HR21-700... Crap or huge pile of crap?

[macmikey]

Hello all,

I am on my second HR21-700. Had to have a tech out Saturday because the previous one froze about 3-4 times a day while either recording or playing back content. It would also stop during slip30 and then proceed frame by frame for about 30 seconds then pick up speed.

DTV insisted on sending out the Tech so I waited for him and explained what was going on when he got here. He replaced my unit with another unit out a brown box.

Well, since then it has failed to playback any recordings except pause. I have had scheduled recordings and also one show I hit the record button on. What I get is either a message that says "Searching for authorized content" and then it says Delete or keep message; or I get a black screen with the blue resolution lights flashing 1080 to 720 to 1080 to 720 on and on until I reset the unit.

This is the worst service I have had since I let them take my HR20-100 in May. It worked flawlessly but they insisted a bad signal problem was the trouble. Tech had to come out that time as well and he found the dish out of alignment and fixed it.

Anyone else hate this DVR? Any ideas on how to fix this authorized content issue?

I do have HD service, can watch the channels I tell it to record and in fact, the show I told it to record last night, Iron Chef on Food HD, I was watching when I hit the record button.

Mike

[Richierich]

My HR21-700s work FLAWLESSLY as well as my HR20-700 so I am led to believe that alot of people's problems stem from environmental issues such as improper or no grounding, bad connectors or connections, bad dish alignment, etc.

Just my GUT FEELING at this time as mine and several of my friends units are working without any problems.

[mhayes70]

Mine also works great. I would lean that it is not the DVR. But, something else. Like RichieRich said. Maybe grounding issue or bad connectors somewhere.

[LameLefty]

I've had an HR21-700 for going on 16 months and it's been great - no blank recordings, no trickplay issues, no "authorized content" message or 771 errors.

It sounds to me like you've either had a run of bad refurbs or something going on in your signal chain between the dish, your receiver, or your switch. Have you had your cabling checked and is it all grounded properly? Do you have stable power in your home or are you subject to brownouts (get a meter and check it yourself or hire an electrician to do it)? The problems you are having are not normal.

[Richierich]

I have all my units on either APC S15 or J15 Battery Backup/Line Conditioner/Surge Protector and I get none of the reported problems such as can be caused by "static electricity buildup" or electrical surges & spikes, dirty electricity, unregulated voltage, bad connections.

People need to have someone also check the connectors on their dish because these connectors freeze up and break due to contraction from water getting inside and then freezing, etc.

[macmikey]

Well, I just had a Tech out here on Saturday and he checked everything from dish through Zinwell to the Unit.

He replaced the unit because nothing else seemed out of spec.

I just got off the phone with support and they have escalated this because after resetting the unit and setting it back up, including reformatting the hard drive, did nothing to fix it.

Did prove one thing, it will record a show and play it back as long as I do not turn the unit off. As soon as I turn it off, all recordings respond with either Searching for Authorized content' or it causes the hard drive to continuously seek and the blue lights flash back and forth.

So, I have 2 in a row that are defective.

Mike

[tcusta00]

I would escalate this issue to retention or another department more capable of getting an experienced tech out to your home. You're on your third HD DVR with issues. I think this is a safe call to make: It's not the HD DVR.

[lparsons21]

I would escalate this issue to retention or another department more capable of getting an experienced tech out to your home. You're on your third HD DVR with issues. I think this is a safe call to make: It's not the HD DVR.

I'm glad I didn't see this back in Feb when my HR20 was giving me fits with 771 errors on tuner 2. We went through 4 HDDVRs, all the wiring, the head and whatever else. Fix was to replace it with an HR21. If I had seen this, I'd still be having them out fiddling with swapping stuff but no good service.

Fortunately this wasn't posted then, and I kept insisting that it WAS the HDDVR so that now I have excellent (if slow) service.

[Stuart Sweet]

I would definitely escalate the issue, ask to talk to Case Management. They don't like unhappy customers any more than you like being unhappy.

