How many hours now?

[TivoScott]

I just ordered a new Hughes DVR for D*. I have seen posts that state the compression has increased on the channels. Therefore the amount of storage needed per hours has decreased. I know this is variable and changes based on channel and what you are watching. Just wondering about how much more can I squeeze in the new DVR or do I need to add a HD to it right away. Is it a major change or just a little?

I have a E* 508 now and 60 hours is barely enough. I want to add a HD at some point to the new Tivo but I would rather wait a few months to make sure there are no problems with the unit. I may do it right a way if the capacity is too low.

Thanks in advance

[mrblack51]

The advertised time equates to about 1 hour per gb of disk available for recording, so a 35 hour unit has a 40gb hd, and adding a 60gb drive as a slave would put you at about 95 hours or so.

BTW, there is no such thin as D*. E* is appropriate because its echo-star, or echo*...but there is no direct*...dtv is shor enough =)

[TivoScott]

Thanks for the reply.

My question is regarding the storage of a show now. From what I have heard the data coming from DTV is much less per hour of programming than what it was just a few weeks ago.

So I would think that the HD should hold more hours of programming, I am just not sure how much more"

[mrblack51]

The problem with your question is that there are too many variables. Since compression is different on every channel, and from show to show (even episode to episode), no overall metric would be very useful. The standard of 1 hr per gb is a good rough estimate, and has been as long as dtivos have been around.

In general, PPV's get more bandwidth than other stuff, especially first run movies. DD programming will take up more space as well. Local in local channels will tend to be more compressed than other channels. Action programming gets more bandwidth than news channels and sitcoms.

Very rarely do people who show up at this forum stick with the standard 35 hours. most seem relatively content with about 100, which is plenty for a number of season passes, some movies, and some suggestions. If you want to come up with your own metric, go for it, I would be interested to see how you went about quantifying your results.

[TivoScott]

Thanks again for the reply.

Yea I understand that there are a lot of variables to the formula. Maybe the resent change that some have been reporting is not universal enough to change the formula you are talking about. It just sounded like a major reduction in file size per hour of content.

Yes I want to have about 100 hours as well. Just concerned about voiding the warranty by installing the new HD. Any ideas on how dependable these are? One reason I liked the Samsung so much. Just cold not justify the extra $$.

[captain_video]

The current level of compression is what it is today and it may change tomorrow or next week. There's no set level that can be used to gauge how much storage capacity you will need for recording your season passes or anything else. My recommendation is to go with at least 120GB since the drives are plentiful and dirt cheap these days. The price differential between a 60, 80, or 100GB drive is not all that much when compared to the current crop of 120 giggers so it only costs a few bucks more for a lot of extra storage. While you may never need all that much, it's nice to know you may also never get the Tivo nag message indicating that you may need to delete some programs to make room for the recording you just scheduled.

My basic rule of thumb for judging total capacity is to deduct 10-15GB for overhead and then figure 1GB per hour of recording time. This generally applies to upgraded drives greater than 60GB. Actual recording time will vary considerably due to compression variations. You will notice that the capacity stated in the System Information screen says it has a total capacity "of up to" the number of hours stated when in reality it will be much less. The 40GB drive supplied in a DTivo is pitifully small, IMO. It will only accommodate a couple of season passes with the "Save until I delete" option selected.

[TheWickedPriest]

Originally posted by TivoScott
From what I have heard the data coming from DTV is much less per hour of programming than what it was just a few weeks ago.The average data rate hasn't changed since I've had a hacked Tivo, which is since June or July. (I don't have data before that because a hacked Tivo is the only way I know of to get it.) I think what you heard was bunk.

The rate varies considerably from channel to channel, or even program to program. However, the average across all channels seems close to the advertised rate: a little more than a gig an hour.

[osetivo]

For a while there, FOX NY was using >1GB for 30 minutes, but yes average is about 1GB for an hour.

Go with a 120GB, menus start to get slow when it gets too full, so I never wanted to go any larger.