:confused: All H-20s are RF capable. :confused:
Maybe your remote isn't, but the receiver is.
My Brother had his H20 setup for RF remote and all was working fine. One night last week he apparently got the crappy 0x2020 upgrade and could no longer control it with the remote! He called D* and the CSR babe said his remote was bad and sent him a new one for $30+ which didn't work either. He called D* again and finally got someone with a brain and he said it was because they upgraded his software and RF no longer worked then talked him through changing the box to IR. They said he is stuck with the $30+ charge :eek: . He is turning that information over to the local media and State consumer authorities for further action. Just another example of the incompetence of the D* programmers and their management. :mad:
Check page 36 of the Users Guide where it plainly states. “The remote control included with your DIRECTV HD Receiver works in either IR (infared) or RF (radio frequency).” Not anymore :rolleyes:

My Brother had his H20 setup for RF remote and all was working fine. One night last week he apparently got the crappy 0x2020 upgrade and could no longer control it with the remote! He called D* and the CSR babe said his remote was bad and sent him a new one for $30+ which didn't work either. He called D* again and finally got someone with a brain and he said it was because they upgraded his software and RF no longer worked then talked him through changing the box to IR. They said he is stuck with the $30+ charge :eek: . He is turning that information over to the local media and State consumer authorities for further action. Just another example of the incompetence of the D* programmers and their management. :mad:
Check page 36 of the Users Guide where it plainly states. “The remote control included with your DIRECTV HD Receiver works in either IR (infared) or RF (radio frequency).” Not anymore :rolleyes:
I have an -100 working in RF with the new software.
Now what did change with the new software was before it send commands in BOTH IR & RF. Now it only sends them in one or the other.
I would set it up to IR [the default] and then change it over to RF.
There is much misinformation around, but the RF still works on the H-20-100. FWIW

The antenna is about 6" long angles a bit to the side because of the cabinet(wood) limitations. The model remote is the white one that came with the H10(no model # on it).


I never had problems before and the antenna for Rf is placed in the exact same setup as before?

Maybe the new boxes dont work as well with RF as the previous ones.

Hmmmmmmm.

Brandon

I have an -100 working in RF with the new software.
Now what did change with the new software was before it send commands in BOTH IR & RF. Now it only sends them in one or the other.
I would set it up to IR [the default] and then change it over to RF.
There is much misinformation around, but the RF still works on the H-20-100. FWIW
That simply does not make sense. How would the software download change anything on the remote??? If anything, the receiver is now not as sensitive as before in RF mode. My Brother said they admitted there was a problem with the RF mode now that the upgrade has arrived.

That simply does not make sense. How would the software download change anything on the remote??? If anything, the receiver is now not as sensitive as before in RF mode. My Brother said they admitted there was a problem with the RF mode now that the upgrade has arrived.
I read many posting on several forums. What has been posted was the receiver would respond to both IR & RF commands [regardless of it's settings] and after the update, it only responds to what it is set to.
I don't know what "your receiver" is doing but I do know mine is still working in RF as before.

:confused: All H-20s are RF capable. :confused:
Maybe your remote isn't, but the receiver is..

And my H-20 (receiver only) worked well with remote in both IR and RF. The HD DVD does not work well at all in RF. At least, not with the 2 remotes I have tried. Even literature packed with HD DVR receiver says as much.

.

And my H-20 (receiver only) worked well with remote in both IR and RF. The HD DVD does not work well at all in RF. At least, not with the 2 remotes I have tried. Even literature packed with HD DVR receiver says as much.
Probably for the other thread but, both of my HR-20s work well in RF too. There are some bad batches that don't work as well, but "they are supposed to" work well in the RF mode.

The H20 requires an external antenna for the RF remote. H20s were shipped in various configurations but all are RF capable with a remote having RF capability and an RF antenna on the back of the box. One or both of these were not included on the majority of H20s but are available. The change after the software download is about receiver configuration. A number of things were changed to the defaults. Go into the menu, clear the remote configuration and reset it to the way you want it and it will work. The software didn't change the remote. It change the receiver's configuration as to how it handles signals from the remote.

My previous post was about my Brother's H20. Well, for chucks and grins, I decided to set my H20 to RF mode. It did work but not reliably, about 10% of the time I had to push some buttons 2 or 3 times to get the receiver to respond. I reseated the antenna etc. and had the same poor results. At least MY H20 does not work well in RF mode. I set it back to IR mode and it works fine except it is slow as before. I called D* and they tried to SELL me another remote, I said, No Thanks :p . To be honest, I had never tried the RF mode before the "2020 upgrade" so I can’t swear it caused this issue. :)

I had my H20 replaced about 6months ago. I kept the old remote. I got a new H20 with new remote and have been using it for 6months. We lost the new remote. I tried to use the old remote but it doesnt work? Is there a way to get this work with new receiver?

I had my H20 replaced about 6months ago. I kept the old remote. I got a new H20 with new remote and have been using it for 6months. We lost the new remote. I tried to use the old remote but it doesnt work? Is there a way to get this work with new receiver?
Sure, most likely you'll need to use the front panel buttons to navigate through the setup screen. I think you'll need to start with the default [IR] settings & if it is RF capable, then shift over to RF if you want..

can anyone tell me if all the outputs are active simultaneously on this unit? I currently have an RCA that is like this and feed the signal throughout the house, via RGB and via RF to various sets. It's important in my upgrade decision.

can anyone tell me if all the outputs are active simultaneously on this unit? I currently have an RCA that is like this and feed the signal throughout the house, via RGB and via RF to various sets. It's important in my upgrade decision.

As I understand it, the answer is yes.

i've searched this thread and haven't seen this question asked before. if i missed it, i apologize for repeating.

i subscribed to extra innings superfan at the beginning of the season. i have gotten all the hd games offered as well as the game mix channel. however, the on screen displays i was supposed to receive, such as the in game box score, out of town scores, etc., had never been available until earlier this week when my h20 received a software upgrade.

unfortunately, now all extra inning channels are locked into the full format. i can no longer get vertical pillar bars on the sides of the screen using the remote. this only occurs on the sd extra innings channels in the 700's. the pillar bar format works on all other sd channels. also, the receiver is now painfully slow responding to the remote commands. as much as five seconds delay where it used to be almost instantaneous. tech support at d* suggested i reboot. when that didn't work, they said they were out of ideas.

this is my third h20 receiver. the first couldn't find the satellite signal at all. the second couldn't display 720 signals. now this. quite frustrating.

has anyone else experienced this problem with the extra innings channels? if so, have you found a solution?

can anyone tell me if all the outputs are active simultaneously on this unit? I currently have an RCA that is like this and feed the signal throughout the house, via RGB and via RF to various sets. It's important in my upgrade decision.
The H20 does not have an RF output that you could distribute to other TVs. Its outputs are, Composite (RCA and S-Video), Component and HDMI which are all active all the time.

Thanks! I've got amodulator for S-Vid to RF so that should work!

Does it down convert HD to the SVid simultaneous to HD on the Component? On my Toshiba, I had to place the unit in SD mode and lose my HD signal on the RBG.

Thanks! I've got amodulator for S-Vid to RF so that should work!

Does it down convert HD to the SVid simultaneous to HD on the Component? On my Toshiba, I had to place the unit in SD mode and lose my HD signal on the RBG.
My H20 outputs the HD signals via S-Video in an Anamorphic squeezed format and I have not been able to change it to letter boxed, YMMV. SD from 480i sources looks normal though.

Group:

I installed this box a week and a half ago.

I'm feeding S-Video out to my ReplayTV DVR. It says no video signal detected.

I'm suspecting a loose or bad cable. And I'm going to pick up a replacement.


But I wanted confirmation from those monitoring this thread that all the HD and SD capable video outputs on this STB are live all the time.

1080i out via component is working fine. That's what goes to my TV.

rlowell

The H20 requires an external antenna for the RF remote. H20s were shipped in various configurations but all are RF capable with a remote having RF capability and an RF antenna on the back of the box. One or both of these were not included on the majority of H20s but are available. The change after the software download is about receiver configuration. A number of things were changed to the defaults. Go into the menu, clear the remote configuration and reset it to the way you want it and it will work. The software didn't change the remote. It change the receiver's configuration as to how it handles signals from the remote.

greywolf,

What I have found with my new h20 box with an older RF Directv remote from my old H10 box is that the new receiver seems like it repeats both the RF & IR signal at the same time once a button is pressed. I get very poor reliability and have to press button 3 to 4 times and sometimes the box flashes twice like two signals were sent simultaneously? I have tried setting the romote back to IR then back again to RF with no luck.
The same RF remote with the H10 box worked awesome now its very tricky and barely works?
Any suggestions?

Thanks so much,
Brandon

The H20 does not have an RF output that you could distribute to other TVs. Its outputs are, Composite (RCA and S-Video), Component and HDMI which are all active all the time.

Thanks, Snuffy!

This problem turned out to be a loose S-Video cable, which I fixed.

rlowell

i've searched this thread and haven't seen this question asked before. if i missed it, i apologize for repeating.

i subscribed to extra innings superfan at the beginning of the season. i have gotten all the hd games offered as well as the game mix channel. however, the on screen displays i was supposed to receive, such as the in game box score, out of town scores, etc., had never been available until earlier this week when my h20 received a software upgrade.

unfortunately, now all extra inning channels are locked into the full format. i can no longer get vertical pillar bars on the sides of the screen using the remote. this only occurs on the sd extra innings channels in the 700's. the pillar bar format works on all other sd channels. also, the receiver is now painfully slow responding to the remote commands. as much as five seconds delay where it used to be almost instantaneous. tech support at d* suggested i reboot. when that didn't work, they said they were out of ideas.

this is my third h20 receiver. the first couldn't find the satellite signal at all. the second couldn't display 720 signals. now this. quite frustrating.

has anyone else experienced this problem with the extra innings channels? if so, have you found a solution?
I have similar problems to yours. I actually have a 4:3 TV so my problem is kind of the reverse.

I often leave my receiver in 480p Letterbox mode so SD channels are fullscreen (4:3) and HD channels show up with horizontal bars (I'll switch to 1080i if I am watching HD exclusively). However, on the Extra Innings channels (and I believe all "interactive" channels, actually), this does not work.

So here's what happens when I am watching baseball. If the receiver is in 480p Letterbox and I go to an HD Extra Innings channel, the receiver does not letterbox the picture as it does on other HD channels, it stretches it vertically to fit the screen. The only way for me to get a non-stretched picture on the Extra Innings HD channels is in 1080i mode. But wait, there's more! The Format button on my remote seems to completely stop working when I am on an interactive channel. AWESOME! So I am forced to go to a non-interactive channel, switch to 1080i and then go back to the Extra Innings HD channel. Of course, if I then go to an SD Extra Innings channel, the 4:3 picture is letterboxed and squished on my TV since I'm in 1080i mode... forcing me to again flip to a non-interactive channel so I can use the Format button to go pack to 480p and then go back to the SD Extra Innings game. I've also tried switching to "Native" mode but that makes everything impossibly slow since the receiver takes a second to decide on the format every time I change the channel (on top of the 3-5 second delay to respond to remote commands).

Like most people my H20 is now ludicrously slow in general, and I am getting audio dropouts when I bring up the guide. Resets/Customer Service have been no help. I am glad they added the interactive features but that aspect is also glacially slow and it's certainly not worth all the problems it seems to have created; I was fairly happy with the receiver before and now I pretty much despise it. :(

The same RF remote with the H10 box worked awesome now its very tricky and barely works?
Any suggestions? Tivoburkee posts to http://forums.directv.com/pe/action/forums/defaultview?msgBoardID=10100433 a lot. That's where I would ask questions about DirecTV remotes because he knows the subject very well. I don't use OEM remotes myself.

Thanks, I just posted in that forum.

Brandon

I just had my first unexpected reset on my H20 since I got it last Summer. :eek: I was doing a keyword search, it froze up, then reset itself. Of course this cleared the program guide except for the next 24 hrs. Just another benefit of the great 0x2020 “upgrade :rolleyes: . I'd really complain to D* but I'm afraid they would send me a -600 :eek: .

Called Customer Svc again yesterday regarding the 0x2020 upgrade and was told the fix is in the works, was given 3months free HBO package by customer retention dept since CSR would only offer Showtime, could have gotten $5 off my bill for 12 months instead of the package. Oh well, better than nothing at all...I asked if they could replace my H20 with the old firmware, not possible according to them.

I'm not getting any sound from any of the XM radio stations from directv?

Anyone else having this problem.

I'm still chugging along on the OLD h20 firmware btw.

Do you guys think DirecTV will ever drop the 4.99 month charge per TV? I like DirecTV's quality, customer service, and price....except this monthly charge. It adds $25 a month to my bill. Is there a way around it?

Also, can the HR20 output HD over HDMI out to one TV and SD over composite to another TV simultaneously?

Thanks.

Do you guys think DirecTV will ever drop the 4.99 month charge per TV? I like DirecTV's quality, customer service, and price....except this monthly charge. It adds $25 a month to my bill. Is there a way around it?

Also, can the HR20 output HD over HDMI out to one TV and SD over composite to another TV simultaneously?

Thanks.
I know of no way around the mirroring fee for each active additional receiver.
You can connect as many devices as there are connectors on the back since they are all active.

Thanks you for your quick and informative response.
At least some good news.

I have similar problems to yours. I actually have a 4:3 TV so my problem is kind of the reverse.

I often leave my receiver in 480p Letterbox mode so SD channels are fullscreen (4:3) and HD channels show up with horizontal bars (I'll switch to 1080i if I am watching HD exclusively). However, on the Extra Innings channels (and I believe all "interactive" channels, actually), this does not work.

So here's what happens when I am watching baseball. If the receiver is in 480p Letterbox and I go to an HD Extra Innings channel, the receiver does not letterbox the picture as it does on other HD channels, it stretches it vertically to fit the screen. The only way for me to get a non-stretched picture on the Extra Innings HD channels is in 1080i mode. But wait, there's more! The Format button on my remote seems to completely stop working when I am on an interactive channel. AWESOME! So I am forced to go to a non-interactive channel, switch to 1080i and then go back to the Extra Innings HD channel. Of course, if I then go to an SD Extra Innings channel, the 4:3 picture is letterboxed and squished on my TV since I'm in 1080i mode... forcing me to again flip to a non-interactive channel so I can use the Format button to go pack to 480p and then go back to the SD Extra Innings game. I've also tried switching to "Native" mode but that makes everything impossibly slow since the receiver takes a second to decide on the format every time I change the channel (on top of the 3-5 second delay to respond to remote commands).

