Have you ever used the Tivo-style text guide? [Archive]

hoopsbwc34

08-23-07, 01:00 PM

As a new HR20 user coming from 5 years with Tivo, I was surprised to see the Tivo-style guide not doing better in the WishList (http://www.sizethis.com/index.php?module=survey&survey=28). Personally, I went crazy trying to go through all the shows on at PrimeTime to set up season passes, because I had to move around in the guide so much.

So that made me think... how many people have used the Tivo style guide and that drives their opinion of it versus how many just don't have an opinion because they haven't used it before?

Earl Bonovich

08-23-07, 01:03 PM

Yes I have... and after using it, is one of the reasons I turned it off.

While I understand people liked to see an entire's day's worth of programming on one channel in one shot...

I like using the GRID, so I can see pontential conflicts, accross channels.

And usually when I am in the Guide... I am looking at things to watch NOW, or with in 30 minutes...

Not all the programs that on a specific channel for the next 12ish hours.

hoopsbwc34

08-23-07, 01:09 PM

I like using the GRID, so I can see pontential conflicts, accross channels.

I could see that, but even that doesn't really work well cause I can only see a few channels at once... it's like the reverse problem.

And usually when I am in the Guide... I am looking at things to watch NOW, or with in 30 minutes...

Not all the programs that on a specific channel for the next 12ish hours.

For me I use the guide to find programs to record as well...so I go to my favorite channels and look at their content over the next several days. This is how I find shows I didn't even know I wanted to record, so I couldn't search for them... with the HR20 guide, this takes FOREVER....

Michael D'Angelo

08-23-07, 01:10 PM

I have used it and don't really like it. I would not use it if it was added to the HR20. When I am watching live TV I want to know what is on now or coming up shortly. I don't really need to know what is coming on much later in the day. Plus I probably already have anything that I want to watch later in the day set to record.

JACKIEGAGA

08-23-07, 01:15 PM

I tried but did not like it at all. I prefer the grid guide if it was an option on the HR20
I would not even bother with it.

bonscott87

08-23-07, 01:27 PM

First I'll say after using Tivo for 6 years it was a bit of a change but now the "Tivo style" guide actually drives me nuts to use. All what you're used to I guess.

For me I use the guide to find programs to record as well...so I go to my favorite channels and look at their content over the next several days. This is how I find shows I didn't even know I wanted to record, so I couldn't search for them... with the HR20 guide, this takes FOREVER....

I'll give you a couple tips that will allow you to *quickly* add a bunch of series links (season passes).

First, pull up the guide on the channel in question (say Discovery) and then left arrow to highlight the channel number. Hit the Info button. This will pull up the entire 2 weeks guide data for that channel only.
Now simply page down until you find the shows you want, hit record twice and viola! Series links quickly created.

Next option is to stay in the guide. Say I'm setting up series links for the "big 4". Get it so all 4 are on the screen at once. Now hit the menu button, choose Date & Time. I'll choose Sunday at 8pm. Now you'll have most of prime time for the big 4 all on screen. Quickly "two button" series link record all you want. Now hit the green button twice which advanced you in the guide 24 hours (12 for each press). Now you're in prime time on Monday. Rinse repeat for the entire week. I'll bet you'll setup a couple dozen series links in less then 10 minutes. :D

Good luck!

Stuart Sweet

08-23-07, 01:27 PM

Different strokes for different folks. I only used it to search for movies to record. Otherwise I wanted to see what was on "now" on as many channels as possible.

hoopsbwc34

08-23-07, 01:36 PM

First I'll say after using Tivo for 6 years it was a bit of a change but now the "Tivo style" guide actually drives me nuts to use. All what you're used to I guess.

I'll give you a couple tips that will allow you to *quickly* add a bunch of series links (season passes).

First, pull up the guide on the channel in question (say Discovery) and then left arrow to highlight the channel number. Hit the Info button. This will pull up the entire 2 weeks guide data for that channel only.
Now simply page down until you find the shows you want, hit record twice and viola! Series links quickly created.

Next option is to stay in the guide. Say I'm setting up series links for the "big 4". Get it so all 4 are on the screen at once. Now hit the menu button, choose Date & Time. I'll choose Sunday at 8pm. Now you'll have most of prime time for the big 4 all on screen. Quickly "two button" series link record all you want. Now hit the green button twice which advanced you in the guide 24 hours (12 for each press). Now you're in prime time on Monday. Rinse repeat for the entire week. I'll bet you'll setup a couple dozen series links in less then 10 minutes. :D

Good luck!

Thanks..I'll give this a try!

