Moderator, were are you?

What an odd response, especially considering that my post was not directed at you. Do you have feelings of persecution?

["Yes I do."]

;)

Moderator, were are you?
I hope "we" can all keep our sense of humor [as sick as mine may be] & the "hall monitors" realize how much they impede the free exchange of ideas.

I guess I didn't realize how annoying my overuse, misuse of brackets, & quotation marks ARE, for you. I hope you will be able to overcome this inconvenience for you. Maybe, if it is so annoying for you, you might just skip reading my postings.
Generally, I'm trying to help with tech problems & not writing an english paper. I do try to spell & use grammar correctly to communicate my thoughts. See I can type without quotes or brackets. Does it make that much of a difference?

pfft. With all that's going on in the world, at the TOP of the list of annoyances is the overuse of quotation marks. Personally, I don't know if I will be able to overcome....


hopefully D* will help by actually delivering an HR 20 in a couple days so I can cross off #2 worst thing in the world, not being able to record HD.

Work on #1, mmkay?

pfft. With all that's going on in the world, at the TOP of the list of annoyances is the overuse of quotation marks. Personally, I don't know if I will be able to overcome....


hopefully D* will help by actually delivering an HR 20 in a couple days so I can cross off #2 worst thing in the world, not being able to record HD.

Work on #1, mmkay?
I'm not sure I can overcome my handicap(s). Something about old dogs & new tricks.
While it would be nice for D* to deliver a good working product, what would happen to this forum? We wouldn't have anything to post.

[QUOTE=veryoldschool][The two units I have came with one that rotates & one that doesn't. The short output cables can't [from my observation] be RG-6 cable. The simple "test" would be to ask you to look @ it and compare it to the RG-6 coming from the dish. If yours is the same size, then it could be RG-6. Both of my "BBCs" have a smaller diameter cable than RG-6. ]

All three of my BBCs, including the one that has "RG-6/U 75 Ohm" printed on it, are pretty close to 1/4" in diameter. Various samples of RG-6 that I measured are all around 5/16". On the other hand, RG-59 samples measure 1/4".

Since removing the BBC from input 2, I haven't seen the "searching, etc." message.
I'm leaving the BBC on input 1, just in case something comes in on the B band.

All three of my BBCs, including the one that has "RG-6/U 75 Ohm" printed on it, are pretty close to 1/4"
in diameter. Various samples of RG-6 that I measured are all around 5/16". On the other hand, RG-59 samples measure 1/4".
I think we can safely say it isn't RG-59 since the LNBs draw 0.2 amps & need a bigger conductor. We would need to dissect the cable to know more, but the cable connector on the BBC looks to be SMA with a 5/16 hex, under the heat shrink. SMA is a "trademark" of 50 ohm cabling used for frequencies above CATV, where 75 ohm cable & Type F connectors are used [for cost reasons].
I would guess, at this point, we've just about kicked this little cable to death.
The point I started out with was that the 250-750 MHz upconversion was to keep the IF from the SAT within the usable range of RG-6 cable. Like everything, they wouldn't have spent the money if they could have sent a 2150 MHz signal from the dish without problems [loss].
You might try the "bad" BBC on another port or box to see if it repeats, if so it should be replaced.

Surprise, surprise, DTV called yesterday and left a message cancelling my appointment for tomorrow...but hey, they'll call back in a couple weeks.

only good thing is they're giving me 7 months of free HD so that effectively takes the total price for the HR to -50 dollars...so, I guess I can wait another couple weeks since they're paying me to take it, kinda.

I mean hell, I've waiting nearly a year already....

Surprise, surprise, DTV called yesterday and left a message cancelling my appointment for tomorrow...but hey, they'll call back in a couple weeks.
Anybody noticed how the postings have hit a lull with D* being out of stock for their hardware?
I wonder if they will reschedule, again, my Nov. 6th appointment?

Anybody noticed how the postings have hit a lull with D* being out of stock for their hardware?
I wonder if they will reschedule, again, my Nov. 6th appointment?Gee, VOS, your "joy" has again been delayed... :)

Must be a regional thing? Here on the west coast of Floor E-Duh, I had my HR20 installed a week ago Friday. The following Monday I received a voice mail message that they would be out Wednesday to install my HR20. Since the receiver was already delivered and installed, I phoned back to cancel the second service call.

Needless to say, that didn't work and a tech called me a couple of days later to get directions to my house.

Of course he might not have had a HR20 if I had wanted one?

UPDATE: After a couple of weeks I can report that I have gotten used to the HR20 and love it. Sure, it doesn't work right but what do you expect? One just needs to lower their expectations? Settle for less than the best and get used to mediocrity... :D

Impatiently awaiting FIOS.

UPDATE: Sure, it doesn't work right but what do you expect? One just needs to lower their expectations? Settle for less than the best and get used to mediocrity... :D
Impatiently awaiting FIOS.
Being old school, that's very hard for me. To take something that works very well [HDTV] and tolerate it being corrupted, just isn't my thing, as a tech that can actually fix something.
As someone said "I picked a bad day to stop sniffing glue".

Being old school, that's very hard for me. To take something that works very well [HDTV] and tolerate it being corrupted, just isn't my thing, as a tech that can actually fix something.
As someone said "I picked a bad day to stop sniffing glue".That would have been Steven McCroskey (the dispatcher) aka Lloyd Bridges; you know: as in Beau & Jeff's dad? One of my very favorite shows as a kid was Sea Hunt!

Now that I've started daily psychotherapy sessions my intense desire to hurl the H20 & HR20 off a cliff has subsided. (Or for that matter the impulse just to hurl.) That, plus the fact that there are no cliffs nearby. :D

Whoops there was another parenthesis. Sorry... Twice in the same post. :eek:

Now where did I put darn that glue...

Ok, now they are starting to piss me off. Direct tv calls me less than 24 hours ago and says they are out of stock, and will call me back in a couple weeks. 10 minutes ago Ironwood calls and say "hey, we have them in stock, would you like to schedule an appointment for next week?"

WTF? They didn't have them yesterday, but today they do and can't make my original appointment of tomorrow?

Guy said my order has been on hold for quite a while...

I REALLY should call and bitch Dave out...but it wouldn't do any good.

pathetic.

That would have been Steven McCroskey (the dispatcher) aka Lloyd Bridges; you know: as in Beau & Jeff's dad? One of my very favorite shows as a kid was Sea Hunt!

Now that I've started daily psychotherapy sessions my intense desire to hurl the H20 & HR20 off a cliff has subsided. (Or for that matter the impulse just to hurl.) That, plus the fact that there are no cliffs nearby. :D

Whoops there was another parenthesis. Sorry... Twice in the same post. :eek:

Now where did I put darn that glue...
And I think the movie was Airplane... But we're dating ourselves back to a time when things actually worked [right or so we thought].
Sea Hunt... now I know you’re as prehistoric as me.
I guess there is a downside to where your live. We keep our cliffs close at hand.
Ten years ago, I was clued into this trick question: Ask someone what a skate key is? I was quite surprised at the responses.

Ok, now they are starting to piss me off. Direct tv calls me less than 24 hours ago and says they are out of stock, and will call me back in a couple weeks. 10 minutes ago Ironwood calls and say "hey, we have them in stock, would you like to schedule an appointment for next week?" WTF? They didn't have them yesterday, but today they do and can't make my original appointment of tomorrow? Guy said my order has been on hold for quite a while... I REALLY should call and bitch Dave out...but it wouldn't do any good. pathetic.

Hold on there Podjo...

Try and save up some of that anger for when you do finally get the receiver and it doesn't work. (Anger management?) :rolleyes:

Do you get the clear impression that the right hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing? :D

Anyways, just wait... It'll get much better! :eek:

Ok, now they are starting to piss me off. Direct tv calls me less than 24 hours ago and says they are out of stock, and will call me back in a couple weeks. 10 minutes ago Ironwood calls and say "hey, we have them in stock, would you like to schedule an appointment for next week?"

WTF? They didn't have them yesterday, but today they do and can't make my original appointment of tomorrow?

Guy said my order has been on hold for quite a while...

I REALLY should call and bitch Dave out...but it wouldn't do any good.

pathetic.
It seems the boat came in, but before you can get yours, I need to get mine from the 10/11 installation.

And I think the movie was Airplane... But we're dating ourselves back to a time when things actually worked [right or so we thought].
Sea Hunt... now I know you’re as prehistoric as me.
I guess there is a downside to where your live. We keep our cliffs close at hand.
Ten years ago, I was clued into this trick question: Ask someone what a skate key is? I was quite surprised at the responses.I distinctly remember tearing off the soles of many pairs of shoes wearing those skates that used keys... My parents must have been saints. ;) Those skates pre-dated clip-on ties!

I'm a forty-niner... Older than dirt, but I still work better than these darned receivers. :D

I distinctly remember tearing off the soles of many pairs of shoes wearing those skates that used keys... My parents must have been saints. ;) Those skates pre-dated clip-on ties!

I'm a forty-niner... Older than dirt, but I still work better than these darned receivers. :D
You've got a year on me [or maybe I've got one less on you]. It seems that when skates came with shoes [what '60?], nobody remembers what a skate key was anymore.

Ironwood is based out of the Philippines, just to make everything work smoothly..........

I have a question. I got my HR20 and my new HD projector won't be here for 10 days yet. Is it possible to begin using the HR20, simply to access the larger hard drive, before the 5 LNB and HD signal is set up.

I have a question. I got my HR20 and my new HD projector won't be here for 10 days yet. Is it possible to begin using the HR20, simply to access the larger hard drive, before the 5 LNB and HD signal is set up.
Do you have any dish? If you have the 3LNB dish, then you're set. You won't get your local channels [need the 5LNB dish]. You will need to activate the HR-20 to have it do anything & you won't get any off air channels, it's still is "in work".
If you don't have the 3LNB, but have a dish, then you'll get SD programs only.
Get the picture? You need some sort of dish & you'll need to activate the recorder, or you will just have a "doorstop" until then.
If you are just waiting for your HD display, then hook it up to your SD display [TV] & have a ball until all of your goodies come.

You've got a year on me [or maybe I've got one less on you]. It seems that when skates came with shoes [what '60?], nobody remembers what a skate key was anymore. Ironwood is based out of the Philippines, just to make everything work smoothly..........
I remember skate races (in the '50s)... You'd get going as fast as was humanly possible and try to just eke out that little bit of extra speed ---- just as the toe of the darned skate would come off your shoe. Ate my share of concrete. :p

Ahhh, the "good ole days". Before, HD. :D

I have my old SD dish. I called DTv about doing the install on the dish and they said that they won't come until I have the HDTV ready to go so they can tell if everything is installed correctly.

So as long as I have my old SD dish I should be able to watch SDTV, right? I tried calling DTv a couple of times and the rep said that it wouldn't work until I had a HD display. That didn't make any sense so I thought I'd check with this forum.

Paul

I have my old SD dish. I called DTv about doing the install on the dish and they said that they won't come until I have the HDTV ready to go so they can tell if everything is installed correctly.

So as long as I have my old SD dish I should be able to watch SDTV, right? I tried calling DTv a couple of times and the rep said that it wouldn't work until I had a HD display. That didn't make any sense so I thought I'd check with this forum.

Paul
Yours is typical of the misinformation that D* CSRs foist off on their customers.

You won't (obviously, as you know already!) get HD until your HD projector is connected, but that has nothing to do with outputting SD from the HR20.

When they installed my original H20 (and the 5 LNB dish) I hadn't gotten my plasma screen yet. The installer did hook everything up and when I connected the plasma a couple of days later I had HD. Granted the H20 was defective but I still had a HD picture some of the time. :)

Just be ready for a fantastic picture with HD. And also be ready to fight with the HR20.

I have my old SD dish. I called DTv about doing the install on the dish and they said that they won't come until I have the HDTV ready to go so they can tell if everything is installed correctly. So as long as I have my old SD dish I should be able to watch SDTV, right? Right
I tried calling DTv a couple of times and the rep said that it wouldn't work until I had a HD display. That didn't make any sense so I thought I'd check with this forum. Paul
Let's go through the D* numbers [again]. Never call 1-888-355-7530.
For easy tasks; adding & removing programs or equipment call 1-800-531-5000.
If you actually want something done; call 1-800-824-9081 & remember to keep calling until you get the answer you want.
It's called "playing CSR roulette", which is played in short bursts. Don't waste time & spin the wheel again with another call.

I remember skate races (in the '50s)... You'd get going as fast as was humanly possible and try to just eke out that little bit of extra speed ---- just as the toe of the darned skate would come off your shoe. Ate my share of concrete. :p
Ahhh, the "good ole days". Before, HD. :D
Sidewalk racing... thump, thump, thump... as you rolled over the segments until you ate it, just like sidewalk surfing [in the '60s] on a board with the same skate nailed to the bottom. :rolleyes:

For those who may not have already seen it, here's a pretty thorough review of the HR20 (http://ecoustics-cnet.com.com/DirecTV_HR20_DirecTV_Plus_HD_DVR/4505-6474_7-32065196.html?part=ecoustics-cnet) which some of you can mull while you await the installation of your own. ;)

I still remain content with my HR10, especially in it's updated, faster configuration. I have no desire to get a "crippled" HR20 (without OTA activated), as I watch OTA 90% of the time,.

I'll miss the Bulls games in HD on Comcast SportsNet Chicago :( , but at least I will be able to see just about as many that will be OTA on WGN HD. :)

For those who may not have already seen it, here's a pretty thorough review of the HR20 (http://ecoustics-cnet.com.com/DirecTV_HR20_DirecTV_Plus_HD_DVR/4505-6474_7-32065196.html?part=ecoustics-cnet) which some of you can mull while you await the installation of your own. ;)
Reading this review caused me to rethink my order for the HR-20. Currently dish won't waiver from their charge for their DVR. They are taking it under advisement & have my number and the drop dead date. ;)

Ok, I'm new to this thread, but I've seriously been contemplating a HR20 for my system. After reading some of the posts here, however, I'm wondering if I should take the plunge. My question is for the people who actually have this unit in hand: is it worth the upgrade or should I just hold off and wait to see if all the bugs get worked out? Thanks in advance for your help.

That's a personal decision. I'm glad I have mine. I need it along with my HR10-250 to avoid scheduling conflicts and the 6.3a software on the Tivo box does audio dropouts on my local Fox station. I don't think I have a computer based box in my house that has all the bugs worked out.

Ok, I'm new to this thread, but I've seriously been contemplating a HR20 for my system. After reading some of the posts here, however, I'm wondering if I should take the plunge. My question is for the people who actually have this unit in hand: is it worth the upgrade or should I just hold off and wait to see if all the bugs get worked out? Thanks in advance for your help.

I have two of them and they are terrific. There are a few quirks, particularly when playing back MPEG4, but I just ignore them. They will be fixed. The box has about 2 or 3 more software releases to go before being stable. I would order now because it would not be installed for weeks. You are probably looking at late November or December for an install date. For the total price of a $14.95 shipping fee I could not be happier. I still can't believe that the D* HD DVR was around $1000 at this time a year ago.

Ok, I'm new to this thread, but I've seriously been contemplating a HR20 for my system. After reading some of the posts here, however, I'm wondering if I should take the plunge. My question is for the people who actually have this unit in hand: is it worth the upgrade or should I just hold off and wait to see if all the bugs get worked out? Thanks in advance for your help.


Do you live in a market that has local HD via D*? If not, do you have another way to access local OTA HD channels? For me, the answer "No" to both of those questions would be a deal killer. Otherwise, I think the unit performs pretty well although I still prefer the user interface of the HD10-250. It definitely wins out on speed.

Do you live in a market that has local HD via D*? If not, do you have another way to access local OTA HD channels? For me, the answer "No" to both of those questions would be a deal killer. Otherwise, I think the unit performs pretty well although I still prefer the user interface of the HD10-250. It definitely wins out on speed.

Possibly. But OTA is a high priority for this box and it has been announced that it will be available before the end of the year. It is likely that if you order it now the install will be in December. OTA may be active by then or shortly thereafter. If it has an OTA tuner and PQ of the H20-600 it will really be an excellent product. Now if they could just get the dual live buffer working....

