Will The HR20/21 Be Ready For Reliable Recording/Playback Of The Olympic Games?

[upmichigan]

A note here for those with issues with you DVR...The "no problems people" need not to chime in.

One major factor to give up on my HR20/21...reliability! The Olympics are a big deal for my family and I refuse to miss anything. My R10 will do the job just fine and really I feel for those with issues with their DVR's that will somehow destroy their viewing entertainment. Time is ticking Directv...and unless God somehow heals your equipment from the demons inside it will be far from quality service you once adorned a long long time ago. One thing would save you while the games are going on...your dusty VCR!

[davring]

Will The HR20/21 Be Ready For Reliable Recording/Playback Of The Olympic Games?

I think most everyones already is. What problems are you having? Maybe some people here can advise you on what to look for to help solve your dificulties.

[GregLee]

Without meaning to chime in, since I don't have any problems, I don't anticipate any problems recording the Olympics, regardless of whether God purges my HR20 of demons.

[spartanstew]

dave, he asked you not to chime in.

This is apparently a thread for people with issues only. Those that aren't having problems or those that just want to help are not to post.

[davring]

dave, he asked you not to chime in.

This is apparently a thread for people with issues only. Those that aren't having problems or those that just want to help are not to post.

Sorry I misunderstood...:rolleyes:

[upmichigan]

I had no problems with my HR20 until Februarys software update...if some techies would do some hardcore research and I mean research to go back to that time frame and review. My signal levels were fine, cabling fine...Bottom line its the receivers period that are the issue. Every update after February's just continued to make it unusable and just a receiver. I have had it with all these troubleshooting suggestions from the folks here directed at folks like myself who have issues. 9 times outta 10 your suggestions do nothing. I am being denied HD service because Directv's equipment is not trustworthy period! I can only hope one day they make a fine DVR that works. Again the "no problems people" do not need to post in this thread because I have heard it all before from A-Z.

[spartanstew]

Then who do you want to post and what do you want them to say?

If I went more than a few weeks of not being able to watch or record HD, I'd have a new provider not matter what the cost to terminate early. Life's too short.

[dbronstein]

Then who do you want to post and what do you want them to say?

He just wants to start another bitchfest.

[upmichigan]

Spartan I just pointing out the facts in my second post...those with issues please post your views on my topic if the Olympics are important to you> Thanks

[Sirshagg]

In this case I'm not sure what you are looking for here. I'm doubtfull there will be another national release in the next week and even if there was I couldn't tell you it would fix your problems. I really do hate it when I see people say this but I think it might be time to find another provider if you ae this unhappy.

[upmichigan]

He just wants to start another bitchfest.

See how you people are? NO IM NOT!!!

[Ken S]

Reliability issues aside for people that want to record Olympic events it would be a real good idea to make sure and pad your recording times (on both sides) for the events you want to catch.

[spartanstew]

Spartan I just pointing out the facts in my second post...those with issues please post your views on my topic if the Olympics are important to you> Thanks

Actually, you didn't. You posted that "every update since February has continued to make it unusable". Which part is unusable? You haven't been able to watch any TV since February? Or is is just HD? Haven't watched any HD since February? Or is it just the DVR part? You haven't recorded any programs since February? Or is it just the guide that hasn't worked since February? DOD? XM stations? Locals? Which part is totally unusable?

When you say "those with issues", which issues are you talking about? Do you want this thread to just be an issues free-for-all? Or are you only talking about the issues you have? And if so, which of the above mentioned scenarios is your issues exactly?

[Radio Enginerd]

A note here for those with issues with you DVR...The "no problems people" need not to chime in.

One major factor to give up on my HR20/21...reliability! The Olympics are a big deal for my family and I refuse to miss anything. My R10 will do the job just fine and really I feel for those with issues with their DVR's that will somehow destroy their viewing entertainment. Time is ticking Directv...and unless God somehow heals your equipment from the demons inside it will be far from quality service you once adorned a long long time ago. One thing would save you while the games are going on...your dusty VCR!upmichigan - All opinions are valid and worth expressing. I'm not going to tell you I have no problems and start some kind of rant. I just want to give a word of advice. If you want to earn credibility and provide constructive critism that can stimulate useful discussion, you might want to try to start a thread with something different than The "no problems people" need not to chime in. That kind of statement is only going to provoke negative discussion.

[Maruuk]

I continue to have major trick play issues on AM21/HR21-100 recordings even after the 251 D/L. And trick play is critical to watching the Olympics.

The :30 skip is a joke, it is super slow, and if you hit it twice too quickly, everything just freezes for a while. And if you hit it again during the freezes, when motion returns (later...zzzz) it goes crazy. A major POS. All trick play controls are super sluggish on AM21 recordings, and are hardly worth the effort they create so much more trouble than they're worth.

This problem has been consistent since I began recording off air with the AM21. And I've read many others with exactly the same problem. Welcome to the Wide World of Sports with no remote!

Oh, and trick play with internal non-OTA tuner-recordings is pretty good, the :30 advance is slower/more sluggish and sloppy than Tivo was, but acceptable. And other remote actions are somewhat slow and sloppy, but that's NORMAL for a D* box. I got spoiled by Tivo, who knew how to make stuff that works right the first time. Things happened the INSTANT you touched the button. Ah for the good old days.

