Been Away From Tivo for a While... Question about DirecTivos

[wahooka]

Hi-

I used to have a GXCEBOT series 1 directivo a few years back and loved it.

I couldn't get satilette where I was living the last few years so had to get rid of it.

Now i'm looking to get back to Directv and trying to get up to speed on Tivo.

Has DirecTv gotten rid of the DirecTivos? All I can see now is their own DVR...

Can someone help bring me up to speed?

Thanks@

[John T Smith]

Yes, DirecTv stopped selling DTivo boxes "about" a year ago

But, if you find a new/used box, you may still use it... if you buy a used box, be SURE to ask the seller for the ID so you may call DirecTv to make sure there are not any unpaid balances

Where to I get a DirecTv Tivo?
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=316297

[wolflord11]

Yes Directv does not sell Direct/Tivo's anymore. They only offer their own in house DVR.

Current DVR is the R15.

You can still purchase a New or Used Direct/Tivo unit and use that. Some worth looking at are:

R10 by Directv.
SAT60 by Sony.
DSR6000 by Philips.

Just make sure the unit you get gets Sat 72.5 for Locals. You can use any Direct/Tivo unit, but if it cant get Sat 72.5 you will not be able to get locals.

[wahooka]

have you guys used the in house dvrs that directv offers?

how do they stack up? 30 second jump?

also do you think it is better to buy my own DVR so i'm not subject to their 24 month policies?

thanks!

[goony]

Nope, no 30 second skip on a non-Tivo box... nor do you get live dual buffers, the ability to 'enhance' the box with networked features (hint: I have multi-room viewing on my DTivos and R15 users don't), nor the ability to increase your recording capacity with commodity hard drives. Still, there are some that like them but if you've ever seriously used Tivo/DTivo you'll probably "just say no".

I'd certainly prefer to find my own used/refurb/NOS DTivo instead of getting an R15.

If you want to read all about the DirecTV non-Tivo standard def DirecTV DVR (the R15) check out this forum: http://www.dbstalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=106

[litzdog911]

Nope, no 30 second skip on a non-Tivo box... nor do you get live dual buffers, the ability to 'enhance' the box with networked features (hint: I have multi-room viewing on my DTivos and R15 users don't), nor the ability to increase your recording capacity with commodity hard drives. Still, there are some that like them but if you've ever seriously used Tivo/DTivo you'll probably "just say no".

I'd certainly prefer to find my own used/refurb/NOS DTivo instead of getting an R15.

If you want to read all about the DirecTV non-Tivo standard def DirecTV DVR (the R15) check out this forum: http://www.dbstalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=106

DirecTV's newer non-Tivo DVRs do have a "30-sec slip" feature that's pretty much like 30-sec skip, just a bit slower ... more like a really fast FF that takes a couple of seconds.

Also, the recording capacity can be easily expanded, easier than Tivos in fact. The R15 and HR20 DVRs will automatically format an installed drive, so it's just a matter of swapping in a larger drive. The HR20 makes it even easier by supporting larger external drives via its eSATA interface.

[l2bengtrek]

Also, the recording capacity can be easily expanded, easier than Tivos in fact. The R15 and HR20 DVRs will automatically format an installed drive, so it's just a matter of swapping in a larger drive. The HR20 makes it even easier by supporting larger external drives via its eSATA interface.[/QUOTE]

Literally that's all you have to do is put in a bigger drive? Something on the motherboard does the formatting? Has anyone used the external interface yet?

How do you make quotes show up in the white boxes?

[j123]

Also, the recording capacity can be easily expanded, easier than Tivos in fact. The R15 and HR20 DVRs will automatically format an installed drive, so it's just a matter of swapping in a larger drive. The HR20 makes it even easier by supporting larger external drives via its eSATA interface.

From what I recall (I haven't checked in a while), R15s cannot be expanded. The original drive is 160GB. You can replace the hard drive (Drive must be between 160GB and 250GB) but you gain no extra space by using a larger one.

[j123]

You can still purchase a New or Used Direct/Tivo unit and use that. Some worth looking at are:

R10 by Directv.
SAT60 by Sony.
DSR6000 by Philips.


