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View Full Version : Ready to take the HD plunge...which box to get?

mvaneps
02-29-08, 09:19 PM
Hey guys,

I am ready to upgrade to HD with a DVR. I noticed that the HD21-100 seemed to be the newest box out but which one do you think is the best?

Thanks!
Sirshagg
02-29-08, 09:20 PM
Hey guys,

I am ready to upgrade to HD with a DVR. I noticed that the HD21-100 seemed to be the newest box out but which one do you think is the best?

Thanks!

Do you need OTA?
mvaneps
02-29-08, 09:26 PM
No need for OTA. I live near San Francisco.
Sirshagg
02-29-08, 09:31 PM
That being the case I'd probably choose based on color. The main difference to us is that the HR20's are silver and have OTA tuners. The HR21's are glossy black (really nice looking) but have no OTA tuners. While there are now three different manufacturers for the HR21 I've yet to see see any real difference between them.
hdtvfan0001
02-29-08, 09:54 PM
Any of the HR21 series (-700, -200, -100) HD DVR units work very well.
Doug Brott
02-29-08, 10:05 PM
Yup, HR21 is what you are looking for .. don't be overly concerned about the last three digits as hdtvfan0001 noted.
MountainMan10
03-01-08, 07:23 AM
The one difference I have picked up on from this forum, is that the HR20 is a little better with external hard drives. With the HR20 you can use most off the shelf esata drives, but with the HR21 it is best to build you own using the Antec MX-1 enclosure.
inazsully
03-01-08, 10:06 AM
What does the San Francisco thing have to do with it. If it's possible to receive the locals, especially PBS and CW, with an antenna then you want the HR20, not the 21.
ghostdog
03-01-08, 05:55 PM
What does the San Francisco thing have to do with it. If it's possible to receive the locals, especially PBS and CW, with an antenna then you want the HR20, not the 21.

Absolutely; unless you recieve every single area channel you will ever want to watch over the sat and they are all in MPEG 4. (I would still go with the HR20 if you can still get one.) :)
dan55
03-03-08, 11:11 AM
I too am investigating the HR21. What is the difference between the different series. i.e. -100, -200, -700?
Thanks for the info
Michael D'Angelo
03-03-08, 11:12 AM
I too am investigating the HR21. What is the difference between the different series. i.e. -100, -200, -700?
Thanks for the info

Welcome to DBSTalk

The layout of the inside is different but other than that the are the same units.
dan55
03-03-08, 11:34 AM
Welcome to DBSTalk

The layout of the inside is different but other than that the are the same units.

Thanks Mike.
I am finding a wealth of info here. Still watching for AM21 info for the HR21's.
Also good info on expanding capacity with the eSata stuff.
Thaedron
03-03-08, 11:53 AM
I too am investigating the HR21. What is the difference between the different series. i.e. -100, -200, -700?
Thanks for the info


Fundamentally, the -xxx codes specify different manufacturers who had to build the unit to a common set of specifications. That's why there are some minor differences between the three HR21 models, while they can all remain functionally equivalent. There is a list of which manufacturer ties to each -xxx code, but I don't have it handy, perhaps someone else does.
66stang351
03-03-08, 12:32 PM
Thanks Mike.
I am finding a wealth of info here. Still watching for AM21 info for the HR21's.Solidsignal is taking pre-orders for the AM21 so it is coming soon.
Also good info on expanding capacity with the eSata stuff.Best advice for this is to buy whatever model/size SATA drive you want and put it in an ANTEC MX-1 enclosure. The MX-1 has a huge fan and runs nearly silent. Just remember that the eSATA replaces the internal drive, it doesn't add to it.