What are basics of using DVR?
 

I am finally stepping into 2004 since i just got a free DVR box and service for a year from DirecTV. until now i have been using old faithful -Veronica Cate Rodgers.

1) so is DVR easy to use and i can i tape many things/many channels at once?

i understand there is a limit on the time i can record. my other media only supplied about 8 hours. i am pretty sure this is significantly more with DVR.

2) when i watch a recorded show are the commercials already deleted or do i still have to Fast Forward and is rewind, fast forwarding, pause, etc.. simply done as if it were a DVD or Blu-ray player?

3) can i record a show the same time every week and will it adjust automatically if it is delayed or something like that because of Football or other game?

i've heard horror stories of people losing content because DVR cut it off or something and had to "pad" time, but if a show is a set time, 4) how do you pad?

anyway, thanks for just getting me started. i am not sure why i was so wary, but sometimes technology can be intimidating.

thanks for and all help!

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

1) If your DVR is a dual-tuner, you will be able to record two different channels/programs at the same time. I would say that it is even easier to use than manually programming your VCR to record, in that you use your on-screen guide, which already has start and end times stored. The exact capacity on recording time is hard to know with knowing your manufacturer, but my DVR holds about 25 hours of HD programming, and probably about 60-70 hours of SD. Your DVR menu should display your available amount of space, also.

2) Commercials will still be recorded, but the DVR will function like your VCR, meaning that you will be able to manually fast forward through them.

3) Your DVR likely has an option to record entire series of a program, with additional stipulations, such as record only new episodes, record only on this channel, record any time slot, etc.(YMMV on manufacturer, I suppose, but I haven't seen it any other way)

4) To pad your DVR, you can program it to keep recording that channel for however many minutes after the scheduled end time that you have requested.

Hope this helps!

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

1) You can only record two things at the same time, but can watch something already recorded while doing so. Keep in mind you have to have two satellite inputs for dual tuners, but if you're having it professionally installed they should take care of that.

2) Recorded shows have commercials, but you can easily skip them. DirecTV has a 'hidden' feature for a 30 second skip where you can skip in 30 second increments. Very useful since most commercials are 30 seconds long. I believe you have to search, then enter the keyword 30SKIP to activate this.

3) Typically the guide info isn't adjusted on the fly for sports overruns etc. However if enough notice is given that the program time changes, it will adjust.

3) You can adjust when you set the recordings to end on-time, 5 min later, 10 min later, etc. You can also pad as the default for a series recording so it always records with a pad.

DVR's are SO much easier to use than VCR's. They really are 'set & forget'. Once you set up all your series the programs just show up.

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

Just get it and plug it in. If you can work a VCR you will be able to work the DVR. Technology can be intimidating, but your basic DVR will be a breeze to use.

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

Make sure to purchase one of these remotes:

http://www.youfml.com/user_images/98667445oldremote.jpg

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

+1


Get ready to have your television watching experience change forever. I honestly don't know how I got along before the DVR.

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

thanks guys. looking forward to this new fangled gimmick.

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

My favorite feature is you can watch a show while it is still recording that show. Say the show starts at 8pm, but you get home at 8:15, you can start watching it from the beginning and not interrupt the recording.

And of course the basics of pausing, playing and replaying parts of a show you're watching live. Love my DVR.

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

It will record the time the the program is scheduled to be on. If a sporting event (or other special coverage) pushes the show past it's scheduled start time, then the DVR will not automatically pick up the new time, as it only has the information that is in it's internal guide.

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

also, the dvr is a receiver and takes the place of old, correct? i won't have 2 boxes or anything...

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

that is awesome.

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

1 box, all inclusive.


My favorite feature is that I can now watch 2 hour-long shows in less than an hour and a half... this magical device gives you back minutes of your life, and we all know time is priceless :D

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

A DVR is the epitome of "Before I had it I didn't know I needed it, but know that I have it I can't fathom how I got along without it."

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

sounds exactly what i need. more life time and less convolution in my life.

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

wow. so it really knows through a season what is a repeat or when it is pre-empted for a week. that is amazing. to tell u the truth the other device i was using sucked ass and never recorded in good quality.

with the DVR, i will get same quality as picture for hd channels or sd if applicable?

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

ask installer for dual tuner...good tip. thanks. i never would have asked.

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

It is linked to your onscreen program guide, so your cable provider should note in the guide what is new, and what is a repeat. That being said, you can still program the DVR to record all episodes, regardless of freshness.

PQ is the same as watching it live. no difference whatsoever.

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

That is a favorite of mine also. It's nice to bank some time on a live recording in order to skip through the commercials.

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

Exactly. The wife and I get through SNL on Sunday mornings in about 45 minutes or so.

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

I have a Tivo dual tuner with a Comcast cable box. With a cable box you cannot record two cable channels at the same time (since the digital conversion). I can only record 1 over the air, 1 cable at a time or 2 over the air channels.

I know you said you have Direct TV, but I just wanted to throw that out there. Someone else here can probably inform you if that is going to be an issue for you.

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

I watch so much more sports than I ever would have been able to before because of DVR. With the ability to watch a game from the beginning while it's still recording and the ability to zoom through commercials, timeouts, etc I can zip through games in no time at all.

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

right now on DirecTV, it doesn't tell me what is new or repeat in channel guide.

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

but can you record something and watch something entirely different at the same time? that is something i wouldn't be able to live without.

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

I've had a DVR and 3 years and will never go back. Aside from sports, I rarely watch anything on it's scheduled time anymore.

Scott, yes you can record 1 show and watch another at the same time. However on my box, you can't record 2 and watch a different 3rd.

