2 day old HR20 going back

[Flyhigh]

Of course this is the kind of problem that doesn't present itself when the installer is here, only after he leaves does it spring up. The installation by the way went fantastic. The problem I'm getting is that there is a loud rattling vibration that comes from the case of the HR20. It comes and goes but is very loud at times. If I tap on the case, or hold it with my hand to apply light pressure, it goes away but otherwise when I let go, the vibration comes back. D* is sending out a new unit for me. Since the unit is not even 2 days old, I insisted that I do not get a refurb unit and the CSR agreed so we'll see if that's the case.

Other then that, I'm a little disappointed that I missed a show already. I set the DVR to record the Nets basketball game on HDnet the other night by going through the guide a few hours and hitting record. The DVR shows the program as recorded in my list and when I hit play, I do get 3 or so hrs. or amber showing that it did record the show but when I press play, it says "searching for authorized content" and gives me a blank screen. HDnet is a channel that I do get. I do not get the NBA package though and I'm not sure if that's why it didn't record. I'm fairly certain that I would have been able to watch that game on HDnet even though I don't get the NBA package. I'm just trying to figure things out.

[Howie]

Does HDNET carry NBA games? It doesn't in the SF Bay Area.

[Stuart Sweet]

This rattling you hear is not uncommon. It's usually easily fixed by one of two methods (or both)

-Put felt or wadded up tissue under the feet of the unit,
-Make sure the access card is in tightly.

I had this problem in November and since adding felt pads (initially using good old paper towels) to the bottom of the HR20, not a rattle or buzz to be heard.

[wakajawaka]

Other then that, I'm a little disappointed that I missed a show already. I set the DVR to record the Nets basketball game on HDnet the other night by going through the guide a few hours and hitting record. The DVR shows the program as recorded in my list and when I hit play, I do get 3 or so hrs. or amber showing that it did record the show but when I press play, it says "searching for authorized content" and gives me a blank screen. HDnet is a channel that I do get. I do not get the NBA package though and I'm not sure if that's why it didn't record. I'm fairly certain that I would have been able to watch that game on HDnet even though I don't get the NBA package. I'm just trying to figure things out.

My guess is that was in fact a blackout issue. Happens a lot on the sports pack channels as well.

[NYSmoker]

The Nets were on channel 95 the other night perhaps the OP is just a little confused as to what channel he was trying to record?

[Doug Brott]

This rattling you hear is not uncommon. It's usually easily fixed by one of two methods (or both)

-Put felt or wadded up tissue under the feet of the unit,
-Make sure the access card is in tightly.

I had this problem in November and since adding felt pads (initially using good old paper towels) to the bottom of the HR20, not a rattle or buzz to be heard.

2 days old? You've suggested an elegant workaround (one that I would likely use under many circumstances), but I would agree that a new unit is in order.

[Stuart Sweet]

2 days old? You've suggested an elegant workaround (one that I would likely use under many circumstances), but I would agree that a new unit is in order.

I'm with you, Doug, the OP deserves a new unit but I figure maybe this will let him use the old one in the meantime, or if the new one is DOA he won't be SOL.

[bonscott87]

Other then that, I'm a little disappointed that I missed a show already. I set the DVR to record the Nets basketball game on HDnet the other night by going through the guide a few hours and hitting record. The DVR shows the program as recorded in my list and when I hit play, I do get 3 or so hrs. or amber showing that it did record the show but when I press play, it says "searching for authorized content" and gives me a blank screen. HDnet is a channel that I do get. I do not get the NBA package though and I'm not sure if that's why it didn't record. I'm fairly certain that I would have been able to watch that game on HDnet even though I don't get the NBA package. I'm just trying to figure things out.

HDNet doesn't have NBA games, perhaps you meant on channel 95? As stated above it was most likely a blackout issue. You'll only see games on channel 95 if the feed is the same feed as your local RSN. So if the feed was the away feed and seeing as your in PA then that would be why you didn't get it.

[Flyhigh]

The Nets were on channel 95 the other night perhaps the OP is just a little confused as to what channel he was trying to record?

You're right, my mistake in my post. It was channel 95 not HDnet that the game was on but it was channel 95 not HDnet that I tried to record. You could be right about the game being blacked out although I believe I've watched NBA games before on 95. Next time one is on I'll try to watch it to see for sure.

Thank you for the tip with the felt although it doesn't help in my case. I could put this thing on carpet and I'd still hear the buzzing. I'm sure if I unscrewed the case and poked around inside and tightened things up I'd solve the problem but I'm sure I'd void the warranty on a device I think I may need a warranty for. In fact, I'm leaning toward the $5.99/month service plan because of this DVR. It's a shame I feel this way but from everything I've read on this forum and 2 days into my own experience I have this problem it makes me think about forking over an additional $5.99 to D*. They really get you by the Ba**s don't they! They're selling a product that has enough problems to make you fork over more money to protect that product. I'm going to start a poll to see how many people got the protection plan because of this DVR.

