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

Jack

http://www.dbstalk.com/showpost.php?p=987520&postcount=3

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!!

During my lunch break, I decided to watch some of Indepenence Day on D* 505. During the hour I watched, I counted 5 audio inturruptions and 2 video freezes. The audio just dissappears for a second or two and then returns. The video freezes on a frame for a couple of seconds and then resumes.

I never had these problems on my non-D* boxes.

D* Receiver = D* H20-600
AV Receiver = B&K AVR307
Connections = Component to TV, Optical to AV Receiver
Cables are all high quality.

Watched older Samsung ST360 for a while last night, no dropouts of any kind...

Is this a result of the latest software? I don't think this has been happening from the start of my H20 experience, seems to have come on lately.

Opinions?

Sorry guys, new member and some dumb questions. I have an H20-600 (which runs only mildly warm so far) and I have read a good portion of this thread (which did take a while). I don't see channel 499 on my menu, am I supposed to. I have the slimline dish and my signal strength is somewhere from the low 60's to the 90's. My installer did not have a meter when he put the new dish up so could not tune it for the best performance, just did the best he could by me yelling out the window that I had signal and what the strength of the signal was. I see three satallites and other then that I don't know if there is anything else I need to add to help answer the question except although I forgot what upgrade version I have other then I think it is 20XX loaded this month.

aac1431, are you using a favorites list to filter what you're seeing in the guide? If yes, add 499 or switch to the all channels guide.

I just upgraded to the H20 box a couple of weeks ago and I have not set up any favorites. The only thing I have done is set rating limits and blockeded a couple of channels that I didn't want my kids to spend time on. I do remember getting a channel for a while that gave directions on what to do if you wanted to be able to view the new HD package from D*, (H20 Box, new dish, etc) and then tune to channel 499, but I didn't get it then either. Now I don't see that channel and still don't see 499. So the short answer is that I use the generic channel guide.

Just got off the phone with D* and they stated that was normal (not seeing 499), that the H20 will not see 499, only the HR20 will see the channel??

Just got off the phone with D* and they stated that was normal (not seeing 499), that the H20 will not see 499, only the HR20 will see the channel??

I have a H20-600 and it sees 499 just fine.

Just got off the phone with D* and they stated that was normal (not seeing 499), that the H20 will not see 499, only the HR20 will see the channel??

I have two H20's (a -100 and a -600). Until I went into setup and configured them for a 5-LNB dish, neither would show 499. (This was when they were still connected to a 3-LNB dish.) Once I did that, they saw 499 and correctly reported the desired "Searching for Satellite" message that the BBC's were installed and working...

Figures, another call to D* is in the works. Thank you for your response(s).

How do I configure for 5 LNB dish? I don't remember seeing that option when I was playing in the set-up?

I get a blank screen on 499 is this right I just had a slimeline installed today. They reconfigured to the new 5lnb set up from the old 3lnb set

I just installed a H20-100 last night. I'm still using a 3 LNB dish. I think it's going to take me awhile to get use to this box, especially on how slooooow it is. The on-screen features, menus, etc are much slower than the HD RCA box I use to use..

Anyway I have a question. I've have an antenna hooked up to this box also. I've run the scan twice, but nowhere do I see the 2 analog channels I use to get with the RCA box. Channels 23 and 45 out of Albany NY. It shows the digital channels, 23-1 and 45-1, but not the analog. I ask because channel 23 I don't receive the digital, 23-1. I never did..

So any idea on why this box I'm not seeing the analog channels on the guide?

I just installed a H20-100 last night. I'm still using a 3 LNB dish. I think it's going to take me awhile to get use to this box, especially on how slooooow it is. The on-screen features, menus, etc are much slower than the HD RCA box I use to use..

Anyway I have a question. I've have an antenna hooked up to this box also. I've run the scan twice, but nowhere do I see the 2 analog channels I use to get with the RCA box. Channels 23 and 45 out of Albany NY. It shows the digital channels, 23-1 and 45-1, but not the analog. I ask because channel 23 I don't receive the digital, 23-1. I never did..

So any idea on why this box I'm not seeing the analog channels on the guide?

Because there is no analog tuner.

Great, thx....

Now I have to decide what to do to get those channels..

I can't say I'm too trilled with this H20 so far....

Great, thx....

Now I have to decide what to do to get those channels..

I can't say I'm too trilled with this H20 so far....

Split your antenna feed to both the H20 and your TV.

Split your antenna feed to both the H20 and your TV.

Yep, that hit me about an hour ago... Thats the way I'm going to do it..


Thx

I get a blank screen on 499 is this right I just had a slimeline installed today. They reconfigured to the new 5lnb set up from the old 3lnb setCheck this link from D*for ch. 499 info;
http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPage.jsp?assetId=900036

Ok, re-did the satellite set-up and had the 5 LNB option, choose that and now I can see 499. Thanks all.

is it possible to turn off the NFLST menu that pops up on the NFLST HD channels?
at random a little popup in the lower-left corner of the screen that whos the red button for "Menu" and the green button for "Clear" but this stupid thing keeps popping up, it's getting very annoying, i just want to watch the GD game for f's sakes

I’m sure this is somewhat off topic but I thought it might be interesting to some. This morning I re-checked (on my H20) the signal strength for satellite 103 (b) and found several (14 of 16) transponders are now hot. This is the bird our new HD channels are to come from. D* says they are now testing the new satellite.

This from an e-mail from D* on another forum;

“Beginning Sept 19, an extra new premium service will be available called DIRECTV HD Extra Pack. We offer this package for unique HD channels that don’t have an SD simulcast. We have good news for all of our customers who have HD programming. It’s a free preview from Sept 19 until Dec 15, 2007. After that, it costs $4.99 per month.”:eek:

Update: There seems to be some doubt of the veracity of the above e-mail, so I wouldn’t stay up ‘til midnight Tuesday, waiting for the big event. We'll see.

Hey Guys need some help. Just had D* replace my HR10-250 Tivo unit with the HR20. I have severe pixelation on the local HD channels. My HR20 upstairs (bedroom) TV does not have this issue and is getting the same signal from my dish right?

What could be wrong with this brand new HR20 receiver?

I (stupidly) bought a used H20 off Craigslist w/o confirming if it had an access card w/ it. It does not.

Due to my situation (getting D* resold through AT&T) and AT&T wanting to charge me $50 to slide an access card into the unit and call for D* to activate it... can I do the same thing myself by buying a new D2 access card on Ebay and having D* activate it myself?

Thanks!

I (stupidly) bought a used H20 off Craigslist w/o confirming if it had an access card w/ it. It does not.

Due to my situation (getting D* resold through AT&T) and AT&T wanting to charge me $50 to slide an access card into the unit and call for D* to activite it... can I do the same thing myself by buying a new D2 access card on Ebay and having D* activite it myself?

Thanks!The last time I checked, D* charged $20 for a new card and you could call in to activate it, provided the box wasn't registered to someone else's card. Call 'em and find out.

The last time I checked, D* charged $20 for a new card and you could call in to activate it, provided the box wasn't registered to someone else's card. Call 'em and find out.
I was able to activate a friends box onto my account, all I needed was my friends name (not really sure what D*'s logic was) to be able to use the old access card. Not sure if this helps you, but you might want to try to get the name of the seller off ebay or if they know whos box it was. Good luck

I have attached three jpgs from this weekend's viewing using my LNT 4661 FX
Firmware 1032/1004 Directv. I am not happy with the PQ I have received from this TV. My question is? Who is to blame?

You will notice in the first picture from ESPN's gameday show that pixelation is seen coming out of a transition.

The second picture illustrates artifacts around the player's bodies during an ESPN college football broadcast.

The third picture is from an OTA antenna of CBS college football and more pixelation on a moving shot of a player.

These are freeze frames that would lead me to believe it is a source problem.

My question is what can I do about this?

1. Would this problem be alleviated with an LCD TV with a better refresh rate or even a plasma? I hear plasmas don't have a problem with pixelation.

2. Would an updated board firmware solve this?

3. Is this simply a compression problem with Directv and a multicasting problem with my local OTA and therefore unavoidable?

4. Is there a setting on my Sammy that would help clear this up?

5. In the case of the CBS football picture is this a case of 1080i being too fast for football broadcasts?

6. Who knows anything about multicasting from local OTA stations causing pixelation or intermittent blurry and pixelated pictures?

I had really hoped for better results from my HDTV viewing. I am afraid I know the answers to a lot of my own questions, but I am hoping you guys can either verify or shoot down my theories. If anyone has the same concerns or seen similar results to mine please share.


Thanks,

Frank

This from an e-mail from D* on another forum;

“Beginning Sept 19, an extra new premium service will be available called DIRECTV HD Extra Pack. We offer this package for unique HD channels that don’t have an SD simulcast. We have good news for all of our customers who have HD programming. It’s a free preview from Sept 19 until Dec 15, 2007. After that, it costs $4.99 per month.”

To me this translates to:
"Thanks for paying a ridiculous amount for a limited number of HD channels, now we are going to soak you some more for what you were really looking for.:eek:"

WOW
Those pics look horrible.
Something is really wrong.
Try setting the output of the H20 to only 1080i and see what you get.
If you are getting that OTA and from D* then it must be the TV.

Got the update to 2038 firmware for my H20 600 over the weekend and I'm still getting picture breakups in HD and SD.

I've just had a new H20-600 installed and the signal meter is reading in the 60's and low 70's on most all the sats/transponders. My older H20-600 tested on the same cable as the new box is reading in the 90's - 100 (as does my HR20). The installer returned with 2 other boxes -another 600 and a 100. Both of those had the same 20+pt drop in readings from my older box. D* tech support tells me the 20 pt difference is too much and not to accept the box, which I haven't. The installer is telling me to ignore the 20 pt drop and accept the box (of course) claiming the problem must be with the signal meter calibration. I have a new 5 LNB dish (aligned with a birddog) and Zinwell 6x16 powered switch. Any suggestions about the cause of the signal drop/difference - (is it a faulty box or acceptable but inconsistant metering) and if I should accept a box with a 20+ point drop from my other boxes. Thanks!!

I've just had a new H20-600 installed and the signal meter is reading in the 60's and low 70's on most all the sats/transponders. My older H20-600 tested on the same cable as the new box is reading in the 90's - 100 (as does my HR20). The installer returned with 2 other boxes -another 600 and a 100. Both of those had the same 20+pt drop in readings from my older box. D* tech support tells me the 20 pt difference is too much and not to accept the box, which I haven't. The installer is telling me to ignore the 20 pt drop and accept the box (of course) claiming the problem must be with the signal meter calibration. I have a new 5 LNB dish (aligned with a birddog) and Zinwell 6x16 powered switch. Any suggestions about the cause of the signal drop/difference - (is it a faulty box or acceptable but inconsistant metering) and if I should accept a box with a 20+ point drop from my other boxes. Thanks!!

New box probably doesn't have the latest software installed on it. Try forcing an upgrade, do a box reset, at the 1st welcome screen enter 0 2 4 6 8 (and only those numbers, don't hit anything else) and it should download the latest software. Then try the signal readings again and see what you get.

The installer is telling me to ignore the 20 pt drop and accept the box (of course) claiming the problem must be with the signal meter calibration. I have a new 5 LNB dish (aligned with a birddog) and Zinwell 6x16 powered switch. Any suggestions about the cause of the signal drop/difference - (is it a faulty box or acceptable but inconsistant metering) and if I should accept a box with a 20+ point drop from my other boxes. Thanks!!
For once the installer is probably correct. D*'s latest SW releases did change the metering to give between 15 and 20 increase in the readings just to make us feel warm and fuzzy so we wouldn't call their CSRs to complain. What a brilliant stroke of genius.:rolleyes:

Selected the best option for the TV remote settings for my Mitsu but I have one weird problem; whenever I lower the volume and the receiver picks up the signal, the receiver's "To-Do List" appears. This menu is only supposed to show up when you push the "LIST" button next to exit on the remote. Any one have any ideas?

