VMS Client Channel Buffering Problem

[hatrick19]

I just received my new Verizon VMS system which includes 2 client units.  I hooked everything up and all was working as it should except that when watching live TV on the two client units, it will not buffer two different TV channels and allow me to switch back and forth between these two channels and rewind, fast forward or pause.  It will only buffer one channel and when I switch to another, the original channels buffer is gone.  I could do this on all three of my standard HD DVR boxes before swithcing to the VMS and this was a huge feature for me as I like to watch multiple shows or sporting events simultaneaously.  I called support and after about 90 minutes they could find no problem or find any solution other then to send me a new VMS.  The odd thing is when they looked at all of the tuners being used, tuners 3 annd 4 were never getting used.  The odder thing is that it seemed to work properly on one of the client boxes until they did a cold init and then that one also stopped allowing 2 channels to be buffered.

Should I be able to buffer two seperate channels on the client boxes as well as the main VMS box or did they for some awful reasone take this feature away from the clients??

Thanks,

Eric

[sangs1]

The clients have no tuners, they just share a tuner from the VMS. An easy solution is to hit record on the channels you're flipping between. Then the programming will remain in the buffer. 

However, I've found that if the VMS itself has already been tuned to that channel, it'll give you what's in the buffer. For instance, one of my VMS's is always tuned to SNY (577) and WNYW (Fox 5 NY). So if I flip to one of those channels on a connected client, they are in the buffer. 

[hatrick19]

Even though the clients have no tuners, when I tune to two different channels on the client boxes, doesn't the VMS still have to buffer both of those channels since I told it to tune to them and hence allow me to go back and forth??

[tns2]

For the CLIENT (IPC) it will only buffer ONE channel. 

[hatrick19]

That's a real bummer that the clients can only buffer one channel.  Too bad the Verizon rep didn't know that when I was asking all of my questions about upgrading to the VMS.  Now I have to figure out if I want to keep it or send it back since that is a big feature for me when I had 3 seperate DVR boxes.

Any chance they may upgrade this to allow 2 channels per client in the future?? I read somewhere that the client boxes actually have a tuner in them that is not being utilized with the current Verizon set up.

Thanks....

[TomH121]

DOES VMS DO THESE THINGS FOR YOU ?

VZ  VMS1100 Video Media Server

From Pg of 2 of Manual

The VMS1100 provides the following advanced functionality:

• Whole home DVR support for up to four connected IP Client set-top boxes

• Authorization and purchase of on-demand programming

• High-Definition television (HDTV) video decoding

• HDTV output through component video (YPbPr) or High-Definition Multimedia Interface™ (HDMI™)

• Surround-sound audio through a variety of analog and digital interconnection options

• Live playback and LOD buffering capabilities to pause and time shift live video and seamlessly record for

all connected televisions

• Built-in MoCA 1.1/2.0 HW support

As with all ARRIS digital set-tops, the hardware features are enabled by core operating and third-party

application software.

[hatrick19]

I suppose it does but in upgrading a bunch of features, it also downgraded one of the ones I use the most.  What you highlighted in red does not say just one channel can be buffered which is why I talked in length to a rep about how I use my current 3 DVR boxes to ensure I wouldn't lose any functionality if I "upgraded". Obviously the Verizon rep didn't know either.

[joker211]

So FIOS charges $120 more per year for less features.   This is just another reason why we decided to hold off. 

[tns2]

This is not less features.  IN the MRDVR case the stb had no pause rewind of live TV. 

[joker211]

Ok so this half of a feature is worth $120 a year more to you?