Well, through GetConnected.Com I got a free DirecTivo and satellite dish, and free installation (not needed). The goods arrived yesterday afternoon and after some fun with destackers, multi-switches, and line amplifiers I got it working like a champ.

My bill is now $20 cheaper than before (was directv through southwestern bell, now I'm direct), and I've got a Tivo with 35hours of recording time...

Man this is truly great. It's already gathered up a variety of simpsons, sopranos, sex in the city (wife), buena vista social club, and a whole Buffy the Vampire Slayer marathon.

What the hell were we doing before? Of course the problem now is that I need to watch all this stuff now!

I didn't see a true DB9 serial port on the back, looks like it's a type of headphone connection for serial ... I haven't researched this yet, but are you guys familiar with this? do I need to find an adapter similar to the pronto's serial cable? (semi-headphone type to db9).

This thing kicks butt ... for those who don't have directv yet and have been waiting for an excuse, this free tivo deal is reason enough...

Greg

Oh wow... My one reason for not going with DirecTV seems to have disappeared. It looks like they have Comcast SportsNet on their sports packages now... Maybe it's time to consider...

Welcome to the wonderful world of TiVo!
Next step, add an 80Gb drive to boost it to 108 hours recording time...

Here's the easiest method to upgrade with.

Greg, I'm glad everything worked to your liking. AFAIK, DirecTiVos don't have a serial port like the SA TiVos do. I will have to double check that though.

I would like to see some install porn of the destackers in your house and how much you were charged for them and who you got them from.

I just got back from a two week trip and have a lot of stuff to watch between my two DirecTiVos. Life is good.

Of course the problem now is that I need to watch all this stuff now!

Actually, you don't. It's like with any other labor-saving device: your dishwasher does dishes for you, your hoover suc^H^H^H cleans carpets for you, your TiVo watches TV for you. A very promising concept. Late Douglas Adams describes electric monk which believes in six different things before breakfast for you (in Dirk Gently series).

Enjoy your new toy, as Tony would say. Pitty they don't sell it here...

Pitty they don't sell it here...

Yeah, I second that. I wish they'd introduce something like that over here in Europe too.
This thing could very well become my second favorite toy, next to my Empeg.

I believe that TiVo is now available in Europe. Thought I saw and read it while I was in England last week.

- Jon

Yep, my 77 year old mum has got a TiVo here in England. She's probably had it for about 9 Months or so. She loves it . It's great to see someone of that age embracing new technologies.

Yes, Greg, those guys sure wuz right! In the three weeks since I set it up, I haven't messed with mine that much, but, after only the briefest get-acquainted chat with my SA, I am *really* impressed with the software/interface. Yup, I could see my dear aunt operating it -- the ultimate compliment given that she just figured out her microwave at age 93.

Anyhow, listing updates seem to happen without a hitch. Just got back from Rally Monte Carlo and all 4 Speedvision MC segments are sitting in Now Playing ready to go (so I can figure out what the hell really went on!). And, YES, I may finally get back on track with The Simpsons!

Next up: void the warranty with that 80GB 2nd drive!

Next up: void the warranty with that 80GB 2nd drive!

A pointless excercise, really... my TiVo can only hold 30 hours, and I can't even begin to find the time to watch the things it records. And since it only records things that I like... what would be the point of having room to record even more stuff that I still won't have time to watch.

No, just keep your 30 hours, and as a rule of thumb always watch the very best thing that is currently there and let the lesser programs fall off the bottom of the list. It's the only way you'll keep your sanity.

tanstaafl.

tanstaafl: It's the only way you'll keep your sanity.

Keep? OK, but first I gotta work on regain.

I'm probably what would be called a binge viewer. Don't watch anything for a month (or may be away from home for that long) then pull a 3-day lethargython in front of the tube. Having a lot to pick from would be good. Also, I've been recording stuff like WRC in "Best" mode for transfer to videotape for archiving/sharing. In theory this 30GB is only 9 hours at Best quality ( true??) Sure, the Simpsons probably won't get that treatment, but I will still probably add a 2nd drive.