Mitsu WS-65411 65" RPTV

It looks like we may very well have more HD channels on Wednesday, according to a D* CSR. All transponders on 103(b) are now hot with improved signal strength. I was curious as to what channel numbers they will be on and found an article quoting a D* spokesman saying; (paraphrased) when you tune to the present SD channel number, the H20 will automatically show the HD channel, if one is present for it. If for some unknown reason you wish to view the SD version, you press the “channel down” button. It is not clear however, what the guide will look like.

It looks like we may very well have more HD channels on Wednesday, according to a D* CSR. All transponders on 103(b) are now hot with improved signal strength. I was curious as to what channel numbers they will be on and found an article quoting a D* spokesman saying; (paraphrased) when you tune to the present SD channel number, the H20 will automatically show the HD channel, if one is present for it. If for some unknown reason you wish to view the SD version, you press the “channel down” button. It is not clear however, what the guide will look like.

The guide will have two entries, the first for the HD channel and the second for the SD channel; people in NYC and Boston have already seen this for YES, SNY and NESN-HD.
It's expected that all the receivers will eventually have a software update allowing you to suppress the SD channels where there is an HD equivalent, so all you will see in the guide will be the HD channels. The new H21 receiver already does this for the local HD/SD channels.

The guy I purchased this particular box from bought it used himself. He told me that when he received the box he activated it only to find it was on a delinquent account. So, he had to eat that bill and kept the card for himself.

I should just be able to call D* and get a new card for $20, right? Can I check the serial number on the STB to see if it has any delinquent charges?

I was able to activate a friends box onto my account, all I needed was my friends name (not really sure what D*'s logic was) to be able to use the old access card. Not sure if this helps you, but you might want to try to get the name of the seller off ebay or if they know whos box it was. Good luck

Yesterday a D* csr told me that the H20 is not compatible with standard 18" dishes for sd reception - is this true?

Yesterday a D* csr told me that the H20 is not compatible with standard 18" dishes for sd reception - is this true?

False -- I've had my H20 for about 2 years now. In July, I installed the new AT9. From 1994 until then, I was using the original 18" dual LNB antenna. Worked fine for me!

Carl

False -- I've had my H20 for about 2 years now. In July, I installed the new AT9. From 1994 until then, I was using the original 18" dual LNB antenna. Worked fine for me!

Carl

Thank you. My suspicions have been justified.

To test your H20 setup for its ability to tune to the new HD (D-10, 103b) satellite, select channel 498. You should see a “congratulation screen” coming from the new satellite. No other channels are presently live for this satellite. This is just a test to see if you will be able to receive them when they come on-line in the next few days. Their first attempt failed last Wednesday and no one knows for sure exactly when we’ll see the new HD channels from D*. Presently D* is saying before the end of September, so it could be just days.:)

I only get searching for signal on that channel. :(

I only get searching for signal on that channel. :(

You have RG6 cable? You sure the BBC is working properly? Did you test signal strength for 103(b)?

I only get searching for signal on that channel. :(
If you can not receive a signal on ch. 498:

1. Make sure that you have good signal strength for satellite 103b, presently 16 transponders (readings about 70-95).

2. You must have a 5 LNB dish and have the H20 configured as such in your setup. Some new SW updates reset it to 3 LNB.

3. You must have a “B Band Converter” in-line with your coax feed from the dish.

4. You can not use diplexers with the configuration, they will interfere with the signal. You will have to run a separate coax for your OTA antenna.

Anyone interested to assist in a lil surgery on a h20 100 and 600 to fix the hdmi problem with certain LCD's ? I got one of each to play with. And wouldnt care if they go messed up !

on my receiver settings, do i need to set the Native to On or Off?

I have it hooked up to my VX-661 then onto mitsu WD-57733.

How do i ensure the 1080i is full screen and not with the vertical bars?

If you can not receive a signal on ch. 498:

1. Make sure that you have good signal strength for satellite 103b, presently 16 transponders (readings about 70-95).

2. You must have a 5 LNB dish and have the H20 configured as such in your setup. Some new SW updates reset it to 3 LNB.

3. You must have a “B Band Converter” in-line with your coax feed from the dish.

4. You can not use diplexers with the configuration, they will interfere with the signal. You will have to run a separate coax for your OTA antenna.


I bought a signal strength meter from Frys.com and retuned the dish myself today. Now I can see the channel.

(edit- so much for professional installation.)

Thanks for the tips though!

I bought a signal strength meter from Frys.com and retuned the dish myself today. Now I can see the channel.

(edit- so much for professional installation.)

Thanks for the tips though!

Can you please tell me what signal strength meter you got?

I have an H20 hooked up to a Mitsubishi HD1000U (720p native widescreen). The other day my wife hit a button on the remote and now the guide and menus all have huge letters. It's like she hit a magnify button or something. I've gone through all the format settings using the remote and trying native on/off plus only allowing 720p resolution using the menu still it's disproportionate. Even the channel logos look like they've dropped to a lower resolution. any ideas?

Hey Fellas.. I've recently aquired an H20 (600) sat box and have it running thru a Yamaha RX-V1600 receiver via HDMI (Sat-Receiver-TV).. I also have a Sony DVD connected to the receiver via Component/Optical.. When I use the DVD I get great surround sound but when the sat box is the source I just get what sounds like 2ch sound with very faint sound from the surround rears and no sub..
.. Anywhoo.. Has anyone got any suggestions as to what I may try next.? It's no real "deal-breaker" but an annoyance none-the-less.. I'd like it to function properly..
.. Thanks in advance.!! d:^) JiNC

Did you have any luck? I've heard options about making sure that the updated firmware is in place in the H20-600 and about using an HDMI switch (which I really don't want to do.)

I have an installation coming out in the next 10 days or so, and am hoping that I won't have any install/start-up problems (so I can avoid the wife's "I told you so" about switching to satellite.)

TIA,
Tim

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 H20-100 (2021) gave me a multi-switch error for the first time ever, just today. I was switching back and forth between 9300 and 9301, the test channels for the new HD programing via the 103b sat.

If you can not receive a signal on ch. 498:

1. Make sure that you have good signal strength for satellite 103b, presently 16 transponders (readings about 70-95).

2. You must have a 5 LNB dish and have the H20 configured as such in your setup. Some new SW updates reset it to 3 LNB.

3. You must have a “B Band Converter” in-line with your coax feed from the dish.

4. You can not use diplexers with the configuration, they will interfere with the signal. You will have to run a separate coax for your OTA antenna.

I just had my new dish and HR20 hooked up today and im not getting any signal from 103b. I cant get channel 498, 9300, or 9301. I will be calling my installer in the morning!

I have an H20 hooked up to a Mitsubishi HD1000U (720p native widescreen). The other day my wife hit a button on the remote and now the guide and menus all have huge letters. It's like she hit a magnify button or something. I've gone through all the format settings using the remote and trying native on/off plus only allowing 720p resolution using the menu still it's disproportionate. Even the channel logos look like they've dropped to a lower resolution. any ideas?
I once hit a button on my remote by accident and i couldn't see any of the channels anymore along with some other weird stuff. I just reset the receiver and it went back to normal :confused:

My H20-100 (2021) gave me a multi-switch error for the first time ever, just today. I was switching back and forth between 9300 and 9301, the test channels for the new HD programing via the 103b sat.

I also saw this on my H20. I turned the unit off and then back on and the error went away. I don't know what is going on.

fafner

I've been getting that sometimes too, same circumstances, 9300 and 9301. I don't think it's any sort of problem and we probably won't see it anymore once the HD channels finally roll out.


Fred

Can the HD DVR's NOT get the test channels? That's what my tech told me, only H20's...

Can the HD DVR's NOT get the test channels? That's what my tech told me, only H20's...


My HR20-700's and H21-200 and H20-600 get them (except for the X721 on 9300 that started last night, before then they were OK).

Can the HD DVR's NOT get the test channels? That's what my tech told me, only H20's...


That's what you get for listening to a tech.

H20/21s and HR20/21s will work. That's all though.

9301 and 9300 are working on my H20-100.

Hey guys,

D_tv is coming out tomorrow to install/upgrade my current dish so i can start recieving HD... Question is, what should i ask/look out for to make sure im getting the very latest equipment/Sat dish...

from reading this thread, i think i need a: 5 LNB dish,
i ordered the HD receiver/DVR combo is that called the HR20-700, is that the latest ?

im using an Onkyo sr875 AVR and a Toshiba 52" LX177
thanks in advance !
LinoD.

...
4. You can not use diplexers with the configuration, they will interfere with the signal. You will have to run a separate coax for your OTA antenna.
You can use diplexers with this configuration, if you put the BBC before the first diplexer (ie before you combine the signals). I'm doing it with my CATV, and someone else on the HD Channel rollout thread said they were able to do this for OTA diplexing. I have the signal from my 5LNB Slimline going through the BBC, then into the hi-frequency input to a diplexer while my CATV goes into the lo-frequency input to the diplexer. The cable from the diplexer runs from the corner of my house to my living room (about 30 ft), hits another diplexer with the hi-frequency output going directly into my H20, and the lo-frequency output going to my cable-modem, HDHomerun and OTA/CATV input on my TV. Everything still seems to work.

IOW, any idea when software for the H20 will showup that automatically tunes to the HD version of one of the new channels (ie, i tune to 220 and get the HD version of Big Ten Network, instead of the SD version and having to press channel up)

IOW, any idea when software for the H20 will showup that automatically tunes to the HD version of one of the new channels (ie, i tune to 220 and get the HD version of Big Ten Network, instead of the SD version and having to press channel up)

If it's anything like the earlier HD channels, a couple came out like this and then got assigned their own channel numbers later. I hope that happens here for recording reasons if nothing else.

i ordered the HD receiver/DVR combo is that called the HR20-700, is that the latest ?



You have the latest version of the HR20 but D* will have two different versions of their DVRs. The HR21 will have the capacity to hold up to 100 hours of HD recorded material, as opposed to 30 hours HD capacity on the HR20. However, the HR21 does not have an OTA input, if that matters to you.

Actually, the HR-20 has a capacity of 50 hours of DirecTV's new HD channels. I noticed last night that I now have about 35 channels in HD.

I've had my HR20-700 (new from DTV) about a month now. I noticed that the unit starts recording shows about a minute late. Is there a way to set the clock in the unit to the correct time? Thanks

This is the H20 non-DVR thread. You may get faster answers by posting in the HR20 DVR thread. ;)

Dana

Need a little help here please....

I am getting "Searching for satellite signal" and "Multi-switch errors" now. It happened for the first time today.

Here is the interesting part.. it has never happened to me until I finally got my sub hooked up to the HT system. When I turn it up a good bit to where it is fairly loud, then the signal cuts out on me.

Is this mere coincidence with the new channels being released? Or is my sub too close to my satellite receiver? Just trying to troubleshoot this issue as I would like to be able to watch movies on the dish with my HT.

Thanks.

Need a little help here please....

I am getting "Searching for satellite signal" and "Multi-switch errors" now. It happened for the first time today.

Here is the interesting part.. it has never happened to me until I finally got my sub hooked up to the HT system. When I turn it up a good bit to where it is fairly loud, then the signal cuts out on me.

Is this mere coincidence with the new channels being released? Or is my sub too close to my satellite receiver? Just trying to troubleshoot this issue as I would like to be able to watch movies on the dish with my HT.

Thanks.

It could be vibration from the sub. What if u turn the sub volume down?

I get most of the channels listed on 521 A&e, Animal Planet, TNT, History channel, Discovery, TBS, Showtime (free weekend), Learning Channell, etc.. I suvscribe to Startz and get all the non HD startz channels, but I don't get the HD startz channels. Called D* and the tech said I'd have them by the end of the month. Does this sound correct or is there going to be an extra charge before I ever get them?

Well, it never happened until I did hook the sub up.

