Choosing Your DirecTV DVR

There are two different DirecTV DVR models. One is the standard DVR version, DirecTV DVR. The other is the newer High Definition model, DirecTV HD DVR. If you are unsure which of these two is the right choice for you, you can compare and contrast the two.

The DirecTV DVR has all the basic features that allow you to record your favorite shows and watch them later. One of those features is the Wish List. The Wish List allows you to select your favorite actors, films, or even directors. Then, the DVR will automatically record the applicable movies.

The Season Pass is another basic DVR feature which allows you to program the DVR to record your favorite shows through the entire viewing season. This way, you can set it to record just once, and it will keep recording each episode as it comes out, without you having to remind it again.

If you are watching your budget and you don’t make a lot of recordings, the DirecTV DVR is the right option for you. You can store up to 100 hours of shows and movies before you have to clear some space for more.

On the other hand, if you have an HDTV and you want to make full use of its capabilities, you might consider the DirecTV HD DVR. It costs substantially more, but the benefits may outweigh the costs.

The DirecTV HD DVR can hold 200 hours of standard definition TV in addition to 30 hours of high definition recordings. If you love to see the sharp clear images you’ve come to enjoy with your HDTV set, you may feel let down if all your recordings are in standard definition.

Even the sound is better with the DirecTV HD DVR high definition recordings. Because you are making a greater financial investment, it may also help to know that the DirecTV HD DVR carries a 1-year warranty, whereas the DirecTV DVR only offers a 90-day warranty.

Finally, the DirecTV HD DVR comes with the TiVo 14-day interactive TV guide. This feature makes it a lot easier to find the shows you want to record. It is interactive and user-friendly. All-in-all, it seems to come down to a question of expense. Is the cost worth it to you, for all you get with the DirecTV HD DVR? Only you can answer that.

 

Hooking Up Your TiVo To Cable HDTV

If you’re like many Americans, you love to keep up with new technology, but when it arrives on your doorstep in a box, you don’t know what to do next. If your favorite family tech-whiz isn’t available, no need to panic.

You can set up your TiVo with your Cable HDTV with a few simple steps. If you didn’t get a cable TV card, with your cable service, you might first try asking them if they are available, before you try anything else.

If, however, you are on your own, you can connect your TiVo box to your cable HDTV box in another way. Locate your coaxial cable. This is the cable that is sticking out of the wall where your TV should go.

Connect the coaxial cable to the cable HDTV box. Then make sure, before you connect the cable box to the TiVo box, that you first try connecting the cable box directly to the TV. That way, you know the cable service and cable box are working, before you move on.

A composite cable cord is the best choice for picture quality, to connect your TiVo box to the cable box. Your other option is coaxial cable. If you are using an A/V unit, make sure that you turn off the TV speakers before the next step.

The last step is to set the TiVo box on channel 3. You will have to change channels and access the cable service’s TV guide, with the cable box. TiVo’s TV guide should program itself. If you run into problems anywhere along the way, don’t call the cable company. As long as the cable service and cable box are working, you’ll need to call TiVo customer service to get help troubleshooting. Good luck!

 

DirecTV Tips and Tricks

DVR remotes come with more options and uses than most people are aware of. The demand for an ever-improving DVR experience has companies like DirecTV scrambling to produce the latest and greatest features. It is helpful to look through the instructions to find out about a lot of these features, but here are a couple of great tips to get you started.

DoublePlay is a feature you can access with your DVR remote and your DirecTV service, which allows you to watch two shows being broadcast simultaneously without having to miss anything. Start by turning on the first show you want to watch. Then use the down arrow to select another show.

Once you select the second show, you can now toggle back and forth between the two shows just using the down arrow. Oops! Did you toggle back and find that you missed something important? No need to sweat it. Just rewind either show, or pause it at any time, to make sure you catch all the action.

Do you ever get frustrated scrolling through the pages of channel offerings, trying to get to the channel you’re looking for? If you have a few channels that you watch on a regular basis, you can save yourself some time by creating a Favorite Channels list.

