Well the HR20 ever be replaced?

[Spoonie]

I would think that D* is working on a replacement. Anyone knows when the next generation of D*'s HD-DVRs will come out? Or are we stuck with revisions to the HR-20 forever? The reason I ask is because D* will give me an upgrade for free because my 10-250 keeps losing its HD channels (even on sunny days). They offered a new HR-20 to replace my 10-250 but once the new receiver is activated you are committed to a 2-year contract. This seems like a gamble to me because installing a HR-20 doesn’t guarantee that my HD channels would be fixed. I’ve already had both my 10-250 and H20 replaced and the HD problem happens no matter what box is connected. The signal strength is fine.

The current HR-20 doesn’t have the features I want so a newer better featured model is what it will take for D* to keep me. I’ve been a 12 year D* customer but this HD problem has me checking Verizon’s web site for fios availability in my area (already have internet). If you ask me D* is slippin. They’ve been promising more HD channels for years and all we got was TNT HD. I can’t wait to fire D*

[Earl Bonovich]

For ever?
No... As with all their units, they are always working on the "next" one.
It could be another year or two until we see the "next" HD DVR..

But you can almost BET, that it is going to be very similar to the current model.

As far as I keep track of. There are 2.5 features that the HR20 doesn't have that the HR10 does: DLB, Suggestions, and Advanced Wishlists

Everything else that you could do with your HR10 (unhacked) you can do with an HR20.

As for DirecTV slipping... with regards to HD channels.
Well.. Once those SATs go up...

[davring]

I had the very same mysterious loss of HD channels, replaced tuners, multi-switches and after several attempts to make the repairs I suggested replacing the LNB. (AU9 dish) They told me they never go bad, I said humor me, they changed them and never a problem since. My signal strenght was alwas good as well. Worth a try.

[TheRatPatrol]

.....they are always working on the "next" one.
It could be another year or two until we see the "next" HD DVR..
I hope the new one has PIP. :D

[Stuart Sweet]

It's been said here and other places, including a DirecTV press conference, that the HR20 is the foundation for all future DirecTV advanced services. They are working very hard to get this one right and they've made a lot of progress.

If you're a long-term customer and the HR30 (or whatever it's called) comes out in 6 months when you're still on 2-year contract, it's not impossible to get them to send you a new one. You just have to ask nice.

[nzone]

I had the very same mysterious loss of HD channels, replaced tuners, multi-switches and after several attempts to make the repairs I suggested replacing the LNB. (AU9 dish) They told me they never go bad, I said humor me, they changed them and never a problem since. My signal strenght was alwas good as well. Worth a try.

Exact same thing I had. I was told the exact same thing also by the 2nd installer. I told him just go ahead and replace the LNBs. The look on his face was priceless after he saw that was the problem

[Tiebmbr]

What one has to remember is that by the time any piece of electronic hardware hits the market, it is already on the verge of obsolesence. Certainly the minds at D* are thinking up the next unit, do you think the team over at Microsoft isn't already working feverishly on the follow-up to the Xbox 360?

It would appear, however, in the case of the HR20, as exemplified by the numerous software upgrades made available over the last 6 mo. or so, that D* did in fact release the HR20 to the market while still a work in progress, before all its issues had been fully ironed out, and thus will probably be sticking with the HR20 for a good long time.

I actually don't mind this, as long as they don't simply go "back to the drawing board" and try and do it right with the next release...which I don't think they'd do. There's too much at stake with this unit already.

They'll get it right. Anyone remember the debacle of the Sega Saturn, and how Sega tried to revive their fortunes with the Dreamcast? There are very few 'do overs' in the business of electronics when good faith (and a good deal of money) has been lost.

[islesfan]

For ever?
No... As with all their units, they are always working on the "next" one.
It could be another year or two until we see the "next" HD DVR..

But you can almost BET, that it is going to be very similar to the current model.

As far as I keep track of. There are 2.5 features that the HR20 doesn't have that the HR10 does: DLB, Suggestions, and Advanced Wishlists

Everything else that you could do with your HR10 (unhacked) you can do with an HR20.

As for DirecTV slipping... with regards to HD channels.
Well.. Once those SATs go up...

Isn't the HR10 a TiVo? If so, there is one BIG thing you can do with a TiVo that you can't with the HR20, and that is autorecord only on the channels you receive.

[islesfan]

They'll get it right. Anyone remember the debacle of the Sega Saturn, and how Sega tried to revive their fortunes with the Dreamcast? There are very few 'do overs' in the business of electronics when good faith (and a good deal of money) has been lost.

Funny you mention this, as I have both, and still use them regularly. I really like the two machines, and I never knew why (except marketing?) these machines killed the Sega home market. Of course, with that said, I got both after they were orphaned, so I got the Saturn for $40, and the DC for $10.

[Earl Bonovich]

Isn't the HR10 a TiVo? If so, there is one BIG thing you can do with a TiVo that you can't with the HR20, and that is autorecord only on the channels you receive.

Okay... so 3 full features... ;)

As even with the TiVo you have to maintain the list of channels that you "receive" and that does get altered, so you could end up "autorecording" on a channel you "receive" either.