But, I took a look at the directv receiver and the BBC was loose and not completely fastened down. I tightened it back up, so hopefully that may be the end of it.

I get most of the channels listed on 521 A&e, Animal Planet, TNT, History channel, Discovery, TBS, Showtime (free weekend), Learning Channell, etc.. I suvscribe to Startz and get all the non HD startz channels, but I don't get the HD startz channels. Called D* and the tech said I'd have them by the end of the month. Does this sound correct or is there going to be an extra charge before I ever get them?

Hi,

I just subscribed to the Starz channels on 09/26/07. I went online to the directv website and added them onto my programming package. The channels added included the new HD channels. They look great, btw. I have read other posts in other forums and a lot of subscribers who already had Starz, are having the same problem as you are. Nobody is saying what the problem is, only that it is being worked on.

Starz HD is available now to all who have the new HD channels and the Starz SD channels. Call back in hopes to get a CSR who knows this. If he/she doesn't, ask for a supervisor. They only need to refresh your services or turn off your HD channel access and turn it right back on again with the new information.

I get most of the channels listed on 521 A&e, Animal Planet, TNT, History channel, Discovery, TBS, Showtime (free weekend), Learning Channell, etc.. I suvscribe to Startz and get all the non HD startz channels, but I don't get the HD startz channels. Called D* and the tech said I'd have them by the end of the month. Does this sound correct or is there going to be an extra charge before I ever get them?

That's not correct, if you subscribed before you should be getting them now.

Call back and have them add Starz HD line item to your account or have them take off Starz and readd them. This is one of the most common glitches with the HD rollout. I have Premier account, but I had to call and have them manually add the Starz before it would come in. This has been the best of all the new HD channels in my opinion. About 50% of my viewing since Wed have been on Starz and I never subscribed at all before, but I won't unsubscribe again if this is the typical movies they present.

I'm getting Starz HD now, but as I had said before I expected they wanted more money. Well I was right it cost me $2.00 a month more. Seems I had been grandfathered in with Starz at $10.00 and now the cost is $12.00. I could've stayed at $10 with no HD or change to $12 with HD. I guess I can't complain about that.:)

Sorry if this has been posted before, but as others have found, this thread is now too big to find anything
I just had my 5LNB dish installed last week.
After this was done I have now lost my "Category" listing when I hit the guide button.
It used to be that when I hit "Guide" the categories would first appear (All Channels, movies, sports..etc), then I would cursor to a category and select it to show those channels.
Now, when I hit guide, it just goes strait to the grid with "All Channels" shown
How do I get the category list back?

With the latest software release, there is now an option to get "guide" or "category" first when you hit the guide button. My recollection is that it is buried in the video category of setup. It is in the same section where you choose the language for the display, and how long you want the banner to be displayed, etc. You can choose which way you prefer the guide button to work. I believe the new software defaulted to "guide" first.

BTW, I think you're the only person I've seen who has been upset that "category" is no longer first.

SMK

With the latest software release, there is now an option to get "guide" or "category" first when you hit the guide button. My recollection is that it is buried in the video category of setup. It is in the same section where you choose the language for the display, and how long you want the banner to be displayed, etc. You can choose which way you prefer the guide button to work. I believe the new software defaulted to "guide" first.

BTW, I think you're the only person I've seen who has been upset that "category" is no longer first.

SMK

Thanks
Actually the wife was asking about it. I like it to go to the guide first as well.

BTW...Are you the RoyGBiv that works on Wonderware's Intouch for AGFM CNC6000's at Boeing Seattle?

It is first on my screen and I can't get rid of it. I went to setup, but couldn't find anything that would let me change.

Go into the setup screen and reset the unit. Don't reset to the default, just a soft reset.

That should fix the guide issue.

Doug

Go into the setup screen and reset the unit. Don't reset to the default, just a soft reset.

That should fix the guide issue.

Doug
Went to the menu, settings, setup; went to reset: the choices restart receiver, reset defaults, and reset everything. I chose restart receiver and there was no change, the choice screen came up first when I chose the guide.

Went to the menu, settings, setup; went to reset: the choices restart receiver, reset defaults, and reset everything. I chose restart receiver and there was no change, the choice screen came up first when I chose the guide.

Setup, display, "GUIDE Keypress" to "Grid Guide first"

Setup, display, "GUIDE Keypress" to "Grid Guide first"
I don't have that choice on my H20-100. Menu, setings, setup,display offers the choices preferences, captioning, centering, and clock. No Guide keypress.

I do not have that option either. Is it possible that the HD 20 600 (no DVR) has a different menu structure than the 700? Also, I forced 2 software updates and I'm still showing 0x2024 not 2038 as listed above. Any thoughts?

Sorry, I didn't catch you had the H20 or that the whole thread is for the H20 . I was commenting on my HR20. The guide keypress option is in the preferences tab for me.

I don't have that choice on my H20-100. Menu, setings, setup,display offers the choices preferences, captioning, centering, and clock. No Guide keypress.

It's not in the national release.
It should be there in the next one though since it's in the test software now.

Maybe a dumb question, maybe there is a simple answer. I don't know.

When I open the guide or the mini guide and navigate through the channels, the "up" button on the remote moves the channel number "down".:confused:
When simply changing channels, the "up" button on the remote changes to the next higher channel number (the way is should be).

Is there a simple way to set the channel guide so that the channel order is reversed? Or another way to fix this issue I see as a problem in the default setting on the H20?

I recently had a D tech out for service. I posed the question to him what happened to the categories in the guide since the last software update? I have a H20 600 I believe. He said he has a lot of people asking, the answer: you need to RESET EVERYTHING, which will bring it back BUT note you will loose all favorites or other personal settings. Also... if your remote is being used in RF mode, the reset will mandate that the remote be reset to IR mode before you can reset everything. I followed all screen instructions but the remote STOPPED working in any mode. After a lot of research, i found this link http://www.dbstalk.com/showpost.php?p=1135695&postcount=3 to finally fix the problem. Follow it exactly, and also be aware that after the reset you will have to program the satelite with zip code etc. like when first installing the system. If someone is having problems let me know and i can try to walk you thru the procedure.

Is there a simple way to set the channel guide so that the channel order is reversed? Or another way to fix this issue I see as a problem in the default setting on the H20?

Quick answer is no.

If you think of your screen as a window OVER the guide list, moving the window up the list would reveal lower numbered channels. Moving it down would show higher numbered channels. Hitting the "+" is moving the window up, not the guide. Odd behavior to be sure, but not a defect.

Carl

I recently had a D tech out for service. I posed the question to him what happened to the categories in the guide since the last software update? I have a H20 600 I believe. He said he has a lot of people asking, the answer: you need to RESET EVERYTHING, which will bring it back BUT note you will loose all favorites or other personal settings. Also... if your remote is being used in RF mode, the reset will mandate that the remote be reset to IR mode before you can reset everything. I followed all screen instructions but the remote STOPPED working in any mode. After a lot of research, i found this link http://www.dbstalk.com/showpost.php?p=1135695&postcount=3 to finally fix the problem. Follow it exactly, and also be aware that after the reset you will have to program the satelite with zip code etc. like when first installing the system. If someone is having problems let me know and i can try to walk you thru the procedure.

I think you may have missed the question. Under the national release it takes two presses of the guide button to get to the guide. The HR-20 has a one press to guide option. The H20 has this in the beta software and it should come with the next national release.
While installers want to help, they [or some] rank along with CSRs [some again] that are way behind the curve on what is really going on.

With the H20, is there a way to set it so it defaults to the HD channels? Right now if I enter the channel number it brings up the SD channels.

Originally posted by veryoldschool:I think you may have missed the question. Under the national release it takes two presses of the guide button to get to the guide. The HR-20 has a one press to guide option. The H20 has this in the beta software and it should come with the next national release.
While installers want to help, they [or some] rank along with CSRs [some again] that are way behind the curve on what is really going on.
__________________
So let me get this straight, After the next national release, will the categories still be available, or will they be gone again? For instance I now have a SPORTS category which is convenient to display only sports programming. This is very convenient to find who is carrying the local game on a given day, instead of searching thru all channels. Of course you could also use Custom for this purpose. Is this being discontinued?

Originally posted by veryoldschool:I think you may have missed the question. Under the national release it takes two presses of the guide button to get to the guide. The HR-20 has a one press to guide option. The H20 has this in the beta software and it should come with the next national release.
While installers want to help, they [or some] rank along with CSRs [some again] that are way behind the curve on what is really going on.
__________________
So let me get this straight, After the next national release, will the categories still be available, or will they be gone again? For instance I now have a SPORTS category which is convenient to display only sports programming. This is very convenient to find who is carrying the local game on a given day, instead of searching thru all channels. Of course you could also use Custom for this purpose. Is this being discontinued?

In the next release you should have a setting for either the guide or categories to display first.

With the H20, is there a way to set it so it defaults to the HD channels? Right now if I enter the channel number it brings up the SD channels.

Has there been a resolution to this problem?

I have not found one yet.

Has anyone contacted D* about it?

With the H20, is there a way to set it so it defaults to the HD channels? Right now if I enter the channel number it brings up the SD channels.

First you must create a Custom set of channels selecting only the HD version, then make that custom list the current default, and finally select any HD channel number.. the Hd version will be displayed.

First you must create a Custom set of channels selecting only the HD version, then make that custom list the current default, and finally select any HD channel number.. the Hd version will be displayed.


Everyone has already tried that it does not work.

Everyone has already tried that it does not work.

"In work" since the newer beta software has the option to hide SD channels that have the same HD channel number.

Hey folks...

Just got my H20 (and HR20) installed today... so far the H20 seems ok... I was able to get a custom channel list created so that I only deal with the HD versions of various channels, which is good... and overall navigation seems reasonable...

I do look forward to being able to make it a 1-key press step to get to the guide, but I can live with the 2-key press approach for a bit...

Apologies for being a bit lazy and not searching thru the thread a bit more, but had a question about whether I can also edit the "Channels You Get" list? I could do this on my old receivers (Sony, Tivo) but couldn't figure out how on the H20... Generally I'd like to remove all the crap I'd never watch from that list but keep most channels available (ie end up with a few hundred channels), and then keep my "custom" lists for more true favorites (ie end up with 10s of channels)...

Thanks,
-James

The channels I get list does not work that way yet. It's a non editable all channels list for now.

In the new firmwares there are both things added.

In the Display Setup menus there is a selection that allow you to "Hide SD Duplicates" and Grid Guide allowing Grid Guiide or Categories First

In the new firmwares there are both things added.

In the Display Setup menus there is a selection that allow you to "Hide SD Duplicates" and Grid Guide allowing Grid Guiide or Categories First

When are these going to be released?

Are you referring to the HR 20 or the H20? The HR 20 has those Guide options the H20 does not.

Is it possible to tune directly to one of the new HD channels using the dash button? I thought I read that somewhere but can't get it to work, for instance if i want BTN-HD i'd punch in 220-1?

Is it possible to tune directly to one of the new HD channels using the dash button? I thought I read that somewhere but can't get it to work, for instance if i want BTN-HD i'd punch in 220-1?



No it is not possible by using the dash. We can only hope this is fixed with a software update.

When are these going to be released?

These are active in the new H20CE (Cutting Edge Beta firmware) which seem like it is pretty stable so I assume it's not too far from approval (a month of so maybe) though I have not heard any dates on when they will roll out the new functions.

2024 is the current national I've been on 203a for a week and have had minimum problems. 2038 was released a a 2-3 weeks ago which was my first good CE firmware. 203A came out last weekend and overall has been excellent, and I think 203e might be available tonight


**** PLEASE read Earl's warning thread first about talking to CSR's or D* by phone or email if you have a problem. Keep it on dbstalk only If you don't like the new Beta, just wait until the window is over and force a download and you will revert to the prior National. The thread on H20 and the FAq is there as well including procedures.