The date directv is now telling us for the OTA tuners are on or before 12/1. Rumors going around now that they will be activated on 11/1. Which is Wednesday this is the usual day we get the updates, so lets keep our fingers crossed.

Anyone able to get a Slimline dish (as opposed to the AT9) from Direct TV yet?

DBS Talk forums have several people claiming they're starting to use them when the AT9 supply runs out.

So where does the destroyed house come in?

Metaphorical exaggeration.

There's an unknown "wild card" with this installation "problem". For all the reasons you mentioned, something just doesn't make sense.

Sorry I dropped out of the conversation, I've been out of the country.

I'm not sure what doesn't make sense, but I've convinced myself this is a simple case of too much line loss with RG-59. I'm having my house rewired tomorrow with RG-6. Standby for my report.

The date directv is now telling us for the OTA tuners are on or before 12/1.
This is the date the D* CSR told the installer that was at my house yesterday.

I'm trying to catch up on this thread. I just had two HR20's installed yesterday, replacing two HR10's. I have a mixed reaction on the functionality so far, but I currently have one annoyance that I cannot live with: I can't get digital audio out of the digital out on the one in my living room! Yes, I went in the menu and enables DD. Yes, cables are securely plugged in at both ends, and I do get analog sound on all channels. I also do get DD from other sources (DVD).

Has this issue been brought up before, and I just missed it? Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks,
Matt

I have a mixed reaction on the functionality so far, but I currently have one annoyance that I cannot live with: I can't get digital audio out of the digital out on the one in my living room! Yes, I went in the menu and enables DD. Yes, cables are securely plugged in at both ends, and I do get analog sound on all channels. I also do get DD from other sources (DVD).
Has this issue been brought up before, and I just missed it? Anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks,
Matt
Sounds like an old software issue. Check what rev the two have & then if that isn't it, it sounds like a hardware issue.

I'm trying to catch up on this thread. I just had two HR20's installed yesterday, replacing two HR10's. I have a mixed reaction on the functionality so far, but I currently have one annoyance that I cannot live with: I can't get digital audio out of the digital out on the one in my living room! Yes, I went in the menu and enables DD. Yes, cables are securely plugged in at both ends, and I do get analog sound on all channels. I also do get DD from other sources (DVD).

Did you try swapping the two receivers you have to see if the problem stays with one of them?

[QUOTE=oktoberrust11]I currently have one annoyance that I cannot live with: I can't get digital audio out of the digital out on the one in my living room! Yes, I went in the menu and enables DD. Yes, cables are securely plugged in at both ends, and I do get analog sound on all channels. I also do get DD from other sources (DVD)./QUOTE]

On the HR-20, with current software, turn DD ON, exit the menu, go back to the menu, turn it OFF, and exit the menu, and it should be on. From that point on, if its set OFF it will be ON, if its set ON, it will be OFF.

If you arent getting any audio out of the optical port, just ignore this.

On the HR-20, with current software, turn DD ON, exit the menu, go back to the menu, turn it OFF, and exit the menu, and it should be on. From that point on, if its set OFF it will be ON, if its set ON, it will be OFF.

If you arent getting any audio out of the optical port, just ignore this.

What an odd fix, but you're right, this did it. Turning DD OFF actually turned it ON.

Thanks,
Matt

Out of curiosity to all you experts out there, can running RG-6 next to a house power line cause interference with the signal on the coax. To me, it seems unlikely since you're carrying 60Hz AC current on the power line, but the coax is at much higher frequency. But I'm an aerospace engineer, not a EE!

I have two of them and they are terrific. There are a few quirks, particularly when playing back MPEG4, but I just ignore them. They will be fixed. The box has about 2 or 3 more software releases to go before being stable. I would order now because it would not be installed for weeks. You are probably looking at late November or December for an install date. For the total price of a $14.95 shipping fee I could not be happier. I still can't believe that the D* HD DVR was around $1000 at this time a year ago.
What I can't believe is that anyone could honestly recommend this _______ receiver. (expletives deleted before insertion)

Maybe it will be fixed... But it sure isn't "fixed" now. Maybe you aren't bothered by the erratic fast forward, pause and rewinding involved with this DVR? But, how could that even be possible? I mean, like tonight. I was catching up on the CBS shows and trying to fast forward thru the commercials. It is a truly masochistic experience. The receiver simply doesn't function well. Hit the FF button and it might work or more likely it won't. Then if you hit it several times it kicks in, but don't even hope to stop it where you want to... With my TiVo boxes this "feature" works extremely well. But, maybe it is just me that doesn't like to spend as long trying to get the receiver to jump ahead as I would if I just watched the lousy commercials. What makes it even worse is having to watch all of the pathetic political commercials. But that's another story...

Get this receiver if you are a masochist. And like billt says, order it now or you won't have the "pleasure" of having a lousy receiver until December or later... Seems like a pretty strange reason to me though. One more night of fighting with this receiver will probably push me over the edge and I'll just start watching SD thru my FUNCTIONAL DirecTiVo receivers. Naturally, YMMV. :rolleyes:

Out of curiosity to all you experts out there, can running RG-6 next to a house power line cause interference with the signal on the coax. To me, it seems unlikely since you're carrying 60Hz AC current on the power line, but the coax is at much higher frequency. But I'm an aerospace engineer, not a EE!


You should not run them in parallel next to each other, it may cause line interference, this can be a serious problem for video on coax. You are better off taking different paths and keeping your coax away from EM noisy things like over fluorescent lighting.

You should not run them in parallel next to each other, it may cause line interference, this can be a serious problem for video on coax. You are better off taking different paths and keeping your coax away from EM noisy things like over fluorescent lighting.
While this is a good point, I have to say it doesn't seem to cause a problem. Cable TV is prone to this with coax parallel to power lines for miles. This causes 60 cycles to couple on the coax cable. My old TV with an analog connection would show horizontal bars moving up & down, but my digitally connected TV wouldn't.
The installer zip tied the dish coax right to the power cables under my house & I don't see any "60 cycles" on either TV, so I would have to say it doesn't matter.

I'm not sure what doesn't make sense, but I've convinced myself this is a simple case of too much line loss with RG-59. I'm having my house rewired tomorrow with RG-6. Standby for my report.
What didn't make any sense was the "destroyed house", when in fact there was too much of a voltage drop through the RG-59 cable to power the dish. I can understand the frustration with Ironwood, from first hand experience, but really a destroyed house?

Maybe it will be fixed... But it sure isn't "fixed" now. Maybe you aren't bothered by the erratic fast forward, pause and rewinding involved with this DVR? But, how could that even be possible? I mean, like tonight. I was catching up on the CBS shows and trying to fast forward thru the commercials. It is a truly masochistic experience. The receiver simply doesn't function well. Hit the FF button and it might work or more likely it won't. Then if you hit it several times it kicks in, but don't even hope to stop it where you want to... With my TiVo boxes this "feature" works extremely well. But, maybe it is just me that doesn't like to spend as long trying to get the receiver to jump ahead as I would if I just watched the lousy commercials. What makes it even worse is having to watch all of the pathetic political commercials. But that's another story...

Sounds like a hardware problem, I haven't had any FFWD probs since the last software update.

Maybe the battery on your remote is weak? I'd try swapping out the receiver.

Sounds like a hardware problem, I haven't had any FFWD probs since the last software update.
Maybe the battery on your remote is weak? I'd try swapping out the receiver.
A weak battery brings up a notice on the TV, if it's like the H20-100.

Good to hear that at least one unit seems to work. It seems hard to distinguish a good DVR from a defective one when it won't pass a system test [if it's like the H-20] & has so many bugs, or features not working [ie OTA]. I guess the real question is "what is the standard to judge a good unit by?"

Sounds like a hardware problem, I haven't had any FFWD probs since the last software update.

Maybe the battery on your remote is weak? I'd try swapping out the receiver.The last software update corrected the looping and distorted picture when REW & FFWD Mpeg4. That was a big improvement for sure...

But I now find that I simply can't control the way the FFWD and REW buttons function. There is no consistency? For example, with my DirecTiVo receiver I can fast forward theu commercials and then hit play and the receiver consistently stops at the beginning of the recording I want to watch. Whereas with the HR20 it never does that.

If you're not having this problem then it must be just my setup? I'll replace the new batteries (who knows, they might be bad). If that doesn't work, I guess it is time to try a replacement receiver to see if that works...

Other than the weird fast forward & rewind --- the receiver works most of the time. The other night while watching the recorded season premier episode of Las Vegas (via local Mpeg4) the recording had infuriating glitches every 30-seconds or so. But, that could have been the local station and not the receiver's fault? I just switched over to my DirecTiVo and watched the program recorded in SD. Interestingly, when I checked the episode of Law & Order which aired immediately following Las Vegas, its Mpeg4 recording was fine.

Thanks a lot for the info on your not having problems with controlling the FFWD and REW. That helps a lot.

But I now find that I simply can't control the way the FFWD and REW buttons function. There is no consistency? For example, with my DirecTiVo receiver I can fast forward theu commercials and then hit play and the receiver consistently stops at the beginning of the recording I want to watch. Whereas with the HR20 it never does that.

TiVos will rewind a certain amount after pressing playing coming out of a 2 press or 3 press fast forward. That's how it "stops at the beginning." If you have lightning fast reflexes, you can start in the middle of the last commercial.

I've found that instead of hitting play to restart during a fast forward, hit the quick replay button. That should stop and rewind enough to get you to the beginning of the show. If it doesn't, usually one more replay click will do it.

Deezul

TiVos will rewind a certain amount after pressing playing coming out of a 2 press or 3 press fast forward. That's how it "stops at the beginning." If you have lightning fast reflexes, you can start in the middle of the last commercial.

I've found that instead of hitting play to restart during a fast forward, hit the quick replay button. That should stop and rewind enough to get you to the beginning of the show. If it doesn't, usually one more replay click will do it.

DeezulThanks for the tip. Thus far I have found it helps slightly to hit the pause button. Hitting the Play button rarely (very rarely) seems to work while fast forwarding. The same seems to be true of holding down the play button to do slow motion. It works maybe 1 time out of 10... Maybe my play button is broken?

I'll try the replay button and see how that fares. Thanks again.

I routinely use FF3 to get past commercials and 3 taps of the replay button when I see the program on my MX500. Your reflexes or remote may vary.

I routinely use FF3 to get past commercials and 3 taps of the replay button when I see the program on my MX500. Your reflexes or remote may vary.

I have noticed a distinct difference in the amount of RW necessary, depending on whether you are watching MPEG4 or MPEG2. Have you noticed this? MPEG4 is a little jumpier and inconsistent, usually requiring a few more replay presses. MPEG2 is smoother and usually requires only one.

I have noticed a distinct difference in the amount of RW necessary, depending on whether you are watching MPEG4 or MPEG2. Have you noticed this? MPEG4 is a little jumpier and inconsistent, usually requiring a few more replay presses. MPEG2 is smoother and usually requires only one.
I still don't know sh**, but would this be because the MPEG4 file is smaller [more compression] than the MPEG2?

I still don't know sh**, but would this be because the MPEG4 file is smaller [more compression] than the MPEG2?

Yes I think it has to do with bit twiddling of the different encoding and compression rates. I guess my point was that while the issue of FF/RW/jump FW/jump BK is discussed very frequently, no one seems to ever distinguish between an MPEG4 and an MPEG2 program. From my observation the problem discriptions and the work arounds are different. YMMV

Yes I think it has to do with bit twiddling of the different encoding and compression rates. I guess my point was that while the issue of FF/RW/jump FW/jump BK is discussed very frequently, no one seems to ever distinguish between an MPEG4 and an MPEG2 program. From my observation the problem discriptions and the work arounds are different. YMMV
Thanks, still learning sh**

I routinely use FF3 to get past commercials and 3 taps of the replay button when I see the program on my MX500. Your reflexes or remote may vary.My reflexes are lightning fast! :D

Regarding the Mpeg2 and Mpeg4 comparison, I was just watching MNF on ESPN and after putting fresh batteries in the remote (which didn't help) I used the FFWD button to advance through the Mpeg2 recording. I then switched over to my old, decrepit, SD-quality DirecTiVo receiver.

Comparing the two back to back, the difference is startlingly different. The single-speed fast forwarding of the Mpeg2 is so slow it is useless. It is almost the same speed as normal playing speed. Then at double-speed, the Mpeg2 playback is much faster but at the cost of being herky-jerky. The video doesn't flow ----- it leaps in large bounds. There is simply no way it would be reasonable to expect to be able to stop the video accurately. I don't care how fast a person's reflexes might be.

The DirecTiVo, as many people know, has a snooth video playback at 2x speed. That, plus the fact that it automatically jumps back a little after you hit the play button. In short, the control of the TiVo works and the control of the HR20 is does NOT.

I recorded a movie in HD Mpeg2 (HBO) and watched it. I didn't need to use the FFWD... The HD quality was spectacular. But, for watching programs with commercials and wanting to skip thru the commercials the HR20 is a total loser in my opinion.

In my opinion, the HR20 just doesn't get the job done. Whether Mpeg2 or Mpeg4. The inability to smoothly skip commercials is a killer. The lack of a double buffer is a huge negative factor also. But, other's opinions obviously differ from mine and maybe it's just me... If I were giving the HR20 a grade, it would be a C- minus - minus at best. And, that is being charitable. On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the best I would say the HR20 is between a 6 and 7.

My reflexes are lightning fast! :D
But, for watching programs with commercials and wanting to skip thru the commercials the HR20 is a total loser in my opinion.

In my opinion, the HR20 just doesn't get the job done. Whether Mpeg2 or Mpeg4. The inability to smoothly skip commercials is a killer. The lack of a double buffer is a huge negative factor also. But, other's opinions obviously differ from mine and maybe it's just me... If I were giving the HR20 a grade, it would be a C- minus - minus at best. And, that is being charitable. On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the best I would say the HR20 is between a 6 and 7.
Since my interest in the HR20 would mainly be watching network TV & wanting to pause [for a smoke break] & skip commercials, you would says this isn't the recorder for me?
My media center PC has a great 30 sec jump feature & the cable DVR didn't have this. Which was a real pain doing "a tap dance" all over the remote & I spent as much time FF & RW just to get through the commercials, that it was easier to watch them. This sound just like what you're experiencing with the HR-20.

Is this true & does anybody else have the same trouble with theirs?

Since my interest in the HR20 would mainly be watching network TV & wanting to pause [for a smoke break] & skip commercials, you would says this isn't the recorder for me?
My media center PC has a great 30 sec jump feature & the cable DVR didn't have this. Which was a real pain doing "a tap dance" all over the remote & I spent as much time FF & RW just to get through the commercials, that it was easier to watch them. This sound just like what you're experiencing with the HR-20.

Is this true & does anybody else have the same trouble with theirs?

I would really love to find out that it's just that my HR20 receiver isn't working as it should... :cool:

I would really love to find out that it's just that my HR20 receiver isn't working as it should... :cool:
I hope someone will post their experiences with the HR-20

That's how it works. It took me about five minutes to get used to it. I don't FF the HD Tivo box but use the 30 second skip instead. Is the Tivo method my preference? Yes. Do I find The HR20 to be terribly worse? No. I just work it the way it works rather than demand it to work the way it doesn't. FF2 is too slow. So what if it gets into the program material. A few -6 second skips takes less than a second to do.

Pat, we got one of DTV's non HD DVDR like this, and installer told me that user interface is simillar! My kids want their tivo back as they cant get season pass? pls comment?

To respond to TechoFobe & veryoldschool,

Yes I do experience the FF & stopping at the beginning of the program problems with the HR20 the same as you do. However I am in the same camp as greywolf on this subject. I have and still am learning use the HR20 as it is and not trying to make it into a HR10 or TiVo unit.

I guess you can call me an early adopter since I have been with D* since 1995 and got the D* TiVo when it first came out. I'm guessing 1999 or 2000, I am not sure. I got the Sony SAT-60 (best unit I have ever had) and still am using it. I also go the HR10 the first month that it came out and boy did it have problems with the HDMI that were so bad that I gave up and continue to this day using the component connections.

I find the HR20 to be a very good unit and am very pleased with it. Yes it still needs a few more upgrades and I believe they will come with time. So on your scale I would give it and 8 1/2, the HR10 a 9 (not counting the HDMI problem) and the SAT-60 a 10.

