Replacing an old Sat-T60???

[Hexerott]

My Sony T-60 is finally dying.

The sound on it is slow and garbled but not out of sync with the video. It kind of sounds like the scrambled voices they do on shows to change peoples voices. In addition, the remote power button no longer works.

In light of this, it is time to buy another DVR unit of some kind. A new HD for my current one and a remote would be over $200 so a new one seems reasonable.

I really want another DirecTv Receiver with Tivo and want to stay away from the R15 units. I would prefer a new DirecTivo unit with access card, remote, ect... and not a refurbished one.

I have a few questions....

1) I want the same functionality as the T60 with dual tuners. What models would give me this?

2) Where would I find one? weaknees seems like a good place. Anywhere else that may have something cheaper though?

3) If I do get a new one, is there anywhere to get rid of this one and get back a tiny bit of $$$? I am thinking of a company that refurbishes them?

Anything else I should think about and/or consider?


I really appreciate any and all help.

[stevel]

1) Any DirecTV TiVo would give you that functionality. I would suggest avoiding the R10, but anything else is fair game (DSR708, HDVR2, etc.)

2) eBay is a popular choice, or other similar venues.

3) eBay is a popular choice. I don't know of any companies that do refurbishing, but many individuals do. Describe the symptoms clearly when you go to sell and don't get greedy on price, The box doesn't owe you anything at this point.

[JimSpence]

Have you considered replacing the hard drive in the T60? Your description sounds to me like that's its problem.

[newsposter]

I 2nd Jims idea. (assuming you feel ok swapping out hard drives in a PC, this is almost the same).

the hinsdale guide (do a search) is how i upgraded to 2-160 drives in the sony a few years ago.

too bad you didnt jump on the wagon last year getting near free hdtivos like some of us. I didnt even had HD tv at the time but needed a bigger drive so I got lucky.

If you dont feel comfortable doing the linux stuff, even the 139 option for the 80 gig weaknees drive is a decent deal to keep the T60 going.

[Hexerott]

Thanks for the feedback so far!!!

I have looked into replacing the Hard Drive and feel more then comfortable in doing it. The only thing is, the remote power button no longer works so I would have to buy a new one and I can't find a replacement one for under $100. I could use the Logitech Harmony 880 but again, that is over $100.

So hard drive = $119 + Remote ~ $110 = $229.00. Seems I may be better off spending $254 to just replace the unit all together with a refurbished model.

Couple the above $$ with the fact that DirecTv is having problems with the Tivo units and season passes with no clue on when they will have it fixed, and DirecTv is starting to look grim.

I really wish I did what you said Newposter. My hind end is sore from kicking myself.

I am seriously starting to look into Comcast cable if their digital cable works with Tivo. I have heard it does and doesn't. Will need to look into that more. I may just go down to the Comcast location here and talk with them. Do any of you know if Digital Cable works with Tivo? If so, what setup would I need? Which TIVO unit with 2 tuners would give us what we would like?

It just stinks. I have been with DirecTv for 10+ years and the whole Tivo thing has really been ingrained into my life. (That sounds kind of pathetic) I just don't think any other DVR is going to give me what I have come to love about Tivo. I miss the days of just going to a store and buying a darned DirecTv receiver with Tivo that I own!

I don't own a HDTV so HD is not really in the cards at this time but would consider buying a HD Tivo if it still works with the HD service and just digital cable. Not sure what the price difference is though.

Thanks agian for all the help. This has been harder than buying a car. Hahahah!

[jlbell]

You can probably easily repair your remote. I had to do mine not too long ago. Carefully open the case. Clean all the contacts under the buttons with isopropyl alcohol and a q-tip. Make sure there is no residue or cotton fuzz left on the contacts. Reassemble and it likely will work like new. YMMV of course.

Jim

[Hexerott]

Sweet. I am going to try that as soon as I get home!

Thank you!

[goony]

Do some Googling... there may be specific instructions somewhere on the net about how to open your specific remote - it may require some very small screwdriver or dull knife blade inserted at particular points, etc.

