721- question on 2 timers at once

[steveT]

I just posted about some 721 problems, but also have a question. I've tried setting it to record 2 channels at the same time. I accept the defaults of start-1-min-early and end-3-min-late. Then I sit back to watch what happens. It gets to 1 min prior to both start times, and it flashes a warning box that the main tuner is in use, and must be released to record both other shows.

I then do nothing, because what I really care about it what happens when I have 2 timers like this set when I'm out of town. Apparently what happens is that after a few minutes, it finally goes ahead on it's own and grabs both tuners, changes them to the channels, and records. But by the time all that happens, it misses the first minute on one of the shows (even though I'd had the 1-min early options selected).

Is there any way around this? I tried 2 timers starting 2 minutes prior to the start time, which helps, but then the programs show up in the PVR list with the wrong name (it lists the name of the prior show which was ending...)

Thanks for any help,
SteveT

[thomasmaly]

Just turn the 721 off when recording 2 channels at same time.
If you are out of town, with unit off it will record both with no problem.

[steveT]

thomasmaly, I tried that the first time, after reading some info on this board a few weeks ago. With the unit off, it didn't record anything. Five timers, all missed (two set up concurrently). When I called Tech Support last night, the guy told me the unit will never record anything if it's turned off. Sounds like that's not true?...

[thomasmaly]

I have recorded on both tuners dozens of times with the unit off.

[Big D]

My 721 recorded my only attempt okay when the unit was powered off. I would be surprised if it worked any other way, when you think about it. If you wanted to record one show over a 2 week vacation, who would want to leave their unit on that whole time, recording ALL shows along the way just to dump them once the buffer was full. I looked in the manual and could not find it mentioned that it records when off.

[steveT]

Yep, there's ALOT of stuff missing from the manual. They should be posting updates and errata on the website, but apparently they're not doing that. For that matter, they could start an FAQ list for 721 users, with fixes from their Tech Support, and reduce their call volume.

I'll try the power-off recording again. I just never know what's going to work and when with this unit.

[Jacob S]

The tech must not have known what he/she was talking about when he/she said that it would not record with the receiver off. Just look at the receiver when a recording is to be done and have the receiver off. You will still see the red record button on. Turn the receiver off while you are recording something, the red record button will still be on.