Like most people my H20 is now ludicrously slow in general, and I am getting audio dropouts when I bring up the guide. Resets/Customer Service have been no help. I am glad they added the interactive features but that aspect is also glacially slow and it's certainly not worth all the problems it seems to have created; I was fairly happy with the receiver before and now I pretty much despise it. :(

thanks for responding, smooth. it is good to know i am not the only one with this kind of problem. i'll play around with 1080i and other formats to see if maybe that will resolve the problem. from reading yours and other posts, it sounds like the latest software upgrade may have more problems than it is worth.

Group:

I installed this box a week and a half ago.

I'm feeding S-Video out to my ReplayTV DVR. It says no video signal detected.

I'm suspecting a loose or bad cable. And I'm going to pick up a replacement.


But I wanted confirmation from those monitoring this thread that all the HD and SD capable video outputs on this STB are live all the time.

1080i out via component is working fine. That's what goes to my TV.

rlowell

Yes, the S-Video and composite outputs are active during HD broadcasts (HDMI or Component). I record via S-Video to my S-VHS deck all the time from HD broadcasts and it works just fine even if I'm watching the HD broadcast at the time.

I'm running component, HDMI, and S-Video all at the same time, from my H20-100 STB. They are all active (composite is too) for all channels (both HD and SD).

will the OTA tuner still work in my H20 after i turn the sat service off to it? or will it become a paper weight

will the OTA tuner still work in my H20 after i turn the sat service off to it? or will it become a paper weight
it will become a paper weight

Samsung makes a 5th generation OTA only tuner you can picj up at BestBuy for $150. I keep one handy, it's an excellent tuner. You never know what you will get with a built-in tuner, and personally, I have 2 TV's with no built in digital tuner.

bummer, its not a big deal i was going to use it in the bedroom. watch ebay, it will be up on there after saturday :)

bummer, its not a big deal i was going to use it in the bedroom. watch ebay, it will be up on there after saturday :)
So yours is owned and not leased?

bummer, its not a big deal i was going to use it in the bedroom. watch ebay, it will be up on there after saturday :)
V.O.S.'es question is not to be taken lightly. Most, if not all H20s are technically leased from D* and must be returned to them upon ending service or a charge will be applied. Even if you thought you "bought" it a BB or CC it remains the property of D*, I know, that stinks. Check the wording in your agreement, it could save you a lot of hassels. :)

I got my H20 in Jan 2006 and I OWN it. Just for reference.

V.O.S.'es question is not to be taken lightly. Most, if not all H20s are technically leased from D* and must be returned to them upon ending service or a charge will be applied. Even if you thought you "bought" it a BB or CC it remains the property of D*, I know, that stinks. Check the wording in your agreement, it could save you a lot of hassels. :)That applies (if you bought one) only as long as your contract with D* is in force. If your "2-year commitment" runs out (and you didn't cancel it), then you still own it. With the "leases" you have to return it if you no longer pay for D* service.

Another point, AFIK, the OTA tuner part may still work without D* service. This is true for older STBs, at least (I have no idea about the H20s). I have a HD-HTL (MPEG 2 only, made by LG) that I used as a OTA tuner for a week, before I connected it to my dish and registered it with D*.

In addition, the new HD channels on the new satellite require the BBC and that adapter only works with the H20 series of STBs [supposedly the newer designed models, H30(?), will have the "B Band Converter" built in]. In my case, I will have to replace my HD-HTL when the new satellites come on-line in September sometime (according to the latest info).

Kevets -- You only own it, if your purchase agreement says so. I bought my HD-HTL too, but it's price was subsidized by D* and the purchase agreement said I still had to return it "if I stop my D* service within 2 years". Since that was over 2 years ago, it's now mine (except I will have to return the access card for it, if/when I stop my D* service).

I got my H20 in Jan 2006 and I OWN it. Just for reference.

I believe you. There were a few H20s that were truly purchased before D* went to the lease only method. It is believed that if someone buys an H20 of eBay, D* won't allow anyone else to register it, so if you do sell it on eBay, be aware a buyer may complain to you!

Deezul

Kevets -- You only own it, if your purchase agreement says so. I bought my HD-HTL too, but it's price was subsidized by D* and the purchase agreement said I still had to return it "if I stop my D* service within 2 years". Since that was over 2 years ago, it's now mine (except I will have to return the access card for it, if/when I stop my D* service).

I've sold two D* HD receivers, and never have they asked for me to return the access card. I've kept them and not offered them with the STBs, just to be safe.

Deezul

Another point, AFIK, the OTA tuner part may still work without D* service. This is true for older STBs, at least (I have no idea about the H20s). I have a HD-HTL (MPEG 2 only, made by LG) that I used as a OTA tuner for a week, before I connected it to my dish and registered it with D*.
The H20 will become a doorstop after you deactivate it on your D* account. It will only work for OTA until it is rebooted, when it no longer will function.
In addition, the new HD channels on the new satellite require the BBC and that adapter only works with the H20 series of STBs [supposedly the newer designed models, H30(?), will have the "B Band Converter" built in]. In my case, I will have to replace my HD-HTL when the new satellites come on-line in September sometime (according to the latest info).
The next tuner is the H21 which still uses a BBC.
The BBC will be not needed when the SWM units start to be released later this year.

Thanks for the correction, VOS - I was guessing, based on what D* had on its web site, the last time I looked.

The H20 becoming a door stop is good to know (although mine is a "leased" version).

Deezul -- Interesting. When I got my H20, the D* person my installer called (to get the H20 access set up) screwed up the contract (they deleted my 2nd receiver). When I called to complain, and get it straightened out, they had to re-write the whole thing and had to give me a new access card. When I got the new card, they included a SASE to return the old one (which they insisted that I do). I suspect the access card return only applies to the newer (H20) STBs.

Is anyone experiencing problems with the H20-100? All of the sudden it’s not sending image thru HDMI anymore and in components is “blinking” every 3 seconds. Did the 10 minutes unplugged and nothing is happening. Software is 100C.
Three days ago the video feed through the HDMI to my Sony XBR2 suddenly turned a very ugly green. Images were there but with a strong green tint and background was solid green. I have done all troubleshooting with SONY and Have eliminated the TV as the problem. I switched another H20 with the one that started the problem and it too had the same green screen. Before I became convinced that the H20 was the problem I verified that my Blu-Ray Disc worked fine on its HDMI connection and then I switched it to the HDMI that the H20 was on and it still was fine. I just started to research n the forum and have seen a number of problems related to a new firmware change. I did check this on Monday night when this occurred and saw no change. Any help from anybody would be appreciated before I start jumping all over Directv.

I'm sure these have been covered many times before but the thread is getting pretty large and I'm having trouble sifting through it all.

1. How do I know what firmware I have and do I have to request an upgrade or is it automatic?
My info menu shows:
H20, 600
Original Ver: 0160
Past Upgrade: 0F14, Mon 1/15 at 5:30p
Future Upgrade: Not Scheduled

2. Have either of these been addressed?
a. Guide response is very slow.. very slow.
b. The Channels I recieve list show all channels, not just the ones I pay for.

Thanks,
Johnny

A little help please>

I reactivated my H20 which had been dormant for several months after receiving my HR-20. I had a D* service person over yesterday because I was having trouble getting local HD. He forced a firmware upgrade to 100C dated 7/26. I'm now getting locals, but the BBC test keeps giving me a black screen only. We tested my BBC and one the service guy installed, same results.

Previous posts here have indicated that a black screen is a good test for old firmware versions, but the current firmware should have the " searching for sat (771)" message like I get for my HR-20.

Which is it? If he updated the firmware yesterday, I assume it's current. Did both BBCs fail the test or am I O.K?

Thanks in advance.

A little help please>

I reactivated my H20 which had been dormant for several months after receiving my HR-20. I had a D* service person over yesterday because I was having trouble getting local HD. He forced a firmware upgrade to 100C dated 7/26. I'm now getting locals, but the BBC test keeps giving me a black screen only. We tested my BBC and one the service guy installed, same results.

Previous posts here have indicated that a black screen is a good test for old firmware versions, but the current firmware should have the " searching for sat (771)" message like I get for my HR-20.

Which is it? If he updated the firmware yesterday, I assume it's current. Did both BBCs fail the test or am I O.K?

Thanks in advance.
100C won't pass the BBC test. You need the newer software [either 2020 or 2021]. This should auto-download to you soon.
Then run the BBC test and see if you get the [correct] 771 error for 499 or the message screen "you need to call D*".

I'm sure these have been covered many times before but the thread is getting pretty large and I'm having trouble sifting through it all.

1. How do I know what firmware I have and do I have to request an upgrade or is it automatic?
My info menu shows:
H20, 600
Original Ver: 0160
Past Upgrade: 0F14, Mon 1/15 at 5:30p
Future Upgrade: Not Scheduled

2. Have either of these been addressed?
a. Guide response is very slow.. very slow.
b. The Channels I recieve list show all channels, not just the ones I pay for.

Thanks,
Johnny
You'll need to wait for the national release of a new software version, as what you have is the latest for your -600.

johnnynine

2a.) Not yet. I found that it's even slower, if you try to "go faster", and shows more audio glitches. It's frustratingly slow, if you're in a hurry, fortunately the commercials are long enough to be able to slog through the menu at a "leisurely pace".

2b.) That is the case (for all their STBs) unless you customize the menu. I haven't bothered, since I know which channels I want to watch and I know which ones I don't subscribe to (or are replaced by my locals & disappeared when I signed up for HD service). Sometimes it's nice, because I can easily see which channels are "newly" added (they have added a couple of new channels within the last couple of months (OVTV - 274 & REEL - 238).

What's really frustrating is that I lost my National West Coast feeds, but they haven't gotten the local HD network feeds working - the only way I can get the HD Network locals is to tune them from my OTA antenna (fortunately I have a good one, on a 20' mast). However, I haven't complained to D*, in part because the HD locals come through so good.

What are the differences between these two boxes?

I am trying to get a D* upgrade deal and was told by the CSR that I'd get one or the other but they couldn't specify which

What are the differences between these two boxes?

I am trying to get a D* upgrade deal and was told by the CSR that I'd get one or the other but they couldn't specify which
Are you trying to mix me up? This is the H20 forum and not the HR-20 which you would find here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=11135029#post11135029

made by RCA or PACE.
one has an external remote antenna & coax Dolby while the other has an internal antenna and just optical Dolby.

Oh boy this H20-100 is killing me...and I haven't even gotten the new firmware. When my 600 died, I was sent the 100. Right away I noticed that the saturation was off as well as my blacks weren't really black anymore. I am also noticing during dark scenes a very faint wave moving from the right to the left on my screen. It's brighter than the rest of the picture, thus it stands out and is highly distracting.

Was wondering if others were having issues with the 100 similar to me. I've heard the 100 is an improvement over the 600, but so far...this is not the case.

Oh boy this H20-100 is killing me...and I haven't even gotten the new firmware. When my 600 died, I was sent the 100. Right away I noticed that the saturation was off as well as my blacks weren't really black anymore. I am also noticing during dark scenes a very faint wave moving from the right to the left on my screen. It's brighter than the rest of the picture, thus it stands out and is highly distracting.

Was wondering if others were having issues with the 100 similar to me. I've heard the 100 is an improvement over the 600, but so far...this is not the case.
Are you connected through component? If so it sounds like your seeing a ground loop, or hum bars. If you can, change over to HDMI and see if it goes away.
Also it might be a bad cable.

I'm not sure the -100 is an improvement over the -600. It's just made by another manufacturer.

Oh boy this H20-100 is killing me...and I haven't even gotten the new firmware. When my 600 died, I was sent the 100. Right away I noticed that the saturation was off as well as my blacks weren't really black anymore. I am also noticing during dark scenes a very faint wave moving from the right to the left on my screen. It's brighter than the rest of the picture, thus it stands out and is highly distracting.

Was wondering if others were having issues with the 100 similar to me. I've heard the 100 is an improvement over the 600, but so far...this is not the case.

you may have a bad cable...did you swap cables and try another to see if the issue persists. blacks not black...look dirty...brownish?

On 7/16/2007 at 11:57, after DirectTV's computers were down the entire day, I contacted *G in customer service to schedule my Movers connection installation. She told me I was scheduled installation on 07/29/2007. On 07/26/2007, I called to confirm the installation, I put in the phone number, and there was nothing scheduled so I was transferred to Technical Support. I was told I was not on the schedule and the earliest installation available was 8/15/2007. I was then given the number for Advanced Technologies and I spoke with *L who scheduled the install for 8/1/2007. I waited 30 minutes and called Direct TV to confirm I was on the schedule for 8/1/2007. I was told I was on the schedule for 8/15/2007. I asked to speak with a supervisor in technical support (I cannot get through to Movers Connection), He confirmed the updated installation date was set for 8/1/2007. Last night, I got online to confirm the order for installation and low and behold, the DirectTV system reflects the installation is unscheduled. tried to call the "Mover's Connection" numbar again, but because there isn't an order in the system. I spoke with *C in technical support and he said that although the notes show installation for 8/1/2007, the system still shows the installation as unscheduled. He also said the earliest available installation date in the system is 8/23/2007. I have been a customer DirectTV now for approximately 5 years and am ready to switch to Dish Network all because of this situation. I was told the delays are due to the weather problems we have had in the region, this is merely an excuse as far as I am concerned. The storms and flooding occurred at the beginning of July and if a large corporation like Direct TV does not have enough vendors or qualified technicians to support their customers, something needs to change.

Guess What...this morning I contacted Advance Technologies to confirm the appointment they scheduled for 8/1/2007. They have no order for the installation. They will not let me speak with a supervisor! They connected me to back to DirectTV's "Movers Connection, because there is no order scheduled in the system, I am transferred to technical support, AGAIN! They try to connect me back to mover’s connection and I am routed back to technical assistance. They tell me to call Advance Technologies and here I am. Looked on the web for Mastek, hoping to call them direct, but all I could find was all of the threads from unhappy customers.

Guess What...this morning I contacted Advance Technologies to confirm the appointment they scheduled for 8/1/2007. They have no order for the installation. They will not let me speak with a supervisor! They connected me to back to DirectTV's "Movers Connection, because there is no order scheduled in the system, I am transferred to technical support, AGAIN! They try to connect me back to mover’s connection and I am routed back to technical assistance. They tell me to call Advance Technologies and here I am. Looked on the web for Mastek, hoping to call them direct, but all I could find was all of the threads from unhappy customers.