One of the next steps will be to add a TivoNet interface (not to dump my Tivo subscription, though it could prepare me for that) so as to use the scripts that are floating around out there to transfer Tivo MPEGs like WRC to my Linux server for creation of archive VCDs

I've been on the PVR bandwagon for a while. I originally owned a Panasonic ShowStopper (ReplayTV) which IMO is more powerful than the Tivo. I have upgraded that unit to 80 hours and it has served me well for over a year.

Recently, though, I also picked up a DirectTivo mainly because of the dual tuners. I like being able to record one thing while watching another. I promptly upgraded the DTivo with a 120GB hard drive (109 hours) and so far it's been great. The Tivo interface is a little dumbed down for me but the wife likes it.

Far as the serial port, yes, the DTivo does have a serial port. It's on the back and is labeled SERIAL. In place of the standard serial port, however, they used a headphone jack. You can make a serial cable for the unit with about $5.00 worth of stuff from Radio Shack. However, you can't get shell access without hacking the unit. I had my unit hacked but later decided to just leave it alone and put it back to "normal."

It's amazing how quickly you get used to have a PVR. With my Showstopper and the DTivo combined, I can now record 3 things at once at any time and believe it or not, that happens a lot.

I believe that TiVo is now available in Europe. Thought I saw and read it while I was in England last week

Is it available in other European countries besides England too? I live in Belgium, but I've never seen a Tivo advertised over here.

hmmm yea, we don't have anything like that here in NZ either,
we do have LOTs of DVD recorders, but that'd be crap, rather have a HDD in it.

This is how I've got mine set up. However for whatever reason, I needed to have a cheap inline amplifier ($19) between the destacker and the multiswitch. I was just losing a little too much signal there.

My destacker is the standard D575 ... I found a guy at the tivocommunity.com forums who was selling an extra one (there are several, keep an eye out), for shipping and everything I got it for $50.

My multiswitch is a 2x4. It's mechanical instead of solid state, so when you change channels it clicks. It's also passive, not powered, so it's a little slower. I found it used at a Tweeter store. They do professional installs and had one laying around. I got it for $25 + tax. I'm hoping to upgrade to a active solid state multiswitch before long, I think they run between $50-$75.



I swiped this diagram from Feldon's discussions on formentioned forums.

Greg

I haven't found the ability to change the recording quality, is there a hidden switch somewhere? Dd they remove that on DirecTivos?

Greg

Since the DirecTiVo takes doesn't have to convert the MPEG-2 stream, it cannot change the recording quality. It's always recording at the highest level...

- Jon

DirecTiVo has no MPEG2 encoder like the SA models. DirecTiVo records the bitstrem directly from DirecTV's satellites. This means it is a perfect bit-for-bit digital copy of what your dish receives from DirecTV.

The recording time on the DirecTiVo box is stated as "about 35 hours" because it depends on the compression rate DirecTV is using for each channel. I know of people getting 40 hours on a DirecTiVo and some getting 20 hours. It all depends on what you're recording.

Greg,

I personally use a Spaun 2x4 solid state multiswitch and it rocks. I used to have a 3x4 Recoton (mechanical) I bought from Best Buy for $80. By replacing it with the Spaun, which is also non-powered, I gained about 4% signal strength back.

The surprise is that the Spaun cost about $40 from this guy. In case you are not aware, Spaun stuff is generally regarded as "the Mercedes-Benz" of multiswitches. They're even made in Germany. Getting them so cheap from that eBay guy was a treat.

I suggest you try out a Spaun first before spending too much on a powered model. I use mine outside. It's been rained on and snowed on and still works perfectly. Just my $0.02.

I also got a Spaun multiswitch from that guy. I haven't installed it yet because of the warnings on the Spaun web page about not installing it outdoors... Sounds like you haven't had any problems with putting it into the elements... So I should disregard that warning?