[Rich]

Well, I just had a Tech out here on Saturday and he checked everything from dish through Zinwell to the Unit.

He replaced the unit because nothing else seemed out of spec.

I just got off the phone with support and they have escalated this because after resetting the unit and setting it back up, including reformatting the hard drive, did nothing to fix it.

Did prove one thing, it will record a show and play it back as long as I do not turn the unit off. As soon as I turn it off, all recordings respond with either Searching for Authorized content' or it causes the hard drive to continuously seek and the blue lights flash back and forth.

So, I have 2 in a row that are defective.

Mike

Do you have that HR hooked up to the Sony TV via HDMI? Try component cables and see if that solves your problem. I went thru the same thing with two Sony Hi Def CRT TVs and resolved my problems by going to component. You won't see any difference in picture quality. The component wires are the red blue and green cables that came in the box with your HR.

Rich

[Rich]

I would definitely escalate the issue, ask to talk to Case Management. They don't like unhappy customers any more than you like being unhappy.

Might be as simple as switching to component cables. I had the same problems with the same TVs.

Rich

[macmikey]

I'll be damned. I just switched to HDMI through a new Receiver (Onkyo TX-SR505) and use that for HDMI switching.

I'll change over and see if it allows me to use it, but that does not explain why I can replay recordings before I shut if off and cannot after I shut it off and then back on, or why it did not do this with the exact same DVR model they took on Saturday (had HDMI on it for about 3 weeks, problems with it exceeded that by months before using HDMI).

Interesting though.

[macmikey]

Well, I switched inputs and still no joy. Turned unit off and then back on, 'Searching for authorized content' message.

Oh well, that did sound like a solution.

Mike

[tcusta00]

I'm glad I didn't see this back in Feb when my HR20 was giving me fits with 771 errors on tuner 2. We went through 4 HDDVRs, all the wiring, the head and whatever else. Fix was to replace it with an HR21. If I had seen this, I'd still be having them out fiddling with swapping stuff but no good service.

Fortunately this wasn't posted then, and I kept insisting that it WAS the HDDVR so that now I have excellent (if slow) service.

I'm glad you got it fixed.

[Richierich]

Well, I switched inputs and still no joy. Turned unit off and then back on, 'Searching for authorized content' message.

Oh well, that did sound like a solution.

Mike

Some other poster had a similar problem and had to call Directv to have them reauthorize his account and then everything worked flawlessly after that. Somehow your account has had that authorization for that channel dropped.

Give Directv a call!!!

[macmikey]

Some other poster had a similar problem and had to call Directv to have them reauthorize his account and then everything worked flawlessly after that. Somehow your account has had that authorization for that channel dropped.

Give Directv a call!!!

No, not that. It happens on any channel, not just one, HD or SD.

And, I was on the phone already yesterday and today and they did check that everything I am supposed to have is authorized. And, I can watch any of these channels now.

Thanks though,
Mike

[rahlquist]

No, not that. It happens on any channel, not just one, HD or SD.

And, I was on the phone already yesterday and today and they did check that everything I am supposed to have is authorized. And, I can watch any of these channels now.

Thanks though,
Mike

Have your access cards been replaced? Perhaps they are flakey?

[rahlquist]

Wait a thought just struck me.

You arent using more than one set of outputs are you? I at one point had HDMI and Component hooked from my HR20 to our Thoshiba 42hp66, with both hooked up I would have issues with it complaining about access.

[macmikey]

Wait a thought just struck me.

You arent using more than one set of outputs are you? I at one point had HDMI and Component hooked from my HR20 to our Thoshiba 42hp66, with both hooked up I would have issues with it complaining about access.

No, just component at the moment.

Mike

[dreadlk]

Most likely you have a voltage problem, refer to post at the begining making sure that the unit is properly grounded and that your mains voltage is between 110 and 120 Volts. Even if you have a UPS connected, a UPS will not protect you against a marginal Low voltage situation like 98 Volts, the UPS will pass that 98 volts to the receiver.

