I want to setup my 722 to record FOUR episodes of a particular program then STOP recording that program until I delete one (after watching it). And since this isn't a high-value recording -- just kids cartoons -- I don't want to protect the timer/episodes (because I'd want my DVR to delete them if it needed the space).
How can I setup my 722 to save only 4 episodes -- and not overwrite them?
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This also answers your other question. If you set a timer to repeat, and set a maximum number of recordings (e.g. 4 events), the recordings are done in a first in, first out (FIFO) pattern. The oldest of the four is automatically deleted when the fifth recording starts, so the effect is that you only have the last four airings on your DVR at any time. There is no way to change this behavior.
On the plus side, unless you protect the event, the DVR will automatically delete old recordings to make room. Unfortunately, this behavior is also not customizable, and it picks the oldest event that isn't protected, regardless of it's position on the priority list. If you have a show you love, but it's not protected, recorded in January of 2010, a crappy show that your wife watches that recorded last week, and a new crappy show set to record tomorrow, the January event will be deleted first.
On the plus side, unless you protect the event, the DVR will automatically delete old recordings to make room. Unfortunately, this behavior is also not customizable, and it picks the oldest event that isn't protected, regardless of it's position on the priority list. If you have a show you love, but it's not protected, recorded in January of 2010, a crappy show that your wife watches that recorded last week, and a new crappy show set to record tomorrow, the January event will be deleted first.
Since it is "crap" kids cartoon, with no "value," I find the max recordings of 4 with no protection to work just fine, since I don't really care which episode records, just that I have 4 crappy episodes at all times for "them" to watch. If they don't like the 4ht, then have them watch the 3rd, etc.
Does any DVR out there do as the OP wants? I don't think even my TiVo series 3 does it that way, but behaves as the Dish DVR's do.
Does any DVR out there do as the OP wants? I don't think even my TiVo series 3 does it that way, but behaves as the Dish DVR's do.
Well I'd rather it stop recording once it gets to 4 for a couple reasons. Mostly because it would save a lot wear and tear on the HDD, and also so they shows would tumble towards the bottom of my DVR list of programs (but since it's needless recording new ones all the time it perpetually has a newly recorded show so it stays towards the top of my list).
My old TiVo (the HR10-250 DirecTiVo) easily did that I am asking about. It could be setup to record X number of shows then stop when that limit is reached (without protecting the shows). I keep hearing how superior the 722 is, but I keep find things it cannot do.
My old TiVo (the HR10-250 DirecTiVo) easily did that I am asking about. It could be setup to record X number of shows then stop when that limit is reached (without protecting the shows). I keep hearing how superior the 722 is, but I keep find things it cannot do.
You're not going to "save wear and tear;" reads and writes don't cause disk failure, which is why the disk inside a DVR never stops spinning. DVRs get slow and unresponsive when the disk is full or when too many timers are trying to reconcile themselves against the guide data, so it's in your best interest to keep those two things to a minimum. I've found that if you set a timer for "all episodes" of something that happens a LOT, like an opinion program on a news channel the DVR gets slow. It also gets slow if you look for all events with "premiere" in the description across all channels; the event manager slows down to the point where the system is unusable.
The difference between a TiVo HD and a 722 is all software; they're practically identical under the hood. When the Dish DVR software was designed, they took into consideration what TiVo owners complained about, and took a different tack. You just stumbled onto one of those fundamental differences, and I'm sorry you don't like it.
Out of curiosity, what else can a TiVo do that your 722 can't?
The difference between a TiVo HD and a 722 is all software; they're practically identical under the hood. When the Dish DVR software was designed, they took into consideration what TiVo owners complained about, and took a different tack. You just stumbled onto one of those fundamental differences, and I'm sorry you don't like it.
Out of curiosity, what else can a TiVo do that your 722 can't?
So TiVo users complained about the flexibility of being able to do it either way? I HIGHLY doubt that. This isn't jsut that the 722 does something differently than the HR10-250 -- it's that the 722 can only do this one way while the HR10-250 TiVo has the flexibility to do it either way. Nice try...
1) If two timers (recording on the same channel) were overlapping (because one timer was set to start early while the other was set to recording longer) then it was smart enough to stop/start each recording on time so as to not needlessly tie up two tuners (for just a minute or two) recording the same thing.