Read at least the original post:
http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=101920

Recently added an HR 20 going from an HR10-250 so dealing with some of these issues myself.

There is a menu option to make the filter choice *second* instead of first Settings>setup>display gets you the option.

I want a guide with mostly HD on it and just setup all the channels as favorites and then set it as default. That way it sticks. I agree that trying to choose say the HD filter every time is not very user friendly but this works.

Now if only D* get get a patch to allow my -100 to receive an HD channel on VHF2....

BJBBJB

I just got my HD installed with an H20-100. It seems to work well, but my wife is driving me nuts to find a way to sort the channels alphabetically instead of by number. Am I missing something very basic here? I've searched the manual and boards and can't find anything.
Thanks,
Bill.

I am not receiving CNBC HD 355 on My H20-100 , comes through fine on H20-600 & HR20-700 Tried resets.. nothing talked to tech nothing.. any one else having this problem???

Works fine on my H20-100 as well as both of my H20-600s. So, it is not something systematic with all H20-100s. I hope you are able to resolve the problem.

I just got my HD installed with an H20-100. It seems to work well, but my wife is driving me nuts to find a way to sort the channels alphabetically instead of by number. Am I missing something very basic here? I've searched the manual and boards and can't find anything.
Thanks,
Bill.

With the paperwork at installation, I did get a printed Channel Guide folder that shows the channels alphabetically. It says on the bottom "Provided by Direct*StarTV" and the folder has its advertising on the inside, coupons to give to a friend, etc. on pages 1-2. The Guide starts at the centerfold.

Dana

Dana:
Thanks for the reply....I received a similar printed guide with the installation. I guess what I'm really trying to say is that both my wife and I seem to be "numerically challenged" and used to find it very convenient to merely scroll down an alphabetically-sorted list to find our favorite stations. Before HD, we had both the RCA and Huges boxes. Basic as they were, both allowed sorting choices. Maybe one of the future software upgrades will address this.
Thanks again,
Bill.

I just set up my D* H20-100 receiver today. When attempting to set up the D* remote for my Vizio VX37L 10-A, I noted that the Vizio is not listed in the list of 150+ TV brands! :eek:

Does anyone know how to program the D* H20-100 remote to operate the Vizio VX37L 10A?? :confused: Thanks.

Something strange has happened.
I was watching the bionic woman,when all of a sudden the picture became pixilated (like weather interference) and finally went out:mad:.

I have the H20-100,and was going through hdmi,everything was fine until tonight. All it says on my tv is "weak or no signal" I tried switching Hdmi inputs,(my tv has 2)as well as a reset of the STB,all to no avail.

I am able to watch tv through component,but now I can't through hdmi:mad:
Has anybody else experienced this?? and if so,what did directv do to remedy the situation.
Thanks

Something strange has happened.
I was watching the bionic woman,when all of a sudden the picture became pixilated (like weather interference) and finally went out:mad:.

I have the H20-100,and was going through hdmi,everything was fine until tonight. All it says on my tv is "weak or no signal" I tried switching Hdmi inputs,(my tv has 2)as well as a reset of the STB,all to no avail.

I am able to watch tv through component,but now I can't through hdmi:mad:
Has anybody else experienced this?? and if so,what did directv do to remedy the situation.
Thanks

Welcome to the wonderful world of HDMI. :rolleyes: I had a similar experience last week when a brand new H20-100 was installed. I took off the closet shelf an HDMI>DVI cable that I had used successfully with an H20-600 and a Sony HD TV two years ago before I went back to cable. (Big mistake.)

The TV lit up but with strange colors. The installer and I checked various possibilities but I never suspected my cable because it had worked with the same TV and H20 box until I'd put it away 18 mo. ago. He wiggled the cable behind the H20 and the picture changed colors. Long story made short: it was the cable. Later when I tried the cable on an H20-600 and a different TV, I got the same message as you report. How can an HDMI cable go bad sitting on the shelf? :confused: I used a different cable with success.

When a second H20 was being installed (a refurb H20-600) I ran into more HDMI connection problems. Signal out of range. I solved that problem with a Port Saver cable adapter. (See second paragraph down.) So, two H20 boxes = two HDMI cable issues.

So, I can say with some basis that it is highly likely that your HDMI cable/connection is at fault. Monoprice (A forum sponsor: see their link at the top of the page.) has high quality cables at low prices with fast economy shipping. Those little cable "fingers" on the cable end may not be an exact match for the contact points in the terminal. Whatever the reason, HDMI is a trouble-prone connection.

Monoprice also sells HDMI Port Saver cables, little nine inch HDMI extension cables with a male and female connection. Intended to move the HDMI connection point away from the typically cable crowded back of many consumer electronics, they also have snug HDMI fittings. A rarity. One of them I had on hand fixed the H20-600 HDMI connection problem.

I'll spare you my rant about HDMI. Why it was industry-preferred over the rock solid DVI connection is beyond me.

Good luck.

Dana

I just set up my D* H20-100 receiver today. When attempting to set up the remote for my Vizio VX37L 10-A, I noted that the Vizio is not listed in the list of 150+ TV brands! :eek:

Does anyone know how to program the D* remote to operate the Vizio VX37L 10A?? :confused: Thanks.

The installers I had kept pressing a button on the remote until they got my TVs to respond. But I don't know what button. :o

Dana

I just set up my D* H20-100 receiver today. When attempting to set up the D* remote for my Vizio VX37L 10-A, I noted that the Vizio is not listed in the list of 150+ TV brands! :eek:

Does anyone know how to program the D* H20-100 remote to operate the Vizio VX37L 10A?? :confused: Thanks.

Try here: http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=91328&highlight=Vizio+remote

One of them worked for me.

I just set up my D* H20-100 receiver today. When attempting to set up the D* remote for my Vizio VX37L 10-A, I noted that the Vizio is not listed in the list of 150+ TV brands! :eek:

Does anyone know how to program the D* H20-100 remote to operate the Vizio VX37L 10A?? :confused: Thanks.

Try here: http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=91328&highlight=Vizio+remote

One of them worked for me.

"old", thanks to you and several posters on the dbstalk forum, 10056 does the job with the VX37L 10-A. When I called D* about this, they gave me 4 codes to try, including 10178 (the only one that worked....but not totally correct...had to push couple of buttons twice, etc.). D* rep did not mention 10056 which makes it all OK (except the input key which doesn't matter). :D I wrote it down in my D* book if I ever need it again. ;)

Welcome to the wonderful world of HDMI. :rolleyes: I had a similar experience last week when a brand new H20-100 was installed. I took off the closet shelf an HDMI>DVI cable that I had used successfully with an H20-600 and a Sony HD TV two years ago before I went back to cable. (Big mistake.)

The TV lit up but with strange colors. The installer and I checked various possibilities but I never suspected my cable because it had worked with the same TV and H20 box until I'd put it away 18 mo. ago. He wiggled the cable behind the H20 and the picture changed colors. Long story made short: it was the cable. Later when I tried the cable on an H20-600 and a different TV, I got the same message as you report. How can an HDMI cable go bad sitting on the shelf? :confused: I used a different cable with success.

When a second H20 was being installed (a refurb H20-600) I ran into more HDMI connection problems. Signal out of range. I solved that problem with a Port Saver cable adapter. (See second paragraph down.) So, two H20 boxes = two HDMI cable issues.

So, I can say with some basis that it is highly likely that your HDMI cable/connection is at fault. Monoprice (A forum sponsor: see their link at the top of the page.) has high quality cables at low prices with fast economy shipping. Those little cable "fingers" on the cable end may not be an exact match for the contact points in the terminal. Whatever the reason, HDMI is a trouble-prone connection.

Monoprice also sells HDMI Port Saver cables, little nine inch HDMI extension cables with a male and female connection. Intended to move the HDMI connection point away from the typically cable crowded back of many consumer electronics, they also have snug HDMI fittings. A rarity. One of them I had on hand fixed the H20-600 HDMI connection problem.

I'll spare you my rant about HDMI. Why it was industry-preferred over the rock solid DVI connection is beyond me.

Good luck.

Dana

Thanks for the info.
I went to wal-mart and exchanged my hdmi cable,came home hooked it up and nothing.
So I called Directv,and told them my problem,and the lady told me that there are problems with the hdmi ports on those stb's (h20-100)
In the end...their going to send me another one for 19.99 s/h .
Hopefully this one works.

What I don't get,is if they know there's a problem,why not fix it? If they have she didn't mention anything of it today.
So I guess we'll see.

Thanks for the info.
I went to wal-mart and exchanged my hdmi cable,came home hooked it up and nothing.
So I called Directv,and told them my problem,and the lady told me that there are problems with the hdmi ports on those stb's (h20-100)
In the end...their going to send me another one for 19.99 s/h .
Hopefully this one works.

What I don't get,is if they know there's a problem,why not fix it? If they have she didn't mention anything of it today.
So I guess we'll see.I don't use HDMI but as I understand it, they messed it up with their last FW upgrade. The more important question is, If they screwed it up why are they charging you $19.95? :cool:
Why don't you use the bug-proof component connection instead? It looks the same. HDMI is a PITA :eek:

Thanks for the info.
I went to wal-mart and exchanged my hdmi cable,came home hooked it up and nothing.
So I called Directv,and told them my problem,and the lady told me that there are problems with the hdmi ports on those stb's (h20-100)
In the end...their going to send me another one for 19.99 s/h .
Hopefully this one works.

What I don't get,is if they know there's a problem,why not fix it? If they have she didn't mention anything of it today.
So I guess we'll see.

I don't use HDMI but as I understand it, they messed it up with their last FW upgrade. The more important question is, If they screwed it up why are they charging you $19.95? :cool:
Why don't you use the bug-proof component connection instead? It looks the same. HDMI is a PITA :eek:


I just hooked up an HR20-100 to an Integra 8.8 via HDMI....no problem with HDMI. Also a H20-100 to a Vizio via HDMI....again no problems.

I have the H20-100 receiver running HDMI with monoprice 6ft cable. I also have a DVD player running HDMI to my Panny 50" plasma. I did get one dud HDMI cable from monoprice but they replaced it with a new one that works perfectly. The HDMI works very well on my H20-100.

My question about the H20 is wheather I need a 5-LNB transoponder or will my 3-LNB transponder work for all the HDTV channels. DirecTV is planning on making a service call because they could not upload the newest HDTV channels to my receiver. I've heard a lot of people having trouble getting the newest HDTV channels, TBS-HD, CNN-HD, History Channel HD etc.

Do I need a new receiver? Will my wide oval 3-LNB dish do the trick?

Also, what's the code for the H20 receiver, I have a Universal mx-500 and they don't list a remote code for this model

I have the H20-100 receiver running HDMI with monoprice 6ft cable. I also have a DVD player running HDMI to my Panny 50" plasma. I did get one dud HDMI cable from monoprice but they replaced it with a new one that works perfectly. The HDMI works very well on my H20-100.

My question about the H20 is wheather I need a 5-LNB transoponder or will my 3-LNB transponder work for all the HDTV channels. DirecTV is planning on making a service call because they could not upload the newest HDTV channels to my receiver. I've heard a lot of people having trouble getting the newest HDTV channels, TBS-HD, CNN-HD, History Channel HD etc.

Do I need a new receiver? Will my wide oval 3-LNB dish do the trick?

Also, what's the code for the H20 receiver, I have a Universal mx-500 and they don't list a remote code for this model

Everything I've read indicates that you need a SlimLine 5 LNB dish and a BBC attached to your H20 to get all the new HD channels.

The H20 has been out since late 2005. The remote code has to be in the remote manufacturer data base by now. Can you call them? Anyway, it's apparently a learning remote so you should be able to teach it the code by using the D* remote with it.

Dana

Thanks for the info.
I went to wal-mart and exchanged my hdmi cable,came home hooked it up and nothing.
So I called Directv,and told them my problem,and the lady told me that there are problems with the hdmi ports on those stb's (h20-100)
In the end...their going to send me another one for 19.99 s/h .
Hopefully this one works.

