Fed up with the piece of garbage that is the HR20

[Big Dish]

And here's why:

1. No dual live buffers. It's ridiculous that is was not included.
2. Missing random recording. My Tivo's never missed one in 4 years.
3. Slow guide and sofware compared to the Tivo units.
4. The piece of crap actually has a reset button. If it was good, it would not be needed.
5. Simply it's not Tivo. I miss Tivo's power and simplicity so much. If I could watch HD locals on the HR10-250 I never would have gotten rid of it.

DirecTV should drop the HR20 "beta" now and beg Tivo for it's software.
I hope everyone realizes we are all beta testing the HR20, because there is no way this thing should be considered a final product. Especially since I've had it about 6 months and have had 6 or more versions of software.

[Big Dish]

Another thing I forgot to mention, that isn't just related to just the HR20, but what the hell is with the size of the 5-LNB dish? It's kinda crazy that it has to be so big. I feel like with a good wind that thing is just going to go flying in to my neighbors house.

[Earl Bonovich]

1) Okay...
2) Glad your TiVo worked perfectly, but okay...
3) Very dependent on your TiVo and your usage... I have (had) multiple TiVo's, one I would say was faster then the R15/HR20... but the others... not even close... but hey... okay...
4) All DirecTV receivers (D10, D11, D12, R15, H20, HR20, SAT-GO, ect....) for the last few years have a RESET button... as all systems (including the TiVo) do have cases where they need to be reset... and DirecTV even from a just a "Safety" point of view, would rather have a front accessible button to reset, then having people "unplug" it.
5) Your right... it is not a "TiVo" nor was it trying to be

[Earl Bonovich]

Another thing I forgot to mention, that isn't just related to just the HR20, but what the hell is with the size of the 5-LNB dish? It's kinda crazy that it has to be so big. I feel like with a good wind that thing is just going to go flying in to my neighbors house.

Crack out the physics books... To try to pull in the signal from 5 different SAT orbits.... That dish is pretty small..

Would you rather have 5 different ones?

[Stuart Sweet]

Big Dish -

Welcome to the forums. I'm sorry you're here because you're unhappy.

We've all covered the "it's not a Tivo" angle for a while, and I think we all agree, it's not a Tivo. There are a lot of things to like about it, and I think that other than, "it's not a Tivo" there are some arguments to be made about your other points.

What I should mention is that my R10 Tivo has a reset button and within the last month I've had to use it more frequently than I've used the one on my HR20. So you see, everyone's experience is different.

If your 5-LNB dish is properly installed with monopoles (the little struts) then it won't blow off. Yes, I had some issues with its size too but that's just that; it's what it takes to get the hundreds of HD channels that are coming in the next few years.

There are a lot of people here in this forum who are working hard to get positive changes made. Some think that the answer is to hold DirecTV accountable, and some have actively signed up for a pre-release software program.

I, for one, hope that you will join us in trying to make this a better user experience, however you choose to do it. In the meantime, yes, we all agree, it's not a Tivo.

[HarleyD]

I've got my gripes about the HR20 but the slimline dish is not a big deal.

Remeber the old 8-Foot satellite dishes with a positioning actuator? Now that was cumbersome. Makes the slimline look pretty darn good.

[bimmer10]

I just had my Tivo HR10-250 crap out on 2 CBS recordings last week, terribly pixelised. HR20 was rock solid. I will take the HR20 off your hands :D

I have kept the HR20 in the bedroom since I purchased it in November, it really has been a good experience. Even the wife wants another one to replace our aging HD Tivo.

[upnorth]

I've got my gripes about the HR20 but the slimline dish is not a big deal.

Remeber the old 8-Foot satellite dishes with a positioning actuator? Now that was cumbersome. Makes the slimline look pretty darn good.

Oh how I remember, I had a 10ft mounted on the roof.
And there worried about the AT9 :confused:

The AT9 is very stable if mounted correctly with the supports

[jal]

All my TIVOs have been rock solid. The HR20 is not even close. So far, all my HR20 has done for me is keep me up to 11 pm once a week or so, so I can download the next "miracle" fix, which never seems to work. There would be nothing wrong with Directv having a choice of products, so those of us who like TIVO more would still have a choice to have a working DVR.

[bwaldron]

And here's why:

1. No dual live buffers. It's ridiculous that is was not included.
2. Missing random recording. My Tivo's never missed one in 4 years.
3. Slow guide and sofware compared to the Tivo units.
4. The piece of crap actually has a reset button. If it was good, it would not be needed.
5. Simply it's not Tivo. I miss Tivo's power and simplicity so much. If I could watch HD locals on the HR10-250 I never would have gotten rid of it.

