Help explain DirecTV's receiver capabilities pls

[frankv]

Hi,

I'm getting increasingly frustrated with DirecTV's customer service reps, they just don't seem to know what they're talking about beyond the basics!

Here's my issue. Fed up with Comcast's pricing, I'm looking at alternatives for video. What I'd like is the ability to record onto a PC so I can stream from there onto whatever TV I want to watch, or at least be able to share recordings amongst DVRs if I'm stuck with a particular provider's equipment. Doing some reading here and on the web there is talk about an HDPC-20 and MRV, but neither one appears to be here yet.

Talking to DirecTV they either don't know what these are, or they claim that you can already do this with existing receivers (the last guy just told me that I can hook up an existing receiver via USB to a PC and "somehow" record onto the PC that way, and that you can presently watch a recording from another room/box on a different one as well). Both features supposedly in HD, no less.

What's the real deal?

Thx,
Frank

[BattleZone]

The real deal is that you are currently limited to standard-def only, because there are no supported ways to get HD video into the computer in an automated fashion due to DRM. Windows Media Center can control a pair of DirecTV receivers via IR blasters and record content that way, and the video can be sent to Media Center Extenders just like any other Media Center content. With a Haupauge HVR-2250 and an off-air antenna, you can have 2 ATSC tuners and 2 DirecTV boxes, for a total of 4 active tuners, in Media Center.

[carl6]

With a Haupauge HVR-2250 and an off-air antenna, you can have 2 ATSC tuners and 2 DirecTV boxes, for a total of 4 active tuners, in Media Center.

The key thing to note here is that you will need a separate DirecTV receiver for each separate channel you want to be able to watch at any given time. The receivers will be connected to your PC by composite video or s-video (depending on what your video capture card supports). There is no USB connection capability, and there is no way to get programs/recordings off of DirecTV DVRs as a file or digital stream - only as an analog video feed.

[dorfd1]

The real deal is that you are currently limited to standard-def only, because there are no supported ways to get HD video into the computer in an automated fashion due to DRM. Windows Media Center can control a pair of DirecTV receivers via IR blasters and record content that way, and the video can be sent to Media Center Extenders just like any other Media Center content. With a Haupauge HVR-2250 and an off-air antenna, you can have 2 ATSC tuners and 2 DirecTV boxes, for a total of 4 active tuners, in Media Center.

hvr 2250 does not have audio iputs. If you the rf modulator you will actually be limited to two tuners becuase you would have ti turn the box off for ota programming.

[Doug Brott]

Hi,

I'm getting increasingly frustrated with DirecTV's customer service reps, they just don't seem to know what they're talking about beyond the basics!

Here's my issue. Fed up with Comcast's pricing, I'm looking at alternatives for video. What I'd like is the ability to record onto a PC so I can stream from there onto whatever TV I want to watch, or at least be able to share recordings amongst DVRs if I'm stuck with a particular provider's equipment. Doing some reading here and on the web there is talk about an HDPC-20 and MRV, but neither one appears to be here yet.

Talking to DirecTV they either don't know what these are, or they claim that you can already do this with existing receivers (the last guy just told me that I can hook up an existing receiver via USB to a PC and "somehow" record onto the PC that way, and that you can presently watch a recording from another room/box on a different one as well). Both features supposedly in HD, no less.

What's the real deal?

Thx,
Frank

MRV will be available on DIRECTV at some point in the future. We do not yet know the timetable.

You won't see the HDPC-20.

[Hotscot]

It is shocking though that "some" CSR's are allowed on the phone to represent the company without apparently having basic training. I mean. c'mon, the training could be stick them in a room for three days with a bank of dvr's to watch and play with, and learn the issues.

Last month I called about an issue that wasn't in the CSR's list of recognised issues she therefore asked me if she could note it as a completely different issue so she could proceed with filling in her form. I was speechless.

[joed32]

It is shocking though that "some" CSR's are allowed on the phone to represent the company without apparently having basic training. I mean. c'mon, the training could be stick them in a room for three days with a bank of dvr's to watch and play with, and learn the issues.

Last month I called about an issue that wasn't in the CSR's list of recognised issues she therefore asked me if she could note it as a completely different issue so she could proceed with filling in her form. I was speechless.

You're right, most of them have never used one. I think they should be given one to use at home, that might help.

[BattleZone]

hvr 2250 does not have audio iputs.

Mine seem to think it does, since I'm currently using it that way, and my recordings seem to have sound on them...

The TV1 input uses S-Video and a 1/8" stereo jack, while TV2 is on a small daughter card that has S-Vid, Composite, and RCA left and right. The card comes with a composite to S-Vid adapter for TV1.

[BattleZone]

You won't see the HDPC-20.

And you "know" this how?