I say this because I have seen it first hand, the receiver in question a HR21 was connected to a 1200 Watt APC UPS and the mains dropped to 98 volts every time the owner used the Washer or Dryer. This caused the receiver to either do wierd things or to Reset itself. We eventually fixed the problem by adding a Triplite Voltage Stabilizer, that was after calling the power company and getting a song and dance story about needing to upgrade the areas power and he knew that was just never going to happen so he just bought the Triplite on my recommendation.

[Rich]

No, just component at the moment.

Mike

Mike, you have me thoroughly confused. I gather you switched to component wires. What happened?

Rich

[Richierich]

Well, I have an APC S15 on one of my Home Entertainment Systems and an APC J15 on my other and it has Automatic Voltage Regulation on it along with Line Conditioning and Battery Backup and Surge Protection and I never have had any of these problems other than a couple of hard drive failures on my HR10-250s.

I strongly recommend something similar to protect your equipment and keep it from rebooting, etc. Dirty power or power surges are not good for electronics.

[macmikey]

Mike, you have me thoroughly confused. I gather you switched to component wires. What happened?

Rich

Yes, I was on HDMI and I switched. See my posts above. No Joy. Still does the same thing.

RE: Power issues, nope, have a meter and have checked that pretty thoroughly, just had house upgraded to 200 amp and rewired entire first floor.

Unit is grounded and none of the other DVRs exhibited this behavior. This one is just wrong.

Last one only had fits playing back recordings in that it would freeze or frame by frame in slip30 mode. Never had it tell me it was searching for authorized content.

Thanks for all the info though folks, really like the help.

Mike

[RoberMR]

Ihave an idea for you to try: Instead of hitting the off button on the remote, use the On button which just toggles the TV power on and off, leaving the DVR always on, as opposed to "standbuy" mode which in reality only turns the video and audio signal outputs. I had this situation with an R15 a while back. Leaving the DVR ON all the time adds no wear and tear on it since the hard disk is always running as long as it's plugged in anyways.

Good Luck,
Rob

[Mike Bertelson]

Yes, I was on HDMI and I switched. See my posts above. No Joy. Still does the same thing.

RE: Power issues, nope, have a meter and have checked that pretty thoroughly, just had house upgraded to 200 amp and rewired entire first floor.

Unit is grounded and none of the other DVRs exhibited this behavior. This one is just wrong.

Last one only had fits playing back recordings in that it would freeze or frame by frame in slip30 mode. Never had it tell me it was searching for authorized content.

Thanks for all the info though folks, really like the help.

MikeHow are the signal strengths to that unit?

Menu->Parental, Fav's & Setup->System Setup->Reset->Sat & Ant>View Signal Strength
Satellite transponders (32 total at 101°)
1-8 # # # # # # # #
9-16 # # # # # # # #
17-24 # # # # # # # #
25-32 # # # # # # # #

Satellite transponders (3 total at 110°)
1-8 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA #
9-16 NA # NA # NA NA NA NA

Satellite transponders (11 total at 119°)
17-24 NA NA NA NA NA # # #
25-32 # # # # # # # #

Satellite transponders (6 total at 99°(s))
1-8 # # # # # # NA NA
[Note: these can be very slow to appear]

Satellite transponders (16 total at 103°(s))
1-8 # # # # # # NA NA
9-16 NA NA NA NA NA NA # #
17-24 # # # # # # # #
[Note, these can be very slow to appear]

Satellite transponders (16 total at 103°(c))
1-8 # # # # # # # #
9-16 # # # # # # NA NA
17-24 # NA NA NA NA # NA NA

Also what is the internal temperature?

Mike

[BattleScott]

Yes, I was on HDMI and I switched. See my posts above. No Joy. Still does the same thing.

RE: Power issues, nope, have a meter and have checked that pretty thoroughly, just had house upgraded to 200 amp and rewired entire first floor.

Unit is grounded and none of the other DVRs exhibited this behavior. This one is just wrong.

Last one only had fits playing back recordings in that it would freeze or frame by frame in slip30 mode. Never had it tell me it was searching for authorized content.

