• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Probably going to sign up for DirecTV + DirecTiVo ... help, suggestions, comments, deals?

K

konichiwa

Lifer
I know there are some DTV/Tivo freaks around here. It seems like my best option at the moment is to go for a DirecTiVO.

Anyone have any suggestions or comments before I do so? And any good deals going around now? RossMAN? :beer:

BTW Is there any reason why I'd want a tri-LNB dish? Exactly what would I use this massive thing for? 🙂

thanks!
 
Looks like a DishTV ad, no? Ok so can anyone explain the deal with Multiswitches? Do I need one to make my DirecTivo be able to record 2 programs at once? Or why do I need one 😕
 
Originally posted by: konichiwa
Looks like a DishTV ad, no? Ok so can anyone explain the deal with Multiswitches? Do I need one to make my DirecTivo be able to record 2 programs at once? Or why do I need one 😕
Click to expand...

Oops, yea. What I get for having 12 hour shifts every day. Depending on where you are though, dish network might have better reception, and i "think" better deals.
 
Originally posted by: konichiwa
Looks like a DishTV ad, no? Ok so can anyone explain the deal with Multiswitches? Do I need one to make my DirecTivo be able to record 2 programs at once? Or why do I need one 😕
Click to expand...

How many TV's/DirecTV receivers? I think if you just have 1 TV/1 DirectTV receiver you are OK you won't need a multi-switch.

Here is an excellent DirecTIVO LNB and MULTISWITCH FAQ which may answer your question.

In our house we have 3 TV's so we went all out and bought the highly rated Terk BMS-58 multi-switch.

DirecTIVO kicks ass over ReplayTV and regular TIVO, it's all digital and always on the highest setting.

I own the Hughes DirecTIVO model, I think BB sells them for $93.90 If you are a NEW customer there are always specials with free dish, free installation, etc.
 
You need at least a dual LNB dish - you need two signals for the DirecTivo - it has two tuners.

And - do a hard drive upgrade - 35 hours goes quick. There's only one setting - high quality, unlike most of the other PVRs out there.



 
Hey,

I got a DTivo a while back on the $50 deal...it's great. The family has grown attached to the thing. It seems as if you're a new customer, so I'd think you'd be able to get at least one DTivo free - look around for offers or call them up.

Dan

Edit: You would want a tri-dish for spanish programming, NasaTV, or HDTV.
 
Wingznut,

Since you recently upgraded your DirecTIVO, I have a question.

According to this

The complete upgrade takes about 10-12 hours....most of it unattended.
The basic steps are:
1. Purchase two hard drives...one for backup, the other for expansion. Connect them to your PC.
2. Run full diagnostics on both drives, including surface scans. This takes about 3 hours
3. Open up the TiVo and take out the drive.
4. Connect to your PC along with the drive you purchased for the copy.
5. Boot into a special floppy and copy. This takes about 6 hours.
4. Run some utilities that will configure the expansion drive for use in the TiVo.
5. Put the Copy and Expansion drive into the TiVo....put the original drive away in a safe place.
6. Power up and verify that it works.
Click to expand...

Do you really need to purchase 2 HD's?
 
Maybe somebody can answer this - if I get another DirecTivo (I already have one), do I have to pay again for the monthly service (like an additional $4.99 a month or something) or does the the one fee cover them both.
 
Originally posted by: RossMAN
Wingznut,

Since you recently upgraded your DirecTIVO, I have a question.

According to this

The complete upgrade takes about 10-12 hours....most of it unattended.
The basic steps are:
1. Purchase two hard drives...one for backup, the other for expansion. Connect them to your PC.
2. Run full diagnostics on both drives, including surface scans. This takes about 3 hours
3. Open up the TiVo and take out the drive.
4. Connect to your PC along with the drive you purchased for the copy.
5. Boot into a special floppy and copy. This takes about 6 hours.
4. Run some utilities that will configure the expansion drive for use in the TiVo.
5. Put the Copy and Expansion drive into the TiVo....put the original drive away in a safe place.
6. Power up and verify that it works.
Click to expand...

Do you really need to purchase 2 HD's?
Click to expand...

Wow, I just bought the kit from Weaknees. I was upgraded in 10 minutes. (not that you were asking me)

If you don't buy the hard drive kit, at least buy the bracket from them - it's worth it. Plus they have a pretty good fan setup.



 
Originally posted by: CFster
Originally posted by: RossMAN
Wingznut,

Since you recently upgraded your DirecTIVO, I have a question.

According to this

The complete upgrade takes about 10-12 hours....most of it unattended.
The basic steps are:
1. Purchase two hard drives...one for backup, the other for expansion. Connect them to your PC.
2. Run full diagnostics on both drives, including surface scans. This takes about 3 hours
3. Open up the TiVo and take out the drive.
4. Connect to your PC along with the drive you purchased for the copy.
5. Boot into a special floppy and copy. This takes about 6 hours.
4. Run some utilities that will configure the expansion drive for use in the TiVo.
5. Put the Copy and Expansion drive into the TiVo....put the original drive away in a safe place.
6. Power up and verify that it works.
Click to expand...

Do you really need to purchase 2 HD's?
Click to expand...

Wow, I just bought the kit from Weaknees. I was upgraded in 10 minutes.

If you don't buy the hard drive kit, at least buy the bracket from them - it's worth it. Plus they have a pretty good fan setup.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I just might do that.

Would you mind providing a direct link to this "upgrade kit" and another direct link to the bracket?

Mucho thanks!
 
Originally posted by: RossMAN
Wingznut,

Since you recently upgraded your DirecTIVO, I have a question.

According to this

The complete upgrade takes about 10-12 hours....most of it unattended.
The basic steps are:
1. Purchase two hard drives...one for backup, the other for expansion. Connect them to your PC.
2. Run full diagnostics on both drives, including surface scans. This takes about 3 hours
3. Open up the TiVo and take out the drive.
4. Connect to your PC along with the drive you purchased for the copy.
5. Boot into a special floppy and copy. This takes about 6 hours.
4. Run some utilities that will configure the expansion drive for use in the TiVo.
5. Put the Copy and Expansion drive into the TiVo....put the original drive away in a safe place.
6. Power up and verify that it works.
Click to expand...

Do you really need to purchase 2 HD's?
Click to expand...
No, that's goofy. You can sell your original drive too. If something goes wrong it's easy to download a new image from someone. I have most of the tivo images on CDR.

 
Well I will probably just be using one reciever and I'll hold onto my basic cable on my other TV's (don't want to mess with wiring, etc)

But say I did choose to go for all 3 TV's, but only one DirecTivo, would I still need a multiswitch?

...and it seems like Expert Satellite has some good deals. Anyone have experience or warnings with buying from them? This package looks like the one I would probably buy, but they don't SPECIFY that it's a dual-LNB dish. How would I know? 😕
 
konichiwa... If you go through DirecTV, they do ALL of the installation. Installing the dish, running cables under the house, installing multiswitches, installing DirecTV in another room, etc. For $99 installed, it is very much worth it.

RossMAN... I suppose you could buy another hd to back up your current one. But I don't really see the point unless you are totally paranoid.

If you are patient (unlike me), then order the bracket for the second hd. I am using zip ties to hold mine down. While it works, a bracket would obviously be better.

CFster... One TiVo fee covers every receiver in your house. There is still the standard $5/month for the second receiver, though.
 
Coming Friday ... Originally had it scheduled for the 27th, one day after I got back in town, but they called and said they had a high volume xmas and they were essentially out of Tivo's until their scheduled shipment on the 31st.

So it's coming on the 2nd. 🙂
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top