HD DVR Must Be turned Off Weekly?

Rhughes · 08-30-2008, 11:59 PM

I know this is OT, but I'm sure one of you can answer my question. My daughter has two DirecTivo's, and two HD DVR's of the DirecTV variety. The HD DVR's have been having program problems. So she had the DirecTV serviceman out today, and he told her that the DVR's must be turned off at least once a week so they can get their updates!! He said that, if she has them on, they think she is watching them, and they can't update. My three DirecTivo's have been on 24/7 for years! Sounds mighty fishy to me. Comments?

NoCleverUsername · 08-31-2008, 02:06 AM

The service guy doesn't know what the hell he's talking about. Updates to TiVo software don't require manual reboots. If there's an update, the unit goes into "pending restart" status and generally reboots automatically at around 2:00am to do the install, unless someone manually reboots it sooner.

The bit about the unit thinking someone is watching just because it's on makes no sense either, even with a non-TiVo based receiver.

What exactly do you mean when you say that it's "having program problems?" Not getting guide data? Not recording correctly? Some sort of signal/channel problem?

poppagene · 08-31-2008, 08:05 AM

You would do better to post in the forum that is dedicated to DirecTV HDTV TiVo Powered PVRs which includes the directv non tivo based models. I agree with you that there is no problem running the tivo based dvrs 24/7, however the HR 20/21 directv models are not tivo based and may operate differently.

stevel · 08-31-2008, 08:09 AM

The HR20/21 do not need to be turned off to get updates.

TonyTheTiger · 08-31-2008, 08:12 AM

There is no need to switch ANYTHING off.

However, the D*DVR has a standby mode which cuts off the output to the TV. The system is still on. He *could* be suggesting this, and that's what we do with our HR20 & HR 21, but I've NEVER heard of anyone not getting updates because it is left on!

rbtravis · 08-31-2008, 08:48 AM

Maybe your tech is confused. A IBM PC computer running XP or older should be turned off once a week or more to prevent stack overflow or other memory errors.

ClemSole · 08-31-2008, 09:43 AM

I think the Tech ment you should push the "Off" button on the remote, that will put the unit into standby mode not "Power Off" mode. Like he said if you do not put the unit into standby mode it will think you are viewing the TV and will not install the updates. So yes you should at least once a week turn the unit "Off" by pressing the "Off" button on the remote and putting into standby mode. You should get a message after a few days if a update is waiting to install and can't reboot the system because you are watching the unit all the time. Best way to use the unit is to turn it off, put into standby mode, when you are not using it.

dswallow · 08-31-2008, 09:55 AM

I'm not sure about the current Dish Network DVR models, but the older ones including the first couple generations of HD DVRs did require you put the DVR in standby in order to get an update and/or to explicitly download it and sit there without the ability to do anything else until it did.

I've never heard that DirecTV DVRs done that; and of course TiVo has never deont that either.

TonyTheTiger · 08-31-2008, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbtravis

Maybe your tech is confused. A IBM PC computer running XP or older should be turned off once a week or more to prevent stack overflow or other memory errors.

Really? Who told you that? Was it the same Tech we're talking about here?

While that was pretty much true pre-XP, there is no need to reboot XP for these reasons as it has MUCH better memory handling.

I've had an XP PC running for months on end without a reboot.

Rhughes · 08-31-2008, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dswallow

I'm not sure about the current Dish Network DVR models, but the older ones including the first couple generations of HD DVRs did require you put the DVR in standby in order to get an update and/or to explicitly download it and sit there without the ability to do anything else until it did.

I've never heard that DirecTV DVRs done that; and of course TiVo has never done that either.

Her units are HR21's, purchased (leased) at Costco. I wrote her about the exact problem she was having, and she said that they went out for the evening, and when they got back, neither DVR was receiving signals (Searching for signal.) Then, later that night one came back on, then the other. They live in Las Vegas, and I don't think it was raining that night. From her description it doesn't sound like it had anything to do with updates. I wish she had thought to check with her two Sony T-60's to see if they were receiving a signal as they are all on the same dish.

JimSpence · 08-31-2008, 11:30 AM

The first thing to check when you have a "searching for signal" message is to check the signal strengths. It's possible the dish needs some tweaking.

reh523 · 08-31-2008, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyTheTiger

Really? Who told you that? Was it the same Tech we're talking about here?

While that was pretty much true pre-XP, there is no need to reboot XP for these reasons as it has MUCH better memory handling.

I've had an XP PC running for months on end without a reboot.

He said "IBM PC" and IBM no longer makes pc's, they sold to Lenovo ......

JTAnderson · 09-06-2008, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClemSole

I think the Tech ment you should push the "Off" button on the remote, that will put the unit into standby mode not "Power Off" mode. Like he said if you do not put the unit into standby mode it will think you are viewing the TV and will not install the updates. So yes you should at least once a week turn the unit "Off" by pressing the "Off" button on the remote and putting into standby mode. You should get a message after a few days if a update is waiting to install and can't reboot the system because you are watching the unit all the time. Best way to use the unit is to turn it off, put into standby mode, when you are not using it.

This probably explains the blinding blue LEDs on the front panel. They are there to encourage you to put it into standby when it is not in use.

Rhughes · 09-06-2008, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClemSole

I think the Tech ment you should push the "Off" button on the remote, that will put the unit into standby mode not "Power Off" mode. Like he said if you do not put the unit into standby mode it will think you are viewing the TV and will not install the updates. So yes you should at least once a week turn the unit "Off" by pressing the "Off" button on the remote and putting into standby mode. You should get a message after a few days if a update is waiting to install and can't reboot the system because you are watching the unit all the time. Best way to use the unit is to turn it off, put into standby mode, when you are not using it.

I'm sure that's what he meant. However, after using TiVo's for several years, one would think that DirecTV's version would operate somewhat the same. Apparently not. Another good reason to stick with TiVo equipment.

stevel · 09-06-2008, 06:13 PM

It is not necessary to put the DVR in standby either. I have seen it install new firmware when "on".

morgantown · 09-06-2008, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevel

It is not necessary to put the DVR in standby either. I have seen it install new firmware when "on".

+1. Sometimes things need to be rebooted. However, saying to do this as a weekly ritual is crazy talk.

Could the dish need tweaked - sure. Does the tech need to take orientation over again - yes. Do DirecTV's "other" DVRs require a weekly reboot - no.

mrmcmanus · 09-13-2008, 03:27 PM

I've had three DTivos (not HD) for several years and none of them have ever been on standby. They have all picked up upgrades as they became available. Someone tell me the advantage of standby, as I have never understood exactly what the advantage of standby would be.

JimSpence · 09-13-2008, 04:29 PM

With the older DirecTV TiVos putting it in standby allowed it to pass thru whatever was attached to the RF input so that the TV could use its own tuner. This was primarily used by people who had TVs with only an RF input, thus using ch3 for the TiVo. This helped those with a VCR to use it without the need of an RF switch.