Why get an old series 1 when you can get a series 2? SAT-T60, DSR6000 and GXCEBOT are all series 1. R10 is series 2.5 and requires a chip replacement in order to hack. You are better off with a series 2 such as:

Hughes HDVR2, SD-DVR40, SD-DVR80, SD-DVR120
Phillips DSR7000, DSR704, DSR708
RCA DVR39, DVR40, DVR80, DVR120
Samsung SIR-S4040R, SIR-S4080R, SIR-S4120R

[litzdog911]

Also, the recording capacity can be easily expanded, easier than Tivos in fact. The R15 and HR20 DVRs will automatically format an installed drive, so it's just a matter of swapping in a larger drive. The HR20 makes it even easier by supporting larger external drives via its eSATA interface.

Literally that's all you have to do is put in a bigger drive? Something on the motherboard does the formatting? Has anyone used the external interface yet?

How do you make quotes show up in the white boxes?

1. With the HR20 it's truly that easy .... just install a larger SATA drive and it will be automatically formatted when you reboot the DVR. With the R15 I think it will only use 160GB, no matter how large the new drive. The motherboard contains drive setup software to format and initialize a replacement drive.

2. Yes, many folks are using eSATA drives with their HR20 HD DVR. More info in the HR20 Forums at http://www.avsforum.com

3. Just select "Quote" when you reply to a post.

[wolflord11]

Why get an old series 1 when you can get a series 2? SAT-T60, DSR6000 and GXCEBOT are all series 1. R10 is series 2.5 and requires a chip replacement in order to hack. You are better off with a series 2 such as:

Hughes HDVR2, SD-DVR40, SD-DVR80, SD-DVR120
Phillips DSR7000, DSR704, DSR708
RCA DVR39, DVR40, DVR80, DVR120
Samsung SIR-S4040R, SIR-S4080R, SIR-S4120R

I gave the ones I did as an example. Yes any of the Series 1 or 2 Directv/Tivo's would work.

I prefer the Series 1 as I beleive the interface is quicker. And with the DSR6000 it is black and matches in well with my setup (I do not like the Silver/grays at all...lol)

The R10, as you have said is alot harder to hack, but no one mentioned hacking at all. The R10 is the last of the Directv/Tivo line. Some like it, some dont.

The in house R15 is not a bad unit. I use mine in the lounge, as my main unit. But, one thing I do miss is the Dual Buffers that the Directv/Tvos have.

Also, I do beleive the R15 can have an upgraded HD, with larger capacity. I remember reading up on it somewhere. But maybe some more research may be in order :D

[anonymuse]

Yes Directv does not sell Direct/Tivo's anymore. They only offer their own in house DVR.

Current DVR is the R15.

You can still purchase a New or Used Direct/Tivo unit and use that. Some worth looking at are:

R10 by Directv.
SAT60 by Sony.
DSR6000 by Philips.

Just make sure the unit you get gets Sat 72.5 for Locals. You can use any Direct/Tivo unit, but if it cant get Sat 72.5 you will not be able to get locals.

How do you verify this about "sat 72.5" before purchasing (i.e. via ebay)?

[tgr131]

How do you verify this about "sat 72.5" before purchasing (i.e. via ebay)?

I have locals thru D*, and I'm not looking at any Sats at 72.5....


:confused:

[rlj5242]

Locals carried on 72.5 - Lyngsat (http://www.lyngsat.com/packages/directvusa72.html).

-Robert

[tgr131]

Locals carried on 72.5 - Lyngsat (http://www.lyngsat.com/packages/directvusa72.html).

-Robert

That's interesting. Is my reciever just not showing it? It only reports signal strength on 101, 103, 110, and 119.

David

[wolflord11]

Not all Directv Subscribers get their locals on Sat 72.5. Only markets in certain areas do.

If you are in a Market that does, and you get a Directv/Tivo unit that does not get 72.5 then you will not get your locals on that unit.

The easiest way to verify if a unit you are looking at purchasing gets 72.5 is to contact Directv and ask. For example:

The Philips DSR6000 does not get 72.5, the DSR6000R does not, the DSR6000R01 does.

[ttodd1]

That's interesting. Is my reciever just not showing it? It only reports signal strength on 101, 103, 110, and 119.

David

Columbia, SC does not get their locals from the 72.5. Also if you ave a round dish you will not see it anyways. In fact I think you have to have a whole separate dish to see it.

[tjperez]

There are only a very few areas that have locals on 72.5, and many of them have migrated to 119.

[dishrich]

There are only a very few areas that have locals on 72.5, and many of them have migrated to 119.

