DirecTV + HDDVR = not bad (HR20 review)

So I've been an avid Replayer for the past four years. I've had four replays working off directv sat receivers and haven't been happier.

That is, until I got a new HDTV and went for the directv HD. First off, HD from directv isn't bad at all. I get my locals in HD and am trying out the HD pack, which has around ten HD channels. TNT broadcasts a lot of good sci-fi reruns in HD (X-Files, Alias) and HDNet shows a variety of movies in HD. The HD looks BEAUTIFUL and I'm glad I got it.

I was lucky enough to get the new HR20 directv hd recorder. It's a dual tuner direct bitstream recorder that does the new MPEG-4 content. It's no replay, in any aspect, but it does work. Setting up recordings is a bit, uh, sketchy. You can hit record once in the guide to record one show or hit record twice to do a "series link". The series link works of a cron job that runs in the background and updates throughout the day -- this means that you can set up a series link and it won't schedule those recordings right away, which is kinda weird. There have been mixed results posted in the directv community on how the series link actually works. I've tried it with a couple of X-Files episodes, but haven't had a chance to do a "weekly" show yet.

It takes a LOT of button presses to get stuff done (e.g. you always have to hit the guide button twice to bring up the live tv guide). The recorded guide also takes two button presses to bring up (unless you get a new remote and program in the "list" command). The recorded guide is called "My VOD" and is horribly organized. Again, it's no replay. The shows are jumbled together into one large block and then multiple shows of the same name are in "folders" in that list.

Show navigation is done using FF and REV (1x, 2x, and 3x), skip back (a few seconds backwards -- not always the same amount of time) and "30 second slip" which fast forwards 30 seconds. There is no "slip back" like you find on TiVo (where you fast forward and if you hit play it goes back a couple of seconds).

There is no networking with the HR20, and we've been told not to expect multi-room viewing any time soon. There is, however, an ethernet port built into the unit.

Overall I'm happy with it, but it's no replay. I've decided to keep two of my replays to record all the SD content (one of the replays is connected to my H20 HD receiver set to 4:3 mode thanks to DOSman's USB to serial link). My roommate keeps commenting on how it doesn't skip commercials. I literally haven't seen more than a glimpse of a commercial in the past four years, so it's taking some getting used to.

I'd definitely recommend the HR20 and directv's HD service is great. Supposedly they are going to launch a large number of HD channels in the beginning of 07. De-commisioning my replays is a sad thing, but brining up a dual tuner HD recorder makes me forget my sadness.

The thirty second skip is a thirty second "slip". It fast forwards thirty seconds (doesn't just jump 30 seconds). It works pretty reliably and you can queue them up (it displays how many you have queued up in the lower right-hand corner). I'm very used to the commercial advance because it worked like a champ for me. I definitely see a lot more commercials now.

The ethernet port at this point in time does nothing. Recently Intel has had some press releases saying that their Viiv technology would play nice with the HR20 and that picture and music sharing with the unit would likely be possible in the future. Also, there has been some inside talk on the HR20 forums that made hints at the possibility of multi-room viewing way down the road.

I've had the thing almost two weeks now and it's chugging along pretty well. There have been two or so lockups. We've been told to expect another software update "very soon". They seem to be putting them out about once every ten days.

Yes, OTA HD channels are sharper, but it's a tradeoff when you can't get the signal OTA. Also, DTV is in the process of upgrading it's MPEG4 equipment at the uplink facilities to provide better PQ.

The one main channel I'm looking forward to getting next year is FOX HD, which is supposed to carry FX content. (Nothing like Nip/Tuck in HD for all the gory glory!) I'm guessing they'll be adding MTV HD and the likes soon as well. Their HD locals market is actually pretty large (around 40 markets) and the last I heard they had just under 100 local markets served with SD.

It's definitely longer than 1.5 seconds. I'd say 3 to 5 seconds for a 30 second slip.

While that may be what D* says, you definitely don't have to do it. I haven't had a phone line in four years and I've had D* the entire time.

It's only important if you want to order PPV through the receiver.

snowghost, thanks for the backup. I got yelled at in the HR20 forum for suggesting that the HR20 was anything less then absolutely perfect.

You can do the "rollback" manually by hitting the skip back button to exit from FFwding or 30 second slipping.

The season passes will rarely get added immediately -- the HR20 does all its scheduling in the background and not in real time.

The HR20 is a great basic DVR. It's like a giant leap backwards in DVR technology, though. I'm desperate enough for HD (and irritated enough by crappy cable) that I'm willing to use it.

My biggest grip about the HR20 is that it is horribly organized.

The directv HR20 (and any other directv dvr) is only for directv service (and OTA signals if they ever activate it).

It would be useless with any other provider.

They've already said that will never be a feature. It's a TiVO patent.

What I do is use the skip back button to exit from FF and it takes you to where you should be.

They are working on a fix for that. Pretty much everyone is complaining about it.

If you want to join in the fun, there's a HR20 forum at dbstalk.com