DirecTV should drop the HR20 "beta" now and beg Tivo for it's software.
I hope everyone realizes we are all beta testing the HR20, because there is no way this thing should be considered a final product. Especially since I've had it about 6 months and have had 6 or more versions of software.

1. It's a feature I miss, but not having it doesn't make the HR20 "garbage"

2. Agreed completely. The HR20 has performed poorly for me in this area compared to my previous DVRs.

3. Some things were faster on Tivos (I miss the list-style guide), but the HR20 is faster in many other operations than the HR10. Speed of the GUI is not a major issue for me.

4. Huh? Button or menu option as on Tivo, what's the difference? Granted, it's not a feature you want to use often.

5. I like Tivo. I'd prefer Tivo. However, if I preferred it enough to switch to cable or FIOS, that option is available to me. But D* has the sports programming I desire.

6. Regarding the dish...it's the size it needs to be to see all the satellites on both Ka and Ku band with acceptable performance. If that's a major problem, cable or fiber would probably be a better option for you.

The HR20 has problems...I have cursed it when it fails to play a recording, which has happened to me far too often. It has features missing that I loved on Tivo (better wishlists and dual buffers). But it also has features I like compared to the HR10 (native mode, all outputs simultaneously active).

Reliability of the unit needs to be improved, and as soon as possible. When that happens, the HR20 will be "good enough" for me. Not as nice for my needs as an MPEG4 Tivo would be, but far better than the DVRs offered by cable/FIOS.

If the reliability doesn't improve, I will likely end up leaving D* when my commitment is up.

[bwaldron]

I've got my gripes about the HR20 but the slimline dish is not a big deal.

Remeber the old 8-Foot satellite dishes with a positioning actuator? Now that was cumbersome. Makes the slimline look pretty darn good.

I had a 10-foot BUD for over 15 years. I dearly miss having all NFL games free with no commercials, in excellent SD quality. Added D* in '96 as more and more programming became unavailable on the BUD, but kept it around for wild feeds and backhauls until one of the hurricanes in '04 damaged it beyond repair.

So, no, the size of the Slimline doesn't bother me.

[jgrade]

And here's why:
5. Simply it's not TiVo. I miss TiVo's power and simplicity so much. If I could watch HD locals on the HR10-250 I never would have gotten rid of it.


Why did you? If the TiVo was so much better why didn't you just buy an antenna and record the locals OTA? It's not a TiVo, but neither is the Dish PVR, or Comcast PVR (for the moment) or Time Warner PVR, etc, etc, etc.:rolleyes:

[HarleyD]

until one of the hurricanes in '04 damaged it beyond repair.

So, no, the size of the Slimline doesn't bother me.I see you're in Tampa. I'm about 50 miles away out here in Polk County (Winter Haven to be specific).

I got SLAMMED by the '04 triple play of hurricanes.

If you look at the storm tracks for hurricanes Charlie, Francis and Jean on a map they all intersect at one point...my front yard! ;)

Oddly enougy my dish and antenna didn't budge, but I lost two 130' live oaks in my front yard that were each about 3' in diameter.

[Stuart Sweet]

I just had my Tivo HR10-250 crap out on 2 CBS recordings last week, terribly pixelised. HR20 was rock solid. I will take the HR20 off your hands :D

I have kept the HR20 in the bedroom since I purchased it in November, it really has been a good experience. Even the wife wants another one to replace our aging HD Tivo.

Yeah actually I'm going to be replacing my R10 with an R15 in the next few months.

[HarleyD]

Yeah actually I'm going to be replacing my R10 with an R15 in the next few months.Let's not go crazy here.

[bwaldron]

I seeyou're in Tampa. I'm out here in Polk County (Winter Haven to be specific).

I got SLAMMED by the '04 triple play of hurricanes.

If you look at the storm tracks for hurricanes Charlie, Francis and Jean on a map they all intersect at one point...my front yard! ;)

Oddly enougy my dish and antenna didn't budge, but I lost two 130' live oaks in my front yard that were each about 3' in diameter.

Actually I'm in the eastern part of Hillsborough county. We did not get nearly the impact that you did, we were on the edge of the paths. It was Frances that took down a bunch of oaks here, took out much of my fence and did the BUD damage. My DirecTV dish never budged an inch.

Used to go to Winter Haven all the time in the old days when the Sox trained there. Pretty little town.

