I went to Best Buy yesterday to pick up a DirecTV HD DVR and the sales rep mentioned that I should wait a few weeks when the new one comes out. Apparently DirecTV put out a press release (that I can't seem to find right now) on their site that said they would be releasing a new DVR when they finish deploying the rest of the 150 HD channels sometime in mid september. The unit apparently has their own homebrew slingbox built into it along with some other goodies.

Has anyone heard this? I can't seem to find any info about that unit anywhere. I just got a sweet deal on an XBR2 and would really like to get some HD programming going to it.

Thanks

I wonder if that version will actually use the USB, SATA, Home Networking, or any of the other "for future use" doo dads.

The first DSS (name before DirecTV) box came in two flavors. The more expensive box had a "high speed serial port" for future use. It was never used.

When the DirecTV series 2 TiVo box was released it had two USB ports, "for future use". It was never used.

I just searched through DirecTV's website for information about the DIRECTV Plus® DVR box and.... nothing about SATA, USB, ....

I know I'm not the first to complain about this, but it looks like more DirecTV "here.. pull my finger". :rolleyes:

SATA is good to go for using a larger drive although not officially supported yet.

I don't think DirecTV has formerly announced the HR21 yet.

They did today, on the "ready for HD?" channels. It says you need the HR20/HR21 box.

I went to Best Buy yesterday to pick up a DirecTV HD DVR and the sales rep mentioned that I should wait a few weeks when the new one comes out. Apparently DirecTV put out a press release (that I can't seem to find right now) on their site that said they would be releasing a new DVR when they finish deploying the rest of the 150 HD channels sometime in mid september. The unit apparently has their own homebrew slingbox built into it along with some other goodies.

Has anyone heard this? I can't seem to find any info about that unit anywhere. I just got a sweet deal on an XBR2 and would really like to get some HD programming going to it.

Thanks

I would not trust a Best Buy sales rep to have any accurate information on this. There is no suggestion on any of the web sites that a device like this is on its way. And there has been no DirecTV press release about anything like this.

I want one, no, make that two. By next spring maybe we can upgrade our current HR20's for $19.95......but, I won't hold my breath.

Endgadget:
http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/31/directv-hr21-pro-gets-leaked/

Optical 1080P video output?? :eek:

I wonder if that version will actually use the USB, SATA, Home Networking, or any of the other "for future use" doo dads.

The first DSS (name before DirecTV) box came in two flavors. The more expensive box had a "high speed serial port" for future use. It was never used.

When the DirecTV series 2 TiVo box was released it had two USB ports, "for future use". It was never used.

I just searched through DirecTV's website for information about the DIRECTV Plus® DVR box and.... nothing about SATA, USB, ....

I know I'm not the first to complain about this, but it looks like more DirecTV "here.. pull my finger". :rolleyes:
You can easily use the eSata connection now. I bought a 750GB Seagate Free Agent Pro drive and connected it. Power down the HR20, connect the drive, power up the drive, and then power up the HR20. It will now give you a huge amount of storage compared to the internal drive. Two quick things--some people have trouble with some eSata cables not fitting correctly. I got the SIIG 2 meter cable from newegg and it fits perfectly. Second, when you power up the dvr, it may seem like it's not coming on right away. Just wait a few seconds and the box will start to reboot. Also, you will need to set all of your scheduled recordings. You can also any time you want just reboot the dvr without the external drive and watch recordings that are still on the internal drive. With the new channels coming, I highly recommend that everyone add an eSata drive.

The HR20 is also network-able right now, for pics and music. I use Tversity set to xbox 360, and set transcode to always, and the HR20 sees all of my media from my office computer.

I don't know why they don't advertise these uses for the eSATA and Cat5e ports, though. I may have to pick up one of those drives from Newegg to add on, fire407.

I find it interesting that the HR21 does not support OTA reception or recording. I guess DTV wants to lock you into all of their services and not allow you to get your locals through other means. Problem is, DTV only offers four locals in HD for Baltimore whereas I can get 14 locals in HD from both Baltimore and Washington with my rooftop antenna. I get 12 of those channels on Verizon FIOS since I dumped DTV back in February. Unless Verizon doesn't pick up the bulk of the same HD channels DTV will be offering, and I suspect they will, DTV is giving me little or no incentive to return to them.

Nothing new, but they mention the HR21 again at the DirecTV CEDIA booth tour....

http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/07/directvs-cedia-booth-tour/

If it gets to the point where Directv offers no OTA support, I shall move to cable. Within 6 months or so, our cable company will offer just about everything I need in HD..plus telephone service and internet service..all at a savings. And the quality of picture should be excellent. Some cable companies are moving fast on HD now with direct threats from the sat companies..and telephone companies.

Did anyone else get the postcard from DirecTV promising home networking and internet access for existing DirecTV Tivo boxes?

It said that DirecTV would "enable" these service "some time really really soon.. like.. trust us... this time we're serious.. really! Stop laughing!"

The flood of Tivo users jumping to cable (like me) must be panicking em.

What a great idea the non-tivo box was.

DirecTV suit, "Hey, lets get rid of our existing, loyal, evangelical users of Tivos and replace them with NEW customers using our clunky box. I'll take this year's bonus in cash."

-Rob

I would not trust a Best Buy sales rep to have any accurate information on this. There is no suggestion on any of the web sites that a device like this is on its way. And there has been no DirecTV press release about anything like this. We at Best Buy are Home Theater Certified,we do know about all the new stuff. We have had a ton of training that is on-going. Don't bash us please.

We at Best Buy are Home Theater Certified,we do know about all the new stuff. We have had a ton of training that is on-going. Don't bash us please.

I don't know what Best Buy your from but most people I've talked to in BB aren't certified to pass a 1st grade math exam. I've learned that asking them for advice is like Joe Louis asking Jerry Cooney for advice.

I just got my second HR 20 today. After reading this thread I was hoping it was an HR 21 but it's not. It does look slightly different than the first one I recieved.

Any news on this new HR21 model? I want to switch from Comcast to DirecTV, but don't want to do so until the new DVR model has come out.

The HR21 DVR is a jewel. For all the info on it, follow this link.

http://hr20.dbstalk.com/docs/hr21_firstlook.pdf

Bob

bobzoila,

this is good information. I like the piano-black glossy surface. Would fit great with my (soon-to-arrive) Samsung HL-T6187S RPTV.

However, I just called the DirecTV customer service, and they told me (after some research) that, while the HR21 is already on the market, they cannot guarantee that you will get one if you sign up with them.

Any idea where they are available yet?

Well, my daughter just got two of them in Solvang, near Santa Barbara, CA.
I would think DTV would commit to them as a condition of signing up. They are extremely well designed overall. Hold out for them.

Bob