With a DirecTV HD DVR, you’ll need to press the menu button on your DVR remote. Then, select “Parental, Fav’s, and Setup.” For a standard DirecTV DVR, just hit the “Menu” button. With either DVR, the next step is to select “Favorites” and “Set up custom 1.”

After that, you can pick your favorite channels for your own custom favorite channels list. The next time you want to watch HGTV or CNN, you can just go to your favorite channels menu and select the channel you want to watch.

 

Controlling Two DVR’s With One Remote

Wouldn’t it be great to control two DVR’s with the same remote? If you have a TiVo remote control that has a 1-2 switch, then you actually can program it to control two DVR’s. If, however, you have one that does not have a 1-2 switch, like the Premiere, Premiere XL, and the TiVo slide remotes, you can only control one DVR.

With your 1-2 switch remote standing by, get ready to program the first DVR. Make sure the second DVR’s window (the dark shiny area in front) is covered with a thick non-see-through material. This will prevent it from picking up signals as you program your first DVR (DVR A). Point the remote at DVR A and press the TiVo button. On the system information screen, scroll down until you get to “Remote Address.” This will usually show “0” to begin with.

Go back to your remote and make sure the 1-2 switch is set to 1. Cover the front end of the remote completely with your hand and point it away from DVR A. Then hold down the “pause” and “TiVo” buttons until the red light at the end of the remote stays on, even as you let go of the buttons.

Now you can point the TiVo remote back at DVR A. Press the number “1” on the remote and push the right arrow button. This should change the “0” to a “1” on your TV screen. This means that you have assigned this DVR with the #1 slot. Now side 1 of the DVR switch will control this DVR.

Your next step is to program your second DVR, DVR B. Make sure to change the input on your TV to DVR B. Take the cover off of DVR B and secure it to DVR A. Making sure it is well-covered, you can go again to the System Information screen and scroll down to the “Remote Address” option.

Change the 1-2 switch setting, on your TiVo remote, to the number “2.” Once again, point away from the DVR and cover the end of your remote with your hand. Hold down the “pause” and “TiVo” buttons until the red light at the end of the remote stays on. Release your hand, with the light still on.

Point back to DVR B and press the number “2.” Follow with the right arrow button. This should show up on the screen. Press the TiVo button and you are done! Now, when your remote switch is on 1, it will control DVR A. When it is on 2, it will control DVR B. Your DVR use will be more convenient, with the ability to control both DVR’s with the same remote.

 

The DirecTV Universal Remote Control

Have you recently purchased a Universal Remote Control through DirecTV? You may be looking at it, wondering what is so special about this new DVR remote. In solid black or blue, it certainly looks more sophisticated than the original DVR remote. And its improved functions are actually equal to its improved looks.

For example, you may have been using a remote for your TV, another for your stereo sound equipment, another for your VCR, and yet another for your DVR. With this new DVR remote, you can program each of these devices to respond to the one remote.

This universal remote can actually be programmed to turn on and off the power of all four devices simultaneously. You will simply need to hold down the power button for three seconds to get all four to turn on or off.

If you’re watching TV in the dark, it may be helpful to know that you can press any of the most commonly used buttons on the remote to activate the backlighting that lights them all up. It also has an ID lock so you can program it to work exclusively with a particular DVR receiver, thereby preventing interference with a second DVR box nearby.

When you are programming your electronic devices with a universal remote, one of the biggest hassles is figuring out the right code you need for each one. Then you may have to type these all in and hope you don’t get one digit wrong and have to start over. Well, the new DirecTV universal remote has got you covered.

For the most common current VCR’s, TV’s, and stereos, you will find a list of codes programmed into the DVR remote. So, you can scroll through the list and find your name brand and item without breaking a sweat. If, on the other hand, you prefer your vintage TV to those newfangled offerings, the DirecTV universal remote has a code search for older electronics.

Now that you know what your new DVR remote is capable of, you can start programming it to your home devices. Just go to the product manual and follow the simple instructions and you’ll be sitting back and enjoying the benefits of universal control, in a matter of minutes.

