[bgartz]

I was a Directv subscriber for almost 12 years, but last year decided to try and save some $$'s with a full Fios bundle. The service has been fine, with no issues, but I miss Directv and the better DVRs, football, and having fun with the CE program.

They are offering me a nice deal with all the latest DVRs, but after updating my knowledge I am not sure if the HR34 is the best choice, however there would never be a cheaper time to get one.

So here is the setup I want. 2 DVRs (Family Room, Bedroom) pause and rewind live TV a must. Then another HD receiver in the kids play room area.

I would like to have an HR34 in the main area, and an HR24 in the BR. The extra tuners will be perfect for sports and prime-time TV recording.

Some of the feedback I have been reading gives me concern with the stability of the HR34. I know for every issue, there are others with no problems, but my kids have gotten used to the On-Demand shows, and want to make sure they get a close enough experience to what they got used to. I know it does not work that same as FIOS, I was using the D* version when it was still in beta and first released. But I read that the HR34 has some issues with VOD.

Any thoughts on the best setup since I have a clean slate.

Thanks,

 

[Yoda-DBSguy]

I was a Directv subscriber for almost 12 years, but last year decided to try and save some $$'s with a full Fios bundle. The service has been fine, with no issues, but I miss Directv and the better DVRs, football, and having fun with the CE program.

They are offering me a nice deal with all the latest DVRs, but after updating my knowledge I am not sure if the HR34 is the best choice, however there would never be a cheaper time to get one.

So here is the setup I want. 2 DVRs (Family Room, Bedroom) pause and rewind live TV a must. Then another HD receiver in the kids play room area.

I would like to have an HR34 in the main area, and an HR24 in the BR. The extra tuners will be perfect for sports and prime-time TV recording.

Some of the feedback I have been reading gives me concern with the stability of the HR34. I know for every issue, there are others with no problems, but my kids have gotten used to the On-Demand shows, and want to make sure they get a close enough experience to what they got used to. I know it does not work that same as FIOS, I was using the D* version when it was still in beta and first released. But I read that the HR34 has some issues with VOD.

Any thoughts on the best setup since I have a clean slate.

Thanks,

The biggest isse with the HR 34 right now is VOD skipping ahead during playback a couple of times a min. This will be addressed in future update (hopefully not to much longer).

You mentioned your getting at least 1 more dvr in a bedroom which can be used to download VOD. Once downloaded, the VOD can be played back without issue on any of your receivers including the HR34. This is a temp workaround but non the less works for now.

Another posiisible long term solution that would work rigth off the bat would be to have an HD dvr installed in lue of the HD receiver in the kids play room. It won't cost you anything extra in terms of monthly service as the DVR fee is billed per account not per receiver. You shoud/might be able to get the DVR at no charge since your dealing with a 3 receiver sertup (or at least a discounted 99 or 49 upfront lease fee depending on your credit).

If your previous costomer relationship with DirecTV causes an issue with not being eligable for equipment discounts or new customer perks; simply try placing the account in your wifes name using a different phone number then what was on the last account.

(mod edit: redacted)

 

[bgartz]

The biggest isse with the HR 34 right now is VOD skipping ahead during playback a couple of times a min. This will be addressed in future update (hopefully not to much longer).

You mentioned your getting at least 1 more dvr in a bedroom which can be used to download VOD. Once downloaded, the VOD can be played back without issue on any of your receivers including the HR34. This is a temp workaround but non the less works for now.

Another posiisible long term solution that would work rigth off the bat would be to have an HD dvr installed in lue of the HD receiver in the kids play room. It won't cost you anything extra in terms of monthly service as the DVR fee is billed per account not per receiver. You shoud/might be able to get the DVR at no charge since your dealing with a 3 receiver sertup (or at least a discounted 99 or 49 upfront lease fee depending on your credit).

If your previous costomer relationship with DirecTV causes an issue with not being eligable for equipment discounts or new customer perks; simply try placing the account in your wifes name using a different phone number then what was on the last account.

(mod edit: redacted)

That is an interesting idea going with 3 dvrs. I like the idea of the hr34 looking at features (but also need to balance the WAF), but my only reason reason for a plain box in the play room was the box would be exposed to the kids touching it. Less moving parts the better.

I will have to give that some thought. Thanks..

