View Full Version : Football not as much fun without DLB
redfiver
11-04-07, 03:54 PM
I know this has been talked about ad nasuem on this site, but today it's finally gotten to me. I want DLB on the HR20. I've had my HR20 over a year now and haven't complained about it. It's been a pretty good unit, and only gotten better. When I first got it, i really missed recording OTA shows that I could with the HR10, which was a big problem at first as I only had the "big 4" as HD locals from the satellite, but I could get many OTA. All of the early CE's came along a helped a lot of those problems.
But, today I'm really noticing the lack of DLB. I've always liked it, as I like watching two "live" shows at once and never seeing commericals, especially on Football sundays.
I know it's probably not coming soon (if at all), but I really really hope that DTV decides to add DLB to the HR20. It can record two shows at once, so it should be able to display two live shows at once.
Please DirecTV! give me DLB! :)
Baldmaga
11-04-07, 04:14 PM
It would be nice if the HR20 could have a graphical PiP display using DLB functionality.
Lord Vader
11-04-07, 04:36 PM
This is one reason among others that I love using my HR10-250 to watch sports in HD.
...this has been talked about ad nasuem on this siteYou are correct there. My HR20 is capable of recording two programs at the same time. Makes it easy to watch two programs at the same time and to skip through commercials. I do miss the PIP of the UltimateTV but not enough to keep bringing up the lack of DLB on the HR20. Am I missing something?
Help me out... DLB??
Thanks.
Michael D'Angelo
11-04-07, 05:56 PM
Help me out... DLB??
Thanks.
DLB=Dual Live Buffers
Redlinetire
11-04-07, 06:58 PM
We really need a separate forum for the endless whining about this...
heisman
11-04-07, 07:41 PM
Football not as much fun without DLB
I totally agree. As a new subscriber who receives NFLST for free, I could never see myself ever paying for it without DLB. Since the NFL only has 2 times slots on ST, it's tough to really get your $250 worth without that feature.
We really need a separate forum for the endless whining about this...
If you don't like DLB, why are you here?
Redlinetire
11-04-07, 08:07 PM
If you don't like DLB, why are you here?
I'd love to have DLB, but the HR20 doesn't provide it.
What makes you think I don't like it? :confused:
But the OP says "I know this has been talked about ad nasuem on this site..."
And then proceeds to whine about it....which is why we need a separate whiners forum for these people.
I'd love to have DLB, but the HR20 doesn't provide it.
What makes you think I don't like it? :confused:
But the OP says "I know this has been talked about ad nasuem on this site..."
And then proceeds to whine about it....which is why we need a separate whiners forum for these people.
What we need is DLB.
saleen351
11-04-07, 10:54 PM
just use the red zone channel! You don't need DLBs for the NFLST...
Red fiver: I totally agree with you! I want DLB with my NFL Sunday Ticket and HD Super Fan...........
But the OP says "I know this has been talked about ad nasuem on this site..."
And then proceeds to whine about it....which is why we need a separate whiners forum for these people.I agree. It is known there is no DLB in the HR20. Continuing to whine about it won't make it appear by magic. Maybe a sticky at the top of this forum describing how to record two programs at once, playing them back and switching between them would reduce the whining. Or maybe the best solution is a separate forum.
CoachGibbs
11-05-07, 05:45 AM
I agree. It is known there is no DLB in the HR20. Continuing to whine about it won't make it appear by magic. Maybe a sticky at the top of this forum describing how to record two programs at once, playing them back and switching between them would reduce the whining. Or maybe the best solution is a separate forum.
A sticky with the record 2 programs workaround wont work as that is not an acceptable solution.
The best solution is for D* to get to work on adding it to the HR20 or if that's not possible, get working on a new receiver with it. I'm not counting on them doing it, but that's not going to stop me (and hopefully others) from complaining about it.
A sticky with the record 2 programs workaround wont work as that is not an acceptable solution.
The best solution is for D* to get to work on adding it to the HR20 or if that's not possible, get working on a new receiver with it. I'm not counting on them doing it, but that's not going to stop me (and hopefully others) from complaining about it.