 

Repairing a Remote

If one or more of the buttons on your remote control is not working, or only works when you push it with extra force, you may have to dispose of the whole remote. But, what if it is an expensive remote or one that is not manufactured anymore? There is a way to repair this problem, but it will take a small investment of time and perhaps some money.

The first thing you’ll need to do is remove the batteries from your remote and take out all the screws. Look carefully, as some may be well-concealed. Use a thin metal object to gently pry the two halves of the remote apart, exposing the inner workings. Because there may be loose pieces, or you might have difficulty reassembling the little parts inside, you may want to take a picture of the inside, for later reference.

Using rubbing alcohol and a Q-Tip, gently clean the circuit board and let it dry. Use alcohol again to clean the small black contacts at the back of all of the buttons. While that is drying, you can use a toothbrush and some 409 to clean the keypad and the plastic case. You may find that built up dirt and oil were the only problem.

If, however, cleaning the insides does not restore you remote to its proper function, you will need to buy a key-pad repair kit. At around $23, it is a gamble, but if you really need this particular remote to work, it may be a price you’re willing to pay.

Once you have your kit, you can use the conductive paint that comes with it to, hopefully, resolve the problem. Use the little paper match, also from the kit, to apply the conductive paint to the back of all the keypad contacts, which you had cleaned with alcohol previously. Don’t apply the conductive paint if the contacts are not completely clean.

Let the conductive paint dry, leaving the parts in a clean, dry, safe place overnight. After 24 hours, you can refer to the picture you took and piece the remote back together again. If you’ve done the job right, you should have a fully restored remote control.

 

TiVo Remote Changes

TiVo remotes began with their famous well-designed peanut shaped remote. This remote has also been referred to as the “dog bone” remote. Many versions of the remote have been produced over the years.

The peanut shaped, or dog bone shaped remote sits very well in the palm of both right and left- handed users. The buttons are laid out in a very user-friendly fashion. The buttons on this remote are visually obvious and easy to find.

The 32 button peanut remote was the first TiVo remote manufactured by Phillips. It was universal in that it could control power and volume for the TV as well as control the TiVo DVR. It had an internal database of codes for most TVs, but wasn’t updatable.

The second TiVo model, made by Sony, shipped with a remote that had similar buttons, but a different layout. TiVo users grew accustomed to this remotes shape and format. All three of the TiVo models made by Sony used this or a similar remote.

Toshiba’s TiVo DVR used a different remote style. They rearranged the buttons significantly. Instead of the hand-friendly peanut shaped remote, it is in a long rectangular shape. None of these TiVo remotes are cross compatible.

The second generation of the peanut shaped remote added two more buttons. These two buttons were the “TV Input” button and the “Display” or “Info” button. This gave the remote a total of 34 buttons in the same user-friendly shape. These remotes also had a selector switch for DirecTV users and the standalone TiVo users.

The TiVo Series 3 made significant changes to the peanut remote. It now has a backlight feature, a new polished appearance, and the ability to learn codes for new equipment. Originally this remote was only available with Series3 TiVos, but is now available separately in white or black.

Each TiVo and each remote can be set with a code from 1 to 9, or be left unset. A TiVo and its remote can be set to the same number so they will only communicate with each other. If left unset, a TiVo DVR will listen to any unset TiVo remote. Because of this feature, up to 9 DVRs can be used simultaneously in the same room.

 

How We Got TiVo

In the late 1990’s, Mike Ramsay and Jim Barton were working together on the Full-Service Network Project in Orlando, Florida. This project was a joint venture between Time-Warner and SGI. They wanted to create a large-scale interactive television system.

Before long, Ramsay and Barton realized they could make the same kind of system on a smaller scale. They wanted to add greater intelligence and make the program affordable. They wanted to create a user-friendly system that would give consumers control over their TV watching.

This was the beginning of TiVo. Ramsey and Barton assembled a world-class team to create their project. This group created the world’s first personal television service and brought TiVo to the world.

The company unveiled its Personal Television Service in January 1999 at the National Consumers Electronics Show. A lot of work went in to perfect TiVo, yet after this show, Ramsay challenged the company to ship a perfectly working TiVo digital video recorder by March 31 of that same year. They went right to work.