Thanks for all the info though folks, really like the help.

Mike

Have you tested the suspect DVR in one of the other receiver locations?

[Greg Alsobrook]

Just for fun, you may want to try refreshing your services online if you haven't done so already...

https://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/login/login.jsp?_requestid=271864

[evans5150]

I have an HR21-700 (just got it as a replacement for a faulty HR20-100: HDMI output went bad). As long as I leave the unit on 24/7, it is flawless. If I turn it off and then back on again, it will reset itself (as if it was a red button reset). I just leave it on all the time now.

[macmikey]

I tried to leave it on and while it was on, it was recording Lost on SciFi.

I came back from dinner and went to watch the show. Started the show and it locked up the DVR. I had to choose another channel to get out of the DVR show, and then went back to SciFi to watch the show.

I paused it for while and went in the other room, Came back about 15 minutes later and it started to play. I wanted to go back a little further so I pressed rewind and it started to go back, but only until the point where it was paused. Beyond that it kept going but screen was black. Remember, I watched this whole time. I tried to play, but it kept rewinding, right into the show before it and kept going. I had to reset, again, and I am now watching the shows live.

I do not think moving this will help at all. I had another HR21-700 just 3 days ago and I could easily watch anything anytime without issues. It just froze and had other issues randomly. This is a very specific problem with recording.

Mike

[bonscott87]

Sounds like either a bad hard drive or it's overheating. Overheating is easy enough to check (check the temp when it's freezing up). If it's not that I'd say bad hard drive.

[rahlquist]

Ok to have such significant and diverse issues I would seriously consider environment myself.

Is the DVR getting too hot as bonscott87 suggested? Is it in a hole? Or out in the open? Is this DVR sitting on around or near any other component? Namely is it within a few inches of a speaker, the TV anything else? Is the dish properly grounded?

[macmikey]

Just for fun, you may want to try refreshing your services online if you haven't done so already...

https://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/login/login.jsp?_requestid=271864

Each time I click on that link I get a different page. What am I looking for here? Can't seem to locate anything related to refresh services.
Mike

[macmikey]

Ok to have such significant and diverse issues I would seriously consider environment myself.

Is the DVR getting too hot as bonscott87 suggested? Is it in a hole? Or out in the open? Is this DVR sitting on around or near any other component? Namely is it within a few inches of a speaker, the TV anything else? Is the dish properly grounded?

Can't agree on environment. I have it sitting atop my Receiver actually sitting on 4 ceramic tiles to allow plenty of air space under it. A small fan is running next to them, about a foot away slowly blowing air across both units.

My speakers are wall mounted and are computer shielded (used for computer surround sound).

Unit is not hot, not so much as I would worry. My MacBook Pro gets hotter to the touch than this is.

It is right next to the TV, but this is the same position my HR20-100, the previous HR21-700 were in. The HR20-100 was flawless and I like it alot. It never had these issues in the exact same environ.

I can't get over this being a defective unit. Until I get another credible answer, I just want it replaced.

Waiting for the Escalation to take over to get anything done.

Mike

[macmikey]

Oooh, thought I found the issue.

I was tooling around in the Parental Settings and noticed that there were blocks on some settings, like NC-17 and X on movies and TV-MA on TV. Reset those to allow all, then saw in settings summary that Network was not connected to Internet, although was connected successfully to my home net. Fixed that as well.

I am going to try a recording now because if TV-MA was blocked, and Lost, NCIS, and I think Simpsons are sometimes rated TV-MA. If it recorded it and I was not authorized to play that rating, would it do this?

I will find out by recording a show tv-MA and see if it allows me to play it back.

Also, one other thing I noticed... Network Services. Had an error 202. It could not start them. Do I need them?

Mike

[Mike Bertelson]

What does the unit say the internal temp is?

Mike

[Richierich]

You don't need Network Services at this time. You just need to be able to be connected to the Internet.

[macmikey]

What does the unit say the internal temp is?

