HD DVR due mid AUGUST IN L.A!

[ralphfurley]

not sure if this has been posted...story from TVWEEK.COM

" The devices will hit Los Angeles in August and roll out in other major markets in subsequent weeks, DirecTV spokesman Robert Mercer said. The timeline is more specific than past "fall" deadlines previously announced by the News Corp.-owned company. Last week, critics ranging from a Wall Street analyst to frustrated subscribers voiced irritation with the delays in introducing the HD DVRs."

http://www.tvweek.com/page.cms?pageId=202


commence breath-holding ...now!

[Earl Bonovich]

Thank you ralphfurley, I was waiting for it to finally post.
This is the formal release that I eluded to yesterday....

[DCSholtis]

WOOHOOOOOOO!!!!!! Finally good news about this box!!

[Smthkd]

Why "ONLY" LA?????

[Earl Bonovich]

WOOHOOOOOOO!!!!!! Finally good news about this box!!

What do you mean finally? :D :D :D
I said a couple weeks ago that it would be in August.....

I guess no one believes me... :(
I'm just a shill... a lonely little shill... sitting on capital hill....
When do I get to be a law?

[5 year old voice]
I am going to take my keyboard and go home....
[/end voice]

just kidding

[Earl Bonovich]

Why "ONLY" LA?????

Initial market rollout... not uncommon... LA is usually their starting point for most things new..... (Also one of their main offices is in the LA area)

[Smthkd]

Ahhh! I see. Well, still GOOD NEWS INDEED!

[dan8379]

So I would assume that at that point they'll announce how the upgrade program (from the HR10-250) will work? Hopefully this will be a formal policy and not something that you have to call 3 different CSR's to be able to get.

[cabanaboy1977]

Hmmm... I sence that Earl will be on of those people in LA :D

[crimsonblake]

If I don't get one of these by Sept 2nd (first weekend of college football) I'm gonna be pissed. I can't believe they are going to start with major markets first, why not just sell them on a first come first serve basis, what does it matter where the people live.

[naldoron]

As long as I can get it by the start of NFL season -- any word on what the swap out program will be for those us with a HR10-250 currectly.

[Earl Bonovich]

There is no information yet on the upgrade path or $$ of the unit.

[cabanaboy1977]

I can't believe they are going to start with major markets first, why not just sell them on a first come first serve basis, what does it matter where the people live.

I guess it's to cover there butts, just incase something happens they didn't find. If something goes wrong they can stop releasing them untill they fix the problem.

[Smthkd]

Well, all I have to say is I all ready signed up for a 2yr Agreement when I got my H20 and AT9 Dish. I'm not going to renew another for the HD DVR nor am I going to pay another upgrade fee. I'd better get a free swap commitmentless or I will be calling E*!

[ScoBuck]

Well, all I have to say is I all ready signed up for a 2yr Agreement when I got my H20 and AT9 Dish. I'm not going to renew another for the HD DVR nor am I going to pay another upgrade fee. I'd better get a free swap commitmentless or I will be calling E*!

And the point is? You had to be aware that this was coming out at or around this time. What's changed? Just not understanding what you are driving at really.

[DCSholtis]

What do you mean finally? :D :D :D
I said a couple weeks ago that it would be in August.....

I guess no one believes me... :(
I'm just a shill... a lonely little shill... sitting on capital hill....
When do I get to be a law?

[5 year old voice]
I am going to take my keyboard and go home....
[/end voice]

just kidding

So YOU are the voice behind Directv HD DVR Rock eh. :D

[Earl Bonovich]

Who me?

No... I am the one in front of the rock that get to stick his foot out and take all the punches from the other rocks, before the big rock decides to use his bull-horn... :)

[HockeyKat]

Yay!!! I can't wait to check this thing out! Will we be able to pick it up from places like BestBuy, like we did the R15?


Gotta get going on running another line upstairs so I can take my R15 and H20 up there. Here's my motivation. :)

[tfederov]

Earl,

I know I'm beating a dead horse, but has it been confirmed live dual buffers will not be part of the introduction? If they are I'd be willing to be one of the first to make the jump.

[DCSholtis]

Who me?

No... I am the one in front of the rock that get to stick his foot out and take all the punches from the other rocks, before the big rock decides to use his bull-horn... :)

:D:lol:

[Earl Bonovich]

Yay!!! I can't wait to check this thing out! Will we be able to pick it up from places like BestBuy, like we did the R15?


Gotta get going on running another line upstairs so I can take my R15 and H20 up there. Here's my motivation. :)


I don't know how the LA Market rollout is going to work...
But I can't see why you won't be able to get one from BB in the long run.

[Earl Bonovich]

Earl,

I know I'm beating a dead horse, but has it been confirmed live dual buffers will not be part of the introduction? If they are I'd be willing to be one of the first to make the jump.

I don't know either way.... for certain.
But I would have to lean on the negative side of that fence... if I had to pick a side today.

[Maik]

I don't know either way.... for certain.
But I would have to lean on the negative side of that fence... if I had to pick a side today.
What makes you think there will not be dual buffers?

Is that pure speculation? Or do you have any real knowledge regarding it?

[Smthkd]

And the point is? You had to be aware that this was coming out at or around this time. What's changed? Just not understanding what you are driving at really.
My point is, I was told the upgrade to the H20 was going to be free, but instead I was charged $99 for the upgrade and another $99 to replace my 2nd HD receiver. In essence I paid $198 and commited to a 2 year contract after I was told it was going to free by 5 CSR and 2 Supervisors. I was told the same story for my HDTivo, but this time I am "NOT" going to pay for any upgrade again nor commit to another contract! I was told it was going to be free before and after I bought my HDTivo and I expect it to be so when its time to exchange. :rolleyes:

[Earl Bonovich]

What makes you think there will not be dual buffers?

Is that pure speculation? Or do you have any real knowledge regarding it?


Is is "educated" speculation... based on some of the reasons why there are no dual live buffers on the R15... I am applying the same theories to the HR20..

Hence why I am not definitively saying they don't have dual life buffers... but again... I wouldn't coun't on it...

[dan8379]

I wonder if they keep track of how much people paid for the HR10-250 and will use that to determine cost of upgrade? I hope not, since I got mine for free. I would think that would be kind of a pain, but I could see them doing something like that.

[Earl Bonovich]

I don't think so... as they never asked me what I paid for it... (I paid $899 at launch time).... So they don't know if I paid $1200 (like others did), or free...

They will probably base any of it on the length of time you have had the unit, and the standing of your account... if they base it off anything.

[harsh]

I guess it's to cover there butts, just incase something happens they didn't find. If something goes wrong they can stop releasing them untill they fix the problem.They also don't need to have a bunch of units floating around the country in freight trucks while they are trying to do a launch.

The big fault that I find with this approach is that LA doesn't need the HR20 like 33 of the other markets do. They probably don't have many AT-9s installed there either.

They should have chosen an MPEG4 market with a worthwhile football team.

[joed32]

OK Earl now you are officially a "law" , or the law. You have been saying August so I had an AT9 installed on Tuesday to get ready. Can't wait for the details.

[Earl Bonovich]

:) Thank you...

Those lines I typed where an attempt to be like SchooHouse Rock's... I'm a bill... on capital hill... :)

[dagztwo3]

I'm just waiting for the first person in LA to report what the upgrade and install fee is going to be for current hr10-250 owners.

Also, I'm wondering how backed up installers are going to be once it rolls out to my market.

[pdawg17]

Just to clarify, only one buffer means I cannot go back and forth from one live program to the other keeping each one paused (for example, there might be two games on and when I catch up to "live" on one, I like to hit pause and switch to the other game until I catch up on that one and then pause and switch back again - I hope that made sense)...if that's correct then that REALLY stinks...

