Official SA 8000HD DVR Thread

[gparris]

I have had the TWC DVR and the DirecTivo at one time a year ago, both side-by-side because I had to get familiar with it as I was moving into a north-facing apartment, the following month.
Anyway, they both record digitally (as in Dolby Digital) unlike a standalone Tivo, have 2 record while you can playback a recording (again unlike a standalone Tivo) and have decent guides.
Scientific Atlanta offers the picture-in-picture feature on its 8000 model DVRs while Tivo doesn't. I like that feature. But that is where the love ends, aside from not having to find a phone jack to plug in for service updates as you do with Tivos.
I have other things to remember besides plugging in a phone jack once or twice a month to update a Tivo if I don't have a conveniently-accessible phone jack available or run it under a rug (like last time).  TWC's DVR eliminates that scenario and offers a nothing-to-buy DVR with that picture-in-picture feature and no setup hassles that I experienced with Tivo, (actually 2 DirecTivos).
However if SA could use the Tivo software for the features it has that are so popular with its subscribers, it would be the best of both worlds as I do miss the reminders, the added week of programmes to record in its lists and the spelling of actors, genre and/or programme names that I cannot do with the TWC DVR.
It gets a little frustrating finding a show with the current DVR, not that I haven't got around it, somehow...just not as easy.
I can see, having both to compare, why Tivo has its loyal subscribers in that manner, very much so.
 
I have sent emails to SA (without answer backs) asking them to buy the software or at least make their DVR products more user-friendly, to no avail. We'll see.
Right now, I wonder what happened to the testing of the TWC HD DVR and why none of us on this forum got to test one and why TWC is taking so long for delivery: The Passport software, beta testing, etc. excuses are getting a little, well, OLD!:mad:

[Marc G]

Originally posted by borghe
Sure you put stuff on there, but the Tivo also puts stuff on there that it thinks you might like based on viewing habits and preferences..  

Wow. I need some time management classes or something. I barely have time to watch the shows and movies that I choose. I'd never have time to watch more things that a machine chose for me!:D

[gb4fan92]

Originally posted by mhz40

> Without any direct knowlege, I would supect an early June release based on the testing results so far. [/B]

Just wondering. Are we still on target for early June?

[gparris]

Originally posted by gb4fan92
Just wondering. Are we still on target for early June?

Yeah, more "Beta testing"?

Many TWC locations in the country have gone online having  the SA8000HD since we were supposed to have it in the First Quarter.


TWC: please try to target it for the END of Second Quarter(June)!

(Even if it means just us forum members, who are more tech-savy)

Thanks!:D

[mhz40]

Early June may be optimistic.

[summerfun]

Originally posted by mhz40
Early June may be optimistic.

What seems to be the delay? Other TWC customers have this unit all over the country.

[The Law]

The Tivo this isn't the case.. Sure you put stuff on there, but the Tivo also puts stuff on there that it thinks you might like based on viewing habits and preferences..

Now, I've never done either TiVo or D/PVR (/waits for TW), but I cannot stand sotware that automatically do stuff based on what some algorithm that "thinks" it knows what's good for you.  Usually, such software is pre-empted by the word "Microsoft".

That would drive me nuts having all sorts of programming that I did not ask for.  Perzoomablee this can be turned off - yes?

[mrmike]

Originally posted by The Law
Now, I've never done either TiVo or D/PVR (/waits for TW), but I cannot stand sotware that automatically do stuff based on what some algorithm that "thinks" it knows what's good for you.  Usually, such software is pre-empted by the word "Microsoft".

That would drive me nuts having all sorts of programming that I did not ask for.  Perzoomablee this can be turned off - yes?

It's based on some conjunction of your "thumbs-up/down" data and a heuristic analysis of that data as an aggregate compared with other similar data to extrapolate likely additionally appropriate content. It's pretty slick, actually.

It can be disabled, and it's always recorded on "empty" space (All scheduled recordings will take precedence over Suggestions for storage).  It's not perfect, but I occasionally stumble across a gem there and get pleasure from watching it.  TiVo caught "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" for me  a couple weeks back and although I'd not have thought to look for it I'm glad to have had the chance to see it again.

-MM

[The Law]

Sound interesting.  I try to stay away from TV, oddly enough.  I just want to watch my stuff when I want to.  Not much to ask for, but I don't have that much time - 'specially when weathers nice.

I would hate to get sucked into some show just because I like Trippin' the Rift - for those w/TiVo - you have to check this out.  It's sleazy, risque and just plain wrong - but funny

'nuff said - beerzacallin'

[mhz40]

Originally posted by summerfun
What seems to be the delay? Other TWC customers have this unit all over the country.

Some systems are running SA code, others are running Pioneer.  Milwaukee happens to be on the latter... Kind of like waiting for the "MAC" version, wilst others already have it for the PC.
Believe me, cable ops are just as eager to get this out as you are to get it.  It just dosen't make sense.  You only have one shot at doing it right the first time.

[gparris]

Originally posted by The Law
Sound interesting.  I try to stay away from TV, oddly enough.  I just want to watch my stuff when I want to.  Not much to ask for, but I don't have that much time - 'specially when weathers nice.

I would hate to get sucked into some show just because I like Trippin' the Rift - for those w/TiVo - you have to check this out.  It's sleazy, risque and just plain wrong - but funny


Yes,  it is a show that is great for DVR-ing (or Tivo), but you want to make sure the younger members of the family don't see it as it is a little mature and yet, it's on the Sci-Fi Channel!

Tivo looks at what you record and makes suggestions. I never used it much, only liked the 2-week updates and the best actor, etc. and the spelling of the show rather than the just one letter and that's it with the cable DVR. Aside from that, I get to record it and have a good time watching it late-er than it is on.:blush:

As for a late-er June delay, thanks for the update response.
Pioneer code, eh? Maybe it would have been better to use the Pioneer HD DVR,
the Voyager 4000 HD-DVR than fight with the SA code and use its 8000HD box?
I know that the Pioneer HD DVR only has a 120GB HDD but maybe we would have HD recorders out by now.
Comparatively speaking, the SA3100HD box really wasn't a great box and the Pioneer 3510HD shined. Maybe the Pioneer HD DVR would have, too...and TWC could skip the code problems altogether....just a thought.

[shimmer11]

Anyone have any new info on the HD DVR's from Time Warner?  Last I heard they were going to be out in June.  Well its June now and no sign of them!

[gparris]

Originally posted by shimmer11
Anyone have any new info on the HD DVR's from Time Warner?  Last I heard they were going to be out in June.  Well its June now and no sign of them!

Quote from mhz40 on  5-27 (this thread):

"Early June may be optimistic."


So maybe LATE June!


There, that sounds optimistic! (Just me guessing, this time).

TWC website shows nothing, either, although they just updated their website for a different look this month.:cool:

[Gregg Lengling]

I never try to anticipate when something will be released.  A manufacturer I used to represent (Kenwood) would always show us all the new stuff and tell us something like first quarter or 2005, of course we knew well enought not to expect it til the last quarter of 2005.

[The Law]

Some systems are running SA code, others are running Pioneer

SA and Pioneer share code w/each other?  How does that work?  Would that not increase the amount of finger pointing if something goes wrong?

We're all gathering our loot
We're plonking down real soon
We're polishing our big screens
We can't wait for June
We'll be recording all summer
Giggle, titter, ha ha!
No more channel surfing
With HD DVR