I asked for an HD Tivo and got an HR20, now what?

[winterminute]

When we moved, I called DirecTv to see if I could get an HD Tivo. Verizon's FIOS is rolling out soon, so I wanted to give DirecTv a chance to keep my business which they did with no problems. The first person I talked to offered me a free HD Tivo + shipping for a 2 year contract. The installer showed up today with an HR20. I don't know much about this unit only that it is the only way to get Local HD channels (only 2 or 3 available right now). However, a quick scan shows there are a number of problems with this unit.

So, 2 questions:
1) Is this unit bad enough that I should fight to have it replaced with an HD Tivo or is this the wave of the future and the problems aren't too bad. Maybe I'll even get a month or two of the DVR fee waived for my troubles.

2) Is there a working list of all the problems and workarounds? There are thousands of posts, it would be nice if there was a quick list of issues.

Thanks...

[noneroy]

When we moved, I called DirecTv to see if I could get an HD Tivo. Verizon's FIOS is rolling out soon, so I wanted to give DirecTv a chance to keep my business which they did with no problems. The first person I talked to offered me a free HD Tivo + shipping for a 2 year contract. The installer showed up today with an HR20. I don't know much about this unit only that it is the only way to get Local HD channels (only 2 or 3 available right now). However, a quick scan shows there are a number of problems with this unit.

So, 2 questions:
1) Is this unit bad enough that I should fight to have it replaced with an HD Tivo or is this the wave of the future and the problems aren't too bad. Maybe I'll even get a month or two of the DVR fee waived for my troubles.

2) Is there a working list of all the problems and workarounds? There are thousands of posts, it would be nice if there was a quick list of issues.

Thanks...

I would just say that it seems like any new technology has some problems when it starts up. There have been problems but there have also be updates sent out. I purchased a TiVo when it first released and, boy howdy, there were problems with that thing. I think 'bad enough' if a subjective term. You'll notice that there are tons of people on this forum trying to get an HR20 at all costs. The HDTivo is nice, but it is also the past. You can't do locals off the sats with it and eventually (way down the road) you wont be able to do HD with it period.

I'm not sure about question #2 and I think question #1 you'll have to answer for yourself.

[cabanaboy1977]

So, 2 questions:
1) Is this unit bad enough that I should fight to have it replaced with an HD Tivo or is this the wave of the future and the problems aren't too bad. Maybe I'll even get a month or two of the DVR fee waived for my troubles.

2) Is there a working list of all the problems and workarounds? There are thousands of posts, it would be nice if there was a quick list of issues.

Thanks...

1) Your going to get many answers on this and they are going to be good and bad. From what I've seen of the HR20 is that it is good. It needs a little work but it running alot better then the R15 did when it came out. Some love it and others hate it so bottome line is try it out for your self and if you don't like it talk to D* and see what they will do for you.

2) I'm sure someone will start one at some point. The HR20 hasn't been out long enough to get a good solid list yet. Once more people get it there will be a better idea of what is going on.