This is why people are leaving Dir*. If i was as mad as you, i would switch now while you can. They are not the only people in town.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Skippy

I just received an update (S/W) for my H20-100. I think this resolves the issue of the channel 499 dilema and noticing the 99/103 deg slots.

Also, now the box is alot slower!!!! :mad:

My H20-100 box also received the new software at around 3:40 am on 7/30/07. I now see what everyone is talking about with the box working so slowly. I sure hope it speeds up after some time. It is difficult to use with its sluggish response and has really frustrated other members of my family since the upgrade.

Jeff

I'm not sure of the model number on my receiver but it is either an H20-100 or H20-600 and I received the update sometime today. Since the update I have also experienced very sluggish menus and overall bad performance from the receiver. I wonder if they even added interactivity since they had been working on it for like 8 months.

Similar issues here with my H20-100. The remote input is super sensitive now! Mom is having a terrible time entering channels, it wants to double and triple the numbers that she presses, and she is using the remote like she always has... So it's safe to say that this upgrade is seriously hosed. And yes, I too have the sluggish menu problem.

Also noted on this upgrade for what it's worth, the font displayed is different and the channel logos have been updated.

Regards,
Steve

They did add interactivity to the H20-100 with the latest upgrade but it behaves very slowly. If you go to the sports mix channel and don't wait for the highlighted border to show up before pressing a navigation button, it does not respond and you have to go to the previous channel and then back again. If you press the active button an interactive page is displayed but it takes a long time to load and if you press the previous button, the receiver can behave strangely. Certainly doesn't take you to the previous channel. I'm also having very sluggish menus. I hope they find a way to fix this. It's nice to have interactivity but at this point, I'd gladly go back to the way it was before if I had the opportunity.

Also noted on this upgrade for what it's worth, the font displayed is different and the channel logos have been updated.



Seem to be very low res and don't look good at all on my end.

I'd gladly give back interactiveness for this slow a** crap.

Heck, my update just came in yesterday, and I noticed my HD channels (72-95) aren't even showing up. Guess I'll have to give them a call and see what is up.

Didn't I also read, that RF don't work on the remote anymore with this new update? If so, I hope they fix that, as that was a feature I really liked/used.

I'm using RF here for the remote, but as stated, something is really funky about it now.. I have to hit the buttons really fast on the remote, otherwise it adds additional digits! Instead of ch 231, I get 223311 and so on. Very aggravating! I agree, the fonts look horrible! They're big and bloaty looking. I prefer the way the box was working initially. Let's hope it gets fixed soon and we're not stuck with receivers that perform this poorly. :(

Steve

Well, the one fix was a "concern" on the channel 499 test...it's now working. Also, I wonder if it's for the HDMI "handshake" issues they were having with the -100 box?

If it was not for all the hardware problems with D*, I'd have almost "zero" complaints....but 99% of the problems I have are with hardware and their updates that ALWAYS mess up everything then I end up paying for it...LITERALLY!!!!

Does Fios and Cable have these same problems with hardware? I may pay the ETF and move on!!!

One issue with the recent –100 “update”, that I have not seen mentioned here is the change to the signal strength metering. My values for OTA and satellite channels used to average about 75, now I get 95~100 on most. I am pretty sure this is fakery since I still get rain fade as before on mostly HD channels. They seem to have just changed the scaling of the metering, not the sensitivity of the receiver, simply to give us a “feel good” trip. What used to be a pretty good STB is now a slooow POS :(.

What used to be a pretty good STB is now a slooow POS :(.

So true....

I used to complain about the LG (upstairs) -600 and how slow that is, but at least it's got the sensitive HD ota tuner to "make up" for it's short comings....this was a decent, speedy, cool running box....leave it to D* "crack" S/W designers to mess up a good thing.

I've heard of people forcing old S/W onto their STB, but I don't know if that can be done or if it's even worth it.

Make it unanimous, the update is blowsville here, too.

Very slow, can't tell if the input was received, then make a double input, all snafued.

menu is so so so slooooowww.. it's very annoying and I don't know what to do... emails and calls to D* don't seem to make any difference :(

yah, it's official. This update sucks. I hope they fix it SOON. I'm having super slow menus too, it normally takes me 5 seconds to check my most watched channels, and now it's taking me like a full minute to find out what's on my fav channels.

Mine updated yesterday sometime. And you guy's are correct, it is pretty bad. In my case, did not fix the HDMI problem on my Sony WV700. And you are right about the Signal meters, they are about 8-12 points higher than before.

Tom

So true....
I've heard of people forcing old S/W onto their STB, but I don't know if that can be done or if it's even worth it.They’ve got us in a “Catch 22” so it seems. If we were able to return to the 100C version, the remote response would speed up but the Ch. 499 test would fail, hence preventing the reception of the promised new HD channels. Not to mention, missing out on the wonderful Active button :rolleyes: .

What I can’t understand is that D* was sending out pre-releases of the software prior to this forced version and no one reported any problems on this thread or any other I could find. I guess the users that got those updates were either brain-dead or just wanted to have the latest SW for bragging rights. I thought the purpose of beta testing was to get customer responses so corrections could be made before release.

I'm actually getting much better response time on my HD20-600 since I got the update. I don't really know if the navigation is faster but at least I can see something happening on the screen fairly quick after I press a remote button. It used to take 1/2 a second to 1 second to get a response.

I got it several weeks ago. While most things seemed fine, I did have one new problem, while watching my local MPEG-4 news program it would crash and reboot for no reason. Not on any other program or channel. Some may read my posting on another forum, others may not, but I've been working with D* engineering over this. The unit was very stable [sure missing some features etc.] for a year until the first new release came. Then I tried the second version, but it has the same issue.
Well D* was interested enough in this that they sent me a receiver and I've sent mine back to engineering for them to dissect it.
The new one they sent kind of put me through the drill. It downloaded 100C and for the time being I hope they taken me off the list for the newer releases.

So if you're having problems with your -100:
1) go into the setup menu and do a "reset everything". This will flush out the receiver leaving the current software, but give it a fresh start.
2) if you have problems with getting some of your channels [like I did with the new box], go to the D* website and under your account, customer service, troubleshooting, you can find a place to resend your authorization.
3) if none of this helps, then do hold on as they are listening and trying to resolve the issues "we" are having.

BTW: no I don't work for D* but do try to work with them to test and try to fix the problems.

I have I think an easy question. What are the advantages/disadvantage of inputting the rabbit ears for local HD channels through the anntenna in connection on the D* reciever or theough the TV/DTV input on my 42-inch LCD HD set? (Receiver is connected to TV with HDMI cable.)

As far as I can see, the images are equivalent. So far I can list:

Through Receiver: channels selected by same guide on remote. No need to switch inputs using the TV remote.

Through TV: I can use the TV's Picture in Picture feature.

Ben

This update is REALLY bad. I have never had random re-boots with the -100 until now. This really stinks because this is the first box in a LONG time where I did not have random re-boots.....Now I do!!!

I hate spending hours at a time with D* "tech support" then mess ups in billing and of course they'll tell me I have to sign on another 2-years for their negligence....frustrating!!!

I think it's time I switch over to FIOS. I've been waiting for the HD roll out to see how that goes, but I don't know. Also, has anyone else noticed that since the update the PQ seems affected...looks washed out and....well....."blah". There is not "pop" to it anymore. Just my "unofficial" observation.

There is a CE version available this weekend (tonight is the first window)
for the -100.

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=93760

If you can, please do check it out... and provide the feedback on it.
One of the specific fixes, is stability (which is in regards to the spontaneous reboots)

I got it several weeks ago. While most things seemed fine, I did have one new problem, while watching my local MPEG-4 news program it would crash and reboot for no reason. Not on any other program or channel. Some may read my posting on another forum, others may not, but I've been working with D* engineering over this. The unit was very stable [sure missing some features etc.] for a year until the first new release came. Then I tried the second version, but it has the same issue.
Well D* was interested enough in this that they sent me a receiver and I've sent mine back to engineering for them to dissect it.
The new one they sent kind of put me through the drill. It downloaded 100C and for the time being I hope they taken me off the list for the newer releases.

So if you're having problems with your -100:
1) go into the setup menu and do a "reset everything". This will flush out the receiver leaving the current software, but give it a fresh start.
2) if you have problems with getting some of your channels [like I did with the new box], go to the D* website and under your account, customer service, troubleshooting, you can find a place to resend your authorization.
3) if none of this helps, then do hold on as they are listening and trying to resolve the issues "we" are having.

BTW: no I don't work for D* but do try to work with them to test and try to fix the problems.While you may not work for D*, you are definitely in league with them. Your previous posts have had the tone of an apologist for the company and their products. You use terms like “issues” rather than “problems” and make a statement, “I got it several weeks ago. While most things seemed fine . . .” when everyone else knows the H20 is now performing terrible. Your list of fixes really cracked me up when you said. “go into the setup menu and do a "reset everything". That’s the kind of bull we get from D*’s CSRs. Then the crowning glory, “if none of this helps, then do hold on as they are listening and trying to resolve the issues "we" are having”. This SW should have been tested before release and never foisted on the customers in this condition. There is simply no excuse for it, IMNSHO.

I have I think an easy question. What are the advantages/disadvantage of inputting the rabbit ears for local HD channels through the anntenna in connection on the D* reciever or theough the TV/DTV input on my 42-inch LCD HD set? (Receiver is connected to TV with HDMI cable.)

As far as I can see, the images are equivalent. So far I can list:

Through Receiver: channels selected by same guide on remote. No need to switch inputs using the TV remote.

Through TV: I can use the TV's Picture in Picture feature.

Ben

I have my outside antennae hooked up to my D* receiver and separately to my TV. This is a matter of preference. Quality of picture is no different from what I can notice. At least there would be no rain fade using an antennae vs having the D* local channels spotbeamed to your receiver. Prior to getting the HR 20 receiver, I have a Panasonic PVR and was able to tape a program on D* while watching another program on the TV using the ATSC tuner.

The "reset to original configuration/reset everything" does NOT DO A DAMN THING in regards to the speed of the menus etc.. after the s/w "upgrade". Believe me, I have tried everything and this unit still sucks. Thanks D* for making a nice box a POS.

While you may not work for D*, you are definitely in league with them. Your previous posts have had the tone of an apologist for the company and their products. You use terms like “issues” rather than “problems” and make a statement, “I got it several weeks ago. While most things seemed fine . . .” when everyone else knows the H20 is now performing terrible. Your list of fixes really cracked me up when you said. “go into the setup menu and do a "reset everything". That’s the kind of bull we get from D*’s CSRs. Then the crowning glory, “if none of this helps, then do hold on as they are listening and trying to resolve the issues "we" are having”. This SW should have been tested before release and never foisted on the customers in this condition. There is simply no excuse for it, IMNSHO.
I only bother posting to try to help.
Not everybody is having the problems you are. My guide was fine [as in same speed as before] but when it was tuned to a certain channel while watching a certain program would crash.
Is this what yours is doing?
Being on the west coast I got the national release [actually two national releases] earlier than other users.
D* is releasing another "test" version this weekend.
If this isn't helpful to you then just ignore my postings and I will yours, as other than wanting to be of some help, I have no vested interest, and could care less about someone bitching, pissing, or whatever.

This update is REALLY bad. I have never had random re-boots with the -100 until now. This really stinks because this is the first box in a LONG time where I did not have random re-boots.....Now I do!!!

I hate spending hours at a time with D* "tech support" then mess ups in billing and of course they'll tell me I have to sign on another 2-years for their negligence....frustrating!!!

I think it's time I switch over to FIOS. I've been waiting for the HD roll out to see how that goes, but I don't know. Also, has anyone else noticed that since the update the PQ seems affected...looks washed out and....well....."blah". There is not "pop" to it anymore. Just my "unofficial" observation.If you have read any of my posts on this thread, you know I am no friend of D* or their current SW upgrade. I have had a couple of re-boots since the uprade. I can say however that the PQ from my H20 has not changed. HD and SD channels look about the same, no better or worse. I guess PQ is not one I can lay on them at this time. :)

My H20-100 box seems to be getting a little more responsive, especially with scrolling of the guide data. It is still very slow to respond to most remote control inputs but since the guide data is moving more responsively when I page up and down, I am at least a little optimistic that the remote control input responsiveness will continue to improve some over the coming week or so.

One other weird annoyance with this upgrade is when I hit the "select" button at any time, my receiver send an audible "bong" [low volume] or sound to the speakers...sounds like like a kettle drum with a sustain...anyone else experience this?

One other weird annoyance with this upgrade is when I hit the "select" button at any time, my receiver send an audible "bong" [low volume] or sound to the speakers...sounds like like a kettle drum with a sustain...anyone else experience this?

These are "sound effects" that can be turned off in the audio menu.


I had a completely separate problem. I woke up today to find my H20 giving me information in Spanish. I checked and the preferred language was still listed as English. Luckily, I speak enough Spanish that I could go through the menus to find the option to reset everything, and it is again back to English now.

On a third note, does anyone know the importance of setting the multiswitch type in the original setup options to 4x4 versus 6x8. Obviously, I know the differences in the multiswitch, but I had been having some problems with my connections and had taken the 6x8 multiswitch out of the equation the last few days. So, when I did the reset everything this morning, I set it to 4x4. Now, I've fixed the problem at the sat, and I put the 6x8 back in the system. Should I go back and redo the setting? It seems to be recognizing all the satellites without problems.

TIA

SMK

I believe this has been reported by others but this just happened so I thought I'd throw it out there. My Samsung Slimfit TV died a few weeks ago (1 week out of warranty but we'll forget that for now). Yesterday I purchased a 42 inch Philips LCD Tv. When I hooked it up, it had an HDMI handshake issue and the TV would alternately tune the signal in and then lose it again. I hooked up the Component video cables instead and switched the input to those. It worked fine all last night. When I turned everything on today, I got a message that I was attempting to view protected content over the HDMI cable even though I was using the Component video output. The only way to get any programming was to disconnect the HDMI cable.

My H20-100 box seems to be getting a little more responsive, especially with scrolling of the guide data. It is still very slow to respond to most remote control inputs but since the guide data is moving more responsively when I page up and down, I am at least a little optimistic that the remote control input responsiveness will continue to improve some over the coming week or so.

In my case, i called tech support, they had me reprogram the remote completely. It seems to be back to at least the previous speed and not the slow speed that it had been since the update. She showed me where to change the fonts back to what they were before also. Still no HDMI for my Sony nor did it fix the lack of Low VHF with the tuner.

