I have been using a DirecTV HD Tivo (HR10-250) for a couple of years and like it a lot. However, I am just about ready to take the plunge and buy a new DirecTV HD DVR so I can receive the newer HD channels. My question is which one? I went by Best Buy last night and they had two different versions of the HR21 for sale. However, it did not appear that either one of these had a built in OTA tuner. I need that as my TV set is only HD ready but does not have a ATSC tuner for the digital and HD channels. We have three local channels available here in HD but DirecTV does not yet offer any of our local channels over their satellites, so I must pick them up via the DirecTV receiver or DVR. I am using my HD Tivo and H10 receivers now and a 5x8 multiswitch/diplexer setup to get the local HD stations throughout the house. From what I have learned, the HR20 model has a built in ATSC tuner but that model is not available at Best Buy. There are a few of those for sale on EBay, but is it a good receiver/DVR? I assume the HR21 is an improvement except for the lack of an ATSC tuner. If the HR20 is okay, which version is best. On eBay, there is a HR20-100, HR20-200, HR20-700 and HR20-700S for sale now. Which should I buy or should I be waiting for another model from DirecTV? Also, will my existing 5x8 multiswitch and diplexer set up work with the newer DirecTV dish and MPEG4 signal? Thanks.

1) If you need OTA, either the HR20-100 or HR20-700 will work. There is an add on tuner that was just announced for the HR21 models but no availability date yet. Directv still does have HR20's around and there are some tips on the site on how to try to get one.

2) The 5x8 won't work, you'll need a new multiswitch which should be provided if you go through Directv to have your dish upgraded. You'll need to get creative diplexing too, it's not supposed with the new dish and receivers but there are some ways around it.

I probably will not go through DirecTV for any of the equipment or installation. My location is rural and there is no one home except at night and weekends. It is just easier to do things myself than to wait around for installers who get lost or do not show up on weekends. Even if they get there, they never have the equipment they need to do the job right and everything has to be rescheduled, with a different installer, for a different time. I would rather find out exactly what I need, buy it and install it myself, and then see if DirecTV will give me some credit on my account.

Just be warned the new dish is harder to aim and may require you to obtain a portable signal meter, the signal meters on the receivers aren't reliable.

I have been using a DirecTV HD Tivo (HR10-250) for a couple of years and like it a lot. However, I am just about ready to take the plunge and buy a new DirecTV HD DVR so I can receive the newer HD channels. My question is which one? I went by Best Buy last night and they had two different versions of the HR21 for sale. However, it did not appear that either one of these had a built in OTA tuner. I need that as my TV set is only HD ready but does not have a ATSC tuner for the digital and HD channels. We have three local channels available here in HD but DirecTV does not yet offer any of our local channels over their satellites, so I must pick them up via the DirecTV receiver or DVR. I am using my HD Tivo and H10 receivers now and a 5x8 multiswitch/diplexer setup to get the local HD stations throughout the house. From what I have learned, the HR20 model has a built in ATSC tuner but that model is not available at Best Buy. There are a few of those for sale on EBay, but is it a good receiver/DVR? I assume the HR21 is an improvement except for the lack of an ATSC tuner. If the HR20 is okay, which version is best. On eBay, there is a HR20-100, HR20-200, HR20-700 and HR20-700S for sale now. Which should I buy or should I be waiting for another model from DirecTV? Also, will my existing 5x8 multiswitch and diplexer set up work with the newer DirecTV dish and MPEG4 signal? Thanks.

Dick

I will pm you.

Be careful - you are not "buying" new equipment, you are paying more to borrow their receiver(s). In the time since you bought your current equipment, D* changed their model to lease upgrades - you pay an up front fee to lease HD and HD-DVR boxes along with the monthly charges. You will eventually have to return them. I find that too many people don't realize this. It's why I left them.

In relation to your question, D* is going to offer a box with USB connectivity to their newest HD-DVR sat box that contains an OTA dual tuner and will integrate with the guide. I think I saw it will cost $79? Nice, huh?

In relation to your question, D* is going to offer a box with USB connectivity to their newest HD-DVR sat box that contains an OTA dual tuner and will integrate with the guide. I think I saw it will cost $79? Nice, huh?Wow. That would be nice. Where did you see this? Was it announced at CES? Thanks.

It was announced at CES, pictures are over at dbstalk

You can find info about it just about everywhere now - a DBStalk link is here:
http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=115134

It's called the AM21 ATSC Tuner Add-On for the HR21

I think I just saw somewhere that it will be $59?

Ick. I just got rid of my Pro610 Elite CRT RP TV and "upgraded" to a Pioneer 5080HD Plasma (Our room is just too small for that old RP beast). I tried using the HDMI out from my HR10-250 (actually I have 2) and it doesn't work on either one! Should I try to get a swap out to the HR20? If so, how do I guarantee a HR20? I need OTA and don't think I should have to pay $79 for it ;-)

Ick. I just got rid of my Pro610 Elite CRT RP TV and "upgraded" to a Pioneer 5080HD Plasma (Our room is just too small for that old RP beast). I tried using the HDMI out from my HR10-250 (actually I have 2) and it doesn't work on either one! Should I try to get a swap out to the HR20? If so, how do I guarantee a HR20? I need OTA and don't think I should have to pay $79 for it ;-)
You can't "guarantee" an HR20. In addition, the HR20 has a higher upfront cost than the HR21. That higher cost is more than the $59 for the AM21.

Also, the AM21 will use a newer faster better chipset that acquires OYA channels better & faster!!!

Well, I hate to burst everyone's bubble, but I have first hand experience with this. Here's the situation. I have had an HR20-700 for over one year and the OTA (Over The Air) tuner has worked flawlessly with my double bowtie antenna + amplifier in the attic. Also, I have a 6 month old Samsung TV and DVICO Fusion HDTV Card with ATSC OTA tuners. All three worked great. I was able to receive CBS and PBS perfectly (the only HD that Direc*TV does not send down over sat in my area) on all three. Well, then the HR20-700 died just over a week ago, so they sent out a new HR20 as a replacement. When I saw that it was an HR20-100, I thought yeah, with a 5th Generation ATSC Tuner, it probably won't even drop out in bad weather!! Well, the ATSC Tuner on this HR20-100 is unwatchably bad!!! With completely clear weather, the picture drops out completely and often. And when I do see a picture, it is frequently blocky and pixellated. Perhaps in theory the tuner should be better in the HR20-100, but from my experience, if I had the choice, I would pick the HR20-700 any day. It was just plain better!!

-Valkyrie-MT
Samsung LN-T5281F - 52 inches of LED backlit LCD beauty
DTV HR20-100S
Onkyo TX-SR705