[JDguy]

Thanks for the feedback so far!!!

The only thing is, the remote power button no longer works so I would have to buy a new one and I can't find a replacement one for under $100. I could use the Logitech Harmony 880 but again, that is over $100.



Power button? The same button went out on mine years ago, but that button only turns off the LED on the front panel, nothing else. Why bother?

[John T Smith]

the remote power button no longer works
You turn your DirecTivo off/on... why?

I have season passes or future movies to record on all 4 units in my house... and they are NEVER turned off

[stevel]

The "Power" button on the T-60 puts the TiVo into Standby. This has some real use on a DTiVo.

[Hexerott]

On mine, the power button controls my TV. There is a seperate button for the directv receiver. My wife hates the fact the TV power button doesn't work. You know how that goes. I can't recall ever turning off the Satellite receiver.

I just cleaned the heck out of the remote and guess what? There was a ton of garbage in there. It isn't working 100%, but, it is night and day compared to where it was. Certainly to a point where I wouldn't replace it. Thanks for the tip jlbell!!!! Suprised I didn't think of that. LOL.

Ok, so now I may be down to a hard drive and the season passes not working. If the season passes were working, I would buy a hard drive and forget this whole thing. Until DirecTv and Tivo get a solution, or the lack there of, I don't know what to do. The wife is ready to unleash if her shows don't begin getting recorded again. I am getting scared.

Where can I get a hard drive for this unit in case they get the SPs working again?

After finding this forum, Tivo is even more appealing. Thanks everyone! Thank you.

[poppagene]

My Sony T-60 is finally dying.
In light of this, it is time to buy another DVR unit of some kind. A new HD for my current one and a remote would be over $200 so a new one seems reasonable.
I really appreciate any and all help.

A new hard drive and remote should be substantially less than $200.

instant cake for the drive $20 (www.dvrupgrade.com/dvr/stores/1/product1.cfm?SID=1&Product_ID=72&Category_ID=5&page=prod&type=Model&ModelID=11) which supports large drives such as
300 gb seagate drive shipped free from frys.com for $90 (shop4.outpost.com/product/4596277)

directv replacement remotes starting at $15 (directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPage.jsp?assetId=2700002)

[goony]

Where can I get a hard drive for this unit in case they get the SPs working again?Anyplace that sells computer stuff.

If you want to go hard-drive hunting at a traditional store, try http://www.salescircular.com and see who is having a sale nearby. For an online purchase I highly recommend http://www.NewEgg.com. Avoid "serial/SATA" drives; you will need a "parallel/EIDE" drive. No need for a high-performance drive like a 10,000 RPM drive (too much heat), just use a 7200 RPM drive, or even a 5400 RPM drive if you can still find one.

Check out http://tivo.upgrade-instructions.com for step-by-step info on how to install a commodity drive.

Recording time will (roughly) be GB size times 0.875.

[Hexerott]

I decidied today that the search for a new provider and dealing with changing services to a non digital Tivo setup was just not worth the headache right now.

I ordered a new hard drive from weaknees and plan on just slapping it in. Hopefully everything works fine until comcast gets their integrated TIVO up and running. Once that happens, I am getting comcast and getting away from DirecTv.

I was going to get a drive and Instant Cake as recomended above but I am just so tight on time right now, this would be best.

I will let you know how the replacement drive works. Now, hopefully DirecTv gets the Season Pass thing fixed before my wife slaps the taste out of my mouth. LOL.

Thank you ALL for the help and input. This place is truly amazing!

[Hexerott]

Just updating this in case a future user searches to it.

I got the new HD (oh and I ordered a fan as well) from weaknees and put it in. Took about 15 minutes.

The picture is much clearer and the sound troubles are completely gone.

The remote is still working ok as well and now plan on using this until Comcast and Tivo come out with their unit.

Thanks again for everything. See you around the forums.

[newsposter]

watch those temps drop too....i'm assuming yours will stay as cool as mine after the hdtivo upgrade plus fan too.