multi-room DVR
jo
Newbie
I want a DVR for my extra room to "increase" my recording time.  My one DVR isn't enough in terms of recording time.  I like to record some shows so I have whole seasons of stuff to watch when my primary shows are in reruns.  How does everyone like the mulri-room, or home media, DVR?  Can you fast forward, rewind, and pause from any room or only the room the box is in?
0 Likes
Re: multi-room DVR
ksoza1
Enthusiast - Level 3

The HM DVR is really just a $4.00/mo. software upgrade to an HD DVR. 

Some things to note however:  It's use as a way to increase recording space is limited to playback on other non-DVR boxes - those shows will not be able to be played from your other HD STB's.  Controls are like a local DVR. Kinda. The current verison of software causes glitches with controlling playback from remote STB's - it works, but can be frustrating with some controls resukting in a loss of connection and playback being reset to the beginning.

If you goal is more recording space, either get other HD DVR's or go Tivo or if you have non-DVR boxes, put up with some glitches for a while longer. 

0 Likes
Re: multi-room DVR
jo
Newbie
so i couldn't watch shows on my main TV where I have my other HD-DVR???  guess that's pretty useless.  can i use a TiVo with verizon fios?
0 Likes
Re: multi-room DVR
ksoza1
Enthusiast - Level 3

You cannot stream content from a HM DVR to another HD-DVR, only a non-DVR box.  Also, if it is a stardard STB being streamed to, only SD sourced content. 

As far as TIVO, yes with Media cards suplied by Verizon and monthly fees to Tivo, you can use a Tivo and through third party, warranty ending hard drives, get a TB of storage.

I would say if you are a big recorder instead of simply time shifting some weekly shows, then the Tivo may be your best bet.

0 Likes
Re: multi-room DVR
jo
Newbie
interesting...  so, does the Tivo work well?  easy to program/record?
0 Likes
Re: multi-room DVR
KenAF
Specialist - Level 2

@jo wrote:
interesting...  so, does the Tivo work well?  easy to program/record?

Yes, it works very well.  It's very easy to use, more reliable and functional than the FiOS DVR, and supports capacity expansion.

The TivoHD currently costs $199 at Sears, and one of the following subscriptions is required: $12.99/mo, $129/yr, $299/3yrs, or a one-time payment of $399 ($330 on ebay); this subscription includes nightly guide downloads, software and feature updates, and remote scheduling.  For every TiVo after the first, the subscription is $9.99/mo, $99/yr, or a one-time payment of $299.   The TiVo replaces the Verizon DVR so you would no longer need to pay for that box or its DVR fee.

A TivoHD requires one M-CARD ($3.99/mo) from Verizon to support both tuners with FiOS.  A CableCard is basically an access card that plugs into the front of the unit and authorizes all the cable channels you pay for.   If you've had FiOS TV for more than 30 days, Verizon charges $79 for a "truck roll" to install anything, and that includes CableCards.   Verizon will not ship CableCards under any circumstances (as they will the Motorola STBs and DVRs), but sometimes you may get an installer that is willing to drop off the card and let you do the install, thereby avoiding the $79 fee.

If you buy the $199 TivoHD model, you'll probably want to budget another $110 for drive expansion.  If you are willing to open the TiVo and follow some simple directions, you can replace the built-in TiVo drive with a 1.0 TB drive ($110 at Buy.com) to get 157+ HD hours.   If you aren't willing to open the TiVo, then you can buy the external 500GB Western Digital My DVR Expander ($115 at Newegg.com) to get 92 HD hours.  The first option voids the warranty, whereas the latter does not.

With a TivoHD, you lose FIOS Video On Demand (VOD), multi-room viewing with other Verizon STBs, and widgets.

TiVos do support Netflix SD/HD streaming (free with Netflix subscription) and Amazon's PPV VOD, but if you want FiOS VOD, then you would have to keep a Verizon STB and connect it and the TiVo to separate inputs on your TV.  The TivoHD only supports multiroom with other TiVos, not with Verizon STBs; if you want multi-room with a TiVo, you'd have to buy a second TiVo.

With my TivoHD install, I did require about -16dB of attenuation, as the FiOS signal straight from the wall was too strong for the TiVo.  The TiVo is more sensitive than the Motorola DVR, and if the signal is too strong, you'll get pixelization.  Verizon installers have attenuators to reduce the signal strength, and many know to attenuate the signal for the TiVo, but you should be prepared to request it if they do not.

You can read more about the TivoHD and TivoHD XL (with screenshots) in this post.

Message Edited by KenAF on 02-24-2009 08:56 PM
0 Likes
Re: multi-room DVR
DonDeignan
Newbie

A lot of us have the hub problem and last night it just stopped and went back to the beginning without any warning.  Just a reminder that you can set up the skip button to skip every 5 minutes and use this instead of fast forward to get back to where you lost the signal..

Don

0 Likes
Re: multi-room DVR
esbe02
Newbie
I occasionally get the "hub error" as well and its starting to get really annoying. Don, your solution is a quick fix, but do you have any information as to why this even happens in the first place? I was thinking of calling verizon and reporting the issue, but I've had better luck with forums and discussion boards.
0 Likes
Re: multi-room DVR
DonDeignan
Newbie

They keep saying it is wire related. The tech came to my house and took a filter off my HD box and said this was the problem.  The hub problem came back the next day. I think it is a software problem.  I am running 1.6.0 and hoping 1.6.1 will help.  Last night I watched a recorded Medium in HD and no problems.  Go figure!

Don

0 Likes