[gregftlaud]

i wonder how those of us outside the LA market will find out or be notified by dtv when they will start providing the new hd dvr in each of our markets? i'm waiting to upgrade until the new hd dvr comes out since i get my locals just fine via ota.

[Earl Bonovich]

Just to clarify, only one buffer means I cannot go back and forth from one live program to the other keeping each one paused (for example, there might be two games on and when I catch up to "live" on one, I like to hit pause and switch to the other game until I catch up on that one and then pause and switch back again - I hope that made sense)...if that's correct then that REALLY stinks...


That would be correct.

[pdawg17]

That would be correct.

Do you know if a software update could add 2 live buffers or is it somehow a hardware thing?

[Earl Bonovich]

I can't say 100%... but since it can record two things at once, I would say it is probably NOT a hardware thing

[Doug Brott]

Good to hear that this thing is on it's way. The new HD-DVR will be different than our current HR10-250 systems; one can only hope that that's not a bad thing.

[harley3k]

From the article:

Mr. Mercer said the set-top box is going through final testing and that it will exceed expectations. "The box has performed magnificently in tests," he said. "It's going to be a fantastic product."

They have high hopes, if they're saying it will exceed expectations. I haven't heard that it will do anything more than the HR10-250, except for MPeg4. In fact it may have only one OTA tuner, and one live buffer, so that seems like less functionality to me.

I have a new samsung LCD HDTV in the bedroom still waiting for a HD-DVR. My expectations are pretty high for this thing. I could have several FIOS HD-DVRs installed for free within a couple of weeks, lower monthly bill, with more HD Channels than D* offers, and wouldn't have a need for a new dish install or a second cable run to the bedroom. Seriously, what am I thinking? I should order it now, and suspend my D* sub until the HR20 bugs are cleaned up and/or the HMC comes out ;)

-h

[KCWolfPck]

I could have several FIOS HD-DVRs installed for free within a couple of weeks, lower monthly bill, with more HD Channels than D* offers, and wouldn't have a need for a new dish install or a second cable run to the bedroom. Seriously, what am I thinking? I should order it now, and suspend my D* sub until the HR20 bugs are cleaned up and/or the HMC comes out ;)

-h

That's just NOT an option for us football fans. Especially at this time of year.

[Wolffpack]

From the article:

Mr. Mercer said the set-top box is going through final testing and that it will exceed expectations. "The box has performed magnificently in tests," he said. "It's going to be a fantastic product."
Well, not to seem too negative here, but I recall that not so long ago another DTV honcho stated that the R15 "was completely debugged". It's all relative.

[tds4182]

. . .I could have several FIOS HD-DVRs installed for free within a couple of weeks, lower monthly bill, with more HD Channels than D* offers, and wouldn't have a need for a new dish install or a second cable run to the bedroom.


-h[/QUOTE]


I've seen FIOS in action on a friend's TV in Plano. Unless you're a die hard NFL fan who just has to have his NFLST in HD from D*, I'd jump on the FIOS option in less than a heartbeat.

[Herdfan]

From the article:

Mr. Mercer said the set-top box is going through final testing and that it will exceed expectations. "The box has performed magnificently in tests," he said. "It's going to be a fantastic product."
Someone refresh my memory, but didn't he (Mercer) say something else in a Press Release that was totally false. It seems it was in the last year or so. He got hammered pretty bad over on TCF over it.

[Kash76]

My point is, I was told the upgrade to the H20 was going to be free, but instead I was charged $99 for the upgrade and another $99 to replace my 2nd HD receiver. In essence I paid $198 and commited to a 2 year contract after I was told it was going to free by 5 CSR and 2 Supervisors. I was told the same story for my HDTivo, but this time I am "NOT" going to pay for any upgrade again nor commit to another contract! I was told it was going to be free before and after I bought my HDTivo and I expect it to be so when its time to exchange. :rolleyes:


I agree. When I signed up for my 10-250 I was told this would support all future HD content. I'm not paying a penny and if they don't agree then they WILL void my 2 year deal.

[Earl Bonovich]

I agree. When I signed up for my 10-250 I was told this would support all future HD content. I'm not paying a penny and if they don't agree then they WILL void my 2 year deal.

When did you get your HR10-250? it has been known for almost a year that the HR10-250 was not going to be able to do MPEG-4...

[Kash76]

Last November is when I ordered it.

[Earl Bonovich]

Hmm... it is possible that at the time.. the CSRs were not up to speed with the MPEG-4 DVR stuff...

None the less, you will probably fall into the same upgrade path as those of us that have had the HR10-250 since the day it was released.

[patblue03]

I just got my AT9 installed yesterday and am leasing the H20 in anticipation of the hr20 to come out. I will get it no matter what. I'm in the LA market so that's great news! :)
If I only have the hr20 will I still be able to get my hands on it in august? I signed up for sunday ticket and superfan. Maybe it'll just take a little nudging to get it. Earl, will there be a list, or will we need to take the initiative to get it asap?

[Earl Bonovich]

Earl, will there be a list, or will we need to take the initiative to get it asap?

I don't know yet... Probably in the next week to two weeks, I should know more about the logistics.

[vikingguy]

I am glad it is come out so soon. I figure by this time next year a lot of the bugs will be worked out. There are to many shows that I do not want to risk losing episodes on a new peice of equipment like lost,24 or prison break.

The only real deal breaker for me were if it does not have 2 OTA tuners. I say that because I doubt that you could use 4 dishes to get the 5 sats.

[Earl Bonovich]

The only real deal breaker for me were if it does not have 2 OTA tuners. I say that because I doubt that you could use 4 dishes to get the 5 sats.

Sure you could... It would probalby only take 3 dishes though...
Why would you need such a setup? A lot of trees?

[vikingguy]

Sure you could... It would probalby only take 3 dishes though...
Why would you need such a setup? A lot of trees?

Yes many many many trees in a small yard. To be honest I am surpised it works now. I have like a 20 foot gap in the trees I am shooting for 101 a tree broke off in a storm creating the hole on the property line god loved me that night. I think I could get 101 and 99 or 101 and 104 from that location from 1 dish. Then I Could angle a dish near it to get the other. Then connect that to the feeds for 119 and soon to be 110 when I get the money for a new round dish. If I had a digital camera I would take a few shots.

The only way they would install is when I proved I could get decent signal strength on my own.


You know of a place that sells cheap round dishes? I need another the dish 500 won't work with 110 because the ends of the sat c kit LNB won't play nice in the dish 500 LNB holder.

[Earl Bonovich]

Ebay would be about it...

[Kash76]

Hmm... it is possible that at the time.. the CSRs were not up to speed with the MPEG-4 DVR stuff...

None the less, you will probably fall into the same upgrade path as those of us that have had the HR10-250 since the day it was released.

Hopefully I have no reason to get worked up! :)

[adam1115]

I agree. When I signed up for my 10-250 I was told this would support all future HD content. I'm not paying a penny and if they don't agree then they WILL void my 2 year deal.

All future HD content?? FOREVER? And you believed that it would support all content for the rest of your life? Huh... :confused:

[Earl Bonovich]

All future HD content?? FOREVER? And you believed that it would support all content for the rest of your life? Huh... :confused:

I am sure he didn't mean it that way....
Even when we purchased the HR10-250s back in 2004, we have very little information (if any) about MPEG-4 or true locals in HD...

If you buy any consumer electronic today, and think it is going to work for "ever" truelly for ever.... hmmm.... I have land in Florida if you are intrested in talking...