Steve

I received a new H20-100 about a week ago to replace a Samsung TS360. The H20 is connected to a 32" LCD TV via HDMI. A few days ago I turned it on and found I could only get the HD channels on the TV ( the SD channels just gave me a "searching for signal"). At first I just sat there with my mouth open.. "now what !!"...I knew a software update was in the making, so checked for that, and discovered an update was performed in the wee hours of the morning...it was 0X2021....so was quite sure it had caused something...got searching around, wound up in the "TV Resolution" part of the menu, and noticed that all resolutions were enabled (480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i)....so as a start, I disabled 480i and exited the menu, tried my channels, AND THEY ALL WORKED !!..Fom this I figured the TV would not accept 480i through the HDMI...Went back in the menu to "TV Resolutions" to re-enable the 480i (to prove a point), but got a "not supported" message, and it would not allow me to enable the 480i resolution. So it must have got set during the new software download. But everything seems to work fine now...EXCEPT: When I go to ch. 499 I get the blank screen(maybe this is OK, I don't know)....However, I also have a H20-600 which I've had for about a year (no software update has been done on it), and ch. 499 on it gives me a looking for signal type message. I swapped the B-Band filter between the two and it makes no difference......Anyways, just wanted to pass this experience on and say that the downloading evidently resets some functions that tend to screw things up for you, but you can correct.

I have my outside antennae hooked up to my D* receiver and separately to my TV..... Quality of picture is no different from what I can notice. ...

I too have a roof mounted antenna pointed towards New York City.
It allows me to receive the sub channels that are not carried by DTV.
It allows me to receive local stations where the voices are in synch with the
actors lips.

To me this whole HD thing is a work in progress.
The whole mess will settle down in a couple of years.

I received a new H20-100 about a week ago to replace a Samsung TS360. The H20 is connected to a 32" LCD TV via HDMI. A few days ago I turned it on and found I could only get the HD channels on the TV ( the SD channels just gave me a "searching for signal"). At first I just sat there with my mouth open.. "now what !!"...I knew a software update was in the making, so checked for that, and discovered an update was performed in the wee hours of the morning...it was 0X2021....so was quite sure it had caused something...got searching around, wound up in the "TV Resolution" part of the menu, and noticed that all resolutions were enabled (480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i)....so as a start, I disabled 480i and exited the menu, tried my channels, AND THEY ALL WORKED !!..Fom this I figured the TV would not accept 480i through the HDMI...Went back in the menu to "TV Resolutions" to re-enable the 480i (to prove a point), but got a "not supported" message, and it would not allow me to enable the 480i resolution. So it must have got set during the new software download. But everything seems to work fine now...EXCEPT: When I go to ch. 499 I get the blank screen(maybe this is OK, I don't know)....However, I also have a H20-600 which I've had for about a year (no software update has been done on it), and ch. 499 on it gives me a looking for signal type message. I swapped the B-Band filter between the two and it makes no difference......Anyways, just wanted to pass this experience on and say that the downloading evidently resets some functions that tend to screw things up for you, but you can correct.

Your HR-20 has received periodic firmware updates and you probably just don't know it. Go into system info menu and check for your current firmware; it will give you the date. What you see is proper for a working BBC.

Your H20, from what I understand, cannot perform the channel 499 test with the current firmware. One should be available soon that will give you the "Searching for satellite" if your BBC is working properly. It should download automatically.


(Originally posted by Veryoldschool)
100C won't pass the BBC test. You need the newer software [either 2020 or 2021]. This should auto-download to you soon.
Then run the BBC test and see if you get the [correct] 771 error for 499 or the message screen "you need to call D*".

Your HR-20 has received periodic firmware updates and you probably just don't know it. Go into system info menu and check for your current firmware; it will give you the date. What you see is proper for a working BBC.

Your H20, from what I understand, cannot perform the channel 499 test with the current firmware. One should be available soon that will give you the "Searching for satellite" if your BBC is working properly. It should download automatically.


(Originally posted by Veryoldschool)
100C won't pass the BBC test. You need the newer software [either 2020 or 2021]. This should auto-download to you soon.
Then run the BBC test and see if you get the [correct] 771 error for 499 or the message screen "you need to call D*".

Thank you for your comments...but a little confusing....I never stated that I have a HR-20, but have a H20-600 (about a year old) and a new H20-100. In the menu of the new H20-100 it states that the latest "software" is 0X2021, loaded July 30 ( the term "firmware" is not used, although perhaps it should be). Are you saying with the latest "software" 0X2021 having been loaded to the H20-100 that I should be getting something other than a blank screen at CH. 499?

"In my case, i called tech support, they had me reprogram the remote completely. It seems to be back to at least the previous speed and not the slow speed that it had been since the update. She showed me where to change the fonts back to what they were before also. Still no HDMI for my Sony nor did it fix the lack of Low VHF with the tuner"

You fixed the slow menu speeds from the update? How? Fonts back to normal? How?
I am getting so so frustrated with the slow remoteand menu speeds ! :((

Thank you for your comments...but a little confusing....I never stated that I have a HR-20, but have a H20-600 (about a year old) and a new H20-100. In the menu of the new H20-100 it states that the latest "software" is 0X2021, loaded July 30 ( the term "firmware" is not used, although perhaps it should be). Are you saying with the latest "software" 0X2021 having been loaded to the H20-100 that I should be getting something other than a blank screen at CH. 499?
With that software on the H20-100 you should be seeing the 771 error message or the D* screen saying they aren't installed or you need to call xxx-xxx-xxxx

"In my case, i called tech support, they had me reprogram the remote completely. It seems to be back to at least the previous speed and not the slow speed that it had been since the update. She showed me where to change the fonts back to what they were before also. Still no HDMI for my Sony nor did it fix the lack of Low VHF with the tuner"

You fixed the slow menu speeds from the update? How? Fonts back to normal? How?
I am getting so so frustrated with the slow remoteand menu speeds ! :((

My tech support lady fixed it somehow by talking me thru the reprogramming of my remote control. (white one), she specifically asked if i had the "white one" which i did. I remember going to the setup menu, she asked what TV i had (sony) gave me code number, hit a few buttons and then it worked fine. Which i called them in the beginning, after doing some stuff on the screen, it was frozen completely, no buttons worked at all. She had me do all the reprogramming on the buttons located on the H100 itself. I do remember hitting the BACK and SELECT button right before the code she told me to enter. To be honest, it when so fast, i didn't pay that much attention. ( I should have taken notes, sorry). I was expecting the worst and somehow it all worked out fine. With regard to the Font, that was in the REMOTE section of the setup menu. There is a sub-menu where you can choice that kind of stuff. it was on whatever and she had me change it to COURIER setting. Sorry to be so long winded.

Steve

With that software on the H20-100 you should be seeing the 771 error message or the D* screen saying they aren't installed or you need to call xxx-xxx-xxxx


Thanks for the response, VOS...However: called D* CS and was told that his information is that I would get the blank screen until the SW Version 2020 was downloaded, which was scheduled for mid-August. So evidently the SW Ver. 0X2021 that I just got about a week ago does not result in the "searching for satellite" screen. So will hang loose for a couple of weeks and see what develops.

My H20-100 (software version 0x2021 @ 7/30/07) shows "searching for sat sig" on channel 499 for what it is worth.

As for the font, go to Menu/Setup/Settings/Display/Captioning. However, I'm not sure it does much. Everything looks the same to me no matter what I pick.

Hmm.. re-progamming the remote for your tv should not affect the H20 box itself, only the commands for the tv. The controls for the H20 are still separate.. and I know the font command.. but it doesn't do anything.. hmmm

Thanks for the response, VOS...However: called D* CS and was told that his information is that I would get the blank screen until the SW Version 2020 was downloaded, which was scheduled for mid-August. So evidently the SW Ver. 0X2021 that I just got about a week ago does not result in the "searching for satellite" screen. So will hang loose for a couple of weeks and see what develops.
Now I sure don't know everything [and have been wrong along the way] but I think I'm getting better than most D* CSRs. :)
I've been running 2021, 2022. & now 2028

My H20-100 (software version 0x2021 @ 7/30/07) shows "searching for sat sig" on channel 499 for what it is worth.

As for the font, go to Menu/Setup/Settings/Display/Captioning. However, I'm not sure it does much. Everything looks the same to me no matter what I pick.

Your response is worth a lot...it means I may have got some bum dope from the D* CSR that I talked to...but to close the loop, let me ask if you have also gotten a ver. 2020 download (I'm sure you would have mentioned it if you had, but have to ask) ?....

Now I sure don't know everything [and have been wrong along the way] but I think I'm getting better than most D* CSRs. :)
I've been running 2021, 2022. & now 2028

From what I've seen in this Forum, my money is on you......(BTW, you didn't mention 2020...).....Thanks for your inputs.

From what I've seen in this Forum, my money is on you......(BTW, you didn't mention 2020...).....Thanks for your inputs.
That would be because I don't remember using it. :)

Hmm.. re-progamming the remote for your tv should not affect the H20 box itself, only the commands for the tv. The controls for the H20 are still separate.. and I know the font command.. but it doesn't do anything.. hmmm

that's what I figured except that the BACK or END command did not work nor did the up / down arrow buttons on the remote

Longstanding problem with my H20, which I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced. The symptom is that channels 290-298 (my kids' favorites, of course) and sports package HDs (i.e. MLB EI HDs) pixelize/freeze/771 "searching for signal" like crazy. This doesn't happen on any other channels, including other HD channels (e.g. local HDs, ESPN HD, etc.). I'm not running DVR. Also, I don't have any reception problems whatsoever on my two other (non-HD) receivers in the house. Signal strength is very good. I'm going to try swapping receivers within the house to see if the problem follows the receiver, but in the meantime I thought I'd describe the issue here on the chance that someone has experienced something similar. The symptoms strike me as very, very odd since they are limited just as I described.
Oh, I called D* on this and they sent a tech out who seemingly fiddled with the dish aim but didn't resolve the problem at all. Also, they charged me $70 after saying there would be no charge. Any advice on how to deal with D* on this while I'm at it other than demanding a refund and another service call? Any magic words I should use or particular departments I should ask to speak to?

My h20-600 is completely hosed! At first the channels were coming in very patchy, and only some of them. Now it looks like I can't get any channels. I reset the receiver multiple times. Has to be this firmware(2024) as it came in last night, and my other H10 receiver is working fine.

Called Directv and they are gonna charge me $14.95 for someone to come out. Crooks! They broke my service and are now charging me for someone to fix the service that I pay them for every month?!! The h20 isn't even owned it's leased!
I argued with the lady (~40 mins) until she credited my account $15 for loss of service to make up for the 14.95 service call. It really wasn't worht my time, but on principle I couldn't let it go.

Anyone have 2024 come in and have similar results?

My h20-600 is completely hosed! At first the channels were coming in very patchy, and only some of them. Now it looks like I can't get any channels. I reset the receiver multiple times. Has to be this firmware(2024) as it came in last night, and my other H10 receiver is working fine.

Called Directv and they are gonna charge me $14.95 for someone to come out. Crooks! They broke my service and are now charging me for someone to fix the service that I pay them for every month?!! The h20 isn't even owned it's leased!
I argued with the lady (~40 mins) until she credited my account $15 for loss of service to make up for the 14.95 service call. It really wasn't worht my time, but on principle I couldn't let it go.

Anyone have 2024 come in and have similar results?

I wasn't aware the -600 had a new firmware release yet?

Doug

My h20-600 is completely hosed! At first the channels were coming in very patchy, and only some of them. Now it looks like I can't get any channels. I reset the receiver multiple times. Has to be this firmware(2024) as it came in last night, and my other H10 receiver is working fine.

Called Directv and they are gonna charge me $14.95 for someone to come out. Crooks! They broke my service and are now charging me for someone to fix the service that I pay them for every month?!! The h20 isn't even owned it's leased!
I argued with the lady (~40 mins) until she credited my account $15 for loss of service to make up for the 14.95 service call. It really wasn't worht my time, but on principle I couldn't let it go.

Anyone have 2024 come in and have similar results?

Ok. After I settled down from being completely wound up by Directv incompetence/arrogance. I decided to do a complete [reset everything] instead of [restart receiver] which I had tried a couple of times. This seemed to do the trick. I lost my custom favorite channels list, which is very annoying. However the h20 is up and working. Just as slow as ever.

For that last 2 years I have been using ny H20 with a usb to serial adapter so that I can have my mac mini+eyeTV change the channel when needed.
Since this morning I can't anymore as a new firmware was pushed last night.
I ran my code in debug mode and saw that the H20 still send me nack response to my serial command but I get error returned instead of having the H20 changing to the proper channel (was working yesterday).
Does anyone has this problem too ?!

Thanks. Rodolphe

For that last 2 years I have been using ny H20 with a usb to serial adapter so that I can have my mac mini+eyeTV change the channel when needed.
Since this morning I can't anymore as a new firmware was pushed last night.
I ran my code in debug mode and saw that the H20 still send me nack response to my serial command but I get error returned instead of having the H20 changing to the proper channel (was working yesterday).


Trying changing your setup from a baud rate of 115200 down to 9600 now.

Trying changing your setup from a baud rate of 115200 down to 9600 now.

That did it .. I should have think about that this morning but wasn't fully awake yet (I was still drinking my first coffee :p ).

Anybody know why they did that ?

Anyway thanks, it's now working fine.

R.

Well mine just downloaded 2024 last night, and now my learning universal remote is useless.

I guess I'll have to reprogram it.

Oh well, I did notice one thing though.

On Fox Sports Net channels, eventhough they are not HD being on channel 652 and 653, they are now presented in a widescreen format that fills up the whole screen.

They are not stretched out, and when I change to 1080i/stretch or 1080i/pillar box, the nothing happens, it always fills up the entire screen.

Its pretty cool that is the correct aspect ratio, eventhough it still isn't in HD.

I've noticed this, too, in the channel range (246 to 286) that we watch a lot. The problem is that, on some of those channels, the 16:9 aspect ratio isn't quite correct (the picture is stretched horizontally a little more than it should be - the people look a little "fat"). If I cycle my TV through the various aspect ratios, it finally gets it right (I have my TV aspect ratio normally set to "Set by Program", which usually displays 4:3, SD, and 16:9, HD, video in the correct ratios).

It happens on shows that were shot in the "widescreen" mode to start with (which used to show up as letterboxed on a 4:3 screen. It seems that they are playing around with the screen formatting to match that I get off the equivalent DVDs (also in SD - 720 x 480i - format) - a good thing.