+1
The HR20 so called work around works better than DLB for me for football. I also have a H20 hooked up to the computer monitor I am writing this on which I use to jump around to all the other games and red zone channel. I also have an HR10-250 hooked up to the main TV, so I have two main games I watch on the HR20 while recording them at noon, yesterday it was the Vikings and Packers, record 4 others on the HR10, yesterday only three because there were only three late games. I also can record up to 4 more on the HR20 upstairs when there are enough games. I get more than my fill of the Sunday afternoon games, and of course there is Sunday night and Monday night, and pretty soon, Thursday night. It is NFL nirvanna.
And then there is college. I end up having to delete a lot of these because there is not enough time to get caught up on them! :lol:
chopperjc
11-05-07, 07:09 AM
+1
+2
I've gotten so used to the "workaround" that I honestly don't think I'd use DLB for sports even if it was magically delivered today. It's a few more button pushes to be sure (and it's literally 1 or 2 more button pushes to switch games), but it's also more fat-finger tolerant. Not having DLBs is also (I think) part of having the 90 minute buffer.
Do I think it should be a feature of the HR-20? Sure, but not if it means going back to 30 minute (or even 45 minute) buffers.
Try the "workaround", embrace the "workaround". Don't give in to the dark side (DLB whining).
mchaney
11-05-07, 08:23 AM
I've gotten so used to the "workaround" that I honestly don't think I'd use DLB for sports even if it was magically delivered today. It's a few more button pushes to be sure (and it's literally 1 or 2 more button pushes to switch games), but it's also more fat-finger tolerant. Not having DLBs is also (I think) part of having the 90 minute buffer.
Do I think it should be a feature of the HR-20? Sure, but not if it means going back to 30 minute (or even 45 minute) buffers.
Try the "workaround", embrace the "workaround". Don't give in to the dark side (DLB whining).
+1. Well said! Recording two shows is like DLB with "extra protection" from things like buffer run-out and fat finger syndrome (also known as the kid-played-with-remote or cat-stepped-on-remote syndrome: always happens when you take a bathroom break). :) Had DLB on my HR10-250. Didn't like using it, so I won't miss it!
Mike
Lord Vader
11-05-07, 09:34 AM
Don't give in to the dark side (DLB whining).
Watch it. (http://www.starwars.stopklatka.pl/sounds/darkside.wav)
Packersrule
11-05-07, 09:55 AM
It's only like 2 extra buttons to switch between shows. I would think that most people that whine about this just don't know how to do the work around.
golfnut-n-nh
11-05-07, 10:01 AM
just use the red zone channel! You don't need DLBs for the NFLST...
+1
I am a big fan of the DLB, especially on my old DirecTV Tivo machine (model #??) when I could hit the PAUSE button, then the Live TV (i think that was the name) and Shazam, the other channel I was on. Then I hit Pause, and Live TV and Shazam I was back to my other show. That Is DLB!
This work around on the the HR20 is a pain, especailly when you have to go to the list each time, pick your show, resume, and so and so forth. Then you have to go and delete the shows when you are done.
I really wish the facts about why we can't have DLB would come out and settle this conversation once and for all.
Blitz68
11-05-07, 12:58 PM
If you don't like DLB, why are you here?
Not liking it is not the issue.
The constant whinning is. I do not care if the unit has it or not.
Just stop crying if it doesn't.
There are other companies out there if it means that much to you.
Not liking it is not the issue.
The constant whinning is. I do not care if the unit has it or not.
Just stop crying if it doesn't.
There are other companies out there if it means that much to you.
OK, if you dont like reading this "whining", why are you. Are you a glutton for punishment.
mchaney
11-05-07, 01:58 PM
This work around on the the HR20 is a pain, especailly when you have to go to the list each time, pick your show, resume, and so and so forth. Then you have to go and delete the shows when you are done.
