TiVo to HR-20 Survival Guide [Archive]

Milominderbinder2

11-06-06, 02:50 PM

This guide is to help TiVo users find features and understand the differences as they go to the HR20 HD DVR Plus. Over 40 new features you will find in the HR20 are noted. The ideas come from the posts in DBStalk.com.

There have been a number of different TiVo boxes over the years with different User Interfaces, features, and remote controls. This Guide generalizes the variations.

Additions in Version 1.3 include the new 5-Minute Quick Start and many new links and documentation on newer features: Remote Booking (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=1042567#post1042567), Suggestions (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=109588), DIRECTV On Demand (http://www.directv.com/dod/dod.html), Media Share (http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPage.jsp?assetId=P4310202), 30 Second Skip (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=1301531#post1301531), Fast Forward Autocorrection, Group Delete, Group Play, etc.

Here are a couple more key resources from the ● HD DVR FAQ (http://tinyurl.com/2jncjn):
● Better Suggestions than TiVo! (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=109588)
● Undocumented Tips & Tricks (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=747592)
● Installation Guide (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=67769)

- Craig

Download History
Through Version 1.1 - 20,468 Downloads

wakajawaka

11-06-06, 03:02 PM

tjbtexas

11-06-06, 03:25 PM

Nice Job

One item I don't think is right is the line about Season Pass, my experience with Tivo is that it is in fact channel specific, however Wishlist with auto record is not.

Season Pass is actually Series Link on the HR20

Or am I missing something??

you are correct:

Season Pass IS channel specific and correlates to Series Link

WishList is not Channel Specific

Joe Siegler

11-11-06, 12:47 PM

I had a read through this as part of my research into possibly going HR20 from a DirecTiVo. I found something contradictory; possibly I'm just not understanding it.

In the "What Will I Lose" section, you have Wishlists there.

However, at the bottom on "What is renamed or changed", you also have Wishlists there only it's called "autorecord".

I don't see how the two statements can co-exist, unless there's some subtlety I'm missing here.

Thanks.

And I agree with tjbtexas - Season Pass on a DirecTiVo IS channel specific. If you want a "season pass across all channels" on a DirecTiVo, you have to use autorecord. The Season pass item in what will you lose in this document is incorrect.

Forgot to mention that these pdfs have been a great resource for a newbie - thank you.

jbongiovi

11-11-06, 02:25 PM

Thank you for this. Excellent work.

Milominderbinder2

11-14-06, 01:14 PM

The 1-page Version 0.9 had over 600 downlaods

With your input, Version 1.0 expands from 1 to 2 pages
+ Details 26 Features the HR20 adds
+ Better detail in finding key features
+ Designed to be printed on the front and back of one page.

The pdf is in the first post in this thread. Click Here. (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=718675#post718675)

Let me know what you think!

- Craig

Milominderbinder2

11-16-06, 01:57 PM

Updated TiVo to HR20 Survival Guide

Th Survival Guide is now upgraded to include the new features in software version 0xEF.

This update also adds another 14 key new features the HR20 give former TiVo owners. Thank you to the folks working on the HR20 Advantages Thread for continuing to give so many ideas.

- Craig

newsposter

11-16-06, 02:14 PM

tonyd79

12-13-06, 10:26 AM

Just reading the Survival Guide. My TiVos never gave me a blank screen when I do a 30 seccond skip. They skip right to the new spot with no blank screen.

