What Satellite Network PVR to get

Dennis_H · 08-03-2004, 08:08 AM

I'm considering getting a satellite TV service for the first time. If I do, I will get a PVR. I don't have HDTV yet, so that is out of the consideration for now. Dish and Direct both have PVRs, basically the same programming, and close to the same cost (as far as I can tell). I'm in the Dallas area with great antenna reception, so I don't 'have' to get locals, unless it's easier. I will be using 2 rooms and don't have a home network.

What I want to find out is what equipment each has that seems to work well? Can you record local channels with the PVR with or without paying extra for locals on satellite? Do I need to get 2 PVR's and a home network if I want to watch from the PVR in either room? I'm confused about the Dish player PVR that looks like it somehow feeds 2 TVs and you use an RF remote. How does that hook up/ what do you need? Any recommendations between the 2? Pros/cons?

Thanks,
Dennis_H

Robert_J · 08-03-2004, 08:57 AM

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Dish and Direct both have PVRs, .... and close to the same cost (as far as I can tell).

You are comparing apples to oranges. The cheaper Dish models have a single tuner. To get a dual tuner Dish model will cost around $500. DirecTivos are all dual tuners. New subscribers can get one for $39. Additional ones will cost $79.

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I'm in the Dallas area with great antenna reception, so I don't 'have' to get locals

The standard definition DVR's will only record from satellite since they don't contain MPEG encoders. To get OTA and satellite recording, you need to get the HD models (still no analog OTA recording though).

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I will be using 2 rooms and don't have a home network.

Home networks don't matter since there aren't any satellite DVR's that can be networked.

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Can you record local channels with the PVR with or without paying extra for locals on satellite?

To do this, you would need a stand alone Tivo or Replay. Stand alone Tivos will cost a minimum of $150 and $12.99/month or $299 lifetime subscription.

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Do I need to get 2 PVR's and a home network if I want to watch from the PVR in either room?

No. I use a frequency agile video modulator to send audio/video to other rooms.

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I'm confused about the Dish player PVR that looks like it somehow feeds 2 TVs and you use an RF remote. How does that hook up/ what do you need?

It's like having two independent receivers in a single enclosure. It's only available for lease.

Remember, Dish PVR's are timer based like a VCR. Tivos (stand alone and DirecTV models) use name based recording. This is the BIGGEST selling feature for me. I set up all my favorite shows and just let Tivo do the work for me. The network will shuffle their programming and Tivo tracks all of the changes. With Dish, you would have to re-program the PVR to keep up.

-Robert

Dennis_H · 08-03-2004, 10:34 AM

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The standard definition DVR's will only record from satellite since they don't contain MPEG encoders. To get OTA and satellite recording, you need to get the HD models (still no analog OTA recording though).

So, if I get the local channels package on the satellite, I will or won't be able to record these to the DirectTivo? Seems like they should be able to be recorded if they come over the satellite.

The DirectTivo system is sounding better than DISH PVR. I should be able to record a channel and watch another through the DirectTivo. The DISH PVR won't let you do that with only one tuner unless you spring for the $500 dual tuner one? I guess I would have a standard receiver in the bedroom. Do all the receivers have digital out for audio? I do have 5.1 in the bedroom also. I realize there are not many channels broadcasting in 5.1, but it would be nice to have. Are any of the receiver brands better than others, or do they all have the same guts/menu system?

Thanks again,
Dennis_H

Chris Gerhard · 08-03-2004, 04:32 PM

Yes if you receive local channels from your satellite provider, you can record the local channels with the satellite PVR. In my opinion, the DirecTV DVR with TiVo is so much better than anything Dish Network offers that there is really no comparison.

Chris

Robert_J · 08-03-2004, 06:35 PM

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I should be able to record a channel and watch another through the DirectTivo.

Correct. Tivo is designed so that you NEVER (you still can if you want) watch live TV. I'm always recording two shows while watching a previously recorded show. Even when I'm watching "live" TV, I'm 10 or 15 minutes behind real-time.