Hang in there, it will get better.

That's how it works. It took me about five minutes to get used to it. I don't FF the HD Tivo box but use the 30 second skip instead. Is the Tivo method my preference? Yes. Do I find The HR20 to be terribly worse? No. I just work it the way it works rather than demand it to work the way it doesn't. FF2 is too slow. So what if it gets into the program material. A few -6 second skips takes less than a second to do.Pat,

You lucky dog... I wish I could be more like you regarding the functionality of the HR20! You definitely have the better outlook. I only wish that I could accept the HR20 the way it is... But, try as I might, it just isn't happening for me. I suppose that I am just spoiled after using a DVR that does work the way it should. The fact of the matter is that in my estimation this idiosyncracy is not a "MINOR" glitch, but instead it is a deal breaker. You are definitely a better man than me if you can accept this.

Personally, I have decided to NOT use the HR20 for the bulk of my viewing. It simply isn't worth the aggravation and irritation. The HR20 definitely has far superior (HD) picture quality. But, as fantastic as that is, it simply isn't worth the aggravation and irritation. The objectionable way the HR20's FFWD and REW controls function plus the too frequent Mpeg4 audio and video glitches have made my difficult decision pretty easy...

I've decided to just go back to using my DirecTiVo receivers instead of the HR20. I am going to contact D* to send the H20 receiver back and keep the HR20 for those times when picture quality is of paramount importance. And, hopefully, D* will eventually get the HR20 bugs worked out? Or, maybe FIOS fiber optics will finally come to my neighborhood...

I do envy your ability to accept this incredibly horrible (that's just my own personal opinion) HR20 receiver... I'm not sure if I am too demanding or maybe too discerning. I guess that I'm expecting too much when I demand the receiver to work properly? In any case, at this point, my daily television viewing will not be via the HR20.

As Forrest Gump says: "That's all I've got to say about that." :)

Pat, we got one of DTV's non HD DVDR like this, and installer told me that user interface is simillar! My kids want their tivo back as they cant get season pass? pls comment?
I am less than thrilled with the HR20, mostly because the interface, while faster than the old Tivo is less user friendly. I also am not thrilled with the fast forward through commercials. It took me a while, but the season pass is now called series link and when you end up in record options, there is a tab on the top of the window that lets you set up the equivalent of a season pass, same options, new episodes or repeats and new, how many to keep, etc.

One thing that does not work well is the search function for a season pass, oops, series link, particularly for any sports package (except probably NFL, which I don't have). On the old Tivo if you entered a team and sport, as time came closer to the event it did figure out you could not get it on an out of market local sports channel, but instead correctly recorded it from a channel in the 700's. This one does not do that and as the package essentially turns on one local channel (most games are on a local sports channel in both teams city) and duplicates it in the 700's you get to record it if it picked the right channel and miss it if it did not.

Hey everyone - After 5 different reschedules (all on D* and their installer's side), they are scheduled to come tomorrow and give me the HD upgrade to MPEG4. They are replacing two HD TIvos and an older Sony HD receiver (I forget the model#). I am going to keep one of my HD Tivos and move it into the bedroom. I started this process in the middle of September with D*. Needless to say I called them last week and told them this was their last chance. I really want this to work and feel I have been incredibly patient. I am a little skeptical by what I have read from some of the members about the HR20, but I am willing to give it a try and work with it.

A little off the subject, but do you guys usually tip the installers?? The reason I ask is because one of the reskeds was due to him not bringing a ladder with him. I was pretty ticked about it because I took the day off from work and it ended up being for no reason. I'm willing to forgiuve and forget and D* has now given me a number of credits due to all the reskeds where they are now paying me to replace this stuff. Just curious how others treat the installers. I am planning on tipping, but I guess that last trip with no ladder is still bothering me. Any suggestions?

Hold on there Podjo...

Try and save up some of that anger for when you do finally get the receiver and it doesn't work. (Anger management?) :rolleyes:

Do you get the clear impression that the right hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing? :D

Anyways, just wait... It'll get much better! :eek:

Oh, I know, been dealing with them for 8 years...I think they actually are getting much better.

I learned patience back in the day during testing.....boy did I learn patience :-)

I can see why they require installers though...sounds like they'll save alot on shipping the bad ones back.

ah well, they'll just keep giving me free programming for every mistake.

techo, sorry to hear your having the same prob with the mpg4 locals, maybe it's the area you are in? I know different places have more probs than others. But you said you had prob with mpg also? not good.

I don't know, I've been very pleased and like the new DVR much better than my tivo. Mainly because of improved PQ, but I've got no major complaints with the functionality. I've evne managed to find a way around the dual buffer issue by just recording two shows at once and adding bookmarks to where I left off.

for those on the fence, I suggest you check out some reviews at dbstalk.com there is a hue section on the DVR and a guy with inside information there (earl bonovich). any question you could possibly have will be answered.

That statement refers to the present capability of the unit, with no active OTA tuner. On page 19 of the instruction manual, however, it states "You can record up to three programs at once (two satellite and one from an off-air antenna)." This is repeated in another section of the manual. This will not be the first satellite DVR to have this capability. I believe Dish Network brought out a DVR some time ago
that can record three simultaneous programs.

In case no one has caught this (I'm reading behind). Those in contact with the engineering staff at D* have confirmed that the manual is wrong. The maximum recording capability is 2 at a time.

2 OTA
or
1 sat 1 ota
or
2 sat

3 is not in the cards. This has been discussed extensively on dbstalk.com, and been re-confirmed several times. 2 at the same time is the limit, the manual is wrong. (Of course, OTA is not enabled yet)

A little off the subject, but do you guys usually tip the installers??

I don't feel obligated to tip, and typically only do if they have a good amount of work to do, or if they go out of the way to do something extra for me. If they are just installing a couple of new receivers, as they did at my house last weekend, I personally wouldn't (and didn't). IMHO.

Matt

I don't feel obligated to tip, and typically only do if they have a good amount of work to do, or if they go out of the way to do something extra for me. If they are just installing a couple of new receivers, as they did at my house last weekend, I personally wouldn't (and didn't). IMHO.
Matt
If it's Ironwood Communications, they should tip [pay] you for the install. IM[I don't know how]HO. :rolleyes:

I got a call last night. Caller ID said Michigan. I said hello and it was DirecTV wanting to schedule an install. Earliest would be this thursday. I said how about Saturday? They're coming 11/4 between 8 and noon. :)

Fellas -

I need to move the location of my HR20-700 in my bedroom. 1.) because of those dang-blasted 2 lights that looks like Jonny-5 is in my room, and mainly 2.) because it's loud. Before this I had an H20 hidden behind my dresser, which worked out great with the RF remote. Is there some kind of simple IR extension cable so I can hide the receiver, and just have a smaller transmitter visible? I searched and found those big pyramid looking things, but I'm looking for something much smaller. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Matt

Fellas - I need to move the location of my HR20-700 in my bedroom. 1.) because of those dang-blasted 2 lights that looks like Jonny-5 is in my room, and mainly 2.) because it's loud. Before this I had an H20 hidden behind my dresser, which worked out great with the RF remote. Is there some kind of simple IR extension cable so I can hide the receiver, and just have a smaller transmitter visible? I searched and found those big pyramid looking things, but I'm looking for something much smaller. Any ideas? Thanks, Matt
Matt,

The HR20, as far as I know, does have the ability to do RF remote. In fact, my HR20 came with a RC24 RF remote control. The manual says it doesn't, but it did... :)

I went into setup and selected RF remote and voila!

Check to see if your HR20 came with the RC24 (same model remote that came with my H20). If not, maybe D* would be so kind as to send you one?

Hey, you don't need a night-lite anyways... :D Just ear plugs... :eek:

Matt,

The HR20, as far as I know, does have the ability to do RF remote. In fact, my HR20 came with a RC24 RF remote control. The manual says it doesn't, but it did... :) I went into setup and selected RF remote and voila!

Oh cool, thanks, I'll check it out tonight.

Fellas -

I need to move the location of my HR20-700 in my bedroom. 1.) because of those dang-blasted 2 lights that looks like Jonny-5 is in my room

Do what I do. Turn it off at night. :-) Light problem solved. It also helps that it takes a good 10-15 seconds for my plasma to warm up, so by the time it is "on" the HR20 is up and running as well.

Deezul

Do what I do. Turn it off at night. :-) Light problem solved. It also helps that it takes a good 10-15 seconds for my plasma to warm up, so by the time it is "on" the HR20 is up and running as well.

Deezul

True, but it doesn't take care of the (more annoying) problem of the noise.

Just got the HD DVR a week ago. I think it is from at least the second production run.

In order to get Dolby Digital I had to turn off DD in the set up. Turning it on actually had the opposite effect.

The only real issue I have is the lag time for channel changing,5-6 seconds. If I turn off native in the set up it shaves off about 1-2 seconds still to slow for my satisfaction. Anyone else experiencing this?

I don't initially like the fast forward either but feel confident I will figure out how to make it work as well as my HD TIVO by just taking a deferent approach as mentioned above.

The only real issue I have is the lag time for channel changing,5-6 seconds. If I turn off native in the set up it shaves off about 1-2 seconds still to slow for my satisfaction. Anyone else experiencing this?
I find that if I hit the ENTER button after I've entered the channel digits it's a bit faster.

...I don't initially like the fast forward either but feel confident I will figure out how to make it work as well as my HD TIVO by just taking a deferent approach as mentioned above.
There's a lot of truth to the cliche about how "you can get used to anything..." But, unless something major changes, the HR20's FFWD/REW sure ain't as well functioning as a TiVo. And Senator, TiVo was a friend of mine. :D

D* totally dropped the ball when it came to dropping their TiVo association... Doesn't take a genius to figure that out. Hope D* is making extra millions from that business decision...

I guess that if I had never known how well a DVR can and should work, I would never have know what I was missing with a HR20 DVR.

Taking gigantic backward steps in functionality is just not my cuppa tea. It should be "NEW & IMPROVED" not "NEW & LESS FUNCTIONAL"...

I have decided that I much prefer watching a program in SD if I want to use FFWD and REW. So, I switch to and use my DirecTiVo DVR. If I am watching live television or a movie where FFWD & REW aren't needed or useful then I obviously opt for and prefer to use the HR20. Not watching everything possible in HD really hurts me though... But not as much as fighting with the FFWD on the HR20. Naturally EEMMV (Everyone Elses Mileage May Vary). :)

There's a lot of truth to the cliche about how "you can get used to anything..." But, unless something major changes, the HR20's FFWD/REW sure ain't as well functioning as a TiVo. And Senator, TiVo was a friend of mine. :D

D* totally dropped the ball when it came to dropping their TiVo association... Doesn't take a genius to figure that out. Hope D* is making extra millions from that business decision...


Let me state first that a lot of my DVRs are TiVos. My first DVR ever was a TiVo. But there are things I like about the HR20 that to me seem simple to add that TiVo hasn't done or won't.

1. First and foremost, REMAINING SPACE! Hey, it's great that you'll delete the oldest to free up space, but I want to know when it's gonna happen. How hard would be to add a percent free view?

2. With the HR20, I like that if I want to record a show in the guide, I hit record. I want a series, I hit record twice. With TiVo, I have to hit select, verify everything there, then hit select again. You want a season pass? You've got to do a bit more for that. Simplify this!

3. The BACK button always goes back to whatever you were doing. Watch a recorded program, but want to see what's live for a second? Ok, I'm done, so I hit back and I'm right back at the same point in my recorded program. For Internet savvy people, would you want to keep having to enter your favorites to go back to the webpage you were just at? That's what TiVo wants you to do with the List function.

4. Increased buffer size! 30 minutes is great, but why not have an option to adjust it? Make it clear that a larger buffer would decrease available storage, but if you have #1, you could see at a glance what is available.

That all said, I still have two HR10s, and I won't be replacing them with HR20s any time soon. I'm not a shill for D*. If you said pick an HR20 or HR10, I'd have to say I'd go with the HR10. But it's not to say that the HR20 has some things that TiVo doesn't or won't offer.

Deezul

Let me state first that a lot of my DVRs are TiVos. My first DVR ever was a TiVo. But there are things I like about the HR20 that to me seem simple to add that TiVo hasn't done or won't.

1. First and foremost, REMAINING SPACE! Hey, it's great that you'll delete the oldest to free up space, but I want to know when it's gonna happen. How hard would be to add a percent free view?

2. With the HR20, I like that if I want to record a show in the guide, I hit record. I want a series, I hit record twice. With TiVo, I have to hit select, verify everything there, then hit select again. You want a season pass? You've got to do a bit more for that. Simplify this!

3. The BACK button always goes back to whatever you were doing. Watch a recorded program, but want to see what's live for a second? Ok, I'm done, so I hit back and I'm right back at the same point in my recorded program. For Internet savvy people, would you want to keep having to enter your favorites to go back to the webpage you were just at? That's what TiVo wants you to do with the List function.

4. Increased buffer size! 30 minutes is great, but why not have an option to adjust it? Make it clear that a larger buffer would decrease available storage, but if you have #1, you could see at a glance what is available.

That all said, I still have two HR10s, and I won't be replacing them with HR20s any time soon. I'm not a shill for D*. If you said pick an HR20 or HR10, I'd have to say I'd go with the HR10. But it's not to say that the HR20 has some things that TiVo doesn't or won't offer.

DeezulI agree with your observations completely. And I'm not a TiVo shill either. In fact, if the HR20 didn't have such a poor functioning FFWD I would prefer it to TiVo. But... that's just not the case. :(

And as helpful and useful as these "improvements" are (and they are really good ones) --- they simply don't offset the poor operation of the HR20 when trying to skip commercials.

Why can't we just have it all? :D

D* installed a new dish, HR20, H20 and one SD receiver replacing two H10's and one SD past Saturday.
Other than OTA with HR20 issue everything works fine. Although after activation no DVR recording was allowed which a reactivation fixed the issue.
I have recorded some HD's and have had zero issue with FF so far. Great pic Q compared to H10. Just hate that circle of blue light in my theater and absence of coax digital out.

True, but it doesn't take care of the (more annoying) problem of the noise.I've never noticed noise from mine. (Thanks, now I'll listen for it and not be able to NOT notice it anymore.)

I agree with your observations completely. And I'm not a TiVo shill either. In fact, if the HR20 didn't have such a poor functioning FFWD I would prefer it to TiVo. But... that's just not the case. :(


Get a new unit. I can't imagine yours is functioning right if it bothers you so much. My ffwd is fine. Maybe a little less smooth than tivo, but I've got it down (similar to what someone here said, 3x ffwd, see your show, click the jump back button 2 or 3 times and you're there... and I've gotten a good feel whether I need two or 3 clicks based on how much of the returning program i see.) No better or worse than ffwd with the hd tivo (where I'd do the 30 second skips and a couple jump backs)

If it's not your unit or remote, I wonder if it's your tv. I've heard some model televisions have issues with the receiver and HDMI. I wonder if that could make a difference.

I LOVED my tivo, but it's sitting in my garage collecting dust right now even though I have no particular need for mpg4 locals (since I already get LA locals) and my current hdtv is only 37 inches, so the pq improvement is minimal.

I can't blame D* at all for dumping tivo. They realized they could make their own DVR just as good r better than tivo and not have to pay the middle man.

Tivo is on the way out. It's a glorified VCR, and I wouldn't expect the company to be around in 3 or 4 years.

For those who want to get rid of the circle of blue leds. Press the left and right arrow buttons simultaneously (the ones on the front of the box) - every press reduces the brightness until they switch off completely.

I just got a HR20 this week and find the Picture in Sd not as good as the HR250 also when I turn th DD 5.1 on to output to my reciever, no DD. When I turn it off DD works on the reciever. Anyone have this problem? Also on the FF sometimes the screen goes blank and get a snowy screen ( handskake) with the HDMI.

(Thanks, now I'll listen for it and not be able to NOT notice it anymore.)
You have this "problem" too, I see...