Mike

113º

Mike

[macmikey]

You don't need Network Services at this time. You just need to be able to be connected to the Internet.

Ok. Was not sure. Network and Internet check out OK.



Mike

[Thaedron]

I have seen others suggest removing the troubled unit from any network connectivity entirely.

To eliminate any possible extra variables, can you remove anything not critical to watching and recording TV? Remove network and phone connections, keep only sat inputs, power and audio/video outputs.

[TimGoodwin]

Ok. Was not sure. Network and Internet check out OK.



Mike


Maybe try disconnecting the network cable for a couple of days and see what happens?

[Richierich]

If they are removing it entirely it is probably to relieve any static electricity buildup that can cause the unit to malfunction.

[psweig]

Most likely you have a voltage problem, refer to post at the begining making sure that the unit is properly grounded and that your mains voltage is between 110 and 120 Volts. Even if you have a UPS connected, a UPS will not protect you against a marginal Low voltage situation like 98 Volts, the UPS will pass that 98 volts to the receiver.

I say this because I have seen it first hand, the receiver in question a HR21 was connected to a 1200 Watt APC UPS and the mains dropped to 98 volts every time the owner used the Washer or Dryer. This caused the receiver to either do wierd things or to Reset itself. We eventually fixed the problem by adding a Triplite Voltage Stabilizer, that was after calling the power company and getting a song and dance story about needing to upgrade the areas power and he knew that was just never going to happen so he just bought the Triplite on my recommendation.

There are UPSs and then there are UPSs; some come with a voltage stabilizer and some don't. You need to read the fine print.

[Rich]

Most likely you have a voltage problem, refer to post at the begining making sure that the unit is properly grounded and that your mains voltage is between 110 and 120 Volts. Even if you have a UPS connected, a UPS will not protect you against a marginal Low voltage situation like 98 Volts, the UPS will pass that 98 volts to the receiver.

I say this because I have seen it first hand, the receiver in question a HR21 was connected to a 1200 Watt APC UPS and the mains dropped to 98 volts every time the owner used the Washer or Dryer. This caused the receiver to either do wierd things or to Reset itself. We eventually fixed the problem by adding a Triplite Voltage Stabilizer, that was after calling the power company and getting a song and dance story about needing to upgrade the areas power and he knew that was just never going to happen so he just bought the Triplite on my recommendation.

And what you did was mask an electrical problem that might very well cause a catastrophe. That is not what a UPS is meant for. Sounds as if a new service might be in order. No way a washer should pull the voltage down in a house or circuit. The dryer I can understand, but that is an indication of an overloaded electrical system. What size service is in the dwelling, a 60Amp? You'll have to look at the main breaker box to determine the amperage.

Rich

[dreadlk]

I did not say a UPS, I said a Voltage Stabilizer, and BTW I told him thay he needed to fix his voltage and explained the dangers, he says he is getting it done so I left it at that. BTW low voltage is not usually a case of a home having overloaded voltage, most times its the utilities companies street transformer that is overloaded.


And what you did was mask an electrical problem that might very well cause a catastrophe. That is not what a UPS is meant for. Sounds as if a new service might be in order. No way a washer should pull the voltage down in a house or circuit. The dryer I can understand, but that is an indication of an overloaded electrical system. What size service is in the dwelling, a 60Amp? You'll have to look at the main breaker box to determine the amperage.

Rich

[Richierich]

I have an APC S15 & J15 Battery Backup and they both have Automatic Voltage Regulation as well as Line Conditioning and Surge Protection.

[dreadlk]

I 100% agree! Problem is that 99.9% of people just buy a simple APC unit from circuit city etc and they think it will correct a NOMINAL low voltage when it won't.

There are UPSs and then there are UPSs; some come with a voltage stabilizer and some don't. You need to read the fine print.

[dreadlk]

Be carefull with that assumption;)
Almost all good APC ups's like the "Smart series" have voltage stabilization, but that stabilization cuts in at like below 82V or above 140V any voltage in between that passes directly to the HR2x

A dedicated voltage stabilizer or a very good UPS will keep the voltage constant if it moves by +/- even 5 volts from set point.


