On the Sasktel web site:
"Digital TV Recorder is here! Pause rewind, and record live TV."

The link goes to a blank page now.

This explains the "recordable" indicators that I've noticed in program info.

It looks like they're ready to introduce their PVR.

So it's just an SD PVR then? Guess I will be staying with Shaw then for sure.

Not sure on the release date, but the PVR will do HD when it is released.

Due to bandwidth issues, recording one channel while watching another will be limited to SD channels until migration to VDSL2

When's the migration going to take place?

Rumour has it that it will be very similar to this box:
http://broadband.motorola.com/catalog/productdetail.asp?ProductID=442

That may be what, the question now is when?

I had heard from someone on the inside that it was going to be the VIP1216 (http://broadband.motorola.com/catalog/productDetail.asp?productID=443) (the 160GB version of the VIP1208 SportsFan linked to) but until I see it in person, it is all rumour and speculation.

One thing to keep in mind is that even though the hardware may support HD recording, this feature may not be available as there may not be enough bandwidth to support two HD streams. They could probably allow recording one HD stream while watching an SD stream (or vice versa) but I doubt they want the headache of explaining to people why they can't record and watch two different HD streams.

Yup, it's the VIP1216. I know a beta tester.

Mucked about with it for a bit. Your current channel is now visible on the guide page so you don't have to miss your show. The OS is Windows-based but the interface has been completely redone for Max; it looks almost identical to my grey Pace box with a few tweaks. I couldn't get any signal from the optical or component connectors, but RF, composite and S-video all worked simultaneously. Neither the TV nor receiver has HDMI so I couldn't test it.

I won't comment on stability and speed issues as it is definitely running beta software. (I managed to crash the box within five minutes of grabbing the remote, but I suppose that's the reason for the beta test.)

If there's anything specific you want me to test, let me know.

I heard this is launching Tues Sept 4 2007

I just got off the phone with Sasktel. My install for my DVR is set for Sept. 19. The cost is $9.99/month per box. Me sales rep said I could have one HD box and one SD. I didn't ask about recording more than one program at a time. She did say that they felt it was very stable and they had held off releasing it for several weeks to work out the bugs.

You can only record one program at a time. And only SD.

You can only record one program at a time. And only SD.
My information states SD DTVR is "watch and record" and customers who want HD DTVR will be "watch what you record" at this time. Additional bandwidth will be deployed later in the year to allow HD DTVR customers to have "watch and record" capabilities. All DTVR customers will get the same STB, the Moto VIP1216.

My DTVR is SD and so far responds as requested. Install was painless and instruction was simple, even comes with a booklet. Recordings look great :p and benchmark is 100 hours on SD recordings and about 25 if HD DTVR. Grooming of course is left to the user.
All in all so far, it's a thumbs up.

So with the HD DTVR i cant record a show and watch a show at the same time even if the show that i am recording is in SD?

My understanding is that the IPTV STB controls the functionality, not the individual shows. If you get a HD DTVR STB, regardless of what signal the content provider pushs (SD or HD) to the channel, you require the HD bandwidth. If you get a SD DTVR you must have adequate bandwidth to watch and record.

It has launched for $9.95 per month

With Max Digital TV Recorder, you can:

* pause, rewind, Live TV, (up to 60 minutes),
* record TV programs without a VCR, tapes, or DVD recorder, and
* watch one show while recording another (only with Standard Definition DTVR).

With the Max Digital TV Recorder, you can record up to 100 hours of standard television programming or 25 hours of HD programming. You have complete control over what is saved to your Digital TV Recorder and how long you keep it.

Note: Due to bandwidth limitations, Max allows 4 signals (one for each set top box) into the home. Each Standard Definition DTVR set-top box uses 2 signals. For example, you can have 1 SD DTVR set-top box on one TV and up to 2 other TVs can each have a regular set top box or HD DTVR. This restriction does not apply to the HD DTVR set top box.

how it works is that you can have:
2 standard DTVR's
or
1std DTVR's + 2 xtra set top boxes (max configuration) Due to bandwidth

For HD DTVR you can have

1HD DTVR+ 3 extra standard setop boxes
or
1Hd DTVR + 1 Std DTVR + 1stb Max configuration

all these can come with high speed classic (1.5 Mbps d/l)
have to check to see if all can come with High Speed Plus (5Mbps)

for thoughs that have have 4 Standard tv's YES you will have to give up one ot the Standard TV's to add the DTVR, so your max would be limited to 1DTVR + 2 standard stb.

Hope this helps out the community. if you need any help PM me. i will see what i can find out. :cool: ;)

With the HD DTVR set top box
you can record up to 25 hours of hd but you must be watching and recording

While with the Standard DTVR
you can watch 1 program say HEROEs:D and record survivor china on another channel. so basically watch what ever you want and still be able to record. hope this helps out

I had my dtvrs installed on Wednesday and am impressed so far.

Although HD only allows one signal at a time you can watch a previously recorded show while recording another. SD allows 2 signals to be processed at the same time. The only issue so far was that I could not set two timers for the same slot. One timer can be set and then you can record what you are watching but it needs to be manually started.

Otherwise, two thumbs up. No glitches so far.