I have Google search for news with anything with DirecTV. It found this about the HR20
http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/living/15898761.htm

I just got a HR20 this week and find the Picture in Sd not as good as the HR250 also when I turn th DD 5.1 on to output to my reciever, no DD. When I turn it off DD works on the reciever. Anyone have this problem? Also on the FF sometimes the screen goes blank and get a snowy screen ( handskake) with the HDMI.

Is your HR20 in Native mode? If so, its switching to 480 for SD channels, which I dont think look as good as upconverting them, at least on my monitor.

Backwards DD on normal on the current version of the software.

I have Google search for news with anything with DirecTV. It found this about the HR20
http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/living/15898761.htm

Don't believe everything you read. This guy is misinformed.

This past Friday (10-27-06) my new HR20 DVR was finally delivered and installed after 2 previous calls to reschedule appointments due to not yet having the equipment. I've now used it along side 2 H10-250 HD TIVO dvrs, and I have to say I am loving it more each day.

I have no issues with FF speed on the HR20. It's not quite as fast as FF on the H10-250s but not that much slower. The 30 sec skip works just fine for me. Because the 30 sec. skip isn't virtually instantaneous as it is for the H10-250s, at first I thought that would be a problem for me. The fact is, I actually enjoy being able to see the video as it's been skipped over quickly, instead of seeing nothing but a 30 sec advance with the TIVOs. I believe it's more a matter of what we are used to, but different isn't necessarily not-as-good-as.

Before I forget, THANKS Texasbrit for posting the info yesterday on how to dim or turn off the circle of blue led lights. How annoying and distracting they were! Before learning the trick to turn them off, I had cut out a circle of aluminum foil and taped it over the circle of leds.

As for the picture quality of HR20, I can not detect any difference between it and my 2 H10-250s. I have waivers for NBC, CBS and FOX for national HD feeds out of NYC. I have compared recorded programs for the national HD mpeg2 encoded shows with the HD mpeg4 encoded local network broadcasts and they are equally excellent.

Btw, my home theater setup might be considered a bit odd with 3 HD dvrs being connected to my Samsung HDTV. The D* installers seemed to be taken aback some when they saw that I was adding a 3rd HD dvr to my existing setup. I have a Monoprice 5x1 HDMI switcher and a URC MX-900 remote control which is programmed to control all the dvrs and other a/v devices in my system. It all works flawlessly with automatic HDMI switching programmed into the remote (up to 40 devices handled by the remote). With just a push of a button, I can quickly move from one dvr to another.

Ok, back to the HR20... I don't know if others have discovered something I have found to be a MAJOR PLUS for the HR20 over the H10-250 TIVO. In the week that I have had my HR20 and have had scheduled programs recorded during day and night, not once has the program started recording 1 or 2 minutes into the show. With the TIVOs, that has been a consistent problem for me. So much so that I would set programs to start recording 1-5 minutes early and end 1-5 minutes after scheduled programming. That was always a pain in the butt for me to have to do and when I would forget, I ended up missing the first of the show being recorded. So far, every single recorded program on my HR20 has started ontime. I even switched over to one of my TIVOs where I had a program set for season pass. It was one which I had set to record on the HR20 as well. The HR20 recording was right on the mark... the TIVO recording was a minute late. If this trend continues to hold, I will be looking to eventually change out my 2 H10-250s with 2 more HR20s, assuming everything else continues to function nicely.

I hope this early review will be helpful to some. If future issues come up for me with my HR20, I'll be sure to post something about them.

Harvey

Don't believe everything you read. This guy is misinformed.


:) I just thought I'd share it with you guys.

This past Friday (10-27-06) my new HR20 DVR was finally delivered and installed after 2 previous calls to reschedule appointments due to not yet having the equipment. I've now used it along side 2 H10-250 HD TIVO dvrs, and I have to say I am loving it more each day.
I hope this early review will be helpful to some. If future issues come up for me with my HR20, I'll be sure to post something about them.
Harvey
With my install due Monday, if Ironwood actually comes through, your posting give me hope. With some of the posts, I've been worried that I might be making a mistake. I hope those who haven't had your experience with their HR-20 will look into having their defective units replaced.

:) I just thought I'd share it with you guys.
I'm not trying to "hammer" you over this & thanks for wanting to help.
What I took issue with was the author's statement about how many programs can be recorded at once. There is a conflict between the owner's manual & D* website over this. The current "understanding" is that only two programs will ever be able to be recorded at one time & not the three he stated.
I'm very sensitive to BS & probably over react at the first sight of it. Just one of my handicaps. ;)

I have Google search for news with anything with DirecTV. It found this about the HR20
http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/living/15898761.htmI really hope the writer is right about eventually being able to record three shows while watching a fourth live. With 4 independent tuners, this should be within the capability of the HR20.

For those who want to get rid of the circle of blue leds. Press the left and right arrow buttons simultaneously (the ones on the front of the box) - every press reduces the brightness until they switch off completely.

Great! That is all I needed to know. Thanks

...What I took issue with was the author's statement about how many programs can be recorded at once...
He also complained about the HR20's handling of The Daily Show. My HR10-250 can't get that right either (or The Colbert Report, for that matter). I usually get at least three of each every day. :rolleyes: No doubt it's Comedy Central's fault for not giving the DVR any way to tell a new show from a repeat.

Thanks, Kenn157, for passing along the review, though. It's always interesting to get different takes.

Your welcome! I thought we'd get a kick out of it. My unit come Saturday. Lets see what has changed, if anything from the first units.

Anybody see this yet from DirecTV? http://12.154.35.105/DVR_form/index.html

Got mine installed a couple hours ago. Tech's were very good as usual, though all they had to do was plug a couple cables in so easy install for em. Got to play with it for about 3 minutes before heading into to work. Seems slower than the UTV at scanning up/down, but faster at scanning the guide forward. set up a couple shows tonight, so we'll see how it goes.

Tech did say he's only seen 1 bad unit, so my prediction of doom/gloom might be unjustified....time will tell.

Does anyone have Center Ice (or probably NBA League Pass)? Every game I record in Center Ice is erased unless I start to watch the recording before the game is over. So if a game is on the west coast and I want to watch, I have to watch it that night. It also frequently decides not to record a game even if it is in the to do list. I believe it will record a game if done manually, that is record channel 765 from 6:30 to 9:30, but even that has failed once or twice.

It even stopped recording a game on HD Net after 2:38 that was scheduled for 2:30 but that I entered as record for an extra 30 minutes.

As many times as I've posted never call 1-888-355-7530, I have to disagree [with myself]. I got the automated call, last night, to schedule the installation of my HR-20. Since it was scheduled 3-4 weeks ago, this should have been simple. I called D* installation & was told there was no appointment scheduled. I explained 11/6 was mine & she said it wasn't available, but 11/11 could be. This didn't sit well with me.
Called retention-- no help. It was left to call back today. Called retention this morning, & my appointment was still scheduled. Now I'm lost.
Called installation, yep still scheduled. [Then why did they say it wasn't?]
The "tip" from installation is to call them 24 hours before your scheduled appointment to verify Ironwood hasn't changed it [without giving you any notice].
I'm calling Sunday Afternoon, per D*s advice.

Does anyone have Center Ice (or probably NBA League Pass)? Every game I record in Center Ice is erased unless I start to watch the recording before the game is over. So if a game is on the west coast and I want to watch, I have to watch it that night. It also frequently decides not to record a game even if it is in the to do list. I believe it will record a game if done manually, that is record channel 765 from 6:30 to 9:30, but even that has failed once or twice.

It even stopped recording a game on HD Net after 2:38 that was scheduled for 2:30 but that I entered as record for an extra 30 minutes.

Thi is one of the many software bugs with the HR20. If the DVR is recording a program and loses signal, the HR20 decides that the channel has gone away and cancels the recording and deletes what has been recorded so far. This is of course a major problem with Center Ice, NFL Center Ice and so on, because when the game is over the channel goes away, but it also happens on other channels.

When coupled with the "searching for satellite" bug this makes it pretty difficult to record anything!!

Thi is one of the many software bugs with the HR20. If the DVR is recording a program and loses signal, the HR20 decides that the channel has gone away and cancels the recording and deletes what has been recorded so far. This is of course a major problem with Center Ice, NFL Center Ice and so on, because when the game is over the channel goes away, but it also happens on other channels.

When coupled with the "searching for satellite" bug this makes it pretty difficult to record anything!!

Thanks for the info, I do have it sorted out for the moment, i have a box dedicated for center ice, connected to a dvd recorder with a hard drive and timer record function. Hopefully they will sort it out soon, as this is a king sized pain to set the recorder every time I want to see a game. One click on the quide is much easier. BTW, I think I have lost a few other tings as well, and it has lost the satellite a few times, even on clear evenings!!

Thanks for the info, I do have it sorted out for the moment, i have a box dedicated for center ice, connected to a dvd recorder with a hard drive and timer record function. Hopefully they will sort it out soon, as this is a king sized pain to set the recorder every time I want to see a game. One click on the quide is much easier. BTW, I think I have lost a few other tings as well, and it has lost the satellite a few times, even on clear evenings!!
That little box [BBC upconverter] on the back might be your "searching for signal" problem. It has caused this before. Currently D* isn't using it, so you could remove it & see if it solves this.

That little box [BBC upconverter] on the back might be your "searching for signal" problem. It has caused this before. Currently D* isn't using it, so you could remove it & see if it solves this.

I don't have the box attached to the back of the receiver, the installer said it was best not to attach it.

I don't have the box attached to the back of the receiver, the installer said it was best not to attach it.
oops.... never mind...

I wonder how many trouble tickets D* is going to get when they DO enable the satellite with the KA low I.F. and people who had installers what decided it was best not to attach them try to get that "new" channel that wont come in.

I wonder how many trouble tickets D* is going to get when they DO enable the satellite with the KA low I.F. and people who had installers what decided it was best not to attach them try to get that "new" channel that wont come in.


Well he did leave the up converters, so I will always be able to install, and I figure I am having so many other problems, like others on this thread, that missing a channel or two is the least of my worries.

I do assume that once they really fix the software issues it will be a step up from the old hd tivo, it just needs some serious software fixes.

I wonder how many trouble tickets D* is going to get when they DO enable the satellite with the KA low I.F. and people who had installers what decided it was best not to attach them try to get that "new" channel that wont come in.

Sorry but what new channel would you be referring to?


I just got my replacement DVR today. My first one crapped out after a couple of hours.

After watching a few hours, I noticed that my HD channels didn't look very good. So I decided to go into TV resolution and deselect 480i and only leave 480p and 1080i selected. This made no difference. Finally I noticed on the front of the receiver that the light was on under 480i. Was this because I have Native Off?

Once I manually switched it to 1080i, everything looked great.

I've had one since last Saturday. The new MPEG 4 channels are overly filtered and compressed. KCBS over the air looks perfect, since at the moment they are not running any sub channels. KCBS on channel 81 has had the horizontal resolution reduced making it not as detailed as the over the air signal. KCBS on MPEG 4 looks really filtered, like much of the contrast range is gone. To put it another way, KCBS over the air has a depth to the picture that just isn't there on the MPEG 4 version. I used KCBS as an example, but the same thing is true of KNBC as well. It has kind of a glassy smooth look but very flat on the MPEG 4 version compared to over the air. Also some other markets were reporting stuttering video with 1080i, and a couple of nights ago I recorded The Tonight Show and noticed that the fields were inverted when Jay would speak, so his mouth would jitter. Channel 83 didn't have this problem, although it doesn't look as good as over the air, and the over the air doesn't look as it used to since they multicast now. I guess we are going to see the video quality gradually decrease at least until DirecTV can get more bandwidth. Hopefully when they do they will strive to get the MPEG 4 channels to look as good as over the air or perhaps even better than the stations that multicast.

If you have native OFF, it will default to the lowest setting you have selected, which in your case, was 480p. The format switch on the remote can be used to cycle through the selections as well. I find the most stable method for me, is to only select one optional setting, in my case 720p since my monitor is native 720p, and use that for everything. Of course, if your monitor is native 1080, then use that setting. Then you dont have to worry about the box selecting the "wrong" resolution when you reboot it, or the cat steps on the format button on the remote.

No new channel was added yes, I was referring to the new channels they will add next year when they enable the two new satellites, one of which will use the converters.

I've had one since last Saturday. The new MPEG 4 channels are overly filtered and compressed. KCBS over the air looks perfect, since at the moment they are not running any sub channels. KCBS on channel 81 has had the horizontal resolution reduced making it not as detailed as the over the air signal. KCBS on MPEG 4 looks really filtered, like much of the contrast range is gone. To put it another way, KCBS over the air has a depth to the picture that just isn't there on the MPEG 4 version. I used KCBS as an example, but the same thing is true of KNBC as well. It has kind of a glassy smooth look but very flat on the MPEG 4 version compared to over the air. Also some other markets were reporting stuttering video with 1080i, and a couple of nights ago I recorded The Tonight Show and noticed that the fields were inverted when Jay would speak, so his mouth would jitter. Channel 83 didn't have this problem, although it doesn't look as good as over the air, and the over the air doesn't look as it used to since they multicast now. I guess we are going to see the video quality gradually decrease at least until DirecTV can get more bandwidth. Hopefully when they do they will strive to get the MPEG 4 channels to look as good as over the air or perhaps even better than the stations that multicast.

This is my complaint with compression. You just can't remove something from the signal without some sort of loss [or why would it be there in the first place?] OTA channels use the least [if any]. Mpeg-2 seems to work, but the picture does suffer. Then there's Mpeg-4 with the most compression. Posters have quit trying to tell me of the "improved picture quality" with it. It ain't there!
Don't look for D* to increase the bandwidth and use less compression. There are too many $$$ in squeezing [us] to fit more [revenue] channels, than to improve the picture quality.
We would need to collectively revolt [Boston Tea Party] to force change.

Do people getting the MPEG4 channels also keep their old MPEG2 feeds, either East or West coast feeds of ABC, CBS and NBC?

Would be nice to have the option to compare PQ.

Do people getting the MPEG4 channels also keep their old MPEG2 feeds, either East or West coast feeds of ABC, CBS and NBC?

Would be nice to have the option to compare PQ.


I don't think most folks in Major cities get the Mpeg2 feeds. If you submitted a release to your local stations, and have it go thru, you're lucky to get those East or West feeds.

Anyway, I was able to compare during the World Series. Both have compression,
but it looks A LOT worse on the new Mpeg 4 channels. Very blocky, and this is especially noticeable on fast camera moves. I would hope they would lessen the compression in the future, but not likely as they try to add more channels.

But compare either of these to a good antenna feed for your locals, and they
both STINK. Let's all hope D* keeps their word, and turns on that ATSC tuner
by the end of the year!

If you have native OFF, it will default to the lowest setting you have selected, which in your case, was 480p. The format switch on the remote can be used to cycle through the selections as well. I find the most stable method for me, is to only select one optional setting, in my case 720p since my monitor is native 720p, and use that for everything. Of course, if your monitor is native 1080, then use that setting. Then you dont have to worry about the box selecting the "wrong" resolution when you reboot it, or the cat steps on the format button on the remote.

No new channel was added yes, I was referring to the new channels they will add next year when they enable the two new satellites, one of which will use the converters.

Thank you for the explanation. That makes perfect sense.

Do people getting the MPEG4 channels also keep their old MPEG2 feeds, either East or West coast feeds of ABC, CBS and NBC?

Would be nice to have the option to compare PQ.
If you don't mention anything to D*, you can keep your DNS channels for the time being. Distant Network Service is only Grandfathered for those that have it & you dare not try to make any changes to it. When D* get their way it will be over, replaced by your locals.
I have CBS [west] & my local CBS.
Best PQ is OTA, next is Mpeg-2, at the bottom is Mpeg-4. :mad:

...When D* get their way it will be over, replaced by your locals...
Don't blame D* for that one, blame your representative in the best congress money can buy! :rolleyes:

I dont really think its D*'s way. I am sure they would much rather supply one set of locals to each time zone, and save all that extra bandwidth for the HD version of Home Shopping Network.

It's a lot more than bandwidth D* would save. There's the hassle and expense of collecting and uploading signals from hundreds of local stations, to say nothing of the aggravation of securing retransmission rights from all those individual station owners, a few of whom are still denying their viewers the right to watch HD via satellite.

