hr20 mpeg2 or mpeg4? sup-2400 needed?

[davel]

Having it all hooked up now and playing with it I still can't tell if it is recording in mpg 2 or 4. Is it just a matter of what station it is on? I would figure that but is there a way to tell or is there a setting? Also I just looked in the box that the installer left and there are a couple of zinwell sup-2400 "b band converter (bbc) modules". Are these even needed for the hr-20? It seems to be working fine without them installed and the instructions of the unit doesn't mention installing it.

Also when I connected to dtv over the network hookup. I take it that if I order a PPV movie it will use the network to bill me? IE now the network does the full functionality of the phone?


Overall impression over tivo is that it isn't as good for useability. I hate the double click guide. There is no real switching between tuners there is only rewind ability on the channel that you are watching.

That being said the things I like are setting a season pass is easier and the "usage" monitor is cool and network hookup. My unit did not have a seal on it so I opened it up with a t-10 (like the tivos). Needless to say I will be ordering a 750 gig soon. Another nice feature of the unit is the integration into the guide and record ability of the OTA hd channels. This alone would make the unit worth it without the HD programming.

[captain_video]

The HR20 records both mpeg2 and mpeg4. There aren't that many mpeg4 channels available to the national market yet. Most mepg4 channels are limited to your specific locals and RSNs, where available.

[PlainBill]

The bbc modules aren't needed AT THIS TIME; they'll be used when the new 'birds' come online later this year. Or next. Or in 2009.

It should be obvious that it records the data stream, just like the HR10, and the SD DirecTiVos. If it's receiving mpeg4, it records mpeg4.

I definitely agree about the double click to get the guide. No idea what, if anything, is sent over the network at this time.

PlainBill

[davel]

Thanks for the responses, that clears it up. BTW does anyone know if there is a way to switch between tuners? All I can figure is that use previous channel. I am so used to the "down" tivo switch, it is hard to re-adjust.

[captain_video]

I don't know if anyone ever figured out how to switch between tuners. I know there was some discussion about it over at dbstalk.com but I never heard if it was possible with the HR20.

[joed32]

Over at dbstalk they have instructions to enable the single click guide. It will be included in the menu later. Mine changed with the last software update by itself.