Masterdeals:
I've traced all of the wires to confirm good connections and haven't found anything out of the ordinary. Also, each of our three DVR's now has problems on at-least one channel. However, that wasn't always the case. The problem started on one DVR, then another, and has now spread to the third -which is why I now suspect the multi-switch. It's an Eagle-Aspen which is a pretty good brand. However, nothing's perfect. If I were to upgrade to the mpeg-4 compatible switch, what would be a good model and brand to consider?
Jimbo:
I've been anguishing over the decision to switch to HD for some time. My problem is that I've got 3 SD DirecTIVOs networked together with hacked software and everything works perfectly (and we love the multi-room-viewing (MRV) feature: recording on one DVR and watching that recording on one of the other DVR's). To compound things, the wife just asked me to get rid of the rear projection TV in favor of a flat panel that takes up less space. This, of-course, has opened the door to a Hi-Def TV purchase -which has made the upgrade decision more excruciating. Unfortunately, as I understand it, DTV HD DVR's don't presently support MRV which we've grown to depend on (we’re lazy and like to watch TV in bed). In order to plan for the eventual HD upgrade, I’ve started researching HD equipment needs and am planning on making the jump to the 5 LNB dish in the near future (which I understand still works on SD setups). However, the ultimate changeover to HD may still be some time off (at least until MRV arrives on the HD DVR’s).
Ken
There was talk of a product that was going to do that(whole house set up), but at the time they had to get the HD DVR to the market first, unfortunatly I have heard little about it since.
Q. Whats so hard about having a rec. in each needed room ?
You won't regret making the change to HD, when you do you will get free installation (providing you don't have anything too awefully complicated going on) they will run 2 lines to each DVR, so you can watch and record seperatly, until the SWM (single wire multiswitch) comes out.
The 5 lnb dish will allow you to enjoy ALL the HD channels they have and future addtions.
As for the multiswitch, they new stuff with the 5 lnb set up is a WB 6x8 or 616 depending on what you need and that is free as well.
btw, many of us like to do our own installs, I've done all of mine for years now, but let them do this one (HD), mainly so I could see if it was much different than the older set ups and it's not too much.
However, if I let them do it all, it was free otherwise if I had to buy the stuff it would cost me $ 100 for the dish and $ 70 for the MS (prices are from back when I set up a few years ago)
Also get the protection plan as well if you don't already have it , it covers everything incase you ever have problems. ie. Dish get out of adjustment, rec. decides to act up, with the PP you call them, they isolate it and replace it.
Jimbo
