New HDTV user needs DVR advice

CluelesNSeattl · 07-11-2007, 09:26 PM

I am a low-tech person and a Comcast user in Seattle. I'm about to make some electronic purchases and want to make sure the choices I make are tailor-made to my needs.

I never watch movies but I use my VCR a lot to record TV programs. It is important to me to be able to (a) watch a TV program while
simultaneously recording a SECOND program on another channel and, secondly, to be able to (b) program my VCR to record up to 5 or 6 various one-hour programs while I am out of the house. My VCR is an old machine and I now want to get rid of it and replace it with one of the following two options: (1) Renting Comcast's "Tivo-like" DVR (Motorola) for about $11 per month or, (2) Avoiding the monthly charges by buying my own DVR, Panasonic's $330 DVR VCR Combo Model #DMR-EZ47K, and recording my TV shows on re-writable discs. I also want to buy a HDTV soon (for that, I don't mind paying Comcast a monthly charge for their HDTV box although I understand that the first 12 months of HDTV service will likely be free.)

Could I accomplish both (a) and (b) above with the Panasonic DVR?
Would the experience of programming that DVR likely be similar to or at least as easy as what I've been doing for years in programming my VCR? (that is, using a menu, etc.) What about accomplishing (a)--recording one program while watching another--after Feb. 2009? In general, what are the implications of having a HDTV Comcast box in relationship to what I want to accomplish in my ability to record TV shows as easily I have in the past?

It looks as if the Program Guide which accompanies Comcast's $11monthly DVR rental would be a big improvement as far as ease of programming is concerned. However, that rented DVR records on a hard disc whereas the Panasonic uses re-writable discs. What are the advantages/disadvantages of each for what I want to accomplish? For instance, my habit is to record 6 programs and then watch them all and then record right over them again, all within a day or two. I rarely save anything I've recorded but once in a while I might want to save something and send it on to an out-of-town friend.

Thanks for your patience and any answers. Sorry this question is so lengthy, but I am...

Clueless in Seattle

deadhead68 · 07-13-2007, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CluelesNSeattl

I am a low-tech person and a Comcast user in Seattle. I'm about to make some electronic purchases and want to make sure the choices I make are tailor-made to my needs.

I never watch movies but I use my VCR a lot to record TV programs. It is important to me to be able to (a) watch a TV program while
simultaneously recording a SECOND program on another channel and, secondly, to be able to (b) program my VCR to record up to 5 or 6 various one-hour programs while I am out of the house. My VCR is an old machine and I now want to get rid of it and replace it with one of the following two options: (1) Renting Comcast's "Tivo-like" DVR (Motorola) for about $11 per month or, (2) Avoiding the monthly charges by buying my own DVR, Panasonic's $330 DVR VCR Combo Model #DMR-EZ47K, and recording my TV shows on re-writable discs. I also want to buy a HDTV soon (for that, I don't mind paying Comcast a monthly charge for their HDTV box although I understand that the first 12 months of HDTV service will likely be free.)

Could I accomplish both (a) and (b) above with the Panasonic DVR?
Would the experience of programming that DVR likely be similar to or at least as easy as what I've been doing for years in programming my VCR? (that is, using a menu, etc.) What about accomplishing (a)--recording one program while watching another--after Feb. 2009? In general, what are the implications of having a HDTV Comcast box in relationship to what I want to accomplish in my ability to record TV shows as easily I have in the past?

It looks as if the Program Guide which accompanies Comcast's $11monthly DVR rental would be a big improvement as far as ease of programming is concerned. However, that rented DVR records on a hard disc whereas the Panasonic uses re-writable discs. What are the advantages/disadvantages of each for what I want to accomplish? For instance, my habit is to record 6 programs and then watch them all and then record right over them again, all within a day or two. I rarely save anything I've recorded but once in a while I might want to save something and send it on to an out-of-town friend.

Thanks for your patience and any answers. Sorry this question is so lengthy, but I am...

Clueless in Seattle

Now it's your money, so your decision, but for me I love my rented Moto DVR. Here's why:

1. Pausing live TV to go to the bathroom or answer the phone without having to have set up a recording before hand.
2. I had the Sopranos set to start recording at 8:00, kids are all in bed for the night at 8:30, I can start watching from the beginning right then while it is still recording to the hard drive.
3. Being able to watch 2 shows on 2 different channels at the same time by using the 2 tuner buffers. I can watch two 1 hour programs that both start at 8:00 and be done by 9:20-30 without missing a minute.
4. Record 2 shows that are on at the same time and watch something already recorded.
5. Being able to record in HD!!