[patblue03]

Every single thing in your system right now will be obsolete by month's end! LOL
just the way it is!
I thought my 50" SXRD was gonna be the deal for at least a year. YA RIGHT!!!
haha.
but it's still got an INSANE picture on discovery HD with the HR20 and AT9

[Kash76]

All future HD content?? FOREVER? And you believed that it would support all content for the rest of your life? Huh... :confused:

Yep, that's right tough guy! :nono2: Actually, he told me that it would work with the HD locals that would be out in the spring (they were) and the 20-25 national channels by year end, which isn't looking too good at this point.

[Kash76]

Every single thing in your system right now will be obsolete by month's end! LOL
just the way it is!
I thought my 50" SXRD was gonna be the deal for at least a year. YA RIGHT!!!
haha.
but it's still got an INSANE picture on discovery HD with the HR20 and AT9

I have the same TV and love it other than only taking up to 1080i.

[Paperboy2003]

Does anyone know if this box will have the intereactive features for the YES network that the other box (h20?) has?

[Earl Bonovich]

It is expected to... but we won't know for sure till they are pushed out or the official final specs are given.

[UnnDunn]

I dunno why everyone is so excited... it's probably just going to be the same as the SD-DVR, but with HD. :shrug:

[Earl Bonovich]

For those people, who just get their HD-Locals via SAT signal (MPEG-4)...
The ability to finally DVR HD content IS a big deal...

[Doug Brott]

I dunno why everyone is so excited... it's probably just going to be the same as the SD-DVR, but with HD. :shrug:

Hmm. I can't say that I'm really excited. Certainly not the way I was excited about the first Satellite DVR I could get with DirecTV back in 2000. However, without making a change, content will start to become unavailable to me - no reliable antenna signal. It's more anticipation of something that will be necessary rather than "candy store" excitement.

[Ed Campbell]

I've used these guys several times. They're distributors to electrical contractors -- but, open-minded about that. Obviously, since they sell on the web.

They even give sensible answers over the phone -- though, you're obviously getting a guy at the sales desk for subcontractors :)

They're in Worcester, Mass -- so, check shipping.

http://www.starkelectronic.com/

When I was still only using 2 lnb's -- I got a nice 1-meter Wingard dish from them that I still hang onto in case I ever go crazy and start experimenting with Free To Air.

[Kash76]

I dunno why everyone is so excited... it's probably just going to be the same as the SD-DVR, but with HD. :shrug:

I certainly hope that's the case since they will reap the full DVR charge and benefit from a HD sub @ $11 a month.

[bobnielsen]

I've used these guys several times. They're distributors to electrical contractors -- but, open-minded about that. Obviously, since they sell on the web.

They even give sensible answers over the phone -- though, you're obviously getting a guy at the sales desk for subcontractors :)

They're in Worcester, Mass -- so, check shipping.

http://www.starkelectronic.com/

When I was still only using 2 lnb's -- I got a nice 1-meter Wingard dish from them that I still hang onto in case I ever go crazy and start experimenting with Free To Air.

I bought a Winegard OTA antenna from them. Good prices, prompt shipping.

[TMullenJr]

I guess it's almost time to get the AT-9. I've been waiting hoping the slimline would be out around the same time as the HR20.

[wmschultz]

You know of a place that sells cheap round dishes? I need another the dish 500 won't work with 110 because the ends of the sat c kit LNB won't play nice in the dish 500 LNB holder.

I have 2 Phase 3 dishes at home that are new. They aren't in boxes but I'll
send you one if you pay shipping.

[Larry G]

For those people, who just get their HD-Locals via SAT signal (MPEG-4)...
The ability to finally DVR HD content IS a big deal...
You bet it is. Its a HUGE deal for me:D

[Paperboy2003]

I guess it's almost time to get the AT-9. I've been waiting hoping the slimline would be out around the same time as the HR20.


I'm in the NYC market so I can certainly survive with my 3lnb HR10-250 for a while. That being said I'm curious about the slimline dish. Will it be that much smaller? How much larger is the current 5lnb dish than the 3 that I have now? Will the slimline be on par with the 3LNB?

[Earl Bonovich]

The 5LNB AT9 is about 35% larger then your 3LNB..

The Slimline is going to be closer in size to the AT9, then the 3LNB

[sp44]

So how many customers does D* lose with this bigger dish? A lot of people won't be able to use it.

[Earl Bonovich]

So how many customers does D* lose with this bigger dish? A lot of people won't be able to use it.

Why won't the be able to use it?
It is not "that" much bigger then the 3LNB.... It is bigger, but we are not talking 16ft here.

[bonscott87]

I hope to be able to get the current AT9 and not the slimline. The current one, being a little bigger, will have better gain in rain and bad weather.

I, for one, really look forward to the new HD DVR. I've had HD for about 4 years but never been able to record it. And having Tivo since 2000 that's been hard. It will be sooooooo nice to finally record HD.

(Yes I know I can get the HR10 but I never had $1000 or $800 or $600 just laying around so I could get one. They are cheap enough now but at this point why bother. I've lived without it this long, another few months won't kill me.)

[sp44]

Why won't the be able to use it?
It is not "that" much bigger then the 3LNB.... It is bigger, but we are not talking 16ft here.

Well I for one have it mounted on the side of my house. I find it hard to believe it will be able to tilt without hitting the house. Since I see so many mounted like this I'm just guessing. I mean I don't want to drill into the roof or put it on a pole in my yard.

[Herdfan]

or the official final specs are given.
Given that this box is supposedly a month away from introduction, why have we not seen any of the FCC documents like we saw months before the R15. I can't think of any reason D* could get away with not submitting this box to the FCC, so something should be there.

I would look, but I generally can't find squat on the FCC site.:blush:

[Herdfan]

I dunno why everyone is so excited...
I want it out even though I won't see locals until sometime in 2007 because the sooner it is out, the sooner the bugs start getting fixed. So by the time I get my locals in MPEG-4, they may have a fairly stable product.

So thanks in advance to the 2006 Beta testers.;)

And yes, I expect it to have bugs.:eek2:

[Wolffpack]

Given that this box is supposedly a month away from introduction, why have we not seen any of the FCC documents like we saw months before the R15. I can't think of any reason D* could get away with not submitting this box to the FCC, so something should be there.

I would look, but I generally can't find squat on the FCC site.:blush:
I've been looking for that for quite some time now. The Grantee ID for Pace Micro is NQ8 yet searching on that code returns nothing. I've never found a FCCID for the R15-300 either. In fact pictures of one do not even show a FCCID on the unit like the R15-500 has. It's confusing to me.

[The_Geyser]

I hope to be able to get the current AT9 and not the slimline. The current one, being a little bigger, will have better gain in rain and bad weather.

I, for one, really look forward to the new HD DVR. I've had HD for about 4 years but never been able to record it. And having Tivo since 2000 that's been hard. It will be sooooooo nice to finally record HD.

(Yes I know I can get the HR10 but I never had $1000 or $800 or $600 just laying around so I could get one. They are cheap enough now but at this point why bother. I've lived without it this long, another few months won't kill me.)

Same here!

[wmschultz]

Question about the receiver.

If NDS is making them, and they provide boxes for Sky, why would we not get basically the same design?

The box is pretty nice looking, it has a connection for a SATA drive, ethernet, and HDMI.

[Wolffpack]

Question about the receiver.

If NDS is making them, and they provide boxes for Sky, why would we not get basically the same design?

The box is pretty nice looking, it has a connection for a SATA drive, ethernet, and HDMI.
My understanding is the HR20 is manufactured by Pace Micro out of the UK. They may make the SKY boxes, I'm not sure.

[Earl Bonovich]

it has a connection for a SATA drive, ethernet, and HDMI.

All three of those things exist in the HR20

[wmschultz]

All three of those things exist in the HR20

That was my point.