The latest problem to show up (with the upgrade), and more disturbing than the "slow menu response", is that they seem to have disabled the AGC control (volume leveling information code) of program material. The commercials blast through at 10dB (or more) higher volume than the TV program itself. I have to keep changing the volume control (or hit "mute"). The worst commercials seem to be the ones telling me to buy a DirecTV subscription (or others that are even more ridiculous or objectionable - the more objectionable, the louder it is). Right now I'm watching channel 271 (History International), and it's real bad - the TV program Vol = 42 is the same loudness as some of the commercials at Vol = 25-30.

Not sure if this was covered in previous posts but I did not find it so I will throw out my solution for the H20 Audio Sync issue.
My new H20 had bad audio sync issues but it is fixed.
H20 to my LCD via HDMI
H20 to my reciever via Toslink optical.
Instead of going directly from the H20 to the reciever, my Samsung LCD Outputs audio to my receiver via Toslink Optical.

Instantly corrected any sync issues I had.
But is the audio still DD5.1? When I try something similar I only get PCM, are you sending the audio to your TV via HDMI? i believe a lot of sets have problems with taking DD in via HDMI and then sending them back out to an audio receiver as PCM

For those that have already purchased the HR20 and also wish to have a non-DirecTV firm install the equipment, has anyone had experience with DirecTV offering credits after the fact? When I purchased my HR 10-250 DirecTV gave me, after purchase, a $250 credit along with six free months of the HD package and six free months of HBO. Any similar offers with the HR20? I plan on purchasing two HR20 receivers plus a 5 LNB dish and would prefer not to pay full price, but since I have "moved" delivering the equipment and installing at my residential address would be a problem. Thanks!

But is the audio still DD5.1? When I try something similar I only get PCM, are you sending the audio to your TV via HDMI? i believe a lot of sets have problems with taking DD in via HDMI and then sending them back out to an audio receiver as PCM

Worse, in my case, my now ageing RCA RT2250 receiver in wired to see the single optical audio input or coax input only when set on SAT, CD, or DVD mode. When set to receive audio from the TV it defaults to analog. It will produce DD.5.1 only for SAT or DVD input (Prologic for all VCR and TV; Stereo for CD, TAPE and TUNER).

I guess to get DD5.1 from OTA stations I have to connect the antenna to the antenna in port on the HR20-100 rather than the TV/DTV port on the TV (thus forgoing PIP).

Ben

sorry for the n00b question, but can i set the H20 remote (R32) to power on/off my audio receiver along with the TV and D* box? Right now i have to slide over to AV1 and manually power the audio receiver on/off...i looked through the R32 manual, and AVS and the internets and couldn't find anything

The upgrade has caused an issue. Every time I use my TV remote to adjust the picture controls, the DirecTV To-Do List menu pops up. Very annoying.

D* force-fed another "update" 2021 to my H20 last Monday. Now I am getting remote interference between it and my Panny DVR :eek: . What a mess and what the hell are these morons up to???? :mad:

Would like to make a correction I had made on a previous post: I had stated that one of the differences on my new H20-100 from my older H20-600 was that when programmed to turn on for a later program ( "Autotune", so as to record a program to my DVD recorder), that the H20-100 would turn itslf ON and Off. Change tht to the H20-100 will turn itself On, but will not turn itself OFF.

On another note, I have called D* two different times about not getting the "searching for signal" on ch. 499 on my HD-100 (present F/W 0x2021) and both times have been told that can't use ch.499 for that purpose till I get F/W 2020 downloaded, due mid-August. Don't know what to think, as others have posted getting the indication on their H20-100's. Also, it would seem that a F/W 2020 update would be a "backward" update, assuming they run in numerical order. I have a bad feeling about the whole thing.

D* force-fed another "update" 2021 to my H20 last Monday. Now I am getting remote interference between it and my Panny DVR :eek: . What a mess and what the hell are these morons up to???? :mad:
D* engineering just sent me a new H20-100 which came with 2021 installed. I thought I'd see if it would update to the newer version by forcing a download. Guess what it gave me: 100C. You might find the old software if you force a download during the day. FWIW
Here is where you can see what you would download if you forced the software:
http://www.redh.com/dtv/index.php?r=H20

D* engineering just sent me a new H20-100 which came with 2021 installed. I thought I'd see if it would update to the newer version by forcing a download. Guess what it gave me: 100C. You might find the old software if you force a download during the day. FWIW
Here is where you can see what you would download if you forced the software:
http://www.redh.com/dtv/index.php?r=H20Thanks for the info. How do you go about forcing a download?

Thanks for the info. How do you go about forcing a download?
You do a reset [red button or setup menu/reset/reset receiver].
At the first screen [blue Hello] press 0 2 4 6 8 [slowly] on the remote [and Nothing else, no enter or select]
The next thing you should see after a black screen, is "new software found".
Then just wait.......around 90 & 97% it will pause but just keep waiting and it's automatically installed and reboots.
If you miss it on the first try simply repeat [you'll get used to it after a while] Sometimes it may take one or more attempts.
Good luck :)

You do a reset [red button or setup menu/reset/reset receiver].
At the first screen [blue Hello] press 0 2 4 6 8 [slowly] on the remote [and Nothing else, no enter or select]
The next thing you should see after a black screen, is "new software found".
Then just wait.......around 90 & 97% it will pause but just keep waiting and it's automatically installed and reboots.
If you miss it on the first try simply repeat [you'll get used to it after a while] Sometimes it may take one or more attempts.
Good luck :)

Interesting. Can you explain the software schedule that you posted earlier? I have a -600 model but I was under the impression that they did not release any new software at this point.

Thanks again.

Doug

Interesting. Can you explain the software schedule that you posted earlier? I have a -600 model but I was under the impression that they did not release any new software at this point.
Thanks again.
Doug
Just like with the H2-100, the -600 has a new version "rolling out" which is 02024
If you were to force an update it would be what's on transponder #25 [0F14].
What D* is rolling out seems to come off TP #30.
As you look to the right on the website I linked to, you will see some of the beta and test software releases.
Software releases start with the D* internal beta testers.
Then D* will release it to the DBSTalk Cutting Edge forum for CE testing.
Next D* starts a gradual release to customers to see what problems are called into the CSRs.
Finally there is a national release.
So the last Beta was 2027
The CE was 2024
The rollout is 2022
And the current national is 0F14

FWIW: I was pushed 2021 last night, so even if you force 100C, it looks like D* will push the next release back to you over night.

FWIW: I was pushed 2021 last night, so even if you force 100C, it looks like D* will push the next release back to you over night.I kinda figured that. I just tried to force my H20, which was 2021, and it just reloaded 2021 or ignored the download, twice. Well, it was worth a try. At least it didn’t get any worse. Thanks for the effort, VOS. I guess I’ll just have to lump it and hope for better software down the road.

I believe that most users don’t notice the problems and the ones of us that do, are not enough of a factor to coax them to fix it, so sad :(

I kinda figured that. I just tried to force my H20, which was 2021, and it just reloaded 2021 or ignored the download, twice. Well, it was worth a try. At least it didn’t get any worse. Thanks for the effort, VOS. I guess I’ll just have to lump it and hope for better software down the road.

I believe that most users don’t notice the problems and the ones of us that do, are not enough of a factor to coax them to fix it, so sad :(
We had a CE this weekend 202A with the one press guide feature, so D* is still working on it.
The only other thing would be to do the reset everything [if you haven't yet] to see if it will clear up anything for you.
I know right now I'm fighting with my remote in RF, that my other H20 didn't do, but I didn't have 2021 for very long before as it went to CE software quickly to try to fix the crashing on my local HD news programs. [I'm now on my second replacement].
The more units I work with, the more they seem to vary with the same software.

sorry for bottom-posting, but is there a way to get my H20 remote (R32) to turn my audio receiver on, in addition to my TV and D* receiver all at the same time (instead of having to slide over to AV1 and press PWR)? I couldn't find anything in the R32 manual or elsewhere on the web, hoping someone slaps down a link with the info because i'd rather look stupid but get this to work than otherwise

Similar issues here with my H20-100. The remote input is super sensitive now! Mom is having a terrible time entering channels, it wants to double and triple the numbers that she presses, and she is using the remote like she always has... So it's safe to say that this upgrade is seriously hosed. And yes, I too have the sluggish menu problem.

Also noted on this upgrade for what it's worth, the font displayed is different and the channel logos have been updated.

Regards,
Steve

I received the 2020 firmware upgrade to my H20-100 on 07/16/07. Since then I have noticed that when I try to use the "centering" option in the settings/display menu it does not work anymore. Anyone else having this issue? I called D* and they told me they were not aware of the problem and that they would escalate the issue upwards. Just wondering if I have something set wrong.

I know this has probably been answered before, but can the H20 be used for OTA reception only (without a subscription)? I have read that it has a better OTA tuner than my old RCA210, and I can get one locally for little $$. TIA.

No it can't. The local electronics store sell a new 5th generation OTA only tuner for around $150 (Samsung, I believe). It is a very good tuner, I'd go that route.

I know this has probably been answered before, but can the H20 be used for OTA reception only (without a subscription)? I have read that it has a better OTA tuner than my old RCA210, and I can get one locally for little $$. TIA.

Called D* again to complain about lack of HDMI support over the past 8 months, and how the software fix made things worst for awhile. Decided to cancel service. When asked why, I gave them everything thing that had gone wrong since I got my H20. Was transferred to Tech support one last time, was informed that ALL my problems are due to me not having the new 5 LNB dish and that "It will fix everything including the HDMI problem" . I just had to go along with this new "offer" and will get this installed early next week for no charge plus a credit on future invoices for my problems. I can't believe that the dish is the culprit after all these months. I'll play along and when my HDMI still does not work, I'll cancel then.

Up to my 4 cents worth now!

Tom

Called D* again to complain about lack of HDMI support over the past 8 months, and how the software fix made things worst for awhile. Decided to cancel service. When asked why, I gave them everything thing that had gone wrong since I got my H20. Was transferred to Tech support one last time, was informed that ALL my problems are due to me not having the new 5 LNB dish and that "It will fix everything including the HDMI problem" . I just had to go along with this new "offer" and will get this installed early next week for no charge plus a credit on future invoices for my problems. I can't believe that the dish is the culprit after all these months. I'll play along and when my HDMI still does not work, I'll cancel then.

Up to my 4 cents worth now!

Tom

Tell them you want an HR20 for free when the dish doesn't fix your problem to see if that boxes HDMI interface works better. I had a Sceptre for awhile that the H20-600 didn't like on HDMI replaced it with a HR20 and all was better so it might be worth a shot, all depends on how bad D* wants to keep you as a customer.

You might also want to try a Cutting Edge release when it becomes available, this is software that D* makes available for limited times which includes fixes and new features before it's rolled out to the national used base. Check out the Cutting Edge section at www.dbstalk.com, you need to register at the site but it's free. I say that since my H20 and a Dell had a problem with audio not working when both boxes powered up at the same time. I started to load the CE releases, and when they didn't fix the problem noted it on the problem log, in a few releases it was working again. So it might be something you want to give a shot if you really would prefer to not cancel.

Pardon me if this has been answered before but there are a heck of a lot of posts here to try and read through. After a lot of hassles I finally got upgraded to mpeg4 yesterday. I got two H20-600's (boy they do get warm as reported throughout this thread). So far, so good, they are working fine, What I'd like to know is if these receivers can receive over the air channels that are not considered to be in your market. I know you can set up one additional market, for example Chicago is my major market and Rockford, Illinois is my "secondary" market. With my old Zenith receiver I could manually add over the air digital channels from South Bend, Indiana which I can receive fairly often. With these two H20's is there a way to manually add the third market channels or am I stuck with what's in D*'s database for my area? I've scanned through the instruction manuals and can't find any information about this. Thanks in advance for any help!

I have the H20-100, before the update, i used to have a tab called secondary markets which was below the tab called primary markets. It was nice because I could tune-in Youngstown channels and Cleveland channels at the same time. Now, the secondary tab is gone (unless its somewhere else) after the update. Sorry if I couldn't answer the question directly in your case H20-600.

Skippy

Thanks anyway Skippy. I'll keep looking around. Also, I just noticed that each of my receivers have different software versions. One of them has "original version" 000a and the other one has "original version" 0160, both of which stated they were updated yesterday. What could be the reason for the different software versions? As far as I can see there is no difference in the operation or the menus of either units.

Thanks

If memory serves me right, some of the units whether they are 100 or 600 models were made in different countries. That could be the reason. The first H20-100 i received was made in a totally different country that my last H20-100. ( i've had 4 so far, 3 went bad).

Skippy

All,

Great thread. I still can't believe there are so many posts for this piece of .... equipment :)

Question: I have a H20-600. It's slow, hot (even when turned off), etc. I'm thinking about throwing down a C note for a -100 off of Ebay.

Is it worth it?

Thanks.

Thanks anyway Skippy. I'll keep looking around. Also, I just noticed that each of my receivers have different software versions. One of them has "original version" 000a and the other one has "original version" 0160, both of which stated they were updated yesterday. What could be the reason for the different software versions? As far as I can see there is no difference in the operation or the menus of either units.

Thanks
It's not the original version that means anything but the version below that which should be 0F14 which is the current national release.

All,

Great thread. I still can't believe there are so many posts for this piece of .... equipment :)

Question: I have a H20-600. It's slow, hot (even when turned off), etc. I'm thinking about throwing down a C note for a -100 off of Ebay.

Is it worth it?

Thanks.
If you need to good OTA tuner that the -600 has, then no.
If you don't need the OTA tuner then I wait for the H21 to come out.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=876242

If you need to good OTA tuner that the -600 has, then no.
If you don't need the OTA tuner then I wait for the H21 to come out.

Thank you much, VOS. It looks like the H21 would be perfect. I do admit that I will miss grilling steaks on the H20-600...but I'll get over it.

Now, any idea how I can get my grubby little hands on a H21?

It's not the original version that means anything but the version below that which should be 0F14 which is the current national release.

Ah, thanks VOS, both of my units do show 0F14. I'm not very experienced with these recievers and didn't realize that you could scroll down and get more info. Now if I could figure out how to get local digital stations from two different directions without losing the first set, I'd be all set.

Thanks !!!

Question: I have a H20-600. It's slow, hot (even when turned off), etc. I'm thinking about throwing down a C note for a -100 off of Ebay.

If you are planning on using the H20 long-term I would go for it. The odds of your -100 lasting longer and running more efficiently are a lot better than hoping the -600 doesn't go bad. I went through 3 of the latter last year and would never use one again.

Everytime I see someone saying the -600 is bad, I feel compelled to step in and point out that I have had two of them running flawlessly for over a year now. No need to be afraid of them.

