DVR? Ok I am lost a little help here!!!

[Zyeox]

I like to say hello to everyone on this fine site. I have been reading up on these dvr systems. But to a newb like me I am getting confused and totally lost. I have some questions or maybe you can give me some tips or ideas on what I should do and so on.

1. Do I need to have a land based phone line? I use cell phone as my primary phone and I don't have a land base connection in my apartment. I get mixed answers to this question.


2. When the D* guy comes to install will he say forget about giving me the dvr system cause I don't have a land base phone line?

3. Which system will I want to get? IF I am correct the R15 is the better than the r10.

4. Is there a way to hook up the DVR to my home computer?

Sorry if these been answered but I seem to get different answers to all these questions. As for question 4 I am not talking about illegal copying shows or movies was wondering if I could use an extra hard drive for storage?

"Z"

[Earl Bonovich]

#1: For the TiVo powered products, you will need access to a landline phone to make at least 2 calls during setup. After that, you can go without the phone line. (you will just get a nag screen).

The non-TiVo powered units... "technically" require them (As do all recievers) to do ppv... but it works just fine without one.

#2: No, just tell him you are getting a phone line soon and will add it.

#3: Yes and no. The R10 and the TiVo products are much more "mature" and have less issues. The R15 is the new kid on the block and is the foundation for the next generation of DTV services. (aka... the R15 will continue to improve and get better, as the TiVo powered units... what you get today, is what you will have tomorrow)

#4: TiVo powered products (excluding the R10) can be hacked to do a little of what you want... but if you are not into that, it can be tricky and potentially harmfull to your unit.

The R15 as of right now no, but there are some new Services like DirecTV2Go and Microsoft Media Center integration that are comming down the road.

And actuallyy... for #4... You really can't do that at this point (extra storage) even with the hacking of the units.

[Zyeox]

Thanks for the quick reply. I think will take your advice on the question #2. As I was thinking the same thing. I just tell him I have the phone guy coming later in the day to install phone line.

So bascially I want the R15 one as that one is actually better but with a new system comes problems. (Kinda of reminds me of getting WinXP. Have to sort through all the bugs.) Now as you stated above u said I only need the land based phone line only if I get the TIVO system. Correct? So if I get a regular old DVR system I don't need one only if I plan on doing PPV. Right?

Also if I do have the DVR system with out TiVO can I still upgrade without the land based phone line?

Sorry for all the questions. Just need to know If I need to go out and get more ****. I mean the guy is coming Monday so I need to know if I need to get on it quick. LOL!!!

[Earl Bonovich]

yes... to most of your questions.

The R15 doesn't need the phone line (except for PPV)
And yes it will upgrade without a phone line.

[Zyeox]

Well I sure hope I get the R15 then. Thanks for the help Earl!!