When should I order the HR20?

[BuffaloDenny]

I just found this forum from the old Tivo HD DVR forum. Haven't checked in for awhile, and I see lots of folks getting the HR20! It kind of surprised me, because D* hasn't contacted me as an existing HD customer, which I thought they would to migrate me off the old equipment. Sounds like the experience with both the hardware and installations seems to be trending favorably.

I'm wondering when I should upgrade from my HR10-250? I'm happy with it, but will want the new HD offerings when they become available. And while Tivo has worked well for me, I'm not hung up on it, as long as the new dvr works. So, if you may indulge me for a few questions, I'd greatly appreciate that.

1. When are the new HD channel offerings supposed to be up? That's really my only motivation right now. Even when the new channels are available, will NFL ST in HD still be in MPEG2, or will that all be on MPEG4?

2. Will an 11 year customer who owns their current box need to pay $400 or whatever it is to get the HR20, and will that $400 buy me the box or will I have to lease it?

3. Can I use my existing OTA antenna with the new 5lnb dish? I think it's the winegard they set up with my HR10.

4. If my current sat and OTA reception is great now, will the new 5lnb dish work from the same location, or are there new sight lines needed?

5. How many wires run from the dish down to my receiver?

I'm new to this forum and still reading a lot of material, but any other tips or learning experiences is much appreciated:)

I guess I'd sum up my stance right now as leary of moving off what is working and what I like. Therefore, I'd kind of like to wait until the dust settles and the bugs and kinks are worked out and move at the last possible moment. Unfortunately, I've read a lot of posts from plenty of very long term and presumably most valuable customers who have left D* because of this experience, so you know it must have taken quite a bit to get them to leave. I'm a loyal D* supporter and have endured some hardships to ensure I've retained their service all these years and would definitely prefer to keep them. I'm just being cautious because this move from the HR10 to the HR20 seems to have been very negative for so many, but I'm hopeful over the long term it's still the best option out there for HD and DVR. Thanks!

[carl6]

1. When are the new HD channel offerings supposed to be up? That's really my only motivation right now. Even when the new channels are available, will NFL ST in HD still be in MPEG2, or will that all be on MPEG4?

Not until after at least one new satellite goes up and is placed in service. The soonest that could probably happen is perhaps July or August. Don't know about NFL ST.


2. Will an 11 year customer who owns their current box need to pay $400 or whatever it is to get the HR20, and will that $400 buy me the box or will I have to lease it?

The worst case price to lease is $299. Most people have managed to get $199, and some have done better than that. I do not know what DirecTV will do when they really try to migrate HR10 owners over. Cost to own is $750, but there really is no advantage to owning.


3. Can I use my existing OTA antenna with the new 5lnb dish? I think it's the winegard they set up with my HR10.

Yes, but you won't be able to diplex the signal, you will need a separate coax run for the OTA antenna.

4. If my current sat and OTA reception is great now, will the new 5lnb dish work from the same location, or are there new sight lines needed?

If you have the 3-LNB now (which I assume you do), then the new dish will only need slightly better field of view. Your current dish is looking at 101, 110 and 119. The 5-LNB dish also looks at 99 and 103 - very close to 101.

5. How many wires run from the dish down to my receiver?

Not counting OTA, the same. Although by August there may be another option in placed called SWM (Single Wire Multiswitch) which provides a single wire solution to the hi def DVR.

I'm new to this forum and still reading a lot of material, but any other tips or learning experiences is much appreciated:)

Read these forums - a LOT of information can be found.


Unfortunately, I've read a lot of posts from plenty of very long term and presumably most valuable customers who have left D* because of this experience, so you know it must have taken quite a bit to get them to leave.

When first released, the HR20 definately had problems, most of which have since been corrected. The other significant issue for existing Tivo customers is that the user interface, menu structure, etc., are all different. Some have left DirecTV simply because the new DVR is not Tivo, regardless of any other issue or concern. Again, if you spend some time reading these forums, you will find many comments from prior Tivo users who are quite happy with the HR20.

Carl

[jimb726]

I just found this forum from the old Tivo HD DVR forum. Haven't checked in for awhile, and I see lots of folks getting the HR20! It kind of surprised me, because D* hasn't contacted me as an existing HD customer, which I thought they would to migrate me off the old equipment. Sounds like the experience with both the hardware and installations seems to be trending favorably.

I'm wondering when I should upgrade from my HR10-250? I'm happy with it, but will want the new HD offerings when they become available. And while Tivo has worked well for me, I'm not hung up on it, as long as the new dvr works. So, if you may indulge me for a few questions, I'd greatly appreciate that.

