Most definently..
You can record 2 HD, record 1 HD and 1 SD, recod 2 SD.... all at the same time as watching something that already has been recorded.
You can also record 1 HD or 1 SD, and watch an HD or SD live at the same time
Right now, no the Ethernet can't be used to completely replace the phone line (regarding PPVs).
The phone is used by DirecTV to validate location of the box (making sure it is on the phone line as your main box, for mirroring requirements... however as far as I know... it has been a LONG time since they have regularly done that).
Weather does have an issue... but in "general" non-freakish storms should little to no effect on your signal. In Chicago during the winter we occasionally get that "wet slush" snow, that sticks to everything and just builds up.... during those storms I usually have to go out and brush the dish off... maybe once a season at best.
Som really really hard rain storms will block the signal too, especially if is a major "lighting/electrical" storm as well.
FYI: The Guide Data and the Software Updates are all done via the SAT connection... no phone connection needed for those.
PPV via remote still needs the phone, but you can also purbahse via the website. (and if you do that you can watch the PPV on any of your receivers)
how responsive is the interface?
So far the interface is just as responsive, if not better in some areas, then any of my DTivo units
how ergonomic? (TiVo's a hard act to follow on this one)
If you are comming from a long time experience with the TiVo interface, it is going to take some time to get used to. It took me about a month to get used to the new GUI (on the R15 which is the same core GUI)... now that I am used to it.... If find both's systems interface very easy to use.
how often does the machine crash and burn, or just plain lock up? (any comcast DVR users out there?)
Several weeks into it now... have not had a sigle crash, burn, or lockup... I have yet to have to reset the unit for any "negative" reasons.
how well does it handle season passes with options of first showing, multiple channel, etc. (once again, TiVo is a hard act to follow on this one)
So far... so good.... I have only had one repeat record and that was an episode of Stargate yesterday... which just happened to be the 100th episode, which was the foundation for the 200th episode... so I am not sure if Sci-Fi tweaked with the data a bit, and the HR20 simply identified it as a first run. I have several of the popular shows that are on all over teh place... Stargate, CSI, Law&Order... so everything has been exactly as I have expected it to be.
how well does it do video? any mosaics?, dropped frames?
I am not seeing any mosaics, drop frames, or anything wrong with the HD video... granted I haven't been counting the frames or anything like that.
are there things like "wish lists"? (TiVo does this wonderfully)
Yes and No... there are keyword searchs available.. but they are definently not as powerfull or the same as wishlists.
and, since we're talking about TiVo here too (apparently by my post), are there any impending lawsuits and injunctions against DirectTV for infringment upon TiVo's patents?
As a few others have noted, they re-upped the contract for a few more years, that specifically included patent discussion.
For some more discussion and answers to your questions... come on down to www.dbstalk.com that is where I have been living for the last few days....
All of the VIDEO/AUDIO outputs are enabled at all times.
The eSATA is not enabled at this time
The Ethernet is "powered" and initilized, but there is no communication on the network from the device.
The USB ports are also not enabled.
There are disucssions going on how to use the eSATA port to it's fullest.
The Ethernet is going to be in part for the future use with BroadBand VOD
The USB Ports are at least slated to be used with the future DirecTV2Go product (no eta on that though)
Slashdot Mirror
Most definently.. You can record 2 HD, record 1 HD and 1 SD, recod 2 SD.... all at the same time as watching something that already has been recorded. You can also record 1 HD or 1 SD, and watch an HD or SD live at the same time
Right now, no the Ethernet can't be used to completely replace the phone line (regarding PPVs).
The phone is used by DirecTV to validate location of the box (making sure it is on the phone line as your main box, for mirroring requirements... however as far as I know... it has been a LONG time since they have regularly done that).
Weather does have an issue... but in "general" non-freakish storms should little to no effect on your signal.
In Chicago during the winter we occasionally get that "wet slush" snow, that sticks to everything and just builds up.... during those storms I usually have to go out and brush the dish off... maybe once a season at best.
Som really really hard rain storms will block the signal too, especially if is a major "lighting/electrical" storm as well.
FYI: The Guide Data and the Software Updates are all done via the SAT connection... no phone connection needed for those.
PPV via remote still needs the phone, but you can also purbahse via the website. (and if you do that you can watch the PPV on any of your receivers)
So far the interface is just as responsive, if not better in some areas, then any of my DTivo units
If you are comming from a long time experience with the TiVo interface, it is going to take some time to get used to. It took me about a month to get used to the new GUI (on the R15 which is the same core GUI)... now that I am used to it.... If find both's systems interface very easy to use.
Several weeks into it now... have not had a sigle crash, burn, or lockup... I have yet to have to reset the unit for any "negative" reasons.
So far... so good.... I have only had one repeat record and that was an episode of Stargate yesterday... which just happened to be the 100th episode, which was the foundation for the 200th episode... so I am not sure if Sci-Fi tweaked with the data a bit, and the HR20 simply identified it as a first run. I have several of the popular shows that are on all over teh place... Stargate, CSI, Law&Order... so everything has been exactly as I have expected it to be.
I am not seeing any mosaics, drop frames, or anything wrong with the HD video... granted I haven't been counting the frames or anything like that.
Yes and No... there are keyword searchs available.. but they are definently not as powerfull or the same as wishlists.
As a few others have noted, they re-upped the contract for a few more years, that specifically included patent discussion.
For some more discussion and answers to your questions... come on down to www.dbstalk.com that is where I have been living for the last few days....
All of the VIDEO/AUDIO outputs are enabled at all times. The eSATA is not enabled at this time The Ethernet is "powered" and initilized, but there is no communication on the network from the device. The USB ports are also not enabled. There are disucssions going on how to use the eSATA port to it's fullest. The Ethernet is going to be in part for the future use with BroadBand VOD The USB Ports are at least slated to be used with the future DirecTV2Go product (no eta on that though)