- Jon

Well, it isn't meant to be outdoors since it is not sealed from the elements. It is pretty tough and expensive to get a "weatherproof" multiswitch, and most of them are Taiwanese garbage. I have my Spaun totally out in the open laying on it's back with the label up. If I could help it I would definitely mount it indoors. Although it's working fine outside right now, I purchased a backup in the event this one fails.

Assuming that the Spaun is in fact moisture-proof (which I doubt), you also run the risk of temperature. Here in NY it can be 20 degrees at night and 40 during the day this time of year. The constant fluctuation in temp is probably not good for the electronics in the switch.

I have been looking into protecting the switch for some time now. The best I can come up with in my situation is wrap it in shrink wrap and melt it on there with a hair dryer. I plan to try this soon.

To answer your question, I would put it outside only as a temporary solution then figure out a way to waterproof it. If something bad happens to that switch it could possibly hurt my receiver(s) since that's where it's power comes from.

robricc: I have been looking into protecting the switch for some time now. The best I can come up with in my situation is wrap it in shrink wrap and melt it on there with a hair dryer. I plan to try this soon.

If you consider your connections permanent -- "done" and not likely to be revised -- you might also consider getting some long lengths of 1/2" or 5/8" heat-shrink tubing and using ~8-10" of the stuff on each connection. Snug it up as close to the body of the switch as you can (and heat/fixate the end near the switch first) to cover the connectors, then finish with some silicon caulk (black, to resist UV). If you form a drip loop on each cable before you heat it, The heat-shrink once cool will tend to reinforce the loop. You'll need a heat gun (or a bloody dangerous hair dryer!). If you are patient, some pieces of heavy black trash bags may take the place of shrink wrap.

Heat shrink tubing can be outrageously overpriced. I get 3-foot lengths from a local marine electrical place and it's less of a rip-off than the blister pack variety.

You'll need a heat gun (or a bloody dangerous hair dryer!).

That's what I meant . I call it a hair dryer around the shop for obvious reasons. I assumed everyone would catch my drift.

Anyway... I can get the tubing here for nothing (just don't tell anyone ) but the F connectors are not neccessarily the only place where moisture can get in. For example, the Recoton switch was not weatherproof but it had silicon sealing the back plate on. Oddly, the Spaun doesn't. I have to assume that the entire box needs to be sealed. This is why I would rather wrap it up like a mummy and heat shrink the hell out of it.

I am using 3 of the 4 outputs. I plan on using the 4th in the future, so I would have a 2-foot RG6 lead coming off it before I heatshrink.

robricc: I call it a hair dryer around the shop for obvious reasons. I assumed everyone would catch my drift.

Well, I for one didn't know you were a punk hair stylist!!

I can get the tubing here for nothing

And the street address is...? (Dang. Why didn't we have this chat before I rewired my boat???)

I suppose another overkill approach to this would be to sink the whole assembly into a Tupperware vat of slow-curing, black pigment-laden epoxy. Just don't ever move!

This sounds great! I'm going to contemplate my wallet for a couple of hours and then probably cave in. I'll let you know how it works out ;-)

Greg

But when you record in higher quality modes, it's no longer a 30hr unit. Some stuff you will record as long as there is no action scenes will record fine in the Basic level. But I found that I didn't like that mode after a while and always use the next quality setting up the line. And then anything I really like and won't delete after the first viewing gets bets quality. So upgrading the hard is a great choice. Expecially when it is so easy and affordable. I picked up a 100gb WD at Sams for $119 after rebate. When deals like this come along, record eveything in best quality. Much more fun. Imagine a 100gb Empeg with every track at 320. YEah mostly overkill, but the best you can have.

Anyone know if the free offer of DirecTivo can still be had anywhere? I'm asking for a friend in the Boston area.

Since I'm in Canada, the only way I can do DirecTV is via PO-Box subscription or H/HU hack/emulation.

