What would *you* do?

[GunnySpook]

OK, here's the deal:

I ordered a drive upgrade for my DSR704 DTivo. Installed it as soon as it arrived, no problem.

However, when I went to setup, the local channels were missing. Yes, I know it doesn't make any sense to lose local channels doing a drive upgrade, but there it was.

Soooo... calls to D* CSRs to go through setup to get the locals enabled again. Unsuccessful, after *several* recycles.

End result, D* says the problem is in the box, and I need a replacement, and if I will send them the DSR704 and agree to a two year commitment, the box will be free (I am guessing it will be an R15 - if it is an R10, then this is all moot). I've been with D* since the mid 90's, so the commitment is no big deal to me - I'm not going anywhere.

Now, here are my questions, considering that I can also get an R15 from Value Electronics for $0 (which I will do regardless):


1. Trade the DSR704 to D*, take their R15, and end up with *2* R15s for $0? (I assume I can take the D* "free" deal and stilll exercise the $100 trade-in coupon).

1a. Will the $100 rebate be honored if I take the D* replacement, since I will have sent in my DSR704?

1b. The 'warranty seal is broken on the DSR 704, since this all started with a hard drive upgrade. Any risk with returning that "opened" box with a "voided" warranty?

2. Return the D* R15 when it arrives, keep the DSR704 Tivo and just replace it with the $0 R15 from Value Electronics, keeping the DSR704 on the shelf as a backup or whatever. Don't know what I would need or do with the extra box anyway. One box is all I could use on that link now anyway..

What would YOU do?

The Gunny

[Fygg]

I'd just wait a couple of days for my locals to come back.

Any time I've done something to the tivo os in my boxes (drive replacement, re-imaging), it's always took a day or two for the locals to show back up, no matter what a csr tried to do.

[Mike F]

Not to bash the R-15, but do you really want to trade in for an R-15 right now (plus, as I understand it, if you are getting it from DTV directly you really won't know what you get until it is in your hands)? I'm wanting (needing?) to upgrade at least one of my two Series 1 DirecTiVo's and had planned on getting an R-15 when they came out. Now after reading about the limit on the number of programs you can autorecord (50) and the limit on how many items that can be in the Todo list (100), I'm not convinced I'm ready to babysit a DVR like I used to do with a DISHplayer 7100 (Ok, I'm not saying the R-15 is that bad, but right now it appears the software on the R-15 has a ways to go).

So I'm still sitting back and waiting to see how things pan out, but right now I'm leaning to grab an R-10 (or two) and will look at moving to the R-15 (or whatever is available at that time) in a year or so after things settle down. I do believe (or hope :rolleyes: ) that the R-15 will be a good unit over time, but things I'm hearing in the reviews seem to indicate this isn't ready for full prime time production use in my house (there is no way I'm going to try to deal with having to explain to my wife why a new DVR in the house missed Survivor or some other time critical show :nono2: )

[eengert]

Not to bash the R-15, but do you really want to trade in for an R-15 right now (plus, as I understand it, if you are getting it from DTV directly you really won't know what you get until it is in your hands)? I'm wanting (needing?) to upgrade at least one of my two Series 1 DirecTiVo's and had planned on getting an R-15 when they came out. Now after reading about the limit on the number of programs you can autorecord (50) and the limit on how many items that can be in the Todo list (100), I'm not convinced I'm ready to babysit a DVR like I used to do with a DISHplayer 7100 (Ok, I'm not saying the R-15 is that bad, but right now it appears the software on the R-15 has a ways to go).

So I'm still sitting back and waiting to see how things pan out, but right now I'm leaning to grab an R-10 (or two) and will look at moving to the R-15 (or whatever is available at that time) in a year or so after things settle down. I do believe (or hope :rolleyes: ) that the R-15 will be a good unit over time, but things I'm hearing in the reviews seem to indicate this isn't ready for full prime time production use in my house (there is no way I'm going to try to deal with having to explain to my wife why a new DVR in the house missed Survivor or some other time critical show :nono2: )


I've been catching some flack on the TivoCommunity forum from TIVO loyalists for saying some nice things about the R15 (which I've had for a few days now). But in this context, I agree with what you're saying. I have an R10 and an R15 now, and I would agree with you that the R15 probably isn't ready to be your only DVR. However, even in it's current state, for many people like myself, it makes a nice complement to a DTivo.