Congress mandated local station coverage at the behest of the station's trade association's lobbyists. Neither the networks nor the carriers were responsible. D*s lack of interest in this is probably the reason they are not aggressively seeking out DNS customers and discontinuing their service.

D* has it's faults, but the DNS restriction is not one of them.

It's a lot more than bandwidth D* would save. There's the hassle and expense of collecting and uploading signals from hundreds of local stations, to say nothing of the aggravation of securing retransmission rights from all those individual station owners, a few of whom are still denying their viewers the right to watch HD via satellite.
Congress mandated local station coverage at the behest of the station's trade association's lobbyists. Neither the networks nor the carriers were responsible. D*s lack of interest in this is probably the reason they are not aggressively seeking out DNS customers and discontinuing their service.
D* has it's faults, but the DNS restriction is not one of them.
I agree with both of you, but...
When I called D* over their letter discontinuing my DNS, their reply was they had an agreement with somebody [I don't remember who] that required them to stop my DNS.
As to the "hassle & expense" for HD: to offer SD local channels, they're already collecting them locally & uploading them. The addition of HD is "only" the Mpeg-4 equipment.
As to Congress: We're suffering from the Digital Millennium Copyright law. HDTV is more secure than our voting machines. The HR-20 has more security than they do.
There is a "must watch show" HBO is airing named Hacking Democracy. It will inform & scare the SH** out of you.
I try not to get into politics but this issue is criminal & needs everyone's attention.

...When I called D* over their letter discontinuing my DNS, their reply was they had an agreement with somebody [I don't remember who] that required them to stop my DNS.

That would probably be the FCC, although it could be applying the pressure indirectly through the networks.

As to the "hassle & expense" for HD: to offer SD local channels, they're already collecting them locally & uploading them. The addition of HD is "only" the Mpeg-4 equipment...
It still would have been far easier for D* to just stick to the DNS feeds for HD for now and delay the switch over until it becomes mediatory for the stations to go digital in a couple of years. However, D* has no choice other than to obey the law.

The only local programming most affiliates provide is News, and only a tiny handful of them are doing that in HD yet, so few viewers gain anything by watching the local station instead of DNS. An exception would be the few "big 4" network affiliates that originate local sports programming in HD, but there are not many of those either.

For the most part, it's all about getting wider exposure for local commercials.

That would probably be the FCC, although it could be applying the pressure indirectly through the networks.
It still would have been far easier for D* to just stick to the DNS feeds for HD for now and delay the switch over until it becomes mediatory for the stations to go digital in a couple of years. However, D* has no choice other than to obey the law.
The only local programming most affiliates provide is News, and only a tiny handful of them are doing that in HD yet, so few viewers gain anything by watching the local station instead of DNS. An exception would be the few "big 4" network affiliates that originate local sports programming in HD, but there are not many of those either.
For the most part, it's all about getting wider exposure for local commercials.
It wasn't the FCC, but some consortium, which is why I don't remember.
DNS requires a waiver from the local stations which is almost impossible to get.
Each local wants their ads on your TV, & not the national. It simply a dollar issue.
My locals are fighting the SAT companies over content. The locals want Dish & DTV to carry more than their main digital channel [ie the --.2-5 channels].

It wasn't the FCC, but some consortium...
The NAB, perhaps? (National Association of Broadcasters) They bankrolled the legislation.

Not that it matters. My only point is that it's out of D*s hands. They have no vested interest in forcing people off DNS. The waiver rules and the limitation of individual subscriber DNS to only one feed per network (as opposed to allowing both East and West feeds as in the past) are all at the behest of the broadcasters via the federal government. D* is merely enforcing someone else's rules.

Chances are at this point, D* barely covers their expenses for providing local HD service. If it were cheap and easy, they'd probably have added more CW and independent stations by now, which they eventually will have to do in order to become competitive with cable.

Yes, it's all about money for the local stations, which is of more concern to Congress than consumer benefit. It's probably only a matter of time before the broadcasters convince Congress to legislate mandatory satellite and cable inclusion of sub-channels, too.

The NAB, perhaps? (National Association of Broadcasters) They bankrolled the legislation. Not that it matters. My only point is that it's out of D*s hands. They have no vested interest in forcing people off DNS. The waiver rules and the limitation of individual subscriber DNS to only one feed per network (as opposed to allowing both East and West feeds as in the past) are all at the behest of the broadcasters via the federal government. D* is merely enforcing someone else's rules. Chances are at this point, D* barely covers their expenses for providing local HD service. If it were cheap and easy, they'd probably have added more CW and independent stations by now, which they eventually will have to do in order to become competitive with cable. Yes, it's all about money for the local stations, which is of more concern to Congress than consumer benefit. It's probably only a matter of time before the broadcasters convince Congress to legislate mandatory satellite and cable inclusion of sub-channels, too.
We agree is doesn't matter, wasn't NAB either but something strange. Since it came from a CSR super... who knows the truth?
Congress & money... quite true & not our viewing pleasure.

PLEASE EXPLAIN AND CLEAR UP ANY QUESTIONS I MAY HAVE.... I Guarantee you guys know more about this HD/DVR than i do so please clear this up for me..... i just had this recorder installed with the 5lnb dish.. i did not know that the ota was no working yet, i mean that is the reason i ordered direct tv.... i wanted to get locals in HD... i live in fort myers and they do not offer locals in hd yet.....

1. when will it be activated and what ota do you guys recommend?? (interna; and external)

2. i do have an h20 that i was going to send back, can i hook that up with an ota and activate it or does a direct tv installer have to activate it for you?????

3. and are there any other options for geting locals in HD, even if they are not in my area...?

thanks

1. By the end of December, external.
2. yes, you can call D* to activate it. If you tell them its only for OTA, they might waive the fee.
3. Not from DirecTv.

WHAT external antenna would you recommend?????????/

thanks

WHAT external antenna would you recommend?????????/

thanks
It'd be best to check the Local HDTV Reception forum for more specific info about OTA reception in your area. Or, DIY by going into antennaweb.org.

I apologize if this has been covered....

I've got two new HR20's. One is installed at a location with a phone jack near, so no issues. The other one needs to have a phone line dragged to it from another room. With the HR10's, it was pretty easy to drag the phone line over, force it to call the D* service, then unplug the line. I did it about once every week or so.

With the HR20, it doesn't seem to have this feature. Questions:

1. Do I need the phone line?
2. How often does it call out?
3. Can you "force" a call - I don't see a menu for this?

Thanks in advance.

Originally Posted by habudab
WHAT external antenna would you recommend?????????/

www.antennaweb.org would be my recommendation, besides the bigger the better, for the most gain.

Questions:
1. Do I need the phone line?
2. How often does it call out?
3. Can you "force" a call - I don't see a menu for this?
1- You would need the phone line for pay per view or to order a special event program.
2- I believe once a week.
3- This is a new one for me.
If you don't have a phone line connected, you can order on the website. It would make sense then [I'm not sure though] that once ordered, say with the box connected to the phone line, that you could watch it on any [either] box on the system.

I called my local tv repair man and he told me what antenna to buy at Home Depot. They always carry the ones that are needed for the area they are in. They find out which ones to carry the same way I did, from a local shop.

With the HR20, it doesn't seem to have this feature. Questions:

1. Do I need the phone line?
2. How often does it call out?
3. Can you "force" a call - I don't see a menu for this?


1 - As previously stated, just for PPV reporting.
2 - Whenever it wants to report PPV activity. In this event there is no set time.
3 - This is TIVO lingo and mindset. Not necessary or possible on this box as it is not TIVO.

1 - As previously stated, just for PPV reporting.
2 - Whenever it wants to report PPV activity. In this event there is no set time.
I know a D* customer that has a problem with sharing the phone cord with her computer. She moves the cord once a week for her non HD receiver to connect to DTV. While I don't know the specifics of her usage, I thought this was like a Dish experience I had where I watched several PPV shows without the phone line connected and then the system shutdown.
While I have no clue, it seems there may be a "buffer" that will allow viewing PPV shows for a limited time while the system waits to "call home".

I know a D* customer that has a problem with sharing the phone cord with her computer. She moves the cord once a week for her non HD receiver to connect to DTV. While I don't know the specifics of her usage, I thought this was like a Dish experience I had where I watched several PPV shows without the phone line connected and then the system shutdown.
While I have no clue, it seems there may be a "buffer" that will allow viewing PPV shows for a limited time while the system waits to "call home".

Yes the receiver CAN buffer at least 20 or more PPV events between reports. The exact maximum number to buffer varies by receiver. However if you only purchase one or two it will eventually dial out on its own and report the event(s), rather than wait to fill the maximum quota. When the receiver does this is unpredictable and unscheduled.

Yes the receiver CAN buffer at least 20 or more PPV events between reports. The exact maximum number to buffer varies by receiver. However if you only purchase one or two it will eventually dial out on its own and report the event(s), rather than wait to fill the maximum quota. When the receiver does this is unpredictable and unscheduled.
Thank you, I keep learning....

So, going back to the pesky issue with sports packages and the hr 20 dumping them when it loses the signal at the end of the game. D* seemed unaware of this as a problem, but obviously a lot of customers must have the problem, I am pretty sure I am not the only person with an HR 20 who time shifts things enough for this to happen. Any ideas where this one fits in their priority schedule for a software fix.

I'll bet he IS aware of it, but the particular CSR you talked to wasn't...it's a crap shoot with them.

So far it's a decent unit, but I still find it depressing the technology is there to make things work better (like better guide speed) as demonstrated by Microsoft and their UTV units YEARS ago, yet Direct tv fails to build the best box possible.


haven't found any slow motion either...which seems odd.

So, going back to the pesky issue with sports packages and the hr 20 dumping them when it loses the signal at the end of the game. D* seemed unaware of this as a problem, but obviously a lot of customers must have the problem, I am pretty sure I am not the only person with an HR 20 who time shifts things enough for this to happen. Any ideas where this one fits in their priority schedule for a software fix.
This sounds like something you should call the retention department for. They seem to actually log & review for a resolution. You might also take it to tier two tech support.

Yes the receiver CAN buffer at least 20 or more PPV events between reports. The exact maximum number to buffer varies by receiver. However if you only purchase one or two it will eventually dial out on its own and report the event(s), rather than wait to fill the maximum quota. When the receiver does this is unpredictable and unscheduled.

billt1111 & veryoldschool - thanks for the info.

billt1111 & veryoldschool - thanks for the info.
Just give us a topic & we'll kick it around [to death].
Anytime you need.... :D

I think it’s time to merge this forum [thread?] with the official H20.
Why? The HR-20 is becoming main stream now and I’m getting lost between the two as I look for a posting.
Wouldn’t it make sense to have it all in one place?
The H20 postings seem to have slowed down [recently] and more & more D* customers have both types. A lot of the questions [comments] are relative to both.
The “HR-20 launching in mid-August 2006, in LA!” has expired. It now launched nationwide.
Just my thought & I haven't a clue how to do it or get it done.

OK, I known you have talked about this. But, I currently have an H10-250. Which I love, but I can not receive all my local OTA channels successfully. The tuner on my TV will pick up all the channels, but the tuner in the H10 will not. I was thinking about upgrading to the HR20,(to receive all my locals by D*tv) . I really like the software on the H10, and have seen the H20 and it is completely different. My questions are:

1. Does the OTA tuner in the HR10-250 usually suck? - any way to fix it?
2. What things are better on the HR20
3. What is worse about the HR20.

Thanks in advance.
Rufus

OK, I known you have talked about this. But, I currently have an H10-250. Which I love, but I can not receive all my local OTA channels successfully. The tuner on my TV will pick up all the channels, but the tuner in the H10 will not. I was thinking about upgrading to the HR20,(to receive all my locals by D*tv) . I really like the software on the H10, and have seen the H20 and it is completely different. My questions are:

1. Does the OTA tuner in the HR10-250 usually suck? - any way to fix it?
2. What things are better on the HR20
3. What is worse about the HR20.

Thanks in advance.
Rufus


Then you'll probably want to wait until the ota tuner actually works on the hr20.

the only h10 I've seen was horribly slow in guide. 20 is much better.

OK, I known you have talked about this. But, I currently have an H10-250. Which I love, but I can not receive all my local OTA channels successfully. The tuner on my TV will pick up all the channels, but the tuner in the H10 will not. I was thinking about upgrading to the HR20,(to receive all my locals by D*tv) . I really like the software on the H10, and have seen the H20 and it is completely different. My questions are:

1. Does the OTA tuner in the HR10-250 usually suck? - any way to fix it?
2. What things are better on the HR20
3. What is worse about the HR20.

Thanks in advance.
Rufus
Read the post #1092 on this forum. It should help.

my hr20 has never been hooked up to a phone line. All the updates have come from the sat, and I've ordered PPV once. so far no probs, no messages.

my hr20 has never been hooked up to a phone line. All the updates have come from the sat, and I've ordered PPV once. so far no probs, no messages.
The phone line is for out going. The incomming is done all through the dish.
Can't say about your "free" PPV. It will most likely bite you sometime.

okay i know this question has probably already been asked but to be honest i dont have time to go through 39 pages of q&a. but is any one else haveing problems with the hr20 recording a show but when you go back to play it the screen is black and wont play back? is this a known issue and being worked on sort of thing or is my hr20 broken!!

most likely the receiver will quit working after no phone line. my first reciever after the Hu cards left was a basic one, and was upstairs not connected to a phone line. Every time it was not used or connected to a phone line for a couple months I would have to call to reactivate it, with a line connected.

you'll pay for the ppv eventually.

okay i know this question has probably already been asked but to be honest i dont have time to go through 39 pages of q&a. but is any one else haveing problems with the hr20 recording a show but when you go back to play it the screen is black and wont play back? is this a known issue and being worked on sort of thing or is my hr20 broken!!
I've only had mine for 24 hours, but no I don't have a black screen on playback.

I've only had mine for 24 hours, but no I don't have a black screen on playback.

ya i have had my hr20 for about 2 months now and it has happened about three time on hd and non hd channels so im not sure what to do and dtv ppl are idiots and they have no idea what to do about it i hope someone else reads this and helps me out

most likely the receiver will quit working after no phone line. my first reciever after the Hu cards left was a basic one, and was upstairs not connected to a phone line. Every time it was not used or connected to a phone line for a couple months I would have to call to reactivate it, with a line connected.
I can't buy your "most likely". Mine work fine without the phone. They will fail the phone test in setup [duh] but D* website says you can order your PPV with a phone call or on their site.
I have no idea what "Hu cards" are, or why they would leave.
As to why a receiver would go inactive, I can only say that D* has a "master" receiver on your account, then the others are copied [as additional] from it. If it isn't connected to the dish, this might cause their system to "reset" your account.
I ran dish receivers for years with no phone line & only had trouble when I played with PPV [several times], now there weren't any updates back then.
With some bad D* boxes, I had, they would try to download updates they didn't need & D* suggested to connect the phone line, but it didn't fix the box.
I've had a D* CSR tell me that the receivers copy the account info through either the phone line or the coax, but this has proven to be just more BS. You can have multiple dishes, connected to different units, all on your same account if the recorded location is the same [on their system]. I was looking into a additional receiver about 100 miles away and it would have worked [without a phone line].

...the only h10 I've seen was horribly slow in guide. 20 is much better.
The HR10's guide speed is much improved now after its recent software upgrade.

The HR10's guide speed is much improved now after its recent software upgrade.

Absolutely. Things work much faster now on the 10-250, especially season passes.

okay i know this question has probably already been asked but to be honest i dont have time to go through 39 pages of q&a. but is any one else haveing problems with the hr20 recording a show but when you go back to play it the screen is black and wont play back? is this a known issue and being worked on sort of thing or is my hr20 broken!!

Its an issue, wait for an upgrade to the software. In the mean time, try to play a show you have already watched. If it doesnt play, and the new show play bar shows the entire length of the show was recorded, reboot the machine using the remote control reset in the setup menu, and after it comes back up, it should let you play the show ok.

So, going back to the pesky issue with sports packages and the hr 20 dumping them when it loses the signal at the end of the game. D* seemed unaware of this as a problem, but obviously a lot of customers must have the problem, I am pretty sure I am not the only person with an HR 20 who time shifts things enough for this to happen. Any ideas where this one fits in their priority schedule for a software fix.