What I don't get,is if they know there's a problem,why not fix it? If they have she didn't mention anything of it today.
So I guess we'll see.

Once you get your box up and running using HDMI - I'm confident you will - call D* at 1-800-494-4388. After several automated prompts, the voice will ask why you are calling. Say "Cancel Service." It will ask if you want to change programming or cancel your service. Say again "Cancel service." It will transfer you to Customer Retention. Tell them you are aggravated over this problem. Be nice about it but indicate that getting charged $19.95 to ship you a STB to replace a defective one is a bit much.

More than likely, the retention rep will cancel the $19.95 charge and offer you a $100. credit on your account for your trouble. I had some installation problems and I followed the above routine - based on comments on the Forum - and I was well-treated.

As for why they don't fix the HDMI issue, if it is software they will fix it. More typically it is hardware related.

Dana

Also, what's the code for the H20 receiver, I have a Universal mx-500 and they don't list a remote code for this model

If the MX-500 uses the same database as the MX-700, they do have the code. Listed under Satellite, Manuf: Directv. I've used it for some time (code # 173) & works for the H20, H21 & HR20.

Carl

I never used the code, I have had better luck with teaching the mx-500 - covers things the code doesn't always cover, and I can put certain functions where I want them

Kinda of a noob question here...

How do i filter out channels i don't get when i select a sub filter catergory on my direct h20...hd, locals, news and information, etc? I've setup a "favorite" list and that works as long as i don't use another filter level, ie, "all channels in favorite."

I want to filter out the hd channels i don't get...but would like to select "hd channels" from the filter list. Is this possible?

thanks.

"Everything I've read indicates that you need a SlimLine 5 LNB dish and a BBC attached to your H20 to get all the new HD channels."

To put it a bit clearer: you need a 5 LNB dish to even see the 99 & 103 SAT positions and the BBC to convert the the signals from the new D10 SAT at 103 for the new HD channels.

I would like to try the RF remote capability but cannot find where to buy the RF antenna. I went to Fry's and Radio Shack and they didn't have a clue. I looked at D*'s website and there was no mention. I tried a Google search and no luck there either. Isearched this thread to no avail.

Anyone know?

I would like to try the RF remote capability but cannot find where to buy the RF antenna. I went to Fry's and Radio Shack and they didn't have a clue. I looked at D*'s website and there was no mention. I tried a Google search and no luck there either. Isearched this thread to no avail.

Anyone know?

How about this? DIRECTV RC64RBK Universal RF Back Lit Remote and Antenna Kit for HR20, H20, HR10 and R15. http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=RC32RFK

Dana

Does the slimline 5-lnb dish have the same mast as the 3 lnb dish? This is the base that is attached to the roof or side of the house? I may just buy a slimline 5 LNB and put it on the roof myself. I have not been satisfied in the past with the tuning job the directv guys have done. When it rains hard, I lose my picture. I bought one of those satellite finders and think I could do a better job finding the signal.

I just don't want to remove the base mast from my roof because it's sealed in a lot of silicone to protect from water damage. If I can use the same mast, I may install the new 5 lnb dish myself this time.

Anybody know if the 5 LNB mast is the same as the 3 LNB mast? The 3 LNB was the same as the 2 LNB mast of old.

Does the slimline 5-lnb dish have the same mast as the 3 lnb dish? This is the base that is attached to the roof or side of the house? I may just buy a slimline 5 LNB and put it on the roof myself. I have not been satisfied in the past with the tuning job the directv guys have done. When it rains hard, I lose my picture. I bought one of those satellite finders and think I could do a better job finding the signal.

I just don't want to remove the base mast from my roof because it's sealed in a lot of silicone to protect from water damage. If I can use the same mast, I may install the new 5 lnb dish myself this time.

Anybody know if the 5 LNB mast is the same as the 3 LNB mast? The 3 LNB was the same as the 2 LNB mast of old.

The new dish uses a 2" OD mast. Some supply houses sell a pipe adapter such as shown here http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=SKY1101 to slip over the old mast. But, the new dish is much bigger and heavier than the three LNB dish. D* indicates that the pipe mount for the 3 LNB dish will not be adequate to support the new 5 LNB dish.

Dana

I was surprised that my H20 I just had installed did not have the RF remote. I replaced my H10 so I could get all of the new HD channels but like I said no RF remote. Tried my RF Remote from my H10 and no go does not work with the H20. I am now forced to by a new remote :(

I was surprised that my H20 I just had installed did not have the RF remote. I replaced my H10 so I could get all of the new HD channels but like I said no RF remote. Tried my RF Remote from my H10 and no go does not work with the H20. I am now forced to by a new remote :(

Simply put: you got burned. I'd call D*, since both of my H20s came with the RF antenna and a remote that has the RF mode.
Some "repackaged" units have come with the RC 32 which isn't RF capable.

Simply put: you got burned. I'd call D*, since both of my H20s came with the RF antenna and a remote that has the RF mode.
Some "repackaged" units have come with the RC 32 which isn't RF capable.

All the receivers I have received in the last two weeks - two H20s, one H21 and two SD receivers - came with RC64 remotes. No antennas.

Dana

I have the H20 you will have to upgrade to the 5-LNB dish you wont get any new channels I had 3-LNB dish now get everything

Does the slimline 5-lnb dish have the same mast as the 3 lnb dish? This is the base that is attached to the roof or side of the house? I may just buy a slimline 5 LNB and put it on the roof myself. I have not been satisfied in the past with the tuning job the directv guys have done. When it rains hard, I lose my picture. I bought one of those satellite finders and think I could do a better job finding the signal.
I just don't want to remove the base mast from my roof because it's sealed in a lot of silicone to protect from water damage. If I can use the same mast, I may install the new 5 lnb dish myself this time.

Anybody know if the 5 LNB mast is the same as the 3 LNB mast? The 3 LNB was the same as the 2 LNB mast of old.

You may get closer (I had a good installer with a $500 sat finder who got me a number of 100% transponder signals on my new SlimLine) but no matter what you do or how well you aim, when it rains "hard" as you said, you will temporarily loose your picture. Ain't no way around that fact. :(

I purchased an RF remote for $25 from the DirecTV website without an antenna.
I don't consider the antenna worth $15.

All the receivers I have received in the last two weeks - two H20s, one H21 and two SD receivers - came with RC64 remotes. No antennas.

Dana

The H21 has an internal antenna.
My H20-100 came with antenna and an RF remote.
My H20-600 came the same.
"Repackaged" units have come with an IR only remote.

The RC64 seems to have replaced the RC32 since it has more codes but is only IR.
The RC64R is RF.
The RC64RB is replacing the RC-32RF [back lit]
And I think the RC64RBK is the "kit" that comes with an antenna.

...
And I think the RC64RBK is the "kit" that comes with an antenna.

Correct. See my post with link here http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=11886900#post11886900

Dana

Once you get your box up and running using HDMI - I'm confident you will - call D* at 1-800-494-4388. After several automated prompts, the voice will ask why you are calling. Say "Cancel Service." It will ask if you want to change programming or cancel your service. Say again "Cancel service." It will transfer you to Customer Retention. Tell them you are aggravated over this problem. Be nice about it but indicate that getting charged $19.95 to ship you a STB to replace a defective one is a bit much.

More than likely, the retention rep will cancel the $19.95 charge and offer you a $100. credit on your account for your trouble. I had some installation problems and I followed the above routine - based on comments on the Forum - and I was well-treated.

As for why they don't fix the HDMI issue, if it is software they will fix it. More typically it is hardware related.

Dana

LOL....Thanks for the tip.
One thing though......what would I do in the event that they give me the old "sorry to lose you as a customer" bit?

I am VERY seriously thinking of doing this,as the more I think about it,I shouldn't have to pay 19.99s/h on something that they've admitted being defective.

LOL....Thanks for the tip.
One thing though......what would I do in the event that they give me the old "sorry to lose you as a customer" bit?

I am VERY seriously thinking of doing this,as the more I think about it,I shouldn't have to pay 19.99s/h on something that they've admitted being defective.

They won't, believe me. You say "cancel service" to an automated voice but you wind up talking to a customer retention specialist who will know nothing about your problem/intent, etc. until you describe it. (They will know who you are from your telephone number but may want to confirm your identity.) It's just a way to get through the automated telephone tree. When a "real" staff person answers, just tell them what you just wrote. You have a very legitimate problem which a retention staffer will fix in a minute.

Dana

Howdy, y'all... I have a H20 - 100 with the 0X2036 upgrade. Everything is working great with all the HD channels coming in wonderfully.

Monitor is a Sony HI-DEF 4:3 CRT. Hanging in there with this until I find the flat panel I want for a purchase next year.

Since the summer upgrade, I have lost the ability to center the display via that option located within the SETUP area. Although the option is available, nothing happens when the arrows are selected.

Anyone else notice this?

Howdy, y'all... I have a H20 - 100 with the 0X2036 upgrade. Everything is working great with all the HD channels coming in wonderfully.

Monitor is a Sony HI-DEF 4:3 CRT. Hanging in there with this until I find the flat panel I want for a purchase next year.

Since the summer upgrade, I have lost the ability to center the display via that option located within the SETUP area. Although the option is available, nothing happens when the arrows are selected.

Anyone else notice this?

That isn't a national release. You have a beta version or "CE" that hasn't gone national.

Beta.... I didn't do it... somehow I have it, then. Sez August 15th, Wednesday. But, be that as it may, could you check to see if your centering option works...

Beta.... I didn't do it... somehow I have it, then. Sez August 15th, Wednesday. But, be that as it may, could you check to see if your centering option works...

I've changed my H20 over to a H21 & my H20s are not active anymore.

The Aug 15th, Wednesday doesn't refer to the CE/Beta software [another bug], but an earlier release & the last time is was available was 09/15/2007.
You can download the national release [2021] right now, with a reboot and pressing 02468 at the "hello screen".

Thanks.... just did the 2021 update. Nothing amiss and all seems well, but still have the non-functioning Centering option. The arrows exist, and they highlight as I arrow over them, but the Select button has no effect.

I have an H20-100 with 2021 software and my box's centering function does work. So, it doesn't appear to be a systematic problem with the H20-100 or the 2021 software. I hope you get the problem resolved.

Thanks, Jeff....! I'll do some more digging, then.

Thanks, Jeff....! I'll do some more digging, then.

Are you using component or HDMI?
I haven't used the centering since I seemed to be centered well through HDMI [but wonder if it's for component?]

They won't, believe me. You say "cancel service" to an automated voice but you wind up talking to a customer retention specialist who will know nothing about your problem/intent, etc. until you describe it. (They will know who you are from your telephone number but may want to confirm your identity.) It's just a way to get through the automated telephone tree. When a "real" staff person answers, just tell them what you just wrote. You have a very legitimate problem which a retention staffer will fix in a minute.

Dana

Thank you very much for the info. I should be receiving my new h20 tomorrow.
As soon as its operational,(the operator said I'll have to call in...something about the cable card?? being activated) I'll call back and do what you mentioned.
Thanks again.

I'm using component... basically, after the software upgrade, my picture shifted a bit off-centered. So, I just merely went to the centering option and that is when I discovered it no longer read the SELECT button. It honestly used to work. Nothing different has been done with my setup, other than enjoying the marvelous new HI-DEF channels.

No biggie, I'll just go into the Sony's setup and move it that way. Just bugs me that the option no longer works. I've done the power off/reset button thing, all the usual tricks that I've used before.

I'm using component... basically, after the software upgrade, my picture shifted a bit off-centered. So, I just merely went to the centering option and that is when I discovered it no longer read the SELECT button. It honestly used to work. Nothing different has been done with my setup, other than enjoying the marvelous new HI-DEF channels.

No biggie, I'll just go into the Sony's setup and move it that way. Just bugs me that the option no longer works. I've done the power off/reset button thing, all the usual tricks that I've used before.

