[BlackDynamite]

Sorry guys, you have an idiot here with idiotic questions.

I just placed my install order with installation scheduled for this Saturday.

I got the whole home DVR service, 6 HD DVRs, a Home Media Server, and something called Cinema Connect.

I was on the phone so long I had to get to work, so I couldn't really ask the pertinent questions (plus I trust the answers here more than the phone reps anyway).

With the above setup, if I have a recording conflict, will it automatically move a recording to another DVR and record it anyway?

What is Cinema Connect? I didn't ask because they said it was free, and I didn't have time to get specifics.

 

[Stuart Sweet]

OK, now, I'm not disputing you but that's a pretty big order. The problem is that there is no DIRECTV approved way of sharing programming between more than 16 tuners. The HR24 is 2 tuners, the Home Media Server (also called Genie DVR) is 5 tuners, so that's 17. One of the HR24s will be odd man out; either it will be set to a single tuner mode or it won't be able to share programming.


Unfortunately there is no way to shift programming across devices automatically.

The Cinema Connection Kit allows for all the devices to share a common connection to the internet. If you don't want your receivers to be internet connected, the best thing to do is graciously accept the kit and disconnect it when the installer leaves. They don't get the full pay for an install unless they connect you to the internet.

 

[yosoyellobo]

The day you get a recording conflict, please post the details. I just don't see how you can get one with so many tuners available.

 

[BlackDynamite]

Crap, why did these morons sell me this if there is no way to make it work? Maybe I should downgrade one of the HD DVRs to just a regular HD receiver with no DVR?

I actually want them connected to the internet, so no problems there.

I'm concerned that this isn't going to work now. They have me scheduled for install (a move actually, with several upgrades) this coming Saturday. I don't want the tech to get there and tell me it isn't going to work.

 

[spartanstew]

You could always keep it as is and just have a single tuner active on one of the DVR's (as Stuart mentioned).

 

[BlackDynamite]

The day you get a recording conflict, please post the details. I just don't see how you can get one with so many tuners available.

Well I was meaning if I have one receiver set to record 3 or 4 programs at the same time, will it automatically use another receiver to do it or will it have a conflict? Basically wondering if I will have to be mindful of scheduled recordings and spread them out amongst the receivers or if the system would do that for me.

It sounds like the system won't do that so now I think I got my answer. Better to know that now, in advance, than at the last second.

 

[spartanstew]

Correct, but keep in mind that the HR34 has 5 tuners so that's where you'll want to record the bulk of your programming.

 

[BlackDynamite]

You could always keep it as is and just have a single tuner active on one of the DVR's (as Stuart mentioned).

Is there some kind of unsupported way to make it work?

 

[spartanstew]

Out of curiousity, why do you need 17 tuners (instead of 16)?

 

[BlackDynamite]

Correct, but keep in mind that the HR34 has 5 tuners so that's where you'll want to record the bulk of your programming.

Oh yeah, definitely. But that receiver won't be in my main tv watching room so if I hit record on the spur if the moment it won't record on that one. Probably just going to set all my season series recordings in the HR34 (which will sit in the man cave).

 

[BlackDynamite]

Out of curiousity, why do you need 17 tuners (instead of 16)?

I don't. But if it is recording something, I just don't want to have to watch that channel. Otherwise, 16 seems like plenty.

 

[spartanstew]

Gotcha.

I have an HR21 in our upstairs game room that I use strictly for watching recordings via MRV (and occasional live TV). I never have anything recording on it and never set anything up to record on it.

 

[peds48]

Is there some kind of unsupported way to make it work?

nope

 

[BlackDynamite]

nope

Dang. Well I think I'll just go with only activating 1 tuner on a receiver that won't get too much use. And hopefully someday someone invents a way to make it all work.

That is all assuming the tech that comes out doesn't freak out and refuse to install it.

 

[dpeters11]

I think a key for you will be to make sure to keep everything organized. In terms of number of series setup, each DVR can handle 50 series links, the HR34 can do 100.

I'd keep track of the DVR's and what you have set up on them in a spreadsheet. I think it'll help overall.

 

[west99999]

Is this a new install and if so how much did you pay for all these receivers?

 

[dsw2112]

This might be a good place to look:

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=207005

While there's no officially supported way to share programming between 17 tuners it certainly can be done (in the method in the thread above, or by bridging the two SWM networks through ethernet.) While the tech is not likely to perform either method, they should install two SWM16's allowing all functionality except whole home between all receivers. The latter can be accomplished with a little bit of work on your part Should you wish to change a DVR to a receiver it would certainly simplify things a bit though

 

[BlackDynamite]

This might be a good place to look:

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=207005

While there's no officially supported way to share programming between 17 tuners it certainly can be done (in the method in the thread above, or by bridging the two SWM networks through ethernet.) While the tech is not likely to perform either method, they should install two SWM16's allowing all functionality except whole home between all receivers. The latter can be accomplished with a little bit of work on your part Should you wish to change a DVR to a receiver it would certainly simplify things a bit though

Thank you! I'll definitely have to check this out.

 

[Laxguy]

I'd tend to keep it simpler. One way to do so is have one receiver only model, and it can be used to designate recordings going to whatever DVR you want.

I do all sports and impromptu recordings on my Genie, aka HR34, aka HMC, all movies on my HR24, with series links on both. Almost no conflicts, and is easy to manage.

Whatever you do:Enjoy!

 

[BlackDynamite]

I'd tend to keep it simpler. One way to do so is have one receiver only model, and it can be used to designate recordings going to whatever DVR you want.

I do all sports and impromptu recordings on my Genie, aka HR34, aka HMC, all movies on my HR24, with series links on both. Almost no conflicts, and is easy to manage.

Whatever you do:Enjoy!

Yeah I probably would have done this if the agent on the phone would have told me it wasn't going to work.

At this point, I've already paid for it and got it scheduled, so I don't want to change anything.

I'll probably just leave 1 tuner inactive somewhere, and eventually I'll try to get it working though an unsupported way.