[Earl Bonovich]

That was my point.
Ahh... I thought you where referring to the BSky+ box

[vikingguy]

I have 2 Phase 3 dishes at home that are new. They aren't in boxes but I'll
send you one if you pay shipping.

Thanks for the offer but I really need an old round dish to get the most out of a tight shot as possible.

[Mordha]

I'm not sure if anyone knows this. I'm wondering if the HR20 will up rez SD programs like the H20 currently does. At least I think the H20 up resses SD programs, because everything on my H20 looks better. I've had an HR10 and currently the R15 on the same TV as I had the H20 on and the picture looked better when I had the H20 on that TV.

[patblue03]

I agree. I had the older tuners about a year back and I am just floored with the picture on the H20. it is awesome.

[Indiana627]

This may be a silly question, but will the HR20 be backwards compatible? Will it be able to record all the HD content the HR10-250 can in addition to the new MPEG-4 content?

[DCSholtis]

This may be a silly question, but will the HR20 be backwards compatible? Will it be able to record all the HD content the HR10-250 can in addition to the new MPEG-4 content?

The HR20 will be MPEG-2/4 compatible. yes

[Wolffpack]

The HR20 will be MPEG-2/4 compatible. yes
Since all SD programming is MPEG2, I would guess the HR20 will be able to receive SD/HD MPEG2 as well as MPEG4 signals. But I guess we could refer to the official DTV announcement on their web site right? Wait, oh that's right, DTV doesn't officially announce ANYTHING until after the fact.

[grooves12]

I'm not sure if anyone knows this. I'm wondering if the HR20 will up rez SD programs like the H20 currently does. At least I think the H20 up resses SD programs, because everything on my H20 looks better. I've had an HR10 and currently the R15 on the same TV as I had the H20 on and the picture looked better when I had the H20 on that TV.

The H20 does not do any up-rezzing. Your picture probably looks better because of how your display is handling the input signals. If you have your h20 connected via HDMI or Component, it is going to look better than an R15 that is likely connected with S-video,composite, or RG6.

Edit: it IS doing up-"rezzing" if you have it set to display at an HD resolution, but it is not doing any upsampling or further processing of the video to improve the picture any from the standard SD resolution. It might look slightly better from an improved and more powerful Mpeg decoder, but most of the improvement is likely due to a cleaner connection signal and your TV's internal circuitry handling of those signals vs. the analog signals. I am guessing if you used the same connection type for each box they would look the same.

[Kash76]

There is no information yet on the upgrade path or $$ of the unit.


I called tonight since FSN HD is available in my market now but is MPEG-4. I spoke to a lady that was a "HD elegibility specialist" and she said that it would be a $99 upgrade for the new DVR since I need a new dish. Anyone else hearing this? I really questioned her and she was pretty confident.

[jonaswan2]

My understanding is the HR20 is manufactured by Pace Micro out of the UK. They may make the SKY boxes, I'm not sure.

Pace does make the +HD boxes for BSkyB, but the fact that the D11, the H20, and the R15 look almost exactly a like... Pace is making this box to DirecTV specifications.

The only thing NDS makes for (or with) BSkyB is the software (and they just seem to supply software to DirecTV).

[Earl Bonovich]

I called tonight since FSN HD is available in my market now but is MPEG-4. I spoke to a lady that was a "HD elegibility specialist" and she said that it would be a $99 upgrade for the new DVR since I need a new dish. Anyone else hearing this? I really questioned her and she was pretty confident.

You could probably call today, talk to a different CSR and get a different answer.

As of right now, there has benn no official information released on pricing.

[Kash76]

You could probably call today, talk to a different CSR and get a different answer.

As of right now, there has benn no official information released on pricing.

I should have asked her to put it in writing :)

[harsh]

This may be a silly question, but will the HR20 be backwards compatible? Will it be able to record all the HD content the HR10-250 can in addition to the new MPEG-4 content?DBS satellite DVRs record the stream directly to a hard drive. This is in contrast with the standalone analog TiVo which must encode the NTSC signal into the proprietary TiVo "media switch" format.

The HR10 (or R10 or R15) could record MPEG4 content just as easily. It just doesn't have the hardware to play it back. There are additional features above and beyond MPEG4 decoding that the HR20 will have, but that capability is the most fundamental difference.

[gregftlaud]

well..according to an response email i got from directv late last year ALL hardware and installation of new dish is supposed to be completely free. yes, i have saved this email and will probably need to use it in the future considering how dtv csr's operate. and if the csr wont give u the free upgrade just ask for retention

[Kash76]

That's the plan!

[harsh]

well..according to an response email i got from directv late last year ALL hardware and installation of new dish is supposed to be completely free. yes, i have saved this email and will probably need to use it in the future considering how dtv csr's operate. and if the csr wont give u the free upgrade just ask for retentionThat and ten bits will get you a cup of coffee.

[Mordha]

The H20 does not do any up-rezzing. Your picture probably looks better because of how your display is handling the input signals. If you have your h20 connected via HDMI or Component, it is going to look better than an R15 that is likely connected with S-video,composite, or RG6.

Edit: it IS doing up-"rezzing" if you have it set to display at an HD resolution, but it is not doing any upsampling or further processing of the video to improve the picture any from the standard SD resolution. It might look slightly better from an improved and more powerful Mpeg decoder, but most of the improvement is likely due to a cleaner connection signal and your TV's internal circuitry handling of those signals vs. the analog signals. I am guessing if you used the same connection type for each box they would look the same.


Well, I forgot about that. With both the H20 and the HR10, I was using an HMDI cable and the R15 is using a S-Video. I was, with both the H20 and HR10 just leaving the output at 1080i. So, you are right about the cabling but still the H20 looked better then the HR10 on the same channels. I'm hoping that the HR20 will do the same trick, if so, I'm in :grin:

[cmoss5]

So I would assume that at that point they'll announce how the upgrade program (from the HR10-250) will work? Hopefully this will be a formal policy and not something that you have to call 3 different CSR's to be able to get.

Well, there will be no upgrades for the HR-250 as is is MPEG2 and the future of everything DTV is MPEG4, whether it be for local programming or recording your tv programs.....There will be a swap out of the HR-250 over period of time for these new HD DVRS. Who gets them first is anyone's guess. I have the HR-250 myself and also the H20-100 HD receiver...can't wait to replace my HR-250 so can start getting my locals in HD on this new DVR as can only do that via my OTA antenna on this receiver for now.

[Doug Brott]

...can't wait to replace my HR-250 so can start getting my locals in HD on this new DVR as can only do that via my OTA antenna on this receiver for now.

Wish I could get my locals from the Antenna. Fortunately, DNS is in place, but HD locals are preferred.

[pdawg17]

Well, I forgot about that. With both the H20 and the HR10, I was using an HMDI cable and the R15 is using a S-Video. I was, with both the H20 and HR10 just leaving the output at 1080i. So, you are right about the cabling but still the H20 looked better then the HR10 on the same channels. I'm hoping that the HR20 will do the same trick, if so, I'm in :grin:

Did the HR10 look "softer" than the H20? The one thing I don't like about the HR10 is it seems to produce a "soft" picture...

[patblue03]

Hey Earl,
Are there any updates on the LA Market's rollout yet? I'd love to know when I could get my hands on that thing!!!

[Earl Bonovich]

No, none yet...

I will try to get an update on that by early next week.

[Herdfan]

No, none yet...

I will try to get an update on that by early next week.
Come on Earl, its August already.;)

[Earl Bonovich]

I know... :)

[Mordha]

Did the HR10 look "softer" than the H20? The one thing I don't like about the HR10 is it seems to produce a "soft" picture...

