MDU / DirecTV MFH2 & HR-20 Compatibility Issue

[dgdx27c]

All,

I wanted to pose this scenario to you all and get your feedback.

An apartment building in Chicago recently offered MFH2 HDTV service to all tenants who are existing subscribers "with compatible HDTV Equipment (D12 Standard receiver, HR20 and HR21 HD-DVRs, H20 and H21 HD Receiver)".

I've had MDU Communications come out three times this week for service calls / visits to complete the conversation from MFH1.

Ultimately, they claimed that my HR20 is not compatible with the MFH2 upgrade and that I would need to either locate and purchase a new HR20 or purchase/rent an HR20 from them for $199 (or $20 / month).

My question is this ... shouldn't all HR20s be compatible with this MFH2 upgrade? I find it ridiculous that the equipment I purchased at full price in May of 2007 is not compatible with the new channel roll-out.

Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations? I'd hate to purchase the HR21 as my HR20 is working fine (minus the new channels).

Thanks,

J

[texasbrit]

There should be absolutely no problem using the HR20 with MFH2. The core of the MFH2 is the SWM single-wire multiswitch and ALL HR20s are compatible with the SWM.

[dgdx27c]

Thanks for responding. At this point, both DirecTV and MDU Communications refuse to help me with this problem.

My only option now is to order an HR21 from MDU and schedule a service visit to swap out my HR20.

Any suggestions?

There should be absolutely no problem using the HR20 with MFH2. The core of the MFH2 is the SWM single-wire multiswitch and ALL HR20s are compatible with the SWM.

[veryoldschool]

The HR-20 has been compatible from day one.
No BBCs connected correct?
Single cable into SAT #1 input.
Reboot & it "should work" [I've got two HR-20s & a HR21, all working]

[texasbrit]

Have you actually tried the HR20? As VOS says, make sure there is no BBC connected. Just reboot and it should work OK. I also have two HR20s and an HR21 all connected to an SWM8 and there is absolutely no problem. And there is NO difference between the HR20 and the HR21 as far as MFH2 is concerned.

[evan_s]

What firmware version does your box have? If it isn't update to day you may need to hook it up with out using SWM and update the firmware.

[mcaldero]

You should also run the satellite setup again and tell the HR20 that you have a 5-LNB dish now. Since you've been using this HR20 for a year, you probably set it up initially with a 3-LNB dish.

[DirecTv Chicago]

Thanks for responding. At this point, both DirecTV and MDU Communications refuse to help me with this problem.

My only option now is to order an HR21 from MDU and schedule a service visit to swap out my HR20.

Any suggestions?


Of the 500+ HR20 or H20 receivers that I have moved over to MFH2 a small percentage for one reason or another were just not able to work on the MFH2 signal. Maybe 2% or 3% at most. Not very high percentage but its going to happen.

Now if they just plain refused to install because it is an HR20 than they are just being difficult. But if they have been out there 3 times theres a chance it is the receiver. There is nothing else done differently on an MFH2 system for an HR20 than for a HR21. So basically if they can prove to you that an HR21 will work and the HR20 won't then it probably is the receiver.

The issue is getting that replaced under warranty because it technicially works just not on the new signal.

[dgdx27c]

Yep, tried it with the tech numerous times. They gave up.

They also said that my warranty was 90 days, not 1 year.

Am I forced to buy new hardware even though the receiver is working perfectly with the non MFH2 upgrade?

Have you actually tried the HR20? As VOS says, make sure there is no BBC connected. Just reboot and it should work OK. I also have two HR20s and an HR21 all connected to an SWM8 and there is absolutely no problem. And there is NO difference between the HR20 and the HR21 as far as MFH2 is concerned.

[dgdx27c]

That's pretty frustrating...

I am on the most current firmware according to DirecTV.

I'm out of ideas.

Of the 500+ HR20 or H20 receivers that I have moved over to MFH2 a small percentage for one reason or another were just not able to work on the MFH2 signal. Maybe 2% or 3% at most. Not very high percentage but its going to happen.

Now if they just plain refused to install because it is an HR20 than they are just being difficult. But if they have been out there 3 times theres a chance it is the receiver. There is nothing else done differently on an MFH2 system for an HR20 than for a HR21. So basically if they can prove to you that an HR21 will work and the HR20 won't then it probably is the receiver.

The issue is getting that replaced under warranty because it technicially works just not on the new signal.

[Incog-Neato]

#1) DirecTV warranty is 90 days (look in the front of the manual under WARRANTY information).

#2) By any chance do you have Internet with your provider as well?

I can verify that a number of HR20's are having problems at numerous MFH2 properties. Some just won't work. Some can be made to work.


That's pretty frustrating...

I am on the most current firmware according to DirecTV.

I'm out of ideas.

[dgdx27c]

#1: Acknowledged (and disappointed).

#2: I do not have Internet from the TV provider (I have DSL)

What steps have been taken to make some "stubborn" HR20s to work with the upgrade?

#1) DirecTV warranty is 90 days (look in the front of the manual under WARRANTY information).

#2) By any chance do you have Internet with your provider as well?

