HDVR2 with no DirecTV service?

[gwynne]

All right, I've scanned the forums quite a bit trying to find out info on this, but the problem is I don't really know how to ask the question.

I am not trying to steal any sort of service, but I suppose this is still a bit of a grey area. I've got two series 2 DirecTiVo units (one HDVR2, one DSR7000), and I am about to cancel my DirecTV service in favor of the local digital cable company, mostly because DTV does not carry HD locals. But I digress.

I'm not in a good financial position to buy a new series 2 standalone and I can't (so far) find anyone to take the DirecTivos off my hands and I don't feel like dealing with eBay.

So, the question: Is there any way to cause the DirecTivo units to record anything other than a DirecTV signal? I notice there is an RF-in (labelled 'Cable/Antenna'), is that actually enabled?

I'd be happy if I could at least get one working in manual/VCR mode temporarily. I'm not looking to steal guide data either.

My level of TiVo hacking knowledge is what I'd call 'intermediate'; i.e., I follow instructions really well but don't necessarily understand what I'm doing. :)

Any info appreciated. Or maybe someone can point me to a for-sale type forum where I could try to do a swap. :)

[Meklos]

All right, I've scanned the forums quite a bit trying to find out info on this, but the problem is I don't really know how to ask the question.

I am not trying to steal any sort of service, but I suppose this is still a bit of a grey area. I've got two series 2 DirecTiVo units (one HDVR2, one DSR7000), and I am about to cancel my DirecTV service in favor of the local digital cable company, mostly because DTV does not carry HD locals. But I digress.

I'm not in a good financial position to buy a new series 2 standalone and I can't (so far) find anyone to take the DirecTivos off my hands and I don't feel like dealing with eBay.

So, the question: Is there any way to cause the DirecTivo units to record anything other than a DirecTV signal? I notice there is an RF-in (labelled 'Cable/Antenna'), is that actually enabled?

I'd be happy if I could at least get one working in manual/VCR mode temporarily. I'm not looking to steal guide data either.

My level of TiVo hacking knowledge is what I'd call 'intermediate'; i.e., I follow instructions really well but don't necessarily understand what I'm doing. :)

Any info appreciated. Or maybe someone can point me to a for-sale type forum where I could try to do a swap. :)



HDVR2s do not have MPEG2 encoders. They can only receive DTV signals.

[JJBliss]

...I am about to cancel my DirecTV service in favor of the local digital cable company, mostly because DTV does not carry HD locals. But I digress.

Just before you do anything rash, you should know that there are technical indications that DTV will VERY SOON be carrying the major networks in HD. Just hold tight..


So, the question: Is there any way to cause the DirecTivo units to record anything other than a DirecTV signal? I notice there is an RF-in (labelled 'Cable/Antenna'), is that actually enabled?

Nope. There is no MPG encoder in DTivo's. That "input" is and "output". Sorry, no choice. Other folks have put their commoditized DTivos on eBay and used the proceeds to purchase SA units.


I'd be happy if I could at least get one working in manual/VCR mode temporarily. I'm not looking to steal guide data either.

still nope.

Or maybe someone can point me to a for-sale type forum where I could try to do a swap. :)

http://www.dealdatabase.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=34

[captain_video]

Just before you do anything rash, you should know that there are technical indications that DTV will VERY SOON be carrying the major networks in HD. Just hold tight..

The last I heard this may still be limited to certain areas of the country. If it's just the national feeds then I believe the same stipulations about their reception will apply as they do now. If it's one of the dozen or so local markets I saw listed then you're probably out of luck if you're not serviced by one of them. I don't know all the details so don't take this as gospel. I believe there's a thread over at the TCF that discusses this in the HDTivo section.

[gwynne]

Thanks for the replies. Got the info I needed, i.e., 'no'.

As for waiting on DirecTV and their HD locals... I've read quite a bit of speculation and I've had the retention reps at DTV tell me to hang on as well, but unfortunately no one has anything more concrete to say than that. I know they're launching a new bird soon but even that's still a few months away. I'm in a decent market for locals (Orlando) but we didn't even get the CBS HD rollout. I'm basically sick of waiting and the local digital cable provider is offering really predatory deals to those of us on sat... (free HBO for a year, free install, equipment deposits waived, etc etc).

Anyway, thanks again.

[newbie]

The last I heard this may still be limited to certain areas of the country. If it's just the national feeds then I believe the same stipulations about their reception will apply as they do now. If it's one of the dozen or so local markets I saw listed then you're probably out of luck if you're not serviced by one of them. I don't know all the details so don't take this as gospel. I believe there's a thread over at the TCF that discusses this in the HDTivo section.

I think Dish posted that CBS gave blanket waivers for anyone in an O & O area to get a HD CBS national feed. The were trying to work with the affiliates to get blanket waivers as well. I assume Directv has (or will) be getting similar consideration.