Time Warner: To DVR or not to DVR.....

heyman421 · 10-08-2007, 08:40 AM

I just got hooked up with Time Warner Cable here in Akron, OH last wednesday.

After not having cable of any kind for 2-3 years since moving out of my parents house, i'm overwhelmed (to say the least) by the number of channels, and how many shows tend to me scheduled for the EXACT SAME TIME

I'm considering getting a DVR box from them, but i need some advice.

I currently have the Scientific Atlanta 4250HDC which is a TERRIFIC cable box. It's the best box i've ever used, and is the newest box SA offers. It has 32-bit color menus, upconverts ALL CHANNELS to 1080i for my Mitsu 1080P tv, and even has awesome features like alerting you when a show you're watching is available in HD!

Now, the DVR that TWC offers is the 8300HD, which is also the newest SA offers, but is more or less ancient when it comes to technology. It still has the old-school 8-bit two-tone menus, does NOT offer upconversion, only de-interlacing (480i is output as 480p, 720P is 720P and 1080i is 1080i) which means that A) the picture quality is going to be worse because of my having to rely on my budget-tv's upconversion capabilities (not so good) and B) there's going to be the obnoxious re-calibrations and switching every time the resolution changes (A HUGE PET PEEVE OF MINE) not to mention C) i have to believe that switching the resolution every time you change between SD and HD stations is hard on the tv.

So what are most of your feelings about this?

DVR vs. TECHNOLOGY.

I really want a DVR, but i don't know if i can live without upconversion. It's so nice to be able to flow through SD and HD without any resolution changes. Plus the upconversion in my tv is average at best.

heyman421 · 10-08-2007, 10:44 AM

anybody have experience with both of these boxes that can dismiss some of my hesitancy? Or should i stick with the non-dvr?

drock912001 · 10-08-2007, 08:30 PM

If you want the ease and convience of watching your programs a dvr is a no brainer.i haven't had cable in over 10 years but a dvr is mandatory now.

Sooner Al · 10-09-2007, 07:16 AM

IMHO a DVR is like a lot of conveniences that you find hard to do without once you get them, ie. remote controlled power locks/windows in a car for example. An added plus of being able to FFWD through commercials makes having one even better...

heyman421 · 10-09-2007, 10:48 AM

Well, all of my fears were completely unfounded.

The box i ended up with was the 8300HDC, and it's the EXACT same menu and functionality of the 4250HDC.

I couldn't be more happy with the new box. Next is to find out if it will work with a external HD, or if TWC blocked the functionality.

I'd love to have the capacity to keep shows for a few weeks if i don't get around to watching them, and 20 hours of HD isn't going to cut it.

10-08-2007, 08:40 AM	#1
heyman421 Blu-ray is Betamax 2.0 Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 494	Time Warner: To DVR or not to DVR..... I just got hooked up with Time Warner Cable here in Akron, OH last wednesday. After not having cable of any kind for 2-3 years since moving out of my parents house, i'm overwhelmed (to say the least) by the number of channels, and how many shows tend to me scheduled for the EXACT SAME TIME I'm considering getting a DVR box from them, but i need some advice. I currently have the Scientific Atlanta 4250HDC which is a TERRIFIC cable box. It's the best box i've ever used, and is the newest box SA offers. It has 32-bit color menus, upconverts ALL CHANNELS to 1080i for my Mitsu 1080P tv, and even has awesome features like alerting you when a show you're watching is available in HD! Now, the DVR that TWC offers is the 8300HD, which is also the newest SA offers, but is more or less ancient when it comes to technology. It still has the old-school 8-bit two-tone menus, does NOT offer upconversion, only de-interlacing (480i is output as 480p, 720P is 720P and 1080i is 1080i) which means that A) the picture quality is going to be worse because of my having to rely on my budget-tv's upconversion capabilities (not so good) and B) there's going to be the obnoxious re-calibrations and switching every time the resolution changes (A HUGE PET PEEVE OF MINE) not to mention C) i have to believe that switching the resolution every time you change between SD and HD stations is hard on the tv. So what are most of your feelings about this? DVR vs. TECHNOLOGY. I really want a DVR, but i don't know if i can live without upconversion. It's so nice to be able to flow through SD and HD without any resolution changes. Plus the upconversion in my tv is average at best.

10-08-2007, 08:30 PM	#3
drock912001 NFL in HD nothing else Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Charlotte,NC Posts: 1,570	If you want the ease and convience of watching your programs a dvr is a no brainer.i haven't had cable in over 10 years but a dvr is mandatory now. __________________ Samsung HL-R5667W Toshiba HD-XA1 Directv HR12-100S IXOS audio & video connectors Monster Power HTS2500 HD DVD 58? Mover's hustled most of my collection last year!

10-09-2007, 07:16 AM	#4
Sooner Al Old Enough to Know Better Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Norman, Oklahoma Posts: 187	IMHO a DVR is like a lot of conveniences that you find hard to do without once you get them, ie. remote controlled power locks/windows in a car for example. An added plus of being able to FFWD through commercials makes having one even better... __________________ "When all else fails, read the instructions..."

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10-08-2007, 10:44 AM	#2
heyman421 Blu-ray is Betamax 2.0 Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 494	anybody have experience with both of these boxes that can dismiss some of my hesitancy? Or should i stick with the non-dvr?

10-09-2007, 10:48 AM	#5
heyman421 Blu-ray is Betamax 2.0 Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 494	Well, all of my fears were completely unfounded. The box i ended up with was the 8300HDC, and it's the EXACT same menu and functionality of the 4250HDC. I couldn't be more happy with the new box. Next is to find out if it will work with a external HD, or if TWC blocked the functionality. I'd love to have the capacity to keep shows for a few weeks if i don't get around to watching them, and 20 hours of HD isn't going to cut it.