DIRECTV's HR20 - DVR Debate Rages On

[tskywalker]

I am by no means a DirecTV apologist, but drug companies? Wasn't a diabetes drug just pulled due to concenrs of heart disease? Investigations of anti-depressants causing suicides? I'll admit that the HR-20 seems very problematic (at a minimum), but in this day and age of software driven hardware, it is nearly impossible to test all contingencies prior to release. I work in the CE manufacturing sector, I've seen what my company does for beta testing, and we still can't find every possible bug.

[BuddAdams]

The answer is clear enough: just drop Direct V. I was lucky: our contract ran out and the local installer recommended DISH as he'd had nothing but grief with Direct V. Mine works fine and did from day 1. Good luck, but I'd let that turkey go.

[RattVader]

After reading so many websites,blogs,etc.,I deceided to join this one just so I too could vent. We recently (5-28-2007) became proud owners of the infamous HR-20-700 DTV HD DVR (whew!). Well sir,after approximately 2 days,and precious few viewing hours it has ceased to function!!! We offically have what you term the BLACK SCREEN of DEATH! (or in my case SCREAM). The HD part never did function properly. The thing that annoys me the most is after talking with the DTV folks a few times,they seemed insistent that it was my tv that was to blame. However my previous receiver Samsung HR-10 was flawless and received 1080i without a hitch. This thing!! seemed to be always searching for a correct resolution even on the non HD channels. Anyway the same tech came back out and declared my unit DOA! I have been with DTV almost 10 years and I am considered an A+ sub. But if the second unit goes belly up,HELLO FIOS

[wmartson]

I think it's time to retire this topic. I am no apologist for DirecTV... and I had a ton of problems with the HR20-700 in the early days (Oct to Feb), but the software has stabilized and the unit works fine, now. In addition, the DBStalk Forum "Cutting Edge" chat has a real following (hundreds of users) and tests the units with each software release BEFORE it goes national.

A few units will still suffer from "infant mortality" (see previous post), but name a product that doesn't!

With complex, software-driven products, this development program could serve as a model for user-supported product testing and improvement.

Also worth mentioning is the User Wish List of new features, which the Product Team has used to plot the course forward. Earl Bonovich is the User Team Leader and has done a remarkable job of keeping the process upbeat and constructive.

The HR20 is now a stable product with an ever increasing feature list. It is networked and Internet 2.0 driven. I've gone from fighting mad, to a happy camper. Finally, some good news!

[jhecondevsys]

If an HR-20 is working "fine"...then it's the exception, not the rule. If one doesn't think that DirecTV staff and management don't read these messages, then one is very naive. Keep those letters coming. Just make sure their detailed, accurate and "expressive".

[robertsori]

I got a refurbished unit as a trade in for my totally defective unit.
Much better, BUT:

Still has wierd sound problems from time to time, The sound gets shifted so it looks lke a cheap overseas movie with bad lip synch...

Happened for example final 24 episode and it happens every week, not an intuitive interface either, but with it sucking so much not much time for the finer points

what a terrible product, and all this because they wanted to screw Tivo out of a couple of bucks per household

[akirby]

That sounds like a problem with your local station or your audio setup. It's not the HR20-700.

Are you routing the sound from the HR20 through your TV first or directly to the A/V receiver?

[regman]

My old H10-250 used to do that and I would just turn the power off and on and it would resync.

[akirby]

Now that you mention it - I had this problem on a pre-recorded show one time. Stopped the playback, did something else, then restarted it and it was ok.

[RattVader]

Well,as we speak I received my second unit today from FedEx. Got her up and running,still no reception in HD. Using both HDMI or componet inputs all I got was a black screen. Then my wife noted that after a few calls to tech support (to try and resolve the HD issue) and a software download, we still had not gotten our entire gude lineup including our local channels. Another call,some reboots,some authorizing of whatever on thier end,the DTV guy came to a rather startling conclusion. We were going to need another receiver! MY THIRD!!!!!! Should arrive in 3 days. I can hardly wait. I can hear FIOS calling ne now.[/b]