I have a Pioneer DVR-520H that's been in hibernation for about a year while I've been using a Comcast DVR. I'm moving to a new location and the only options might be satellite TV - either Dish or DirecTV. While I'm not averse to their integrated DVR offerings, I'd like to see if I can use the Pioneer with a satellite set-top box.

What are my options for getting the Pioneer to automatically record? From the manual I see two options that may or may not work:

1) auto-record from line-in. The Pioneer can auto-record when it detects a signal on one of the line inputs. Supposedly STB's that can wake up with a timer and change channels would connect to that line. I know this did NOT work with Comcast's STB - the Pioneer would always start recording all the time. Do any of the satellite STB's work well with this?

2) have STB send Pioneer VCR start/stop signals through IR blaster. Do any of the current satellite STB's work with this?

One problem, I know with Dish tuners at least - I'm not familiar with Direct's - is that there is a stand-by, floating Dish logo on the screen at all times that you can't turn off that supposedly interferes with the auto-sensing recorders.

As far as the 520H having satellite tuner codes, can't you just go through the setup process and check and see if there are any codes listed? You should be able to do that easily. It will say either "Direct" or "Echostar". My older Panny E85H won't control satellite tuners, but my newer Sony RDR-HX900 and Panny EH75V will control my particular Dish tuner.

If it has them listed, and they haven't changed the codes on the newer boxes since the 520H came out, then you should be in business. But don't expect the TVGOS on the 520H to work with satellite, though.

I have DirecTV and use the auto-record feature _all_ the time with my 520H (and 640H) so I do not miss programs, mostly movies and a few things that show weekly, when I am away.

All I do is select the programs I want to watch in the satellite receiver box then turn it off. Next, I select the auto-record (or whatever) in the 520H. Once selected, the 520H turns off.

The only thing to keep in mind is that doing it this way does not permit one to change the recording speed from program to program: If the 520H is set to SP or LP (or whatever), that is what will be used when the 520H starts to auto-record.

Edit: Other option to record is to set the program(s) you want to watch on the DirecTV box then set the same times on the 520H, with a bit of overlap if the clock is not 100% on time. This way one can record things at different speeds--LP for weekly things, MN15 for that movie you want to save, etc.

Whatever receiver you get from DirecTV, if you connect it directly to the 520H, the auto-record feature will work.

FWIW, I MUCH prefer DirecTV to cable.

My Pio's autorecord worked fine with my Comcast Moto 6412 DVR, but you have to turn the DVR off. Unfortunately, the Moto works better, has lots less problems, if you never turn it off.

If you do get line input auto to work, just remember to program the DVR to start a couple of minutes early, so the Pio will be warmed up, and recording, when the program starts.