House full of DirecTivos, but just got a new HDTV

[DanM]

Hi,
I haven't been on the forum in ages, so please cut me some slack for my noobness with the current technology. :)

We have 4 DirecTivos (3 Hughes HDVR2's and one Samsung) in the house, a setup we've had and are comfortable with for years. One in my office- mine, one in the living room- practically the wife's, one in the bedroom- also the wife's, and one in the kids' room. However, Santa came early, and now the living room has an HDTV. We get all the networks plus PBS and minus NBC (local is not yet broadcasting in HD) OTA in HD, but of course not-Tivo-able (and none of my locals are offered in HD yet.)

I would really like to be able to watch and record in HD, but I don't have an idea what's involved, and what we would be giving up by getting an HD DVR receiver. For example, I have a weather-sealed 2x8 switch outside running these 4 DirecTivos. What would I have to replace that with?
Also, is a self-install of the HD-capable dish/LNBs really not possible? I've always installed my own dishes, going back over 10 years. I've seen the dishes and receivers available on ebay, is there some reason why I can't just buy both there and install myself?
I've read enough to see that the HR2x receivers aren't exactly perfect and don't appear to be 100% reliable. My wife's sister switched from a HDVR2 several months ago to the D* DVR, and they absolutely hate it. I was at their house a few days ago, and they were telling me that on the couple of days a week that their favorite shows come on, one of them HAS to be at the house to check their recordings, because the box will inexplicably cancel recordings on them. That sort of thing would be inexcusable in our house. Is this a problem that plagues the HR2x too?

I guess what I really am asking, is it worth it to switch one of our receivers to HD right now?

Thanks for any help and advice.

Dan

[spartanstew]

I guess what I really am asking, is it worth it to switch one of our receivers to HD right now?


Absolutely. If you have an HD display, you have to have an HD box. For the record, my HR20 has never missed a recording or had any other problems.

However, if you want to be safe, you could always keep the D*Tivo activated and hooked up to the same display as a safety device.

[ColdCase]

I also have had a Hughes TIVO for years which is now is a backup to my HR21. I have not had to scurry for a backup show yet and its been in use for over a month. The human interface is different, the only thing lacking that I personally miss is the dual live buffer.

I self upgraded from a SD to HD system and its not much more difficult than a standard install, but there are a few details to watch out for and a little more work. You will have to replace the dish, multi-switch, and should replace the cables with solid core RG6. You may find your view to 103 obstructed and may need to relocate the antenna. The Slim line dish uses a bigger pole and should be braced. The HR21 does not have an OTA tuner, where the HR20 does. You won't be able to multiplex your OTA with sat cable easily. There are only a couple DIRECTV approved multiswitches, and one dish... www.solidsignal.com will give you an idea of what all is required, there are also some install videos and manuals in their support section.

DIRECTV will do all the upgrades and cable replacement free... I think, with a two year commitment.

[LI-SVT]

D* would perform the upgrade of the dish and multiswitch. It is all included in the $199 that they charge. As far as reliability...

I now have a DirecTivo side by side with my HR20. Last night the HR20 cut off the last 10 minutes of the 4 pm game and didn't try to record the 8 pm game. The D* Plus DVRs do not have Wishlist or Suggestions like TiVo. They do have a search with an auto record.

Before anyone asks the HR20 was set for a 30 minute pad on the 4 pm game. It recorded for 3 hours 20 minutes.

[Stuart Sweet]

It seems like you have been a subscriber for a long time and you haven't asked them for anything free, possibly ever. You're probably off your original commitment, and in my opinion that's the kind of customer they want to keep. I would suggest calling and seeing what they will do for you.

The difference between an HD and SD receiver on an HDTV is immense. It will truly enhance your viewing.

You will read good and bad stories here about the DIRECTV DVRs, just as you will read them about Dish DVRs, TiVos, etc. elsewhere. Everyone's experience is different. What I can say is that customer satisfaction, measured as a whole, with the DIRECTV DVR, seems to be at least the same level as the DirecTivo when it was currrent.

[StlChief]

Just wanted to throw in my $0.02.

I had heard the same horror stories about the Directv DVR's and didn't want to give up my Samsung DirecTivo. I finally bit the bullet and upgraded to Directv HD about 3 weeks ago. I got a HR21 and while it does have a few issues with getting stuck in menus/guides at times, I love it. I actually like it more than I ever liked the DirecTivo. I moved the DirecTivo to the den as a back up DVR, but so far, I haven't needed it.

So nice to finally get more than my 4 locals in HD and be able to record in HD too.:)

[DanM]

Yeah I've never got anything from them, bought all my receivers from Best Buys and Circuit Citys, did my own installs, etc. Kinda had to, because I live in a county that used to be under the tyranny of Pegasus. :) However, because of that, I've always been 'moved' ever since then, using my old address in Memphis, TN. Does still being 'moved' present any problems if you upgrade to an HD receiver?

[DanM]

Also, what kind of switch would I need for such a setup? One HR2x, 3 DTivos

Thanks!

[LI-SVT]

If the dish upgrade needs to be done someplace other than where D* thinks it is that could be a problem.

Zinewell has a four-in-eight-out and a four-in-sixteen-out multiswitch that is compatible with the four line 5-LNB dish and all D* receivers.

www.solidsignal.com is a good resource. Search on 5-LNB or Ka/Ku dish.