I have an APC S15 & J15 Battery Backup and they both have Automatic Voltage Regulation as well as Line Conditioning and Surge Protection.

[Richierich]

My APC units allow you to choose the range and mine is alot less than that.

I will have to check them to see exactly what my range is but I know it is alot higher than 82V and alot lower than 140V because it is designed for Home Theater System.

[macmikey]

Hi,
I spoke with DTV again today because they said 72 hours. The rep I spoke with said this is a known issue with ALL the HR DVR's and it could be as long as 2 months before I see any relief. They cannot figure out why some units exhibit this and others do not.

The will not replace the unit, nor will they send a rep out to my house until this is resolved.

I am getting a room together in my basement and I will need another HD DVR for the Flat Panel I am getting and I am a little leery about asking for one. They may not even give me one until this is done with.

Mike

[veryoldschool]

My APC units allow you to choose the range and mine is alot less than that.

I will have to check them to see exactly what my range is but I know it is alot higher than 82V and alot lower than 140V because it is designed for Home Theater System.
If yours are like mine, "those settings" are where it trips off line and goes to battery.
I had an over-voltage condition that taught me that. Lights on, everything working, but my APC would stay on-line.

[veryoldschool]

Hi,
I spoke with DTV again today because they said 72 hours. The rep I spoke with said this is a known issue with ALL the HR DVR's and it could be as long as 2 months before I see any relief. They cannot figure out why some units exhibit this and others do not.

The will not replace the unit, nor will they send a rep out to my house until this is resolved.

I am getting a room together in my basement and I will need another HD DVR for the Flat Panel I am getting and I am a little leery about asking for one. They may not even give me one until this is done with.

Mike
I smell BS.
While I don't have a HR21-700, I do have 2 HR20-700s & a HR21-200. None of them have your problem [ever].

[bpratt]

I smell BS.
While I don't have a HR21-700, I do have 2 HR20-700s & a HR21-200. None of them have your problem [ever].

Me too. I have 2 HR21-700s and have never had any of your problems since I got them nearly a year ago.

[bonscott87]

Hi,
I spoke with DTV again today because they said 72 hours. The rep I spoke with said this is a known issue with ALL the HR DVR's and it could be as long as 2 months before I see any relief. They cannot figure out why some units exhibit this and others do not.

The will not replace the unit, nor will they send a rep out to my house until this is resolved.

I am getting a room together in my basement and I will need another HD DVR for the Flat Panel I am getting and I am a little leery about asking for one. They may not even give me one until this is done with.

Mike

That's just typical CSR BS. Wait a few days and then call up and say it shut off and won't start up. Let them go thru their call script and say it still won't boot up. You'll have a new unit on the way quick enough.

[Mike Bertelson]

Hi,
I spoke with DTV again today because they said 72 hours. The rep I spoke with said this is a known issue with ALL the HR DVR's and it could be as long as 2 months before I see any relief. They cannot figure out why some units exhibit this and others do not.

The will not replace the unit, nor will they send a rep out to my house until this is resolved.

I am getting a room together in my basement and I will need another HD DVR for the Flat Panel I am getting and I am a little leery about asking for one. They may not even give me one until this is done with.

MikeI don't think that CSR is correct. I have 3 HR2x's and they are fine. Further, we would be seeing more of your problems on the forum but we're not.

I did have some issue like yours but it was the hard drive. I connected an eSATA drive and that fixed the problem. I seem to remember(from other threads) that you have an eSATA drive. Could you connect it to test the hard drive?

Mike

[dreadlk]

I agree also, it's total BS.
Just tell them the unit is dead.

[macmikey]

I don't think that CSR is correct. I have 3 HR2x's and they are fine. Further, we would be seeing more of your problems on the forum but we're not.

I did have some issue like yours but it was the hard drive. I connected an eSATA drive and that fixed the problem. I seem to remember(from other threads) that you have an eSATA drive. Could you connect it to test the hard drive?