1. When are the new HD channel offerings supposed to be up? That's really my only motivation right now. Even when the new channels are available, will NFL ST in HD still be in MPEG2, or will that all be on MPEG4?

2. Will an 11 year customer who owns their current box need to pay $400 or whatever it is to get the HR20, and will that $400 buy me the box or will I have to lease it?

3. Can I use my existing OTA antenna with the new 5lnb dish? I think it's the winegard they set up with my HR10.

4. If my current sat and OTA reception is great now, will the new 5lnb dish work from the same location, or are there new sight lines needed?

5. How many wires run from the dish down to my receiver?

I'm new to this forum and still reading a lot of material, but any other tips or learning experiences is much appreciated:)

I guess I'd sum up my stance right now as leary of moving off what is working and what I like. Therefore, I'd kind of like to wait until the dust settles and the bugs and kinks are worked out and move at the last possible moment. Unfortunately, I've read a lot of posts from plenty of very long term and presumably most valuable customers who have left D* because of this experience, so you know it must have taken quite a bit to get them to leave. I'm a loyal D* supporter and have endured some hardships to ensure I've retained their service all these years and would definitely prefer to keep them. I'm just being cautious because this move from the HR10 to the HR20 seems to have been very negative for so many, but I'm hopeful over the long term it's still the best option out there for HD and DVR. Thanks!

Hi there and welcome,
1. Right now the only thing broadcast in the MPEG4 format is the HD Locals if available in your market. It seems that new MPEG4 HD channels will be available sometine this fall, but it is contingent on D* being able to get the new satellite launched.
2. The current price is $299. There are plenty of people who got it free or for less, but it appears that those deals may be starting to dry up. With D* unless you are willing to spend 750 dollars for the unit, it is a lease with a 2 year agreement, and it seems they are not prone to waiver from that.
3. The HR20 does have an OTA jack on the back so that should work no problem.
4. In most cases they mount the dish in the same spot, but it will depend on line of sight. It does need to see new satellites that your 3-LNB didnt need to see.
5. If you go with the HR20 you should have two lines running to it. If you only have the one reciever you will have them run straight from the dish to your receiver, otherwise they will install a multi switch as part of your install.

Hope this helps,

Jim

[dave29]

i would just keep the hr10 until the new channels come out this fall(from what i have heard) because the only channels you will get are the locals and it sounds like you have them ota. keep the hr10 for now, i have an hr10 and an hr20 and i like the hr10 way better than the hr20. it is totally preference though.

[BuffaloDenny]

Thanks everyone! I'll just keep reading the forum and learning more. From one of my questions, it appears at most I'll have 3 wires running from the dish to my one HR20 - 2 for sat, 1 for OTA, right? Seems like I can sit tight for awhile. If they don't move NFL HD over to MPEG4, which seems unlikely this year, perhaps I can squeeze another year out of my HR10. Like I said, I'm not married to Tivo, and long as the new UI works;) My biggest concern is getting a quality install done right the 1st time. Hopefully more time will get these guys more experience and knowledge of HD customer needs in the coming months.

Does anyone know if a 2nd gen receiver has been announced or is planned? And I'm sure I'll find it eventually, but besides the $299 where can pricing info be found, i.e. monthly lease expense, etc.

Thanks.

[pdawg17]

One thing to consider is are you planning on selling the HR-10? I'm getting an HR20 installed Wednesday and I'm going to keep my HR-10 activated for a few weeks to make sure the HR20 is doing ok (it might take more than a few weeks - I know)...and then I'll be putting my HR10 on Craigslist...the longer you wait, the less you'll get for the HR10...

[jimb726]

Thanks everyone! I'll just keep reading the forum and learning more. From one of my questions, it appears at most I'll have 3 wires running from the dish to my one HR20 - 2 for sat, 1 for OTA, right? Seems like I can sit tight for awhile. If they don't move NFL HD over to MPEG4, which seems unlikely this year, perhaps I can squeeze another year out of my HR10. Like I said, I'm not married to Tivo, and long as the new UI works;) My biggest concern is getting a quality install done right the 1st time. Hopefully more time will get these guys more experience and knowledge of HD customer needs in the coming months.

Does anyone know if a 2nd gen receiver has been announced or is planned? And I'm sure I'll find it eventually, but besides the $299 where can pricing info be found, i.e. monthly lease expense, etc.

Thanks.

No the way the cabling works is, there are 4 wires coming out of the dish to the multi-switch (if needed). The OTA is a seperate run to your HR20 box. As with anything, there are good installers and poor installers, as far as the HD is concerned it makes no difference on the installer, the install is the same.