2) After watching a show (and deleting it) the TiVo would revert back to the same folder and already have the next (oldest) show highlighted ready to start watching. The 722 reverts back to the top level DVR list; so then I have to scroll down and find the folder again then open the folder and then scroll down to the oldest show. This would be less of an issue if the 722 wasn't constantly needlessly recording shows (see issue that started this thread).
3) When a show highlighted, when I hit "play" the 722 always starts playing from the beginning instead of where I left off. The HR10-250 started where I left off (but I could start over if I selected the show then selecty play from beginning). Most of the time users are going to want to restart the show where they left off -- not start it over -- so that should be the default.
4) No way to quickly jump towards the end of show. 300x FF is nice, but for long shows (like 3-4 hours) it take too long to get to the middle or towards the end of the show. This wouldn't be as much of an issue if not for the problem above. On the TiVo while FFing you could hit the 30-skip button and jump directly to the next tic mark (which were every 1/4 of the show or something like that).
There are a few for you...
Touche.
That is nice. I never set timers to start early, and rarely set them to end late. It's always struck me as odd that the four shows I record on Spike on Saturday morning can't be set to block out a tuner. Nor can I create one big timer to cover all four events.
THAT is huge. There's also no way to create a playlist on a 722.
I don't use the Play button, I always use Select. If you use Select, I'm 70% sure that Resume is what happens by default. If I'm right, then it's just relearning as a user. If I'm wrong, I apologize.
You're not the first to complain about this.
I do have to say, though, that I've never seen a Motorola or Cisco DVR that's even in the same league as the TiVo and 722 are. I understand why you miss your TiVo, but you should be really happy that you don't have to live with the standard cable boxes.
If you use the system default of one minute early and three minutes late the 722 WILL use just one tuner and drop the padding between the shows.
If both tuners are in use recording different channel the 722 will drop the padding as needed to avoid conflict also. (My TIVO cannot do THAT)
CowboyDren said:
CowboyDren you are 100% correct.
I don't see that happening on my 722. Long ago, I changed my default to be 1 minute early and 1 minute late (and that is what I am using) but I still see the 722 using two tuners.
Honestly, I would not want that because you run the risk of missing the end of a show.
It is a major PITA -- and probably my biggest gripe with the 722. :rant: It seems silly that DISH didn't write their code to revert back to the same folder or at least have the folder selected (so I don't have to do hunting for it again).
I guess I am luckly that I haven't have the opportunity to use one of them. I did have a ReplyTV 5040 (the one that would automatically mark and skip commercials) before the TiVo.I do have to say, though, that I've never seen a Motorola or Cisco DVR that's even in the same league as the TiVo and 722 are. I understand why you miss your TiVo, but you should be really happy that you don't have to live with the standard cable boxes.
Wouldn't it make more sense to sort your recordings by title and then group them?? My son wanted to record The Simpsons, so we set up a timer with a limit of 4 (4 must be a magic number
). All of his Simpson recordings are together in a folder and it makes it so much easier to find them, not to mention all of the rest of recordings too....Maybe I'll give that a try, but I guess I'm just used to the default setup of latest recordings on top (but still using folders of course).Wouldn't it make more sense to sort your recordings by title and then group them?? My son wanted to record The Simpsons, so we set up a timer with a limit of 4 (4 must be a magic number
Well, this silly game of which minor feature each DVR can and can't do can go on forever. Why not bring to attentions the old DishPlayer 7000 that had some minor features that aren't in the latest DVR's. PLEASE! Compare Moxie HD, TiVO Series 3 (and Premier) with Direc TV's DVR and Motorola, and Dish 50X series and Dish 522 and 625 and ViP and ViP "K" series and they will be all sorts of trivial differences.
Each DVR model by whichever manufacturer is unique and each person will have their favorite for whatever reason. I think the reason why the 722 won Cnet's Editor's Choice and why most people who have had various DVR's share the opinion that Dish ViP DVR's are the best out there is because we are comparing the major, compelling features that should be a part of any DVR. In the case of Dish: 4 digital streams (channels) recorded at the same time in HD allowing viewing of HD recording with more remote via internet features and--overall--superior external HD solution, instant guide, and more. Of course there are always going to be trivial features that one DVR has but the other does not.
