I have a DVR system right now and I love it. I was wondering what you guys with an HDTV recommend when it comes to video recording? The box I have is capable of storing up to 90 hours of regular TV, but only 12-20 hours of HD.

I tend to record a lot of television. Maybe the reason I'm becoming a fat bastard. Do you all just record it from the regular channels, as opposed to the HD channels?

Thanks.

 

right now i have a SA8300HD.... but im strongly considering the new HD TiVo.

 

How do you get your TV? Cable, Sat or OTA?

I have Direct TV, still using their regular Tivo for recording. But I have been thinking about getting a HD DVR for the big TV. DTV newest box has some bugs in it, so I've been waiting.

I also thought about getting the new Tivo HD box but would have to go back to cable for it to work. The box is $800 plus the monthly service and then going back to Cox for video would suck. But wouldn't have to rent their box because Tivo box has 2 cable card slots.

 

I've got a DirecTV H20. 50 hours of HD programming. Recording in SD would ruin the fun.

 

I have cable with Patriot Media.

 

Is that the HR20, their newest box? If so, do you have problems with it freezing or pausing from time to time.

 

I recommend upgrading to the same system I have. After a bit of bickering over the phone they did the upgrade for $199 installed. I've seen no problems yet. Monthly service is $6.

 

Yes, it's the HR20. No problems with any freezing or pausing.

 

I almost did a couple months back, but kept hearing that the box freezes up. I guess I'll call them next month. ALso been holding out a little because Verizon is working on FIOS in my area, would really like to get it.

 

My problem is I hate Direct TV. The previous owners of our place had it and they always had problems with theirs.

 

Just get an HD-DVR box from your cable company or get a TiVo.

 

I have a Motorola DCT6412 III in my family room and a DCT6416 III in my bedroom. They are provided by the cable company and seem to work fine.

 

I just picked up a Motorola DCT3416 DVR last week and love it so far ( I think it has a 160GB hard drive). It's the only one Comcast offers in my area with the HDMI output. I don't record a hell of a lot so far, but do try to record in HD whenever my program is offered in HD.

Once I watch it, I delete it. I'm not too worried about running out of space.

Actually, I'll probably end up starting a thread next year stating "Why don't DVR's come with larger HD's!!" once I really get into using it more.

One thing I've noticed about this unit vs. my older digital-only unit from Comcast (a Motorola DCT2244) is the speed in which I can cruise through the program guide. This thing freaking flies! My older unit lagged while scrolling through pages, but this one can go through hundreds of channels in a couple seconds if you keep your finger on the button.

 

I have one of the DCT6412 in my living room. It will be a maximum of 20 hours in HD. I'll probably get another for the bedroom and that should cover it until Patriot Media upgrades their boxes.

 

The one I have is already a HD-DVR. And TiVo is too expensive for a decent box. Their $800 box only records up to 32 hours of HD. With the cable box, I can rent 2 boxes for $16 a month and get about the same time. That's probably going to be what I do.

 

whats the biggest difference in going with Tivo vs other providers? it seems to me just the interface?

 

I have an HD-DVR with several shows on "season pass" and have never had a problem with space...

It is a mix of half-hour and one-hour shows... but still.

 

I think I'm going to break down and buy the Series 3 before the end of the year and transfer my life time sub over to it.

The Comcast DVR really annoys me. It's not as smart as Tivo. For instance, if your show suddenly starts an hour early one week it is less likely than the Tivo to switch the recording time. Sometimes it does but most of the time it doesn't.

The one thing that may keep me from getting the S3 is that supposedly next year I would be able to get Tivo software loaded on my Comcast box for an extra $5 a month. But I think I want Fios TV.

 

^^^

Comcast sucks IMO.

My DVR (PVR) system does that too most of the times. I've noticed that sometimes it will start recording later with some shows. Happened a couple times when there was a presidential speach or something. They only show that I remember that did it was 24.

 

Right now it seems like there are issues with all options. If I stick with the DVR, I have limited record time. With TiVo, the boxes with a larger capacity is almost $800 and it's still not a lot.

I think I'm going to get a second DVR box for the bedroom and start recording shows on there. That will be a good enough bandaid for me until the cable company comes out with a better box. There is a definate need for a larger capacity hard drive on them. Maybe the cable companies will catch on.

 

If you already have a SA 8300 HD and are happy with it then just get an add-on USB hard drive. You can add 200-300GB for under $100.

 

the interface and the recording quality.

the biggest beef I have with the Scientific Atlanta boxes is that they compress HD video sooo much that I can barely even consider it HD any more.

besides that, the UI is teribly designed, and looks horrible on a 1080p display. plus it's just clunky. "Record all episodes on this channel in this time slot" ? RETARDED.

TiVo lets you simply "Record all new episodes". That's what I want. Simple.

Or, at the very least, "Record episodes on this day at this time". The SA unit records 2000 repeats of shows that are aired more than once a week. ANNOYING.

 

The HR20 is very nice. Picture quality is identical to "live" programming. Guide lets you do a search and records programs according to your input (even ignores reruns if you want it to). For sports you can let it know to record 5, 15, 60 min after the time runs out to anticipate overtime, etc.

Negatives: A clicking, whirring noise can be heard if you mute the TV, but I think this is the same with all harddrives. The text is a bit blurry, as if it has been zoomed. Not laser fast in scrolling the menus, but not slow either.

 

Have FIOS HD with the DVR, and the DVR has 80 hrs of SD and 20-25 hrs HD.

Get FIOS TV and Internet and you will be a happy camper. The speeds at home are better than my network at work.

 

^ FIOS coverage is pretty limited though... so most people don't have that option...

 

Not in my area yet.