If it costs $330 for the VCR-DVD combo, you will enjoy 2.5 years of the Comcast HD DVR before hitting that point. Just my

.

DeadHead68

Rick-F · 07-13-2007, 12:58 PM

I think DeadHead68 has nailed this one perfectly.

#5 on his list is Biggie -- no recorder you buy that records to removable disks will record in HD.

CluelesNSeattl · 07-13-2007, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deadhead68

Now it's your money, so your decision, but for me I love my rented Moto DVR. Here's why:

1. Pausing live TV to go to the bathroom or answer the phone without having to have set up a recording before hand.
2. I had the Sopranos set to start recording at 8:00, kids are all in bed for the night at 8:30, I can start watching from the beginning right then while it is still recording to the hard drive.
3. Being able to watch 2 shows on 2 different channels at the same time by using the 2 tuner buffers. I can watch two 1 hour programs that both start at 8:00 and be done by 9:20-30 without missing a minute.
4. Record 2 shows that are on at the same time and watch something already recorded.
5. Being able to record in HD!!

If it costs $330 for the VCR-DVD combo, you will enjoy 2.5 years of the Comcast HD DVR before hitting that point. Just my

.

DeadHead68

Reply to Deadhead68 and Rick-F,

I can't thank you two enough! After reading your posts I'm finally having some "aha" moments and now leaning strongly toward the rented Moto. Further questions: How long have you had your Moto and what has been your experience so far in regard to its ever needing to be replaced or re-set by phone by Comcast?

In regard to #3.... not sure I completely follow how all that works, but it is amazing! That is exactly what I'd want to do. Elaborate a bit if you can. In fact, is that what is meant by the expression "time shifting?" i.e. using the recorder to its maximum efficiency by taking advantage of commerical time to switch back and forth and not miss a beat?

Rick-F, I was surprised to learn that no recorder I might have bought would have recorded in HD! I had assumed that some of them would, so that alone is a deal breaker as far as my ever wanting to buy one. When it comes to these decisions, it seems like there are so many mistakes just waiting to be made by low tech types like me.

deadhead68 · 07-13-2007, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CluelesNSeattl

Reply to Deadhead68 and Rick-F,

I can't thank you two enough! After reading your posts I'm finally having some "aha" moments and now leaning strongly toward the rented Moto. Further questions: How long have you had your Moto and what has been your experience so far in regard to its ever needing to be replaced or re-set by phone by Comcast?

In regard to #3.... not sure I completely follow how all that works, but it is amazing! That is exactly what I'd want to do. Elaborate a bit if you can. In fact, is that what is meant by the expression "time shifting?" i.e. using the recorder to its maximum efficiency by taking advantage of commerical time to switch back and forth and not miss a beat?

Rick-F, I was surprised to learn that no recorder I might have bought would have recorded in HD! I had assumed that some of them would, so that alone is a deal breaker as far as my ever wanting to buy one. When it comes to these decisions, it seems like there are so many mistakes just waiting to be made by low tech types like me.

Glad we could be of help, isn't this forum awesome? I learned so much from here.

I have had my Motorola 3412 III for 2 years now with not a single issue. No resets, no replacing nothing.

As far as #3, yes that's what is known as time shifting. I will give an example. The DVR has 2 tuners. There is a "swap" button on the remote that switches between the 2 tuners. 2 shows both starting at 8pm. At 8 I tune to ch. 2 then hit the swap button and tune to ch. 5. Pause ch. 5 swap to ch.2 watch show until first commercial then pause ch.2. Swap over to ch.5 hit play and watch until first commercial, then pause. Swap to ch.2 FF through commercials and watch show until next commercial, pause. Switch to ch.2 etc....

I think you get the gist of it.

DeadHead68

Rick-F · 07-13-2007, 03:01 PM

I have two (2) Moto DCT-3416-III DVRs. I have had no problems with either one. The cable company did "reset" one to fix a problem that I told them was NOT related to the box--but they had to try.

Very good DVR-- no problems. I did have a few minor problems with a previous DCT-6212-- but the new all digital, dual tuner 3416 has been great. With the old box (6212), I'd have to reboot it every two or three weeks-- and that is not much of a problem!

I have some bitches and complaints-- but they are all related to my cable company's (Insight) firmware -- not the Motorola box. For example, you can NOT program a 30-second skip on my box-- but can on a Comcast box . . . Each cable company can customize the operating system / BIOS the way they want it. There are loads of features built into the Motorola DVRs that cable companys do not want to support or activate . . .

paulc · 07-18-2007, 12:58 PM

To give another example as deadhead, a scripted drama and a ball game. Set each to each tuner. Switch to the ball game during the commercials. If it looks like something interesting happened in the game (like your home team is 3 runs up from the last time you looked), I rack it back and watch it. When done I switch back to the drama. If I missed a minute or two, I can rack that one back as well.

The downside is that if you inadvertently switch to another channel, kiss the buffer for that tuner good bye. Hit the live button and bye-bye to that tuners buffer.

07-11-2007, 09:26 PM	#1
CluelesNSeattl What is HD? Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2	New HDTV user needs DVR advice I am a low-tech person and a Comcast user in Seattle. I'm about to make some electronic purchases and want to make sure the choices I make are tailor-made to my needs. I never watch movies but I use my VCR a lot to record TV programs. It is important to me to be able to (a) watch a TV program while simultaneously recording a SECOND program on another channel and, secondly, to be able to (b) program my VCR to record up to 5 or 6 various one-hour programs while I am out of the house. My VCR is an old machine and I now want to get rid of it and replace it with one of the following two options: (1) Renting Comcast's "Tivo-like" DVR (Motorola) for about $11 per month or, (2) Avoiding the monthly charges by buying my own DVR, Panasonic's $330 DVR VCR Combo Model #DMR-EZ47K, and recording my TV shows on re-writable discs. I also want to buy a HDTV soon (for that, I don't mind paying Comcast a monthly charge for their HDTV box although I understand that the first 12 months of HDTV service will likely be free.) Could I accomplish both (a) and (b) above with the Panasonic DVR? Would the experience of programming that DVR likely be similar to or at least as easy as what I've been doing for years in programming my VCR? (that is, using a menu, etc.) What about accomplishing (a)--recording one program while watching another--after Feb. 2009? In general, what are the implications of having a HDTV Comcast box in relationship to what I want to accomplish in my ability to record TV shows as easily I have in the past? It looks as if the Program Guide which accompanies Comcast's $11monthly DVR rental would be a big improvement as far as ease of programming is concerned. However, that rented DVR records on a hard disc whereas the Panasonic uses re-writable discs. What are the advantages/disadvantages of each for what I want to accomplish? For instance, my habit is to record 6 programs and then watch them all and then record right over them again, all within a day or two. I rarely save anything I've recorded but once in a while I might want to save something and send it on to an out-of-town friend. Thanks for your patience and any answers. Sorry this question is so lengthy, but I am... Clueless in Seattle

07-13-2007, 03:01 PM	#6
Rick-F 58" & 50" PDP / 2 32" LCD Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 1,560	I have two (2) Moto DCT-3416-III DVRs. I have had no problems with either one. The cable company did "reset" one to fix a problem that I told them was NOT related to the box--but they had to try. Very good DVR-- no problems. I did have a few minor problems with a previous DCT-6212-- but the new all digital, dual tuner 3416 has been great. With the old box (6212), I'd have to reboot it every two or three weeks-- and that is not much of a problem! I have some bitches and complaints-- but they are all related to my cable company's (Insight) firmware -- not the Motorola box. For example, you can NOT program a 30-second skip on my box-- but can on a Comcast box . . . Each cable company can customize the operating system / BIOS the way they want it. There are loads of features built into the Motorola DVRs that cable companys do not want to support or activate . . . Last edited by Rick-F; 07-13-2007 at 03:07 PM.

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07-13-2007, 12:58 PM	#3
Rick-F 58" & 50" PDP / 2 32" LCD Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 1,560	I think DeadHead68 has nailed this one perfectly. #5 on his list is Biggie -- no recorder you buy that records to removable disks will record in HD.

07-18-2007, 12:58 PM	#7
paulc Very Grizzled Vet of 1 yr Join Date: May 2006 Location: New York City Posts: 1,764	To give another example as deadhead, a scripted drama and a ball game. Set each to each tuner. Switch to the ball game during the commercials. If it looks like something interesting happened in the game (like your home team is 3 runs up from the last time you looked), I rack it back and watch it. When done I switch back to the drama. If I missed a minute or two, I can rack that one back as well. The downside is that if you inadvertently switch to another channel, kiss the buffer for that tuner good bye. Hit the live button and bye-bye to that tuners buffer.