RF on the HR20-100

[DrZ]

Is anyone else having a hard time getting the Rf feature to work on their Hr20-100? I've made sure the Rf antenna is properly inserted. I've shut off all cordless phones and wireless routers and I've even reset the Hr20 using the menu (no red button reset). Despite all that I still cant get it to respond via rf unless I hit each button 3 or 4 times. Any hints? Is this a software bug that others have observed? Is it a hardware thing? Can I make my antenna work better?

P.s. I've also tried putting in new batteries.

[Sander]

Is anyone else having a hard time getting the Rf feature to work on their Hr20-100? I've made sure the Rf antenna is properly inserted. I've shut off all cordless phones and wireless routers and I've even reset the Hr20 using the menu (no red button reset). Despite all that I still cant get it to respond via rf unless I hit each button 3 or 4 times. Any hints? Is this a software bug that others have observed? Is it a hardware thing? Can I make my antenna work better?

P.s. I've also tried putting in new batteries.

I found the RF response very sluggish when controlling the HR20 and useless, as well, for controlling the TV and AV system. For that reason I disabled it and just use the IR settings.

[veryoldschool]

I only have the -700, but use RF and except for the rare key bounce, works fine.
The -700 has an internal antenna & the -100 uses an external so it can be relocated which might help. Also it just might be the remote itself [as in defective].

[DrZ]

I only have the -700, but use RF and except for the rare key bounce, works fine.
The -700 has an internal antenna & the -100 uses an external so it can be relocated which might help. Also it just might be the remote itself [as in defective].

I can't really relocate the Hr20 but I but if i could extend (or lengthen) the antenna so it come out of the cabinet maybe it would work...I just don't know how to extend the antenna?

[samrs]

The -100's I've programed for RF worked just fine in a cabinet.

To relocate the antenna a short peice of coax with a barrel connector would work.

[DrZ]

The -100's I've programed for RF worked just fine in a cabinet.

To relocate the antenna a short peice of coax with a barrel connector would work.

Maybe I'll give it a try sometime...for now I guess I'll go IR.

[SDizzle]

My -700 works just fine with RF. Make a really long antenna out of coax for your -100.

[veryoldschool]

Since the antenna is about 6.5", if wanting to make one "bigger", I would try: 13" & 26" to see if there was an improvement, other than just relocating it.

[Kash76]

Yeah, I have a HR20-700 that I've had the RF32 remote for and it's worked fine for a while. Today I get an HR20-100 for a second HD box and the range sucks. Is the only way to fix this by using an extension cable?

Thanks

[veryoldschool]

Yeah, I have a HR20-700 that I've had the RF32 remote for and it's worked fine for a while. Today I get an HR20-100 for a second HD box and the range sucks. Is the only way to fix this by using an extension cable?

Thanks
I don't have a -100 to test. It should be a "plus" to have the external antenna.
BTW: it's an RC-32RF

[Kash76]

You would certainly think an external ant would be better than the -700 internal!

I tried the RC32RF on the -100 and got the same results. that eliminates the bad remote idea.

[DrZ]

Maybe I'll give it a try sometime...for now I guess I'll go IR.
Well I tried the coax and the RF is still an abysmal faiure :mad:

[Smuuth]

I found the RF response very sluggish when controlling the HR20 and useless, as well, for controlling the TV and AV system. For that reason I disabled it and just use the IR settings.The RF function of the RC34 or RC32RF does NOTHING on the TV or AV settings. Those are always IR only when coded for other TV or AV equipment.

[veryoldschool]

The RF function of the RC34 or RC32RF does NOTHING on the TV or AV settings. Those are always IR only.
You are mistaken.
I have mine set to control two HR-20s in RF mode. Both the RC 34 & RC 32RF have RF functioning in the AV switch position I've set to the other HR-20.

[Smuuth]

You are mistaken.
I have mine set to control two HR-20s in RF mode. Both the RC 34 & RC 32RF have RF functioning in the AV switch position I've set to the other HR-20.Mea Culpa. I misspoke. I should have said that the RF will not control non-DIRECTV equipment coded on those settings. :gott:

[veryoldschool]

Mea Culpa. I misspoke. :gott:
No sweat, [like I've never done that :lol: ]. :D

[phearrez]

Well I tried the coax and the RF is still an abysmal faiure :mad:

I got a 100 a few weeks ago, first HD with DVR. RF would occasionally work with 4 button pushes, lots of repeats/bounces as well. Let's just say I felt it was DOA considering how well RF works on my H20 in the bedroom, so I know what it should be like. Since I needed this unit behind a cabinet, I had it replaced. I ended up with a 700 replacement, which works perfectly in RF, all over the house. It's a win-win, since now I can use the CE releases too:) . I also made them credit me back for the cost of the HR20 (Actually I am up net $20) under the pre-tense that I paid for a new unit, and that they had no way to replace it with a new unit.

I think the 100's have RF issues or there is a defective run of them out there. You should have them replace it.

[billbillw]

No problems here with the RF on my -100. I do notice that sometimes I don't press the buttons hard enough, but if I see the light on the remote, I get a quick response from the HR20. IMHO, it works better than most IR remotes I've used.

[DrZ]

I was fooling around with it this weekend and it seemed to work much better if I bent the antenna toward the front of the HR20. It's still not perfect but is MUCH better

[PCampbell]

My Rf remote works with the 100 but the range is MUCH shorter than my R15 with the RF remote.

[zortapa]

My mother had an HR20-100 installed last Friday. After getting it connected, the installer said "look at this..." He walked into another room and tried to change the channel. It did NOT work. "Oh well," he said, "it is supposed to work through walls."

Being naive, my mother said that it was OK as long as it worked in the same room as the receiver.

24 hours later she called me complaining that it was terrible because she would often have to push the buttons 5-10 times to get them to register.

I tried to troubleshoot with her over the phone, but we were not successful. I told her to call D*. The D* CSR spent 90 minutes walking her through several tests and configurations without success. He then said "Let's try one more thing. Shake the remote. Does it rattle?" Hell yes it rattled!

The problem -- the batteries were not tightly connected in the remote. Because of the poor connection, the remote only worked intermittently.

The solution -- A new remote is on the way.....

[blufkin]

Our new 20-100 RF remote only works 65% of the time . Had a new remote sent and it wouldn't RF or AV1 at all. Tried bending and extending with no luck.Supposed to be a 20-700 on its way.Fingers are crossed.

[Orangegrower]

I got my 100 on Monday. The RF is totally useless. Too bad it seems like a nice idea.