I guess that is one way to call it. To me, it seems the HR10 picture using the HMDI cable is about the same as the R15 with the S-Video cable.

[Earl Bonovich]

I guess that is one way to call it. To me, it seems the HR10 picture using the HMDI cable is about the same as the R15 with the S-Video cable.

FOR SD channels.. .right?

As it should be night and day for HD channels if setup properly.

[Mordha]

FOR SD channels.. .right?

As it should be night and day for HD channels if setup properly.


You are correct Earl. It wouldn't have been very fair to compare an HD channel on the HR10 to an SD channel on the R15. Unless the R15 picked up a new trick in the last update :grin:
Anyway, I think I caused this forum to move away from the topic at hand. Let's talk HR20 again!
Any word yet on the size of the hard drive? or how much HD and SD content it will hold?

[Earl Bonovich]

The published reports (from back when) put the drive around 250gb (I do know that it will be a SATA Drive).... 30 of MPEG-2 HD, 50ish of MPEG-4 HD, and around 200+ hours of SD

Hopefully soon I will be able to confirm all of that information.

[dbconsultant]

If it's due in LA in August, when will the rest of us get it? Any ideas, Earl?

[Earl Bonovich]

As of right now... I don't have any other details yet.

[ericlhyman]

The published reports (from back when) put the drive around 250gb (I do know that it will be a SATA Drive).... 30 of MPEG-2 HD, 50ish of MPEG-4 HD, and around 200+ hours of SD

Hopefully soon I will be able to confirm all of that information.


There was prior information that in addition to the 250GB internal hard drive it would be possible to attach an external hard drive for additional capacity. Will this still be the case? Will it have the 5th generation LG OTA tuner or something newer? Also, which version of HDMI will be used? Will it be able to automatically switch between outputting 720p and 1080i according to the broadcast signal?

Will free new dish installations be done simultaneously with the free HD Tivo swaps?

[Earl Bonovich]

There was prior information that in addition to the 250GB internal hard drive it would be possible to attach an external hard drive for additional capacity. Will this still be the case? Will it have the 5th generation LG OTA tuner or something newer? Also, which version of HDMI will be used? Will it be able to automatically switch between outputting 720p and 1080i according to the broadcast signal?

Will free new dish installations be done simultaneously with the free HD Tivo swaps?

There is going to be an eSATA port... but if it is going to be turned on and how it is to be used... I don't know.

As for the OTA tuners... they are going to be there... but which "generation"... I don't know yet.

I will have to ask which version of HDMI will be used.

As for the outputting automatically based on content (I think that refers to NATIVE processiong), haven't got any information on that either.

How's that for a helpfull post.
I am hopping the next few weeks will bring more answers.

[newsposter]

The published reports (from back when) put the drive around 250gb (I do know that it will be a SATA Drive).... 30 of MPEG-2 HD, 50ish of MPEG-4 HD, and around 200+ hours of SD


For the sake of any newbies here, those amounts are not cumulative :)

[minamelos]

I currently live in LA County and want to order DirecTV's new HD DVR but I want to know if this is the one mentioned in this thread or if it's the old tivo one.

Here is the link
http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/moreInfo.jsp?productId=6020

DIRECTV® HD DVR

Upgrade your lease to a DIRECTV® HD DVR for just $299 after $100 instant rebate when you order online at DIRECTV.com.
Two-year programming commitment and activation of DVR service ($5.99/mo.) required. Rebate offer ends 10/01/06 and is for new lease customers only. Activation of the DIRECTV® HD Package ($9.99/mo.) also required to qualify for rebate. Limit one rebate per account. Customers receiving mail-in rebate(s) from DIRECTV are not eligible.
Get the latest and greatest television high-definition viewing experience possible with the DIRECTV® HD DVR (digital video recorder). Combining the look and feel of the home theater experience, the DIRECTV® HD DVR lets you control how and when you watch TV.
You can go from ordinary to extraordinary in up to 2 million pixels of phenomenal high-definition. That's up to 10 times the picture quality of standard-definition.
DIRECTV® HD DVR is easier than using your VCR — and ten times as cool!
• Record, store and play back up to 200 hours of standard-definition programming or up to 30 hours of high-definition programming*
• Digital-quality picture and sound
• Record two shows at once**
• Pause, replay and watch in slow motion
• Automatically record your favorite shows
• Record shows that match your interests

If it isn't then I'll hold off until I can get one.

[bidger]

I can't say for certain the one they're referencing in the ad is the HR10-250(HD-TiVo), but that's unit pictured in the ad.

But, seeing as how you're in LA County, it would make sense that if you were to order a HD DVR that D* would want you to have the MPEG-4 unit since you're in that market and it would be easier than swapping out later. You could call and ask about the offer and see which unit they say you would receive.

[Newshawk]

It sounds like it is the HR10-250. I'd wait a few weeks.

[Andrew_J_M]

The picture in the link looks like the HR10.

[Wolffpack]

If you want one and live in LA, give them a call. LA is where they say they will start rolling the units out.

[whynot83706]

Not really on the topic, but is/when DTV is planning to introduce more HD channels.

[Earl Bonovich]

Not really on the topic, but is/when DTV is planning to introduce more HD channels.

According to previous announcemtns... 2007

But no details on to what, or exactly when

[MarkJones]

According to previous announcemtns... 2007

But no details on to what, or exactly when

And I assume that these will be MPEG4. Is that a good assumption or is there a good possibility that they, or some of them, will be MPEG2?

[DCSholtis]

I think I read somewhere that any new HD channel will be MPEG 4 from here on in.

[Kash76]

I have heard the same.

[Wolffpack]

So, if any new HD channels MPEG4, how does DTV plan on handling us that get HD OTA fine with our HR10 and don't really want to upgrade to the HR20/AT9 dish? Will we still be charged this insane $10/mo for a few HD channels?

I really don't plan on extending my commitment any further than it already is. Now is the time to determine if DTV is the content provider to stay with. Or, try others that do not demand a commitment.

[Earl Bonovich]

Pretty much... all future HD offerings, are going to be MPEG-4..

POSSIBLY there maybe 1 or 2 new offerings in MPEG2, but I highly doubt it.

From the conference call today, it pretty much seems they are targeting to have the MPEG-2 conversion to MPEG-4 completed next year.

[ScoBuck]

So, if any new HD channels MPEG4, how does DTV plan on handling us that get HD OTA fine with our HR10 and don't really want to upgrade to the HR20/AT9 dish? Will we still be charged this insane $10/mo for a few HD channels?

You will be charged - but not that much longer - I see DirecTV moving ALL the current HD MPEG2 channels over to MPGE4 no later than end '07. There will be NO reason to utilize all of that MPEG2 bandwidth once the 2 new birds are flying.

[newsposter]

it's called 'gentle' upgrading....or rather forced...thankfully I dont get the 119 so have no decision to make at all

[ad301]

You will be charged - but not that much longer - I see DirecTV moving ALL the current HD MPEG2 channels over to MPGE4 no later than end '07. There will be NO reason to utilize all of that MPEG2 bandwidth once the 2 new birds are flying.That's contrary to what we've been led to believe, which is that the current mpeg2 offerings, including NY locals, HBO, SHO, the ESPNs, the HDNets, etc, would all remain in mpeg2 for years to come. Do you think they will be able to swap out every current HD customer to new mpeg4 equipment by the end of '07?

[P Smith]

Pretty much... all future HD offerings, are going to be MPEG-4..

POSSIBLY there maybe 1 or 2 new offerings in MPEG2, but I highly doubt it.

From the conference call today, it pretty much seems they are targeting to have the MPEG-2 conversion to MPEG-4 completed next year.