Spanky_Partain

08-23-07, 01:36 PM

Sorry, I have been spoiled to Directv's normal grid for many years.

Never had a Tivo, so I guess I don't know what I was missing. Always thought they cost too much money to have membership fees attached to them as well.

hoopsbwc34

08-23-07, 01:39 PM

Different strokes for different folks.

I'm with you... I feel the same way about AutoTune :D

Sirshagg

08-23-07, 01:47 PM

First, pull up the guide on the channel in question (say Discovery) and then left arrow to highlight the channel number. Hit the Info button. This will pull up the entire 2 weeks guide data for that channel only.
Now simply page down until you find the shows you want, hit record twice and viola! Series links quickly created.

Sorry to say this isn't so. See description here (http://www.dbstalk.com/showpost.php?p=1060045&postcount=167).

Sirshagg

08-23-07, 01:51 PM

First, pull up the guide on the channel in question (say Discovery) and then left arrow to highlight the channel number. Hit the Info button. This will pull up the entire 2 weeks guide data for that channel only.

I :heart: :heart: :heart: the Tivo style guide but I'm definitely doing better now that i know about this. Probably the biggest issue for me still is just how little guide data fits on the screen at once. But that's another wishlist request.

jhsanchez

08-23-07, 02:00 PM

Sirshagg

08-23-07, 02:16 PM

I'd use it exclusively if the HR20 had it as an option.

No question about it!

Rockermann

08-23-07, 02:33 PM

Another here that would prefer the Tivo style menu to the grid. I've used the option outlined above for getting a Tivo-like guide and while it's not quite the same, it's better than having only the grid.

Count me as one that would switch the minute it was available.

JonW

08-23-07, 02:49 PM

One of the main reasons for using the TiVo style grid was because the DirecTv style grid on the HR10-250 was incredibly slow. The only time I would switch to it (which was a bother) was when I wanted to see what was coming up long in the future on a given channel - and the HR20 already does that in a much easier way.

bradfjoh

08-23-07, 02:59 PM

i'd definitely switch to using the tivo style guide if it was made available. It bothers me that you can only see 1.5 hrs in advance.

tonyd79

08-23-07, 03:04 PM

I never used it much. Mostly on the HR10 before version 6 when the grid guide was very slow and I was looking for shows on a station or two, the Tivo guide was still fast.

I never understood the logic of it. Yes, sometimes I want to see what is on a channel in the future (like trolling for movies on HDNET Movies) but when I am in the guide, it is usually because I want to see what is on now and in the near future on as many channels as possible. The tivo guide only gives you now and one channel of future.

If I am looking for a show in the future, most often I would search for it using search or a wishlist.

bonscott87

08-23-07, 03:31 PM

Sorry to say this isn't so. See description here (http://www.dbstalk.com/showpost.php?p=1060045&postcount=167).

Don't know what to tell you but I do it all the time. From that post it sounds like the problem is that the show you did it on is one currently on "live". It certainly won't happen when setting a recording 3 days in the future.

tiger2005

08-23-07, 03:34 PM

My GF and I both still prefer the TiVo style guide to the D* Guide. The TiVo style Guide allows us to see what's on 8 different channels at the current time, it shows the next 8 programs that will be on the currently selected channel regardless of the timing so if the next program isn't on until 2 or 6 hours later you'll still see that next program, and the speed of the guide is phenomenal. One of the most overlooked features of the TiVo guide is that it allows you to view programs that have already aired and ended by scrolling backwards. I didn't realize how often I used that feature until I got to the HR20 and this option wasn't available.

I know that there's a 'workaround' that gives you a piece of this TiVo functionality, but IMO its not even close. Why can't D* at least implement something similar and give us the option to choose which guide we would prefer??? That was one of the best things about the TiVo guides. This whole discussion would pretty much be a moot point because we would all be happy with how the guides looked since it would be our choice on which to use. I'm guessing it goes back to the amount of support required and how many resources D* devotes to this type of a feature.

Sirshagg

08-23-07, 03:37 PM

i'd definitely switch to using the tivo style guide if it was made available. It bothers me that you can only see 1.5 hrs in advance.

:up: :up: :up:

hoopsbwc34

08-23-07, 03:52 PM

I know that there's a 'workaround' that gives you a piece of this TiVo functionality, but IMO its not even close. Why can't D* at least implement something similar and give us the option to choose which guide we would prefer??? That was one of the best things about the TiVo guides. This whole discussion would pretty much be a moot point because we would all be happy with how the guides looked since it would be our choice on which to use. I'm guessing it goes back to the amount of support required and how many resources D* devotes to this type of a feature.