When it was pointed out that March included a “blue moon”, the second full moon in a month – which is a rare event – the engineers decided to code name this TiVo project “Blue Moon.” Engineers worked and slept at TiVo to get the job done. Everyone worked hard to see the project happen.

Just as the last week of March arrived, so did the first TiVo box. Ramsay declared March 31st the Blue Moon holiday for employees, to commemorate their valiant efforts. Since then they’ve continued to deliver better television options to viewers.

TiVo digital recorders are controlled by a TiVo remote. This TiVo remote gives you access to all the functions of your TiVo. Using your TiVo remote you can record television shows digitally to watch later at your convenience.

The marvelous concept of TiVo has revolutionized the way we watch TV. It has given viewers more control over their time and what they watch. The world can now enjoy TV the way they want.

 

TiVo’s Beginnings

TiVo, created by Mike Ramsay and Jim Barton, was created in the 1990s. They were working on a large-scale interactive TV system, Full Service Network Project, at the time.  TiVo was born from that project.

Ramsay and Barton wanted to scale down and make a system that was more intelligent and user friendly, at an affordable price. This newly created affordable system was very similar to the large-scale interactive system they had been working on. They named their new invention TiVo.

The goal for this new system was to give consumers control over the television programs they watched. To do this, TiVo had to be user-friendly. This invention gives owners greater flexibility in the television shows they watch.

TiVo was first introduced at the Consumer Electronics Show in January 1999. Shortly after that show, Ramsay set a company goal to have the first TiVo digital video recorder shipped out on March 31 of that same year. With a lot of hard work, the company managed to achieve this goal and named their first digital video recorder model Blue Moon.

Six months later, TiVo DVRs were available in stores. Cable and direct broadcast satellite companies were quickly on board and offered their subscribers DVRs for a fee. Consumers now had the option of buying a DVR or renting one from their television provider.

Phillips Electronics launched a new DVR in the later part of the year 2000. This DVR was built into a DirecTV receiver. They called this TiVo DVR DirecTiVo.

Of course they needed a remote to control all of this, so it was given the name DirecTV TiVo remote. This TiVo remote allows users access to the DirecTiVo. They can now pause and replay live TV programs or record and play back television shows at different times using their DirecTiVo remote.

TiVo and TiVo remotes are now sold in many other countries. TiVo was first sold in the UK beginning in October of 2000. Many other countries now also have TiVo, including Canada, Mexico, Australia, Taiwan, Brazil, New Zealand, South Africa, and the Netherlands.

 

Using the TiVo Remote to Control Your Stereo Volume

TiVo allows you to digitally record television programs. This is done in a similar way to the VHS recorders, but without needing tapes or DVDs as it is all stored digitally. The TiVo system comes with a remote to control not only the TiVo system, but it can also be programmed to control other devices as well.

In other articles we’ve talked about how to program your TiVo remote to control your television set. The remote can also be programmed to control other electronic devices. In this article we will focus on how to program it to control the volume on your stereo system.

You cannot set up the remote to control the power to your stereo.  You can use it to control the volume and mute functions of your stereo, but you won’t be able to control the volume on your TV, you can’t do both. You should be able to complete this process in about five minutes, as it is a moderately easy process.

With your TV on, begin by entering “TiVo Central” by pressing the TiVo button on the TiVo remote. Using the arrow buttons, scroll down to “Messages & Settings”. Now press “Select”.

At this point, scroll to “Settings”. Again press “Select.” Now scroll to “Remote, CableCARD & Devices” and again press “Select”.

This time scroll to “Remote Control”. Press “Select” again. So far these steps should be familiar to you if you have already programmed your remote to work on your TV.

Now you will scroll to “Part 2: A/V Volume and Mute”. Press “Select”. You should see a list of brands displayed on your TV screen. Scroll to the brand of your stereo and press “Select”.

Follow the on-screen directions and enter the code for your brand of stereo. You may have to try several codes before finding the right one. Once you have finished, the TiVo remote will only control the volume on your stereo, not your TV volume.