Thinking of getting RCN cables "DVR" - need user opinions (movies, live)

[soulful]

I currently have regular expanded basic RCN service. I am considering
getting their DVR box which costs about 15 bucks a month in my building.

I realize this must be sort of a stripped down version of TIVO without as many features. Any RCN DVR current or past customers here I would appreciate feedback on the DVR before I order.

p.s. they use Motorola DVR boxes

Thanks..

[jessiegirl_98]

I had a DVR through Comcast, and they pretty much had the same features as Tivo....so I wouldn't say that it's a stripped down version. Just make sure you get a dual turner one (should be same price)

[aragx6]

I have my DVR through Comcast and you'd have to pry it away from my cold dead hand to get it away from me.

[soulful]

From what I've heard so far, it sounds as if you guys all really like the DVR from the cable company.

Are there any different opinions? Or is the consensus that cable DVR's are a good choice?

And has anyone specifically used RCN's DVR?

[JanuaryGirl]

I had RCN's dvr for a year or so (till I moved away), previously I had used Comcast's. Both were very comparable. The reason we switched from Comcast was that Comcast started to play really annoying commercials on the channel guide screen. The only problem we had was with the On Demand feature (where they have shows & movies either for free or you pay for), sometimes it just wouldn't work. The menu navigation and recording features worked very well and were easy to use & accurate. The only thing I would say with either RCN or Comcast is that if a show may be delayed for a sports game or something, you will often need to manually set it to record longer; I'm not sure, but I've heard Tivo does this for you; wasn't a big deal though.

[sickfish]

every once in a while it will "record" a show, but when you go to view it, it will say "one moment please..." for about a minute, then it will kick you back to the live tv. as far as i can tell that show is gone, it didn't get recorded properly, i don't know if it's a corrupted file or bad hard drive or what. whatever it is, it's infuriating, and when you call RCN support they send a "signal" to "refresh" that takes about an hour, and doesn't fix it. personally, i can't wait to get directv and an actual tivo, because this motorola thing is a piece of junk.

[At1WithNature]

Originally Posted by aragx6

I have my DVR through Comcast and you'd have to pry it away from my cold dead hand to get it away from me.

Spoken like a true DVR owner. I love it, no commercials, I can record two programs at once on two seperate networks at the same time. Plus, I can record junk TV like "The People's Court" when I am at work. However, there is a problem with the DVR...

I don't watch as many of my DVD's as I used to, nor listen to as many CD's, nor go out as much as I used to (pre-DVR). things that make you go hmmm...

[ajolotl]

These responses amaze me. Do you guys all work for Comcast? I was in complete shock at what a piece of garbage my Comcast-provided DVR was. It worked ok most of the time but the features and user interface were ridiculously primitive compared to what is possible/easy to implement if one cared to take the time. I had a list of specific examples that I sent to Comcast at one point but I can't seem to dig it up now. I'll keep trying to give some substance to my opinion. Since I got rid of cable altogether a little over a year ago unfortunately I don't have these things in the forefront of my mind. Still, though, I would wait and solicit a few more opinions. I did absolutely _love_ the concept and basic functionality of a DVR, just that the their box completely sucked.

[At1WithNature]

Originally Posted by ajolotl

These responses amaze me. Do you guys all work for Comcast? I was in complete shock at what a piece of garbage my Comcast-provided DVR was. It worked ok most of the time but the features and user interface were ridiculously primitive compared to what is possible/easy to implement if one cared to take the time. I had a list of specific examples that I sent to Comcast at one point but I can't seem to dig it up now. I'll keep trying to give some substance to my opinion. Since I got rid of cable altogether a little over a year ago unfortunately I don't have these things in the forefront of my mind. Still, though, I would wait and solicit a few more opinions. I did absolutely _love_ the concept and basic functionality of a DVR, just that the their box completely sucked.

My first one sucked too, you have to lie to them and say you have an HD hook up so you get the good boxes, not the old ones. the old ones are str8 garbage! the new ones have blue lights for the clock and what not. what i don't like about the DVR is all those messages that are annoying telling you about a boxing or UFC match.

[toddmars]

RCN DVR is by Motorola. It works well but runs warm and likely uses too much electricity. I want to figure out how to download the movies out of it and upgrade to a newer model.