DirecTV DVR

[raammartin]

Today we had a DirecTV Plus DVR Receiver "installed." For the life of me I cannot figure out how to work it - even with the instruction manual. I thought I could record a show on one channel while watching another channel, but it doesn't seem to be working that way. If I schedule a program to record and then watch another channel it tells me once it's time to record the other show that it's going to change the channel and if I don't change the channel it won't record. ? Am I supposed to be able to do that and if so HOW? I'm electronically challenged, please help.

 

[HERSEY]

You can only have 2 show recording at the same time. You need to have the unit set up to record 2 show.

 

[RadioNate]

do you have 2 lines going into the DVR? You can't flip between shows like you can Tivo but you can
1) watch 1 show and record another
2) record 2 shows while watching one off your list

But you have to have 2 lines going into the unit.

 

[raammartin]

You can only have 2 show recording at the same time. You need to have the unit set up to record 2 show.

How do I do that?

 

[raammartin]

do you have 2 lines going into the DVR? You can't flip between shows like you can Tivo but you can
1) watch 1 show and record another
2) record 2 shows while watching one off your list

But you have to have 2 lines going into the unit.

I'm not sure if we have to lines going into it. I'll have to get DH to look at it when he gets home from work. What is required to have two lines going? What does that do?

 

[ChristmasElf]

I'm not sure if we have to lines going into it. I'll have to get DH to look at it when he gets home from work. What is required to have two lines going? What does that do?

Hit GUIDE to list all the channels and what shows are playing on them. When you find what you want to record, scroll down with the down arrow to that particular show. Hit SELECT.

There is a round big button towards the top of your controller. It should have 4 little arrows on it each pointing in a different direction.
When you want to flip from one show to th next that you are recording, you will hit the down arrow. (if you hit the CHANNEL button, you will inadvertantly change the channel, thus messing up what you are trying to watch and the recorder will stop recording)

For LIVE TV that you want to freeze,rewind,or look at a scene more than once, the yellow button with the 2 little up an down lines is the one you want for that feature.
The button that is somewhat ovally-crescent shaped to the left of the yellow button is your rewind button. Th one on the right is the fast forward button.

Play around with the controller and you will eventually figure it out. There is also a message board website that may also help you. I will post a link.

www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb

try this and I hope it works for you.

 

[raammartin]

Hit GUIDE to list all the channels and what shows are playing on them. When you find what you want to record, scroll down with the down arrow to that particular show. Hit SELECT.

There is a round big button towards the top of your controller. It should have 4 little arrows on it each pointing in a different direction.
When you want to flip from one show to th next that you are recording, you will hit the down arrow. (if you hit the CHANNEL button, you will inadvertantly change the channel, thus messing up what you are trying to watch and the recorder will stop recording)

For LIVE TV that you want to freeze,rewind,or look at a scene more than once, the yellow button with the 2 little up an down lines is the one you want for that feature.
The button that is somewhat ovally-crescent shaped to the left of the yellow button is your rewind button. Th one on the right is the fast forward button.

Play around with the controller and you will eventually figure it out. There is also a message board website that may also help you. I will post a link.

www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb

try this and I hope it works for you.

Thank you! I am going to try this!!

 

[CourtasanSatine]

Does it work for the DISH version?

 

[autumnbaby9]

It depends on how many satelites(SP?) are hooked up. If you have 1 you can only record or watch 1 live show at a time. If you have 2 you can record 1 and watch 1 or record 2. If you have 3....well you get the idea. Go outside and see how many dish heads where put on your house. We have two right next to each other on our roof.

 

[JamieW]

When I had Directv, I had the same problem. You only have a single tuner, but you need a dual tuner in order to watch something and record something else at the same time.

If you go look at the dish and there is only one "hook"-type thing on it, you only have a single tuner. Look in the instruction manual, where it talks about hooking the system hardware up. There should be either be a picture or mention of single tuner vs. dual tuner. That's how I figured out I couldn't do everything I wanted to w/ mine.

I figured Directv would probably charge me to come change the dish from single to dual tuner, so I just sucked it up.

 

[jfulcer]

You need to get a dish that has DUAL LNBs. Older dishes most likely don't have them, so if you've got an older one, ask DirectTV to replace it.

If this was a new install, I'm surprised they didn't install one. And if this is a new install, you should have gotten free installation (after rebate). You should check the website....

 

[mudnuri]

First- you do NOT need 2 dishes....you need 2 cables. Here's what my wires look like under my ceiling.

double cable from dish- goes into a 3 way splitter- 2 singles come off and go into my bedroom and spare room- double wire splits into double wire- and goes across the ceiling to my DVR receiver in my living room.

On the back of the DVR there is a spot for 2 cable inputs- if you only connected 1 cable to the back of your dvr, that's the problem. If they just upgraded you, you need to call them and have them install the right cable- They normally don't charge for this.

But you do NOT need 2 dishes, the 2nd dish is for local channels- depending on where you live. I only have 1 dish, and get locals.

Brandy