I have had my HR20 dvr for almost 3 weeks and continue to feel it measures up very well to the 2 H10-250 HDVRs I have. I was very concerned when I read the posts here about the HR20 dumping programming (clearing previously recorded portion of broadcast) when the signal is lost at end of the game. I have yet to have this experience as an NHL Center Ice subscriber. My recorded games have remained fully saved and viewable after the signal ends for the broadcast. Also, I was worried if the same problem would occur when signal was dropped while recording a show due to rain fade. That has also not been a problem for me. This past Sunday evening while recording Desperate Housewives and Dexter on my new HR20, heavy rains in the area knocked out my reception for a period of time. Once it returned, the shows continued to record as before.

Regarding the matter of DNS service along with local HD channels being received: I have DNS waivers for East Coast HD broadcasts for NBC, FOX and CBS. Only ABC declined. Earlier in the Summer I received the letter for D* telling me that DNS service would be dropped per prior committments. A couple of months later (I believe back in Sept) I received another followup letter from D* telling me the previous letter had been sent in error and my DNS service would in fact NOT be ending. I am in the DFW region and get all local HD broadcasts via my HR20 and the AT9 5 LNB dish.

As I stated in an earlier post, I am very pleased with the picture quality of my HD MPEG4 programs compared to the same programming broadcast nationally via Mpeg2 encoding. To my eyes on my HD television, there is virtually no discernable difference.

I hope this helps.

Harvey

Earlier in the Summer I received the letter for D* telling me that DNS service would be dropped per prior committments. A couple of months later (I believe back in Sept) I received another followup letter from D* telling me the previous letter had been sent in error and my DNS service would in fact NOT be ending.
As I stated in an earlier post, I am very pleased with the picture quality of my HD MPEG4 programs compared to the same programming broadcast nationally via Mpeg2 encoding. To my eyes on my HD television, there is virtually no discernable difference.
I hope this helps.
Harvey
D* never sent me the second letter about DNS... Thanks
I've only had 36 hours with my HR-20. At the 30 hour mark, it was looking pretty bleak. Trying to play back a local program was causing: black screen, frozen video, no response from the remote, and I was on my sixth forced reset just to gain control again. The 30 sec jump simply wasn't, and the PQ of MPEG-4 couldn't compare favorably to anything but SD.
Last night's software update: 0xeb still hasn't activated OTA, but now I am more in agreement with the last of your posting. MPEG-4 looks actually good. The program that I couldn't watch, is now viewable, & the 30 sec "jump" almost works. It isn't a jump. as described in the manual, but maybe a slow "skip", as I can press the button multiple times and it will hop that many times. It still is kind of dumb. It would be nice if it would understand how many times I've pressed the button, instead of doing one & then another & then... This is a skipping or hopping & not the "Jump" that it should be.
Maybe the east coast has had this update earlier, as D* tends to stagger the update from east to west.

HR20 updates have been rolled out WEST to EAST, not the other way around, and no one had it before the west coast early this morning.

HR20 updates have been rolled out WEST to EAST, not the other way around, and no one had it before the west coast early this morning.
Thanks, "my info" came from D* so it is subject to being totally wrong.
Thank you again for the correction.

I have had my HR20 dvr for almost 3 weeks and continue to feel it measures up very well to the 2 H10-250 HDVRs I have. I was very concerned when I read the posts here about the HR20 dumping programming (clearing previously recorded portion of broadcast) when the signal is lost at end of the game. I have yet to have this experience as an NHL Center Ice subscriber. My recorded games have remained fully saved and viewable after the signal ends for the broadcast. Also, I was worried if the same problem would occur when signal was dropped while recording a show due to rain fade. That has also not been a problem for me. This past Sunday evening while recording Desperate Housewives and Dexter on my new HR20, heavy rains in the area knocked out my reception for a period of time. Once it returned, the shows continued to record as before.



Harvey

so back to my problem, anyone with any reason why Harvey is blissfully watching Center Ice and I am not??

I am from the generation of just because you are paranoid, it does not mean that they are not out to get you.

I can't buy your "most likely". Mine work fine without the phone. They will fail the phone test in setup [duh] but D* website says you can order your PPV with a phone call or on their site.
I have no idea what "Hu cards" are, or why they would leave.
As to why a receiver would go inactive, I can only say that D* has a "master" receiver on your account, then the others are copied [as additional] from it. If it isn't connected to the dish, this might cause their system to "reset" your account.
I ran dish receivers for years with no phone line & only had trouble when I played with PPV [several times], now there weren't any updates back then.
With some bad D* boxes, I had, they would try to download updates they didn't need & D* suggested to connect the phone line, but it didn't fix the box.
I've had a D* CSR tell me that the receivers copy the account info through either the phone line or the coax, but this has proven to be just more BS. You can have multiple dishes, connected to different units, all on your same account if the recorded location is the same [on their system]. I was looking into a additional receiver about 100 miles away and it would have worked [without a phone line].


Ok, don't buy it...things might have changed. The Hu cards are the third gen cards that left the stream several years ago. Before that, and with previous generation cards, it was very easy to test with. I also ran receivers not connected to phone lines until a new receiver with a P5 came out, if not connected to a phone line for a couple months, it will go inactive. I would be very surprised if Dave doesn't operate this way to stop 'secondary' receivers from ending up in someone elses house. But, I've only been playing with this stuff since 98 so clearly there are more knowledgeable people out there.

Ok, don't buy it...things might have changed. The Hu cards are the third gen cards that left the stream several years ago. Before that, and with previous generation cards, it was very easy to test with. I also ran receivers not connected to phone lines until a new receiver with a P5 came out, if not connected to a phone line for a couple months, it will go inactive. I would be very surprised if Dave doesn't operate this way to stop 'secondary' receivers from ending up in someone elses house. But, I've only been playing with this stuff since 98 so clearly there are more knowledgeable people out there.
I will gladly concede the point to someone more informed. Usually I can understand answers & when I can't I'll stop waste their time.
You're talking about the access cards?
"Left the stream"?
"very easy to test with" Test what?
"P5" is a card?
Dave is DTV?
I called DTV, posed a scenario of: using DTV in a remote office, where I would use a second dish as it was too far from my main dish and had no phone line. I wondered if [or how] this would work. Tech support said it would. I asked if it would be a additional receiver to my account, or whether I would need a second account. The answer was "as long as it was at the same location" [street address] no problem [same account].
Now we all know D* can/will say anything, whether it's true or not.
Since this was hypothetical I don't know it as fact.
You seem to have more knowledge of this [than me] and ask what your opinion is.

Always trying to learn....

I will gladly concede the point to someone more informed. Usually I can understand answers & when I can't I'll stop waste their time.
You're talking about the access cards?
"Left the stream"?
"very easy to test with" Test what?
"P5" is a card?
Dave is DTV?
I called DTV, posed a scenario of: using DTV in a remote office, where I would use a second dish as it was too far from my main dish and had no phone line. I wondered if [or how] this would work. Tech support said it would. I asked if it would be a additional receiver to my account, or whether I would need a second account. The answer was "as long as it was at the same location" [street address] no problem [same account].
Now we all know D* can/will say anything, whether it's true or not.
Since this was hypothetical I don't know it as fact.
You seem to have more knowledge of this [than me] and ask what your opinion is.

Always trying to learn....

No need to concede anything, I haven't verified this in a couple years, so it certainly might have changed. Actually, I think I'll take the phone line out of my seldom used receiver in the kitchen and see if it goes down...then I'll know and can post it.

The earlier generation security cards were of a lower encryption level, and some like the F and H cards were very easy to 'test' with, which theoretically would open up the entire spectrum of channels including ppv's and non-local channels. The Hu cards were the last generation that was 'hackable', once the Hu stream was turned off they effectively killed the testing community...or at least moved them to free to air stuff and dish (dunno, haven't tried either of them). Anyway, that's all ancient history. I guess my point is I would be very surprised if Dtv doesn't need to communicate with each receiver through the verified phone number every so often to verify placement...or it cuts the authentication to the particular card.

But like i said, I'll pull mine tonight and wait...and we'll see.

I will gladly concede the point to someone more informed. Usually I can understand answers & when I can't I'll stop waste their time.
You're talking about the access cards?
"Left the stream"?
"very easy to test with" Test what?
"P5" is a card?
Dave is DTV?
I called DTV, posed a scenario of: using DTV in a remote office, where I would use a second dish as it was too far from my main dish and had no phone line. I wondered if [or how] this would work. Tech support said it would. I asked if it would be a additional receiver to my account, or whether I would need a second account. The answer was "as long as it was at the same location" [street address] no problem [same account].
Now we all know D* can/will say anything, whether it's true or not.
Since this was hypothetical I don't know it as fact.
You seem to have more knowledge of this [than me] and ask what your opinion is.

Always trying to learn....

Yes he is talking about the access cards. There was the first one, I can't recall which but I believe it was the "F" card - that one was around until enough people figured out how to override it with a 9V battery, then there came the H card, and then the HU card (which is why he calls it 3rd generation) and then the P4 I think, and apparently now the P5 but I have been out of the scene a very long time.

"Testing" is another word for stealing, and in generalities, the people were "testing" combinations of hardware and software to make illegal modifications to the cards or eliminate them entirely. Whenever D* went through the process of issuing a new card they had to leave the software for the old one running in the datastream sent to all dishes until everyone was upgraded - then they shut off the software for the old version of the card, or "pulled it from the stream" as it was referred. The problem was that the F cards had hardly no security, the H cards were not much better and the HU was the last stab at a secure card before D* pulled the development in-house and did it themselves. At one point it had become so easy to circumvent the cards that D* had to reprogram them all every couple of days, and they probably wasted more money and time on that than could have been spent upgrading the service. The combination of the P4 card coming out, and some major gestapo tactics by D* to shut down all the websites and chat forums that educated people on how to do their dirty work pushed the whole movement FAR underground. It was around that time that I got my pee-pee slapped pretty hard and I sort of lost interest in the whole thing.

"Dave" is what everyone used as slang for D* back then, and I never quite found out what that was all about, but I believe he used to be some executive with the company.

As to the PPV Movies and things, you used to be able to run your bill up to about $25 before the receiver would refuse to give you anymore without first "phoning home" to report your purchase. If there was no phone line it stopped there and would not allow you to purchase any more via the remote until the accumulated data had been transmitted.

Hope this cleared things up a little for anyone that cares.... Now I have to see about that free upgrade to the HR-20 thing. I have been holding off getting a DVR until the new hardware came out to make sure I would not end up "throwing away" something I bought that became obsolete before I installed it....

you'll pay for the ppv eventually.

I figure if I ever hook it up to a phone line, it will list it, I've never had to though. Didn't even need to for the setup witht he tech. So it may only allow me a few more PPVs before it stops letting me do them without reporting them by phone? ( I ordered a ppv on my hdtivo the other night too and didn't need a phone line)

Regardless, I'm not payin for the one I got on the hr20. I clicked the 6 porno channels at once purchase and only got one porno channel. Luckily it was a good one, or I'd have been mad! :mad:

anybody else have this problem trying to order multiple porn channels?

Yes he is talking about the access cards
Thanks to you & WSMC831, his posting now make sense to me.
A long time ago I looked into the card hacking. At the time it seemed to be needed ever few days & I didn't want to invest in the card reader [cost, cheap SOB that I am].
Had I had this previous experience, I would have understood, as I do now.
This still doesn't "validate" info from D*, so life is "normal".
I always enjoy understanding [more] & thanks again.

so back to my problem, anyone with any reason why Harvey is blissfully watching Center Ice and I am not??
I am from the generation of just because you are paranoid, it does not mean that they are not out to get you.
I'm from your generation [my handle, v.o.s.] too, and I can only hope the software update that came to me last night will cure your problem. The manual has updated "my personal 10 min" unplug it from the wall for a "clean reset" to 15 min.
My sports need a motor for me to watch, so my "best guess" would be to check your software version, unplug the box, & then try it again. If it still is screwed, change the box.

Its an issue, wait for an upgrade to the software. In the mean time, try to play a show you have already watched. If it doesnt play, and the new show play bar shows the entire length of the show was recorded, reboot the machine using the remote control reset in the setup menu, and after it comes back up, it should let you play the show ok.


thank so much for the update you guys are awesome now if we could get more hd channels we will be cool !! haha

... now if we could get more hd channels we will be cool !! haha
What's the line... Wait until next year.

Boeing has the contract for two more satellites to be launched next year to provide 150 national HD channels.

I remember the "testing" days. The H card had a defect that would allow you to send a series of commands to the card that would open it up and allow you to program it however you wanted. D* used to send down firmware updates to the cards to try and close these holes but the hackers always were able to find a way around the updates. Eventually, every subscriber with an H card was mailed an HU card which did not have any of these holes. The datastream that kept the H card running was eventually shut off after everyone was upgraded.

With the HU cards, the hackers found a way to send an electrical current or "glitch" to the HU card and which would cause the card to reboot it's internal chip. At a certain time during the reboot process, they could send commands to the card that would open it up to being programmed like the H card could be. D* once again phased out the HU cards and sent everyone the new P4 cards and eventually turned off the HU data steam.

The P4 and P5 cards supposedly have an extra chip in them that will destroy the card if any attempt to "glitch" the card is detected.

As far as setting up an additional receiver up at a different location goes, D* will find out about it if you plug in the phone line. There is some kind of caller ID system that every phone call sends out that is not available to the average consumer. D* can figure out what phone number a receiver is calling from even if you were to use the *67 feature or if you asked your phone company to block your caller ID info on your calls. This feature is supposedly only available to businesses like D*. If all of your receivers are not calling from the same number, a flag goes up at D*.

ya i have had my hr20 for about 2 months now and it has happened about three time on hd and non hd channels so im not sure what to do and dtv ppl are idiots and they have no idea what to do about it i hope someone else reads this and helps me out

You should have gotten an update either last night, or tonight to the new version of the software. Hopefully, that cured your problem. Let us know.

I remember the "testing" days.
As far as setting up an additional receiver up at a different location goes, D* will find out about it if you plug in the phone line. There is some kind of caller ID system that every phone call sends out that is not available to the average consumer. D* can figure out what phone number a receiver is calling from even if you were to use the *67 feature or if you asked your phone company to block your caller ID info on your calls. This feature is supposedly only available to businesses like D*. If all of your receivers are not calling from the same number, a flag goes up at D*.
This "feature" came up as I was researching my scenario. I called the phone company & found the answer was simple. When you call an "800" [877, etc] number, since they are paying for the call, they get the caller's number, regardless if your number is "blocked" from caller ID.
So far: as long as there is never a service call, & no phone connection, a "remote" receiver will work as an additional receiver to your account.
As for your "red flag", there is some leeway here because my receivers were connected to a different line [same area code, different prefix] than the number on my account, with no problem.

24 hours after the latest software update:
Watching my local CBS HD tonight really impressed me with the PQ.
I found myself actually enjoying it, which is a first! OTA has been the only time I've seen such a good picture. None of my H-20 units have compared to my HR-20 tonight! :D :D

Without going back thru the 40 pages to find out....I've been waiting for the upgrade to record OTA's before I get mine.

Has it happened yet? I believe I read December but was hoping it may have already happened.

Not yet. Activation "by December 1st" seems to be the current company line.
I am particularly looking forward to this so that I can have quick reference to the PBS HD schedule and set up recordings. At present I rely on my LG 3410A DVR and its TV Guide Onscreen schedule for PBS HD, but it would help a lot to have it on the HR20 as well.

Without going back thru the 40 pages to find out....I've been waiting for the upgrade to record OTA's before I get mine.

Has it happened yet? I believe I read December but was hoping it may have already happened.

Earl Bonovich will tell you when its coming.

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=69543

24 hours after the latest software update:
Watching my local CBS HD tonight really impressed me with the PQ.
I found myself actually enjoying it, which is a first! OTA has been the only time I've seen such a good picture. None of my H-20 units have compared to my HR-20 tonight! :D :D


LOL, yep I know what you're feeling. I got it during Lost last night. Makes all the complaining about "HD Lite" seem kinda silly. Some of the mpg4 stuff is so close to OTA it's made me reconsider going through the effort of installing an attic antenna at my new place.