And eventually I expect it to become my primary DVR. Because while we don't know for sure when some of the issues (such as limits on programs) will be fixed, we do know that they are supposedly working on the code right now and that we've gotten 2 updates already. So I'm optimistic that we might have some of the major flaws updated within a 3-6 months (just a guess).

But like I said, even though I'm not a TIVO loyalist, I wouldn't feel completely comfortable having only the R15 yet (you can see my other thread about enhancements/fixes for things that I'm waiting to have added/fixed).

[Mike F]

I fully expect (and hope) that DTV will prove that the R-15 is a great replacement for the DTivo. Its going to be different, but a lot of the differences I'm hearing are good things (IMO). I liked some of the features of the DISHplayer 7100 and UTV boxes and it sounds like this new NDS box does some similar stuff, and has features like the DTiVo has above those other boxes... Its just getting the software there so its nice an reliable (I never think twice about setting up a recording on my Series 1 DTivo... In the 3+ years I've had them, I've probably only missed 5 recordings and those can be traced back to Network / Guide glitches, Rain / Snow fade, or power issues at my house). I also know and fully expect that some features will come later (a lot of the complaining about skip to tick and stuff seems to forget that these were added fairly recently. I think a lot of those complaining about lack of features forget how far the DTivos are now from where they were back on the original releases of the software in those boxes. Heck, I'm still on Series 1 stuff, so I don't have folders and other cool features (and then those that have hacked their boxes are spoiled even further)).

I really appreciate the info (espeicailly the more unbiased versions :lol: ) thats being provided by all the people that have R-15's now. Keep it up and thanks! I also hope that DTV is actively reading and taking action on what is being posted in the various forums...

[LockMD]

I've been catching some flack on the TivoCommunity forum from TIVO loyalists for saying some nice things about the R15 (which I've had for a few days now). But in this context, I agree with what you're saying. I have an R10 and an R15 now, and I would agree with you that the R15 probably isn't ready to be your only DVR. However, even in it's current state, for many people like myself, it makes a nice complement to a DTivo.

And eventually I expect it to become my primary DVR. Because while we don't know for sure when some of the issues (such as limits on programs) will be fixed, we do know that they are supposedly working on the code right now and that we've gotten 2 updates already. So I'm optimistic that we might have some of the major flaws updated within a 3-6 months (just a guess).

But like I said, even though I'm not a TIVO loyalist, I wouldn't feel completely comfortable having only the R15 yet (you can see my other thread about enhancements/fixes for things that I'm waiting to have added/fixed).


I totally agree, I just got an R10 when I heard about the R15 coming I was going to get it and take back the R10. Now, I am keeping both. Until, hopefully, some good things happen with the R15 and then possibly adding NDS's HD model when it comes.

[GunnySpook]

You guys sure aren't making this easy! :)

But I keep thinking that the DSR704 Tivo functionality (including annoyances/bugs) that was there last year and today is the same functionality that will be there a year from now. After all, what incentives are there for Tivo or D* to fix/develop/enhance anything on a DTivo box? In fact, I kindof felt like D* rushed/jumped at the opportunity to replace this box with their own.

I don't think the R15 that is here today will be the same a year from now.

The Gunny

[eengert]

You guys sure aren't making this easy! :)

But I keep thinking that the DSR704 Tivo functionality (including annoyances/bugs) that was there last year and today is the same functionality that will be there a year from now. After all, what incentives are there for Tivo or D* to fix/develop/enhance anything on a DTivo box? In fact, I kindof felt like D* rushed/jumped at the opportunity to replace this box with their own.

I don't think the R15 that is here today will be the same a year from now.

The Gunny

If you're afraid that if you don't get an R15 now you won't be able to for another 2 years, AND you aren't scared off by the prospect of some hiccups (possibly even unexplained missed recordings), and the known limitations (50 series, etc), then by all means get an R15. There is plenty to like about it if you're not a TIVO evangelist. And I agree that the TIVOs, though they'll be supported, won't be getting any upgrades while the R15 will be receiving many upgrades over the next year.

[LockMD]

You guys sure aren't making this easy! :)


Okay, me personally. I would go with the R15. BUT I am very new to this, so any DVR is cool to me. LOL. It's not that I think its bad or good. I've gotten kinda of use to my R10 in the short time I've had it and the delay with the R15 in the ffw/play is driving me crazy. I'm getting used to hitting the 'what he say button' 4-5 times to comensate.

I am happy with both but the R10 will more than likely not see any future updates from D* hence I say go with the R15 if you dont mind babysitting it for a while. Hopefully a short while.

[Clint Lamor]

I would have to agree with most here, the R10 isn't going to get any new features or upgrades (bar some MAJOR bug thats slipped by this long) where as the R15 will keep getting upgrades and made into a better product then it is today. Tivo is a great box but sadly I don't think it will ever be anything more then it was as of the last upgrade when it comes to the DirecTivo.

[Mike F]

I am happy with both but the R10 will more than likely not see any future updates from D* hence I say go with the R15 if you dont mind babysitting it for a while. Hopefully a short while.
I guess this is where I'm gun shy... DISH burned me with promises of upgrades and fixes with the DISHplayer 7100/7200. They were vocal about "Upgrades are comming" "We hear you and understand"... But the upgrades never came and the bugs continued (of course, DISH dropped Microsoft and came out with their own DVR, so maybe that was their solution, but they offered no replacement of the box for those of us that had them).

Now with that said, the R-15 IS the future with DirecTV, so that is definetly different. This IS their box and this IS where upgrades will happen. Its just at this point, we don't know how soon these upgrades will happen. So in the long run, yes, the R-15 is the way to go. If you have bugs / issues with DTiVo's, I wouldn't expect to see any fixes for them from this point forward, as this is legacy hardware for DTV so in that case, you probably don't want to live / suffer with that anymore.

As you can probably tell, I'm still on the fence. One side of me tells me I need to grab an R-10 before they are gone. The other side tells me I don't need to be in a hurry as the rebates go until February, so lets give the R-15 a few more months to see how DTV responds.

So as was stated... If you don't mind doing some babysitting and going through the learning curve / production bug cleanup cycle, then go for the R-15 as we will all be going that route sooner or later in the upcomming couple of years (unless you plan on going to DISH or Cable).

[Clint Lamor]

I guess this is where I'm gun shy... DISH burned me with promises of upgrades and fixes with the DISHplayer 7100/7200. They were vocal about "Upgrades are comming" "We hear you and understand"... But the upgrades never came and the bugs continued (of course, DISH dropped Microsoft and came out with their own DVR, so maybe that was their solution, but they offered no replacement of the box for those of us that had them).

Now with that said, the R-15 IS the future with DirecTV, so that is definetly different. This IS their box and this IS where upgrades will happen. Its just at this point, we don't know how soon these upgrades will happen. So in the long run, yes, the R-15 is the way to go. If you have bugs / issues with DTiVo's, I wouldn't expect to see any fixes for them from this point forward, as this is legacy hardware for DTV so in that case, you probably don't want to live / suffer with that anymore.

As you can probably tell, I'm still on the fence. One side of me tells me I need to grab an R-10 before they are gone. The other side tells me I don't need to be in a hurry as the rebates go until February, so lets give the R-15 a few more months to see how DTV responds.

So as was stated... If you don't mind doing some babysitting and going through the learning curve / production bug cleanup cycle, then go for the R-15 as we will all be going that route sooner or later in the upcomming couple of years (unless you plan on going to DISH or Cable).


Well I have no idea how DirecTV will act over time BUT in their defense they have already released 2 upgrades/patches for the R15, one got pushed down the moment many of us activate the box, the second came very soon after (depending on when you got the box)

[Mike F]

Well I have no idea how DirecTV will act over time BUT in their defense they have already released 2 upgrades/patches for the R15, one got pushed down the moment many of us activate the box, the second came very soon after (depending on when you got the box)
Yep. so that is promising and good to see. I'm just skeptical from past experience, and honestly hope that I'm proven wrong. I really would like to see the R-15 (and future NDS units) be a killer product since this is the direction DirecTV has chosen, and I'm not wanting to go back to DISH or Cable anytime soon.

[Clint Lamor]

Yep. so that is promising and good to see. I'm just skeptical from past experience, and honestly hope that I'm proven wrong. I really would like to see the R-15 (and future NDS units) be a killer product since this is the direction DirecTV has chosen, and I'm not wanting to go back to DISH or Cable anytime soon.

I'm in the same boat, cable is horrible where I live and I didn't like Dish when I had it. I can always go back to using my SA Tivo's (which are still being used) but I lose the Dual Tuner which is great.

[John Duncan Yoyo]

After Reading few reviews I decided that the R15 is far from ripe yet. I figure it might be worth while by the time the R25 or whatever replaces the R15 comes out. But I really like TiVO's features. I may get a second R10 as backup and throw a bigger Drive in my old Hughes SD DVR40.