Back when we actually had a useable, dedicated SLO-MO button!

[dbronstein]

See how you people are? NO IM NOT!!!

You say this, yet you posted this:

I had no problems with my HR20 until Februarys software update...if some techies would do some hardcore research and I mean research to go back to that time frame and review. My signal levels were fine, cabling fine...Bottom line its the receivers period that are the issue. Every update after February's just continued to make it unusable and just a receiver. I have had it with all these troubleshooting suggestions from the folks here directed at folks like myself who have issues. 9 times outta 10 your suggestions do nothing. I am being denied HD service because Directv's equipment is not trustworthy period! I can only hope one day they make a fine DVR that works. Again the "no problems people" do not need to post in this thread because I have heard it all before from A-Z.

What is this if it isn't bitching/whining/complaining? There is nothing constructive in it whatsoever.

[nexus7]

To answer the OP, let's just say I'm going to back up my HR21-700 with my trusty ole HR10-250.

I already posted this elsewhere: http://www.dbstalk.com/showpost.php?p=1711930&postcount=118

I just rebooted my HR21-700 last night due to the above issue. I have no idea when my HR10-250 was last rebooted.

I set up for the Olympics exactly the same way on each DVR: search by title, all programs, type in "XX," pick the main prime-time NBC HD entry, and keep all first-run episodes until disk full (HR21-700 has 1TB, HR10-250 has 500GB).

Should prove to be an interesting experiment. Right off the bat, the HR10-250's To Do list indicates it will record 14 items, while the HR21-700 indicates only 1--the opening ceremony. Hardly confidence inspiring, but we'll see.

[Tom Robertson]

I had no problems with my HR20 until Februarys software update...if some techies would do some hardcore research and I mean research to go back to that time frame and review. My signal levels were fine, cabling fine...Bottom line its the receivers period that are the issue. Every update after February's just continued to make it unusable and just a receiver. I have had it with all these troubleshooting suggestions from the folks here directed at folks like myself who have issues. 9 times outta 10 your suggestions do nothing. I am being denied HD service because Directv's equipment is not trustworthy period! I can only hope one day they make a fine DVR that works. Again the "no problems people" do not need to post in this thread because I have heard it all before from A-Z.

Based upon the examples I have and have read about, the hardcore research I would start with would be your infrastructure. In the UP, Michigan you can have some nasty weather swings that can cause problems that only you would experience--which sounds much like your reliability issues on the HR2x.

And hardcore research would include details, details, details about:
what channels
what time
what exactly is or isn't happening
what do the history items say
has there been a network or phone connection change
has there been a TV connection change

I'd look carefully at all the connectors, double checking they are water tight. I'd inspect the cable runs for split insulation.
I'd peek at the switch, the LNB covers, the trees in front of the dish, the birdnest behind the dish, etc.

I don't doubt you are having problems. My suspects just don't say zebra when your hearing hoof beats in North America. (Unless you live next to the African section of the Oakland Zoo.) :)

Now if MANY people were having LOTS of problems, then I'd go with looking at the HR20 system including guide. But the data just don't support that as the highest risk factor right now.

Cheers,
Tom

[LarryFlowers]

A note here for those with issues with you DVR...The "no problems people" need not to chime in.

One major factor to give up on my HR20/21...reliability! The Olympics are a big deal for my family and I refuse to miss anything. My R10 will do the job just fine and really I feel for those with issues with their DVR's that will somehow destroy their viewing entertainment. Time is ticking Directv...and unless God somehow heals your equipment from the demons inside it will be far from quality service you once adorned a long long time ago. One thing would save you while the games are going on...your dusty VCR!

Yes the HR20 is ready for the Olympic Games... except yours... DirtecTV sent a signal to your unit so it wont work.

[Tom Robertson]

Yes the HR20 is ready for the Olympic Games... except yours... DirtecTV sent a signal to your unit so it wont work.

I've seen Dirtec do a lot of bad installs... :)

[houskamp]

*chimes*

oops wasn't supposed to do that :p

[LarryFlowers]

*chimes*

oops wasn't supposed to do that :p

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[tcusta00]

My HR21s rock! Chimetey chimey chime.

[Redlinetire]

A note here for those with issues with you DVR...The "no problems people" need not to chime in.

One major factor to give up on my HR20/21...reliability! The Olympics are a big deal for my family and I refuse to miss anything. My R10 will do the job just fine and really I feel for those with issues with their DVR's that will somehow destroy their viewing entertainment. Time is ticking Directv...and unless God somehow heals your equipment from the demons inside it will be far from quality service you once adorned a long long time ago. One thing would save you while the games are going on...your dusty VCR!

I was like you upmichigan, blank recordings since January (and DirecTV wouldn't believe me) finally culminating in the last horrible release causing constants lockups everytime I paused the thing. For whatever reason, that was the last straw for me and I switched to Dish.

Same crappy CSRs, crappy installers and lousy SD as DirecTV. But the 722 DVR is fantastic and has been rock solid despite the crappy install. Much more mature and sophisticated in how it handles recordings. It 'thinks' differently than a TiVo or HR2x but works great. It's easily better than my TiVo S3.

So come over to the dark side. There's less activity on the Dish side of DBSTalk, but that's because there's less to whine about. :lol: