View Full Version : No OTA on HR21...D* Won't Swap
Ok, I'm not too happy, but I won't bore you with the details. Long story short is that D* shipped me a new HDDVR, which was installed today by a technician while I was at work. Upon my arrival this evening, I realized that - hey ! - it's not exactly the same box that I had downstairs (HR20). This one's black, dual ethernet, IR remote, niiiiice. Oh, and no OTA.
What gives?!?
I need OTA as that's the only way I can watch HD in my area. I have an OTA antenna installed and ran through my HR20 downstairs, but this HR21 is useless. Yes, I put a higher premium on OTA HD channels than I do nearly anything else.
I called D*, and they said, "Well, once it's installed it's a done deal. There's no way to swap the boxes." I have the protection plan and, more bluntly, I wasn't home to approve this (my wife was, and she wouldn't have known).
Thoughts?
Signed,
Totally frustrated
You can try and call DirecTV at 1-888-355-7530 and hit Cancel. That should get you to the right people. Just tell them you need OTA.
Mavrick
01-22-08, 05:50 AM
OTA is coming to the HR21 via a usb addon box it is just not available yet but it is rumored that it will be March 1.
I also have one HR20 and one HR21 and no how it is not to get you locals in HD I got lucky though and happened to have an OTA tuner in my TV that I am able to use right now to watch those channels live.
I dont know how many people know that the HR20 when it was first released it did not have OTA either the tuners were there but for many months they were not active but now are. Directv just decided to go a different route with the HR21 model and not have to tuner in the box but as an addon that way they could cut the cost of the receiver and not have to pay the fee for it having OTA tuners for there are alot of people that dont ever use OTA with Directv.
I'll give 1-888-355-7530 a call today. Ultimately, if I can verify that a USB OTA tuner is coming in early March, then I might just hang onto the HR21. I do like some of the features - IR remote, black box, ethernet port for "possible" access to media on PC, etc. But, man, the lack of OTA is a killer.
From what I've read, I see that the HR20-700 may not be available any longer. I saw one reference that it might be the HR20-100. If that's my only option to receive OTA, should I grab that? Difference?
mjones73
01-22-08, 06:22 AM
The HR20 also has an IR remote and and ethernet for access to audio, image and soon video via your home network and also for DOD services via the Internet.
scottman
01-22-08, 06:24 AM
You may be able to get the OTA tuner at a discount or free, if you explain to them that you needed it where you live, you were expecting to get one, and you instead got the one w/o the tuner. You will probably end up with monthly service credits, but it should counter the cost of the tuner. No guarantee, but be nice.:)
Mavrick
01-22-08, 06:25 AM
The HR20 also has an IR remote and and ethernet for access to audio, image and soon video via your home network and also for DOD services via the Internet.
The HR21 will have these items also.
I called D*, and they said, "Well, once it's installed it's a done deal. There's no way to swap the boxes." I have the protection plan and, more bluntly, I wasn't home to approve this (my wife was, and she wouldn't have known).
I don't get the more bluntly part. What's that supposed to mean? Your wife is over 18 right? If you can't trust her to take care of an install, well then don't trust her to do it, that seems to have been your decision.
Anyway, hang loose for the AM21 and you'll be fine.
mjones73
01-22-08, 07:20 AM
The HR21 will have these items also.
I was responding to ayemac who sounded like he thought they were only features on the HR21....
I do like some of the features - IR remote, black box, ethernet port for "possible" access to media on PC, etc. But, man, the lack of OTA is a killer.
You may be able to get the OTA tuner at a discount or free, if you explain to them that you needed it where you live, you were expecting to get one, and you instead got the one w/o the tuner. You will probably end up with monthly service credits, but it should counter the cost of the tuner. No guarantee, but be nice.:)
Actually, I called today, explained my situation, and they've marked my account appropriately with comments so that I can supposedly receive the AM21 for free. It's funny - you talk to the right people in the right mood and be polite, and D* support might just give you a break. We'll see if I ultimately do get the AM21 for free (or even discounted). I did, however, get the HR21-700 and a dish for $67. I got the HR20 for $20 (with dish - yes, I have two dishes - whole 'nother story). So, they have treated me right, if you will.
Xaa ~ the "bluntly" comment was that my wife simply wouldn't know what to look for. Long story short is they didn't connect the dish or receiver other than to simply enable the receiver. Once it was on and working per the tech, that would have been sufficient for my wife. Her being over 18 has nothing to do with it - she's just not tech-savvy, and she would've leaned on the tech there to advise whether it was working or not.
Jones73 ~ To clarify, I stated IR remote - I meant RF remote. That's the piece I like. And, yes, I realize that the HR20 and HR21 models have similar features - just not the RF remote.
Then I still don't get the "I wasn't home to approve this...." etc. Are you saying "My bad, I wasn't home to make sure everything was right..." or "I didn't approve this so DirecTv should make me retroactively satisfied..."
If it's the second, then the fact that she's 18 and signed for it does make a difference, if it's the first then I misunderstood what you were trying to say.
mjones73
01-22-08, 01:13 PM
HR20's support RF remotes also, I believe not all of them had one in the box though and you had to order an extra remote via Directv.
Then I still don't get the "I wasn't home to approve this...." etc. Are you saying "My bad, I wasn't home to make sure everything was right..." or "I didn't approve this so DirecTv should make me retroactively satisfied..."
If it's the second, then the fact that she's 18 and signed for it does make a difference, if it's the first then I misunderstood what you were trying to say.
Yeah, you misunderstood. I was trying to imply that I failed to take responsibility of being home myself to approve it. She has the authority - she just wouldn't have known better.
MJones ~ Didn't realize on the RF. I just have a buddy who touts his Dish RF all the time, so it's nice to see D* has one that I can use. I pipe out my receiver to another TV sometimes, but the only way I can change the channel is to lean back and point. Moot point now, eh?
bwclark
01-22-08, 02:01 PM
Interesting, as I had mine installed yesterday, and the only receivers they are installing in the area are the 20's. I had requested and it was placed on the work order for the 21's, and a CSR emailed me that "I can assure you that the HR21 and H21 will be the receivers that will be installed." :sure:
Anyway, I am doing fine with the 20's and my OTA antenna works fine with the HR20-100.
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