CES 2013: Engadget Hands On with the Directv HR44!

[jcrandall]

I do have a question for those of you that have been around the DirectTV block: Is this release timeline normal? IE- have new boxes been announced after only a year of the previous version being in the market?

Generally yes, that is why we have an HR20, 21, 22, 23 and 24, yet all are considered equal by Directv as just HD-DVRs.
That's why if you have an HR23 fail, they may send you an HR21. At this point HR20 has been retired, and HR24 they try to replace like-for-like due to internal DECA and faster chipset.

That said, as they change the boxes every year or so, the change from the HR34-HR44 is a bit more intense than usual changes. The smaller design and significant speed improvements are more than usual evolution.

 

[jdspencer]

So, once the HR44 is available and you call to have it installed, you may end up with an HR34?

 

[meStevo]

That would be awesome!

Typically you don't order a model, you order a product, like genie. If you want something specific you have to go to a dealer.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

[Ronnie-]

So, once the HR44 is available and you call to have it installed, you may end up with an HR34?

Unless they have changed how they send out equipment recently, then yes. That is true.

 

[jcrandall]

Often times during a transition people "in the know" will have a note added to their work order to the tune of "hr44 or reschedule". If that doesn't work, when the installer calls before coming ask if they have the hr44 and if not reschedule.

The likelihood of this being a long transition is unlikely, the HR34 hasn't had big production like they are gearing up the HR44 for (three mfg's vs one).

 

[digiblur]

Actually it has 6 tuners, one is dedicated to the guide. (Someone from Broadcom explained it to me last night).

Sent from my iPhone using SatelliteGuys

Correct. SWM8 is actually outputting 9 channels. One is a narrower band of the guide data.

-- "Sensorly or it didn't happen!"

 

[TheRatPatrol]

I was also told the reason why DIRECTV will not let you have 2 HR34's or 44's (or a mix) is due to the fact that you would need a new switch, and the cost of changing the switch to a SWM 16 or 32 is too high.

And thats exactly why they should have took advantage of the 8 tuner SWiMs and put 8 tuners in it instead of only 5, especially if you're going to be sharing tuners with the clients. Maybe with the next model.

But I was also told that with two Genies installed that it would be difficult to match up the clients with a particular Genie.

 

[george99]

Well there is one inaccuracy on engadget's article as well as many other sources I have seen. You do NOT get all the same functionality with the genie clients. PIP is not available on the client. This is one of the bigger reasons that I got the HR34. Not as much for all the recording.
I was thinking about getting a second hr34 just so that I can have PIP on another TV in my house. It is great for watching 2 games.

 

[macfan]

Originally Posted by Scott Greczkowski
I was also told the reason why DIRECTV will not let you have 2 HR34's or 44's (or a mix) is due to the fact that you would need a new switch, and the cost of changing the switch to a SWM 16 or 32 is too high.

And if I am willing to pay for the install of the second HR34 how is the cost Directv's concern?

 

[dtro77]

Originally Posted by Scott Greczkowski
I was also told the reason why DIRECTV will not let you have 2 HR34's or 44's (or a mix) is due to the fact that you would need a new switch, and the cost of changing the switch to a SWM 16 or 32 is too high.

And if I am willing to pay for the install of the second HR34 how is the cost Directv's concern?

And I Already have a swim 16, so no upgrade or addtional cost would be involved for my setup.