ReplayTV or Tivo with Samsung 160 STB??

[Flyingsquid]

I am new to the whole PVR thing & hoping that someone can give me some input.I have the Samsung 160 HDTV STB & after reading some good reviews picked up the new Replay 5040 PVR.After getting it set up I'm wondering if the Tivo would integrate any better with the Samsung than the ReplayTV does.Is anyone using either set-up that could give me any insight?
Also.....(here come the dumb questions)
1)is there a way to get the local OTA digital channels to show up in the ReplayTV guide?

2) It seems that the way that I have it hooked up I will be basically treating the STB and ReplayTV as 2 seperate components (I am using the S-VHS out on the STB and the Component out on the Replay) .I was hoping I could use the Samsung STB to "tell" the ReplayTV unit what I want to record (I'm using the little blaster cord).The program guide in the Samsung is WAY faster & the picture is cleaner,so I seem to always use the STB to watch TV.Plus I have the STB hooked into the TV via the DVI input,so I have to also switch the TV to the component input to use the ReplayTV.

3) If I add a second ReplayTV at home,do I need to pay an additional 9.95 per month? I would assume that I do,but I would love to hear that I don't.

Any help REALLY appreciated....

[Marty]

I have also picked up the 5040 and this is how I am using it. My system is the sony HD combo directv/OTA hd-200 connected to a sony 34" tv via the DVI connection. I also have a super basic cable subscription (necessary or else comcrap hikes the price on the monthly cable internet charge).

So I still have the stb connected to the tv via the dvi connection. However, I also have made an s-video connection from the stb to the 5040. I have the basic cable tv line directly connected to the coaxial input on the 5040 as well. Now, I have run another coaxial cable from the 5040 coaxial out into the stb's input for cable tv connections. The 5040 is connected to the tv via the component video connection.

So whenver I want to watch live tv (directv), I simply use the stb box as normal and have it use the dvi connection to the tv (which converts any non-HD signal to 480p). However, by setting the stb to output via the dvi connection, the s-video output on the stb becomes non-functional (or the 5040 doesn't recognize the signal). So whenever I leave for the day and I know I have set the 5040 to record something from directv, I have to remember to set the stb to output via the analog (s-video/rca) connections. Now, since most of my recording is off of the local channels, that really isn't a problem as I just tell the 5040 to record the program from the comcrap cable feed that I have connected directly to the 5040. Finally, remember above when I said I have a coaxial cable running from the 5040's output to the cable tv input on the STB? Ok, so where that comes in handy is when I want to program the 5040 to record. I simply tune my STB to channel 3 (what the 5040 is outputting on) and I can see all the menus and channel guides of the 5040 regardless if I am using the DVI connection or not. I could also watch any prerecorded programs this way but I prefer to switch inputs on the tv via the remote and utilize the 5040's 480p output.

I don't think that specifically answered any of your questions but hopefully it will give some ideas as how to better integrate the 5040 into your setup. BTW, I didn't even consider tivo because the best they could offer was a s-video output and a telephone modem connection.

[Flyingsquid]

Thanks for the input - what a great idea.Unfortunately I haven't been able to get it to work quite right with my Samsung box.I put a coax from the "Out to TV" jack on the 5040 and into the "In from Cable" jack on the STB hoping that I could just tune it to Cable channel 3 to use the ReplayTV.I scanned for cable channels & 3 showed up,but I was unable to tune it in.Kept getting a weird pulsating,shrinking screen.Anyone know if this could be because of the 1080i output? I'm still learning about the differences in signals,etc...so I guess I don't know if that could be an issue.I did however add a coax from the 5040 to the Cable in on the TV making the process of accessing the ReplayTV menus one step simpler.I at least no longer have to switch BOTH the Receiver & TV to get back to replay.I would LOVE to figure out how to get a connection to work like yours so I could access the RPTV from within the Samsung settings.I've actually been thinking of swapping from the Samsung STB to the Sony,but I really hate to lose the ability to output a signal from S-VHS or Composite when watching in HDTV.Any additonal ideas from anyone would be great....Thanx

[Marty]

The way I have my Sony receiver setup is that it will upconvert any 480i signal to 480p and all other signals like 720p and 1080i get passed along to the tv as is (this is all sent through the dvi connection). So the receiver is taking the 480i signal from the 5040's coaxial out and upconverting it to 480p and outputting that via the dvi connection. I would imagine the Samsung receiver has a similar setting?? I don't know if that is the cause of your problem but you may wish to investigate that possibility. Let me know if you have anymore questions about my setup.

