How does the 8300HD PVR compare to Shaw Direct's 630HD PVR?

[ElenaH]

Wondering if any 8300 users can tell me if the PVR does the following things I am used to having on my current Shaw Direct box:

1. skip forward 30 seconds
2. skip back 10 seconds
3. skip forward a set amount - ie. skip + 45 skips program 45 mins forward
4. guide lists 14 days in the future
5. record series, record new episodes only
6. "smart record" I select for instance, a movie and hit "smart record" and it automatically finds a time to record the movie that doesn't conflict with other timers.
7. set the guide to show only subscribed channels or set up a favourites list to show only those channels

And if the 8300 doesn't do these things, does the 8642 (which I think is the same thing as the Nextbox? or is there a 8642 and a NextBox whole home pvr?)

I'm all for getting a free PVR from Rogers, but not if it doesn't offer the PVR options I just waited 5 years to finally get at Shaw.

Appreciate the help!

[57]

1. Skip - no
2. Skip Back, Yes, I believe it's 15 seconds.
3. No, only in specific amounts, 15 minutes, or 30 minutes depending on length of programme, repeated presses give you repeated amounts. FF & REW has 4 speeds (4X, 10X, 30X, 128X)
4. No, 7 days
5. Yes, but it's only as good as the IPG data, which means I never use that feature - I record all episodes or specific episodes.
6. Smart Record - No, although you can search on the 8300, or on the web via Web Manager (8300). The 8642 does not yet have web manager or call display - it may at some future date.
7. Unsubscribed channels are shown in Grey rather than Green. You can set up a single favourites list.

8. I don't believe the 8642 does either. It does have a different IPG and you can search the 8642 threads to see what people think of it - lots of discussion. The NextBox is just another name for the 8642. The WHPVR is just that - read the applicable WHPVR thread - allows recording on a central PVR and then the STBs can communicate with that PVR to view recordings. For the WHPVR, you need 8642 PVR and 4642 STBs.

WHPVR http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=150244

8642 IPG http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=150889

[ElenaH]

So how do you skip past commercials?
You have to FF like a VCR?

8) Can you for instance, set it to record all episodes of a show in HD only? Or can you only set it to record a show on a certain channel?

9) If you select ALL episodes of a show, don't you get the new shows plus all the old airings? I'm thinking of a show like CSI, where I want just the new shows, not the gazillion other airings of it.

10) Also, can you search for Premiere/Finale shows only - I use this a lot to catch all the new shows when they start.

(and thanks the link about the IPG is really helpful, reading away now)

I think I better go to a Rogers store for a demo of the new box and get some details on the 8300. Too bad I couldn't see a demo of both.

[57]

FF - I use 10X or 30X depending

8. Only on a certain channel - you choose the channel in the IPG before you set the recording on that channel.

9. Yes, you would get all, you can gamble with the "new" option if you like and see how it works for you.

10. No.

[Bplayer]

A few other minor details to consider with the 8300HD:

1. It can take up to 45 seconds to get to the On Demand programming menu where programs are listed.

2. Has the ability to extend the recording time of a program, but this does not work for some programs. One example is "Late Show with Letterman" which is scheduled 11:35 pm to 12:35 am. The show typically runs over by a few minutes, but it gets cut off at at 12:35 even if the scheduled recording is set for 12:40.

3. The HDD does not spin down when not in use. The spinning is audible in a quite room, but is not noticeable with even soft music being played.

4. The unit has a time of day / channel being tuned display.

5. Has commands for slo-mo and frame-by-frame, both are great for reviewing sports actions.

[57]

2. I have had no problems extending (repeat) recordings since the October 2010 firmware update (link below). I don't watch Letterman, but I did set it for Leno... I also tested it for Daily Planet, Colbert and Ab Fab, but I don't use it for a lot of programming. It always works properly for a single recording.

Suggest you do a reboot, delete that scheduled recording and redo it...

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=131572

[Bplayer]

As a test, try recording Letterman, channel 523, and extend the time by 10 minutes. Please report your findings.