[bwaldron]

Let's not go crazy here.

Heh. For my SD DVRs, I see no reason at all to replace the HDVR2's that have been working like champs for years.

[Tom_S]

1. No dual live buffers. It's ridiculous that is was not included.
2. Missing random recording. My Tivo's never missed one in 4 years.
3. Slow guide and sofware compared to the Tivo units.
4. The piece of crap actually has a reset button. If it was good, it would not be needed.
5. Simply it's not Tivo. I miss Tivo's power and simplicity so much. If I could watch HD locals on the HR10-250 I never would have gotten rid of it.


1. I mean who cares except for some sports nuts.
2. In three months my HR20 never missed a recording.
3. Are you smoking crack?! The Tivo UI is among the slowest in recorded history. I especially like the (This may take a few minutes) dialog.
4. TIVO had a reset button. It was called the(Pull the Card reset) and me and my parents and in-laws have been told by CSR's to do this on occasion.
5. You're right! It's not a TiVo. I for one am happy about that.

[hdtvfan0001]

1. I mean who cares except for some sports nuts.
2. In three months my HR20 never missed a recording.
3. Are you smoking crack?! The Tivo UI is among the slowest in recorded history. I especially like the (This may take a few minutes) dialog.
4. TIVO had a reset button. It was called the(Pull the Card reset) and me and my parents and in-laws have been told by CSR's to do this on occasion.
5. You're right! It's not a TiVo. I for one am happy about that.
Somebody had to say it (OK, maybe not the first part of #3). :D

[NYSmoker]

And here's why:

1. No dual live buffers. It's ridiculous that is was not included.
2. Missing random recording. My Tivo's never missed one in 4 years.
3. Slow guide and sofware compared to the Tivo units.
4. The piece of crap actually has a reset button. If it was good, it would not be needed.
5. Simply it's not Tivo. I miss Tivo's power and simplicity so much. If I could watch HD locals on the HR10-250 I never would have gotten rid of it.

DirecTV should drop the HR20 "beta" now and beg Tivo for it's software.
I hope everyone realizes we are all beta testing the HR20, because there is no way this thing should be considered a final product. Especially since I've had it about 6 months and have had 6 or more versions of software.

I'll chime in as well:

1. Dual buffers is a eh thing for me, if they are there I might use them once in a great while, had them on my Time Warner DVR and never really used them.

2. My HR20 has never not recorded something. Playing back that recording is another matter and here is where the HR20 is a POS.

3. I actually hate the TiVo guide and like the D* one.

4. All computers have a reset button. On my Time Warner DVR and even the non DVR boxes you need to hold in the power button to reset/reboot.

5. I can't stand the TiVo interface, why is it so simple? I don't need a confirmation screen for every little thing I do. Yes I want to record the show I pressed record!

This is all coming from someone who can't stand the HR20 right now, but if it is ever fixed I know I will like it much more then a TiVo based unit.

[jheda]

[QUOTE=Tom_S;824961]1. I mean who cares except for some sports nuts.


in re (DLB)Lots of people care..i know youve seen the comments, the polls etc. Lets not open that can of worms again.....

[mitchelljd]

to retort:
1- in several months my hr20 has missed recordings
2- my hr20 has recorded programs and had severe audio issues. ie audio and video out of sync. this has happened alot
3- i simply prefer tivo user interface and program guide. it's much better!!! only reason why the tivo was slower UI was it's anemic Ram amount. Newer models wouldnt have this problem. and some people have hacked them to add more system ram.

[HarleyD]

5. I can't stand the TiVo interface, why is it so simple? I don't need a confirmation screen for every little thing I do. Yes I want to record the show I pressed record!
Obviously you don't have pets. :lol:

One of my dogs (I have 6) jumps up on the couch and steps on my harmony about 3 or 4 times a week. Sometimes it's nice to be able to say "No, that was a mistake. Please belay that order."

I laugh at it but boy does the wife get mad when it changes the channel on her program and she loses her buffer! :eek2:

[hdtvfan0001]

3- i simply prefer tivo user interface and program guide. it's much better!!! only reason why the tivo was slower UI was it's anemic Ram amount. Newer models wouldnt have this problem. and some people have hacked them to add more system ram.
Oh contrare.....the newest Tivoboxes (except the 800 model just released) all had anemic speed issues (especially in comparison to the HR20) - there are hundreds upon hundreds of posts in the Tivo Community forum board threads on this very topic.

As far as the GUI - people either love it or hate it.