Don't forget to vote for it in the WishList (http://www.sizethis.com/index.php?module=survey&survey=28) then and maybe it will get added...

unless it's patented (AutoCorrect), assumed to be patented (DLB) or might upset advertisers (30 sec skip) :lol:

Rockermann

08-23-07, 04:17 PM

...I never understood the logic of it. Yes, sometimes I want to see what is on a channel in the future (like trolling for movies on HDNET Movies) but when I am in the guide, it is usually because I want to see what is on now and in the near future on as many channels as possible.

I guess I never understood the logic of watching what is 'on now' when I have a DVR. :lol:

Seriously, I channel surf or watch live TV maybe once a year. No lie. Other than that, I sit down when I have free time and choose from the multitude of programs in my 'now playing list' to find something to watch.

Sirshagg

08-23-07, 04:54 PM

I guess I never understood the logic of watching what is 'on now' when I have a DVR. :lol:

Seriously, I channel surf or watch live TV maybe once a year. No lie. Other than that, I sit down when I have free time and choose from the multitude of programs in my 'now playing list' to find something to watch.

Same here. I suspect there are MANY people who don't use their dvr like this though, personally I don't understand it (other than live events).

I generally use the guide to find interesting stuff to record some time in the future. I like being able to easilly see many hours of programming on a single channel at once and then being able to instantly switch to seeing multiple hours or programming on the next channel and so on.

rekoil

08-23-07, 05:01 PM

I'm a fresh DirecTiVO to HR-20 switcher, and I will say that the grid-style channel guide could be a lot more useful if the box could take advantage of the configured HD resolution and put more data on the screen. When you're in 1080i mode the guide text is much larger (to me, at least) than it needs to be, and smaller text would allow much more info to be shown on the screen at once, IMO.

tonyd79

08-23-07, 09:29 PM

I guess I never understood the logic of watching what is 'on now' when I have a DVR. :lol:

I see, you never casually wanted to see what is on. Maybe to record it? Maybe we can just get rid of the guide for you, then.

I am open to ALL shows not just what I have recorded. I don't understand the logic of limiting yourself to what you have recorded when there are hundreds of other shows available right now.

The logic of "I have a DVR so I only watch pre-corded stuff" is just silly to me.

Sirshagg

08-23-07, 09:31 PM

I see, you never casually wanted to see what is on. Maybe to record it? Maybe we can just get rid of the guide for you, then.

I am open to ALL shows not just what I have recorded. I don't understand the logic of limiting yourself to what you have recorded when there are hundreds of other shows available right now.

The logic of "I have a DVR so I only watch pre-corded stuff" is just silly to me.

The point is that you use the guide to find things to record for watching later.

hoopsbwc34

08-24-07, 09:51 AM

Same here. I suspect there are MANY people who don't use their dvr like this though, personally I don't understand it (other than live events).

Thus the AutoTune option in the wishlist.... which makes no sense to me at all with a DVR...

hoopsbwc34

08-24-07, 09:53 AM

61.3% in favor currently, but we are getting hammered in the WishList Survey (http://www.sizethis.com/index.php?module=results&survey=28)

Ken S

08-24-07, 10:37 AM

I tried it a few times and never really liked it.

Generally, when I'm looking for shows to record I thought the showcases and suggestions were much better (and sadly missed on the HR20).

I also wish the HR20 would give us a few more lines on the Guide screen.

tonyd79

08-24-07, 12:21 PM

The point is that you use the guide to find things to record for watching later.

And deprive yourself of watching things that are on now because?

I guess I am silly. I use my DVR to do all of the above. Live TV is tuned in with my DVR so therefore it is a function of my DVR.

By your reasoning, because my telephone has a built in answering machine, I would never use it as a telephone only as an answering machine.

Explain to me again the logic of limiting yourself only to shows that are recorded? Why limit at all?

tonyd79

08-24-07, 12:25 PM

Generally, when I'm looking for shows to record I thought the showcases and suggestions were much better (and sadly missed on the HR20).

They were fun at first but showcases turned into mostly ads for Chevy and other car dealers and suggestions just got dumber and dumber. If I look at the suggestions, I find that I like the Simpsons! Wow! I haven't found anything new in suggestions in about two years.

The better technique for me was to do a wishlist on premiers and season premiers. That would get movies that were new to stations like Encore (even if it was an older movie, but it was something available again) and catch new seasons of shows to check out. I think I can do them on the HR20 as well.

Sirshagg

08-24-07, 12:34 PM

And deprive yourself of watching things that are on now because?

1) I'd rather fast forward through all the commercials.
2) I'd rather watch shows on MY schedule and not the networks.

