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DVR

I'm getting Fios tv 7/6. I don't want an ongoing DVR-service charge, I just want to be able to record an occasional tv show to a hard drive or even just to a dvd. Can anyone tell me what kind of DVR to buy that will work with Fios? I don't care if it's HD, don't care if it's inconvenient, just want to be able to record something once-in-a-while when we're not home. Do I have to have a DVR with a tuner, or will a non-tuner DVR be able to record straight from the Fios set-top box? I'm a complete novice (as you may have guessed).

Thanks.

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KenAF

@braincramp wrote:
I'm getting Fios tv 7/6. I don't want an ongoing DVR-service charge, I just want to be able to record an occasional tv show to a hard drive or even just to a dvd. Can anyone tell me what kind of DVR to buy that will work with Fios? I don't care if it's HD, don't care if it's inconvenient, just want to be able to record something once-in-a-while when we're not home. Do I have to have a DVR with a tuner, or will a non-tuner DVR be able to record straight from the Fios set-top box? I'm a complete novice (as you may have guessed).
Thanks.

I've never heard of a "tunerless" DVR. Aside from a few proprietary solutions for certain Firewire TVs, they don't exist.

Perhaps you mean CableCard DVRs vs non-CableCard DVRs. CableCard DVRs replace the set-top box. These boxes are by far the easiest to use, but they are also the most expensive. These start at $250 with recurring fees or $500+ without recurring fees. You can see a video demos here and here.

Non-CableCard DVRs are able to record local channels (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC) directly, but can only record cable channels (such as CNN, TNT, USA, etc) from a set-top box. These models do not have a guide, they do not have channel labels, and they do not label recordings by name. Each recording is labeled "manual recording." In most cases, these non-CableCard DVRs cannot change the channel on the Verizon set-top box, so you need to leave the set-top box on the channel you want to record. Aside from the inability to set the channel, you create record timers much like a VCR, except the recordings are stored on disk rather than a tape. These products start at $250-$300 without recurring fees. The cheapest model on the market is the Magnavox 2160A for $249 at Walmart and $279 at Target.

You are not really going to save money by buying your own DVR. At this time, DVR technology is still relatively expensive. Verizon's own $15/mo DVR costs them around $400. Most people opt for the Verizon DVR, because it is the most affordable solution for recording in the short-to-intermediate term. The Verizon DVR just costs $10/mo more than the standard Verizon set-top box, and you would have to use a third-party product for 25-30 months to recoup the cost of your own box.

Message Edited by KenAF on 06-27-2009 02:19 AM

Patti

braincramp,

I agree with the previous post get the Verizon DVR. Once you have one you'll start using it more and more. Just the ability to set it to record a show and come in 10-15 min after it starts and skip through the comercials or being able to leave the room to take care of something and not worry about missing part of the program makes it worth it.

You mentioned record to a DVD also. You can get a dvd recorder. Walmart has a couple from $179 to $250. Run the s-video or yellow video cord from DVR to DVD and use it the same as a VCR. It won't be in HD though. I have one and I use it when I have to make room on my DVR. Believe me,in no time at all, you'll go from saying, I'll never use this to saying What, I can only store 18hrs of HD? I need more room!

Message Edited by Patti on 06-28-2009 09:20 AM

jmw1950

What is not being said here is that the Verizon HD DVR is very much a work in progress. I find its inability to do the basic things reliably to be extremely irritating.

As far as I can tell the TiVO customers end up paying about same the per month (subscription+M Cable Card rental), and cannot get the Verizon Channel guide or VOD, but are otherwise a lot happier than the Verizon DVR customers.

I'd like to be able to lay back just one recorded program on my Verizon DVR without having it take off into FF on its own, or in response to a 'skip forward 30 seconds. (And the content sensitive Runaway is a known problem). One result of the content sensitive runaway is there are going to be parts of many recordings that you simply cannot view. Everytime you try, the DVR hits the same content sensitive bug, and it will go into FF.

I am not convinced that being able to skip through commercials actually saves me any time, since about 10% of the time, the DVR will take off into FF, and by the time you have it stopped, and restarted again, I doubt any time was saved.

This is a feature that actually works reliably on TiVO's.

The other unstated issue is the Verizon Program guide just isn't as accurate. They buy the service, and the service Verizon bought just isn't very good.

As to whether or not you will ever be able to expand the very limited storage on the Verizon DVR, Verizon says someday. My advice is don't hold your breath.

YMMV.

Justin46

@jmw1950 wrote:
What is not being said here is that the Verizon HD DVR is very much a work in progress. I find its inability to do the basic things reliably to be extremely irritating.
As far as I can tell the TiVO customers end up paying about same the per month (subscription+M Cable Card rental), and cannot get the Verizon Channel guide or VOD, but are otherwise a lot happier than the Verizon DVR customers.
I'd like to be able to lay back just one recorded program on my Verizon DVR without having it take off into FF on its own, or in response to a 'skip forward 30 seconds. (And the content sensitive Runaway is a known problem). One result of the content sensitive runaway is there are going to be parts of many recordings that you simply cannot view. Everytime you try, the DVR hits the same content sensitive bug, and it will go into FF.
I am not convinced that being able to skip through commercials actually saves me any time, since about 10% of the time, the DVR will take off into FF, and by the time you have it stopped, and restarted again, I doubt any time was saved.
This is a feature that actually works reliably on TiVO's.
The other unstated issue is the Verizon Program guide just isn't as accurate. They buy the service, and the service Verizon bought just isn't very good.
As to whether or not you will ever be able to expand the very limited storage on the Verizon DVR, Verizon says someday. My advice is don't hold your breath.
YMMV.

I am glad you added the "YMMV" because my experience is almost completely the opposite of yours, with the major exception of the Guide data.

First, I have no experience with a Tivo, but it appears that most definitely people that have previous experience with a Tivo are much happier with that than they are with the Verizon DVR. And those that want or need a large recording capacity are happier with the Tvio. But...

I have never, ever had my DVR go into FF on its own, period. Now, I have the older QIP6416, not the newer QIP7216, which I think makes a difference. Plus I do not have the multi-room feature, which also may make a difference. But my DVR has, for getting close to 4 years now, recorded whatever I asked it to, played back successfully what I have recorded, skips forward and backward reliably, etc. In summary, it works just fine. I think some of the problems you mention are more common or unique to the 7216, so if that is what you have you might see if Verizon will replace it and you might get lucky and get a 6416. And rumor has it there will be an update to the IMG later this summer/fall that will fix a number of the issues you mention. Lets hope.....

The Guide data really is pretty bad. It is provided by FYI Television, and for the life of me I cannot undestand why Verizon chose them instead of Tribune (cost???). But the data is pretty unreliable. Hopefully sometime in the near future Verizon will realize what a drag on customer satisfaction the bad data is and will switch to another provider. At least we can hope....

Anyway, not everybody's experience with a Verizon DVR is as bad as yours, and I think there is hope for the future.

__________________________________
Justin
Verizon FiOS TV, Internet, and phone
IMG 1.6.2, Build 08.58
Keller, TX 76248

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