Even my wife called it the "DVR for Dummies" menu system when we had our H10-250 (and she used it only 10% of the time compared to my 90%). The HR20 GUI is far better IMHO, but this has already been debated a 1000 times here from both sides. At the end of the day, it's about personal taste.

[vanthof]

All my TIVOs have been rock solid. The HR20 is not even close. So far, all my HR20 has done for me is keep me up to 11 pm once a week or so, so I can download the next "miracle" fix, which never seems to work. There would be nothing wrong with Directv having a choice of products, so those of us who like TIVO more would still have a choice to have a working DVR.

I understand your and the OP's point about the HR20 being released too early. And I would love to see multiple vendors competing for my business... Competition can help improve quality.

But (IMHO) DirecTV had to make a decision on whether to loose market share by waiting until the box is 'perfect' or take a chance that the majority of people will accept the box in it's current state and retain customers, and all the while continue to improve the HR20 features and performance.

I'm quite pleased I can participate in the CE versions of the firmware, not everyone is as willing to beta test the HR20 as I am, and that's quite understandable. Part of my job is testing new software and hardware.

Hopefully D* will soon have a version of the firmware that can meet you needs.

Dave

[PoitNarf]

http://www.dbstalk.com/images/smilies/beatdeadhorse.gif

And that's all I've got to say about this...

[Stuart Sweet]

http://www.dbstalk.com/images/smilies/beatdeadhorse.gif

And that's all I've got to say about this...

SECONDED

[bwaldron]

http://www.dbstalk.com/images/smilies/beatdeadhorse.gif

And that's all I've got to say about this...

Well...while the horse has been beaten severely, it's not dead...and it won't be, so long as there are still people switching from the HR10 to the HR20, and so long as a significant number of people are having problems with the HR20.

So while it may be tiring and old news to many...these discussions will undoubtedly continue to pop up.

[HarleyD]

Just drink your Kool Aid and don't make a fuss... :lol:

[dhaakenson]

5) Your right... it is not a "TiVo" nor was it trying to be

That's good to hear, because the HR20 definitely isn't comparable to a TiVo.

Exactly what is the HR20 trying to be? Mine is still trying to record and play back TV shows. :(

[Earl Bonovich]

The HR20 is the DVR that DirecTV wants for "THIER" service.

TiVo is just ONE of many implementations of a DVR... Just like iPod is just one of many inplementations of MP3 player.

If every make kept cloning their MP3 players of the original RIO's......

[jgrade]

This thread is going nowhere fast. The OP dropped a bomb and took off for the hills. I think we can all agree that the HR20 is not a TiVo for all the good and bad reasons. Thankfully, this thread will probably be buried on page 2 by the end of the day.:nono2:

[Marcia_Brady]

Well...while the horse has been beaten severely, it's not dead...and it won't be, so long as there are still people switching from the HR10 to the HR20, and so long as a significant number of people are having problems with the HR20.

So while it may be tiring and old news to many...these discussions will undoubtedly continue to pop up.

Exactly.

But for the fact that the HR20 is still very problematic for many, there would be no real negativity in the forum. We have 3 HR10's, an SVR2000 and an HDVR2 and not one of them has ever missed a recording.

The bottom line for me isn't the dual buffers, or the GUI, or the speed of the unit; those things are all secondary. I just want HR20 to record every program it's scheduled to record.......and play them back.

If it ever does, let them take care of the other wants/needs of the customer. I don't give a crap if it's TiVo or not -just get the damn thing to work!

An opinion.

[dhaakenson]

It's too bad that D* didn't stick with its iPod. My HR20 performs like a cheap Chinese imitation of a defective Rio. If my MP3 player (which is an iPod) were riddled with as many audio dropouts as my HR20, it'd be resting peacefully at the bottom of Puget Sound.

[Earl Bonovich]

It's too bad that D* didn't stick with its iPod. My HR20 performs like a cheap Chinese imitation of a defective Rio. If my MP3 player (which is an iPod) were riddled with as many audio dropouts as my HR20, it'd be resting peacefully at the bottom of Puget Sound.

Well.. as pointed out by many people.
Not all HR20's are like yours...

If it continues that way... go back tothe HR10, or consider a different carrier. As TiVo is not comming back.


And with that, as I think this thread has run it's course...
It is now Closed.

If you want to start (yet another), thread about DirecTV's decision to make their own DVR's (and thus drop TiVo).
You can do so in the General forum... as that is a business decision.

The HR20 is what it is...