Tivo vs. DirectTV Plus

[Corgi]

Understood. Is the R15 as close to the HR20 as I suspect? As for myself, I want to be ready to roll on the HR20 when DTV starts rolling out the new HD content. As long as it allows me to see more HD I am more than willing to give up some feature sets. Thanks again.

[hitdog042]

Originally Posted by Corgi

"Your post cracks me up"

Hitdog,
Putting aside your inane and snide remarks for now, what release of software do you have on your HR10-250? I set up an R15 in my parent's house recently and saw no speed difference whatsoever since the upgrade to 6.3 on the TIVO unit. From what I understand that and the HR20 are virtual clones except for HD. If I am incorrect I would like to know as I am using this box to get a feel for what I have to look forward to when I switch to the HR20. And please, no more condescension. It is unbecoming at best. Thanks.

An R15 and HR10-250 are not the same machines. The R15 is fine.

[xcapt48]

Originally Posted by Corgi

Understood. Is the R15 as close to the HR20 as I suspect? As for myself, I want to be ready to roll on the HR20 when DTV starts rolling out the new HD content. As long as it allows me to see more HD I am more than willing to give up some feature sets. Thanks again.

Yes, the UI on both the R15 and HR20 are almost identical.

[ellis426]

Originally Posted by Skigle1

I have the HR10-250. I love my Tivo, but understand Directv is not dealing with them anymore. I can't stand D*TV's DVR service. It seems too complicated to schedule season passes, the FFWD button goes too far into shows, the buttons are not user friendly etc. etc. etc.

My question is, can I get a standalone Tivo box, with Directv's hd service? I want the capability to get all of the new HD channels sometime this year, I just don't want to use their DTV Plus service. I want my Tivo menus etc.

Any info??

You cannot use a "stand alone" TiVo with Directv's transmission under normal circumstances (perhaps you could get a hacked stand alone, but normally they will not work). I have two of the HR-20s and many TiVos and there is definitely a difference in the operating systems. The HR-20 is not as fast and not as intuitive as the TiVo. But, and this is a big BUT, you can receive transmissions in MPEG4 and MPEG2 on the 20. All the TiVo will give you is MPEG2 which takes up almost two and a half times more room on the hard drive. Simply put, the 20 will give you over twice the recording time as the TiVo. Personally my main concerns are the picture quality and the amount of recording hours.

The remote control really takes some time getting used to and is clumsy and the pattern of buttons closely resembles the TiVo's but performs different functions. For instance, the Pause button on the TiVo is the Select button on the 20. As for the fast forwarding, I find the 30 Second Skip button more useful.

You should be aware of two things: Do not use the HDMI feature, use the component wires and NEVER shut the unit down. If you put it in Standby (all the blue lights go out and the picture goes blank) you will have to keep resetting it because the unit will not recognize HIDEF signals when you turn it on the next day. Just leave it running. All DVRs that I know of are always on anyhow. I have had a lot of trouble with the 20s, but I must say that Directv has kept on replacing them and I now have two that have run for several days with no problems at all. Just shut off the TV and your audio system and leave unit running with the blue lights lit.

Hope this helps, Rich

[ellis426]

I spoke to a Directv tech and he said the transmissions will be sent out in MPEG4 and MPEG2 when the satellites are up in the middle of this year. They have released information stating that they will continue to support TiVo for the forseeable future and are still supporting Ultimatetv (which really reminds me of the HR-20). You should be able to use your HIDEF TiVo for years.

[WaterWasher]

Originally Posted by bruceames

Thanks guys. I guess I'm screwed.

My favorite post of the entire thread!