[57U]

Marty, please excuse if you've been asked this before. Have you ever compared DVI and component video?

[Flyingsquid]

I know that I notice a difference.It's subtle,but there is definitely a difference.My DVI went out on my last Samsung box & I was using component until I swapped it out for a new one....

[57U]

Thanks FS.

[Flyingsquid]

OK....problem solved.I took the lazy way out & hooked up a 2nd DirecTV receiver.I now use the 2nd receiver for ReplayTV .Since it can't do HDTV I didn't NEED to have the Replay hooked up to the Samsung HDTV receiver.I then hooked the 2nd receiver into the Samsung via the Cable TV jacks.Tuned it to channel 3 & bingo.As an added bonus I can watch a second show while I record on the Replay.All for the cost of a cheap receiver & 5.00 more per month to the fine folks at DirecTV.This monstrosity that I have created will nickel & dime me to death,I swear.Anyway...I also LOVE using the serial port on the basic DirecTV receiver instead of the blaster with the Samsung.MUCH faster.....

[Marty]

Originally posted by 57U
Marty, please excuse if you've been asked this before. Have you ever compared DVI and component video?

57U,

I haven't compared them yet but its definitely something I've been meaning to do. I've just been putting it off since I don't want to go into the jumble of cables behind the tv/STB/receiver. But I think I will defintely get it done this week. I'll post as soon as I do.

[vuhu]

Flying Squid,

I am confused on how you hooked up the second Direct TV box into the system. Did you need a second line from the antenna to the same room to do what you did. I only have one output line from the Direct TV antenna into my living room. Can you do your type of second box setup with one line output from antenna? Please walk me thru step by step your setup. I have a spare Direct TV box sitting around and would love to replicate your setup.

Thanks

[Flyingsquid]

I have the Triple LNB dish,so I did run a second line in from the dish for DirecTV receiver #2.I've often wondered if that signal could be split off of one line without any loss.I tried to do it once & it seemed that as soon as I plugged in a second source it would kick off the first one.May have just been my set-up,too.I'm sure someone else on the forum could answer that question.
Anyway...I have one line going into the HDTV (Sony HD200) receiver and that connects into my amp and alternately to the TV via DVI.I have the second line going into the SECOND Sony (Non-HDTV) receiver which is connected to the ReplayTV via S-VHS and composite audio.The ReplayTV is then routed to my amp as well (The amp connects to the TV via Component cables).I then can just switch back & forth between HDTV & ReplayTV using my Sony amp.I use the regular serial cable between the Non-HDTV receiver & the ReplayTV to control the ReplayTV.After making the switch from the IR blaster,I don't honestly see how anyone can NOT use the Replay with a serial cable.It is such a HUGE difference in speed of changing channels that I think that IR blaster makes it almost unusable.I keep the Sony Non-HDTV receiver hidden behind my rack as it is really just a tool to receive the signal in ReplayTV anyway.
I also just added the Panasonic DVD recorder and both receivers route to that as well via alternate outputs on the boxes.Hope that helps....

[billw]

FS,
Are you saying that the DVI connection provides a subtle improvement?

[Flyingsquid]

Right....at least I thought so with my Samsung 160 box.I have played around with my new Sony HD200 and I can't say as I notice much of a difference if any.It's so tough to really judge unless you could see them side-by-side....

[laveller]

Here's another interesting question...I understand the value of a digital to digital interface. I have a samsung TS 160 with a DVI connection to an LDC projector. The question is: for an analog signal source, such as analog cable or ota analog, is there any value to dvi...in that case you become dependent on the quality of the A to D converter in the samsung unit? thoughts???

BTW, OTA HDTV via DVI produces a absolutely outstanding picture...even with a 12 ft screen.