Power Outage?

[kc1ih]

I am getting a D* DVR soon (I was supposed to have it already, but problems with installers). I'm wondering what happens if I set it up to record a show, and then there's a lengthy power outage? I'm presuming that the power comes back on before the time of the show.

I know with my VCR that if there's a power outage of over approx 30 minutes, it looses all it's programming and I have to go back to square one. Of course if I'm not home to re-program it my show will not be recorded. I hope this is not the case with the DVR.

[Steve Mehs]

It will be fine, don't worry about it. A lot of folks her put their DVRs on UPS so if the power goes out their shows still get recorded. Maybe over kill, but if you live in an area with frequent power outages it may be a good idea.

[kc1ih]

"It will be fine" really doesn't answer the question. How long of a power outage before it dumps it's memory, if ever? Why would I want a UPS, unless it's to make sure a show gets recorded during a power outage, and in that case, how big of a UPS would I need?

Thanks to anyone for their help and/or experiences.

[jdspencer]

All settings are stored on the hard drive so the unit can lose power forever and not have to be reprogrammed, other than get its guide data. A UPS is not only for ensuring that recordings continue but more importantly so that when power returns the UPS can regulate it. Power fluctuations can cause problems.

[Steve Mehs]

That's what I meant by it will be fine don't worry about it, it will never lose it's memory unless manually do a full system reboot. I have a RCA TiVo that has been unplugged for well over a year that still have the season pass info stored. (Just plugged it in a few weeks ago) So it short, don't worry about it does answer your question.

[Budget_HT]

We often take power hits instead of longer term outages, so my UPS units protect the TiVo's (computers really) from spikes and dropouts, and also prevent automatic reboots if the power is gone or low for more than a second.

I also have my multiswitch plugged into the UPS so a short duration outage does not interrupt a recording. But my real reason for the UPSs is to protect the electronics.

[kc1ih]

OK, another question. If I have my antenna hooked up to the DVR, can a DirecTV DVR record off-air programs, or just programs from channels I am subscribed to on DTV?

Thanks all for your help.

[greywolf]

Only the HD DVR can record OTA programming.