When I first read the reports of "near ota" PQ I was skeptical, and it doesn't happen all the time, but some of the big prime time shows are consistently excellent.

I'm from your generation [my handle, v.o.s.] too, and I can only hope the software update that came to me last night will cure your problem. The manual has updated "my personal 10 min" unplug it from the wall for a "clean reset" to 15 min.
My sports need a motor for me to watch, so my "best guess" would be to check your software version, unplug the box, & then try it again. If it still is screwed, change the box.

I had a chat with level 2 tech support, they said they have had other complaints, and it is being passed on to engineering. She would not say if it was also common on the NBA programming as well, but I can not imagine it is not. I did establish last night that it cancels a scheduled recording if the channel is not turned on before the dvr is set to record and if the signal disappears before the end of the record time (hard to predict with a sports event) it will erase on its own.

The recording problem with sports packages is well know, lots of reports on this one all over the forums. I have Center Ice and have not had a problem so far, probably because the channel just goes to a generic DirecTV screen at the end of the game. On Sunday Ticket where the channel actually goes away lots of people have lost recordings.

The latest software update is rolling out now, people on the West coast already have it, maybe I will get it tonight in Texas. To read the latest on new software and which problems are solved (and which not!) go to this forum
http://www.dbstalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=112

The recording problem with sports packages is well know, lots of reports on this one all over the forums. I have Center Ice and have not had a problem so far, probably because the channel just goes to a generic DirecTV screen at the end of the game. On Sunday Ticket where the channel actually goes away lots of people have lost recordings.

The latest software update is rolling out now, people on the West coast already have it, maybe I will get it tonight in Texas. To read the latest on new software and which problems are solved (and which not!) go to this forum
http://www.dbstalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=112


center ice goes to a blank screen on mine within about 5-15 minutes, I did play with it tonight and it appears to be trying to record ahead of a game (I did a manual record from 5:45 to 6:15 which covers the 15 mins before and first 15 mins of the game). Will know in fifteen minutes if this part is solved.

I went to DBS talk but could not fiigure out my way through the info. If the problem is solved it is moot anyway.

The recording problem with sports packages is well know, lots of reports on this one all over the forums. I have Center Ice and have not had a problem so far, probably because the channel just goes to a generic DirecTV screen at the end of the game. On Sunday Ticket where the channel actually goes away lots of people have lost recordings.

The latest software update is rolling out now, people on the West coast already have it, maybe I will get it tonight in Texas. To read the latest on new software and which problems are solved (and which not!) go to this forum
http://www.dbstalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=112



my bad, I did find my way through DBS talk and it is supposed to fix the premature deletes. It would be good to get tonight, there is a game tomorrow I would like to watch and may not get til until it is over. For the moment I have an extra SD box which I program to go to the appropriate channel and set a timer record on my pioneer dvd/hard drive recorder. it is a pain, but it does work.

It's much better but...
Had to hit the red button to regain control for the first time since update.
Played a local recorded program. Deleted it & selected the next to watch.
Hit play and the unit froze. Had to force my first reset.
Just so you know. Better but still .... :p

It's much better but...
Had to hit the red button to regain control for the first time since update.
Played a local recorded program. Deleted it & selected the next to watch.
Hit play and the unit froze. Had to force my first reset.
Just so you know. Better but still .... :p

Since DBS talk says the update will cure my problems, I was a bit disappointed to see that it is not in the history file on the scheduler. Alas, I will probably lose the hockey game I want to watch tonight before I can get to it on the DVR.

Since DBS talk says the update will cure my problems, I was a bit disappointed to see that it is not in the history file on the scheduler. Alas, I will probably lose the hockey game I want to watch tonight before I can get to it on the DVR.
I don't know if this is relevant, but I went to "showcase" [nothing there] and then came back to "play list" before I pressed play & it froze.
I've reported this to D* & feel it will get to those that it needs to.

Wish you the best of luck for your game tonight. :cool:

As posted it locked-up once last night trying to play my 2nd recorded show, forcing me to hit the red button.
Four calls to D* left me with several anomalies in the recording/guide/to do/priority list. Take your pick.
Here's what I think is going on:
1- when it locked-up: I had deleted the 1st program I watched & hit view [play] for the next show too quickly. The HR was busy [with the hard drive] while I was asking it for the next action. In the old days with PCs, I could get the same thing by being too quick with the mouse buttons, causing a lockup.
2- resetting the unit gave me control again, BUT has caused some problems with the recording guide, that won't go away or can't be cured from tech support.
Now I can't have a piece of equipment [of mine] exist this way. My Sony SAT-HD has a service menu reset to clear everything. The HR doesn't have this according to D* techs.
What you can do is:
1) forced a software download by "typing" 02468 at the boot screen. Hopefully this will be version 0xeb
2) Re-format by pressing "the down arrow & record button" [on the front panel] at the same time during the boot screen [Welcome to Direct TV]. Then waiting for the red light to go out. Now have the drive cleaned.
It doesn't remember anything of your settings. Since this is a hard drive based system, this is where "bugs" can hide. A bad file [just as in Microsoft] will keep effecting the unit's performance. "Red Button" resets or power cord resets will not have any affect on bad files on the disk.

So to fix a misbehaving HR-20:
Step one:---- Press the red button.
Step two:---- Pull the power cord for 15 min.
Step three:-- Force a software update by entering 02468 on remote @ startup.
Step four:--- [you will lose all recordings & setting] re-format the drive.
Step five:---- If it still is misbehaving you need to replace the unit.

I've finished formatting my HR-20 [about 3 min longer than a normal reset]. It cleared all of the record setting, history, priorities, series links, and my favorites channel listing.

Time will tell what the unit will do, but I feel it has good software & hardware. I'm not going to be as quick to start pressing the remote, after deleting a program, & see how long before the first malfunction [from this point]. :)
I hope this is of some help to those still having problems. This is what I've boiled down from talking to D* tier 2 HD DVR tech support & my experience.
Still learning & wanting to hear more ideas... :D

So last night, it did not start recording a game on Center Ice, it decided to cancel the recording on its own. Nonetheless, one of the tuners must have been tuned to the appropriate channel as it did actually record from the beginning when I found the game in the guide and hit the record button. I also recorded it on my dvd recorder.

I went to watch it (from the beginning) on the DVR about an hour and a half after it started. When the game ended (in real time) but it was only half over on my tv, the picture froze, and about two seconds later it went to live TV. The game itself was nowhere to be found in the VOD list. Fortunately, it was on the dvd recorder so I could watch the rest.

Still no software update listed in the history on the schedule menu.

So last night, it did not start recording a game on Center Ice, it decided to cancel the recording on its own. Nonetheless, one of the tuners must have been tuned to the appropriate channel as it did actually record from the beginning when I found the game in the guide and hit the record button. I also recorded it on my dvd recorder.

I went to watch it (from the beginning) on the DVR about an hour and a half after it started. When the game ended (in real time) but it was only half over on my tv, the picture froze, and about two seconds later it went to live TV. The game itself was nowhere to be found in the VOD list. Fortunately, it was on the dvd recorder so I could watch the rest.

Still no software update listed in the history on the schedule menu.
You want to have a "play list" & not a VOD list.
I would force the software download, then format. This will give you a fresh start. "VOD" is a sign you don't have the same software as I do & formatting will clear any corrupted history.
Someone posted they don't have the same problem as you are having [right?].
If these steps [3&4 on my list] don't solve your troubles, then "step five" on my list.

You want to have a "play list" & not a VOD list.
I would force the software download, then format. This will give you a fresh start. "VOD" is a sign you don't have the same software as I do & formatting will clear any corrupted history.
Someone posted they don't have the same problem as you are having [right?].
If these steps [3&4 on my list] don't solve your troubles, then "step five" on my list.

Which is the boot screen, ten days ago we did do number four on your list, down arrow and record to no avail, but that was before the new software version.

In the interim, if I find the energy I will reactivate my sd tivo. Center Ice is not in HD anyway and it would be nice to keep two games some nights, like tonight when (I believe) Montreal and Toronto play, always a good game regardless of the talent levels on the two teams.

Thanks,

Which is the boot screen, ten days ago we did do number four on your list, down arrow and record to no avail, but that was before the new software version.

In the interim, if I find the energy I will reactivate my sd tivo. Center Ice is not in HD anyway and it would be nice to keep two games some nights, like tonight when (I believe) Montreal and Toronto play, always a good game regardless of the talent levels on the two teams.

Thanks,
"Welcome to Direct TV" after a reset. Same place [or a moment before] the format works. You need to use the remote. You could go to settings & at the bottom of the setup [left side bottom] menu is "reset" & then Done.

"my list" is from: what I would do, and what steps tier 2 HR-20 [DTV] requires. I got it from "the horses mouth" [since it was D*, it might have been the other end :rolleyes: ] & have done to mine to know. :)

"Welcome to Direct TV" after a reset. Same place [or a moment before] the format works. You need to use the remote. You could go to settings & at the bottom of the setup [left side bottom] menu is "reset" & then Done.

"my list" is from: what I would do, and what steps tier 2 HR-20 [DTV] requires. I got it from "the horses mouth" [since it was D*, it might have been the other end :rolleyes: ] & have done to mine to know. :)

Thanks, as for number five on your list, this is dvr number 2 and somehow that seems fitting

Thanks, as for number five on your list, this is dvr number 2 and somehow that seems fitting
It just might be what you need. As I talked to D*s Ms know-it-all for the HR-20 said, after the first four steps, the only thing left is "step 5" [step four is required first].
So 3 & 4 (again) then 5.
These units are made in Mexico, so they shouldn't have the LG (-600) quality issue. This doesn't mean they all will be great, but the "latest batch" is what I've got & seems to be decent. :)

Unless you're in the part of the country that has been designated for download of the new software, forcing a download will just give you the old version again. You have to wait until DirecTV rolls it out to your region. As far as I know, only the West Coast has it up to now..

Unless you're in the part of the country that has been designated for download of the new software, forcing a download will just give you the old version again. You have to wait until DirecTV rolls it out to your region. As far as I know, only the West Coast has it up to now..
I'm on the west coast.
SH**, I had hoped a "forced download" would help others [sooner].
I guess you'll have to wait until next week. PQ is worth it!

Would someone "test this" because my installer did a forced download before the unit had been activated or had a zip code loaded. Now this wasn't "this" software update, but it did update my unit.
It would be good to know if you can get the newest now.

We have two hr-20s.
I have been unable to force the update on our older one.
Having said that, I just had another hr-20 installed last week and it down loaded at once.

We are in the east coast. Burlington, Ky., near Cincinnati.

Interesting..

Mike

I just got my units and I have no idea how to add a equivalent of a season pass from the search area once I find the show I want to record.
DTV says that I must use the program guide only and can't seat a pass from any other area.

Very frustrating...

Thanks to all for your help.

We have two hr-20s.
I have been unable to force the update on our older one.
Having said that, I just had another hr-20 installed last week and it down loaded at once.
We are in the east coast. Burlington, Ky., near Cincinnati.
Interesting..
Mike
On your latest HR-20, what version software does it have?
The one "in question" is 0xeb, if this is what it has, you will have "Play list" for your recordings instead of "VOD" in the menu.
Texasbrit may be correct about this version only be on the west coast, for now.
As a tech, I test everything to verify, but since I have this version, I need someone else to.
I understand how D* can select who would get the auto download, but don't [yet] understand how they could restrict a commanded [forced] download.

Always trying to learn...

I just got my units and I have no idea how to add a equivalent of a season pass from the search area once I find the show I want to record.
DTV says that I must use the program guide only and can't seat a pass from any other area.
Very frustrating...
Thanks to all for your help.
Though I've just had some problems with this menu this morning, What you want to find under the record menu, is SERIES LINK.
I guess the answer is to find what you want in the guide, then select it which should bring up the record menu.
When you setup a program to record, you should have this tab in the upper right when you're making your record options. Select this tab and then make your record options.

Got the update in the SF bay area. and coincidentally, two recorded shows yesterday showed nothing but gray screen. both shows we switched to the live version and couldn't ff, rev or anything else.

believe I've heard of others having this problem occasionally as well..but whent he wife says "I dont like this thing!" I start to get worried she'll want to go back to the sd UTV!

The new update seems to be causing a lot of problems. I haven't received it yet, and don't really want it until they get the bugs fixed. My only real complaint with the HR20 is that an occasional recording will somehow become corrupted and will lock up the unit (requiring a reset) every time you attempt to play it.

Got the update in the SF bay area. and coincidentally, two recorded shows yesterday showed nothing but gray screen. both shows we switched to the live version and couldn't ff, rev or anything else.

believe I've heard of others having this problem occasionally as well..but whent he wife says "I dont like this thing!" I start to get worried she'll want to go back to the sd UTV!
You shouldn't have this [Duh]. Now that you have the current software, I would clean the unit with a format & then see how it functions. If you still have troubles, then it should be replaced.
Mine, so far has behaved since my "cleaning". After reading all of the posting, I have been quite sceptical, but mine seems to be a good unit. While maybe not the best example of a DVR, I get a good picture, & it records what I've asked it to. Over all, its processing speed seems to need a kick in the butt, as things are slower than the same process on my media center computer.
If your experience isn't the same, then have it replaced.

The new update seems to be causing a lot of problems. I haven't received it yet, and don't really want it until they get the bugs fixed. My only real complaint with the HR20 is that an occasional recording will somehow become corrupted and will lock up the unit (requiring a reset) every time you attempt to play it.
I had this same problem & the latest update solved it. I could view the very programs that were impossible before & the MPEG-4 PQ I couldn't beleive.
I had one crash, after D* tech had me screw with it [for a problem on their end], & I've cleaned the drive. Since then: Happy Camper :)

Thanks for this info. I have one "corrupted" program which has locked up the unit twice. I will hold onto it and if I eventually get the update, I will give that program one more chance.

I have had the HR20 for 6 weeks, and was pleased with the 5 MPEG4 channels we get here but didn't make any direct comparisons until last night. The MPEG4 PQ was virtually perfect during the Bear game last night on NBC, in every way the equal of OTA. I also checked out that program on Comcast on my built-in QAM tuner, and it was slightly poorer, but still quite good.

I am really looking forward to the new national MPEG4 HD channels next year.

Thanks for this info. I have one "corrupted" program which has locked up the unit twice. I will hold onto it and if I eventually get the update, I will give that program one more chance.
I have had the HR20 for 6 weeks, and was pleased with the 5 MPEG4 channels we get here but didn't make any direct comparisons until last night. The MPEG4 PQ was virtually perfect during the Bear game last night on NBC, in every way the equal of OTA. I also checked out that program on Comcast on my built-in QAM tuner, and it was slightly poorer, but still quite good.
I am really looking forward to the new national MPEG4 HD channels next year.
I don't know how much computer experience you have. When you have a hard drive [system] crash, the files can get corrupted.
The HR-20 uses it's hard drive for a lot more than you would think [compared to the H-20]. Lockups will [can] leave your unit malfunctioning because of this.
For this reason tier 2 D* HD-DVR tech support "requires" a re-format before authorizing a replacement.
With all of the software updates & lockups, there is every chance that misbehaving units need a "fresh start". This is not the cure for bad [defective] hardware, but the steps I've posted are to determine if your hardware is bad.
Going through my "Five step program" is to fix your problems [with step five being replacement] so you will have the same experience I'm having with mine. :D

that's so strange people get such varied results for SEEMINGLY the same setup.

mine had actually performed perfectly for it's first week until this upgrade came. did make it a bit faster in guide though.

have not had a lockup as of yet *knock on wood*

that's so strange people get such varied results for SEEMINGLY the same setup. mine had actually performed perfectly for it's first week until this upgrade came. did make it a bit faster in guide though.
have not had a lockup as of yet *knock on wood*
I think some of this is due to:
Corrupted files on the drive.
Not resetting after a software upgrade.
Pressing the remote faster than the unit can handle [too many commands].
I don't think there is a design flaw with the units, or mine wouldn't be behaving [well].
I've been validating systems like this for a long time [like forever] & this is why I've put together [after passing the system test] my "five steps" for everyone to clean out bugs or bad hardware.