Mike

Yeah, I considered the esata. But it is my Time Machine backup now and I am a little unsure of deleting all that just to test this.

Yes, I agree it is BS what they are telling me. 2 months and maybe I won't call and bitch about it. I only found a few threads on different sites that mentioned this, and they were all from late 2007 and earlier.

My GF is mad and she says get Comcast and be done with this. I am more of the it died method. They will have to get me another one or lose me.

Mike

[Richierich]

Call Directv and tell them the unit died and you need another one pronto. If they don't agree tell them you want to talk to the Retention Dept. before you cancel your Directv service.

That should get their attention and Retention has more authority to do things than the Front Line Level One CSRs. They gave me one year of HD EXTRA PACK and 3 months of Game Lounge FREE for the aggravation they caused me and refunded me several months of the HD EXTRA PACK charge that they errroneously charged me.

She (being an older & more experienced CSR) admitted that they have younger more zealous CSRs that don't always treat the customer as they should and they appreciated my business.

[macmikey]

tried my eSATA drive anyway just for ha has. No joy. It saw it and used it, but same message when I tried to playback.

So, I'll call them on Monday to give them a little time to 'fix' this.

Mike

[Richierich]

I would call them right now and complain about your box dying and you need a DVR right away to watch Football!!! Ask for Customer Retention as they do not like to lose customers!!!

[Mike Bertelson]

tried my eSATA drive anyway just for ha has. No joy. It saw it and used it, but same message when I tried to playback.

So, I'll call them on Monday to give them a little time to 'fix' this.

MikeIf that drive was from another DVR, you won't be able to play any of those recordings.

Mike

[macmikey]

If that drive was from another DVR, you won't be able to play any of those recordings.

Mike

No, it was on my Mac.

Still did not work.

Mike

[macmikey]

Just an update on my saga...

I turned on the DVR the other day (last week actually) and it was completely dead. Lights on but nobody home. It would not do anything, screen was just blue.

Did the resets, unplugged, everything, it was gone.

So, I called and emailed to Customer Service because they had said no replacement/no service calls and in both told them it was not working at all now.

Long story - short... The rep I spoke with acknowledged they do have an issue with some HR series and this HD problem. It is not widespread, but enough of them to make them wonder. She agreed to send me another unit and I got an HR20-100, the same one I had earlier that was working great before they took it.

It has been working great and is now downloading the new software, albeit slowly, and has recorded and handled my schedules as expected.

Now, if I could only get Comedy Central to properly list their John Stewart and Colbert shows so they do not show up as new 4 times or more every day. Makes recording them a bitch because I have to keep deleting the extras from the to-do list.

Otherwise, I am back being a happy camper.

Mike

[Richierich]

The way things are listed has to do with what Zap2It puts in their Guide Data and whether or not Directv keeps all of that data intact or skinnies it down to save room.

I think Directv is trimming some of the data and that may be the problem but that is just my hypothesis.

[macmikey]

I wish it were better, but I just keep an eye on it.

Having 4-6 copies of each show is just, well silly.

Thanks though, makes sense.

Mike

[Richierich]

I had an Autorecord for Golf skip the 3:00 P.M. airing and Mark the 9:00 P.M. airing for Recording which I had to change so they need to work on this BIG TIME!!!

[bonscott87]

The way things are listed has to do with what Zap2It puts in their Guide Data and whether or not Directv keeps all of that data intact or skinnies it down to save room.

I think Directv is trimming some of the data and that may be the problem but that is just my hypothesis.

Nope, nothing to do with DirecTV. This has been a problem for years on Tivo and Dish DVRs as well. Comedy Central just has bad guide data and they don't care enough to fix it. If you can search the Tivo forum archives back to 2002 and 2003 you can find lots of threads on this.

[putty469]

I use a manual recording to take care of the problem. It's in re-runs until January 5th, so you have some time to practice. You might also check On Demand (channel 1000 if you have the HR* connected to the INternet) to see if they are doing daily downloads of the newest episodes.