Take your pick.

I also don't feel deprived. In fact I feel privileged.

Sirshagg

08-24-07, 12:37 PM

By your reasoning, because my telephone has a built in answering machine, I would never use it as a telephone only as an answering machine.

I actually DO let my answering machine handle all the telemarketing calls.

Sirshagg

08-24-07, 12:40 PM

Explain to me again the logic of limiting yourself only to shows that are recorded? Why limit at all?

I'm not limiting myself to only recorded shows. I will watch things live (rarely), but prefer not to for the reasons already stated.

hoopsbwc34

08-24-07, 01:26 PM

And deprive yourself of watching things that are on now because?

No I just want the option to change the gudie depending on what I am doing... for me that is usually choosing stuff to record later so I use the Tivo guide.

But really the Tivo guide works great for stuff on right now too, at least for me... it shows you about 10 channels worth of shows on right now (left side) plus 12 hours of shows coming up for one channel (right side).

davidord

08-24-07, 02:25 PM

tonyd79

08-24-07, 03:04 PM

No I just want the option to change the gudie depending on what I am doing... for me that is usually choosing stuff to record later so I use the Tivo guide.

But really the Tivo guide works great for stuff on right now too, at least for me... it shows you about 10 channels worth of shows on right now (left side) plus 12 hours of shows coming up for one channel (right side).

I disagree with the statement that it gives good information on what is on now because now is a relative term. If you are cruising at 9:55 you want to know what is on at 10, not at 9:30.

I will never understand a preference for the Tivo guide, but you like what you like.

danor

08-24-07, 03:17 PM

As a new HR20 user coming from 5 years with Tivo, Personally, I went crazy trying to go through all the shows on at PrimeTime to set up season passes, because I had to move around in the guide so much.

So that made me think... how many people have used the Tivo style guide and that drives their opinion of it versus how many just don't have an opinion because they haven't used it before?
I loved the Tivo guide and absolutely wish we had an option.

Additionally, I wish we had an option to make the font size smaller. It huge!
.
.
.

Sirshagg

08-24-07, 03:35 PM

I disagree with the statement that it gives good information on what is on now because now is a relative term. If you are cruising at 9:55 you want to know what is on at 10, not at 9:30.

I will never understand a preference for the Tivo guide, but you like what you like.

With the Tivo guide you can very easilly change the time from 9:30 to 10 with the press of one buitton.

bonscott87

08-24-07, 03:49 PM

You guys ever think about why it's called the "Tivo" guide and that you don't see it on any other DVR? Hmmmmmm..... ;)

danor

08-24-07, 04:07 PM

You guys ever think about why it's called the "Tivo" guide and that you don't see it on any other DVR? Hmmmmmm..... ;)

No, but I'm sure you'd like to enlighten us...:D

Ken S

08-24-07, 06:20 PM

They were fun at first but showcases turned into mostly ads for Chevy and other car dealers and suggestions just got dumber and dumber. If I look at the suggestions, I find that I like the Simpsons! Wow! I haven't found anything new in suggestions in about two years.

The better technique for me was to do a wishlist on premiers and season premiers. That would get movies that were new to stations like Encore (even if it was an older movie, but it was something available again) and catch new seasons of shows to check out. I think I can do them on the HR20 as well.

The showcases did go downhill. Back when the movie channels and networks would showcase their upcoming shows it was quite good.

The suggestions required you to use the thumbs up and down to get better. It wasn't perfect but when faced with literally thousands of programs it was a place to start.

What do I do now? Well, I go to the website for some networks and look at what they have coming up. HBO, HDNet, Discovery, etc.

tonyd79

08-24-07, 08:42 PM

The suggestions required you to use the thumbs up and down to get better. It wasn't perfect but when faced with literally thousands of programs it was a place to start.

I did that loyally for a long time and it gave me shows I thumbs-downed. Finding little that I actually watched from suggestions, I gave up.

Today I use web info, the searches I mentioned, Entertaiment Weekly and stuff like that. Oh, and the Now Playing stuff at tivocommunity is quite good.

tonyd79

08-24-07, 08:44 PM

With the Tivo guide you can very easilly change the time from 9:30 to 10 with the press of one buitton.

But you still only see one time slot. How is that what is on now? (Meaning over the relative hour or so.)

Good for you that you like the tivo guide. I don't. And you won't see it on the HR20 unless D* pays off Tivo, so you are hoping in the wind.

Duffycoug

08-24-07, 09:10 PM

I tried it......hated it......would never use it if it were added to the HR20.

ronrico51

08-24-07, 10:47 PM

But you still only see one time slot. How is that what is on now? (Meaning over the relative hour or so.)

