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!

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!

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.

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.

Make sure to purchase one of these remotes:

+1


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

thanks guys. looking forward to this new fangled gimmick.

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.

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.

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

that is awesome.

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

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."

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

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?

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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