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The DISH PVR won't let you do that with only one tuner unless you spring for the $500 dual tuner one?

Correct.

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I guess I would have a standard receiver in the bedroom.

Why? Your $5/month Tivo fee covers up to 8 Tivos on your DirecTV account.

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Do all the receivers have digital out for audio?

All DirecTivos are made at the same factory in Mexico by Solectron. They are use the same circuitry and have the same features. They have optical outputs for audio along with a pair of analog outputs.

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Are any of the receiver brands better than others, or do they all have the same guts/menu system?

See answer above.

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So, if I get the local channels package on the satellite, I will or won't be able to record these to the DirectTivo?

Since Chris_G answered this already, I'll just add some info. Satellite PVR's have a HUGE advantage over stand alone models because they don't need an internal MPEG encoder. The signal is already compressed by much better encoders at DirecTV's uplink facility. You get a better picture that takes up less storage space.

-Robert

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Dennis_H · 08-04-2004, 12:17 PM

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I guess I would have a standard receiver in the bedroom.

Why? Your $5/month Tivo fee covers up to 8 Tivos on your DirecTV account.

That is great news, So I can use two DirectTivo's for the $5/month. I am sold on the Direct package then.

Sorry I'm asking so many stupid questions, but I haven't dealt with sat TV yet.
How many RG6 cables need to be run for each receiver? Is it different for the dual tuner Tivo units compared to the standard receivers? I guess you need a dual LNB dish with splitters/amps? Also, what are the phone line requirements? Do I need a phone line in each receiver? Only one? Does it matter after it's set up if you don't use PPV?

Thanks again,
Dennis_H

Heath_E · 08-04-2004, 01:39 PM

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How many RG6 cables need to be run for each receiver? Is it different for the dual tuner Tivo units compared to the standard receivers?

In order to take advantage of both tuners in a DirecTivo, you will need two cables to each DirecTivo receiver.

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I guess you need a dual LNB dish with splitters/amps?

The triple lnb dishes have a built in multiswitch that provides for four cable connections. So, if you are planning to use two DirecTivos, you are covered. Just run two cables to each location. BTW, the triple lnb dishes also allow you to get local channels in smaller markets as well as HDTV.

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Also, what are the phone line requirements? Do I need a phone line in each receiver? Only one? Does it matter after it's set up if you don't use PPV?

Since you stated that you don't have a home network, you will have to have a phone line plugged into each receiver. This can be accomplished with wireless or powerline solutions if there is no phone jack nearby. Besides PPV functions, DirecTivos use the phone connection to get program guide updates, software updates, etc...

Robert_J · 08-04-2004, 02:20 PM

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you will have to have a phone line plugged into each receiver. ... DirecTivos use the phone connection to get program guide updates, software updates, etc...

Software update over the phone line, yes. Guide updates, no. Guide updates come over the satellite signal just like the regular DirecTV receivers. You need a phone line for the initial setup and that's it. My DirecTivo hasn't made a call in 480 days and it works just fine. Once a day, when going to the Now Playing list, I get an extra screen reminding me to make a call. If you want to order PPV, order it via DirecTV's web site.

-Robert

Dennis_H · 08-04-2004, 02:29 PM

OK, last question(s) and I quit for a while...

I'm still deciding if I'm going to get 2 TIVO units or 1 and a standard for now. Do I have to get a 3 LNB dish for using 2 TIVOs, or does the standard dish with a multiswitch work just as well? I'm looking at some of the installed packages and they have a dual dish with 1 TIVO/1 standard, a triple with 1 TIVO/1 Standard, and a dual with 2 TIVO units. Didn't see a 2 TIVO with triple LNB option. I'm guessing both dual dishes have to have the multiswitch to feed both receivers. If I'm already in a major market (Dallas) and don't have HDTV, do I need the triple LNB?

Thanks (for the last time),
Dennis_H