When you press list, the two shows you are recording will be at the top of the list. So it's either 2 or three buttons (list, down arrow, select or just list, select). If you have a good remote, you could even program a macro to do it if 1 or 2 more button presses bother you that much. And... I much prefer having to delete them after I'm done to having them inadvertently deleted while I watch them with DLB's if I happen to hit the wrong button... or if I happen to be interrupted with something more important only to come back 3 hours later and find out I have nothing but the last 30 minutes of the game plus an additional hour of the banner "You are watching NFL Sunday Ticket"!
Mike
tiger2005
11-05-07, 02:21 PM
When you press list, the two shows you are recording will be at the top of the list. So it's either 2 or three buttons (list, down arrow, select or just list, select). If you have a good remote, you could even program a macro to do it if 1 or 2 more button presses bother you that much. And... I much prefer having to delete them after I'm done to having them inadvertently deleted while I watch them with DLB's if I happen to hit the wrong button... or if I happen to be interrupted with something more important only to come back 3 hours later and find out I have nothing but the last 30 minutes of the game plus an additional hour of the banner "You are watching NFL Sunday Ticket"!
Mike
Related to the 'workaround' and its wonderful benefits, how would you suggest users that have a minimal amount of space available on their DVR's use the workaround? If users attempt to use it, they either have to, 1.) delete shows they were planning on watching or 2.) not use the 'workaround'.
rutgersfan
11-05-07, 02:40 PM
I totally agree. As a new subscriber who receives NFLST for free, I could never see myself ever paying for it without DLB. Since the NFL only has 2 times slots on ST, it's tough to really get your $250 worth without that feature.
I don't agree. If you are a Jets fan living in Ohio, like myself, I would be paying $250 for probably 16 games, which is $15 a game. Now I would also dig watching the Giants, so that brings it to $7.50 a game for two teams. And I KNOW there would be games like the Pats/Colts that I could not watch due to the Browns being on at 4:05 this week. Simple math= for 17 weeks, you would watch 34 games not locally broadcast, which is $7.35 per game. Reasonable. And if you set up a couple of TV's you can watch 68 games per season. Plus there were people getting it for less or with credits.
Blitz68
11-05-07, 02:42 PM
OK, if you dont like reading this "whining", why are you. Are you a glutton for punishment.
Actually a glutten for punishment is people bringing up something that will NEVER happen.
gregjones
11-05-07, 02:44 PM
Related to the 'workaround' and its wonderful benefits, how would you suggest users that have a minimal amount of space available on their DVR's use the workaround? If users attempt to use it, they either have to, 1.) delete shows they were planning on watching or 2.) not use the 'workaround'.
You forgot option 3) buy another HR20.
I very rarely find myself in the situation of not having something I can delete if I am close on space. I would rather spend the effort getting DirecTV to fix the eSATA drive feature to add storage instead of replace it.
Related to the 'workaround' and its wonderful benefits, how would you suggest users that have a minimal amount of space available on their DVR's use the workaround? If users attempt to use it, they either have to, 1.) delete shows they were planning on watching or 2.) not use the 'workaround'.
You forgot option 3) buy another HR20.
I very rarely find myself in the situation of not having something I can delete if I am close on space. I would rather spend the effort getting DirecTV to fix the eSATA drive feature to add storage instead of replace it.
and 4.) Add an ESATA drive.
rajeshh
11-05-07, 02:51 PM
So this was the first weekend I did the DLB workaround, and it was OK. I dont mind the fact that one has to record the 2 shows..Like some already said, it adds as extra security in case I screw something up, or my kids come and start playing with the remote...
So even if DLB was difficult to implement, could DirecTV add "Prev" button functionality so that it goes to the other recording you were watching? just like it happens with live channels. I think that would still make me happy.
gregjones
11-05-07, 02:55 PM
and 4.) Add an ESATA drive.
I love the idea of adding an eSATA drive. I hate the fact that it does not use the internal drive at the same time. This is much more of an issue to me than DLB. There's no workaround for losing all the shows you recorded and the series links.