Tell them you want an HR20 for free when the dish doesn't fix your problem to see if that boxes HDMI interface works better. I had a Sceptre for awhile that the H20-600 didn't like on HDMI replaced it with a HR20 and all was better so it might be worth a shot, all depends on how bad D* wants to keep you as a customer.

You might also want to try a Cutting Edge release when it becomes available, this is software that D* makes available for limited times which includes fixes and new features before it's rolled out to the national used base. Check out the Cutting Edge section at www.dbstalk.com, you need to register at the site but it's free. I say that since my H20 and a Dell had a problem with audio not working when both boxes powered up at the same time. I started to load the CE releases, and when they didn't fix the problem noted it on the problem log, in a few releases it was working again. So it might be something you want to give a shot if you really would prefer to not cancel.

To be fair, if you take on the CE you need to be aware that you are supposed to participate in the forum and report any problems--which you will probably have--the life of a beta tester.

Pardon me if this has been answered before but there are a heck of a lot of posts here to try and read through. After a lot of hassles I finally got upgraded to mpeg4 yesterday. I got two H20-600's (boy they do get warm as reported throughout this thread). So far, so good, they are working fine, What I'd like to know is if these receivers can receive over the air channels that are not considered to be in your market. I know you can set up one additional market, for example Chicago is my major market and Rockford, Illinois is my "secondary" market. With my old Zenith receiver I could manually add over the air digital channels from South Bend, Indiana which I can receive fairly often. With these two H20's is there a way to manually add the third market channels or am I stuck with what's in D*'s database for my area? I've scanned through the instruction manuals and can't find any information about this. Thanks in advance for any help!

To my knowledge there is no way to add a third market or to update the channels after moving the antennae. I can receive three markets as well. What I do is set the primary and secondary markets via zip codes. This should identify the OTA channels for those two markets and add them to your channel lineup. (This works without scanning for OTA channels). I then set the antennae to the third market and do a scan for OTA channels. This should add the OTA channels for the third market to the channel lineup.

Unfortunately, there is no EPG for the third market and the channels do not always appear in the favorite custom 1 or 2 channel settings. (They should appear in all channels). Of course you must adjust the antennae when you want to receive channels within the primary and secondary markets.

If your third market requires moving the antennae to several locations to pick up different stations I do not think you can do this with the D* receivers.

I have an Acurian receiver that allows me to update after each rotation of the antennae. This works very well and should be a feature on all OTA receivers to "dial in" the various stations.

I do not think that D* really cares very much about OTA now that they have local HD stations available via satellite. (The new H21 receiver doesn't even support OTA.) I wouldn't be surprised to see D* drop OTA from all of their receivers in the future.

CE night for the -100
http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=95144

Thanks so much for your info pclement. I thought that if I turned the antenna and did a rescan for the other areas, I'd lose my main market channels. I tried it and it worked like a charm! I just think it's a silly round-a-bout way to add channels from a different area.

I'm going to replace a Samsung DirecTV receiver with an H20. The Samsung has 3 inputs (Satellite In, Cable In, Air In). I'm not close enough to any over the air signals, but do have COX basic cable in addition to DirecTV.

Will the H20 allow me to connect my COX cable to the Air In connection?

Thanks!

I'm going to replace a Samsung DirecTV receiver with an H20. The Samsung has 3 inputs (Satellite In, Cable In, Air In). I'm not close enough to any over the air signals, but do have COX basic cable in addition to DirecTV.

Will the H20 allow me to connect my COX cable to the Air In connection?

Thanks!

No, the H20 has an ATSC tuner for over the air, cable uses QAM or QAM256 which isn't compatible with that tuner.

Called D* again to complain about lack of HDMI support over the past 8 months, and how the software fix made things worst for awhile. Decided to cancel service. When asked why, I gave them everything thing that had gone wrong since I got my H20. Was transferred to Tech support one last time, was informed that ALL my problems are due to me not having the new 5 LNB dish and that "It will fix everything including the HDMI problem" . I just had to go along with this new "offer" and will get this installed early next week for no charge plus a credit on future invoices for my problems. I can't believe that the dish is the culprit after all these months. I'll play along and when my HDMI still does not work, I'll cancel then.

Up to my 4 cents worth now!

Tom

Well the new dish (5LNB) did not fix the problem of my HDMI , Tech admitted problem is in the receiver and software (and some TV's). Tried all three TV's I have, none worked in HDMI mode. We cancelled service afterward. Got them to wave the early termination fee $299 cause I had 13 months left on contract. Don't know what to replace with, but its not a high priority right now. Will just use the local using the OTA and the built-in tuner on the TV till Dire* fixed their many problems. Good Luck to the rest of you, I'm still going to monitor this very good thread and all the upstanding smart information I have personally learned from everyone.

Tom

Thanks so much for your info pclement. I thought that if I turned the antenna and did a rescan for the other areas, I'd lose my main market channels. I tried it and it worked like a charm! I just think it's a silly round-a-bout way to add channels from a different area.

Glad to be of help. I've received a great deal of help from AVSforum over the years and I am very happy to return the favor.

Legal disclaimer: I have never been a DTV customer and seriously doubt I will ever be. Any answer to my question below is highly unlikely to affect my decision in this regard. :-)

Can I trick the H20 unit I had recently bought on eBay to act as a tuner for local digital broadcast channels without having to pay for a DTV account?

I apparently won't purchase DTV account just to watch local digital TV, but I was mislead by the unit description that it can actually do it. It was only after I started it that I read that it doesn't have an active account and it needs to.

Sorry if this had been asked already.

No you can't. You can go to BestBuy and get a 5th generation OTA only NTSC tuner for $150

I kind of figured this would be the official answer from DTV so I am glad I saved the call to them :-)

Then again, I bet it *is* possible. The question is if anyone has figured it out yet and chances are nobody has as hackers are probably trying to figure out better deals than just the local digital broadcast :-)

No you can't. You can go to BestBuy and get a 5th generation OTA only NTSC tuner for $150

Now I know you meant 5th generation OTA ATSC tuner. :)

I kind of figured this would be the official answer from DTV so I am glad I saved the call to them :-)

Then again, I bet it *is* possible. The question is if anyone has figured it out yet and chances are nobody has as hackers are probably trying to figure out better deals than just the local digital broadcast :-)

There are just too many older boxes with OTA tuners that don't need to be on an active account to work. They won't be 5th generation tuners but more like 3rd generation, but since they won't decode the MPEG-4, have been shelfed for the newer stuff.
I have an $800 Sony HD SAT/cable/OTA that is now just sitting on my shelf for the same reason.

Check ebay for old voom boxes great OTA boxes and pretty cheap

A Short Question....

Is the active button supposed to work on a D* H20-600 receiver?

A Short Question....

Is the active button supposed to work on a D* H20-600 receiver?


Yes, it does.

Yes, it does.

Hmm...the active button doesn't do anything on either of my H20-600's. Is there something I need to do or turn on?

Thanks!

Hmm...the active button doesn't do anything on either of my H20-600's. Is there something I need to do or turn on?

Thanks!

Sorry, you are correct, the national release doesn't work yet. I've installed one of the CE releases that does have active working. Want to know what CE's are, go to www.dbstalk.com (sister site for here that's DBS centric) and check out the Cutting Edge section.

Trust me, you aren't missing much.

The VERY slow active features on the H20-100 are nothing great IMHO.

Hmm...the active button doesn't do anything on either of my H20-600's. Is there something I need to do or turn on?
Thanks!
The new software is working it's way towards you. Might be a day to two or maybe a week, but it's on the way.

I currently have an H20 receiver...thinking of upgrading to an HR20 after this last update. Anyone know of any deals of offers for an upgrade? They want to charge me $200+ just for the box!

I currently have an H20 receiver...thinking of upgrading to an HR20 after this last update. Anyone know of any deals of offers for an upgrade? They want to charge me $200+ just for the box!You might want to read some of the posts on this forum thread,
http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=62089&page=94

My H20 was acting up, randomly resetting. i called and the tech guy said that was a known issue and they would replace it for $19 and a 2 year commitment. I asked about an HD DVR, he said it was $300. I said no way. Long story short, the CSR gave me the HD DVR and 3 months of HBO for the $19 shipping fee.

Anyone have trouble with using serial control on an H20 after the recent firmware update of mid August? I have been using an RTI control system to control an H20 and an HR20 for a few months now, and after the recent update, the H20 no longer responds. I tried swapping out the receiver for a new one, which worked fine until the new receiver downloaded the update. WTF?

Anyone have trouble with using serial control on an H20 after the recent firmware update of mid August? I have been using an RTI control system to control an H20 and an HR20 for a few months now, and after the recent update, the H20 no longer responds. I tried swapping out the receiver for a new one, which worked fine until the new receiver downloaded the update. WTF?

Look back 3-10 pages from this page in the thread. I commented about it. They changed the baud rate settings.

The new software is working it's way towards you. Might be a day to two or maybe a week, but it's on the way.

Since both of my H20-600 receivers show a current software version of 0F14 which were both updated on 8/15 (and from what I understand this is the latest version) and with no future upgrades scheduled, I suppose my active or game lounge functions will not be working any time in the near future. I know I'm not missing much, that's not the point, but I find it silly that D* convinces you to upgrade to their supposed top of the line systems and then these receivers don't even offer the capabilities that the little cheap sd receivers do.

I have my HR20-100 working with the seagate freeagent pro 750 Esata.

If I needed to replace the HR20 and used the same seagate drive connected to the new HR20 would it reformat? Or leave my recordings alone?

It will reformat. DirecTV doesn't want to get in trouble with the authorities by having a system that would allow bit level copying of protected HD programming. A hard drive is keyed to the DVR. The first one it connects to will format the drive and register it. If the drive is connected to a different DVR, the key won't match and the drive will be formatted and keyed to the new drive. HR20 questions belong in the HR20 thread in the HD recorders forum. This is the H20 non DVR thread.

I just got D* 2 weeks ago. I originally got an H20-100 in my family room. I decided to get it in my bedroom so I went to Bestbuy and purchased an H20-600.

I have the H20-600 connected through HDMI. Every other time that I turn everything on, the picture is compressed in the middle of the screen. I have to toggle through the resolutions or power cycle the H20-600 to resolve the issue. I also get a popping sound when I change channels. I have tried all different types of settings/configurations with the H20-600 and nothing seems to help.

I called D* about the problem and they sent a replacement. When the replacement arrived, it had scratches all over the front and top. To see if it was the reciever, I installed and called to activate. The replacement was having the same issues so I sent that one back (I kept the unit I purchased new).

Is it possible that my television doesn't like the HDMI from the receiver?

H20's have some compatability issues via HDMI with some TV's. My H20-600 didn't like Spectre and Dell sets. They eventually will get it corrected via software updates, I'd recommend going with component until it's fixed, if you have some component inputs on your TV.

I was thinking that maybe I'll swap the 2 receivers around and see if I experience the same issues.

So it's sounding like this receiver is really a pain. I've been with Direct since 95 or something like that. I've been on month 2 month for some time and DTV is trying to rope be into another commitment with all kinds of free stuf. However, the bundle of Dish with other things I have is also attractive.

Is there a replacement to this H20 anytime soon? If not, I may be making the switch to Dish.

Yes, VOS, sorry, I meant ATSC. rakstr - I have two H20-600's for over a year, they both work very well for me, and I have used them both via component, HDMI, and even S-video out to my VCR. That being said, there is supposed to be an H21 coming soon, VOS knows more about that one that I do.

The new software is working it's way towards you. Might be a day to two or maybe a week, but it's on the way.

Ah, finally, overnight both of my H20-600 receivers upgraded to version 0X02024. I've noticed... all my sat signal strengths are now 90 - 100 as opposed to 60 - 75, the active button now works, game lounge now works, channel logos have updated, the info banner font has changed, XM music backround has changed and there are now "sound effects" when you hit a wrong key on the remote. The menus and guides are a tad slower but not too bad. The only problem I still see is that local Chicago HD channels NBC5 and WGN9 still have slightly out of sync audio. All in all it seems to be a nice upgrade.

The remote control issues with the last update are just a nightmare for me and the sports bar where I work. I'm running an old Lexicon touchscreen remote through a distributed IR system to 14 receivers -- a hodge-podge of D10s and D11s, H10s and H20s along with aging "legacy" HD and SD receivers.

All of a sudden, I have one H20 trying to tune in (for example) channel 77333 when I hit the ESPNHD macro. Another H20 is behaving even more strangely. It will respond to its factory remote, but not at all to the Lexicon. I know the IR repeater is working, as it will control the other H20s and H10s to which I've moved it. No amount of rebooting/resetting offers any relief. And with our setup, there is no way to use the factory remote AND look at the TV at the same time.

Help.... anyone at all....

Oh, and how could I forget this? One of my H20s now occasionally claims there is a multi-switch problem, a message I've never seen before on any D* receiver. I assure you, there is no such problem.

Is there a replacement to this H20 anytime soon? If not, I may be making the switch to Dish.

D*'s going to be coming out with the H21 fairly soon, it's in some user testing now. It's basically just a H20 without the ATSC tuner in it but with an ethernet adapter. And just to head of the screaming, D* has not said that they would be discontinuing the H20 when the H21 comes out.

I have a H20-600 and with the recent early release software that D*'s let some folks test it's a MUCH better box then it has been in the past. Hopefully D* will start pushing that update code out for national release soon.

Ah, finally, overnight both of my H20-600 receivers upgraded to version 0X02024. I've noticed... all my sat signal strengths are now 90 - 100 as opposed to 60 - 75, the active button now works, game lounge now works, channel logos have updated, the info banner font has changed, XM music backround has changed and there are now "sound effects" when you hit a wrong key on the remote. The menus and guides are a tad slower but not too bad. The only problem I still see is that local Chicago HD channels NBC5 and WGN9 still have slightly out of sync audio. All in all it seems to be a nice upgrade.

Did you have to force the upgrade or did it upgrade overnight?

Ugh - the guide is already dog slow, I was hoping the new software would speed it up.

Ah, finally, overnight both of my H20-600 receivers upgraded to version 0X02024. I've noticed... all my sat signal strengths are now 90 - 100 as opposed to 60 - 75, the active button now works, game lounge now works, channel logos have updated, the info banner font has changed, XM music backround has changed and there are now "sound effects" when you hit a wrong key on the remote. The menus and guides are a tad slower but not too bad. The only problem I still see is that local Chicago HD channels NBC5 and WGN9 still have slightly out of sync audio. All in all it seems to be a nice upgrade.

Did you have to force the upgrade or did it upgrade overnight?