Milominderbinder2

12-13-06, 01:56 PM

Just reading the Survival Guide. My TiVos never gave me a blank screen when I do a 30 seccond skip. They skip right to the new spot with no blank screen.
Sorry. More accurately stated, the TiVo screen freezes during the 30 second skip. The Hr20 Slip is a 1.5 seconds but lets you see where you are as you go so that you can jump in with the Replay button if you want ot come back early.
- Craig

rminsk

12-13-06, 03:20 PM

Under "What Features Will I Gain"

- It has "The promise of receiving OTA..." The TiVo already receives OTA.
- Also the TiVo has HDMI and Component Video outputs, S-Video, Composite, and 5.1 optical audio. You do gain all outputs.
- "External Drive lets you add"... It should be "External Drive lets you replace the internal drive".
- The screen does not go blank on a TiVo with 30-second skip.
- The TiVo supports 5.1 dolby digital.
- Under "New Playback Controls" the TiVo has Skip to Tick.
- The TiVo only needs a phone line to activate software updates and PPV online.

iacas

12-13-06, 09:45 PM

- The screen does not go blank on a TiVo with 30-second skip.

Agreed. This one never made sense to me.

- The TiVo supports 5.1 dolby digital.

Heck, my FIRST TiVo (series one DTivo) supported 5.1 DD.

- Under "New Playback Controls" the TiVo has Skip to Tick.

Yes it does. Both forwards and backwards.

- The TiVo only needs a phone line to activate software updates and PPV online.

Right, it needs it one time. But I think it gets its software updates via the phone line, too...

Earl Bonovich

12-18-06, 10:52 AM

This thread has been moved and stuck.

Anyone that has any other documents that need to be moved and stuck in this forum, please PM me.

Kagey

12-29-06, 03:04 AM

shouldn't "Seven HD Channels today and the promise of 150 nation HD Channels (due Q4, 2007)"

actually say 'capacity' and not 150 "promised" stations. Technologically I dont think that many will exist then even. :)

When will direcTV actually switch to the new satellites and force me to give up my Tivo to get the new dish and HR20...so I can continue to receive my local channels in High Defitition (in Northern NJ). I live in a valley and can't get HD off the air.

gay_nubian

02-08-07, 06:59 PM

In the guide it says you can record the XM music channels. I've tried every way I can think of without any luck. Has the feature been removed or am I doing something wrong?

Demsin2008

03-01-07, 01:40 PM

Hi, I am new to this site and I have been a subscriber since the beginning of time.

I received two HD 20's during the very first week it was available

It has problems as everyone is aware of.

I have had are you ready TEN, that is right 10 receivers over the period of six months and they simply cannot fix them. They are totally incompetent and it is very disturbing to me. I have been in talks with executives in California and Colorado and even spoke to the CEO of the company.

I would like to hear from some of you as to what the heck you are doing to cope with the every day problems.

I have to reboot my HD 20 every single day because of freezing. Even with umpteen new downloads..

Earl Bonovich

03-01-07, 01:50 PM

With regards to Demsin2008 post:
Refer to this thread:
http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=81196

GStuart

03-18-07, 11:16 AM

On my TiVo HR 10-250 I could trick to display the time on the bottom right of screen can this be done with HR-20?

dmr

04-01-07, 11:55 AM

A Tivo feature that I can't find on the HR-20 is the display of schedule conflict.
I know in the guide it shows a X on the program but you need to find it in the guide yourself.
You know how Tivo had, in the history of the to do list, you can see what would not be able to be recorded due to conflict.
Is there a single place on the hr-20 where I can see that same soort of info??

litzdog911

04-01-07, 12:42 PM

Thaedron

10-09-07, 01:38 PM

There was an error opening this document, the file cannot be found.

Wanted to look something up, but am unable to open the PDF.

Milominderbinder2

10-09-07, 03:40 PM

Wanted to look something up, but am unable to open the PDF.
Try Right Click --> Download and then click Open when it is on your PC.

Just just opened it both ways...

- Craig

robnalex

10-13-07, 10:10 PM

I was able to work out a deal today for 2 HR20s and the install is scheduled for October 23.

Now I'm trying to figure out how to transition so that we can watch the remaining recordings on the 2 HR10-250s after the 2 HR20s are installed.

