DVR Technology

[dochielomn]

So this may not apply to some people on this board but I throw this question out to the community. How is it that different tv providers don't have the same DVR technology? For instance, living in RI, I had Cox and my DVR had 2 tuners in it, allowing me to be able to flip between each tuner and it would be "recording" whatever channel it was on and could record 2 things at the same time (one on each tuner). Then, when I moved to Long Island, we had Optimum and the DVR allowed to record up to 10 programs at the same time but didn't have two tuners, so essentially I couldn't watch 2 programs live at the same time (and just toggle between like I could with Cox). However, Optimum offered the DVR that could watch from any DVR in the house. Meaning, I could record on any DVR in the house and play that recording anywhere in the house, not just the DVR I set it to record on. Additionally, in order to rewind live tv, we had to purchase an additional piece of hardware that connected into the DVR as it was not standard. Moving into Manhattan, we have Spectrum and they basically offer the Cox package of DVR technology. Although, it seems like flipping between the tuners can be hit or miss in terms of it recording the other channel.

So my question is how is it in the world of technology that we have, that DVR technology isn't universally the same across the board?

[Adam]

Cox now has fancier stuff, but I see your point. Also, the cable industry has never, ever done anything that made their customers lives easier or less complicated. Something about a Monopoly/Duopoly... In fact, Cox just raised the price on their non-bundled internet plans.

It feels like Kevin is about to say something about Windows Media Center, which I don't necessarily disagree with.

[dochielomn]

Yeah, I was guessing Cox upgraded their DVR service since I moved. Hell, I think they upgraded while I was still in RI but I didn't need it so I kept with what I had. It just seems strange that this technology isn't the same across the board. I'm guessing it's a licensing issue. But to me, it's like if you were buying a TV and one company was the only place to buy a 4K tv but had no HDMI ports and another company offered HDMI ports but not something else that was pretty common. Just seems weird.

And yes, I was waiting for the Kevin comment about cutting the chord, .

[kevm14]

To avoid what they are all afraid of, being nothing more than a so-called "dumb pipe," they attempt to differentiate with other things, like the DVR. If you think about it, that's about all they CAN do other than creative bundling options. It's the same internet, and same TV networks that everyone else has.

[dochielomn]

I suppose. But it seems like the bundling or the speed of the internet might be the best way to obtain new customers. Or lately I've been seeing stuff like "free HBO" or "free Netflix". It's just slightly annoying to know that the technology is out there but all of the companies don't offer it (as I kind of got used to being able to record a show out in the living room and then eventually watch it in my bedroom without having to stream it or go to On Demand to find it).

[kevm14]

It just depends on what they want to offer. DVRs from the cable company have gotten much, MUCH better in the past 10 years. I've never had one but I've observed this to be true.

It seemed like only 4 or 5 years ago they even started to be interested in offering a non-sucky DVR experience.

For OTA options, it would seem like a TiVo Roamio is the way to go if you wanted a commercial/works-out-of-the-box solution. 4 tuners, 1TB, multi-room support. Has all the streaming stuff. Live TV and DVR. Commercial skipping. Even comes with a nice RF remote. $400 with no recurring fees/plan.

https://explore.tivo.com/antenna
https://www.tivo.com/shop/ota-detail

Multi-room "set top box" costs $179 each.

https://www.tivo.com/shop/mini

The unit itself even supports 4k UHD, which must mean...streaming content?

[kevm14]

There is also some official interoperability with Plex. Both for the backend (i.e. a media server) and front end (play TiVo recordings through Plex as a client, I think). This may mean you can use a laptop connected to a TV instead of buying the Mini set top box. That's something. This is pretty cool.

[Adam]

This is pretty cool.

Does this mean you will finally be replacing your TV?

[kevm14]

You must be behind on threads.

I already did.

[Adam]

You must be behind on threads.

I already did.

Yup. Turns out nearly 3 weeks of travel will do that for you.