I'm considering the move to SaskTel Max now that I've heard of the dual stream capability on their HD PVR box. But, I can't seem to get a straight answer out of SaskTel reps...

Some say I can record two streams at the same time, while watching something previously recorded. I do with with my current cable provider all the time... The sketchy part is that some reps say I can record two channels yes, but one HD, and one SD. Others say I can do two HD and watch something previous.

I'd like it if someone WITH the actual service could tell me the answer. Here's an example of what I want to do (something I do currently with my HD cable):

Record 1 HD show at 7:00 pm, then at 8:00 pm, record two HD shows simultaneously, while I watch the one I recorded at 7:00.

This scenario never uses two HD streams, so I assume I should be able to do it... am I right?

I do it with mine all the time

I've actually got 3 HD streams into my place (2 into the DTVR box, and 1 upstairs to my home built PVR)

I'm not particularly thrilled wiht the DTVR, but the picture is fantastic.

The one upstairs I actually record with a Hauppauge pvr-150, which is a standard def card (records at 720x480) and it looks shockingly good

I'm waiting on the prices of the HD-PVR boxes from hauppauge to dip a bit, then I'll go back to my own HD recording PVR box

Record 1 HD show at 7:00 pm, then at 8:00 pm, record two HD shows simultaneously, while I watch the one I recorded at 7:00.
This scenario never uses two HD streams, so I assume I should be able to do it... am I right?
If I understand you correctly, you will be using 2 HD streams at 8 pm if you are recording 2 different HD shows simultaneously. As Tikker says you can 3 HD streams.

Here is the SaskTel calculator for how many HD and SD boxes you can have:

http://www.sasktel.com/personal/max-entertainment-services/stb-calculator.html

Thanks for your replies. I think I will have 3 HD streams at most in total into my house. One Dual Stream HD PVR box, and one HD, non-pvr. As long as I can record two separate items, and watch something previously recorded, all at the same time on one box then I'm golden.

So, bandwidth wise, I'm not concerned anymore. I'm now concerned with how the guide system, and recording list work. Can I set up a series to record, specifically, only to record new shows in the series like I can with my Access PVR? And also, can I do a search in the guide for a particular show to see when it might come on? It could be a deal-breaker if I can't do some of this stuff..

Thanks for your input,

nope, the DTVR currently doesn't know how to differentiate between a new show, and a rerun

I have talked to the guy who supports the DTVR's and he says they're testing new middleware that does include that functionality

currently you have to know the exact timeslot you want to record

you can search the guide for all instances of a show, and then pick the timeslot for that show, but it's very clunky in terms of PVR functionality

I think it's probably the most ghetto PVR i've seen


the picture it produces is great tho
I'd probably recommend waiting a month or 2 to see if the new middleware comes out soonish

I've had the DTVR since it was launched by SaskTel - I've seen a number of good upgrades along the way and I'm sure there are more coming. I've found that it meets all my needs, especially for under $10 per month.

Sounds like the guide system could use some serious work... but as long as upgrades are always coming out, and as long as I can at least pick a weekly timeslot for show (every monday at 7:00, etc), I should be ok.

Also, I found a copy of the user guide for the SaskTel Max service (https://secure.sasktel.com/attachments/DtvrUserGuide.pdf), but it appears to be old. It says only 1 HD channel can be viewed/recorded at a time, but apparently, that shouldn't be the case any more...

Another thing it says is:
"To set a recording while you're watching a program, simply press the REC button. (Current programs record from the point the recording is started)".

Is that above statement still valid since that user guide is old? Right now, with cable, if I am watching a channel live, but decide to record it as I'm watching, it records from the beginning of the buffer. This user guide statement makes it sound like max forgets about the cache and just starts recording from the moment i press record.

So, if I change the channel and start watching something at 6:00, then at 6:15, I decide I want to record it so someone else in my household can watch it later, does it record from 6:00 since it's in the cache already, or does it really dump the 15 minutes? Can I skirt around that potentially by rewinding to 6:00, then hitting record?

So many questions... I'm sorry, but the more I research the more questions I have. (I guess it's good for a consumer to have questions. Buyer beware)

Thanks,

hrm
I'm not sure
I haven't hit record midway thru a show

SaskTel PVR is based around MS software, so I suspect it works mostly like MCE does, and will NOT record the cache
just from the point you hit record (which is dumb)

you can definitely record 2 HD channels at a time, while watching something else

Yes if you hit record it starts recording the live stream it doesn't matter were you are in the show, you could have rewound but it starts recording at the live stream.
Does anyone know if Sasktel is working on allowing us to record more then 2 HD streams at once ie monday night prime time there are several HD shows I record if I could record 3 at a time I think I would be set no more need to time shift, can you not record 4 SD streams at one time with one Max STB?

you can record as many HD streams as you have tuners for

each box can only view/record 2 streams at a time tho

You can only have n HD STB witch can record x HD channels so if n=2 and x=2 therefor you can only record 4 HD content at a time.
(x+n=4)
I am a single person living at my place I don't need or can't afford multiple TVs and STBs I want to be able to record my stuff and watch what ever my guest(s) want to see at prime time.

You can't currently get 4 HD streams right now, 3 is max

My point exactly when will we be able to view more HD streams at one time and is there any possibility that we will be able to do it from one STB

are there any tv company PVR's that do more than 2 streams at a time?