[satking]

I was able to negotiate a install of HD Dvr and second receiver at no cost. Now I am second guessing and wondering is there is ever a reason to get a non-dvr receiver other than cost. I'm not seeing the benefit of H25 or H24. I may be able to negotiate another dvr for small cost. My install is later this week.

Once I have 2 year commitment, my leverage is gone and I would have to re-up for another 2 years if I exchange the H25 in the future. I am already paying the dvr fee so monthly cost would be the same.

Is 2 HD dvrs is better than HD Dvr & receiver? There is no big need for 2nd DVR at moment but if it only cost $50 or $100 it may be best move.
Anyone wish they got 2 dvrs instead?

 

[PCampbell]

Smaller and uses a little less power. Thats about it.

 

[billsharpe]

I switched to FiOS last October and dropped back from 2 DVR's to one DVR and one receiver. I hardly ever used the second DVR. Total hard disk capacity dropped from 600 gb to 500 gb, but I never got close to filling up either DVR.

I can watch recorded shows on the HD receiver while my wife is watching or recording another show on the DVR.

 

[bwaldron]

Smaller and uses a little less power. Thats about it.

Also faster -- and no disk drive as a potential problem source. On the software side, you gain auto-tune if that is of any use to you.

 

[Laxguy]

And no noise at all, and much smaller footprint in the case of the H25.

If you should have two DVRs at some point, the H's can record on either box, whereas currently you can record only to the DVR you are controlling.

 

[CCarncross]

Most the pros and cons have been pointed out..that said I have 3 dvrs in my setup and zero non-dvrs.....

 

[banditt76]

Most the pros and cons have been pointed out..that said I have 3 dvrs in my setup and zero non-dvrs.....

The pros of a DVR more than outweigh any gains a non-DVR would have. Other than maybe potential failing HDD issues.

 

[Laxguy]

The pros of a DVR more than outweigh any gains a non-DVR would have. Other than maybe potential failing HDD issues.

For you, in a limited set of (your own) circumstances!

There are instances where an H25 (or even a '24) makes a better choice for some.

 

[harsh]

There are instances where an H25 (or even a '24) makes a better choice for some.

The big bonus that nobody's seen fit to mention is that the H series receivers (except for the H20) can be used to schedule recordings on DVRs while DVRs cannot. This is useful for those who like to dedicate each of their DVRs to recording particular types of programming.

 

[banditt76]

For you, in a limited set of (your own) circumstances!

There are instances where an H25 (or even a '24) makes a better choice for some.

Fair enough. I honestly dislike the whole idea of WHDVR. I don't want another receiver to have any access to my main HD DVR. Too many potentials for bad things happening with recordings.

 

[satking]

thanks for the discussion everyone. i think i will try for the second dvr and let cost be deciding factor. if i have to pay full price, then i will stick with hd reciever. i wont pay more than $100 for 2nd dvr.
we occasionally like to use two tuners in main room. if i am watching recorded programming on receiver, one concern was family would have access to only one tuner to watch programming or recording on dvr. dont have functionality now with tivo unit and receiver but whole home opens up new possibilities.

 

[Laxguy]

Fair enough. I honestly dislike the whole idea of WHDVR. I don't want another receiver to have any access to my main HD DVR. Too many potentials for bad things happening with recordings.

I can understand caution, and it depends on who may share your household, but I've not had any problem with two DVRs and two H25's. I like WHDVR, MRV, or whatever else one wishes to call it. But note also, with a second DVR, they can be set to have access, or not, same as with a receiver-only model.

 

[wall-e]

Unless there has been a change that I am not aware of with the non-dvr receivers, the one thing that can not be done on a non-dvr receiver is pausing live tv. To me, pausing, rewinding, and fast-forwarding was the deciding factor of going dvr over the non-dvr. This is my 2cents.

 

[Laxguy]

Unless there has been a change that I am not aware of with the non-dvr receivers, the one thing that can not be done on a non-dvr receiver is pausing live tv. To me, pausing, rewinding, and fast-forwarding was the deciding factor of going dvr over the non-dvr. This is my 2cents.

No, that's not been changed, nor will it. Anything I want to pause I hit Record on the H25. It's a matter of easy adjustment.