So even if DLB was difficult to implement, could DirecTV add "Prev" button functionality so that it goes to the other recording you were watching? just like it happens with live channels. I think that would still make me happy.That is a feature I would like to see also.
Doug Brott
11-05-07, 06:45 PM
Yeah, I can see where drive space would be an issue .. I'll tell you what I did yesterday which worked out quite well. YES, it is slightly more difficult than the simple down-arrow and it's not automatic .. you do have to set it up. However, I found that I didn't lose any enjoyment of DLB by utilizing it watching football - which is when I want it most.
I just started to record both football shows that I want to watch live (well, technically semi-live but I digress) and switched between the two using {PAUSE} and {LIST} to start the "other" recording. Same as workaround noted all over the place.
While I really had plenty of space, I still had some concern. Halfway through the games when I had fully caught up to both live broadcasts, I simply waited for the next commercial and stopped/deleted the recording and then restarted the recording immediately (to continue with the DLB workaround). I did change channels for each of the two tuners so that I would have an empty buffer.
This allowed me to utilize a smaller working area than I would have needed if I recorded both games in their entirety. If space is a continued problem, then the best bet may in fact be to get a larger HDD and use the eSATA option on the HR20/21.
Hey, I like DLB and I'd like to see it as well, but speaking pragmatically, the DLB workaround is something you can do today even if it's not perfect (which it's not).
JLucPicard
11-05-07, 07:07 PM
I could be mistaken, but is DLB a hardware issue? It seems a lot of people seem to think it's strictly a software thing and that D* is disrespecting them by not changing things (OK, maybe that's just my stab at the whiners). But my ignrant view of things is that it seems to me more of a hardware issue to allow dual buffering and basically access to both buffers without recording and it would have to be designed and built into the machine and not just "turned on" by a software push.
I would much rather have them leave the unit as it was designed than start messing with the software to try to add a feature that, yes, some would like, but really isn't all that important in the overall scheme of things. Don't want them breaking something that already works.
For me, dual live buffers is more like six live buffers - an HR10-250 (recording two games - primarily the OTA games), an HR20 in IR mode (recording two games) and an HR20 in RF mode (recording two games). All connected with HDMI connections through an HDMI switch that is connected to one HDMI input on my TV. If you really want it, you can find ways to make it work.
Doug Brott
11-05-07, 07:10 PM
For me, dual live buffers is more like six live buffers
Now that's a lot of football.
Lord Vader
11-05-07, 08:52 PM
I could be mistaken, but is DLB a hardware issue? It seems a lot of people seem to think it's strictly a software thing and that D* is disrespecting them by not changing things (OK, maybe that's just my stab at the whiners). But my ignrant view of things is that it seems to me more of a hardware issue to allow dual buffering and basically access to both buffers without recording and it would have to be designed and built into the machine and not just "turned on" by a software push.
I would much rather have them leave the unit as it was designed than start messing with the software to try to add a feature that, yes, some would like, but really isn't all that important in the overall scheme of things. Don't want them breaking something that already works.
For me, dual live buffers is more like six live buffers - an HR10-250 (recording two games - primarily the OTA games), an HR20 in IR mode (recording two games) and an HR20 in RF mode (recording two games). All connected with HDMI connections through an HDMI switch that is connected to one HDMI input on my TV. If you really want it, you can find ways to make it work.
As far as the HR20s go, Earl has said the lack of DLB has nothing to do with technological or hardware issues, meaning DirecTV could implement DLB if they wanted to. Simply put, they choose not to implement it, and that's that.
JLucPicard
11-05-07, 09:13 PM
Then color me mistaken. Thanks for the info.
Lord Vader
11-05-07, 09:26 PM
Of course, just why they choose not to implement it is a mystery to most.
luckydob
11-05-07, 09:37 PM
Earl knows why, but to date has not given a reason why. Said it would be obvious as to why, but we are still waiting.
luckydob
11-05-07, 09:38 PM
and 4.) Add an ESATA drive.
