Nodnarb
06-07-03, 09:15 AM
As noted on the previous thread, the DirecTV Protection Plan replaced my UltimateTV receiver with the new HDVR2 DirecTiVo unit.
Getting used to TiVo after 18 months of UTV is quite different. My UTV did exactly what I wanted it to do. My favorite shows were set to record each time, and when I turned to it, what I wanted was there and nothing more.
TiVo is a little different, because out of the box, it seems to try to maintain a hard drive full of programs to view. So, I need to further customize the channels I don't want it to record, like the Washington DC local Spanish station.
In seeing the shows/movies rotate through the "Now Playing" list, some that I would like to see but didn't have time to watch, I decided that additional recording space will be a necessity. So, after reading this forum, and visiting the two upgrade vendors I could find, I purchased the WeaKnees 120 gig second drive, and the twin-fan kit. As one who ran a BBS in the 1980's and built my own computers through the mid 90's (now, I just call Dell!!) I had no fear in tackling the upgrade myself.
WeaKnees shipped my unit on the same day I ordered it (Friday 5/30) and it arrived, freight-free on Wednesday 6/4 via FedEx Ground from Los Angeles to Maryland. Everything was packed securely, and included instructions and necessary hardware, cables and connectors and the Torx tools for opening the case and removing the drive.
Documentation was great! It was about 10 pages of simple photocopied instructions, complete with clear pictures of each operation where necessary. They were clear, and concise, and they seemed to cover every possible part of the operation, and even offered a few different methods (ie. if it's too difficult that way, then do this instead.)
My impression is that anyone could carefully complete the instructions. I used extreme caution, and it took about 1 hour, including a few brief interruptions.
So, I'm back in business with 141 hours of space on my new HDVR2. Saved the hardware and brackets that I removed, in case I ever have to use the Protection Plan again, I can restore the HDVR2 to its original state.
The HDVR2 runs much cooler than my UltimateTV receiver, and hopefully the twin-fan setup will continue to keep it cool with that second hard drive inside! (I'll report inside-case temps back later!)
So, to summarize, the DirecTV Protection Plan is worth the $60/year, and the HDVR2 isn't the same as my old Sony UltimateTV receiver, but it's quickly winning me over with the TiVo service!
OH! Also, I upgraded my DirecTV programming package that I've had since 1995, to include Starz and Sports (Platinum package?) and the TiVo is included. So, instead of paying $9.95 for UltimateTV with fewer channels, for only a few dollars more, I receive pretty much everything. So, I'm getting greater value out of my programming package, because of the HDVR2!
I wanted to relate my experience here, since you folks are such a great resource. I was thankful for these forums during my UTV failure.
Getting used to TiVo after 18 months of UTV is quite different. My UTV did exactly what I wanted it to do. My favorite shows were set to record each time, and when I turned to it, what I wanted was there and nothing more.
TiVo is a little different, because out of the box, it seems to try to maintain a hard drive full of programs to view. So, I need to further customize the channels I don't want it to record, like the Washington DC local Spanish station.
In seeing the shows/movies rotate through the "Now Playing" list, some that I would like to see but didn't have time to watch, I decided that additional recording space will be a necessity. So, after reading this forum, and visiting the two upgrade vendors I could find, I purchased the WeaKnees 120 gig second drive, and the twin-fan kit. As one who ran a BBS in the 1980's and built my own computers through the mid 90's (now, I just call Dell!!) I had no fear in tackling the upgrade myself.
WeaKnees shipped my unit on the same day I ordered it (Friday 5/30) and it arrived, freight-free on Wednesday 6/4 via FedEx Ground from Los Angeles to Maryland. Everything was packed securely, and included instructions and necessary hardware, cables and connectors and the Torx tools for opening the case and removing the drive.
Documentation was great! It was about 10 pages of simple photocopied instructions, complete with clear pictures of each operation where necessary. They were clear, and concise, and they seemed to cover every possible part of the operation, and even offered a few different methods (ie. if it's too difficult that way, then do this instead.)
My impression is that anyone could carefully complete the instructions. I used extreme caution, and it took about 1 hour, including a few brief interruptions.
So, I'm back in business with 141 hours of space on my new HDVR2. Saved the hardware and brackets that I removed, in case I ever have to use the Protection Plan again, I can restore the HDVR2 to its original state.
The HDVR2 runs much cooler than my UltimateTV receiver, and hopefully the twin-fan setup will continue to keep it cool with that second hard drive inside! (I'll report inside-case temps back later!)
So, to summarize, the DirecTV Protection Plan is worth the $60/year, and the HDVR2 isn't the same as my old Sony UltimateTV receiver, but it's quickly winning me over with the TiVo service!
OH! Also, I upgraded my DirecTV programming package that I've had since 1995, to include Starz and Sports (Platinum package?) and the TiVo is included. So, instead of paying $9.95 for UltimateTV with fewer channels, for only a few dollars more, I receive pretty much everything. So, I'm getting greater value out of my programming package, because of the HDVR2!
I wanted to relate my experience here, since you folks are such a great resource. I was thankful for these forums during my UTV failure.