Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

Well, TWC has a "Start Over" feature (no DVR needed, just a digital cable box) that allows you to do the same thing on many (but not all) channels.

They also have a new service called "Signature Home" that allows you to go back and watch shows from 2-3 days ago. In fact, the new service also has a whole-home DVR that allows you to record up to 150 hours of HD material. I need to check and see if they've rolled the new DVR out to "regular" users yet!

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

That's the biggest benefit in my eyes. My wife used to constantly interrupt my shows. She would watch 90%, then decide she wanted to talk to me during the last 10%. Used to cause huge issues. Now it's a thing of the past. If she wants to talk, I just pause. And everyone is happy. :D

Well, not totally happy. She still answers her phone and talks while I'm trying to watch things. Pausing doesn't help when you're sitting staring as a paused screen for 20 minutes. I once asked her if I should just take the 56" set, surround sound, receiver, DVR, etc. to the other room so she could answer her phone. She didn't see the humor. Or get the point that she should get off her ass and take her call elsewhere!

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

just got my DVR hooked up. yay!

in the first second when the guy said just pick a show and hit the "record" button once. then, hit it twice to record the whole season...what?? unbelievable.

it is a dual tuner. he even said because there was no coax input that my PiP wouldn't work and that he tried with other customers, but i was able to do something simple and it works (i think bc i was still able to hook up VCR to TV using Line 1).

can't believe i lived without it for so long. and all for free. me happy!


edit...i just rewound live tv. wow. wish i didn't have to work ever.

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

Recording a Series? (DirecTV- not sure if provider matters)

I am pretty sure the answer is no, but...

with a synidcated show like:
Family Ties on the Hub.
i want to tape every show that plays at 2:00am & 2:30am.

now the same 2 shows also play at 8pm and 8:30. the series also has some eps on the weekend that are repeats from the week.

1) besides going to each show for the 2 weeks that DirecTV can show, is there an easier way to record the whole series so that it only records at 2am to 3am?

i tried to record the whole series and just "First Run" but because none are first run and they repeat, it was going to record all Family Ties episodes at all times.

i believe this answer is no easy way.


Also,

with a show like The Soup...i want to record all first run episodes for the entire series, but the guide info for a show like this doesn't show any program detail, except for air date.

2) will this just record at the original 10pm est time slot and not the repeats of it that continue until the next week?

i believe the answer is yes, it will record just the "first run".

thanks in advance for help.

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

My DVR (TWC), and Tivo, have three options for series recordings: "First run only", "First run and repeats" and "all (with duplicates)". The first two options will not record the same episode for 1 month. So if it records an episode of Family Ties on Monday then you delete it and that same episode plays on Saturday the DVR won't record that episode again even though it doesn't currently have a copy of the episode.

It's possible that the guide said it was going to record all those episode, but once it got a copy of an episode it would remove that particular episode from the recording schedule. I would try it and see. Same for #2.

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

got it. thanks.

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

you, sir, need a tivo HD. or just go with the comcast box. but to me, comcast box = evil, so i'm stick by my tivos.

plus you'll get shelf space back. no need for the comcast box anymore!

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

ha ha ha! are we married to the same woman? good god!

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

:D

i just did all my shows for the season, Conan, etc... literally took minutes.

my VCR...i would have had to (like i did each week and only a couple days at a time bc cable box never registered more than 2 days) set the channel, then depending on repeat or first run delete or add, changing the time, day, tape speed!!!!!!! adding a minute to start, a minute at end just in case...always such a process. then, watch it as grainy VHS crap.

i simply can't wait to actually see a show i recorded in clear digital...the build up is intense!

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

wait, hold the phone...DirecTV people...

one thing i liked about the old antiquated receiver i had was that i could set the box to tune to a channel and particular show and it would go there.

now, all i have is the option to record it even if i don't want to. will it just go to that channel anyway or will it stay on whatever channel the receiver is on and just record without it going to channel.

i just want to be able to go to a show without record. is that possible?

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

Just setup a season pass and let it get the show. I have DirecTV as well. Unless the guide data is messed up, it should just get the shows and skip any it's already picked up.

As for the 2:00-3:00 block vs. the 8:00-9:00 block, you're still thinking in VCR mode. Set the pass and let it do it's thing. The only thing you need to worry about is the priority of the season passes. If you're going after the earlier showings because you're recording other things during the 8:00 hour, just make sure those things have a higher priority.

It probably doesn't make much sense yet. But soon enough you'll realize you don't know or care when things air. In fact, some of the fluff I watch with the family I couldn't even tell you which night it's on, let alone what time. It's just in my list and ready to watch when we are.

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

If you hang out in Otter, you probably at least know her. KittyDreamer. :D

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

It is asking you if you want to record it because you are selecting a show that hasn't started yet. If you select an in-progress show, it will tune to that channel.

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

right...but i want it to tune to a future show and not record. like if it is 8pm and i just want it to auto tune to ch4 news @ 11pm if i am watching a movie or something and just want it on PiP in the background...

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

ok. so if i have the pass set up for Ties and have something else set up at 8 and make that higher priority it will tape that show at 8 and then skip to Ties and record it at 2am, if i am understanding?

thanks for help!

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

A little googling found that DirectTV DVR's don't have a remind/autotune feature, only the basic receivers do.

If they act like my DVR then if I am watching live TV and have a recording scheduled the DVR will will record it without interruption in the back ground. The only indication on my unit is the record light on the box turns on. This happens even if I'm watching the show it is recording, which means I can flip around during commercials while it continues recording on the other tuner.

If I have two recordings scheduled at the same time it will need to use both tuners so it will pop up a prompt a couple of minutes before hand to change the channel and record the show (default) or skip the recording.

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

^ oh well. small price to pay. thanks for info. wm.

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

One last question for now...

When the guy hooked it up and we scrolled through the channels and options, etc.. i noticed things were moving a little sluggish. i asked him if that is normal. He said that it usually takes 24-48 hours for everything to update since it was working hard to catch up, get all the program info, etc...
it does seem a little faster than when first installed, but still sluggish especially in responsiveness and sluggish compared to old system.

48 hours later and all the programming is there and fine, but scrolling through the grid and changing channels is a lot slower than the old receiver. You know like an extra second or two to change from one to another. Do somthing in the menus.

I figure the whole thing is doing work all the time with saving shows to hard drive so you can do all the things like rewind, pause Live tv, etc...

so is this sluggish thing normal and will not likely go away? and i still do miss the auto-tune feature. (again, DirecTV set-up)

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

Gotta say, I thought this thread was going to go a different way. :lol:

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

:question:

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

anyone, especially DirecTV subscribers, notice their receivers are very sluggish when scrolling through menu and guide options and is there anything that can be done? i tried resettign box twice, but to no avaing

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

Here's how do record the soup and others like it..

You can thank me later.

For the daily show the description is generic - unless there is a guest on, when it gets replaced with the guest name.

"A humorous slant on top news stories"


so for Stewart you go into search, and type the following.

stewart NNOT slant CCHAN 249

First-Run Only.


I'm going to assume that similarly the soup has some generic title until closer to the airdate. See what you can figure out from that, and use the same logic.

soup NNOT "word in the description" CCHAN 236

and for the daily show and colber for me, it will record the later showings if something is a high priority -

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

so anybody experience this lag with their boxes and is there something that can be done?