DVR decision, and where to get answers

[FWEhr]

Yes I'm a late adopter. Before the dreaded phone call to Verizon I would like to understand how the standard definition DVR will work or not work for me. I've spent time on Verizon website but now have more questions than when I started, so I would much appreciate tips and pointers to steer me in the right direction.

• Yes there's a PDF from Motorola on its DVR, but as has been asked on this forum in the past, it is of no use in actually using the DVR in particular with FiOS remote. It shouldn't be rocket science for Verizon to post a how-to, but either they have not done that, or I cannot find it. One specific question: can I select a future program from the Guide and then program DVR directly, or is it many more steps than that?
• What is DVR capacity (GB, SD hrs, HD hrs)?
• Can I connect DVR out to TV in via coax (as I do now with non-DVR STB)?

Thanks for your help!

[Keyboards]

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@FWEhr wrote:

Yes I'm a late adopter. Before the dreaded phone call to Verizon I would like to understand how the standard definition DVR will work or not work for me. I've spent time on Verizon website but now have more questions than when I started, so I would much appreciate tips and pointers to steer me in the right direction.

• Yes there's a PDF from Motorola on its DVR, but as has been asked on this forum in the past, it is of no use in actually using the DVR in particular with FiOS remote. It shouldn't be rocket science for Verizon to post a how-to, but either they have not done that, or I cannot find it. One specific question: can I select a future program from the Guide and then program DVR directly, or is it many more steps than that?
• What is DVR capacity (GB, SD hrs, HD hrs)?
• Can I connect DVR out to TV in via coax (as I do now with non-DVR STB)?

Thanks for your help!

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• Not sure what you are asking about a future program.  The guide covers up to 10 days and the DVR is guide driven.  Selecting any show that is in the guide allows simple selection of that show to record (simply press the record button on the remote while on the program in the guide).  There is also the option of recording it as a series with sub options within that choice (record repeats, only at scheduled time, only on selected channel, etc. - pressing record twice sets recording as a series).  You can also schedule a manual recording where you set the channel, start and end times - can also be done as a pseudo-series.

• AFAIK Verizon no longer carries a standard definition DVR - HD only.

• The current DVRs are 160 GB (there are 2 models) which gives approximately 20 hours HD and 80 - 100 hours SD.  Only the 7216 has a coax output, the older (but still in use) 6416 does not.  Using the coax output will only give you SD resolution (480i video) and mono audio but will tune the HD channels and down convert them to SD.

EDIT - There is talk of 320 GB versions as well as enabling E-SATA expansion, but that has been rumored for a long, long time so I would not assume it will happen any time soon when making my decision.  Also, there is always the option of a TIVO or MOXI with cable card.

Hope that answers your question.

[lasagna]

That's weird ... my 6416 has a coax output on it.

[GaryDoug]

Neither of my 6416's has a coax out. My 7216 does.

BTW... a very slight clarification... the capacity is 20 hours HD, or 80 Hours SD, or some lesser combination of the two.

[Keyboards]

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@GaryDoug wrote:

BTW... a very slight clarification... the capacity is 20 hours HD, or 80 Hours SD, or some lesser combination of the two.

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OOPS!  Should have said 20 hours HD OR 80 - 100 hours SD not  AND.  Also correct that it can be some combination of both.

[lasagna]

I just double-checked to be sure, there must be different models of the 6416 in distribution, I guess.    Mine definitely is a 6416 and the RF out is right there.   So, YMMV.