 DrTCPYours trulyPremium,ExMod 1999-04
join:1999-11-09
Round Rock, TX | [TWC] HD DVR Box with wide screen GUI. I have a Cisco/SA 8240HDC HD DVR box. I have been using it for a couple years now. The program guide on this box is coming up in 4:3 format. Is there an TWC HD DVR box that supports wide screen (16:9) program guide and other on screen display?
I am also looking at a larger Hard Disk capacity. I believe 8240HDC is around 160GB. I am looking for 320/500GB capacity.
I am in Austin, TX area. |
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jimkPremium
join:2006-04-15
Raleigh, NC Reviews:
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| I believe the Samsung boxes will display the GUI in 16:9 but it is just stretched, so there isn't much benefit to this. Current Cisco boxes are still limited to 4:3 for the graphical interface.
Many newer Cisco and some Samsung boxes come with 320GB Hard Drives, and some come with 500GB drives.
Unfortunately there is no way to know for sure in most cases since any given model can be ordered with different hard drive sizes. My Cisco 8640HDC has a 320GB drive, but if you look at Cisco's spec sheet, they are available with 120GB or 320GB drives.
Whole home DVR boxes should (for example, the Cisco 8642HDC) have 500GB drives. I personally wouldn't accept one with less considering the cost of the service.
As usual, this varies by market, so hopefully someone in your area will provide more detailed input. |
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DrTCPYours trulyPremium,ExMod 1999-04
join:1999-11-09
Round Rock, TX | said by jimk:I believe the Samsung boxes will display the GUI in 16:9 but it is just stretched, so there isn't much benefit to this. Current Cisco boxes are still limited to 4:3 for the graphical interface. It is probably not a hardware limitation but STB software in use. Stretched guide display is really not a good solution since the idea is not just cover the screen but actually see more of the guide. Wide screen TV's have been common place in the last 5 years, it is still odd to see a 4:3 guide in an HD box. Oh well...
Many newer Cisco and some Samsung boxes come with 320GB Hard Drives, and some come with 500GB drives.
Unfortunately there is no way to know for sure in most cases since any given model can be ordered with different hard drive sizes. My Cisco 8640HDC has a 320GB drive, but if you look at Cisco's spec sheet, they are available with 120GB or 320GB drives.
What are the chances that if I go to the TWC customer service center and ask for a 8640HDC or 8642HDC with 320GB or more disk to swap my current 8240HDC, I would actually get one? Is there a way to handle this swap that when I get there there will be a 8640DHC or 8642HDC to swap (such as register to a list so when one is available actually get a call). |
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| This is one of the things I'm going to miss if I leave DTV - I finally got the HD Guide update and it looks really nice.  |
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| reply to DrTCP
quote:
What are the chances that if I go to the TWC customer service center and ask for a 8640HDC or 8640HDC with 320GB or more disk to swap my current 8240HDC, I would actually get one? Is there a way to handle this swap that when I get there there will be a 8640DHC or 8642HDC to swap (such as register to a list so when one is available actually get a call).
Go there and find out. Just say you want a DVR with a bigger hard drive and ask for the 8640. That’s what I did two years ago when I traded my 8240 for an 8640 . To my knowledge, Time Warner does not give out the 8640’s with the 160GB drive. More than likely you'll get the 320 GB model. You could try to ask for an 8642, not sure if they’ll even put one on the account if you do not want multi room DVR. I've had the 8642 for over a year now and have had no problems with it.
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 Suit Up
join:2003-07-21
Los Angeles, CA | reply to DrTCP
You could always roll your own dvr with Win 7 and a cable card tuner. hd guide, 750 gb storage (just happened to be the hard drive i had lying around could go bigger if i wanted), and it's only $2.00/month. |
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DrTCPYours trulyPremium,ExMod 1999-04
join:1999-11-09
Round Rock, TX | said by Suit Up:You could always roll your own dvr with Win 7 and a cable card tuner. hd guide, 750 gb storage (just happened to be the hard drive i had lying around could go bigger if i wanted), and it's only $2.00/month.
True. I can. I do not want to maintain and be support personnel for yet another computing equipment at home. I would so such when I was younger. My time is now is more limited. |
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