Well someday there will be another national release. The last beta was 0x2039 on 10/02/2007, so they're still working on it.

I use component as well. Very puzzling.....

Puzzling indeed... I've worked up nearly any scenario, any receiver output, just about all forms of reboots that I can think of. Still no workie with the select button. Even tried using the ENTER button. Ah well...

My take on the various H20 FW Updates;

I was a hardware engineer for over 20 years with a major computer company and we had a term for new software or micro-code releases, “BOHICA” (Bend Over Here It Comes Again) ;).

D* must have a bunch of third world teenagers programming this stuff. Their Beta Testing seems more like Alpha Testing and their National Releases are really the Beta Tests. Done properly, these issues should have been fixed by now! Fix one thing and screw up three more is the way things have been going. There is no excuse for this lack of performance.

Puzzling indeed... I've worked up nearly any scenario, any receiver output, just about all forms of reboots that I can think of. Still no workie with the select button. Even tried using the ENTER button. Ah well...

We have several receivers. After my post last night I was playing around with one of the other receivers that we don't watch much. It is an h20-600. I found that the left/right centering would not work on that receiver. The up/down centering would move the image. I saw that in the lower right corner of the centering screen there is a reset selection. I selected the reset centering selection and voila, the left/right centering bagan working again. If you have not already given this a try, you may should try it on your receiver and see if it restores your centering function....

Howdy, Jeff.... well. Yeah, I tried that already. grinnnnn
I am somewhat encouraged, though, that you at least had a half-issue with the problem. I posted the problem at several sites, and so far, no one has responded with a similar problem. However, there have been several reports of overscan at the various sites and a shift to the left reports. But, no one has reported having problems using the centering command----but me.

Not a major issue, but with the gorgeous HD, I suddenly became picky...

What are the steps to manually update the H20's firmware? I'm sure its in this thread somehwere but the search function is completely worthless on these boards. My current firmware is 0x2021.

What are the steps to manually update the H20's firmware? I'm sure its in this thread somehwere but the search function is completely worthless on these boards. My current firmware is 0x2021.

That's the current national release.

To force a download restart the receiver and at the "Hello" screen press 0 2 4 6 8

My HR20-700 says 0x18a. tried 0 2 4 6 8 at the hello screen and no update. I can not get a 4:3 stretch mode anymore. I need it occasionally with my CRT RPTV.

Will plugging it into my router help anything?

My HR20-700 says 0x18a. tried 0 2 4 6 8 at the hello screen and no update. I can not get a 4:3 stretch mode anymore. I need it occasionally with my CRT RPTV.

Will plugging it into my router help anything?
This is the H20 thread, For better response, try this one:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10123185#post10123185

Stretch mode on H20s or HR20s only works if the box output is 480i.

I have a H20 and I'm wondering if HDMI 1.3 will throw it off or not. The TV I'm getting will have 1.3 inputs so will a 1.3 cable work as well as a regular HDMI cable?

This is the wonderful response I got from D* customer service.

Dear Mr. T,

Thanks for writing about your H20. I understand that you would want to use your new HDMI 1.3 inputs with your H20. Let me go ahead and assist you.

For the compatibility of your HDMI 1.3 inputs and H20 receivers, since you have PROTECTION PLAN, I will strongly advised that you please call us at 1-888-667-7463 and select the option for technical assistance. Our Technical Support agents are trained to walk you through a number of troubleshooting steps.

Thanks again for writing and stay tuned to directv.com for the latest news and information about our services.

Sincerely,

Angel R.
Employee ID 100205814
DIRECTV Customer Service

I have a H20 and I'm wondering if HDMI 1.3 will throw it off or not. The TV I'm getting will have 1.3 inputs so will a 1.3 cable work as well as a regular HDMI cable?HDMI 1.3 is nothing more than an enhancement (some say hype) to the established HDMI specification. Mostly, it allows for higher resolution pass-through. It is pin-for-pin backward compatible with all earlier revisions. Since nobody is presently using anything higher than 1080p, 1.3 means very little. It will not cause any problems with your H20 with its max of 1080i. Either cable will work fine.

Dana

Thanks for the reminder on monoprice. Darn Good price. I've yet to meet an HDMI connection I like, but I'm willing to give it another try with a new TV on the way.
My H-20 is a nightmare, but I'll give the next updates a small chance.

Any word on when the new firmware/software update is due for the H20? Awhile back I read the date was the end of Oct. Is that still true?

It's in roll out now. Mistake. That's the HR20-700 It may take a week to get to everybody.

It's in roll out now. It may take a week to get to everybody.

Thank You....

It's in roll out now. It may take a week to get to everybody.
Any idea if this version will allow for direct tuning of the new HD channels? or is that further down the road?
Thanks for the update!

It's in roll out now. It may take a week to get to everybody.

There is still beta testing going on, but I only see 2042 coming for the -600 as of today.
The -100 still has 2021


Current national releases:
-100 - 2021
-600 - 2042 [B]EDIT: which it has now

Any idea if this version will allow for direct tuning of the new HD channels? or is that further down the road?
Thanks for the update!


As I understand it, yes the new update suppose to address this problem..

I just forced an software update using the 02468 update... No new firmware yet..My H20 is still reading 2021.....

As I understand it, yes the new update suppose to address this problem..

I just forced an software update using the 02468 update... No new firmware yet..My H20 is still reading 2021.....

This is because you have a H20-100.
Didn't you know this or read the posting just above your post?

This is because you have a H20-100.
Didn't you know this or read the posting just above your post?

:confused: Yes....I was pointing out the H20 isn't updating to the new firmware yet...

:confused: Yes....I was pointing out the H20 isn't updating to the new firmware yet...

Sorry I guess it's been a long week. Since you have a -100 and I posted what the national release for it was, I didn't understand why somebody would try to get something that's not out there.

Sorry I guess it's been a long week. Since you have a -100 and I posted what the national release for it was, I didn't understand why somebody would try to get something that's not out there.

Grey posted the new release is being released now.. I was hoping..

Grey posted the new release is being released now.. I was hoping..

Which caused me to do "my homework". :)

Can anyone involved with beta testing confirm that the new update will allow HR20-100's to be able to tune OTA HD channel VHF2 (3-1). There was the same issue with the HR20-700s until they fixed that.

But I guess there are not enough users in "major markets" with the issue to get their attention.

I am hoping that it is fixed wtih the patch.

BJBBJB

Can anyone involved with beta testing confirm that the new update will allow -700's to be able to tune OTA HD channel VHF2 (3-1). There was the same issue with the -100s until they fixed that.

But I guess there are not enough users in "major markets" with the issue to get their attention.

I am hoping that it is fixed wtih the patch.

BJBBJB

The "-700" is the HR-20 and it has had the software for well over six months.

D* will download the updates to you when they feel it solves issues and works okay. Their record hasn’t been stellar, however. Trying to be the first kid on the block with a particular version is fraught with risk, particularly with beta versions. Unless you are in “the program”, don’t force a download of beta software and then call D* to complain. Patience is a virtue.:)

The "-700" is the HR-20 and it has had the software for well over six months.

Veryoldschool,
Sorry for the confusion....I have the NEWER HR20-100 that HAS the problem where it cannot tune OTA VHF2. This was fixed previously on the HR20-700's with a patch. But now the out-of-the-box -100 has it. So does the -100 patch fix this??

Thanks,
Bill

PS. I edited my original post to avoid further confusion...

Veryoldschool,
Sorry for the confusion....I have the NEWER HR20-100 that HAS the problem where it cannot tune OTA VHF2. This was fixed previously on the HR20-700's with a patch. But now the out-of-the-box -100 has it. So does the -100 patch fix this??

Thanks,
Bill

Your -100 "out of the box" needs the national software update. This should come over night if not with 20 min of activation.
The -100 is a few revs of software behind the -700, but the "patch" as you call it was done so long ago that both models work for low band VHF.

Grey posted the new release is being released now.. I was hoping..The H20-600 software is (NOT) in rollout. The H20-100 software is still in CE testing http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=103090 with 0x203e.

Sorry, it's the HR20-700 that is getting new software.

Your -100 "out of the box" needs the national software update. This should come over night if not with 20 min of activation.
The -100 is a few revs of software behind the -700, but the "patch" as you call it was done so long ago that both models work for low band VHF.

Hmmm...so what version of the HR20-100 software should I be seeing? I can confirm that there are many people nationwide in markets that use low band VHF OTA that still have this problem, not just me. Some have both the HR20-700 and HR20-100 and report the -700 works with the low band VHF and the -100 does not. Can anyone with an HR20-100 confirm that theirs does in fact pull in low band HD VHF OTA? Since my TV and HR10-250 both work with good signal, I know it is not my source. The HR20-100 reads zero signal on this channel.

Mine's been installed for a month so I am sure I have whatever download they are pushing. I would never want beta software from D**.

I really did not think I was being an early adopter as I waiting quite a while before getting the HR20 to supplant my non-mpeg 4 HD Tivo but I guess D* made a production source change. Not much else different between the two from what I have read.

Thanks for enlightening me on this. Just when I learned the ropes on my old unit(s) :)

BJBBJB

The H20-600 software is in rollout. The H20-100 software is still in CE testing http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=103090 with 0x203e.

Not to keep harping on this but where are you getting this info?
TP 25 is showing 0x2034 right now
TP 25 last had 0x2042 on 04:55:10 10/26/2007
TP 24 last had 0x4030 on 20:56:08 10/19/2007 [this was for both the -600 & -100]
I just don't see a "rollout" going on for the H20-600.

Hmmm...so what version of the HR20-100 software should I be seeing? I can confirm that there are many people nationwide in markets that use low band VHF OTA that still have this problem, not just me. Some have both the HR20-700 and HR20-100 and report the -700 works with the low band VHF and the -100 does not. Can anyone with an HR20-100 confirm that theirs does in fact pull in low band HD VHF OTA? Since my TV and HR10-250 both work with good signal, I know it is not my source. The HR20-100 reads zero signal on this channel.

Mine's been installed for a month so I am sure I have whatever download they are pushing. I would never want beta software from D**.

I really did not think I was being an early adopter as I waiting quite a while before getting the HR20 to supplant my non-mpeg 4 HD Tivo but I guess D* made a production source change. Not much else different between the two from what I have read.

Thanks for enlightening me on this. Just when I learned the ropes on my old unit(s) :)

BJBBJB

You really should be posting in the DVR forum here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=704067&page=149
and not the [non DVR] receiver forum.
The national release for both the -700 & -100 is 0x018A

Not to keep harping on this but where are you getting this info?
TP 25 is showing 0x2034 right now
TP 25 last had 0x2042 on 04:55:10 10/26/2007
TP 24 last had 0x4030 on 20:56:08 10/19/2007 [this was for both the -600 & -100]
I just don't see a "rollout" going on for the H20-600.You are right to harp. It's the HR20-700 that is involved. Sorry. I confused the "original" HR20 and the "original" H20. Now my conscious mind knows the difference between the Hs and the HRs. The number of times I've confused the two in my memory of which was going through what changes is alarming.

You are right to harp. It's the HR20-700 that is involved. Sorry. I confused the "original" HR20 and the "original" H20. Now my conscious mind knows the difference between the Hs and the HRs. The number of times I've confused the two in my memory of which was going through what changes is alarming.

Since I know "you know" I had to ask.
Don't feel like the "Lone Ranger" about this.
There are many posters/posting of: HR20-600 & H20-700 [and for those that don't know: there are no such things]. :)

Sorry about that veryoldschool and greywolf....
I also certainly know the difference between the H's and the HR's being a D* subscriber for more years than I can remember. I grabbed the wrong thread and will re-post appropriately.