Good for you that you like the tivo guide. I don't. And you won't see it on the HR20 unless D* pays off Tivo, so you are hoping in the wind.

Boy, a lot of passion about something like the guide format. There seem to be 2 main types of viewers. Camp 1 likes to surf current live tv, camp 2 likes to record and watch later. I fall into camp 2, I will avoid live tv if at all possible. I hate commericals. I like to watch on my own schedule. Grid guide seems to suit camp 1, tivo guide camp 2. Guess which one I prefer. The tivo guide is a knock-off of Windows Explorer. The right column is an expansion of a selected item in the left. I could be wrong, but does Tivo own this concept?
One of many things I really disliked about the HR20 when switching from Tivo was the guide. I never used the grid on the Tivo, but it was there if you wanted it. I would be happy if the HR20 could offer the same option. After DLB, Wishlists, and the better Tivo search function, it's what I miss most. I don't hate the HR20, but it could be better, so why not ask for it.

Sirshagg

08-24-07, 11:07 PM

But you still only see one time slot. How is that what is on now? (Meaning over the relative hour or so.)

Yes, One time slot for 7 different channels, and 8 time slots for one channel. PLUs it's really easy to scroll through channels to change which one you see the 8 timeslots for.

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/9845/sativo2tivochannelguideaf1.jpg

And you won't see it on the HR20 unless D* pays off Tivo, so you are hoping in the wind.

That's what they said about the ffwd autocorrection.

Iwanthd

08-25-07, 08:53 AM

I prefer the TIVO style guide. It is much more efficient to look for future recordings on a particular channel. I hope we see something very similar on the HR20's

Drew2k

08-25-07, 08:59 AM

I prefer the TIVO style guide. It is much more efficient to look for future recordings on a particular channel. I hope we see something very similar on the HR20'sYou can do this on the HR20 right now for a single channel! In the guide, LEFT over to the channel number, then press INFO. You'll get all upcoming shows on that channel.

To go to the next channel, just press BACK, DOWN, INFO ... and repeat.

danor

08-25-07, 09:22 AM

Yes, One time slot for 7 different channels, and 8 time slots for one channel. PLUs it's really easy to scroll through channels to change which one you see the 8 timeslots for.

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/9845/sativo2tivochannelguideaf1.jpg

That's what they said about the ffwd autocorrection.Thanks Sirshagg -
I think I've died and gone to heaven... :lol:

.

Big Worm

08-29-07, 12:38 AM

Just got my HR20. First thing I looked for was the Tivo Guide. My wife and I are so pissed that it is not available. I cannot stand the DirecTV grid view!

DirecTV better bring the new HD channels otherwise this thing is going back.

or I would be happy if they added it as an option. Clicking the info button on the channel is a pain to keep doing.

FlyBono24

08-29-07, 05:50 AM

I agree. That's been one of my complaints since it came out.

+1 :icon_stup

Sirshagg

08-29-07, 06:23 AM

ghostdog

08-29-07, 06:19 PM

ghostdog

08-29-07, 06:57 PM

ghostdog

08-29-07, 07:03 PM

And deprive yourself of watching things that are on now because?

I guess I am silly. I use my DVR to do all of the above. Live TV is tuned in with my DVR so therefore it is a function of my DVR.

By your reasoning, because my telephone has a built in answering machine, I would never use it as a telephone only as an answering machine.

Explain to me again the logic of limiting yourself only to shows that are recorded? Why limit at all?

I never want to see a commerical unless it's going at warp speed!;)

danor

08-29-07, 07:08 PM

I have had TiVos for years and LOVE their guide style. In fact, the lack of same kept me from moving for a year now. I'll try the trick mentioned earlier and see how I like it. The reason I prefer the TiVo style is that I only want to see the extended guide on certain channels and not others plus I can see further into the "future" with it.

I'd use it exclusively if the HR20 had it as an option.
JimI've tried it. It's crap.
Like all the Tivo "workarounds".
Sorry, but D* are such idiots. I mean Hello!
Take an innovation that is nothing less than spectacular and Build on it!
"Oh no, we'll show them" -
Idiots...

Sirshagg

08-29-07, 07:18 PM

Man, I miss it for exactly the same reasons.
It's one of the fastest ways to get to an event/show I want to record.

Anyone who want thison the HR20 needs to vote for it in the wishlist survey (http://www.sizethis.com/index.php?module=survey&survey=28).

This is the option you want to give a thumbs up to.

http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/7933/snag0000gd0.jpg

While there be sure to complete the rest of the survey too