I apologize to the AVS Forum Administrators if I'm in error in starting this thread. But I thought there ought to be a place for us early adopters in the L.A. area to tell AVS Forum members about our initial impressions using D*'s new MPEG 4 compatible HD DVR, the HR20-700. As far as I know, a relative few have actually had their units installed and can report initial impressions. Here are mine:
Installation:
D* requires that their new AT9 dish be installed along with this receiver. As reported, it's a large dish and heavy, so mounting can be an issue for some. Also, do what I did before I let the installers put the dish up - have them measure your signal strength to be sure it is adequate. This dish requires proper peaking and signal strength in order for the HR20 to function properly, according to the installer.
If you have an OTA antenna diplexed into your satellite signal remove the diplexer and run it straight into the back of the HR20. I had to do this. The upside? I ended up receiving 3 additional OTA stations from Mt. Wilson. The downside? I had to pay the installers a little on the side to do this and the OTA inputs on the HR20 won't be active for another couple of months. I'm willing to wait it out.
The HR20 DVR Program Guide:
It's a sleek looking box with a space-age blue diode circle that performs for you while you operate the box. If you fast-forward on recorded or live T.V. the diodes light up in a circular pattern (clockwise) and counter clockwise for reverse. Paused recordings or live T.V. cause the diodes to pulsate. Fun to watch, but could get distracting after awhile. The box itself is quiet - I can't hear it - but is warm to the touch.
If you are familiar with the Program Guide on the HD20, this DVR is really the same EXCEPT it is MUCH faster! Yeah! It also scrolls the guide in increments which is somewhat handy. It also has the one-line quick guide, two-touch guide filter, etc. Unfortunately, like the HD20, you must set up Custom Guides (there are two) to filter out stations you don't receive or would never tune to anyway.
MPEG 2 and MPEG 4 Channels
I was at first confused about this. After the unit is initialized (it takes about 6 or 7 minutes to do this), you and D* have activated your new receiver and DVR service, and guide information is downloaded, you get the channel lineup. For Los Angeles, this means you will find multiple channels for the same station. For example, I see LA2 (D* locals), KCBS (MPEG 4), and the network feed of CBS (CBSWest) - which for us in L.A. is a mirror of their local station here. If I were to add in my OTA reception (when activated) that would add KCBS 2.1 - totaling FOUR channels of the same station!
I think all of this matters more for the future than now. My preference is to just watch the MPEG 2 feeds I had been getting all along from D*. Why? Because some have reported some recording issues with the MPEG 4 stations on this new DVR. I plan to wait until software updates are complete and these early MPEG 4 issues are worked out. I may change my tune, however, if there is an important sporting event on an MPEG 4 channel (Fox Sports West) that comes on next week or the week following.
Watching Live T.V. and Recording Programs
After about 72 hours of experience with this DVR I can report little or no difficulty watching live T.V. pausing it, re-winding it, etc. - the basic functions of a DVR. I have also had no difficulty recording programs (several times 2 programs at once). No audio or video issues to report. Dolby Digital works fine - but I'm limiting my recording to MPEG 2 programs for now.
Here is what we did last night: After setting up Series Link recordings for Reno 911, The Dog Whisperer and Vanished, we started watching the Emmy's at 8 PM PDT. All through the program we paused it, fast-forwarded through commercials and then watched more programming. BTW the 30-second slip button on the remote is FAST, and really does the trick. We gave up on the Emmy's and pushed the R button on the remote. The HR20 began to record the show immediately - from 8:00 PM! We then selected Reno 911 from the VOD list and watched it - fast-forwarding through commercials. Upon completion of it, I deleted it. All future recordings of Reno 911 are on tap in the To Do list and we will be watching the second half of the Emmy's tonight (while Vanished records). It's really that simple and intuitive.
I have also had success recording movies on HBO-HD including last Saturday's In Her Shoes - scheduled to air at 5 PM PDT. But we watched it at 7 PM off the DVR - absolutely no problems whatsoever. You will probably find it necessary to re-calibrate your display device to accommodate this new DVR, but that is a given whenever you change out equipment of this kind, I think.
Final Thoughts
I can't say how things will go over the next several weeks, but based on my limited experience thus far, I think this will be a good unit. I have never used a TiVo before, so this is all new to me. I like the idea that I can finally record programs in HD. I like the idea that I'm not tied to the network's schedule. I also like the idea that I can skip by ads.