Both receivers upgraded on their own at 2:36A.M. according to the info screen.

Oh, and how could I forget this? One of my H20s now occasionally claims there is a multi-switch problem, a message I've never seen before on any D* receiver. I assure you, there is no such problem.

My H20 is having the same issue. It is only on my HD Channels. My HR20 is functioning just fine. Also, just recently my receiver has been freezing up with a gray screen and making one of the most annoying sounds ever.

WTF is going on? I guess it is all this HD testing.

I just got D* 2 weeks ago. I originally got an H20-100 in my family room. I decided to get it in my bedroom so I went to Bestbuy and purchased an H20-600.

I have the H20-600 connected through HDMI. Every other time that I turn everything on, the picture is compressed in the middle of the screen. I have to toggle through the resolutions or power cycle the H20-600 to resolve the issue. I also get a popping sound when I change channels. I have tried all different types of settings/configurations with the H20-600 and nothing seems to help.

I called D* about the problem and they sent a replacement. When the replacement arrived, it had scratches all over the front and top. To see if it was the reciever, I installed and called to activate. The replacement was having the same issues so I sent that one back (I kept the unit I purchased new).

Is it possible that my television doesn't like the HDMI from the receiver?


Quick Update:
The new firmware has eliminated the strange picture that occurs during power up, but I am still getting the popping noise when changing channels.

Is there a way to force this update to my H20?
(Since I have VOIP, a phone line isn't connected, but can be if needed)

Watch http://www.dbstalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=118 for windows of opportunity to test new software. Outside of those windows, You have to wait until your receiver has been cleared for an update before you can get it. Then it will happen automatically. A phone line is not involved unlike the case with the Tivo units.

D*'s going to be coming out with the H21 fairly soon, it's in some user testing now. It's basically just a H20 without the ATSC tuner in it but with an ethernet adapter. And just to head of the screaming, D* has not said that they would be discontinuing the H20 when the H21 comes out.

I have a H20-600 and with the recent early release software that D*'s let some folks test it's a MUCH better box then it has been in the past. Hopefully D* will start pushing that update code out for national release soon.

I have an HR20-100 and it has two ethernet ports already. I'm using one for connecting to my Music and Photos on my PC. What do you mean when you say the HR21 has an ethernet "adapter"?

I have an HR20-100 and it has two ethernet ports already. I'm using one for connecting to my Music and Photos on my PC. What do you mean when you say the HR21 has an ethernet "adapter"?

H21, not HR21. Non - DVR.

Oh, and how could I forget this? One of my H20s now occasionally claims there is a multi-switch problem, a message I've never seen before on any D* receiver. I assure you, there is no such problem.

I called customer service on this problem. I was having the same issue. Apparently the latest upgrade set the dish setup back to 3 lnb mode. You need to go back into the menu and change it back to the 5 lnb. That fixed the problem for me.

I received the 2024 software update and it knocked out my HDMI video. I have a H20 600. I plugged in a componient cable for video to another television input and I got video. Bought a new HDMI cable thinking that may be the issue. That did nothing. I called customer support and she said that HDMI doesn't work on the H20. I've used it for well over 18 months and it did work. She said I would need to go purchase componient cables and use those until there was a download/upgrade that they are working on? My PS3 works on both of my input so its not on the tv end or cable.

Do any of you have this problem? The problem is a "bong"sound. It sounds like a quick short drum beat. It happens sometimes when I change channels. One TV is connected to a Home Theater set-up. The other one the sound comes from the TV speakers. Both TV's are HD and are connected to the Directv H20 HD receivers respectively.
Thnx

Do any of you have this problem? The problem is a "bong"sound. It sounds like a quick short drum beat. It happens sometimes when I change channels. One TV is connected to a Home Theater set-up. The other one the sound comes from the TV speakers. Both TV's are HD and are connected to the Directv H20 HD receivers respectively.
Thnx
That is the sound telling you that you hit an invalid button.

I'm hoping someone here can help me out, as I've searched through this forum and haven't found a previous mention of my issue.

My H20 appears to have quit having the ability to display HD - either 720p or 1080i, as well as 480p. The only output that currently works from the receiver is 480i. I've got through resets and reboots without correction.

For HD, the picture turns . . . it displays either in triplicate (three images side-by-side across the screen) without color or as a black screen. Additionally, the black screen doesn't have audio; the triplicate version has intermittent audio.

Under setup, everything appears as it should regarding the TV's ability to display various resolutions. I'm connected through component cables and the connections are solid.

Has anyone else experienced this? And, if so, what was the resolution?

Thanks, in advance, for any insights.

I'm hoping someone here can help me out, as I've searched through this forum and haven't found a previous mention of my issue.

Thanks, in advance, for any insights.


Did you make sure in the setup settings you have it using a 5lnb dish and not a 3lnb? It seems some reboots & software upgrades recently have it auto-resetting it in the menu to the non-correct 3lnb.

I have not and will check that tonight. Thanks for the advice. Any idea as to why that would even matter? It's my (limited) understanding that the 5LNB is more for the locals, so watching ESPN shouldn't be affected.

I called customer service on this problem. I was having the same issue. Apparently the latest upgrade set the dish setup back to 3 lnb mode. You need to go back into the menu and change it back to the 5 lnb. That fixed the problem for me.

Well, the H20-600 worked perfectly last night - wake up this AM after the software download at 3AM and no matter what channel I tune to it looks like someone is outside standing in front of the dish - picture breaks up badly/cuts out (searching for signal). Switched out the HDMI to component - same - reset unit - same - also, NO HD channels at all (messages 721/727 depending on which HD channel one tunes to). The unit has always had a 3 LNB setting (I set during initial setup of the box a couple of weeks ago) because that is what I have. All 4 of the other TVs in the house work perfectly including the main HD set. I will set to the 5 LNB to see if it makes any difference, if not will call D* after work today! The only thing that changed is the software!

Do any of you have this problem? The problem is a "bong"sound. It sounds like a quick short drum beat. It happens sometimes when I change channels. One TV is connected to a Home Theater set-up. The other one the sound comes from the TV speakers. Both TV's are HD and are connected to the Directv H20 HD receivers respectively.
Thnx

You can turn off the sound effects under the settings menu.

I have not and will check that tonight. Thanks for the advice. Any idea as to why that would even matter? It's my (limited) understanding that the 5LNB is more for the locals, so watching ESPN shouldn't be affected.

Per the receiver's summary, I'm still set to the 5LNB. Any other ideas?

Again, thanks for the assistance.

Per the receiver's summary, I'm still set to the 5LNB. Any other ideas?

Again, thanks for the assistance.

The one or two posting about something like this are: a bad cable or the TV being the cause.
Do you have another input on your TV to try. maybe HDMI?

I don't know what happened - got home the broken-up picture/lack of HD channels was all the same. I went into setup and selected the 5 LNB and the procedure started and stalled when it came to the 2 missing LNBs - after waiting I canceled and it took me back to the select LNB screen and I chose the usual 3 - went through the whole process and suddenly TNT-HD appeared in the picture box in the upper corner of the screen - everything was back - 3 LNB selected - HDMI working perfectly - so somewhere somehow it corrected itself.


Well, the H20-600 worked perfectly last night - wake up this AM after the software download at 3AM and no matter what channel I tune to it looks like someone is outside standing in front of the dish - picture breaks up badly/cuts out (searching for signal). Switched out the HDMI to component - same - reset unit - same - also, NO HD channels at all (messages 721/727 depending on which HD channel one tunes to). The unit has always had a 3 LNB setting (I set during initial setup of the box a couple of weeks ago) because that is what I have. All 4 of the other TVs in the house work perfectly including the main HD set. I will set to the 5 LNB to see if it makes any difference, if not will call D* after work today! The only thing that changed is the software!

In my settings, I have the channel banner set at 2 seconds only (I hate that banner).. yet when I change channels, select a channel from the guide, or even hit "previous channel", that darn banner stays on like 10 seconds, and no matter what I do (even constantly hitting "exit" it won't go away... what am I missing here?
Thanks

That is the sound telling you that you hit an invalid button.

You can turn off the sound effects under the settings menu.

Regarding this "bong" ... this sound does not occur just because you hit an invalid button but also occurs when you try to invoke an action such as a channel change. This action was previously available and now no longer is and it pisses me off. I'm referring to the ability to type in a channel number, hit select and it immediately goes to the channel...now the stupid "bong" plays and I have to wait for the channel to switch on its own. Is there a way to return the functionality of the select button?!?! Who was the idiot that thought this change in the functionality was a good idea? geez!

In my settings, I have the channel banner set at 2 seconds only (I hate that banner).. yet when I change channels, select a channel from the guide, or even hit "previous channel", that darn banner stays on like 10 seconds, and no matter what I do (even constantly hitting "exit" it won't go away... what am I missing here?
Thanks

This happened to me a few weeks ago. The only way I could get it back to working normally (I also use the 2 second setting) was to do a "reset everything" reset to bring the box back to factory defaults, and go through the whole setup process again. Menu reset and RBR did nothing to correct it.

SMK

Regarding this "bong" ... this sound does not occur just because you hit an invalid button but also occurs when you try to invoke an action such as a channel change. This action was previously available and now no longer is and it pisses me off. I'm referring to the ability to type in a channel number, hit select and it immediately goes to the channel...now the stupid "bong" plays and I have to wait for the channel to switch on its own. Is there a way to return the functionality of the select button?!?! Who was the idiot that thought this change in the functionality was a good idea? geez!

Not that it is the "right way" but "select" is now the "enter" button.

Question for y'all...I didn't see it readily when I searched this thread, so forgive if it's rehashing:

I've an H20 (yeah, that's what this thread is for), and as you know, there are some nifty greenish lights on the front that light up and the further to the right they are lit, the higher the definition you're looking at...additionally, you should be able to click a button on the remote, I believe it's "format" that tells you what you're viewing.

In the past, mine would tell me something like "480i/stretch native"

Since the recent upgrade, mine only says "native/stretch" or something like that. In fact, it even switched over to pillar box at one time and I had to go into setup to change it back to native.

How can I get this to display like it used to, or is this pretty much the story, and I'll need to get some binoculars to view the front of the receiver to get the detail I'm looking for?

Thanks,

Noots

Does the Hr20-600 have an rf out

H20 not HR sorry

The H20 does NOT have an RF output!

Question for y'all...I didn't see it readily when I searched this thread, so forgive if it's rehashing:

I've an H20 (yeah, that's what this thread is for), and as you know, there are some nifty greenish lights on the front that light up and the further to the right they are lit, the higher the definition you're looking at...additionally, you should be able to click a button on the remote, I believe it's "format" that tells you what you're viewing.

In the past, mine would tell me something like "480i/stretch native"

Since the recent upgrade, mine only says "native/stretch" or something like that. In fact, it even switched over to pillar box at one time and I had to go into setup to change it back to native.

How can I get this to display like it used to, or is this pretty much the story, and I'll need to get some binoculars to view the front of the receiver to get the detail I'm looking for?

Thanks,

NootsFrankly, I never used the format button much. It seems that if you have NATIVE set to ON, you only get "native/stretch" without the resolution but can change it to Pillar Box or Crop. If NATIVE is OFF you can cycle through all the resolutions you have, and it will display 480i, 480p, 720p and 1080i in Strech, Pillar Box or Crop. I believe this agrees with what the Manual says. Yes the blue LEDs are pretty much useless, a digital display would have been better but this is a cheap box. Different color LEDs for the resolutions would have worked as well, Red, Green, Yellow, Blue. D*s hardware and software seem not to be well thought out, just tested by some amateur betta testers. Did I mention they have Crappy programmers?

Not that it is the "right way" but "select" is now the "enter" button.
It may be the enter button but it is useless....am I missing something? Can you still type in the channel address and hit select and have it automatically go to the channel. When I do it it just beeps at me and I have to wait for a couple of seconds before it executes the request and not because of me pressing select.

It may be the enter button but it is useless....am I missing something? Can you still type in the channel address and hit select and have it automatically go to the channel. When I do it it just beeps at me and I have to wait for a couple of seconds before it executes the request and not because of me pressing select.
This seems to be a function of the upgrade. The H20 now requires all 4 possible digits of a channel number before it can act. I have an H20, an HR20 and a D10 and with this change, the H20 behaves like the other 2 in that regard....and it is not a good thing.

Second note about the H20 upgrade: After the upgrade, I lost all my HD channels in the guide and in functionality. Multiple resets helped not at all. I continued to get an error that there was a "Multi-Switch" problem.

Then I remembered when I set up this box, that we couldn't get it set correctly unless i had the Multi switch set to 6x8. I didn't think I had a 6x8, but that's what worked. During all my attempted resets of 9/5/07, I was continuing to select 6x8.

Then it occurred to me that I probably did have a 4x4. I reset one more time, selected 4x4 and Bob's yer uncle. All set. Some software quirk was 'fixed'.

I hope someone can use that info.

I've tried to find the answer on this using search but the thread is just too long. Questions:
1. Has a way been found to go directly to your chosen guide when pressing the guide button?
2. How do you force a software update? Do you want to? I"m on 2021.

Jack

It may be the enter button but it is useless....am I missing something? Can you still type in the channel address and hit select and have it automatically go to the channel. When I do it it just beeps at me and I have to wait for a couple of seconds before it executes the request and not because of me pressing select.

What I meant to say is now you must press the enter button and not the select

I've tried to find the answer on this using search but the thread is just too long. Questions:
1. Has a way been found to go directly to your chosen guide when pressing the guide button?
2. How do you force a software update? Do you want to? I"m on 2021.

Jack

You'll need to wait for the next update for the one press guide, and you have the latest version for the H20-100.

This seems to be a function of the upgrade. The H20 now requires all 4 possible digits of a channel number before it can act. I have an H20, an HR20 and a D10 and with this change, the H20 behaves like the other 2 in that regard....and it is not a good thing.I have an H20-100 with 2021 software and it works the way it always did. I can push 1-3 and it goes to channel 13 in a second without hitting select at all. Of course the hated 2 second banner shows as before. Works the same for 3 digit channels. What SW are you running?

I have an H20-100 with 2021 software and it works the way it always did. I can push 1-3 and it goes to channel 13 in a second without hitting select at all. Of course the hated 2 second banner shows as before. Works the same for 3 digit channels. What SW are you running?
H20-600 with 2024. Three characters used to do it, now 4 are required for instant action.