Bruno

It's back up to $70 at getconnected, I guess.

Will they let you get it through po box?

what's h/hu hack/emulation?

g

The Hughes unit is available at some Best Buy locations. The Philips unit is largely unavailable. If you know of a Circuit City in a really small area, you may be able to get a hold of one. The Sony unit is $100 more expensive than the others, and almost impossible to find new.

You can still buy them readily online though. The Philips can be had at American Satellite for $99 shipped. This is your best bet. You would pay $99 plus tax for it at Circuit City assuming you can find a new one. There are other online retailers like OrbitSat.com, but they seem to be getting a bad reputation lately (I have bought from them in the past without incident).

Do not order from Orbitsat.com
I've had the worst experience with them and they do not care. They never shipped my order but billed my credit card. Then when I canceled the order, they attempt to charge me for restocking of 15 bucks.
Plus, since I was a new Direct TV user, I was activating with them. They would not call Direct TV for me and cancel their pending activation which prevented me from getting another starter package from another retailer.
Direct TV would not do this for me on the consumer hotline either. I was caught in Orbitsat.com hell. Repeated calls to Orbitsat.com did nothing. The claim that they were not getting timely information from the warehouse and couldn't do anything for 30 days.

Luckily, I got the number for Direct TV's reseller hotline and the problem was solved just in time to get my order with Expert Satelitte shipped.

Compared to Orbitsat, Expert Sat are saints. I recommend them. http://store.yahoo.com/jaserp/dircomsyswit.html

For some reason, I couldn't markup the link. Okay, it hyperlinked it for me. (talking amongst myself)

H/HU Hack/Emulation is a way to hack DirecTV and recieve all the channels for free. I think as of right now though, only Emulation is working, where you have a pc connected to your receiver box manipulating the box to think you have a "vip pass" to all the channels. Hope that clears that up. More info at http://www.dssware.com if you want it.

H and HU cards are two different types of Smartcards. HU are the current set of cards. H were the ones previous to that. And for historic reference, the ones before that were F cards. The current DTV stream can be decoded only by H and HU cards. F cards were phased out numerous years ago.

Now, I'm sure you can guess what the other terms applied to these card types mean.

My friend (who is in the US) found the $70 deal and thinks this could be a good deal for him. Apparently it comes out cheaper than a previous quote he had for three regular receivers.

And if it matters to anyone, the coolest (fastest and best menu systems) receivers I've ever used are from Hughes. I've never seen a Tivo DTV yet - again, DirecTV is not available in Canada (only a couple of Canadian alternatives, the most popular one based on Dishnet hardware)

Bruno

And if it matters to anyone, the coolest (fastest and best menu systems) receivers I've ever used are from Hughes.

I will agree with you on this, however, in the world of DirecTiVo it doesn't matter. The hardware used in the Sony, Hughes, and Philips models are identical. I described the slight differences in this thread.

Unfortunately, DirecTiVo units are probably the slowest current receivers at changing channels. For what it's worth, the now defunct UltimateTV is even slower. This is one of the major things I would love to see changed on the DirecTiVos.

In reply to:

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the now defunct UltimateTV is even slower

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Did they really kill the product? I saw something about MS moving the UltimateTV office to Redmond and merging it with the XBox group, but I hadn't seen anything about them EOL'ing UltimateTV.

-Dylan

Yeah, I think it's more serious than just moving people around.
http://www.siliconvalley.com/docs/news/svfront/ms012202.htm

In reply to:

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DoubI didn't see a true DB9 serial port on the back, looks like it's a type of headphone connection for serial ... I haven't researched this yet, but are you guys familiar with this? do I need to find an adapter similar to the pronto's serial cable? (semi-headphone type to db9).

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I know the Philips TiVo units (at least the one I have) come with an adapter cable. Rummage through your accessory bag to see if it's hiding.

(Hey, I can't use markup anymore in my posts - huh? wha?)