Sorry if this first impressions review isn't technical enough for most of you, but I'm just a lay-user of this type of equipment. Hope your experience with this unit (if you decide to order one) is a good one.
Installation:
D* requires that their new AT9 dish be installed along with this receiver. As reported, it's a large dish and heavy, so mounting can be an issue for some. Also, do what I did before I let the installers put the dish up - have them measure your signal strength to be sure it is adequate. This dish requires proper peaking and signal strength in order for the HR20 to function properly, according to the installer.
If you have an OTA antenna diplexed into your satellite signal remove the diplexer and run it straight into the back of the HR20. I had to do this. The upside? I ended up receiving 3 additional OTA stations from Mt. Wilson. The downside? I had to pay the installers a little on the side to do this and the OTA inputs on the HR20 won't be active for another couple of months. I'm willing to wait it out.
The HR20 DVR Program Guide:
It's a sleek looking box with a space-age blue diode circle that performs for you while you operate the box. If you fast-forward on recorded or live T.V. the diodes light up in a circular pattern (clockwise) and counter clockwise for reverse. Paused recordings or live T.V. cause the diodes to pulsate. Fun to watch, but could get distracting after awhile. The box itself is quiet - I can't hear it - but is warm to the touch.
If you are familiar with the Program Guide on the HD20, this DVR is really the same EXCEPT it is MUCH faster! Yeah! It also scrolls the guide in increments which is somewhat handy. It also has the one-line quick guide, two-touch guide filter, etc. Unfortunately, like the HD20, you must set up Custom Guides (there are two) to filter out stations you don't receive or would never tune to anyway.
MPEG 2 and MPEG 4 Channels
I was at first confused about this. After the unit is initialized (it takes about 6 or 7 minutes to do this), you and D* have activated your new receiver and DVR service, and guide information is downloaded, you get the channel lineup. For Los Angeles, this means you will find multiple channels for the same station. For example, I see LA2 (D* locals), KCBS (MPEG 4), and the network feed of CBS (CBSWest) - which for us in L.A. is a mirror of their local station here. If I were to add in my OTA reception (when activated) that would add KCBS 2.1 - totaling FOUR channels of the same station!
I think all of this matters more for the future than now. My preference is to just watch the MPEG 2 feeds I had been getting all along from D*. Why? Because some have reported some recording issues with the MPEG 4 stations on this new DVR. I plan to wait until software updates are complete and these early MPEG 4 issues are worked out. I may change my tune, however, if there is an important sporting event on an MPEG 4 channel (Fox Sports West) that comes on next week or the week following.
Watching Live T.V. and Recording Programs
After about 72 hours of experience with this DVR I can report little or no difficulty watching live T.V. pausing it, re-winding it, etc. - the basic functions of a DVR. I have also had no difficulty recording programs (several times 2 programs at once). No audio or video issues to report. Dolby Digital works fine - but I'm limiting my recording to MPEG 2 programs for now.
Here is what we did last night: After setting up Series Link recordings for Reno 911, The Dog Whisperer and Vanished, we started watching the Emmy's at 8 PM PDT. All through the program we paused it, fast-forwarded through commercials and then watched more programming. BTW the 30-second slip button on the remote is FAST, and really does the trick. We gave up on the Emmy's and pushed the R button on the remote. The HR20 began to record the show immediately - from 8:00 PM! We then selected Reno 911 from the VOD list and watched it - fast-forwarding through commercials. Upon completion of it, I deleted it. All future recordings of Reno 911 are on tap in the To Do list and we will be watching the second half of the Emmy's tonight (while Vanished records). It's really that simple and intuitive.
I have also had success recording movies on HBO-HD including last Saturday's In Her Shoes - scheduled to air at 5 PM PDT. But we watched it at 7 PM off the DVR - absolutely no problems whatsoever. You will probably find it necessary to re-calibrate your display device to accommodate this new DVR, but that is a given whenever you change out equipment of this kind, I think.
Final Thoughts
I can't say how things will go over the next several weeks, but based on my limited experience thus far, I think this will be a good unit. I have never used a TiVo before, so this is all new to me. I like the idea that I can finally record programs in HD. I like the idea that I'm not tied to the network's schedule. I also like the idea that I can skip by ads.
Sorry if this first impressions review isn't technical enough for most of you, but I'm just a lay-user of this type of equipment. Hope your experience with this unit (if you decide to order one) is a good one.