Thanks,
BJBBJB

Since I know "you know" I had to ask.
Don't feel like the "Lone Ranger" about this.
There are many posters/posting of: HR20-600 & H20-700 [and for those that don't know: there are no such things]. :)I've done that myself. That's what I find alarming.I don't have much trouble dealing with running out of hard drive space in my head and having to delete old stuff to make room for new stuff. In fact it's kind of nice to be able to re-read a book. What bothers me is when the sectors get jumbled. I'd rather not know something than mix up two things. I think I'll just not deal with H20 stuff and stick to boxes I actually own.

I have both a HR20-100 and H20-100 D* HD receivers. My HR20-100 got a software update yesterday but I noticed that my H20-100 HD receiver has a firmeware 0x2021, Fri. 12/23 at 12:28am. Is that the latest f/w for the H20-100?

Thanks

I have both a HR20-100 and H20-100 D* HD receivers. My HR20-100 got a software update yesterday but I noticed that my H20-100 HD receiver has a firmeware 0x2021, Fri. 12/23 at 12:28am. Is that the latest f/w for the H20-100?

Thanks

Your software version is up to date [but the Fri, 12/23 at 12:28am isn't right due to a current bug, this is the time of an earlier update].

If you have a 1080p HDTV, should you set the Native to on or off on the HR20? I had it off and forcing 1080i, but I heard that SD channels look better with native on. Any input is appreciated.

If you have a 1080p HDTV, should you set the Native to on or off on the HR20? I had it off and forcing 1080i, but I heard that SD channels look better with native on. Any input is appreciated.

A lot will depend on your TV and how good the upscaling is. Your TV may better do a better job that what the STB can do. I have an A3000 and for me this set does a better job than my H20 so Native is set "on' for me. One by product of Native - on is that the channels change faster because the STB does have to do anything to the signal.

A lot will depend on your TV and how good the upscaling is. Your TV may better do a better job that what the STB can do. I have an A3000 and for me this set does a better job than my H20 so Native is set "on' for me. One by product of Native - on is that the channels change faster because the STB does have to do anything to the signal.
A related question: How do you get the guide to fit on the screen corectly for different resolutions or formats on a 1080p HDTV?

A lot will depend on your TV and how good the upscaling is. Your TV may better do a better job that what the STB can do. I have an A3000 and for me this set does a better job than my H20 so Native is set "on' for me. One by product of Native - on is that the channels change faster because the STB does have to do anything to the signal.

I have a HLT5089S Samsung LED DLP. Do the new Sammy's typically do a better job converting than the STB's? Also, if Native is on, the channels actually change slower because different channels have different resolutions.

If you have a 1080p HDTV, should you set the Native to on or off on the HR20? I had it off and forcing 1080i, but I heard that SD channels look better with native on. Any input is appreciated.

Typically, especially with the newer HDTVs, the TV will do a much better job de-interlacing and scaling DBS content than the STB, so I would recommend turning native on. Other advantages are that the HR20, and most likely your TV, will tell you the true resolution of the incoming source and I have found that the TV will correctly process the native source and display the guide, HD, and SD correctly when the TV is set to "full," avoiding the need to constantly change the aspect.

I have found that when watching a recorded show and then switching channels, the recorded show starts over when returning to it instead of resuming where I left off. Selecting "resume" makes no difference. Am I missing something or is this a significant shortcoming of the HR20/21?

A related question: How do you get the guide to fit on the screen corectly for different resolutions or formats on a 1080p HDTV?

9 times out of 10 the guides come up correctly on the A3000. The A3000 allows me set the default picture mode for HD content and SD content. Certain things come up wrong, the main one being the game channel but all I have to do is go into the A3000 and reselect the picture mode.

I have a HLT5089S Samsung LED DLP. Do the new Sammy's typically do a better job converting than the STB's? Also, if Native is on, the channels actually change slower because different channels have different resolutions.

I had the A3000 a good 3 weeks before my upgrade to the H20. I was using a real old box using S-Video as input and I was quite pleased with the upscaling capability of the A3000. When the H20 was installed, it was set up with Native to OFF but I did not like the results. I switched to Native ON and was much happier with the results. It has be set to "on" ever since.

If you want to watch a recorded program, do it from the playlist. To stop watching it, press the stop button. When you later go back to the program in the playlist, it will resume where you left off.

I had the A3000 a good 3 weeks before my upgrade to the H20. I was using a real old box using S-Video as input and I was quite pleased with the upscaling capability of the A3000. When the H20 was installed, it was set up with Native to OFF but I did not like the results. I switched to Native ON and was much happier with the results. It has be set to "on" ever since.

Thanks. Do you have all resolutions checked, including 480i? Also, does your picture "flicker" (for a second) when changing to a channel that is a different resolution than the previous?

Recently, I’ve been getting short audio skips or hiccups intermittently that last for a few minutes to 3 or 4 hours on all channels. The picture is always fine. This only affects the H20's Toslink (optical) output, The L/R is fine. I have swapped cables, AVR inputs, checked Sat and OTA signal strengths and have reached the conclusion that the problem is in the H20.
If I call D* and request a replacement, is there any way I can be sure that I will get a H20, not the H21. My TV does not tune to the local HD/digital channels and D* does not provide them, so I'd loose HD locals with a H21.

Thanks. Do you have all resolutions checked, including 480i? Also, does your picture "flicker" (for a second) when changing to a channel that is a different resolution than the previous?

yes I have 480i selected. The biggest delay comes when switching from/to a channel that is on 103b. How to assign a delay factor to the H20 because the TV also has to do it's thing on the different input sources.

My biggest problem is that I will get that "searching for satellite signal (771)?? for channels on the 103b. I have to go into the system menu and remind the H20 that 103b is there. Then all is fine until the next time the H20 forgets about 103b. Not sure is this is a hardware problem of software. Feels more like a software problem so my hope is the the next update will fix this problem.

I was having the same problem. Started out only on channels broadcasting Dolby Digital but later affected all channels (OTA and SAT). Sometimes I could get it back by pulling up the settings menu but it would go away as soon as I exited the menu. Strangely, the XM channels were the opposite...if there was any display on the screen (screensaver, channel banner) I got no audio, but if I hit exit to clear it, the audio would come back. I currently get nothing out the Toslink. I can see the red LED isn't burnt out.

Output through the analog L/R and HDMI is fine. I would also like to make sure I get a H20 replacement but haven't called it in yet since I don't know if I will have to pay for a new one. Mine is a leased receiver.

Recently, I’ve been getting short audio skips or hiccups intermittently that last for a few minutes to 3 or 4 hours on all channels. The picture is always fine. This only affects the H20's Toslink (optical) output, The L/R is fine. I have swapped cables, AVR inputs, checked Sat and OTA signal strengths and have reached the conclusion that the problem is in the H20.
If I call D* and request a replacement, is there any way I can be sure that I will get a H20, not the H21. My TV does not tune to the local HD/digital channels and D* does not provide them, so I'd loose HD locals with a H21.

I was having the same problem. Started out only on channels broadcasting Dolby Digital but later affected all channels (OTA and SAT). Sometimes I could get it back by pulling up the settings menu but it would go away as soon as I exited the menu. Strangely, the XM channels were the opposite...if there was any display on the screen (screensaver, channel banner) I got no audio, but if I hit exit to clear it, the audio would come back. I currently get nothing out the Toslink. I can see the red LED isn't burnt out.

Output through the analog L/R and HDMI is fine. I would also like to make sure I get a H20 replacement but haven't called it in yet since I don't know if I will have to pay for a new one. Mine is a leased receiver.We have exactly the same problem. Mine is also a leased receiver about 1 yr. old. HDMI is not an option for me. Just got off the phone with D*, they wanted to send a tech out to troubleshoot for $16 if I would subscribe to their $6/mo. warranty. I argued and they agreed to send a new (refurbished) STB for $19.95 +tax (S&H) but could not guarantee a H20, I went for it and told them if they send a H21 it would be coming right back at them for a credit. The CSR said it should be a H20 since it is a replacement and would take 2 days to get here. We’ll see.

11/16 Update: Received a refurb. (looks new) H20-100 today with new remote and B band conv. Took a bout 3/4 hour to replace and setup, no more audio skips.:)

I have a multi line phone where the buttons light up when another phone is taken off the hook. I leave my H20 powered on 24x7 and I've noticed the H20 is calling the mother ship at least twenty times a day. Ever wonder how DTV gets their stats on their interactive Top 10 watched show lists ? What else is the H20 collecting on our viewing habits ?

I have a multi line phone where the buttons light up when another phone is taken off the hook. I leave my H20 powered on 24x7 and I've noticed the H20 is calling the mother ship at least twenty times a day. Ever wonder how DTV gets their stats on their interactive Top 10 watched show lists ? What else is the H20 collecting on our viewing habits ?
I have no idea what (if any) data might be collected. I've never hooked up my phone line on any of my boxes. Since I'm paying for this DTV service, I'd be more than happy to provide any data that's stored in the STB for a discount applied to my monthly $$!

When I connect my ota antenna to the HR-20-700 I do not get a good signal. I am mostly getting the searching for signal display and the picture freezes.
When I connect my ota antenna directly to the TV the signal is good and steady. Obviously I cannot use the DVR features without a good signal through the HR-20-700. Any suggestions? I could ask for another receiver but will that do any good?:confused:

When I connect my ota antenna to the HR-20-700 I do not get a good signal. I am mostly getting the searching for signal display and the picture freezes.
When I connect my ota antenna directly to the TV the signal is good and steady. Obviously I cannot use the DVR features without a good signal through the HR-20-700. Any suggestions? I could ask for another receiver but will that do any good?:confused:

You might do better to post in the HR20/21 forum instead of the H20 [this one]. Try here:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=931226&page=8

"Most" TVs have a better tuner than in the HR20.
A better antenna, pointed better at the station towers, or an amp may help.

Has anyone connected a external hard drive to the 20-700 E-SATA connection for additional recording capacity? If so how does it work and how do you like it?

Has anyone connected a external hard drive to the 20-700 E-SATA connection for additional recording capacity? If so how does it work and how do you like it?

See the link above for the HR-20 forum.
While I don't use the eSATA, I know many that do.
It replaces the internal drive on bootup and works fine.

What is the size of the 20-700 hard drive?

What is the size of the 20-700 hard drive?

300 gigs, but like all drives [internal or eSATA] there is 100 gigs reserved for "D*"

When is the next firmware update for the H20-600? Thanks.

Jim

When is the next firmware update for the H20-600? Thanks.

There is one currently in Staggered Release.
H20-600 0x2042 -
Staggered Rollout Started: 11/1/2007

Improved

* Guide speed performance
* Interactive MLB/NFL channels
* XM Channel stability
* Search results
* Game Lounge Performance
* Stability Improvements


Updated

* ATSC guide fixes
* Video stability fixes


New feature(s)

* SWM Support enabled
* One Button Guide Toggle
* INFO hold -> Jump to System Information Screen
* Additional key presses on remote, will bring system out of standby
* Program Guide now displays more then 4 characters of channel short name
* Option to hide SD channels if HD channels are available

Source:DBSTalk.com

300 gigs, but like all drives [internal or eSATA] there is 100 gigs reserved for "D*"

Thanks I will probably get a 1 or 2 500GB drives. BTW Can content recorded on one DVR be played back on a different unit by attaching the HD to it?

No.

No.

Thanks, just as I suspected. Will a internal SATA HD work if attached with its cable?

You can replace the internal drive but you still can't move it between HR20s.

You can replace the internal drive but you still can't move it between HR20s.

What would I have to do to replace the internal HD? Is it a plug and play like the Ultimate TV unit? The Ultimate TV lets you simply plug in a HD and download info from MSN to run. Also, I bought a Seagate Freeeagent Pro 500GB eSata HD but my unit does not seem to recognize it. I have plugged it up with the DTV unplugged then I turned on the eSata HD and plugged in the DTV to power on but still nothing. Am I doing something wrong or could the unit or cable be bad? Any suggestions?

