Starting Over (time to accentuate the positive) -- DVR disaster, day 2

[revdorothyl]

What I'd been fearing for a while now (in a distant, maybe that might happen in a couple more months, 'sometime' kind of way) actually happened last night, when I'd been lulled into a false sense of security by thinking that I'd figured out how to more or less cope with the problem.

Comments

[goddessofbirth]

Oh, oh, oh...I am just crying for you. FWIW, we had the same issue with our DVR as well. They're pieces of crap.

[revdorothyl]

Funny how when they signed me up for Dish Network and installed the DVR they forgot to mention that unlike any other computer hard-drive, there's no way to store information externally or copy it to a thumb drive, and that -- did we forget to mention? -- it's going to die after two years and take all your programs with it! Ack!

[sunshineali]

Sorry to hear about your DVR troubles. I have the same problem with Comcast. You'd think there would be a way to recover the lost programs. We pay SOOOO much for this crap it's insane and the customer service blows.

Our units (we have two) seem to start freezing and "tiling" about every two years. I am kind of glad to hear that Comcast isn't the only one that has this problem.

Good luck with the new unit. :)

[revdorothyl]

Thanks, this is useful information (which Dish Network totally should have provided in June 2008 when they installed it)!

I couldn't believe it when they told me during my first call for technical help that there was no way to copy information to an external drive or recover materials that were erased due to machine malfunction.

And if I'd known it had only two years of useful life, I'd have arranged my recording and viewing accordingly.

Ack! Argh!

[enigmaticblues]

Oh, man. That SUCKS. I'm glad you're looking at the bright side, but still. SUCK.

[revdorothyl]

Verily! It sucks to the maximum degree of suckitude!

[texanfan]

That indeed sucks! I try not to keep things unwatched on the DVR for very long just for this very reason. The little buggers are untrustworthy. However, having sacrificed all its hostages you are now free of its tyranny and may select whichever option suits you best. I mourn your loss, it's awful when things we count on let us down.

I loved that Remington Steele! Actually, I guess that's not fair to say as I love most of them, but that's a particular favorite. :)

[revdorothyl]

That was a great episode! I admit that in season 2 it took me quite a while to warm up to Mildred Krebbs (about as long as it took her to start treating Laura Holt with the respect she deserved), but then I really liked the added pretty factor brought by James Read as "Murphy Michaels" in season 1, so that factored into it! :)

If I'd known that a DVR only has a very short useful lifespan (2 years on average, from what others have said here), I'd have planned my viewing accordingly, but I was thinking it should be good for a minimum of four years, like every VCR I've owned. Live and learn!

And yes, I do like the freedom, now that I have nothing to lose, so I am finding it a bit easier to sympathize with Laura Holt's growing excitement over the factory loft she turned into her new, very snazzy apartment. Hope I can find the video equivalent of that loft!

[jonesiexxx]

I hate being betrayed by the things that are supposed to provide joy.

Poor revdorothyl.

[revdorothyl]

I think you've put your finger on the worst part of it: a) I thought the DVR was supposed to be reliable (and before I got one, people were always telling me how superior it was to a VCR -- liars!), and b) it was supposed to provide me with relaxation, not add more stress to my life, so it's a double betrayal, in a way.

Thanks for your sympathy! At least now I know what I wish I'd known before: that the average DVR only has a useful lifespan of two years, so I should plan to empty it out or copy everything I care about to videotape by its second anniversary.