HR20 vs Tivo HD DVR -- worth the upgrade?

Well, in 2008, you won't receive ANY D* HD programming with your HR10, so it won't really matter if you like it better or not. The HR20, other than some occasional stability problems, is really nice. People just need to stop comparing it to Tivo and learn how it works. They'd be a lot happier.

As noted above, you really don't have a choice. You've got to upgrade to the HR20 to receive MPEG-4 channels. All of the new channels are MPEG-4 and most of the remaining MPEG-2 HD channels are expected to "go away" next year.

The HR20 software may not be as nice as the DirecTivo HR10 software in some respects, but the hardware is a lot newer (faster), which makes it a more responsive box. The hardware and software on the HR10 is outdated and missing most of the improvements and features TiVo has added in the past year to its OTA and cable products.

you get used to it. It's way faster to navigate through the D* box than the hd tivo. Now that the bugs have been worked out, I don't miss my hd tivo at all.

If you do switch the first thing you're likely to notice is how much faster the HR20 is. The speed alone gives it extra brownie points. But like rynberg said, it's not a Tivo and shouldn't be compared to one. It's a different DVR. Things will be different, some you'll like more and some you'll like less.

I upgraded from an H10-250 to the HR20 about 6 months ago and I don't regret it at all. Especially with the new HD channels, and now the DirecTV on Demand that's rolling out.

Upgrade, it's worth it.

Yes it is a lot faster and the new channels PQ is outstanding.

From what I have heard remote booking is in beta testing.

Or, it could be because they are giving FREE upgrades now. I just got a message from them asking me to call for my free upgrade, so i can continue to enjoy HD.

I was given free mpeg 4 receivers to replace my old SD receiver and Hd receiver back in July/August. I had to pay for a DVR. If you already have a receiver for DVR it should be free when you upgrade. After all they will be shutting off the Mpeg2 HD channels next year. I would use that as an argument with them if they try and charge you.

Warning, if you use OTA, the boxes they give out now are the new HR21 models with no OTA. THey have HD Localks most places, but they di not have PBS anywhere, CW in many planes or subchannels.

If you want any of those things, you need to make sure you call them and or refuse the HR21 if/when they bring it.


I recently got 2 HR20s after using the HR10s from the beginning and I will say I am not totally used to it after a couple of weeks. Some UI design decisions (like menu structure and the fact that the PIP with sound is always playing so watch out for spoilers) just seem baffling after using the HR10 which is very intuitive and designed around watching recordings.

But the speed at which you can do things on the HR20/21 is one heck of a step up. The other night, we were watching a recording, when we remembered we needed to set another show up on a Series Link (Season Pass). I was able to pause, hit Guide, set the SL up by double pressing Record, get the confirmation message and then hit exit to go back to the recording. This took about 30 seconds and we were back watching the first show.


Go over to www.dbstalk.com and int eh HR20/21 section there is a guide for TiVo converts that helps a fair amount.