Considering FiOS - Need Advice

[AllieVi]

I’m a DISH customer considering a switch to Fios TV. I already have Fios Internet/phone service. I don’t have any HD TV’s, but am in the market for one to replace the main TV. The rest of my sets (about 15) will remain SD for a long time.

I currently have 2 DISH Standard Definition DVR’s (model 508). The outputs are modulated into a distribution system that allows me to watch either receiver on any/all of my sets. I have lots of RF remotes that allow me to control the DVR’s from any of the TV locations.

What are your suggestions for duplicating my current setup? A single HD DVR with two or more tuners (with separate outputs for each tuner) would suit me just fine. I’ll need simultaneous HD and SD outputs - the SD will input to my existing analog modulators for distribution to those many TV’s.

Most people don’t seem to like the Motorola receivers and I’d consider a Tivo. I’ve been spoiled by the RF remotes on my DISH receivers and understand Tivo uses infrared. I used IR extenders years ago, but would prefer the built-in RF feature. Does any Tivo model offer RF?

TIA

 

[Juan]

The fios DVR will "talk" to the set top boxes on your SD tv's The fios DVR acts more like a file server rather than a traditional DVR

 

[AllieVi]

The fios DVR will "talk" to the set top boxes on your SD tv's The fios DVR acts more like a file server rather than a traditional DVR

I don’t envision or want additional set top boxes. I just want to have the primary output(s) go to my main TV and also be able to send the signal(s) around the house via my analog distribution system.

My current setup allows me modulate analog output from each of my two DISH DVR’s, combine and distribute them to all the TV’s via RG-6 cable. If I want to watch what’s on one of the 508’s on one of “non-main” TV’s, I tune it to channel 38. If I want to watch something on the other 508, I go to channel 42. The RF remote at each TV can control either of the 508’s. I also modulate security cameras, a DVD player and a VCR to my in house “cable system.”

I’m sure many others have a similar distribution setup. I was hoping that someone already did what I want and could offer guidance.

 

[Juan]

What I was trying to say is.The Motorola DVR doesn't have tuners(In a sat tv sense).they are built into the(seperate) set top boxes. I would think that you could take the output from one set top box and modulate it around the house in a similar manner

 

[cebbigh]

I haven't tried it first hand but this is a way to get Tivo to work as RF:

RF Remote Converter - Control your TiVo from Anywhere in the House!

And off subject but maybe something to consider down the road. If you have multiple Tivo's networked you can control programs programed on one Tivo on other Tivos in the network.

 

[AllieVi]

What I was trying to say is.The Motorola DVR doesn't have tuners(In a sat tv sense).they are built into the(seperate) set top boxes. I would think that you could take the output from one set top box and modulate it around the house in a similar manner

Are you saying that you can’t connect the DVR directly to a TV, but also have to have set top boxes?

For the DVR to be able to record programs, it must have built in tuner(s). I’m confused.

 

[AllieVi]

I haven't tried it first hand but this is a way to get Tivo to work as RF:

RF Remote Converter - Control your TiVo from Anywhere in the House!

And off subject but maybe something to consider down the road. If you have multiple Tivo's networked you can control programs programed on one Tivo on other Tivos in the network.

That's a very interesting solution to the lack of an RF remote capability. Thanks for the link.

 

[JPL]

Are you saying that you can’t connect the DVR directly to a TV, but also have to have set top boxes?

For the DVR to be able to record programs, it must have built in tuner(s). I’m confused.

The DVR has two tuners, and can record two programs at once. The thing is, you can't feed out the programming from both tuners at the same time - there's only one live TV feed going out at a time. If you hook up two TVs directly to the DVR, you can still only watch one live program at a time on both TVs.

However, they have a multi-room DVR that allows you to feed recordings out from the DVR to other TVs. To receive the recording on that other TV, that second TV needs to have a set top box.

For example, in my set-up I have a MR DVR in my living room and an STB in my family room. I can watch separate live TV programs on both TVs because each has its own set top box (receiver). But what I can do is, from the STB in my family room (not a DVR) I can access recordings from the DVR in the living room. What's more I can play back a recording on 3 TVs at the same time (one with the TV with the DVR, and 2 other TVs). But all those other TVs need to have non-DVR set top boxes on them.

 

[AllieVi]

The DVR has two tuners, and can record two programs at once. The thing is, you can't feed out the programming from both tuners at the same time - there's only one live TV feed going out at a time. If you hook up two TVs directly to the DVR, you can still only watch one live program at a time on both TVs.

However, they have a multi-room DVR that allows you to feed recordings out from the DVR to other TVs. To receive the recording on that other TV, that second TV needs to have a set top box.

For example, in my set-up I have a MR DVR in my living room and an STB in my family room. I can watch separate live TV programs on both TVs because each has its own set top box (receiver). But what I can do is, from the STB in my family room (not a DVR) I can access recordings from the DVR in the living room. What's more I can play back a recording on 3 TVs at the same time (one with the TV with the DVR, and 2 other TVs). But all those other TVs need to have non-DVR set top boxes on them.

Thanks for the clarification. Now I have a better understanding of how the system is designed.

Unfortunately, I don’t see a simple way to control the receivers the way I do now. If I’m in the bedroom and want to watch something on DVR #1, I push a couple buttons on the remote to make it control that receiver and set the TV to channel 38. At the same time, my wife can be in some other room controlling receiver #2 and watching it on TV channel 42. Any TV in the house can see what’s on either receiver simply by tuning it to the appropriate channel.

RF remotes that work through walls make it possible and are readily available for my receivers at low prices (about $13 each if you buy a pair on eBay). I have lots of them around the house because I have lots of TV’s.

The RF Remote Converter cebbigh mentioned probably wouldn’t do what I want. I don’t imagine there’s any way to selectively control the MR DVR versus the set top box on a single remote. The solution would probably require two remotes at each TV location and an RF Converter for each remote (assuming they don’t use the same IR codes, of course). I imagine the cost would spiral way beyond anything reasonable.

Looks like I’ll stick with my current satellite setup for the time being. I’d switch in a heartbeat if a direct replacement solution existed.