Name some that moved FROM 72.5 TO 119 - I've never heard of any that did... :confused:
D* is supposed to move ALL the locals from 72.5 to somewhere else in the future, as 72.5 was supposed to be a temp location for locals, but they haven't said anything about this yet.
I guess I don't consider 29 markets to be "very few", but whatever - here's where to find out what markets require what dish configuration:

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPage.jsp?assetId=1000013

The Philips DSR6000 does not get 72.5, the DSR6000R does not, the DSR6000R01 does.

I do not believe this is correct - NONE of the S1 D-Tivo's will do the 72.5 &/or 95 birds. All of the S2's do.

[wolflord11]

Name some that moved FROM 72.5 TO 119 - I've never heard of any that did... :confused:
D* is supposed to move ALL the locals from 72.5 to somewhere else in the future, as 72.5 was supposed to be a temp location for locals, but they haven't said anything about this yet.
I guess I don't consider 29 markets to be "very few", but whatever - here's where to find out what markets require what dish configuration:

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPage.jsp?assetId=1000013



I do not believe this is correct - NONE of the S1 D-Tivo's will do the 72.5 &/or 95 birds. All of the S2's do.

Well come over to my place and tell me my DSR6000R01 does not get 72.5! Even Directv did not beleive me until the tech saw it for himself. It picks up 72.5 perfectly, in fact stronger than Sats 101 and 119.

[tjperez]

Warner Robins/Perry area comes to mind.

Name some that moved FROM 72.5 TO 119 - I've never heard of any that did... :confused:
D* is supposed to move ALL the locals from 72.5 to somewhere else in the future, as 72.5 was supposed to be a temp location for locals, but they haven't said anything about this yet.
I guess I don't consider 29 markets to be "very few", but whatever - here's where to find out what markets require what dish configuration:

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPage.jsp?assetId=1000013



I do not believe this is correct - NONE of the S1 D-Tivo's will do the 72.5 &/or 95 birds. All of the S2's do.

Which satellites does the 1.2 M dish get?

[dishrich]

Warner Robins/Perry area comes to mind.

This is in the Macon, GA DMA, which IS one of them that requires the 2nd 18" dish.
(D*'s list I posted the link to confirms this)
D* does NOT make a single dish that pulls in the 72.5 & the main (101) bird.

Which satellites does the 1.2 M dish get?

It gets the 101 & 95 birds - I assume you know what's on the 101 bird.
The 95 bird has NO locals on it - it only has international channels on it. (Asian, Filipino, etc)

Maybe these people that have this dish do NOT have the 2nd one f/locals, especially if they have an international pkg. In my experience, many folks who get internationals do NOT always take local channels, since they cost extra & most of them ONLY care about their international prog. ;)

[dishrich]

Well come over to my place and tell me my DSR6000R01 does not get 72.5! Even Directv did not beleive me until the tech saw it for himself. It picks up 72.5 perfectly, in fact stronger than Sats 101 and 119.

Well, actually I don't have to - just so happens I have a DSR6000R01 that I retired, but kept as a spare. I hooked it up to my 101/72.5 setup & it just proved you were correct! :o Glad in this (rare) case I was wrong, LOL & will eat humble pie. :o

Hmm, this IS interesting, so I went & tried to do this with my other retired S1 Hughes GXCEBOT & guess what - it TOO found 72.5! :D :D

I can see though why D* kept telling you it wouldn't work - when the locals on 72.5 first came out, D* told everyone they would NOT be updating any of the S1 D-Tivo's to use 72.5. So, most of us listened & acted accordingly. Actually, D* DID replace some S1's w/S2 Tivo's for free in the affected markets when existing customers got the 2nd dish installed, due to the S1's NOT being compatible.

I can't help but wonder if the S1 units got the capability for 72.5 when they did the 3.1 update, because I really do not think they originally could do this. It's good to know this for future reference. When did you have your 2nd locals dish installed?

You know what, I'd be willing to bet that now ALL of the S1 D-Tivo's can now see 72.5 (& 95) - anyone out there got a Sony T60 they could test this on? :) ;)

[wolflord11]

The funny thing is my RCA420RE standard Receiver also picks up 72.5 and Directv told me there is no way it can.....

We had the Second Locals Dish installed in January when we moved here. Before that, we lived at the other end of town and picked up locals on the One Dish.

Maybe the 3.1 update did fix this problem. :D

So, the Philips DSR and Hughes GXCEBOT can get 72.5. Now we need to test the Sat T60 :D