DTV doesn't utuilize MPEG-2 compression per se; somehow it's can be named as MPEG-1 and 1/2. :)

Using the term MPEG-2 for describe DTV video stream totally misleading ppl. :(

[Earl Bonovich]

That's contrary to what we've been led to believe, which is that the current mpeg2 offerings, including NY locals, HBO, SHO, the ESPNs, the HDNets, etc, would all remain in mpeg2 for years to come. Do you think they will be able to swap out every current HD customer to new mpeg4 equipment by the end of '07?


Actually... from the articles, webcasts, and other areas...

Once the HD equipment has been swapped out to MPEG-4 compatible equipment... or has been at least offered to everyone (you have the right to refuse it).... there is going to be a point that there will be no more MPEG-2 HD...

From the way they sound on the webcasts and other posts...
They do think they will have the MPEG2->MPEG4 complete (or near complete) in 2007

I think that will come in late 2007 / early 2008

[ad301]

Once the two additional satellites are up, in 2007, and they have all the bandwidth they could possibly use for years to come, why would they need to discontinue the mpeg2 services that currently exist? I'd think they would be able to just leave them on to cater to those subscribers who prefer to stay with their current equipment.

[whynot83706]

And I assume that these will be MPEG4. Is that a good assumption or is there a good possibility that they, or some of them, will be MPEG2?

What is difference between MPEG2 and MPEG4?

[Doug Brott]

Once the two additional satellites are up, in 2007, and they have all the bandwidth they could possibly use for years to come, why would they need to discontinue the mpeg2 services that currently exist? I'd think they would be able to just leave them on to cater to those subscribers who prefer to stay with their current equipment.

I would surmise that DirecTV would increase picture quality on SD (very slightly), but would also start offering more services in the form or PPV, special events, interactive content, etc. etc. etc. There may be a few more non-HD channels added as well (west coast feeds of SciFi or other channels?) If none of these thoughts become reality, then at a minimum, DirecTV has freed up some bandwidth on the physical satellites. It will give them a bigger margin of error in the event of a satellite failure (at least I think it will).

[Doug Brott]

What is difference between MPEG2 and MPEG4?

In layman's terms, an MPEG4 data stream carries more data (per second) than an MPEG2 data stream. The net result is (1) more available bandwidth from satellite to dish and (2) for DVR owners, more available disk space for programming. MPEG4 is just more compact than MPEG2.

[whynot83706]

In layman's terms, an MPEG4 data stream carries more data (per second) than an MPEG2 data stream. The net result is (1) more available bandwidth from satellite to dish and (2) for DVR owners, more available disk space for programming. MPEG4 is just more compact than MPEG2.

Ty

[cabanaboy1977]

You will be charged - but not that much longer - I see DirecTV moving ALL the current HD MPEG2 channels over to MPGE4 no later than end '07. There will be NO reason to utilize all of that MPEG2 bandwidth once the 2 new birds are flying.

I bet they will just increase the package by $10 for new customers and then up our packages by 5 or 6 when they do.

[UglyTuna]

Has anybody heard if someone is working on a mod for the H10-250 that will enable it to receive the MPEG-4 HD signals from the new DirecTV satellites? I would MUCH rather mod my unit than swap it out.

[Earl Bonovich]

Unless you modify the circut board, to replace the decoder chips.
And update the tuners (two of them)

And then tweak the OS to work with what ever chipsets you replaced it with, and tuners.... Let alone tweak the OS to know it now can see the other two sats....

You are looking at some SIGNIFICANT work there to try and modify...
And then that work would cost $$$ to sell, and install (as it wouldn't be an easy replacement to solder out one of the KEY components of the main board)....

So if someone IS working on it, expect to pay $$$ (probably more then you paid for the HR10-250)

[uncrules]

Once the two additional satellites are up, in 2007, and they have all the bandwidth they could possibly use for years to come, why would they need to discontinue the mpeg2 services that currently exist?

More shopping channels! :D

[harsh]

Once the two additional satellites are up, in 2007, and they have all the bandwidth they could possibly use for years to come, why would they need to discontinue the mpeg2 services that currently exist? I'd think they would be able to just leave them on to cater to those subscribers who prefer to stay with their current equipment.They are likely not interested in maintaining what little relationship they have left with TiVo, so they are getting rid of two rather large pieces of baggage by converting the HD DVR users over.

They are keenly interested in being able to add new content; especially the locals that they don't have. Many of the existing markets have three or more times as many HD channels available as D* is serving up. Locals are a major competitive edge for cable in D*'s mind. Imagine how much bandwidth they could save if they converted New York and Los Angeles to MPEG4! As it is, they may not have enough spotbeam to offer all of the available channels in the markets with many HD stations.

I'm sure that they are chomping at the bit to add the PBS-HD stations at the very least.

[harsh]

Has anybody heard if someone is working on a mod for the H10-250 that will enable it to receive the MPEG-4 HD signals from the new DirecTV satellites? I would MUCH rather mod my unit than swap it out.Even if you mod'ed your HR10 to recognize and play back MPEG4 content, DirecTV would not grant you access to the MPEG4 content.

[Alan Gordon]

That's contrary to what we've been led to believe, which is that the current mpeg2 offerings, including NY locals, HBO, SHO, the ESPNs, the HDNets, etc, would all remain in mpeg2 for years to come.

I can't speak much about the nationals, but DirecTV is in the process of switching over people receiving West coast HD-DNS (as well as those within the LA DMA)without HD-DVRs to the H20, and intending on switching those with HD-DVRs to the HR20 after it comes out in preparation for cutting off the MPEG2 LA networks. Once that is completed, you can surely expect to see DirecTV start moving the East coast folks over to MPEG4 NY networks.

~Alan

[P Smith]

Actually... from the articles, webcasts, and other areas...

Once the HD equipment has been swapped out to MPEG-4 compatible equipment... or has been at least offered to everyone (you have the right to refuse it).... there is going to be a point that there will be no more MPEG-2 HD...

From the way they sound on the webcasts and other posts...
They do think they will have the MPEG2->MPEG4 complete (or near complete) in 2007

I think that will come in late 2007 / early 2008


And again, DirecTV do not support MPEG-2 compression at all !!! :(

You don't know the method of DTV compression what you talking about !
Oh man :( !

[Earl Bonovich]

And again, DirecTV do not support MPEG-2 compression at all !!! :(

You don't know the method of DTV compression what you talking about !
Oh man :( !

Huh?

So why in DirecTV's own official statements...
(MPEG-4 conversion statements, and the webcast from just a few days ago)... they refer to it as the MPEG-2 -> MPEG-4 conversion.

Their "MPEG-2" may not be the open standard MPEG-2 compliant, so it can be used on any "MPEG-2" device
http://www.coolstf.com/mpeg/#mpeg2na

DirecTV

Because DTV went on the air before the MPEG-2/DVB standard was ratified, they don't use standard MPEG-2. Much like GI, they use MPEG-2 video encoding, but use strange audio encoding and system information packets. Additionally, the DSS service uses variable FEC values depending on how they have the the transponders on the satellite configured. The DSS data stream is transmitted the same way as all other MPEG-2 satellite services, however, due to its differences, is incompatible with MPEG-2/DVB receivers.


But it is MPEG-2 based....

And another great internet source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DirecTV

Also referring to the stream as "MPEG-2"

And another: The Video is MPEG-2 but the Audio is MPEG-1
http://nedron.net/fom_server/cache/64.html


Doesn't DirecTV use MPEG2?
DirectTV transmits a a "non-standard" Transport Stream that consists of 130 byte packets versus the 188 byte packets of MPEG-2 (the DSS multiplex format is specified in ITU-R BO.1294 System B).
The video portion of the bitstream is standard MPEG-2 video and the audio portion is either standard MPEG-1 stereo or AC-3.



