?: Satellite/Dig Cable - which PVR - advice

You best bet is to probably just get a single digital cable box and hook it up to one of your Showstoppers (the one that you want to record HBO). You can still use both Showstoppers with Analog cable using splitters and creative setups.


This is probably easiest and cheapest, although I'd be pissed if my cable company suddenly wanted to charge $5 more and use a box just for 1 channel.


You'll find that Dish and DTV charge about the same for basic, but then add $5 for each room. You can get it installed for almost nothing, but then you'll need to use whatever receiver they have on the shelf at the time unless you go with the built in PVR type receivers (which you already mentioned). So now your either stuck controlling a receiver via IR, buying serial-compatible receivers that work with SS or paying the bucks for a integrated DTV/Dish PVR. If you go with the DirecTivo and switch back to cable in the future that box will be worthless as it only works with DTV.


My experience:

- Had a SS with DTV using a IR. (Worked OK, missed a few shows a week).

- Went to a serial-compatible receiver. (Never missed a show, great reception).

- Added a 4080 and DTV, same as above.

- Had to go to cable with cable boxes (Reception OK, IR sucks, miss DTV).

- Added a 5060 using internal tuner (Reception OK, still miss DTV).


Personally, I'd rather go with Satellite for reception, but in your case you may want to just stick with cable. They may also give you several more HBOs in the price.


BTW I have used a 721 (or maybe it was a PVR501). They work ok, but they're slower than the SS and have very few features.

You can usually get 2 and sometimes 3 receivers free when you activate a DBS service (Dish or DirecTV) for the first time. I have also seen a 1 regular receiver, 1 DirecTiVo deal being offered. These "free" equipment offers usually include a contract for 1-2 years of service, so consider that as well.


As for your PVR options, I can think of the following:


1) Buy new digital cable boxes through your Cable TV provider and hook -em up the Showstoppers


2) Dump cable and go with satellite. If you are willing to sign a contract, you can get the free receivers and hook these up to your Showstoppers.


3) Go with DishPVR. Getting it free may require a contract. I've played with a friend's DishPVR and I was not impressed. It is much like a digital VCR. No Zones, no theme records, no keyword searches.


4) Go with DirecTiVo. This might be your best option in terms of usability and functionality. However, I believe the DirecTiVo service will cost you and extra $5 per month.

Thx much guys - great info.


Lee - I meant making the replay only able to record via the box which means the tv can only watch what the replay is watching or recording. My kids are oftne watching cartoons while the SS records stuff for us.


Ace987 - how come u had to leave DTV?


I spoke with Comcast and reached the same conclusion you did - your thoughts on this:


A) Get one dig cable box (included in price) and feed from it to replay then to one of the TV inputs. Split cable before dig cable box and feed to regular Ccoax input on TV - so we can watch analog cable indepdndetly of Replay and dig cable. Replay records HBO or other stations as desired using full channel spectrum.


Other TVs continue to use analog cable. If my other replay needs a dig feed I get another box for 4.99.


B) I was leaning to DirecTV over DIsh - 3 room system instaled free then I add a 199-249 DirecTivo and hack to 100+ About $8 more per month (72 versus 64) BUT all 4 rooms have full spectrum channels - all sat. DirecTivo lets me watch and record indepedntlym record two blah blah blah. And I use my 2 SSs in other room fed from the and controlling the sat receiver.


I found my old SS manuals - did not know it had serial control - that seems so much easier than IR - now I need to find out if dig cable box has serial control and same for DTV receivers they are offering now.