Anyone else noticing constant dropouts,stops and stutters when watching recorded prog

[Mrmiami]

Seems now for the past few months with my 20-700 DVR everytime I start a program that I've recorded the unit starts making this noise like it's spooling something down or something like that. I can only descibe the noise as like a mild grinding noise or like a noise a cassette tape rewinding would make. When it starts doing this and throughout the whole process of the noise it's making I am getting contants dropouts,freezes,stops,stutters and losing 2-4 spoken words of content. I can honestly say I have not had one single "perfect" recording of anything I DVR'ed in over 4 months and it's getting pretty darn old now.

Is this something that is normal and perhaps a built in trigger for DTV to download new guide info? Are both of my 20-700's tanking?-even though they are one year apart in age?, or is this normal OP for these units? If it is on D* part why not just download/update the guide at say 2-4am. If no one else notices this then perhaps I'm being too fussy about wanting to watch a program without these gliches. On several occasions I have watched the program being recorded live w/o gliches so I already know it wasn't the broadcasters fault.

[The Merg]

I've reported in the past with my R22-100 that when performing playback of a recorded program, the audio seems to be playing at a high-rate of speed for a couple of seconds and then all of a sudden becomes in synch with the video. This would only happen at the very beginning of a recorded show, but as of recently I haven't noticed the issue.

- Merg

[MarkEHansen]

Seems now for the past few months with my 20-700 DVR everytime I start a program that I've recorded the unit starts making this noise like it's spooling something down or something like that. I can only descibe the noise as like a mild grinding noise or like a noise a cassette tape rewinding would make. When it starts doing this and throughout the whole process of the noise it's making I am getting contants dropouts,freezes,stops,stutters and losing 2-4 spoken words of content. I can honestly say I have not had one single "perfect" recording of anything I DVR'ed in over 4 months and it's getting pretty darn old now.

Is this something that is normal and perhaps a built in trigger for DTV to download new guide info? Are both of my 20-700's tanking?-even though they are one year apart in age?, or is this normal OP for these units? If it is on D* part why not just download/update the guide at say 2-4am. If no one else notices this then perhaps I'm being too fussy about wanting to watch a program without these gliches. On several occasions I have watched the program being recorded live w/o gliches so I already know it wasn't the broadcasters fault.

I would have to say this is not normal. Is it happening on both DVRs (the two paragraphs seems to contradict each other on this point, but perhaps I just misread them)?

It sounds to me like you have a hard drive going out.

The only other thing in there that should be making any sounds is/are the cooling fans. When they're going bad, they can spin up and down like that.

Hopefully, others will be able to provide some better insight.

[gnahc79]

The hard drive is likely going bad. What does the temperature read in the system info?
When you call DTV to get replacements make sure you tell them that when you get the dropouts,freezes, etc the strange sound also starts. Do a receiver reset also before you call (it won't fix the problem). Hopefully doing both of these actions will cut down on the hoops the CSRs make you jump through to get the replacement HDDVRs.

[Mrmiami]

Sorry, I wasn't very clear on that I have 2 of the same type DVR's I have noticed problem on newer 20-700 but since it is not in my main viewing room, it is not the one I watch the most. Perhaps Hard drive is going bad but it does sound like digital info being input to the DVR. Hard to relay/convey sound though internet but it's like digital chirping/writing, if that makes any sense. Sorry I can't explain better :(

[littleguy2]

Only with the menu system.

[MarkEHansen]

Sorry, I wasn't very clear on that I have 2 of the same type DVR's I have noticed problem on newer 20-700 but since it is not in my main viewing room, it is not the one I watch the most. Perhaps Hard drive is going bad but it does sound like digital info being input to the DVR. Hard to relay/convey sound though internet but it's like digital chirping/writing, if that makes any sense. Sorry I can't explain better :(

What does digital info being input to the DVR sound like :lol:

Seriously, that the kind of noise a bad HD makes.

Best Regards,

[rudeney]

The noise is coming from the actual receiver unit and not the TV speakers, right? If so, I think the diagnosis of a failing hard drive is probably most likely.

[Mrmiami]

The noise is coming from the actual receiver unit and not the TV speakers, right? If so, I think the diagnosis of a failing hard drive is probably most likely.

Yes, the sound is coming from the Receiver itself, only when using the DVR to play recorded programs. As soon as it starts the recorded program gets choppy, with dropouts and freezes for a second or two, as if it's attempting to relocate the position it stopped/froze at on the recording before it resumes. Can't or don't want to believe that it could be the hard drive on a unit that's less than 2 years old but it's sounding more and more like that. Unfortunately I do not believe D* produces this receiver anymore and I also use the OTA setup quite a bit since my locales look so much better off the antenna than they do being transmitted by LIL D* service. I hear quite a few complaints about the AM21 add on and I don't think you should have to pay an additional fee for something you've had all along just because of a manufacturer/company decision to not include it in the newer receivers. Isn't there a way to swap out the hard drive? So much for going greener when your throwing away receivers in less than a couple years.

[Mrmiami]

What does digital info being input to the DVR sound like :lol:

Seriously, that the kind of noise a bad HD makes.

Best Regards,

It's kinda like.......chica-chica-chica-clica-clicka-clicka-clicka-cha-cha-cha-clickity-clack-clickity-clack-click-click-click.....See I told you it wasn't easy to explain! lol:rolling:

[rudeney]

Unfortunately, this does sound like a bad drive. You should call D* and get it replaced. If you have the PP, it will be at no charge. If not, they will charge you $19.95 S&H. Either way, this should not have any effect on your service commitment.

Unfortunately, there is no way to guarantee that you actually get another HR20; it's futile to even ask. However, there is a chance that you might - it's just the luck of the draw as to what they pull out of the warehouse and there are plenty of HR20 refurbs floating around.

Once you do get the receiver (and not before - especially not when calling to get it replaced), if it ends up being an HR21/22/23, once you activate it, then call D* and request an AM21. Explain you had an HR20 with OTA and the replacement does not have that capability and you'd like for them to send you the AM21 at no additional charge. The important thing is not to worry about asking for the AM21 until you have an activated HR21/22/23 on your account as their computer system won't let them do anything about it until then.

[eileen22]

Couldn't he add an eSata drive and keep the unit that he has? Wouldn't this correct the problem, if it is indeed the hard drive going bad?

[gnahc79]

Couldn't he add an eSata drive and keep the unit that he has? Wouldn't this correct the problem, if it is indeed the hard drive going bad?

Yes, but why? The OP would just have to pay shipping to have the receivers replaced. Also, it would be a good idea to have a functioning HDDVR whenever the OP decides to cancel DTV and ship the DVRs back to DTV.

[eileen22]

Yes, but why? The OP would just have to pay shipping to have the receivers replaced. Also, it would be a good idea to have a functioning HDDVR whenever the OP decides to cancel DTV and ship the DVRs back to DTV.

It was suggested to me on this forum to add an eSata drive to my HR20-700 with an internal hard drive problem in order to be able to keep this model (I haven't done it yet). Since you can't specify what model you will get from D*, and since the OP indicated that he would like to retain this model, adding an eSata drive is a workaround.

[TBlazer07]

It probably would resolve the problem but since the internal drive is still powered up it will still make those noises unless he opens the box and disconnects the power from it. (YES I KNOW IT'S LEASED and that the wrath of DirecTV, the FBI, and the CIA will come down on anyone who so much as THINKS of breaking the seal so please hold back all the disclaimers! :) ) But the best idea is to get it replaced.

Couldn't he add an eSata drive and keep the unit that he has? Wouldn't this correct the problem, if it is indeed the hard drive going bad?