DTV doesn't utuilize MPEG-2 compression per se; somehow it's can be named as MPEG-1 and 1/2. :)

Using the term MPEG-2 for describe DTV video stream totally misleading ppl. :(

"Most" people, wouldn't know what MPEG-2 is vs MPEG-4 even if it was "compliant" MPEG2; they just want to know what they need to do to get the channels they want to see.
And for the sake "of ease" to describe it, without going into the really deep nitty gritty details of how the codecs work, and why the data streams "aren't" technically mpeg-2 or probably even technically "mpeg-4" for that matter.... For 99.9% of the customers out there.... MPEG2; MPEG4 terms work just fine...

[Herdfan]

And again, DirecTV do not support MPEG-2 compression at all !!! :(

You don't know the method of DTV compression what you talking about !
Oh man :( !

Semantics. Maybe we should refer to it as CURRENT and FUTURE compression. Would that be OK with you? Are you with the MPEG-2 police?:confused:

[Mr. Krizz]

Saw this on eBay:
cgi.ebay.com/GET-NFL-SUNDAY-TICKET-AND-DIRECTV-HD-DVR-HR20-250_W0QQitemZ190008180523QQihZ009QQcategoryZ108137 QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

anyone know any more whether this is available now or not?

[Earl Bonovich]

Saw this on eBay:
cgi.ebay.com/GET-NFL-SUNDAY-TICKET-AND-DIRECTV-HD-DVR-HR20-250_W0QQitemZ190008180523QQihZ009QQcategoryZ108137 QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

anyone know any more whether this is available now or not?

No it is not valid...

The title has HR20-250, but the pictures are for the H20 and the HR10-250

The "Deal" may be valid... but i would say 99% chance that it is not for an HR20

(since the real model number is HR20-700)

[bonscott87]

That's contrary to what we've been led to believe, which is that the current mpeg2 offerings, including NY locals, HBO, SHO, the ESPNs, the HDNets, etc, would all remain in mpeg2 for years to come. Do you think they will be able to swap out every current HD customer to new mpeg4 equipment by the end of '07?

Should be pretty easy since there aren't that many HD customers anyway (under 1 million still I believe). Plus all new HD customers have been getting the H20 for about 6 months now as it is.

HD LIL and especially the HD RSN's will get a good number of those to switch on their own because a good number of HD customers are sports fans as well and they'll switch in a heartbeat. I'd guess that NFL Sunday Ticket Superfan and it's HD games will be on MPEG 4 only next season to push those last stragglers along.

And they will be shutting off the MPEG2 HD streams as soon as they can to free up bandwidth on the main sats. It's been their plan all along. As Earl said, probably by the end of 2007 they'll have this done baring any sat launch delays next year. Early 2008 at the latest I'd say.

They are already agressively getting people off the MPEG2 HD L.A. distants and onto the MPEG4 version so they can shut off the L.A. MPEG2 feeds ASAP as in end of this year if they can. Thus another reason for the HR20 rolling out in L.A. first.

[Mr. Krizz]

No it is not valid...

The title has HR20-250, but the pictures are for the H20 and the HR10-250

The "Deal" may be valid... but i would say 99% chance that it is not for an HR20

(since the real model number is HR20-700)

thanks man, I thought it might be a fake.....I've left them a message, I'll let you know what they say......

- Mr. Krizz

[skessel]

Hi, long time reader, first time poster...

I live in LA, and called at least 5 times. CSR's knew nothing (they all said "in the fall") on the HR20 so I used the HD Tivo blowout and got the HR10-250... Did I rush into it?? I hope I've made the right decision...

SK

[Earl Bonovich]

Hi, long time reader, first time poster...

I live in LA, and called at least 5 times. CSR's knew nothing (they all said "in the fall") on the HR20 so I used the HD Tivo blowout and got the HR10-250... Did I rush into it?? I hope I've made the right decision...

SK

The HR10-250 is a fine box.....
And I don't know the pricing of the HR20 yet soo.... it is hard to say.... if you "rushed" into it...

[skessel]

The HR10-250 is a fine box.....
And I don't know the pricing of the HR20 yet soo.... it is hard to say.... if you "rushed" into it...

Well, I don't feel so bad 'bout the "purchase" then, especially seeing how I used the "Blowout Special" to get a free one. :lol:

[twaller]

Oh Man, everytime I read something like this I get a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. I paid $1,000 for mine in October of 2004!! Oh well...........maybe I will be able to keep it when I'm swapped out for an HR20.

[f300v10]

Oh Man, everytime I read something like this I get a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. I paid $1,000 for mine in October of 2004!! Oh well...........maybe I will be able to keep it when I'm swapped out for an HR20.

No way will D* take my HR10-250 when I get an HR20. I like you paid big $$ and I own the box . My plan is to replace my H20 I now have alongside the HDTivo with the HR20, and use both the HR20 and HR10-250 until the HR20 has proven to me that it is a reliable unit. The HR10 will be my 'insurance' box.

[skessel]

No way will D* take my HR10-250 when I get an HR20. I like you paid big $$ and I own the box . My plan is to replace my H20 I now have alongside the HDTivo with the HR20, and use both the HR20 and HR10-250 until the HR20 has proven to me that it is a reliable unit. The HR10 will be my 'insurance' box.

Yeah, I hope they let me keep mine too, but since I paid $0 for it (I'm still in seventh heaven about that one) it's not like I'll be too sad.

[dan8379]

I'm pretty sure that those of us who got ours free will have to turn ours over, unless we choose to pay full price for the new one.

[Kash76]

Screw that, I "own" this one. I'm not doing a lease exchange. Funny, only months ago they were trying to tell me how great it was that I own my equipment. Oh, that's right, I can't use it anywhere else!!!

[skessel]

Screw that, I "own" this one. I'm not doing a lease exchange. Funny, only months ago they were trying to tell me how great it was that I own my equipment. Oh, that's right, I can't use it anywhere else!!!

Well I own a regular reciever (2 yrs old) and a DirecTV Tivo (DTivo, right?) but I kinda like the features of the R15, as clunky as it is, so I'm using it. Obviously, it means that I have two nice paperweights in my garage that I will only use if any of my R15s (or the HR10, when I get it) goes bezerk... and that only for the time it takes them to ship me a new one.

[crimsonblake]

I just called the generic 1-800-Directv number and had no problem getting on the waiting list. Back in college I worked for Sprint call center so I kinda know how to talk to these guys. I basically said "There is a new digital video recorder coming out in mid August and since there will be so many people wanting them, I read online that there is a waiting list. Could you please check your system for this waiting list and add me to it. The exact model number is the HR20" She put me on hold for about 5 minutes and came back asking for my email address. She said that I would be notified as soon as the device is available to me and that I would receive info regarding pricing also via email. She then said "H20" right? I said "noooo" she then says "Oh i mean HR20".

[f300v10]

A poster at Satguys states that a D* retention CSR said the HR20 will go out on Aug. 16th 'in some areas'. We already know that will be the LA area. He also says the CSR marked his acount to receive an HR20 as soon as they are available in his area (North Carolina), which should be some time in September. Looks like the waiting will be over soon.

[Shinnbone]

Can we assume the user interface will be roughly equivalent to the HR15?

Thx.
John

[Wolffpack]

Common user interface seems to be the high points at DTV now days. Even more important than some functionality. I guess in the end it's better that all the screens look the same as oposed to the unit function properly. :D

Seems they think their customers are too stupid to use different interfaces for different devices. Thank God DTV doesn't make cars. Imagine how that would work and how the dashboard would look? Oh My!