I realize that we can keep the 2 HR10-250s connected (4 DVRS) for a while, but am not sure my work order will allow this with out additional charge. From the DirecTV site, my order details read:

> Standard Professional Install $0.00
> Swap ReplaceImplied DVR IRD $0.00
> Handling $0.00
> Swap Replace HR20 IRD $0.00
> Swap Replace HR20 IRD $0.00

I guess I need to call back and confirm that my order includes a Zinwell 6x8 Multi-Switch WB68 and anything else needed to keep the HR10-250s online?

If the 2 HR10-250s are "taken off" can I still connect them to the TV and watch the recordings without getting a lot of annoying messages?

Suggestions?

LlamaLarry

11-25-07, 03:48 PM

On my TiVo HR 10-250 I could trick to display the time on the bottom right of screen can this be done with HR-20?I find this is something I have been missing as well. Right now I am switching back and forth between my HR20 and my HR10 to clear all the shows off and the first thing I miss when going back to the HR20's is the time display.

Milominderbinder2

11-26-07, 09:15 AM

I find this is something I have been missing as well. Right now I am switching back and forth between my HR20 and my HR10 to clear all the shows off and the first thing I miss when going back to the HR20's is the time display.Larry, good to have you aboard.

I know there was a TiVo back door code to display the clock. I never have used it except just to see how it worked. I have also toggled my TV clocks on just to try them out as well.

In the HR20/21 HD DVR's, I sometimes press Guide or List to see the clock. I don't know of a way to display a clock in the bottom corner like the TiVo back door code allowed.

- Craig

cartrivision

11-26-07, 05:22 PM

A few things in the survival guide need updating....

FF overshoot correction is no longer a missing feature.

XM music chanels are not recordable on HR20s (even though they are on R15s).

LlamaLarry

11-27-07, 08:07 AM

Drew2k

11-27-07, 10:39 AM

I also find I am having a hard time adjusting to the Guide layout vs the DirecTiVo style (list of channels on left with hours worth of that channel's programming on right). Is there only one guide display format on the HR2*?Yes - the Grid Guide is it.

However, you can simulate the TiVo List guide style by cursoring to the left (to the chanel number) and pressing INFO. That will display all upcoming programs on that channel.

I even created a macro on my Harmony to go to the next or previous channel using this workaround, but I found I don't use it often because I've grown accustomerd to the grid guide and because it takes so long for the upcoming programs to list in the "list view".

LlamaLarry

11-27-07, 11:37 AM

Thanks Drew! That does indeed approximate what I was looking for, but it is wicked slow. Odd that the grid view was the slow one on DirecTiVos.

Milominderbinder2

11-27-07, 11:59 AM

A few things in the survival guide need updating....

FF overshoot correction is no longer a missing feature.

XM music chanels are not recordable on HR20s (even though they are on R15s).Thank you!

I will update for the next revision!

- Craig

Drew2k

11-27-07, 03:53 PM

Thanks Drew! That does indeed approximate what I was looking for, but it is wicked slow. Odd that the grid view was the slow one on DirecTiVos.This is surely something that DIRECTV could optimize, because it seems it currently pulls all upcoming titles for that channel before permitting the first screen to be browsed, whereas if it was optimized, it could pre-fetch only the next two screens of data, and only fetch the next two screens as the user paged down... Just a thought for a "what-they-could-improve" next thread! :)

Kalanhi

01-16-08, 09:15 PM

I have a H10-250 that I own and a H20. I did the new HD package......I was already paying $10 for a HD package and I did not get any of the new programing and except Universal which I had any way before they made the changes. Now I am told I need a new antenna. Now I am told that I must get rid of the H10 and get a new box in order to get the HD programing. Dd* wants 200 for an upgrade. That sucks. Are there any other options? I like the OTA option on the H10 and my H20 has it. Can the H10 be modified or rigged with any other way?

