Direct Tv Dvr Units

[jcgilpin]

Im thinking about upgrading my Direct TV HD receiver, to a DVR HD unit....What my question is, Does the hard drive run all the time, or only when recording and watching video? I never shut my receiver off, so i didnt want the hard drive running all the time. Thanks

[Darkanion]

Im thinking about upgrading my Direct TV HD receiver, to a DVR HD unit....What my question is, Does the hard drive run all the time, or only when recording and watching video? I never shut my receiver off, so i didnt want the hard drive running all the time. Thanks

I haven't checked mine, but I'm pretty sure it runs all the time. That way, it's always ready and there isn't any lag when it DOES need to do anything. It's pretty quiet, though...

[alaska511]

Mine runs all the time, and records up to an hour of Standard Def or 20 minutes of HD all the time, so I can rewind what I am watching on that channel if I am not actually recording anything specific. I thought they were all like this.

[Darkanion]

Mine runs all the time, and records up to an hour of Standard Def or 20 minutes of HD all the time, so I can rewind what I am watching on that channel if I am not actually recording anything specific. I thought they were all like this.

The receivers can't rewind. Only the DVR's can rewind. I've been kicking myself a little for not get a DVR for the computer room... Rewind comes in real handy, when you're not sure you heard something right on the news channels, etc.

[alaska511]

Mine runs all the time, and records up to an hour of Standard Def or 20 minutes of HD all the time, so I can rewind what I am watching on that channel if I am not actually recording anything specific. I thought they were all like this.

The receivers can't rewind. Only the DVR's can rewind. I've been kicking myself a little for not get a DVR for the computer room... Rewind comes in real handy, when you're not sure you heard something right on the news channels, etc.

 

 

 

Right. I have the HD DVR. Isn't that what he was asking about?

[jcgilpin]

How long have you guys had yours, I was wondering if they heat up at all? Just wasn't sure about leaving the Hard drive running all the time, didn't know how long it would last? They should be putting solid state drives in there.

[alaska511]

How long have you guys had yours, I was wondering if they heat up at all? Just wasn't sure about leaving the Hard drive running all the time, didn't know how long it would last? They should be putting solid state drives in there.

 

 

I have 3. I have had them for 2 years now, and have seen noe heat issues at all. The one in the bedroom is in an enclosed cabinet over the audio receiver and probably gets the warmest, but really nothing to worry about.

 

The other 2 are in racks and are very cool.

[TexasAl]

I agree. The DVR's do last pretty long. I'm not sure if the hard drive is running all the time, but the machine is on at all times. Three years with the same DVR, and it still works pretty good. Good luck!

[ColoradoSkiCountry]

Having been a former Installer for DTV, I can say this much:

 

1. The DVRs do get warm and the Hard Drives DO run all the time, the only time they will not run is when there is no power as in the power plug is unplugged.

 

2. The Direc TV brand of DVRs SUCK (Standard Def and HD) you are much better off getting a Tivo Brand, if they are still out there.

 

3. Direc TV uses a very cheap model of hard drive in their brand DVRs, they DO have high failure rates. Always make sure you unplug the power before moving your DVR.

 

4. The customer service from Direc TV SUCKS, it sucked back when I install the crap, it sucks today. My contract expires next month and I am going back to Dish Network. NEVER one problem with them, Customer Service always came through and NEVER one problem with the equipment.

 

 

With that in mind,

 

Direc TV does offer more HD Channels then Comcrap (comcast) and Dish Network, at least at present, so if that is important to you, then you had best stick with Direc TV.

 

Cheers

[Darkanion]

Right. I have the HD DVR. Isn't that what he was asking about?

Yeah - He's talking about switching from an HD receiver to an HD DVR.

 

As for the quality.......... I've been in this house since May of this year. I've already had to have the DVR replaced once. So, I'm not real impressed, so far...........

[sam5828]

well why not get a HD DVR FTA? when i move here in a few weeks that is what i am getting i already have a std FTA but with the setup i have now i cannot get all the channels because of the dish but when we move that is getting hooked up no more paying $100 a month.

[omegafiler]

I've had DirecTV on/off over the years and haven't had any issues with their service. But as for their latest HD DVR, it's actually not bad. Especially after some of the recent updates they pushed. I'd say it's "up there" with Tivo awesomeness, which I've had before. We've also got a standard receiver, HD receiver, and a SD DVR. They were all new when we got them and haven't had any issues or failures.

 

I switched to DTV awhile ago when they first started offering all of those HD channels. I needed my high-def fix, so I ditched cable and haven't looked back. Also, no heat issues, but they are all sitting in fairly well ventilated entertainment centers. If you have one of those fully closed cabinets, you might want to consider finding a way to get more air in there. But your typical surround sound receiver is going to general way more heat than the HD's they put in these DVR's.

 

Of course, all AV equipment needs to have good air flow if you expect them to last long. Heat is bad!

[all_terrain]

Just be careful, ANY changes you make to a package (such as adding a DVR) will start you on a new contract. Trust me I found out the hard way.I though my contract was up, they informed me since I went from a standard receiver to a DVR it automatically added a year on my contract. I am still to this day trying to get the mess straightened out.

[Black02Silverado]

well why not get a HD DVR FTA? when i move here in a few weeks that is what i am getting i already have a std FTA but with the setup i have now i cannot get all the channels because of the dish but when we move that is getting hooked up no more paying $100 a month.

 

What is FTA?

[Draenor]

well why not get a HD DVR FTA? when i move here in a few weeks that is what i am getting i already have a std FTA but with the setup i have now i cannot get all the channels because of the dish but when we move that is getting hooked up no more paying $100 a month.

 

What is FTA?

 

IIRC....Free to air