 

[Beerstalker]

You may also consider holding out a bit longer to see how the thin clients turn out. You may be able to just do one HR34 in the living room and thin clients in the other two rooms. This will give you trickplay ability in all 3 rooms, you can set up recordings on the HR34 from all 3 rooms, look at the to do list from all 3 rooms, etc. The thin clients should be pretty simple little boxes that you shouldn't have to worry about your kids messing up. The thin clients are rumored to be released this month or next month last I heard.

 

[harsh]

It is important to understand that getting an HR24 is never assured if you order through DIRECTV. DIRECTV just recently began not requiring return of leased HR20s so there's a lot of used gear still coming into the system. Ordering through storefronts (online or brick & mortar) is something you should probably investigate.

Your qualification for "born again" customer status may not be there yet and as such, you may not be able to swing some of the sweet deals that have been mentioned above.

You should also research current VOD offerings from DIRECTV in terms of selection and useability to see if it is going to meet your family's needs.

 

[harsh]

You may also consider holding out a bit longer to see how the thin clients turn out.

You can get a hint about how RVU is coming by looking at the Samsung clients.

 

[Beerstalker]

You can get a hint about how RVU is coming by looking at the Samsung clients.

I disagree. I think the reason we haven't seen the thin clients yet is because DirecTV is trying to make sure they work right before they release them. As opposed to Samsung who keeps promising it, but keeps screwing it up.

 

[harsh]

I disagree. I think the reason we haven't seen the thin clients yet is because DirecTV is trying to make sure they work right before they release them. As opposed to Samsung who keeps promising it, but keeps screwing it up.

You're assuming that all of the problems rest with the client. There's a DIRECTV server feeding those clients than may be contributing to the failures.

 

[hdtvfan0001]

To the original poster.

If you hope to get accurate/reliable information on DirecTV equipment, products, or services..feel free to ignore any Dish customer advice/intervention from anyone wearing a Beagle outfit.

 

[TomCat]

No one really knows you, but from what you post here you were willing to roll the dice on FiOS and were willing to roll them again to come back.

I think that is what you must do again; roll the dice on the HR24 and HR34. That is a lot better position that existing customers who are forced to roll the dice on what model they get, period.

The worst that can happen is the 34 will stumble rather than improve (and improvement is what is naturally expected), and even if that were the case you could then revert to a second 24 and another DVR or receiver for the kids, and you still would have a good setup.

Remember that the trajectory of both the user interface and the reliability of DTV DVRs has not really improved in your absence (although we are not going to hang that one on you ). It started miserably in 2007, became surprisingly adequate in 2008, improved steadily alnog with the addition of clever new features for another two years, and then decreased noticably with the addition of some not-so-clever features in the last two years to about the 2008 level, so they are not quite as user-friendly and reliable as they were when you left, very possibly. Folks will argue that point, but there is credibility on both sides.

But DTV is still possibly the best option out there even if a shadow of the up-and-comer they were in 2010, and very possibly a move back to DTV would be a good one.

Just, good luck with that.

 

[bgartz]

No one really knows you, but from what you post here you were willing to roll the dice on FiOS and were willing to roll them again to come back.

I think that is what you must do again; roll the dice on the HR24 and HR34. That is a lot better position that existing customers who are forced to roll the dice on what model they get, period.

The worst that can happen is the 34 will stumble rather than improve (and improvement is what is naturally expected), and even if that were the case you could then revert to a second 24 and another DVR or receiver for the kids, and you still would have a good setup.

Remember that the trajectory of both the user interface and the reliability of DTV DVRs has not really improved in your absence (although we are not going to hang that one on you ). It started miserably in 2007, became surprisingly adequate in 2008, improved steadily alnog with the addition of clever new features for another two years, and then decreased noticably with the addition of some not-so-clever features in the last two years to about the 2008 level, so they are not quite as user-friendly and reliable as they were when you left, very possibly. Folks will argue that point, but there is credibility on both sides.

But DTV is still possibly the best option out there even if a shadow of the up-and-comer they were in 2010, and very possibly a move back to DTV would be a good one.

Just, good luck with that.

Sounds like you were reading my mind. I am sure I will come back, just need time in the office tomorrow to work it out. I had the HR20 when they first came out (within the 1st month thanks to info on this forum) and enjoyed the bumpy right along the way. I had D* for almost 12 years before taking this 1 year break. I am getting that itch to play again. Plus free Sunday Ticket is a nice bonus.