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View Full Version : Better setup for main TV - HR20 or HR22 + AM21?

aktick
02-06-09, 02:00 PM
I just received an HR22 the other day for my new install. I've been using (and still am, at the old house) an HR20 for a couple years now with no real problems.

However, I'm going to want to get at least some locals OTA (the local weather station, PBS HD, CW HD, none offered via DirecTV).

So, I'm trying to decide whether to move the HR20 to the new house and use it on my main TV (moving the HR22 to a bedroom, where I don't really mind not having those channels in HD, and using a currently unused HR10-250 on the TV at the old house) or just keep the HR22 on the main TV and get an AM21 (and use the old HR10-250 in a bedroom, leaving the HR20 at the old house) for OTA.

What would you suggest?

Thanks. :)
miketorse
02-06-09, 02:09 PM
Well, the HR22 has a bigger hard drive. Is that space important to you at a certain location within your house? I have an AM21 attached to my HR22, and it works great. I've never had a HR20, so I have nothing to compare it to though.
dettxw
02-06-09, 02:37 PM
I know that my two HR20-700s work quite well with OTA. In fact, I never tune or record the LiLs. I use 1TB hard drives so space isn't (too much of) an issue.

I don't have an AM21 but have seen some people complain about them. You could always get one just to have another toy to play with.
hasan
02-06-09, 02:58 PM
I know that my two HR20-700s work quite well with OTA. In fact, I never tune or record the LiLs. I use 1TB hard drives so space isn't (too much of) an issue.

I don't have an AM21 but have seen some people complain about them. You could always get one just to have another toy to play with.

There's nothing per se wrong with the AM21. In fact, the tuner in it is significantly better than those in the HR20-700 (I have both). There are some issues that have been reported with slowdown of some of the HR series with an AM21. I have not had the problem with either an HR21-200 or another unnamed box.
dave29
02-06-09, 03:26 PM
i would put the hr22 w/am21 at the TV that is viewed most, due to the larger recording capacity.
Davenlr
02-06-09, 03:47 PM
For $50 you can get an AM21 for your HR22 or for $99 you can get a 1TB eSATA drive for your HR20. (about 2.5x the usable recording space of a HR22).

Im replacing my HR22/AM21 combo in my living room with my HR20 and Fantom 1TB drive this weekend, because the HR20 is three or four times faster than the hR22-100 on menus, lists, guides, and deleting files. The AM21 is a better tuner (rejects multipath better and is more sensative) but I get all my stations fine on the HR20 so it doesnt matter to me.
aktick
02-06-09, 04:21 PM
Thanks guys...I should mention, that these are actually under 2 separate accounts, so what are they charging nowadays for a new access card?

And the recording space shouldn't be an issue, but I guess more space never hurts.
dave29
02-06-09, 05:43 PM
an access card is $20 i believe, but why do you need one if the hr20 is running and the hr22 is a new install?
aktick
02-06-09, 07:50 PM
an access card is $20 i believe, but why do you need one if the hr20 is running and the hr22 is a new install?

I figured if I was moving the HR20 from the old account to the new one, I'd need to pay a fee for a new access card? Or don't they do that anymore?
Grentz
02-06-09, 08:26 PM
They probably would not let you do that if they are leased. I would just stick with the setup you have, it will be a PITA to deal with switching them between accounts, if possible at all (probably not).