Milominderbinder2

01-17-08, 09:51 AM

I have a H10-250 that I own and a H20...Now I am told that I must get rid of the H10 and get a new box in order to get the HD programing. Dd* wants 200 for an upgrade. That sucks. Are there any other options? I like the OTA option on the H10 and my H20 has it. Can the H10 be modified or rigged with any other way?This is all true. The HR10's MPEG2 tuners can't be modified to be MPEG4.

It would be like trying to get FM and an AM tuner. They are different frequencies and different technologies.

To receive the 87 new HD channels you need an HR20/HR21 DVR or H20/H21 Receiver.

The HD channels that your HR10 can receive will be going away over the coming months.

The issue is bandwidth. With the old MPEG2 channels they could only offer half as many channels. DIRECTV has told the SEC and investors that it costs them about $685 for each customer they have to upgrade but they have no choice either.

Here are resources that can help you. In particular, try the HR10 owner's email in the Ordering Tips:

From the HD DVR FAQ (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=817199#post817199):

What do I need to know about HD DVR ordering and installation?
→ Ordering Tips (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=839938#post839938)
→ Installation Guide (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=67769)

Is there an easy way to get started?
→ 5-Minute Quick Start (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=1030380#post1030380) ● Undocumented HD DVR PLUS Tips & Tricks (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=747592)

What can help me transition from TiVo? How do I get Suggestions?
→ TiVo Users Survival Guide (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=69404) ● Better Suggestions than TiVo! (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=109588)

- Craig

viperlmw

01-19-08, 12:05 PM

I realize this is rather pointless, yet it needs to be said. My wife just discovered that our HR-21 does not automatically record suggestions. I realize that you can set suggestions via directv.com, but my wife is not interested in sitting in front of a computer to find programs to rate. She wants to watch TV, and she likes how TIVO automatically records suggestions, either using the thumbs up / thumbs down to set preferences, or that TIVO will record shows as suggestions without even doing that. She likes going to the 'Now Playing List' on saturday morning when nothing is on and finding things the box recorded as suggestions. Effortless! DirecTV suggestions require more work than she is interested in doing. And if you set up series links, you have to manually delete them for more room. TIVO would delete suggestions as more room was required. I realize that this is a TIVO feature (patented, I'm sure), but there it is.

Other than that, I am definately enjoying our new HR-21 700! The PQ is awesome on HD! And it's much faster than our R-10! And she likes the blue circle.

Milominderbinder2

01-21-08, 01:29 PM

...My wife just discovered that our HR-21 does not automatically record suggestions...I realize that this is a TIVO feature (patented, I'm sure), but there it is...I do not have a better way than getting the suggestions online at directv and using the remote booking to have it record for you. I like it because I am usually not at home when I set up the recordings.

One complaint about TiVo Wishlist Autorecord was that it would litter your hard drive with those shows and then automatically delete the shows you recorded on purpose because they were older.

- Craig

Lee L

01-21-08, 02:02 PM

I do not have a better way than getting the suggestions online at directv and using the remote booking to have it record for you. I like it because I am usually not at home when I set up the recordings.

One complaint about TiVo Wishlist Autorecord was that it would litter your hard drive with those shows and then automatically delete the shows you recorded on purpose because they were older.

- Craig

Well, in truth it would only do that if you set things up wrong. I never had the issue because we set things we want as KUID and wishlists as able to be deleted. (though the fact that we upped the HR10-250 boxes to 500 gig helped with this. Also, suggestions would bever cause things to be deleted.

viperlmw

01-22-08, 01:46 AM

Well, in truth it would only do that if you set things up wrong. I never had the issue because we set things we want as KUID and wishlists as able to be deleted. (though the fact that we upped the HR10-250 boxes to 500 gig helped with this. Also, suggestions would bever cause things to be deleted.

Thats how ours is set up as well (still have 1 R-10). I have stuff on there I recorded back in May, yet it records suggestions all day every day. Just keeps recycling those, leaves everything else alone.

I still have my fingers crossed for Liberty Media/John Malone and TIVO!!!