[Richierich]

Well, my HR10-250 is alot more intuitive when it comes to WishList or Autorecord using the Search Function than my HR21-700s or my HR20-700 because it has more Guide data to use for the search argument. So there is a difference because my HR10-250 records it perfectly and my HR21-700s need 3 or 4 different Searches to get it right.

[bonscott87]

Well, my HR10-250 is alot more intuitive when it comes to WishList or Autorecord using the Search Function than my HR21-700s or my HR20-700 because it has more Guide data to use for the search argument. So there is a difference because my HR10-250 records it perfectly and my HR21-700s need 3 or 4 different Searches to get it right.

Well, the Tivo wishlist is superior to the HR2x search in many ways so the wishlist being better is no surprise. Tivo also used to "enhance" the guide data in ways (extra actors, etc). But they never "fixed" bad guide data. Like I said, channels like Comedy Central and MTV have had bad guide data for the better part of this decade and looooong before the HR2x was even though of.

[Richierich]

Thanks, Scott for your info!

[prospero63]

Further, we would be seeing more of your problems on the forum but we're not.

Er... people complain on an almost DAILY basis about this on the forum. :confused:

[shaka999]

I was just reading over this thread because I went through a similar issue 4 months back and DTV could not figure out what was going on. I went through 3 DVRs and they all would freeze up eventually.

What I found is that disconnecting my network cable "fixed" the issue. I ran until just recently because I really wanted to share with my PC. So far I haven't froze but its only been a couple days.

I will say in my discussions with DTV and the installers (who they kept sending back and couldn't find any problems) that they are having problems in general with the HD DVRs. I can only speak from by experience and my personal discussions but I'm convinced that all is not happy with these units.

[hasan]

I was just reading over this thread because I went through a similar issue 4 months back and DTV could not figure out what was going on. I went through 3 DVRs and they all would freeze up eventually.

What I found is that disconnecting my network cable "fixed" the issue. I ran until just recently because I really wanted to share with my PC. So far I haven't froze but its only been a couple days.

I will say in my discussions with DTV and the installers (who they kept sending back and couldn't find any problems) that they are having problems in general with the HD DVRs. I can only speak from by experience and my personal discussions but I'm convinced that all is not happy with these units.

Of course all is not happy, but the vast majority of users who report here are having a pretty good experience. With the number of units out there, and the combination of bug fixing and new features, (not to mention normal distribution manufacturing defects/component failures), there are going to be issues off and on. Some will be widespread (typically firmware or guide data stream related), and others highly particularistic. It's the price we pay for what we have. I'm quite willing to pay it. Having 3 DVR's (each a different model), and one HD receiver only, my experience has been very positive, over a period of two years.

Then again, I'm tolerant of a "development" environment....actually, I enjoy it. I must not be alone, as the two general polls that have been done since I've been here showed very similar results: > 80% satisfied...not ultimately, the box is finished "satisfied", but happy with the way things are going and anticipating things getting better and better. In the time I've been here, that has been the case for me. YMMV:)

[macmikey]

The HR20-100 has started acting up. This time (mentioned in another thread) it is pixelating recorded shows on some channels.

It also froze up on me and refused to reboot, had to do a complete reset, format drive, etc...

Called D'TV and they are sending a tech out to look over entire install (I hope, most just look around and then leave if the picture shows up).

I am just getting fed up and hope they can resolve this.

sigh

Mike

[Richierich]

How full is your DVR? How much available space is left?

If close to full I would start deleting shows to see if that helps along with a Menu Reset.

[davring]

The HR20-100 has started acting up. This time (mentioned in another thread) it is pixelating recorded shows on some channels.


Called D'TV and they are sending a tech out to look over entire install

Mike

I would highly suspect an installation problem is the cause of all your past issues.

[macmikey]

How full is your DVR? How much available space is left?

If close to full I would start deleting shows to see if that helps along with a Menu Reset.

Right now, only 12% used.

Not much more than that is ever used, because I watch then delete.

Mike