5.) Enable DLB and be done with it already.:)
5.) Enable DLB and be done with it already.:)
+1
Azdeadwood
11-06-07, 06:12 AM
It would be nice if the HR20 could have a graphical PiP display using DLB functionality.
I'm with you! PIP is the main thing I miss with Directv. With Cable I could always have a second channel (non-premium) hooked in. I only used it during football season and college basketball payoffs but it was a big plus. Now I have 2 TV set up instead.
jasonblair
11-06-07, 06:36 AM
I can't STAND watching sporting events that I know aren't live. I watch all scripted shows after I record them, but I NEVER use my DVR functions during a sporting event.
Michael D'Angelo
11-06-07, 06:41 AM
I can't STAND watching sporting events that I know aren't live. I watch all scripted shows after I record them, but I NEVER use my DVR functions during a sporting event.
I am the same way. If I don't watch it live I don't watch it because I want to look and see what the score is as soon as possible. So recording does no good for me.
DLB also does no good for me with football because of Fantasy Football. When I am watching football I have my laptop on CBSSportsline.com so I can keep up with the stats so I would already no what is going on anyway and would just end up watching something I already knew happened.
JLucPicard
11-06-07, 07:08 AM
I don't watch sports WITHOUT recording them! I'll watch or do something else for about an hour then start watching and FF through commercials. Get done around the same time and don't feel like scooping my eyes out with a rusty spoon!
5.) Enable DLB and be done with it already.:)
At the cost of the 90 minute buffer? No thanks.
mchaney
11-06-07, 07:30 AM
Related to the 'workaround' and its wonderful benefits, how would you suggest users that have a minimal amount of space available on their DVR's use the workaround? If users attempt to use it, they either have to, 1.) delete shows they were planning on watching or 2.) not use the 'workaround'.
How about cleaning up some of your clutter? If this is important to you, don't run the DVR like a caller ID box that always has 99 entries. If you're running it so close that you can't record two shows, don't you think you're going to have a problem at some point anyway, like when the next two shows record automatically: you're going to start dropping shows off the list anyway.
On a similar topic, what happens to the buffers if you are running your box full all the time? Doesn't it shorten the buffers? If not (if it always has 180 minutes reserved for that), that's more space you'll have for recorded shows if you don't have DLB: so just always reserve a few hours so you can record. Sure beats one of your shows instantly going away for just pressing one wrong button on the remote!
Mike
Doug Brott
11-06-07, 12:08 PM
How about cleaning up some of your clutter? If this is important to you, don't run the DVR like a caller ID box that always has 99 entries. If you're running it so close that you can't record two shows, don't you think you're going to have a problem at some point anyway, like when the next two shows record automatically: you're going to start dropping shows off the list anyway.
Keep in mind that most folks record these 4 to 5 hour shows in HD which is MPEG-2. 10 hours is a significant chunk of the 35ish hours that an HR20 can hold. Unfortunately, it's not quite as simple as recording both, particularly during the current time period when virtually every show on is new. I have multiple DVRs .. others use external storage and those are all mitigating factors.
As I noted earlier, if you use the record method (DLB workaround), then simply stop/start the recording at opportune spots in the game. I think the biggest problem is that folks are worried about losing shows that they haven't seen yet and the current workaround solution takes some brain power. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that brain power is usually not the first thing on our minds when we turn on the TV.
gregjones
11-06-07, 02:06 PM
Keep in mind that most folks record these 4 to 5 hour shows in HD which is MPEG-2. 10 hours is a significant chunk of the 35ish hours that an HR20 can hold. Unfortunately, it's not quite as simple as recording both, particularly during the current time period when virtually every show on is new. I have multiple DVRs .. others use external storage and those are all mitigating factors.
As I noted earlier, if you use the record method (DLB workaround), then simply stop/start the recording at opportune spots in the game. I think the biggest problem is that folks are worried about losing shows that they haven't seen yet and the current workaround solution takes some brain power. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that brain power is usually not the first thing on our minds when we turn on the TV.
Then we all need to focus our interest on getting DirecTV to fix eSATA functionality to ADD space instead of replacing it.
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