVRs remain strong.

All things been equal in the marketplace, the R15 and HR20 are like New Coke, just give the customer the choice.


Bonanza

[super dave]

Originally Posted by Bonanzaair
....and why do you spend your time reading and posting at TivoCommunity? Why haven't you swapped out all your Tivo equipment and moved on to DBSTALK.com?
I'm really not understanding this.

I know I still spend a lot of time here, after having a DTiVo for 6 years, I want to keep up with what the latest developments are. Just because I wanted more HD and switched to Dish and the VIP622 doesn't mean I can't switch back. And I always make an informed choice, so I still post here, I still read everything here. Your hostility is your issue and if you don't like us old timers posting maybe you should move along or create your own forum, I still try to help where I can and if DTV wises up I might even return. Times are changing fast, with the Comcast and TiVo alliance and FIOS moving quick who knows what tomorrow brings, but knowledge is helpful in keeping up.

[ebonovic]

Ruppert Murdock already has publicly said that DirecTV is a "turd". How much longer before he unloads DirecTV? DirecTV customers that still want their Tivo just have to stay strong. Tivo already reported in their 3Q results that the decline in DirecTV subs wasn't as steep as originally expected. Ebay sales of DTvio DVRs remain strong.

All things been equal in the marketplace, the R15 and HR20 are like New Coke, just give the customer the choice.


Bonanza

Ebay sales can remain what they are... but won't change the fact that there are no more being created..

Ebay sales are still "strong" for teh classic 8 bit nintendo systems too. :D

Rupert can release his "shares" of the company, but that doesn't guarantee that the company would go a different way. DirecTV is still their own company, that has public shares... which grant the "majority" holder a voice (and in most cases... a major voice), in the direction of the company.

An intresting stat to see, would be how many "multiple" DVR type house holds there are... how many have more then one DirecTV DVR technology in their home.

[Bonanzaair]

I'm all for keeping up with the products, I read the other boards, I want, seek, and offer help. I guess I just have an issue with people coming to the TivoCommunity board that openly support another product. IMHO Tivo currently has the best interface and in the SA market the best additional features.

The people that run this board have asked that the other products not be promoted here. Maybe a simple link to the other boards when a questioned is ask instead of a long post about how the other product is better. If someone is unhappy with Tivo or wants to know more about a competing product, let them go looking for it. A link would do the trick. A Google/Yahoo/etc suggested search. I don't let someone come to my house and insult me or my family. I'm just suggesting the same courtesy here at TivoCommunity.

Sorry if anyone thought it was hostile, I thought I was supporting Tivo at the TivoCommunity Message Board.


Bonanza

[samo]

....and why do you spend your time reading and posting at TivoCommunity? Why haven't you swapped out all your Tivo equipment and moved on to DBSTALK.com?
I'm really not understanding this.

Very simple reason. I'm the 22nd person to join this forum 7+ years ago, and one of the first 10,000 TiVo owners. I like this place. And 4 out of my 11 DVRs are TiVos (although 2 SA TiVos are now in a closet, I'm still using 2 DirecTiVos).
What do all of those abbreviations mean? I know DOS and PIP, but what is FSI and CID?
Sorry. FSI - free space indicator. CID - caller ID.

[Bonanzaair]

I'll moving my comments and Tivo support to e-mail. To all the oldtimers here - a thousand pardons.

Everyone have a nice day.

Bonanza

[Antix]

I'll moving my comments and Tivo support to e-mail. To all the oldtimers here - a thousand pardons.

Everyone have a nice day.

BonanzaI found your comments helpful, regardless of when you registered. Our common bond is DirecTV, and mostly with DTivo's. It's not our fault DirecTV is going another direction, and those of us who want certain features are forced to go with them. A good many of now have Standalone Tivo's for the HMO and other neat features, they're helpful around here as well.

This is an open forum, and we're on topic, and everyone's free to speak what they like providing it stays on topic as per the forum owners wishes (assumingly so, otherwise, why categorize the forums based upon styles of Tivo's).

Even if I do go with the DirecTV box, I'll always be a lurking member here, and one day hope that Tivo will be HD/Mpeg4, dual tuner compatible with DirecTV again.

I don't see any point in buying the Tivo box (HR-10?) from anywhere if it will be forced obsolete when the new signal comes down in Mpeg4. This is painful as I've come to LOVE my Tivo's features. But I will NEVER go back to Cable, and there isn't an HD Tivo solution by anyone else either, and even LESS so after the programs come in Mpeg4.

Or do I have all that screwed up?