What I meant to say is now you must press the enter button and not the select

AHHHHHHHH....thank you very much. I misunderstood...this helps a lot.thx

This seems to be a function of the upgrade. The H20 now requires all 4 possible digits of a channel number before it can act. I have an H20, an HR20 and a D10 and with this change, the H20 behaves like the other 2 in that regard....and it is not a good thing.

thank you for this info....i did not know that, but i think i will use the "enter" button as i just learned

Second note about the H20 upgrade: After the upgrade, I lost all my HD channels in the guide and in functionality. Multiple resets helped not at all. I continued to get an error that there was a "Multi-Switch" problem.

Then I remembered when I set up this box, that we couldn't get it set correctly unless i had the Multi switch set to 6x8. I didn't think I had a 6x8, but that's what worked. During all my attempted resets of 9/5/07, I was continuing to select 6x8.

Then it occurred to me that I probably did have a 4x4. I reset one more time, selected 4x4 and Bob's yer uncle. All set. Some software quirk was 'fixed'.

I hope someone can use that info.


I am having the same problem but my H20 has worked for 2 weeks after completing the upgrade to 2024. I come home from work today and I cant get any of my HD channels to come in on one of my receivers, the other two are working fine. I receive the same Multi Switch error but I cant change the 6x8 selection, its greyed out.

Ive reset my box numerous times and also started from scratch and still having the same issue. I called DirecTv and their help is useless, they finally said someone would have to come out and their first appointment was a week away which I thought was a joke.

Im downlaoding the software again and figured Id give this a shot and sure enough at least one other person is having the same problem. Im positive its something with the box and not my line, any help would be much appreciated

Thanks

See if your dish setup is for a 5LNB. It may have defaulted to a 3LNB. It's a major upgrade and returns some values to their defaults.

figures as soon as I ask for help I figure out the problem...for whatever reason my settings were coming up completely wrong and I didnt realize it until I went through the setup on another one of my receivers....during the setup it asks if two antennas or dishes are installed and this receiver was showing Installed for both but my other receiver showed Not Installed so I made the change and once I did that 4x4 showed up for my Multi Switch and the rest of the setup was successful and my HD channels are back...wish I would have figured this out before I spent 45 mins on the phone with DirecTv with more then half of that just on hold

H20-600 with 2024. Three characters used to do it, now 4 are required for instant action.It is obvious that D* in not on the same page with the upgrades for the –100 and –600 boxes. I looks like the whole purpose of these upgrades was originally to allow the new satellite HD signals to work and enable that “useless” Active function. This, they have done but created other problems. Now we are doomed to put up with shabby patches in a poorly managed and uncoordinated effort to correct the new problems. I am getting used to the slow remote response, etc. but live in constant fear they will “upgrade” the thing again and cause even more problems. Enough already!

Their “fixes” are akin to getting a backlash out of a fishing reel, the more they do, the worse it gets.

It is obvious that D* in not on the same page with the upgrades for the –100 and –600 boxes. I looks like the whole purpose of these upgrades was originally to allow the new satellite HD signals to work and enable that “useless” Active function. This, they have done but created other problems. Now we are doomed to put up with shabby patches in a poorly managed and uncoordinated effort to correct the new problems. I am getting used to the slow remote response, etc. but live in constant fear they will “upgrade” the thing again and cause even more problems. Enough already!

Their “fixes” are akin to getting a backlash out of a fishing reel, the more they do, the worse it gets.

After three weeks of beta hell with the software, the most recent test release is showing hope.
I'm not going to blow smoke up anything, but there does seem to be at least one corner turned of late.

And they claim to have no clue about this issue (multi switch, 727 and 749 errors)

They claim it must be a connection problem with my system. If it was not for the NFL Sunday Ticket I would be gone from DirecTV. They are completely clueless.

BTW, I had to change my multiswitch and LNB settings and I am still getting freezing, errors and pixelation.

I cannot believe they would push out an update right before the NFL season is about to start...this is absolutely ridiculous.

I just got off the phone with them, and they claim I am the first person to call in with this issue.

They have no clue what is going on with their own software updates

And they claim to have no clue about this issue (multi switch, 727 and 749 errors)

They claim it must be a connection problem with my system. If it was not for the NFL Sunday Ticket I would be gone from DirecTV. They are completely clueless.

BTW, I had to change my multiswitch and LNB settings and I am still getting freezing, errors and pixelation.

I cannot believe they would push out an update right before the NFL season is about to start...this is absolutely ridiculous.

If you don't mind joining another site [it's free]:
http://www.dbstalk.com/showpost.php?p=1093684&postcount=1
or
http://www.dbstalk.com/showpost.php?p=1093690&postcount=1

Just did a button by button learn into my 2 year old MX-500 remote. Everything is faster - guide,navigation,menu,exit,etc.
I don't know if this is old news, but the H20 remote must have a weak IR signal.
The MX has always been stronger than most factory remotes, but this was better than the normal boost.
I'd guess most of the new Harmony's would net the same result.

I have the same problem as many here, My H20 worked great until this software up or downgrade. The biggest problem is I have no HD channels except for my HD locals. I've lost channel 70-79. DTV rep yesterday said, there was a problem reported from this upgrade with the 727 messages coming up and "channel not purchased", of course today when I call back they never heard of it. spent at least two hours on the phone going through a bunch of useless steps with DTV. So I ask for a supervisor, and he sets up a sevice call for next Wednesday. I'm gonna try rebooting the sat setup with the 4X4 multi switch and see what happens. But i dont even have a multi switch, so not real excited about it.

What peeves me, is when I called, the first thing I said was, the software upgrade must be the problem, the rep disregarded everything i said, had a crappy attitude everytime I had a suggestion, after a couple of hours and moving to a supervisor, he seemed more apologetic to me, and said they would investigate the upgrade. I guessed they realized the dumb customer was right in the first place. what great customer service, unbelievable. I dont know why i stay with DTV, must be all the great promises of HD, but somehow I think it may be a while before this thing is working properly.

I have the same problem as many here, My H20 worked great until this software up or downgrade. The biggest problem is I have no HD channels except for my HD locals. I've lost channel 70-79. DTV rep yesterday said, there was a problem reported from this upgrade with the 727 messages coming up and "channel not purchased", of course today when I call back they never heard of it. spent at least two hours on the phone going through a bunch of useless steps with DTV. So I ask for a supervisor, and he sets up a sevice call for next Wednesday. I'm gonna try rebooting the sat setup with the 4X4 multi switch and see what happens. But i dont even have a multi switch, so not real excited about it.

What peeves me, is when I called, the first thing I said was, the software upgrade must be the problem, the rep disregarded everything i said, had a crappy attitude everytime I had a suggestion, after a couple of hours and moving to a supervisor, he seemed more apologetic to me, and said they would investigate the upgrade. I guessed they realized the dumb customer was right in the first place. what great customer service, unbelievable. I dont know why i stay with DTV, must be all the great promises of HD, but somehow I think it may be a while before this thing is working properly.

Go over the www.dbstalk.com, register (if you don't have an ID) and go to the Cutting Edge subforum of the D* section. There is a 'pre-release' software upgrade available tonight for the H20-100 and H20-600 receivers that you might want to try to see if it resolves your problems. This software is available only tonight between 11PM and 2AM eastern time. Try it, if it works for you great, if it doesn't just force another software download outside of that window and you'll be back to the national release software.

If you decide to do this read all the rules, like don't call D* for problem, log them at DBSTalk only, and how to force a software download.

My condo complex has a contract with DirecTV, so I will be purchasing a DirecTV plan. I was surprised to see how much the DirecTV HD DVR box costs -- $199 after rebate. I know that this device can also be rented for $15/month.

For those of you who are experienced with this device and DirecTV service...:

1. Would you suggest to rent or purchase this HD DVR?

2. How often does DirecTV come out with a newer, better version of the HD DVR? If I buy this device, will it be obsolete in the near future?

3. How is the reliability of this HD DVR device?

My condo complex has a contract with DirecTV, so I will be purchasing a DirecTV plan. I was surprised to see how much the DirecTV HD DVR box costs -- $199 after rebate. I know that this device can also be rented for $15/month.

For those of you who are experienced with this device and DirecTV service...:

1. Would you suggest to rent or purchase this HD DVR?

2. How often does DirecTV come out with a newer, better version of the HD DVR? If I buy this device, will it be obsolete in the near future?

3. How is the reliability of this HD DVR device?

First this is the H20 tread and not the HR-20.
Next your $199 price is a lease and not owned [which is more like $800].
FWIW: I have two that have been working fine for over six months.

Wanted to post my own datapoint -

The Sat receiver in my Zenith HD-SAT520 (purchased in 2003) died. DirecTV said I needed a dish upgrade and now a leased box, so now I have a H20-100. It upgraded itself a few hours after the install, it took another hour for me all the HD stations that had disappeared off the menu after the upgrade back. They just 'reappeared' on their own.

My Zenith provided a better picture (I now seem to get slight interference type lines when watching SAT, but not OTA signals), the user interface was better as well, however the OTA receiver was not as good, I can now get a station regularly that was on the fringe with the Zenith box. Speaking of, the OTA receiver still works in the Zenith even when the Sat service has been discontinued so I might find a use for it.

If you're getting the Multi Switch error go through your antenna setup and make sure everything is properly selected. I was having the same issue and called direcTv and they said something must be wrong with my line or dish which I knew wasnt the case. I went through the setup on a working receiver and found some settings that were not right and once I corrected them I was able to get my HD channels again

It started out with 3 LNB being selected instead of 5, corrected that, cant remember the other screen exactly but there is a question during the dish setup asking if certain antennas are installed and it was defaulting to "Installed" when it should have said "Not Installed". I think this is for an off-air antenna which I dont have, everything goes through my 5 LNB dish.

Check your settings and if you have a working receiver go through each screen on both and you should be able to find whats wrong. There is nothing wrong with your line if you receiver was working before the upgrade but isnt working now, DirecTv doesnt seem to understand that

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I have had Direct TV for a couple of years and now am moving to a new house. When I called Direct TV they said my HD DVR would need to be upgraded and I have two HD tv's so I ordered two new HD DVR receivers. Like my last receiver, I assume it will take two RG6 lines to each receiver. My question is this, I am running the lines myself and Direct TV is installing the dish. Do I need two lines from each going al the way to the dish, or can I split them in my basement with satellite spliters and it be okay? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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I have had Direct TV for a couple of years and now am moving to a new house. When I called Direct TV they said my HD DVR would need to be upgraded and I have two HD tv's so I ordered two new HD DVR receivers. Like my last receiver, I assume it will take two RG6 lines to each receiver. My question is this, I am running the lines myself and Direct TV is installing the dish. Do I need two lines from each going al the way to the dish, or can I split them in my basement with satellite spliters and it be okay? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

SAT feeds need to run all the way to the dish.
You can't use splitters since what ever you connect to them could [will] be trying to tune to different channels and that's why it doesn't work.
The next step is to bring four feeds from the dish to a multi-switch and then you run the coax to the receivers from it.
After this is the up coming SWM that you will be able to split the output from it to the receivers, but it isn't here [out] yet.

ghscott, I've got an H20 600 on a 3-LNB dish with no multiswitch. I'm getting consistant mpeg2 errors(periodic - every 15 secs to 90 secs depenting on HD station 72-80). I'm even seeing blips on the SD channels, since the upgrade to the 2024 software. I've gone through a complete receiver/dish reset to no avail. DirecTV please give me back my old software that worked flawlessly!!

ghscott, I've got an H20 600 on a 3-LNB dish with no multiswitch. I'm getting consistant mpeg2 errors(periodic - every 15 secs to 90 secs depenting on HD station 72-80). I'm even seeing blips on the SD channels, since the upgrade to the 2024 software. I've gone through a complete receiver/dish reset to no avail. DirecTV please give me back my old software that worked flawlessly!!

0x2034 fixes this.

Just got my H20, few hours into it it started to install the new software.

Found 2020, found 2024, but the trouble is it's stuck at 99% with

-/-/--/01/1F/-- --/----/----/--/----/0235

at the top?

Will this proceed? This normal behavior?

Just got my H20, few hours into it it started to install the new software.

Found 2020, found 2024, but the trouble is it's stuck at 99% with

-/-/--/01/1F/-- --/----/----/--/----/0235

at the top?

Will this proceed? This normal behavior?

never mind -- just popped back

I've seen the H20 stall at 99% for over 10 minutes when doing a software download, you just need to be patient.

Is software 0x2021 the lastest for H20-100?

Is software 0x2021 the lastest for H20-100?Yup! It appears to be.:(

I'll post this both here and on a thread for my TV.

I have connected my H20-100 to my Vizio VU42L LCD by both Component and HDMI cables and looked at both HD and SD side by side using the TV PIP. (I swap them but the results are the same)

To my surprize the componet PQ is noticeably superior. Overall brightness, brighter/clearer colors and sharper?

Could this be an artifact of the the H20, the cables (both sets provided by D*) or the TV. Any reason not to just use component over HDMI?

nb. I run an optical cable from the H20 to my receiver to get DD5.1 sound so no difference whatever video source I use.

Thanks for comments.

Ben

I'll post this both here and on a thread for my TV.

I have connected my H20-100 to my Vizio VU42L LCD by both Component and HDMI cables and looked at both HD and SD side by side using the TV PIP. (I swap them but the results are the same)

To my surprize the componet PQ is noticeably superior. Overall brightness, brighter/clearer colors and sharper?

Could this be an artifact of the the H20, the cables (both sets provided by D*) or the TV. Any reason not to just use component over HDMI?

nb. I run an optical cable from the H20 to my receiver to get DD5.1 sound so no difference whatever video source I use.

Thanks for comments.

Ben

Does your TV use the same picture settings on each input or do you have to adjust each separately? It input usually needs to be adjusted for each box you have connected it to them and the two different outputs could just have slightly different settings on it accounting for your difference.

Does your TV use the same picture settings on each input or do you have to adjust each separately? It input usually needs to be adjusted for each box you have connected it to them and the two different outputs could just have slightly different settings on it accounting for your difference.

AS I posted over on DBSTalk to this posting:
My 32' Vizio has separate settings for each input and both HDMI & Component look the same with the same settings. [Just adjusted it yesterday].

veryoldschool, how do I force a 0x2034 download to my H20 600? Do I just watch the redh.com site and force a download when I see 2034 come up?

veryoldschool, how do I force a 0x2034 download to my H20 600? Do I just watch the redh.com site and force a download when I see 2034 come up?

Most likely you won't see 2034 come up since it was a test version and there will be another test version coming
Sign in to the sister site of AVS, DBSTalk.com and go here:
http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=98529

I read the dbstalk thread on the software update window this weekend. Where are instructions for forcing downloads?

Jack