2 DVRs on 1 TV Questions

[profbobo]

Hello:

I'm currently a DirecTV subscriber looking into FiOS TV. I already have FiOS Internet and was wondering how to replicate my DirecTV setup using FiOS boxes.

I have two DirecTV HD DVRs on one TV using HDMI. Those two DVRs are also plugged into a SD video distribution system using composite cables. That distribution systems feeds the other SD TVs in the house and handles IR through coax.

DirecTV has a switch on the top of the remote and you can set each DVR to a different remote channel. That way I can control each DVR separately from one remote even though they are in the same room.

Here are my questions:

Can a similar setup be achieved with FiOS? Two HD DVRs on one TV with one remote that can control both DVRs independently from each other.

Also, how many remotes does Verizon supply and can you request more than one per box?

FYI: TiVos have this as well. There is a DVR1/DVR2 switch on the remote.

Thanks,

Joe

[BrianMcD]

FIOS ofers a Multi Room DVR Function where a single DVR can service the entire household.  The other STBs in the house can view programs recorded on the DVR.  SD STBs can not view HD Content and additional DVRs can not view the recordings from the MR DVR.

The FIOS Remote does not have a DVR1/DVR2 Switch and would set the signals to both DVRs.  I have seen a 3rd party solution posted here before (Remotes and IR Blasters), but it was rather expensive.

Verizon normally provides one remote per STB.  They will send you another one if needed.

[profbobo]

Thanks for the info. about 2 STBs in one room. Sounds like it doesn't work the way I hoped it would.

I saw the info. about the Home Media DVR and it may be a great solution for many. For me, 2 tunes and a 160GB drive won't do it which is why I was considering 2 DVRs instead of 1 Home Media DVR and a HD STB. Costs the same.

I'll probably investigate a TiVo HD solution. Too bad I'll miss out on VOD. However, it sounds like the FiOS DVRs aren't quite there yet.

Thanks again.

Joe

[BrianMcD]

There have been rumors of new DVRs with larger Hard Drives, but until I see them I consider them a Figment of Someones Imagination...

And I believe that 2 DVR would run you $30 per Month (2 @ $15) while the HM DVR is $20.  If space is a concern then I would go with 2 DVRs.  I have an older ReplayTV that I use for SD recording if the main Verizon MR DVR is getting full, or if I neeed to record 3 shows at once.

[profbobo]

I talked with a guy at a FiOS kiosk and he said the installation tech. could produce a similar setup. However, after looking at the remote and DVR manuals, I don't think this is true.

He said I could put both DVRs on the same HDTV. The first DVR would be connected on HDMI Input 1 and second DVR would be on HDMI Input 2.

I could then plug (using the composite outputs) both DVRs into my SD Video Distribution box. This box has two composite inputs and modulates the signal to a set channel number. It has 5 Coax outputs to feed other SD TVs in the house. It also handles IR. All I do is tune a TV to channel 25 to view what one STB is doing and tune to 45 to view the other. It's worked perfect for over 6 years.

Anyway, he said the STB button on the remote would be for one DVR and the AUX button could be setup for the other DVR. However, I looked through the manuals and don't see where you change the DVR to operate on the AUX setting instead of STB.

If I were to setup both DVRs on the same TV, I'm thinking both DVRs will respond to STB remote commands. I don't even see where you can setup a STB to operate on the AUX setting.

This kind of stinks since having a DVR STB on every TV in the house gets to be too costly. I've always like how TiVo and DirecTV work in that you can have two STBs operate on 2 different remote channels.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

BrianMcD, you mentioned 3rd party solutions. Can you elaborate?

Thanks.