[kellen34]

I got the protection plan just a week ago because of the HR20. It covers everything though, so it's not a bad idea, even shipping on receivers, broken remotes, pretty much everything. Plus, they gave me $5 off for 6 months if I got the plan, so I said yes.

[Azeke]

There are two broadcast scenarios.

First channel 95 NBA games will only broadcast, if you have NBA ticket and that game is broadcasted in HD. You can check no nba.com.

Secondly, if you have the Sports package and that game is on 601 NBA channel and it is being broadcasted in HD.

Peace and blessings,

Azeke

[n3ntj]

I had the rattle on mine too. I found the mechanical resonant point on the top of my HR20's case and pressed down gently. This slightly deformed the top part of the chassis (not that you can tell by looking at it), but enough to stop the rattling. If you do this and it comes back:

1. You didn't find the right spot;
2. You didn't press hard enough.

It could be something internally too, but I fixed my problem.

[dsm]

Not to scare you and maybe something has changed, but I don't think DirecTV can ship a new unit direct to a customer. I've been down this path over the years I've had DirecTV and contrary to what the people say on the phone if you have it shipped from DirecTV they have no control over what gets shipped out to you. They say yes it will be new, but it would only be new if they were out of refurbs and I doubt that in this case :-(.

Or is the installer going to bring you a new one? If not and this one basically works, I'd try to resolve the vibration myself as the other poster suggested. It may even be something to do with the surface it is setting on so a new unit might not make a difference. Just my 2 cents...

-steve

[Stuart Sweet]

Not to scare you and maybe something has changed, but I don't think DirecTV can ship a new unit direct to a customer. I've been down this path over the years I've had DirecTV and contrary to what the people say on the phone if you have it shipped from DirecTV they have no control over what gets shipped out to you. They say yes it will be new, but it would only be new if they were out of refurbs and I doubt that in this case :-(.

Or is the installer going to bring you a new one? If not and this one basically works, I'd try to resolve the vibration myself as the other poster suggested. It may even be something to do with the surface it is setting on so a new unit might not make a difference. Just my 2 cents...

-steve

I don't know if I'm just lucky, but my replacement HR20 was new, not refurbed. It was in a box with printing [refurbs are in a plain white box], had all the retail stuff, and was pristine in appearance.

[veryoldschool]

I don't know if I'm just lucky, but my replacement HR20 was new, not refurbed. It was in a box with printing [refurbs are in a plain white box], had all the retail stuff, and was pristine in appearance.
Part of D* crap shoot. Last time D* "promised" a brand new box, they had to have it sent by an installer.
The "refurbs" have no rhyme or reason to them. Some "returns" look brand new [or D* pulled some "new" for the refurb group], others have "been through the mill".
Some come with new access card, some with cables, some with nothing....
It's a crap shoot, with the "worst" being someone's recycled "problem".

[dsm]

I don't know if I'm just lucky, but my replacement HR20 was new, not refurbed. It was in a box with printing [refurbs are in a plain white box], had all the retail stuff, and was pristine in appearance.

I'm not surprised I guess. I was told once I'd get a new replacement (not an HR20 at the time) and got a really beat up refurb that was just bouncing around in a box (no packaging). I called them and insisted they take it back. The CSR "admitted" to me then that I should not have been told I'd get a new one because they had no control over it. I went to customer retention and got them to "upgrade" me for free instead via an installer.

-steve

[Flyhigh]

My replacement unit arrived yesterday. It is in fact a refurb unit:nono2: . Upon a closer inspection of the replacement unit and my original unit, I can see what is causing the ratteling vibration noise. The top cover on the replacement unit is noticeably further away from the inner, silver "box" inside the HR-20 when you look straight down through the cooling slits on the top of the unit when compared to my original unit. Having had no reference, I figured that that was just how they were supposed to be. My original unit's outer casing literally rests on the silver box underneath, thus the rattling vibration noise. With long nose jewelers pliers, I was able to pull up on the case of my original unit enough so that there is now space between the case and anything inside while not deforming the unit in anyway. No more noise! There is still noticeably less space between the case and the inner box on my unit then there is on the replacement, but I think it shouldn't matter. I'd much prefer to keep my original brand new unit, which otherwise has been working perfectly then keep the refurb unit. Since the vibration is gone do you think I'll be ok with my original unit even though the casing is a bit closer then it probably should be (heat issues and such)? I'll run it for a while today and check the temps but I don't anticipate there being any difference as long as the casing isn't touching any metal inside.