Like you, my wife Nancy and I are very busy most all of the time. As an experienced Broadcast Professional (my contract says I have to say that), and my bride a dedicated long time State Worker (insert generic joke here), plus being over the top grandparents, watching TV in "live as it happens" mode is next to impossible. That's why I believe the Good Lord made possible the DVR. We've put it to LOTS of use over the last few years, and consider it a treasured family friend.
Recently though, that friend has been stabbing me in the back, and I question where the fault lies.
I've noticed recordings I've scheduled haven't taken; or ended earlier than I wanted. Occasionally, I would try to manually record a live show and a window will pop up saying "that function cannot happen at this time, please try again later."
When a show I record doesn't record, we're left with the "On Demand" option. While that helps, we (and I hope I don't get in trouble for saying this) fast forward past the commercials. Nothing personal; we're just trying to save time to watch something else. However, with "On Demand", most of the networks (or at least the Big 4) won't let you fast forward, so you're FORCED to watch the entire program.
Again, from a business standpoint, I understand totally....doesn't mean I have to like it.
So I contacted my "DVR Provider" (naturally I won't get specific about the company) to see what the problem is. A number of people (from things I read and hear about....I am a Newsman after all), tell me in general problems occured AFTER the provider upgraded the DVR program.
In speaking with my customer service representative (let's call him...Kevin), I tell him everything, including the fact that there's been reports of problems after the upgrade.
As a good customer service rep, "Kevin" wouldn't owe up to the provider taking responsibility. He also said he never heard of any unusual additional number of complaints.
Of course not.
The issue isn't the system, it's the fault of MY DVR.
Naturally.
I give him the third degree as all good reporters would; what about this, and that, and this?
Zip, zero, zilch.
"OK, so what do I do Kevin?"
"Well, you'll have to swap out units."
"OK, will you be able to transfer the shows I have saved?" (and I have a lot)
"Sorry, no, better watch them now."
"OK, when I bring it in, will the customer service reps be able to tell me what happend after a diagnostic?" (they hate when media savvy people call them with questions).
"Nope, they don't know how to do that."
Curses, foiled again.
So now I've gone and deleted everything I do not want to/can't watch in the next day or so; then determine when I can see the shows I want to record, as well as find out where to see shows I had to delete.
It's like a monkey on my back.
I have to hurry through.
I can't miss the "Cajun Pawn Stars" and "Storage Wars Texas" marathons this weekend.
Yes, I have no life, and I'm considered a dork.
But I'm a highly entertained dork...so there!
Mike Patrick