I've not had many problems in the month or so that I've had it. Just the initial SW update when I got the unit.

The only corrupted recording happened last night, a 30-minute recording of Def Comedy Jam which wouldn't play.

Real test is when I'll be away next week and we'll see if it fills up or if it fails to record.

I've not had many problems in the month or so that I've had it. Just the initial SW update when I got the unit.
The only corrupted recording happened last night, a 30-minute recording of Def Comedy Jam which wouldn't play.
Real test is when I'll be away next week and we'll see if it fills up or if it fails to record.
It sound like you're in the same place I am. I've cleaned out everything [friday] & now I'm waiting for the next glitch, but so far it's working well.

I think some of this is due to:
Corrupted files on the drive.
Not resetting after a software upgrade.
Pressing the remote faster than the unit can handle [too many commands].
I don't think there is a design flaw with the units, or mine wouldn't be behaving [well].
I've been validating systems like this for a long time [like forever] & this is why I've put together [after passing the system test] my "five steps" for everyone to clean out bugs or bad hardware.

reset after an upgrade? They can't expect people to do that..but maybe I'll do it anyway.

I think they better design these to handle or ignore commands at a very high rate of speed...just telling the user to use the remote slower is pretty bad in 2006.

reset after an upgrade?
They can't expect people to do that..but maybe I'll do it anyway.
I think they better design these to handle or ignore commands at a very high rate of speed...just telling the user to use the remote slower is pretty bad in 2006.
When you have a problem D* does expect you to reset your system [first].

The using the remote slower is purely mine [and only after a program delete].
I've had only one lockup with the latest software.
I was in "my play list" [VOD for those with earlier software] and deleted a program. Then I selected another program & view, which ended up with a lockup.
Talking with D* over this, it seemed I should wait a moment longer after deleting.

I was watching "paused tv" when it was time for both tuners to start recording programs. A message came up asking me to "allow" the HR-20 to change channels to start recording. I pressed "ok to change channel".
It failed to change & froze the picture. The unit hasn't locked up, but has only recorded one of the two programs. I still can use the guide & menu.
I've called tier 2 tech support & it took them 30 sec to offer a replacement unit after hearing which software I had & it has been reformatted.
Those that live in the Central & Eastern time zones will be getting the new software this week [Wed AM].
The "five steps" are to make life easier. I'm at step five in one week.
When the replacement comes I'll get to start my validation testing all over.
Maybe there is a design flaw with these units. If so I'll find it! ;)

Since this wasn't a full lockup, I've had time to look into it. One of the tuners failed to complete its task. The menu & guide showed that it "thought" it tuned to the channel, but it didn't. This tuner was then "off-line" until a reset. This cause the program it was to record to NOT show up in the my play list [as if I hadn't set it to record]. After the reset it started recording the two programs scheduled [late]. :mad:
Does this remind somebody of their problems with "center ice"? :p

I recall my HD Tivo being allot faster at fast forward.
Is there something I am doing wrong?

Thanks

I recall my HD Tivo being allot faster at fast forward.
Is there something I am doing wrong?
Thanks
There are four FF [press FF 4x], but speed isn't something the HR-20 is known for. IMHO

Thanks for the info... So far this new box has been the most disappointing piece of equipment that I have ever used.
The interface is such a horrible joke. :mad:

Thanks for the info... So far this new box has been the most disappointing piece of equipment that I have ever used.
The interface is such a horrible joke. :mad:
Tomorrow night's software update may improve it.

I was watching "paused tv" when it was time for both tuners to start recording programs. A message came up asking me to "allow" the HR-20 to change channels to start recording. I pressed "ok to change channel".
It failed to change & froze the picture. The unit hasn't locked up, but has only recorded one of the two programs. I still can use the guide & menu.
I've called tier 2 tech support & it took them 30 sec to offer a replacement unit after hearing which software I had & it has been reformatted.
Those that live in the Central & Eastern time zones will be getting the new software this week [Wed AM].
The "five steps" are to make life easier. I'm at step five in one week.
When the replacement comes I'll get to start my validation testing all over.
Maybe there is a design flaw with these units. If so I'll find it! ;)

Since this wasn't a full lockup, I've had time to look into it. One of the tuners failed to complete its task. The menu & guide showed that it "thought" it tuned to the channel, but it didn't. This tuner was then "off-line" until a reset. This cause the program it was to record to NOT show up in the my play list [as if I hadn't set it to record]. After the reset it started recording the two programs scheduled [late]. :mad:
Does this remind somebody of their problems with "center ice"? :p


Reminds me somewhat of my center ice problems, but I have never had a problem with recording two programs at once.

They could fix the whole center ice problem (not to mention league pass, etc.) by simply leaving the logo and music on each channel 24/7. There would be another advantage, if the game is close near the end, it is almost always possible to figure out if it went into overtime if you fast forward. If it shows the indicator mark is right at the end of the recorded time, it is a good guess that the game did not go into overtime. If there is a lot of recorded time remaining, it probably did.

oldschool,

I know that I read your "5 points" somewhere back in this thread. Can you tell me what post it is? I would like to look at it again.

Thank you,

oldschool,

I know that I read your "5 points" somewhere back in this thread. Can you tell me what post it is? I would like to look at it again.

Thank you,
Posting # 1186
I've even add bold type to the five steps.
This [of course] is for a unit that will pass system test. If there is a receiving problem, that would precede my five steps.

Reminds me somewhat of my center ice problems, but I have never had a problem with recording two programs at once.
They could fix the whole center ice problem (not to mention league pass, etc.) by simply leaving the logo and music on each channel 24/7. There would be another advantage, if the game is close near the end, it is almost always possible to figure out if it went into overtime if you fast forward. If it shows the indicator mark is right at the end of the recorded time, it is a good guess that the game did not go into overtime. If there is a lot of recorded time remaining, it probably did.
I don't know if my "problem" has any connection to yours. While you may never have two programs record @ once, this is a tuner error [malfunction]. I don't know if it was #1 or #2 [or should I say primary & secondary] or even how the HR-20 knows which to use. I was using one [in delay] when the need for two came. It asked me to "quit using" the one I was. It did this during the weekend with no problem.
Hey, it's now just bad hardware, waiting for replacement.

New one.


today nothing but gray screen on any local HD channel.


so far I'm not impressed with the 'upgrade'...was working fine beforehand.

New one.
today nothing but gray screen on any local HD channel.
so far I'm not impressed with the 'upgrade'...was working fine beforehand.
I don't blame you. Sounds like last thursday for me. I had "nothing but black screen on all local HD channels". All three units showed the same thing. It was on DTV's end. It took an hour on the phone before I taught the tech where the trouble was, then an hour or more for D* to fix it.
May not be your unit.

New one.

today nothing but gray screen on any local HD channel.

so far I'm not impressed with the 'upgrade'...was working fine beforehand.

I had that twice last night... and both programs were the same channel. To make matters stranger, I was watching the second program as it began recording- visual confirmation that the signal was being received and (assumedly) recorded.

Hit "List" and play it... nothing but gray, no power to fast forward, says -:59 for time....

I hope they fix this quick, I'm tired of wasting badwidth downloading shows. :mad:

I had that twice last night... and both programs were the same channel. To make matters stranger, I was watching the second program as it began recording- visual confirmation that the signal was being received and (assumedly) recorded.
Hit "List" and play it... nothing but gray, no power to fast forward, says -:59 for time....
I hope they fix this quick, I'm tired of wasting badwidth downloading shows. :mad:
While I understand, having gone through it last week, it isn't your units, but D*.
When it happened to me it was on 1 Hr-20 & 2 H-20s, so don't blame the software!

Well, it could NOT have been the signal, since I was watching the show when broadcast on the same tuner that recorded it. (The other tuner was recorded a different program, which recorded just fine)

If there are 2 tuners, and 1 has recorded perfectly, and the other is recording what I'm currently watching, it's not the fault of the broadcast.

Frankly, I could care less what the reason is for the problem, as long as they figure it out and fix it. I'm willing to live with the growing pains, but that doesn't make me all smiles :) when programs don't record :mad: .

I was able to watch the rangers/devils in hd on channel 95, but only because I finished watching before they went from d* logo to no signal. I even was able to stop recording and keep it, it will be interesting to see if it is still there later. :)


It did not record last night's CSI Miami, but that is not a great loss. I suspect I have a problem with one of the tuners as it has done that on a few other things as well.

Well, it could NOT have been the signal, since I was watching the show when broadcast on the same tuner that recorded it. (The other tuner was recorded a different program, which recorded just fine)
If there are 2 tuners, and 1 has recorded perfectly, and the other is recording what I'm currently watching, it's not the fault of the broadcast.
Frankly, I could care less what the reason is for the problem, as long as they figure it out and fix it. I'm willing to live with the growing pains, but that doesn't make me all smiles :) when programs don't record :mad: .
"I'm tired of wasting badwidth downloading shows."
You might want talk to those who's bandwidth you feel is being wasted. While this forum can be a sounding board, DTV has CSRs that get paid to listen.
I didn't make it, break it, nor being paid by D*.
Only wanted to be of help if I could....

My HR20 just received a download for version Oxef. I was hoping it would let me use my antenna, but it still doesn't. It might address some of the missing recording problems noted above.

I had the -0:59 problem trying to record The Unit last night. Can't blame it on the latest software download, because I haven't received one this month. Fortunately I detected the problem about 2 minutes into the show and recorded it on my LG LST-3410A. BTW, the LG units had problems after their introduction 2 years ago, but the bugs were dealt with, and mine has been rock solid this year. Hopefully this will be the case with the HR20. In spite of the occasional glitches, I am pleased with the overall performance at this point.

My HR20 just received a download for version Oxef. I was hoping it would let me use my antenna, but it still doesn't. It might address some of the missing recording problems noted above.
I'm not sure what all was fixed with this update, but now the dolby works correctly!

Now I have to wonder with a new software update coming so soon after the last, if there was a defect in last week's update.
I've seen this before. I've had a software engineer fix one thing, then started the testing from the beginning only to find there was a new bug [that wasn't there before].
Has anyone in the central & eastern time zone received a software update last night? If so what was it?
I'm trying to determine if D* thought 0xeb was bad & was the cause of my problems last week or whether I really do have bad hardware.

I'm not sure what all was fixed with this update, but now the dolby works correctly!

Now I have to wonder with a new software update coming so soon after the last, if there was a defect in last week's update.
I've seen this before. I've had a software engineer fix one thing, then started the testing from the beginning only to find there was a new bug [that wasn't there before].
Has anyone in the central & eastern time zone received a software update last night? If so what was it?
I'm trying to determine if D* thought 0xeb was bad & was the cause of my problems last week or whether I really do have bad hardware.
http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=70031

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=70031
Wow, I'm looking forward to going home and trying out the improvements. the ffwd and 30 second slip speedups sound like just what I wanted out of this box.

What is the version of this new update?

Does it happen automatically or can you force it to download the new update?

should happen automatically today and maybe into tomorrow. (moves west coast to east coast)

For those of you that had to wait for the HR20, how long was your wait?

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=70031
Thank for the link. Twenty four pages for software that's been out a week.
I've got new hardware coming, but I'm going to reset "everything" and restart validation testing.
Since 0xeb wasn't a national release, I'll deem it defective. :eek:

Anyone here get an eSATA to expand capacity?

I keep playing with this thing to understand what does what.
Here's what I've learned so far.
1- if you can't control the box, you need the "red button".
2- if you have some control, you can go into the menu and select reset.
3- in the menu, your reset options are: reset recorder, reset defaults, reset everything.
4- "reset recorder" is just like the red button.
5- "reset defaults" is more or less useless. You need to set the remote back to IR [from RF] to continue & the most I noticed it changed was my custom channel guide.
6- "reset everything" requires the remote set to IR AND is the most useful reset I've found. Unlike a manual reformat, which only cleans the drive, this reset brings you back to the "original" setup screen. You will see just what it looked like when it was first connected. After going through setup [you will need to enter your zip code again] it actually asks you to activate the unit again. You don't need to do this as DTV knows the unit is activated and therefore gets the information from the satellite.
This is the cleanest reset the HR-20 has.
I think there was a bug in the 0xeb software, as D* replaced it last night. I've "reset everything" and now look to see how well it will perform with the latest software. ;)

What is the version of this new update?
Does it happen automatically or can you force it to download the new update?
The newest software is 0xef. I talked to tier 2 about forcing a download and what version you would get. It seems you can force a download & get the new release [earlier] but the Supervisor wasn't recommending it. This might have been because he/she knew that version [0xeb] was bad.

I thought I should post a follow up after my initial disastrous install snafu. I do not even want to rehash the first install other than to say 3 trips to my house with the wrong box. I contacted D* to see when box would come. Was told order showed it was completed. I explained the wrong box was delivered. The rep then seemed to understand my predicament and I was told box would be free(initially $99). Okay scheduled for 11/3. Low and behold a new installer showed up with the correct equipment. He discovered the previous guy had not even routed both wires(feeds) correctly. To make a long story short, install went smoothly and when we called to activate the box the rep said I will also be credited $25 off my bill for 6 months. So free hr-20 plus $150 bill credit for delays. This is how customer service should work! I am VERY impressed with the picture quality I am receiving across HDMI to my Pioneer vsx74txvi then to Panny 42px20. I previously had a samsung ts160 hooked up via DVI to HDMI. No glitches so far. The remote kind of sucks.

No glitches so far. The remote kind of sucks.
You may find the remote won't suck as much after a software update, unless it's the physical remote & not the guide [that sucks].

The newest software is 0xef. I talked to tier 2 about forcing a download and what version you would get. It seems you can force a download & get the new release [earlier] but the Supervisor wasn't recommending it. This might have been because he/she knew that version [0xeb] was bad.


You can only force a download of a version that has already been enabled for you. So if someone is on the East coast they will not be able to get a version that has only been rolled out to California. Forcing a download is really only useful if for some reason your box was not connected to the dish when the download was scheduled, or if you think there is something wrong with your receiver and want start again with a clean download.

You can only force a download of a version that has already been enabled for you. So if someone is on the East coast they will not be able to get a version that has only been rolled out to California. Forcing a download is really only useful if for some reason your box was not connected to the dish when the download was scheduled, or if you think there is something wrong with your receiver and want start again with a clean download.
This is your second posting on this & I respect your knowledge. As I posted D*s tier 2 tech support for the HR-20 seems to say you can "jump ahead" of your staggered release time. As we all know D* tech support isn't the best. Would you give me some more information as to how or where you know about this please? :confused:

Please read all of the posts here. [about 20]
http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=70192

Please read all of the posts here. [about 20]
http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=70192
I owe you one, Bobby Ray.
Thanks for the link. They seem to be forcing the new download all over the country.
Since my box is only a week old, I have done the "reset everything" with the new software and like it a lot. Now like everyone I'm running it to see if [or when] there will be any glitches. :D

I owe you one, Bobby Ray.
Thanks for the link. They seem to be forcing the new download all over the country.
Since my box is only a week old, I have done the "reset everything" with the new software and like it a lot. Now like everyone I'm running it to see if [or when] there will be any glitches. :D
I live on the gulf coast and we got the oxef last night. I've had two HR20s for a few months and can say I've had no trouble so far unlike the 4 H20s that I had. I hope this new software does not change that.

OOPS. Last night I posted that I had no glitches. This morning I see I have received the new software. Problem is now I do not have sound on local HD unless I turn off Dolby. The sound is fine on other channels with Dolby on. Hmmm. Probably something simple. I do like the new 30 sec skip and 4 x ff though.

wait... the hr20 does take ota local stations?

Not yet. I think MLXB is referring to MPEG4 HD locals from satellite. If no major problems with OXef are reported, maybe OTA will be enabled in the next couple of weeks. D* reps have been saying it will happen "by December 1."

I am very happy with OXef so far (it arrived at 0347 today). The 11/1 episode of Criminal Minds which I had been saving is now playable. In the past, whenever I tried to play it, the HR20 locked up and required a reset.

ok guys, i finally took the plunge and purchased the HD DVR. Now what should i expect when i go for the instore pickup today.

Very nice upgrade. Both 30 sec skip and 4x are nearly where they should be.


which begs the question...why weren't they rolled out like this??????