What would I have to do to replace the internal HD? Is it a plug and play like the Ultimate TV unit? The Ultimate TV lets you simply plug in a HD and download info from MSN to run. Also, I bought a Seagate Freeeagent Pro 500GB eSata HD but my unit does not seem to recognize it. I have plugged it up with the DTV unplugged then I turned on the eSata HD and plugged in the DTV to power on but still nothing. Am I doing something wrong or could the unit or cable be bad? Any suggestions?
Step #1 void the lease agreement and break the seal on the box.
Step #2 replace the drive.
Step #3 boot the system. Done. All of the software is stored in chips and not on the drive. It will format the drive into three partitions and away you go.

Your Freeagent should be a plug & play [without voiding the lease agreement].
Booting the eSATA and then the HR-20 should have it work. Again the drive will be formated in the boot process.

:confused: Why am I answering this in the NON DVR forum? :confused:

Shouldn't these questions be asked here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=931226&page=9 ?????????

Step #1 void the lease agreement and break the seal on the box.
Step #2 replace the drive.
Step #3 boot the system. Done. All of the software is stored in chips and not on the drive. It will format the drive into three partitions and away you go.

Your Freeagent should be a plug & play [without voiding the lease agreement].
Booting the eSATA and then the HR-20 should have it work. Again the drive will be formated in the boot process.

:confused: Why am I answering this in the NON DVR forum? :confused:

Shouldn't these questions be asked here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=931226&page=9 ?????????

I appreciate your help and hope you can bear with me here for just a few more questions. If I open my 20-700 and replace my HD can I reinstall the original and keep and play any existing recordings or will I lose them upon reinstall? And what kind of HD does it use, Sata, ATA/IDE?

BTW I have followed your suggestions above and it still is not being recognized. So I plugged the USB into my computer to test the HD and the HD works so I'm guessing it's the DTV unit or the cable. Anymore suggestions anyone?

This thread seems to have been taken over by the HR20 users that either can't read or just choose to ignore the fact that this is a H20 thread! Please take the hard drive discussions to the HR20 thread and quit cluttering this one with unrelated posts. Thank You!

This thread seems to have been taken over by the HR20 users that either can't read or just choose to ignore the fact that this is a H20 thread! Please take the hard drive discussions to the HR20 thread and quit cluttering this one with unrelated posts. Thank You!

+1

There is one currently in Staggered Release.
H20-600 0x2042 -
Staggered Rollout Started: 11/1/2007

Improved

* Guide speed performance
* Interactive MLB/NFL channels
* XM Channel stability
* Search results
* Game Lounge Performance
* Stability Improvements


Updated



* ATSC guide fixes
* Video stability fixes


New feature(s)

* SWM Support enabled
* One Button Guide Toggle
* INFO hold -> Jump to System Information Screen
* Additional key presses on remote, will bring system out of standby
* Program Guide now displays more then 4 characters of channel short name
* Option to hide SD channels if HD channels are available

Source:DBSTalk.com

My last update on my H20-600 was 9/2. I would like to see the new features.

Jim

The Staggered release for the H20 is going really slowly. I've been waiting for a while. It'll get to us eventually, but for now it's just being doled out slowly.

This thread seems to have been taken over by the HR20 users that either can't read or just choose to ignore the fact that this is a H20 thread! Please take the hard drive discussions to the HR20 thread and quit cluttering this one with unrelated posts. Thank You!
While I agree and have posted this a couple of times, if you were to look "over there", you would see that it has been moved there.

While I agree and have posted this a couple of times, if you were to look "over there", you would see that it has been moved there.Yes, I’d seen your posts suggesting they go to the HR20 thread and had also seen you were being rudely ignored. If I may make a suggestion, it is best not to try and answer questions that are clearly off topic since it just encourages more of ‘em.:)

If I may make a suggestion, it is best not to try and answer questions that are clearly off topic since it just encourages more of ‘em.:)

Well this thread was slow, so "I thought" one or two wouldn't hurt anything. :)

Well this thread was slow, so "I thought" one or two wouldn't hurt anything. :)

I too would like to point out a few observations. I just replaced a HR10-250Tivo with a HR20-700 I never realized I was posting in the wrong forum until VOS pointed it out to me in a civil fashion. However, I am disappointed with the way two members made a mountain out of a mole hill without pointing out my innocent error in bold print. I guess some people have litttle or nothing to do with their time. In any case I solved my issue thanks in large part to VOS' assistance.

Can anyone that has received the 0x2042 update for the H20-600 offer a review? I have the –100 but expect the update for it to be similar, when it comes.

Can anyone that has received the 0x2042 update for the H20-600 offer a review? I have the –100 but expect the update for it to be similar, when it comes.

Your next release should have the white GUI "IIRC".

O.K., appears I've won an eBay version of an H20-600 (because I've recently become aware of its ATSC abilities).

When it gets here, what should I do to determine/verify it's condition?

Since I currently have only a 2LBN (round) D* dish and a RCA DRD440RE Receiver (which gives me absolutely wonderful images on my Samsung TXH2756 tube), it was my intent to improve my OTA HD capabilities primarily. I don't get locals on D* now. But, I'd also hate myself if I do something which provides less quality than I receive now.

Any suggestions, recommendations appreciated.

There's really nothing about the current imaging I could hope to improve (I know, you don't believe me, but it's true). Somehow, I'm getting the most impressive imaging now and I flat don't know why, my equipment is way old for anything considered new technology. I just want local OTA HD also.

btw, in scanning this forum, I recall reading somewhere that the H20 cannot connect using a Diplexed coax. Can this be confirmed?

Yeah.. Is there any new news on when the H20-100 firmware/software release is coming? Awhile back the rumor was late Oct./early Nov..... But obviously that has come and gone...

Any rumors out there?

O.K., appears I've won an eBay version of an H20-600 (because I've recently become aware of its ATSC abilities).

This sounds interesting to me. So you are able to use the hr20 as a DVR for OTA even though you will not be subscribed? That's cool. How does that work?

This sounds interesting to me. So you are able to use the hr20 as a DVR for OTA even though you will not be subscribed? That's cool. How does that work?

Probably not well since it's an H20, not an HR20.

Yeah.. Is there any new news on when the H20-100 firmware/software release is coming? Awhile back the rumor was late Oct./early Nov..... But obviously that has come and gone...

Any rumors out there?

No rumors, just the facts: DirecTV Software Release Notes via DBSTalk.com (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=108409)

HR20-100 - 0x1BE Released 11/07/07

This sounds interesting to me. So you are able to use the hr20 as a DVR for OTA even though you will not be subscribed? That's cool. How does that work?

It doesn't.
The H20 only works for OTA when connected to the SAT feed and on an active account.
[BTW the HR is the same but this isn't a forum for the HR].

No rumors, just the facts: DirecTV Software Release Notes via DBSTalk.com (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=108409)

HR20-100 - 0x1BE Released 11/07/07

Since the question was about the H20-100 and this is the NON DVR forum:
current software version [national] is 0x2021

Current Beta is 0x204C, so "it's still in work".

Got it. Its an h20... Sore sorenot an an hr hr20

No rumors, just the facts: DirecTV Software Release Notes via DBSTalk.com (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=108409)

HR20-100 - 0x1BE Released 11/07/07

H20, not the HR20....

Thx....

Since the question was about the H20-100 and this is the NON DVR forum:
current software version [national] is 0x2021

Current Beta is 0x204C, so "it's still in work".


Ignore my above post..I should have kept reading...

Thx for the info School....

Hi,

My setup includes the H20 with the Yamaha v1700 and I have connected them using HDMI, and have a HDMI out to my projector. I don't get any picture on this connection.

Anyone know what the problem here is? I have heard of HDMI compatability issues etc. Will a newer version of H20 fix the problem? The one I have is from Nov '06.

Thanks

I'm having a problem with my H20 lately. It's plugged directly to my TV. Seems when changing channels the box wants to get stuck on a resolution and not change anymore. For example say I'm watching an HD channel in 1080, then I switch to an SD channel in 480. The box will change to 480 like it's supposed to. Now If I go back to another HD channel the box stays in 480. I have to go to the box and press the button 3 times to get it back to 1080 and then it's ok. But from then on any channel I go to the box stays on 1080.

The TV is a Toshiba LX177, is it possible this can have anything to do with HDMI? I did have the TV originally connected through my Yamaha 661 receiver for a day or two and didn't have this problem. Just bought the TV too so I'm wondering if it's coincidence, compatibility, or my box is dying?

I'm having a problem with my H20 lately. It's plugged directly to my TV. Seems when changing channels the box wants to get stuck on a resolution and not change anymore. For example say I'm watching an HD channel in 1080, then I switch to an SD channel in 480. The box will change to 480 like it's supposed to. Now If I go back to another HD channel the box stays in 480. I have to go to the box and press the button 3 times to get it back to 1080 and then it's ok. But from then on any channel I go to the box stays on 1080.

The TV is a Toshiba LX177, is it possible this can have anything to do with HDMI? I did have the TV originally connected through my Yamaha 661 receiver for a day or two and didn't have this problem. Just bought the TV too so I'm wondering if it's coincidence, compatibility, or my box is dying?

I would check the settings on the H20 to make sure "Native" resolution is set properly and that all the resolutions your TV can accept is checked on the H20 setup menus

I'm having a problem with my H20 lately. It's plugged directly to my TV. Seems when changing channels the box wants to get stuck on a resolution and not change anymore. For example say I'm watching an HD channel in 1080, then I switch to an SD channel in 480. The box will change to 480 like it's supposed to. Now If I go back to another HD channel the box stays in 480. I have to go to the box and press the button 3 times to get it back to 1080 and then it's ok. But from then on any channel I go to the box stays on 1080.

The TV is a Toshiba LX177, is it possible this can have anything to do with HDMI? I did have the TV originally connected through my Yamaha 661 receiver for a day or two and didn't have this problem. Just bought the TV too so I'm wondering if it's coincidence, compatibility, or my box is dying?

in the Setup menus make sure that "Native" is on. Also check and make sure that the H20 knows ALL of the resolutions (480i, 480p, 720p and 1080i) that your TV can accept. There is a separate screen for setting for telling the H20 what resolutions your TV will accept.

Hi,

My setup includes the H20 with the Yamaha v1700 and I have connected them using HDMI, and have a HDMI out to my projector. I don't get any picture on this connection.

Anyone know what the problem here is? I have heard of HDMI compatability issues etc. Will a newer version of H20 fix the problem? The one I have is from Nov '06.

Thanks

I would take it one step at a time. Hook the H20 directly to your projector via HDMI and see what you get.

I know for sure it's on native and everything worked fine until 2 days ago when i removed it from the receiver and went straight to the tv. Probably a coincidence but I'll muck with it tonight.

in the Setup menus make sure that "Native" is on. Also check and make sure that the H20 knows ALL of the resolutions (480i, 480p, 720p and 1080i) that your TV can accept. There is a separate screen for setting for telling the H20 what resolutions your TV will accept.

Well this thread was slow... :)

Quite a commentary on this very long thread that at one time was hot. Is it that the H20-600 troubles finally have been more or less resolved? I think so. I had one when they were first rolled out and last commented on this thread 100 pages ago. I went back to cable when Comcast acquired my dinky little local SusCom MSO in May 2006, thinking it would upgrade it. Wrong.

So, now I'm back to D* running an H20-100 and an H21-200, both seemingly trouble-free. (Knock on wood.) A lot of work has been done during the time I've been away by D* and the CE testers to reduce this to a slow thread. I can't even find a H21 discussion thread which is really a good thing.

My thanks to VOS and all the others who have worked hard to resolve most of the problems with the H20s and the H20-600s in particular.

Dana

This morning while eating breakfast, I tuned in to CNN HD and the delay on audio was so bad, I don't think my receiver has a number big enough to compensate. I switched to HD NET and the lip sync was perfect, so it was specific to CNN HD (the SD channel was fine also).

I don't imagine this is specific to the H20, but rather the source. Thoughts?