I like my TiVo Series 3 very much, but--overall--on the core DVR features, TiVo is inferior to Dish ViP's and "K's." Having said that, there are a few things the TiVO does that I like that the Dish DVR's don't do. For example TiVo's "un-erase " and far better search features that I wish Dish DVR's had, but those are not make or break features, to me. Most of us focus on the core compelling DVR features that are make or break and are willing to live with the trivial shortcomings of our TiVo Series 3 or our Dish DVR's or any DVR. I don't dislike nor do I hate nor do I have any sense of disappointment with my Series 3 compared with the superior Dish ViP's. Yes, TiVo has a lack of trivial features: an annoying mere 30 minute buffer, poor guide design, no picture of what you are watching in any menu, slow loading of guide data especially when scrolling, slow loading of menus, on and on, but I still consider the TiVo a good product because for the core functions of reliable great quality recordings of digital OTA (and on-line content) with advanced features it does a very good job and has been rock solid from day one, just, overall, not as good a DVR as Dish ViP's. I accept the differences both have with trivial features and easily live with them.
Considering your substantial energies on this thread, OP, it sounds like you are dissatisfied with Dish DVR's, and should find another provider such as Direc TV or Cable or Fios or Uverse because no company should be getting your hard-earned money with what you indicate is an inferior product. Our influence and power is with our spending in our free market society, and it sounds like you need to tell Dish that you find the lack of a trivial feature that is important to you unacceptable. I sense only then will you be happy. Unfortunate the lack of a trivial feature is a PITA; I hope you find greener pastures.
Each DVR model by whichever manufacturer is unique and each person will have their favorite for whatever reason. I think the reason why the 722 won Cnet's Editor's Choice and why most people who have had various DVR's share the opinion that Dish ViP DVR's are the best out there is because we are comparing the major, compelling features that should be a part of any DVR. In the case of Dish: 4 digital streams (channels) recorded at the same time in HD allowing viewing of HD recording with more remote via internet features and--overall--superior external HD solution, instant guide, and more. Of course there are always going to be trivial features that one DVR has but the other does not.
I like my TiVo Series 3 very much, but--overall--on the core DVR features, TiVo is inferior to Dish ViP's and "K's." Having said that, there are a few things the TiVO does that I like that the Dish DVR's don't do. For example TiVo's "un-erase " and far better search features that I wish Dish DVR's had, but those are not make or break features, to me. Most of us focus on the core compelling DVR features that are make or break and are willing to live with the trivial shortcomings of our TiVo Series 3 or our Dish DVR's or any DVR. I don't dislike nor do I hate nor do I have any sense of disappointment with my Series 3 compared with the superior Dish ViP's. Yes, TiVo has a lack of trivial features: an annoying mere 30 minute buffer, poor guide design, no picture of what you are watching in any menu, slow loading of guide data especially when scrolling, slow loading of menus, on and on, but I still consider the TiVo a good product because for the core functions of reliable great quality recordings of digital OTA (and on-line content) with advanced features it does a very good job and has been rock solid from day one, just, overall, not as good a DVR as Dish ViP's. I accept the differences both have with trivial features and easily live with them.
Considering your substantial energies on this thread, OP, it sounds like you are dissatisfied with Dish DVR's, and should find another provider such as Direc TV or Cable or Fios or Uverse because no company should be getting your hard-earned money with what you indicate is an inferior product. Our influence and power is with our spending in our free market society, and it sounds like you need to tell Dish that you find the lack of a trivial feature that is important to you unacceptable. I sense only then will you be happy. Unfortunate the lack of a trivial feature is a PITA; I hope you find greener pastures.
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What a diatribe. Do you always carry a soapbox around with you?
I only listed all the reasons because someone specifically asked me to point out the shortcomings I have with the 722. I can live with the 722, but I don't find it to be a superior DVR like so many people here seem to tout. Overall I find the (newer) 722 really no better than my (older) HR10-250. That was the point I was making.
I asked about other specifics because I plan on dropping Dish when my contract is up, or when it makes financial sense (ETF * months left < service * months left). It would seem that TiVo is my only option after that point, because Dish has killed the DTVPal DVR (which wasn't that great anyway) and Moxi doesn't have an OTA option. It's either that or build a Win7MC computer, at a cost of about the same as the pair of TiVos I'd have to buy, but no monthly fees. Not trying to threadjack, but as long as we're on the subject of why TiVos are better than ViPs...