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

thanks Dean, MrSm and everyone else. being installed Thursday!

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

As long as you have dual tuner you can watch live and record another channel at the same time. Basically the # of tuners = number of channels you can watch or record at the same time, plus you can watch a recording without interfering. With a single tuner you can watch a recording while the tuner records another program. With Dual, you can watch a recording and record 2 other programs all at the same time.

Regarding your recording time it depends on 2 things: The harddrive size of the unit and the quality of the programs you record.

HD programming will take about 4 times as much room compared to SD recording. So if you're recording old MASH reruns record the SD channel to save space. The basic numbers are 4GB = 1 hour HD = 4 hours SD.

The DVR will report how much space you have used/left as a %. For example it might say 24% full. If you take note of the % after you record or delete programs you'll get a good idea of how much space you have. I happen to know the size of my DVR drive, but even if I didn't I know that two hours of HD programming takes up about 5%.

On my DVR I have two options when I set a recording, the default is "keep until space is needed" or you can set it to "Keep until I delete". When you finish a recording the box prompts you to delete or keep it.

As far as padding goes, my box is smart enough to recognize "live" events (sports mostly) and will ask if I want to pad 30 minutes when I set the recording, otherwise you can pad recordings by going into their settings. However, it goes by what the guide says, so if there is any programming changes it won't make any adjustments unless the guide is updated with the right info. For example, it will find Survivor if CBS switched it to a different night that week, but it won't adjust for a baseball rain delay.


Also, the box records everything as you watch it to a buffer. So you can pause and rewind live TV even if you didn't tell it to record the program. The buffer is cleared when you change the channel. If you have dual tuners and a Swap button on your remote, then you can pause one channel, swap to the other tuner to watch another channel, and then swap back and continue watching the first channel. I sometimes do this on Sunday to watch two football games at the same time.

EDIT: Don't forget about the 30 second skip button. Some DVRs come with this already on the remote. I had to look up a special code to program my remote. It's very useful for skipping commercials.

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

^ thanks wm.

was a dual tuner something i should have asked for from rep or is it something simple that the installer can just do with wires when he/she is here? i'm actually not sure if it will go in SD or HD room. rep said they will bring both Thurs.

are most DVR's dual tuner capable?

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

Dual tuners are becoming the norm, but I don't know enough about DirectTV's equipment.

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

That's the case when combining a separate DVR (Tivo) with a cable box. If you had a Comcast DVR you would be able to record two channels at once.

As has already been written, recording two channels at once is not an issue with a DirecTV dual-input DVR.

Oh, and Scott, you won't be "taping" anything, because there is no tape involved! ;)

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

^ thanks. just not sure if it will go in the HD room or den with SD yet.

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

Since you have DirecTV you should look into the Whole Home DVR. Basically it allows you to watch your recorded shows anywhere in the house.

I have it and it is *very* cool. You can have multiple DVRs on on the system (which allows you more recording time and the ability to record more than 2 shows in the same time slot) or you can hook it up with just one HD DVR and just receivers in the other room(s).

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

well, i got the reciever and service for free and really only reason i am getting now, don't want to push the limits, but perhaps in the future if i decide i want to pay more.

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

I think all of DirecTV's DVR's are dual tuner capable. But to activate it, you MUST have two separate coaxial inputs directly from the dish. You can't use a splitter like you can with cable/OTA. The technician should take care of this, but something to double check in case they try to skimp.

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

Do dvrs from satellite providers require a landline for the setup?

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

I don't know if it's always been this way, but I had a satellite/DVR put in a few months ago and don't have a landline.

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

yep. i kept telling my mom for years to get one. she said they didnt need it and it wasnt worth the 5 bucks a month. so i finally bought her a tivo with a year subscription. unfortunatly it was only a single tuner for satellite. so after the year was up she got a dual tuner box from directv. she loves it and pretty much only watches stuff recorded.

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

This is what I need but DirecTV is not available in my area. We have the PVR in the family room but there are many times where I want to watch a recorded show in the bedroom.

When I originally got the PVR, Mrs. ElementZ said it was stupid, a waste of money, etc...The content on said PVR is probably 80% hers. We both can't live without it.

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

this is great to for when you turn on your tv and a show has already started on the channel it was sitting at. you can just rewind to the beginning. or depending on how much space you have on the hard drive you will be able to rewind up to a few hours and watch whatever was on earlier.

Re: What are basics of using DVR?
 

On my TWC DVR, I have the option to either "keep until I delete" or "save x number of episodes", where x can be set to 1, 2, 3, or 5. That way you can automatically record things like game shows, but not have them clog up the DVR. For example, my GF loves watching re-runs of The 100,000 Pyramid from GSN, but doesn't watch them every day. I set the DVR to keep the past five episodes, so the DVR automatically deletes the oldest recording as soon as the newest one starts.

Pausing live TV is one of the most revolutionary things to ever hit television. Things that used to annoy you - like your parents calling in the middle of your favorite TV show, or waiting for a commercial to go to the bathroom or get seconds of dinner - no longer bother you. One of the few upsides to Navigator (the new software on the TWC DVR) is that it caches two live channels, so you can move back and forth between live football games without actually taking up space on the DVR.

As others have mentioned, "neartime" viewing is also great. My GF's best friend is an older lady who doesn't have a DVR. They were both big fans of 24, and the friend would call my GF after an episode aired to talk about it. We'd normally order some Chinese at 7:45, go pick it up at 8:00, and start watching the show at 8:15. This allowed us to skip the commercials but end at the same time as my GF's friend.