I can verify that a number of HR20's are having problems at numerous MFH2 properties. Some just won't work. Some can be made to work.

[Incog-Neato]

Check your PM #1: Acknowledged (and disappointed).

#2: I do not have Internet from the TV provider (I have DSL)

What steps have been taken to make some "stubborn" HR20s to work with the upgrade?

[yogi]

MDU receiver warranty is for 1 year.

[Incog-Neato]

That is completely incorrect. Please show me anywhere that is stated that equipment distributors to any mdu company warrantee their equipment for 1 year. Without going into detail I can assure that at least the 2 major US distributors do not.

That COULD be an special agreement between a specific distributor and a specific mdu provider or possibly even an agreement between the specific mdu provider and a specific property by their contract but other then that I can say it is absolutely not the case.

If you can provide information to the contrary I would appreciate it as it would be very useful. However this has been confirmed and reconfirmed over many years.


MDU receiver warranty is for 1 year.

[yogi]

Calm Down,
Your most likely right. We have a contract with DirecTV. I don't know how other distributors do it. For us, it's Leased receivers is 90 days. owned receiver (MDU) is a year

[DirecTv Chicago]

That is completely incorrect. Please show me anywhere that is stated that equipment distributors to any mdu company warrantee their equipment for 1 year. Without going into detail I can assure that at least the 2 major US distributors do not.

That COULD be an special agreement between a specific distributor and a specific mdu provider or possibly even an agreement between the specific mdu provider and a specific property by their contract but other then that I can say it is absolutely not the case.

If you can provide information to the contrary I would appreciate it as it would be very useful. However this has been confirmed and reconfirmed over many years.

The major 3 distributors generally are 6 months and sometimes 1 year through DirecTV as a distributor. But good luck returning it through DirecTV. Like anything they will make you go through hoops and in most cases it will not be worth it.

[Incog-Neato]

Just verified with distribution (you had me thinking) and they confirmed that all **mdu** warranties are 90 days. The company I am close to is strictly an mdu provider. Maybe your company or the company you are referring to is covering it on their own (self-insuring). It's been that way for years and confirmed numerous times. If you know of anything other then that I would like to know a source so I can pass it on to the proper people. It also does state inside all the manuals "90 day DirecTV warranty" as well as in Doris. The major 3 distributors generally are 6 months and sometimes 1 year through DirecTV as a distributor. But good luck returning it through DirecTV. Like anything they will make you go through hoops and in most cases it will not be worth it.

[CJTE]

Just verified with distribution (you had me thinking) and they confirmed that all **mdu** warranties are 90 days. The company I am close to is strictly an mdu provider. Maybe your company or the company you are referring to is covering it on their own (self-insuring). It's been that way for years and confirmed numerous times. If you know of anything other then that I would like to know a source so I can pass it on to the proper people. It also does state inside all the manuals "90 day DirecTV warranty" as well as in Doris.

...
Oye.
The MDU company they're referring to covers their equipment.
Standard MDU is 90 days.
Why bring DORIS into this?!?

[Incog-Neato]

Vey .... She's my cousin .. Doris Kazmakarekowski Bartholemew Harris. It bothers you why?!?!?...
Oye.
The MDU company they're referring to covers their equipment.
Standard MDU is 90 days.
Why bring DORIS into this?!?

[DirecTv Chicago]

Just verified with distribution (you had me thinking) and they confirmed that all **mdu** warranties are 90 days. The company I am close to is strictly an mdu provider. Maybe your company or the company you are referring to is covering it on their own (self-insuring). It's been that way for years and confirmed numerous times. If you know of anything other then that I would like to know a source so I can pass it on to the proper people. It also does state inside all the manuals "90 day DirecTV warranty" as well as in Doris.

http://www.pacemso.com/PDF/RA_Form-Receiver.pdf

The above is Pace Electronics directly off of their website. It clearly states 9 - 11 months.

I don't know who Pace buys from but I don't care. They are my distributor along with the distributor of a large percentage of the system operators, there warranty is the only one that matters.

[Incog-Neato]

Yea, Pace & PDI. Going to look further into this. Thanks. http://www.pacemso.com/PDF/RA_Form-Receiver.pdf

The above is Pace Electronics directly off of their website. It clearly states 9 - 11 months.

I don't know who Pace buys from but I don't care. They are my distributor along with the distributor of a large percentage of the system operators, there warranty is the only one that matters.

[djjolietjake]

My solution would have been to do a firmware upgrade off of Legacy port or the original MFH 1 system. Also, the amount of tuners may have had something to do with it. Connectors also can be a factor.




Of the 500+ HR20 or H20 receivers that I have moved over to MFH2 a small percentage for one reason or another were just not able to work on the MFH2 signal. Maybe 2% or 3% at most. Not very high percentage but its going to happen.

Now if they just plain refused to install because it is an HR20 than they are just being difficult. But if they have been out there 3 times theres a chance it is the receiver. There is nothing else done differently on an MFH2 system for an HR20 than for a HR21. So basically if they can prove to you that an HR21 will work and the HR20 won't then it probably is the receiver.

The issue is getting that replaced under warranty because it technicially works just not on the new signal.