TWC DVR update

[sp44again]

Anybody having problems with them?

[mhz40]

Originally posted by sp44again
Anybody having problems with them?

IMO, they are a little slow and therefore not the best channel surfing set top, but work as advertized.  Can't wait for the HD capable version to come out.

[sp44again]

DVR's weren't made for surfing. Tivos suck for that also.

[borghe]

Actually for me the DirecTivo is an excellent channel surfer.. In particular I will usually set up a program I am most interested in on one tuner, then switch to the other tuner and channel surf.. if I don't find anything I like or just want to watch the other show, one flick of the down cursor sends me back to the other tuner where my show has been buffering the whole time. A quick rewind to the beginning of the buffer and it's like I never left. Of course this is further accentuated if I actually start recording one of the programs..

No it's not the fastest channel changer (athough faster than TWC DVR), but channel surfing isn't a competitive sport like Ham from Toy Story 2.

[sp44again]

If you think DirecTivo is a good channel surfer, more power to you.
I use my HD box to surf cause it's faster. I use the Tivo for watching recorded programs, that's it.

[gparris]

Still a good product, but it will not fly with a larger base of consumers because TWC does not really advertise it. I have polled everyone I know that has cable (and it is really a diverse group)-NO ONE had even heard of it.
 But TIVO is like a household word with them,  even if they aren't quite sure what it is.
They just don't have satellite - that's all they say besides: "why haven't they told me about it (the DVR from TWC)?"
User-friendly, sure, but it takes some manipulation to get a show recorded like a series ONCE a week, instead of EVERY time it's on. This first mistake takes you to a mess of repeated recordings if you fail and lets face it- TIVO wouldn't let you do that unless you asked for it.
Secondly, the shows you can type in for scan and selection with TIVO can't be inputted with TWC's DVR. You must go through what seems like everything under the S 's for Stargate to appear, for example. Once you do, there's the repeat button to find in the layers of buttons and dropdowns.
Finally, the advance dates for shows:TIVo can give you up to 2 weeks worth. TWC's DVR is just a few days, after you wait and wait for the downloads to appear after a "No Data" hits the time slots as you forage through the process. :bang:
So TWC DVR worth it? Sure. But I set up my VCR faster that that!
I just hate to fight with tape and no digital sound and miss-my TIVO!:(

[FreQi]

I don't suppose anyone has investigated the plausibility of pulling the recorded material off the PVR and onto your PC... Does the box have any kind of LAN interface? USB? Firewire? Serial?

Any guesses on how it does the recording?  I'm not sure if the box actually tunes and decodes the video, then captures the analog, or if it does it right and just writes the digital feed from the cable to the hard drive.  If you can set a "quality" to record at (to virtually increase the recording capacity) the box probably does an analog capture.  If you can only record a certain amount, then it's probably keeping the feed digital.

Lastly, what the make/model of the pvr boxes?  I wanna do so research before I get one when I move next month

[gparris]

TWC PVR boxes are model SA8000 Scientific Atlanta. IF you need to know how they work there is a section in the TWC website that assists you about their operation....no Firewire connectablity- yet,  but the box does have them (per the website and my examination as I have 2 of them).

IF you need to know MORE about the SA8000 box, please go to the Scientific Atlanta website for more information and yes, they have both operational and technical data there.

If you don't want to buy a TIVO or like the fact TWC has a slick looking DVR that will do the job to your satisfaction, get one...or two.

Hope this helps...

[rawoodwi]

A couple of points.  I posted a question with Time warner today:

"When will you be offering a combined HDTV STB AND DVR like the Pioneer voyager 4000?
And how much extra will it cost?"

As usual I got the confused response, however it does contain some interesting information:

"I can not tell you if will carry the Pioneer Voyager 4000. The Pioneer website does not list a 4000 model available. Currently, we do have HDTV converters. The converters are manufacturered by Scienific Atlanta. Our DVR converter is manufactured by Scienific Atlanta too. This fall/winter, there will a HD/DVR converter available.

The DVR is available right now. For more information, please call our customer service department."

[FreQi]

I've had the SA Explorer 8000 for about a week now, and so far I am pretty impressed with it.  There are a couple flaws in the programming that I would really like to see changed, but for the most part it's great.  In fact, I also have a TiVo and vastly prefer the Exp. 8000.  Being able to record 2 shows at once is a life saver, and the major selling point for me.

As for an HD capable version of the DVR, it's the first question in the FAQ about the 8000.

Q: When will the Explorer 8000 for HDTV be available?
A: The ExplorerHD High Definition Home Entertainment Server will be available to cable operators in October-November timeframe this year (2003). To find out when the Explorer 8000HD will be available in your area, please contact your cable company.

[gyoung]

I just got the DVR to see what it was like.  I think my 3100HD box is going back.  I think we will use the DVR much more than the limited HD viewing that we actually do.  

Problem is that most of the HD programming that I would watch is coming up with NFL football this fall.  I hope TWC starts to carry the 8000HD box soon.

[gparris]

Keep both-I do...if more of us TWC users keep our boxes the more HD will come unless we do a mass return as a protest.

The DVR is more convenient than a non-Directv TIVO as it DOES record 2 programmes at a time while you watch a third recorded. You can watch a third if the case may come about on your HD box while recording the 2 (and this happened to me more than once already). In addition to the convenience of recording, Dolby Digital sound and PCM (digital stereo) is recorded unlike a standalone TIVO's stereo only sound from RCA outputs.

You might want to power up and down your DVR once and awhile as it sometimes locks up and does not record or find programmes ahead. Unplug it for a few seconds and let it reboot. Then it will be okay to record and operate. Hope this helps you out.:wave: