Open letter to D*: Please drop Channel 1

[wilbur_the_goose]

Dear DirecTV:

Please drop channel 1. It's slow, it's in the way, and it doesn't really have any useful information.

I can't tell you how often I'll hit 1 on my remote and the other digits aren't picked up. The HR20 then goes to Channel 1, where the s-l-o-w GUI takes forever to load. While it's doing this, the HR20 is frozen.

To me, Channel 1 is a solution looking for a problem.

Thanks,
Dan

[Stuart Sweet]

I know this is off topic to your post, but if you press the {INFO} button before direct number entry, it will very likely work a bit better for you. I don't know why.

[Indiana627]

I can't tell you how often I'll hit 1 on my remote and the other digits aren't picked up. The HR20 then goes to Channel 1, where the s-l-o-w GUI takes forever to load. While it's doing this, the HR20 is frozen.
This has happened to me too, and it can be a pain.

[bamaweather]

Dear DirecTV:

Please drop channel 1. It's slow, it's in the way, and it doesn't really have any useful information.

I can't tell you how often I'll hit 1 on my remote and the other digits aren't picked up. The HR20 then goes to Channel 1, where the s-l-o-w GUI takes forever to load. While it's doing this, the HR20 is frozen.

To me, Channel 1 is a solution looking for a problem.

Thanks,
Dan

Agreed. Drop it, or move it somewhere else.

[northrk]

Better yet, DirecTV please fix the problems with direct chan number input.

[jefbal99]

I agree, or speed up the GUI (same for all the interactive services, just too slow)

[lwilli201]

No problem here. I rarely, if ever, punch in a number beginning with a "1".

[kocuba]

I know this is off topic to your post, but if you press the {INFO} button before direct number entry, it will very likely work a bit better for you. I don't know why.

But why should he have to?

[RobertE]

I can tell you channel 1 isn't going anywhere.

[smiddy]

Dear DirecTV:

Please drop channel 1. It's slow, it's in the way, and it doesn't really have any useful information.

I can't tell you how often I'll hit 1 on my remote and the other digits aren't picked up. The HR20 then goes to Channel 1, where the s-l-o-w GUI takes forever to load. While it's doing this, the HR20 is frozen.

To me, Channel 1 is a solution looking for a problem.

Thanks,
Dan

:( I have this issue every morning when I tune to channel 206 to watch Sport Center during my workout. I get my local Fox channel, channel 2. It is highly irritating, when your mind is whirling towards starting your workout with the STB not taking a direct input to a station is wickedly funky.

As for channel 1, I'd say don't tune there, but because of the problem with the delayed input thingy, you have no choice it seems, which is what is driving your angst! I'm with RobertE though, I suspect it won't be going anywhere though, so until they fix this issue, you'll be getting channel 1...sorry man. :(

I know this is off topic to your post, but if you press the {INFO} button before direct number entry, it will very likely work a bit better for you. I don't know why.

That is a "work-around" but shouldn't it get fixed? It should work as intended, not with a work-around. :(

Better yet, DirecTV please fix the problems with direct chan number input.

Agreed, make it work as intended.

No problem here. I rarely, if ever, punch in a number beginning with a "1".

I get this similar thing every morning, punching in 206 (I'm not alone on this BTW) and the 2 shows up, then delayed, then changes to channel 2, then 06 show up and then the STB tells me channel not available. I have to be ever so patient to get to 206. It is maddening, and this is right after I get out of bed, which leads into my mental state for the day, this is so agravating, if it wasn't for all the mirrors in my exercise room, I probably throw the danged remote into the wall (which wouldn't fix it, but would make me feel a little better). So then I have an agry workout...wait, maybe that is a good thing towards my motivation in the gym? NO! :lol:

[tonyd79]

I get this similar thing every morning, punching in 206 (I'm not alone on this BTW) and the 2 shows up, then delayed, then changes to channel 2, then 06 show up and then the STB tells me channel not available. I have to be ever so patient to get to 206. It is maddening, and this is right after I get out of bed, which leads into my mental state for the day, this is so agravating, if it wasn't for all the mirrors in my exercise room, I probably throw the danged remote into the wall (which wouldn't fix it, but would make me feel a little better). So then I have an agry workout...wait, maybe that is a good thing towards my motivation in the gym? NO! :lol:

Not an answer to the OP, which the behavior should be fixed but if 206 is a channel you type in every morning, why not just put it in quick tune?

[Herdfan]

Not an answer to the OP, which the behavior should be fixed but if 206 is a channel you type in every morning, why not just put it in quick tune?

Or use autotune or record the show with Keep 1 as the option.

[Stuart Sweet]

I agree with all of you who say that {INFO} is a workaround and DIRECTV ought to just get it right. That being said, I can't control what they do and what they don't, I can only suggest to a few willing ears. So, I offer the workaround in the hope that it will keep you sane while our friends at DIRECTV noodle things over.

[RobertE]

While not a free pass for the channel entering issue, you can retrain yourself to work around it.

As already mentioned, there's quicktune and info.

Another option is to simply adjust your timing. Instead of just mashing buttons on the remote, hit the first one, wait for the box to wake up and respond then enter the remaining numbers.