[Clint Lamor]

Common user interface seems to be the high points at DTV now days. Even more important than some functionality. I guess in the end it's better that all the screens look the same as oposed to the unit function properly. :D

Seems they think their customers are too stupid to use different interfaces for different devices. Thank God DTV doesn't make cars. Imagine how that would work and how the dashboard would look? Oh My!

BMW iDrive. Need I say more for a reason to have a common UI? :lol:

I actually would rather have them all the same if possible it's easir to teach the tech challenged to use one interface.

[bobnielsen]

BMW iDrive. Need I say more for a reason to have a common UI? :lol:

I actually would rather have them all the same if possible it's easir to teach the tech challenged to use one interface.

Maybe if GM hadn't sold DTV....

Having them all the same allows the CSRs to not get overly confused.

Now if only they would make a few interface changes, like allowing the "channels I receive" list to be edited and being able to access the guide with only one button push.

[pdawg17]

When they say that the HR20 will be available in LA first (possibly tomorrow?), how will people know to "pick one up"? Have D* customers in LA been contacted about it or what? I guess I'm wondering what the process is when "rolling it out"...

[Clint Lamor]

Maybe if GM hadn't sold DTV....

Having them all the same allows the CSRs to not get overly confused.

Now if only they would make a few interface changes, like allowing the "channels I receive" list to be edited and being able to access the guide with only one button push.

Yes I very much agree I hate having to hit Guide 2x. I would also like to see some of the things set as options so I can choose how they work.

[uncrules]

BMW iDrive. Need I say more for a reason to have a common UI? :lol:

I have a BMW with iDrive and it's a piece of cake to me. I never read the owners manual and learned how to use it in a single test drive.

[Wolffpack]

BMW iDrive. Need I say more for a reason to have a common UI? :lol:

I actually would rather have them all the same if possible it's easir to teach the tech challenged to use one interface.
I do agree. A common UI is a goal as long as everthing behind the UI works properly. But I disagree when the main goal is the common UI when nothing behind the UI works. Functionality should be #1. Common UI, #2. Is this how DTVs units were handled?

[morgantown]

She put me on hold for about 5 minutes and came back asking for my email address. She said that I would be notified as soon as the device is available to me and that I would receive info regarding pricing also via email. She then said "H20" right? I said "noooo" she then says "Oh i mean HR20".

Yea, I talked with a CSR a couple of days ago (ruining my call once every two years average) and the guy claimed that the HR20 prices were $399 for lease and $749 to own. He also volunteered "since your such a good customer" the lease fee would be $299. Yea...

Sounded all too much like the current HD TiVo prices for me to put much faith in it. Not to mention, you can get a leased HD TiVo for FREE if you are a decent customer.

Well, as Chase said in the last earnings conference call "they don't expect to start really pushing the HD DVR's untill next year when the cost to DTV is expected to be $50 a box cheaper -- or so." (paraphrasing, of course)

I think that most folks will get the HR20 for nearly free in not that many months. Give them time to work out the bugs...

[Earl Bonovich]

Well, as Chase said in the last earnings conference call "they don't expect to start really pushing the HD DVR's untill next year when the cost to DTV is expected to be $50 a box cheaper -- or so." (paraphrasing, of course)


I thought he was referring to the H20...
Where it is $250 now... soon to be $200, and will be below $175 early next year... and that is when it makes the most $$$ sense to aggressively push the MPEG2->MPEG4

I don't remember him referring to the HR20 at a $50 point.

Heck even the hard drive that is expected in the HR20 is more then $50

[morgantown]

I thought he was referring to the H20...
Where it is $250 now... soon to be $200, and will be below $175 early next year... and that is when it makes the most $$$ sense to aggressively push the MPEG2->MPEG4

I don't remember him referring to the HR20 at a $50 point.

Heck even the hard drive that is expected in the HR20 is more then $50

I was referring to the price of the box to DTV to be $50 cheaper next year than it is today. Not a $50 total cost to DTV. I did take his comments to be reflective of all HD boxes including the HD DVR.

I'm pretty sure it came up during the Q&A (for the second time in the call, first was during the presentation) when one of the analysts was asking about combining the effectiveness of HD and the DVR in terms of reducing the churn at DTV.

His response was to the effect is that was part of the plan, start pushing the HD DVR ("r box") really hard next year as the HD customers and the DVR customers have -- by far, the least amount of churn.

By no means did anyone say that any DVR cost DTV $50. Just that much cheaper next year relative to this year.

[stuart628]

there are reports at satguys stating they are now being offered teh HR20-700 for free, as a lease of course (they are current HD customers who are upgrading) now wether this is true or not we will see (they could be getting the HR10-250 and not knowing it :) )

[Wolffpack]

I thought he was referring to the H20...
Where it is $250 now... soon to be $200, and will be below $175 early next year... and that is when it makes the most $$$ sense to aggressively push the MPEG2->MPEG4

I don't remember him referring to the HR20 at a $50 point.

Heck even the hard drive that is expected in the HR20 is more then $50
Earl, you honestly think that DTVs cost of the H20 is $250? Unless their purchasing department is staffed complete idiots I'd have to think they're more in the $50-$75/unit range.

$50 for a unit that includes a HD is low, I agree, but when you but them in bulk....you get what you pay for.

[Earl Bonovich]

I am just referring to the comments made during the Q2 webcast..

Do I think the H20 cost $250... probably not.
But those where the numbers thrown out during the webcast....

maybe he was referring to the HR20, and I didn't hear it right.

[morgantown]

At least the conference call is out there for all to replay, and hear. I'm not volunteering for that task...:) The best info was during the Q&A when the comments are not prepared.

[Earl Bonovich]

I fell asleep the first time... I mean listen intently....

[harsh]

BMW iDrive. Need I say more for a reason to have a common UI? :lol:I've tinkered with the iDrive system. It is absolutely incomprehensible.

Then again, like learning to type on a Dvorak keyboard, you feel compelled to stick with it even if it kills you because you invested so much in it.

[Clint Lamor]

Well I know it was on the Car and Driver list of worst car innovations ever this year. I have had many friends who own BMW's who hated it. They said it was far too complicated to use while stopped let alone while moving. I did hear it was redone though. No word on how it is.

I've tinkered with the iDrive system. It is absolutely incomprehensible.

Then again, like learning to type on a Dvorak keyboard, you feel compelled to stick with it even if it kills you because you invested so much in it.

[Wally_Gator]

No Wait list...
I called D* this morning and it is available to the LA market.
I was told $399 lease.. I might wait a little bit for this one..
I am in the L.A. market and it is showing for L.A. Market release only.

[LockMD]

Ouch! I will wait as well. I'm not going to pay 400 bucks for something I wont own!!

[Herdfan]

I've tinkered with the iDrive system. It is absolutely incomprehensible.
The system in the new S-class Mercedes is not much better. It takes 3 steps to change the radio station.

[heathramos]

No Wait list...
I called D* this morning and it is available to the LA market.
I was told $399 lease.. I might wait a little bit for this one..
I am in the L.A. market and it is showing for L.A. Market release only.

If there isn't going to be a deal, I will wait until there are new channels that I want that are mpeg4.

My locals come in okay right now and upgrading would mean I would have to get rid of my diplexers and run new lines.

[dan8379]

No Wait list...
I called D* this morning and it is available to the LA market.
I was told $399 lease.. I might wait a little bit for this one..
I am in the L.A. market and it is showing for L.A. Market release only.

Do you currently have an HR10-250, or would this be your first HD DVR? Hopefully they will, as previously mentioned, have deals for people with the H10-250.

[Earl Bonovich]

The box has been released, the review has been released.

Thus this thread... is old news :)