This problem has been there for more than a year.. many reboots over that period of time and rescheduled recording.

[57]

Bplayer, I've set Letterman to record on 528 daily from 2:35 to 3:40AM. I can't do the earlier programme because I'm always "busy" at midnight.

Make sure you don't have any conflicts on any day of the week at 12:35AM that may impact the time from 12:35-12:40. I assume you're not recording the programme that follows Letterman - but that would be a way to catch the overflow - record both programmes - if the padding doesn't work for you on Letterman. You could even try recording the next programme for only 5 minutes each night.

[jlet]

Another possibility is the show on Ch523 is subbed by another channel (like Ch520). During prime time, shows from most Eastern US networks are subbed by Canadian networks. Instead, use the subbing channel, or use the Western feeds which are not subbed (yet).

[Bplayer]

Thanks 57 & jlet. I am familiar with the workarounds. The basic issue that I noted was the failure of the 8300HD to extend the recording times of "some" programs. Late Show with Letterman in one example.

[57]

As pointed out by jlet (thanks) and discussed often on this forum, there are often issues if you record the US channel of a programme that is simsubbed on the Canadian Channel. See the link below. Record the Canadian channel for Letterman (520), or the timeshift channel (528) if it's not subbed and the issue should go away. I had no issues recording 528 early this morning, it recorded until 3:40. I'll check again tomorrow morning as I set up a series recording.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/show...anadian+simsub

ElenaH Sorry for the minor hijack of your thread, but you may find this information useful too.

[57]

Bplayer: Extended recording of Letterman worked just fine for two days on 528. Suggest you use 520 or 528 for your future recordings.

[ElenaH]

This does rather illustrate a major difference between the Shaw Direct and Rogers boxes, so it definitely is informative.

I just don't have the worries about conflicts and simsubbing on SD.
Simsubbing is still easily avoided due to a lack of any western HD canadian channels right now. The Shaw D PVR smart records shows - I set it to record for instance, Vampire Diaries in HD only. And it will find the best time to record VD on any HD channel on any day at any time, juggling other shows behind it in my priority list. I simply don't have to worry about timeshifting, or what channel a show is on or what day or time.

In fact I have all last year's shows still in my recording list, and as soon as the new episodes pop up on the 14 day guide, they will automatically begin to record again without me doing a thing. Even if they've changed days or timeslots from last year.

If I wasn't moving somewhere that doesn't allow satellite I doubt I would switch. I'm hopeful once I actually get using the nextbox, rather than just a demo, I'll find it isn't that different.

At least I'll have the On Demand programming and more HD channels to offset what's missing in PVR functions. Though I still haven't gotten over that there is no HD AMC. How will I enjoy the full HD quality of Anson Mount on Hell on Wheels now!

[57]

On the 8300/8642, you can also keep "all episode" scheduled recordings and those would be recorded in the next season, provided they still air on the same channel and provided the name of the programme has not changed. At this time, there are few simsubs on the timeshift HD channels (only major events like the Super Bowl or Oscars)

I have been following the 630 thread and although it has some features not available on Rogers it has a huge amount of other issues mentioned in that thread. Comparatively speaking, the 8300 is "rock solid", even if the older firmware on it doesn't have some of the features of the 630. The new firmware on the 8642 has been a source of frustration for some, as discussed in that thread.

There is always a balance that needs to be kept between the hardware and the firmware. If you try to push the hardware too much by adding feature-laden firmware that the hardware cannot easily handle, you'll end up with the issues that are often mentioned in the 630 thread.

As you say, each provider has advantages and disadvantages.

[ElenaH]

Too true!

I was one of the lucky ones who had no issues with my Shaw Direct PVR. Let's hope I continue that luck as a Rogers Nextbox owner.
I'm sure I'll love it just as much when I get it and start using it.

I'll keep in mind the hardware versus features argument, though I do love my bells and whistles!

Thanks as always for the advice. This site, the mods and commentators have been such a great source of help and information.