Yes the lag needs to be addressed, but getting all bent out of shape over it is non-productive.

[Shades228]

Just setup a favorites list and don't have the channel in there.

[ndole]

Just setup a favorites list and don't have the channel in there.

Whamo! My thoughts exactly.

[Drew2k]

Just setup a favorites list and don't have the channel in there.

Whamo! My thoughts exactly.Favorite lists will only block the channel if using Channel Up and Channel Down or listing the channels in the guide - it will not prevent direct tuning to any channel. If you set a favorite list to have exactly one channel, you can never channel up or down but you could key in any sequence and always go there.

Perhaps parental controls would work, but I've never used them and it's ultimately just another kluge instead of a fix...

[Tom Robertson]

There is no doubt that pushing "INFO" first is a workaround. But it at least attacks the heart of the problem rather than cutting off the nose because you have a cold. We can't get rid of all the single digit channels--I've got 6 of them, not counting "1". :)

Cheers,
Tom

[SPACEMAKER]

I'd rather they give me an option to disable the idiotic "action" feature. Trying to pause a show and hitting "action" sucks balls.

[bobnielsen]

I'd rather they give me an option to disable the idiotic "action" feature. Trying to pause a show and hitting "action" sucks balls.

Get a programmable remote and don't include "action".

[Tom Robertson]

Get a programmable remote and don't include "action".

Good programmable remotes, that do DIRECTV RF, are way, way too expensive.

But what does all this have to do with Channel 1? :) (Not a question for Bob by the way.)

Cheers,
Tom

[SPACEMAKER]

Get a programmable remote and don't include "action".

I meant to say the "active" button. I think I will just open up the remote I have and disable the button myself.

Sorry for the OT.

As you were...

[wilbur_the_goose]

Channel 1 is a problem because my NBC is on channel 10. I can't tell you how often I get channel 1 instead of 10. We also have 12 and 17 as locals.

I have 10 in quick tune, but I sometimes forget.

[David MacLeod]

this channel is geared for new subscribers, 1 is easy # to remember.

[2007chevy]

hi i would like to get dtv from canada any suggestions?

[sigma1914]

hi i would like to get dtv from canada any suggestions?

Move. ;)

[philherz]

Or use autotune or record the show with Keep 1 as the option.

Hey, what's autotune?

Don't think I've ever heard of that one.....

[inkahauts]

hi i would like to get dtv from canada any suggestions?

That would be illegal....

[inkahauts]

Hey, what's autotune?

Don't think I've ever heard of that one.....

Pres the up arrow on your remote while your watching tv... You will see a 3 by 3 box come up that you can program in any 9 channels you want for fast access.. just hit the up arrow, select the channel, and your there! (after you enter the channels you want)

[paulman182]

But channel 1 is my favorite channel!

(Not really, but someone had to chime in with that...)

[wilbur_the_goose]

(at least it's not High Def :) )

[harsh]

hi i would like to get dtv from canada any suggestions?Move to the United States where it is legal to receive DIRECTV.

[Justin23]

Pres the up arrow on your remote while your watching tv... You will see a 3 by 3 box come up that you can program in any 9 channels you want for fast access.. just hit the up arrow, select the channel, and your there! (after you enter the channels you want)

I think that's called Quicktune.....I believe AutoTune is only on the standard non-DVR receivers to automatically tune to a particular channel at a specified time. Kind of like a reminder.

J

[joed32]

What is on channel 1 ? I didn't know there was a channel 1 until now.

[Stuart Sweet]

It's the new customer service channel. An ITV-enabled version of what used to be on 201.

[philherz]

I think that's called Quicktune.....I believe AutoTune is only on the standard non-DVR receivers to automatically tune to a particular channel at a specified time. Kind of like a reminder.

J

That explains it...I already use Quicktune....thought AutoTune might be something for my car at PepBoys!!?? ;)

[ronsanjim]

Leave it right where it is. Not eveyone is as smart as some of us think we are.

[joed32]

It's the new customer service channel. An ITV-enabled version of what used to be on 201.

Thanks Stuart!

[Erocwolverine]

Why not if you do not like the channel go into your favorites and take it off your list? Just a thought.

That is what I do with many channels I do not want such as the PPV, shopping channels and also the channels I do not like or have.

Dear DirecTV:

Please drop channel 1. It's slow, it's in the way, and it doesn't really have any useful information.

I can't tell you how often I'll hit 1 on my remote and the other digits aren't picked up. The HR20 then goes to Channel 1, where the s-l-o-w GUI takes forever to load. While it's doing this, the HR20 is frozen.

To me, Channel 1 is a solution looking for a problem.

Thanks,
Dan

[Stuart Sweet]

Unfortunately taking something off the favorites list doesn't stop you from accessing it via direct number entry.

[morbid_fun]

I like channel 1, but the channel should be more useful. I think channel one would be better for me if DirecTV allowed us to use the internet connection to access account info from the channel. Maybe change programming and other account actions.

[wilbur_the_goose]

The real issue is that a switch to Channel 1 will freeze your HR* for about a minute as it loads its code. Same issue when using the "Active" button.