DirecTV @ CES - DTV's own DVR
posted January 6th 2005 3:44PM
DirecTV is launching their own branded DVR ('the most-advanced DVR in the world' according to DirecTV and further putting the hurt on TiVo), which will feature 100-hour recording capability, one-touch recording, dual tuners (record two and watch a third already-recorded show), onscreen caller ID, instant replay, bookmarks, and a search function. The cache is large enough to pause and rewind live TV for up to 90 minutes and the unit will be available in mid-2005 (no price announced). The menus and item selection is instant when scrolling through them (even faster than TiVo when DTV showed the demo). This first DVR looks to be incapable of recoding HDTV and they made no mention of any new HD DVRs this year (so there may be a glimmer of hope for TiVo after all since they have the only hi-def DTV DVR). They were quite happy to stop DirecTV satellite piracy last year and didn't seem to think that it would slow subscriber growth this year (as many ex-pirates were forced to subscribe) when we asked them about it.
Does it require a phone line, and can I get on in time for next year's NFL season?
Yeah this could be the nail in Tivos coffin! I'm surprised Tivo has lasted so long in the US it started to disappear here in the UK about 2 or 3 years ago when a similar product was launched by sky (a Rupert Murdoch company, come to think of it doen't he also own part of directv?)
Dual tuners allow you to record two and watch a third? Sounds like a trio of tuners to me. Or an error.
A two-tuner satellite receiver/DVR will let you record two shows OR watch one while recording another, but not record two AND watch another. That would require three tuners. Not a huge deal, but one of the differences between satellite and cable TV--there's a lot more hardware to be added for every new simultaneous signal you want to receive/decode.
A 2 tuner setup will let you record 2 things and watch a third, recorded program.
Right...two tuners means you can record two shows simultaneously. A pre-recorded show can be watched while the two tuners are busy, thus enabling the 3-program-at-once capability.
Uhm, there's no reason that these units should have "dual tuners." DirecTV beams in MPEG2 natively. There's no tuning involved. That's why DirecTV TiVos are cheaper than the standalones that actually have to bundle in an analog tuner with the unit (not to mention the subscription subsidy). What should be said is that these units have the digital capacity to record two shows and watch a third previously recorded show, or record one show and watch another live.
OK- this sounds perfect- except do think I will need one for each room or is there a solution to have it in one place and view the media on a different TV in another room?
Could I just split the output and run it to another room- so the wife can watch/record some cooking show, while I watch the game in the den?
Hints suggestions welcome-
Drew
This sounds very similar to the UltimateTV (Sony/MS) for DirecTV that I own now. I love the unit and it is a shame that they don't make it anymore... but this looks promising.
"There's no tuning involved."
Not true.
While the signal is sent in MPEG2, you still need to have a LNB tune to a specfic trasponder on the satalite, to get that MPEG2 signal.
Doesn't Moxi record HD? Or at least my local digital cable is advertising that they do, but their box is an extra $25 a month rental and $13 subscription.
DirecTV will begin implementing a switch to MPEG4 video starting later this year and this new PVR is the first of their boxes that will support MPEG4. It also supports interactive features which DTV will be pushing heavily in the near future. SO much so that the PVR function will actually be the afterthought.
Anyway, the MPEG2 stream will eventually be turned off which will obsolete all the existing recievers and UltimateTVs and DirecTivos. You will have to have a new box. It will probably be low cost or free and it will have PVR so you will want one, won't you? Yes you will.
what the hell is the dish network dvr-522 then. it has a dual-tuner (record two, watch pre-recorded event), 100 hr record time, 2 hours of cache, on-screen caller id, one-touch recording. Oh and it is free. I guess it is lacking the bookmarking feature, but what is all the noise, they allready have a dual tuner HD DVR (not free!)
This looks almost exactly like the box I got from Dish Network THIS year.
I've got a DTV/Tivo and all I ever wanted to do with it was move files from its' HD to my PC, will the new hardware allow that? Currently, it's not possable, as far as I can tell.
I have the Ultimate TV / Direct TV combo as well, I love it and wish they were still making and updating them. My big wish is for a DVD recorder built in so that I can rip Ultimate TV shows to DVD easily. I know TIVO series 2 has this but not with Direct TV built in. Any ideas if the new Direct TV DVR will have a DVD burner also? Anyone doing anything cool with their Ultimate TV units that I might want to try?
I have an old 35hr tivo and plan to buy the upgrad to the new hd tivo it will cost me over a grand. Is this a wise buy? Also I am a lifetime member of tivo what will happen when direct drops tivo to my subscription?
I have a 35hr tivo and am a lifetime member. I am planning on upgrading to the hd tivo for around $1000.00 will this be a wise move? also what will happen to my lifetime membership whentivo is dropped by directv
sunny
there is no lifetime membership, your lifetime service on your stand alone tivo is for the life of that unit. The HD tivo doesn't record the new HD Directv stream they'll be switching to later this year. Don't buy a HD Directivo, it's 1k down the drain as it'll be a doorstop within 10 months.
I have 3 Directivo's (not HD one) will soon ebay these and jump on the comcast bandwagon as I really want HD DVR now and HD on demand hbo will be nice in addition to the dvr.
I think I was misunderstood. My tivo is a direct tv tivo
Direct tv is coming out with their own dvr based device but old tivo's will continue to work. i just got off the phone with a rep and he ensured me my new tivo will be functional.