DirecTV HR-20

[TheMoose]

I've had my HR20 for almost a year & when I first got it I was very dissapointed, the HDMI died on my first one, & the replacement was very unstable, there were constant problems that required a lot of resets.

I got in on a "beta" test of sorts on another website, it gave me the chance to download new software before it was released to the public.
A couple of times a month (at first) we got new software to test & after several versions were sucessfull it was made the national release.

The HR-20 is a much more stable device now & the upgrades are unlocking new capibilities like networking & VOD (Video On Demand).

We have been getting new software every week for about a month & each release makes the box better.

I have 2 HR-20-700's now & both are stable & easy to use, only one is networked so I download my VOD on that one.
The DVR is easy to use & that's the only way to watch TV now, time shifting to watch your shows when you want to is great, the new HD channels comming on line is just the icing on the cake!

[JerryDelColliano]

This is one of the WORST components I have EVER OWNED....

While I LOVE the TiVo interface - the failure rate is through the roof. DirecTV will send you a new one but the install cost if you are not a DIY guy is expensive. If your time is worth a lot, it is expensive too.

Just YESTERDAY my living room 10-250 crapped out requiring a "restart" by unpluging the unit. It was in the MIDDLE of the Eagles-Gaints game and I had a housefull of guests.

If you call DirecTV their ONLY response seems to be to "power down" the unit. They have some voodoo from their side that can restart the unit but rarely works.

So when they send you a new unit - you lose ALL of your recordings on your TiVo as well as your programming!!!!

[TheMoose]

Yea Jerry that's a different model completely from the HR20-700 I was talking about.

A lot of people have refused to upgrade their HR10-250's because of the Tivo interface, the HR20-700 is a much more stable box.

Check out this web site http://www.dbstalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=82, there is a lot of info on all the DirecTV receivers there.

[JerryDelColliano]

The last time I checked the parent of DirecTV owned 7% of TiVo. Why is TiVo ONLY on cable boxes now?

[TheMoose]

Originally Posted by JerryDelColliano

The last time I checked the parent of DirecTV owned 7% of TiVo. Why is TiVo ONLY on cable boxes now?

Beats me but I'm guessing royalties!
I've never been a TiVo fan, I refuse to pay $500-$800 for an HD-DVR & then pay a $13 a month fee so the damn thing works!!
My 2nd HR20 cost me the same $5.99 a month lease fee the non DVR boxes would.

[deacongreg]

Originally Posted by TheMoose

Beats me but I'm guessing royalties!
I've never been a TiVo fan, I refuse to pay $500-$800 for an HD-DVR & then pay a $13 a month fee so the damn thing works!!
My 2nd HR20 cost me the same $5.99 a month lease fee the non DVR boxes would.

I used to do Direct Sales for Cablevision last year 2006, and one of the main reasons why their HD definition customers switched over was because of the prohibitvely expense of their HD - DVR boxes, plus their rental fees. Also, at least here in Westchester, when we get wind and rain, it wrecks havoc with reception and the satelitte dishes.