When is the new D* DVR coming out?

[Alvarez]

I was going to call D* to have them upgrade all my HDTivos to prep for the coming HD channels but I have read a bunch of bad reviews and how the HR20 doesn't skip 30 seconds correctly, it skips recording some programs, it cannot aspect ratio correctly. it doesn't Picture in Picture, it has dropped audio and no dual live buffers.

I still don't think there is anything out there really I don't already have on my HD Tivo so an upgrade isn't mandatory I guess. When is D* coming out with a better DVR offering?

 

[FlyingJ]

I think you need to read some more.....

 

[Alvarez]

I think you need to read some more.....

I have been reading reviews all morning... about 5 so far (Cnet and other sites)... where should I check?

 

[Alvarez]

Have they fixed the picture in picture, 30 sec skip, aspect ratio, audio drops and dual live buffer issues? Most reviews say they are fixable issues if D* wants to.

 

[Questioner]

Have they fixed the picture in picture, 30 sec skip, aspect ratio, audio drops and dual live buffer issues? Most reviews say they are fixable issues if D* wants to.

Bottom line the hr20 still has many problems, but they aren't coming out with anything else anytime soon.

 

[Alvarez]

Ahh that sucks. I think I will stay with the HD Tivos then. I just read a user review who went through hades and went as far as calling the HR20 a beta test unit that D* is basically charging for.

He noted he loved the MPeg4 picture though. He ended up returning his HR20's and got his Tivos back. He said he would try again later when they are past the beta testing stages of their proprietary DVR's. That might be the best route for me as well.

 

[rad]

Even though Scott's trying, this site isn't as up to date on D* info as we'd all like. I'd recommend checking out the news over at DBSTalk.Com for what folks are saying about the HR20 with the latest firmware installed.

 

[Bob Nielsen]

What do you mean about picture in picture? Directivos don't have that either. The HR20 has improved quite a bit since its release last August. There have been numerous software upgrades and mine has been working quite well.

You can get the equivalent of DLB by recording both programs and using the "previous" key to switch back and forth.

 

[Jimbo]

Have they fixed the picture in picture, 30 sec skip, aspect ratio, audio drops and dual live buffer issues? Most reviews say they are fixable issues if D* wants to.

The do not have PIP, but then I never had it before with D* so that doesn't matter to me.
The :30 sec skip works fine, if your not stuck on TIVO, I've never had a problem with the 30 sec skip at all.

The majority of the earlier issues have been cleared up.
They do not have DLB 's ...... yet, maybe later, I really don't see a need to watch two shows at once anyways, they do have a previous channel button.

D* is moving away from the TIVO situation, why would they want to build the same thing that TIVO had., if it was identical I'm sure it would have some infringement clause preventing it.

The HR20-700 has gotten better and better since it's beginning., it is very reliable now.... as for missing a recording, in the 9 months I've had mine, I have never missed a recording yet.

Jimbo

 

[fsds]

I have also had my HR20 since January and no problems. I have never had a missed recording. All the upgrades have been positive.

 

[joed32]

You might also want to check the dates of those reviews, I bet some of them are pretty old. I'm not saying you should get an HR20, but it will be the only choice if you decide to stay with D*.

 

[iceturkee]

i've had my hr20 since february and i believe there have already been five or six national software upgrades.....more if you download the cutting edge releases. i'm not up at the time the window is available, so i wait for national release.

i did have an hr20-100 that fried the first day i got it. but directv quickly replaced it! no problems with either one of my hr20-700's!

 

[bonscott87]

I have been reading reviews all morning... about 5 so far (Cnet and other sites)... where should I check?

Honestly I wouldn't really put much stock in any reviews on places like that. Mainly because they reviewed last summer/fall when it was still rough.

Head over to DBSTalk for tons of talk on the HR20 (there is some talk here but not nearly as much just yet). It is very solid and has been for a few months. Sure some people still have some issues (just like with any receiver from any company) but the vast majority of major issues have been gone for some time.

I've had mine since last September and have never missed a recording. The latest CE releases have even added in FFW autocorrection (despite it being a Tivo patent).

Oh, and you don't have to replace your HR10. Keep it running with the HR20. It will be great for 2 extra tuners and even when it can't get sat HD anymore it will still be a great SD and OTA HD DVR. Plus you can keep the HR10 going until you "trust" the HR20 more.

 

[bonscott87]

Have they fixed the picture in picture, 30 sec skip, aspect ratio, audio drops and dual live buffer issues? Most reviews say they are fixable issues if D* wants to.

Not really sure what you're referring to with most of that.

There is no picture in picture on the HR20.

There is a 30 second "slip", not a true skip. But it slips in just a couple seconds. Haven't been any issues reported with it in months (since last winter really).

Aspect ratio? Not sure what issue is with that.

Audio drops? Never had a problem with it that wasn't the fault of the local station. I'd say audio drops on the HR20 are no different the same audio drop issues on the HR10.

There are no dual live buffers like on a Tivo. Still no ruled out to be added someday but I certainly wouldn't count on it.

 

[GeorgeLV]

Not really sure what you're referring to with most of that.

Aspect ratio? Not sure what issue is with that.

It just to be when you pressed the "format" key on the remote to crop a letterbox SD program to fill the screen it would overstretch it. Like must of the issues with the HR20, it has been fixed.

 

[ScoBuck]

BOTH of my HR20's perform just as expected. I wouldn't hesitate for a moment to recommend these to anyone. I have them since October!

And even better, they are about to add even more features that will continue to provide leading edge functionality. Add in the 80+ HD channels that you will NEED Mpeg4 capable IRDS for in about 2 months, and you will be very happy.

Go for it!

LESS THAN 1 WEEK TO DIRECTV 10 LAUNCH!

 

[bonscott87]

It just to be when you pressed the "format" key on the remote to crop a letterbox SD program to fill the screen it would overstretch it. Like must of the issues with the HR20, it has been fixed.

Ah yes, the "super crop". I think that bug only lasted a couple versions.

 

[Bob Nielsen]

Ah yes, the "super crop". I think that bug only lasted a couple versions.

I don't use crop, but tried it on some letterboxed SD programs. There was some vertical non-linearity plus it wasn't centered vertically. Using zoom on my TV did a better job of filling the screen (although not perfectly, since the overscan isn't set up correctly (and I haven't found a way to get into the service menu).

 

[bidger`]

You'll find a lot of folks who kept their HR10s when auditioning the HR20 and are now unloading the HR10s for an additional HR20.

 

[Brewer4]

You'll find a lot of folks who kept their HR10s when auditioning the HR20 and are now unloading the HR10s for an additional HR20.

I did the exact thing. I got an HR20 last September but kept the majority of my Season Passes on the HR10 until I knew the HR20 could be trusted. It worked so well the past few months that I decided to get another HR20 and retire the HR10. So far its worked like a charm. I couldnt 100% endorse it last year but now its ready for Prime Time and I actually prefer it over the Tivo.