Can you connect 2 HD DVRs? (watch shows from one to the other)

I have 2 HD DVRs.

I know you can watch shows recorder from a Home Media HD DVR to 2 other regular STB. The question is can I watch from any one of my HD DVRs, using the Home Media DVR feature, shows recorded on any of the other HD DVRs?

And why not?

Is there a way to do it?

It is really a pain to have to constantly record all shows in all HD DVRs just in case you want to watch that show on that TV.

Accepted answers

VZ_JoeD

At this time you can Record from your HD DVR and view the recording on the 2500 and 7100 standard boxes as well as the 6200 HD box. "Currently" it is not compatible to pull in a recording to your other HDDVR/7216. We are constantly improving and changing to make things easier for you as well as more enjoyable. If the HDDVR compatibility changes with a new IMG release I will be sure to Post.

Message Edited by FIOSTechJoe on 08-24-2009 11:05 AM

All comments

Hubrisnxs

You can only designate one Home Media DVR to be a hub.

That is the reason why you can't view dvr recordings on multiple DVR boxes.

VZ_JoeD

Message Edited by FIOSTechJoe on 08-24-2009 11:05 AM

black2002ws6

I also have the same problem like many people. The DVR only lets you record one show and watch another.

There are several nights that I would like to record like 2 or 3 shows and still be able to watch another.

Since Verizon does not offer a DVR with more than two tuners your pretty much screwed:(

But since I have an HD tv in my bedroom why can't I put an HD DVR in there too instead of the plain HD box and set it to record the other shows I want to see then watch them in the living room. I mean I can record in the living room and watch in the bedroom why can't I do viceversa. Can't I make them both Media DVR's to share recorded programs with each other?

I mean come on guys if your going to offer like 900 channels you have to be able to let people record more that one show while watching another. Having two HD DVR's being able to talk to each other would at least let you record 3 shows while watching another one live.

Justin46

@black2002ws6 wrote:
The DVR only lets you record one show and watch another.
There are several nights that I would like to record like 2 or 3 shows and still be able to watch another.

Just to be clear, the Verizon DVRs allow you to record two programs concurrently and watch either one of them or watch a pre-recorded program while the two programs are recording.
__________________________________
Justin
Verizon FiOS TV, Internet, and phone
QIP6416, IMG 1.6.2, Build 08.58
Keller, TX 76248

black2002ws6

Yes I know you can record two shows if you watching a recorded show that's not my point.

The DVR only has two tuners. So if there are 3 shows on you want to watch yes you can record two of them and watch a pre-recorded show or you can watch one show and record one other one but either way your still going to miss the 3rd show.

The advertising that you can record two shows at once is just media hipe. Because the only way to do that is to watch a pre-recorded show. Like I said why offer 900 channels to watch if you can only record one while watching another or record two while watching a recording.

black2002ws6

On another note with all the compatition in the market seams like it should be pretty easy to blow everyone else away.

Why does everyone still just offer a 160GB hard drive in their DVR's gees these days you can buy a 1TB hard drive for like $100.

And you can buy HD tunners for you computer for like $59. So how hard would it be to build a DVR with a 1TB hard drive and like 10 tuners:) I would look into building my own but I'm sure it wouldn't work because I'm sure Verizon like the others probably makes it where you can only use their equipment to view their programing:( From what I undersand you can't even add an external hard dirve to the DVR even tho there is a connecton for it because I guess they don't want you too for some reason.

[edit]

Justin46

black2002ws6 wrote:
.....
The DVR only has two tuners. The advertising that you can record two shows at once is just media hipe. Because the only way to do that is to watch a pre-recorded show. ...
But your statement is totally incorrect! It is not media hype. You absolutely can record two programs concurrently, period. You can watch either one of those while they are being recorded, or neither, your choice. And another choice is to watch another show that has been previously recorded. Verizon has never, ever said that you could do more than that, at least not that I have seen.
I understand that you are frustrated, and think Verizon should be delivering more. I wish they would too, but I guess I accept that it will take time; they are less than four years into this, the cable and satellite companies have been at this a lot longer and some of them don't even deliver what Verizon does.
Supposedly there is a new DVR in the works to be available "soon" (whatever that means); perhaps it will have more tuners, larger hard drives, etc, I don't know.
For now, if you want to use a Verizon DVR, you have what is available. Of course you could always go buy a Tivo or two and get cable cards from Verizon and be able to do whatever you can do with Tivos (I have no experience with Tivo). Maybe you should look into that if you are not willing to wait for Verizon to deliver a solution that satisfies you better than today's does.
__________________________________
Justin
Verizon FiOS TV, Internet, and phone
QIP6416, IMG 1.6.2, Build 08.58
Keller, TX 76248

CapnTrips

@black2002ws6 wrote:
Yes I know you can record two shows if you watching a recorded show that's not my point.
The DVR only has two tuners. So if there are 3 shows on you want to watch yes you can record two of them and watch a pre-recorded show or you can watch one show and record one other one but either way your still going to miss the 3rd show.
The advertising that you can record two shows at once is just media hipe. Because the only way to do that is to watch a pre-recorded show. Like I said why offer 900 channels to watch if you can only record one while watching another or record two while watching a recording.

I'm not sure that your request is reasonable nor that your criticism is accurate. How many tuners do you want built in to the DVR box? The industry standard is TWO. Dish, DirecTV, Cox, ComCast, and Verizon all have this. I know of NOBODY who manufactures and/or provides a THREE tuner DVR box. And ALL OF THEM advertise the same capability - that you can record two programs at once while watching a third previously-recorded program. How is any of this misleading?

The advertising that you can record two shows at once may be "hipe" (sic) or even "hype", but it has the benefit of being true.

retiredme

It can be easy to get confused and disappointed if we rely too heavily on advertizing. As the others have stated, the two-tuner solution is pretty standard with one exception: Dish network's series of HD DVR's have a third OTA (over-the-air) tuner which does allow watching a live program (vs recorded) if concurrently recording two others. I spent a few years with Dish and their DVR's, and regard them as superior to the immature technology of the FIOS DVR. Not only did the Dish DVR have the three-tuner flexibility, but it also did side-by-side PIP (two big 26" side by side football games on a 52" TV). The newer models also have Slingbox built in. That being said, I patiently wait for the FIOS technology to catch up because to me a compromise exists, with FIOS offering better picture quality and no signal loss during weather. We all determine what we are willing to compromise. I forgot to mention that the OTA channels can be seemlessly integrated into the channel guide and color-coded for easy differentiation. Thank you.

Bull_07

AT&T offers 4 tuner recording. They also offer a much bigger hard drive and recording time. Sure they can only do 1 HD stream, but I would love to have 4 recordings.

I either want 1 large Hard Drive HD DVR that can record 4 shows, or 2 HD DVR's with Medium size hard drives that I can connect together.

mskopins

Can you use any of the USB or external ports on the back of any of the boxes to plug in and external HD or a laptop? It would be nice to be able to move shows of the box to an HD or LapTop to keep.