Got DirecTv with DVR. What now?

[Mercule]

Okay, I don't watch much TV -- maybe 4-6 hours on a busy week. But, I finally got to the point I was willing to pay for SciFi channel, so I upgraded. Directv w/ DVR is about the same cost as standard cable in my area (slightly cheaper, actually), which made my decision.

So, now what? I've got this shiny R15 box and 25 times the number of channels I had last week. Any advice for someone green to both Directv (sad, huh?) and DVRs?

 

[trancejeremy]

Well, Fox Movie channel shows movies uncut. So if you want to watch a movie, see if they show it first. (They do pretty much just show Fox movies). Turner Classic Movies also does that, but they mostly show older ones.

Channel 860 carries Armin Van Buuren's "A State of Trance" radio show on Sunday night (If I had a DVR, I'd record it. But then, I like trance, you probably don't)

 

[drothgery]

I've got a DVR with cable, but my basic policy is to record everything I watch except live sports; if I really want to see something, I'll wait just long enough to fast forward through credits and commercials (about 20 minutes for a 1 hour show).

 

[Villano]

There's also IFC (the Independent Film Channel) on Ch. 550. They show movies uncut and widescreen. They show movies ranging from arty-farty French films to House Of 1,000 Corpses.

Also, every Saturday morning, they air a samurai movie as part of Samurai Saturdays. They've also been showing the sci-fi anime remake of Seven Samurai called "Samurai 7" (which is pretty good).

And keep an eye open for Direct TV's free preview weekend when you get the premium channels free for 3 or 4 days. I've never really found anything interesting on HBO or Showtime, but Starz is usually pretty good because there are a handful of channels (not just "Starz", but Black Starz, Mystery, Action, Western, Romance, etc).

 

[trancejeremy]

Oooh, I've had DTV for years and missed 550 (they stuck it in the pay channel section)

 

[satori01]

Having Tivo basically means never having to watch a commerial again, and never having to feel chained to the TV set again.

It also means not having to miss shows you think might be intresting, but are unlikey to know the time to start. This is great for Documentries and limited run shows, like say BBC America airing the Sharpe Napoleonic series.

Tivo lets you be very selective and can signifigantly reduce any "Channel Surf" sessions.

 

[Villano]

Oooh, I've had DTV for years and missed 550 (they stuck it in the pay channel section)

Yeah, there are a couple of other channels scattered around. There's another channels called Speed that's somewhere in the 600's. It's dedicated to cars and racing.

I also found out there's a channels called Sleuth on 308. I have no idea how long we've had it. Not much on it, just a few movies and reruns of Knight Rider, The Equalizer, A-Team, Simon & Simon, etc.

Oh, and if you're into cattle auctions and polka, there's RFD. You haven't lived until you've seen The Big Joe Polka Show.

 

[Kesh]

<i>Good Eats</i> on FoodTV. Most entertaining cooking show ever.

Aside from that, I can't help. I have Dish, so my DVR setup is completely different.