Next generation HR-20?

[wipeout]

Is there an HR-21 in the wings? I really like the all black look of the H-21 and would wait to swap out my HR-10's for the black box. (silly stuff to some I know)

[litzdog911]

Rumours only at this point. Nothing has been announced.

[kevinturcotte]

You could look into getting an HR20-100 B. They're an HR20 in black. It would be difficult to find, and you couldn't order it direct from Directv, but you could check out local electronics stores.

[boba]

HR21 is coming this fall but don't hold your breath. Probably in the Sept. to Oct. time period. You may want the HR20 for the ATSC tuner that is supposed to be missing from HR21. Thanks to leasing there will be HR20 returns popping up in the market after the cheaper HR21 is released.

[litzdog911]

HR21 is coming this fall but don't hold your breath. Probably in the Sept. to Oct. time period. You may want the HR20 for the ATSC tuner that is supposed to be missing from HR21. Thanks to leasing there will be HR20 returns popping up in the market after the cheaper HR21 is released.

What's your source for that information, boba? I have not heard a specific timeframe, nor specific features, such as lacking OTA tuners.

[drx792]

What's your source for that information, boba? I have not heard a specific timeframe, nor specific features, such as lacking OTA tuners.

boba that all just sounds like specualtion based on the H21........IMHO i dont think they are going to release a new HD DVR anytime soon..possibly after D11 is up and ready. Expect the R16 before the HR21 cause they Need a standard def DVR with SWM.

[Stuart Sweet]

This question has been asked since the fall of last year. So far we don't have any hard answers, and a lot of speculation. The one thing I'd bet on is that when/if there is a new DVR from DIRECTV, you'll see the review here before you see it anywhere else! :):)

[boba]

What's your source for that information, boba? I have not heard a specific timeframe, nor specific features, such as lacking OTA tuners.Director Independent Dealer Development at Directv Revolution in Dallas.:)

[DonCorleone]

Not sure why they'd need to. The only thing s/w can't seem to upgrade for it is PIP.

[Kevin Dupuy]

My estimate, with no proof or other things suggesting this except for tea leaves (which are hard for me to get since I drink Coke and coffee), is that we'll see a R15+1 by next summer, and maybe by Christmas. Then we might see a slimmed down HR20, but if we do I would guess it would replace the HR20, not be offered in addition to it. Maybe it would work as a DVR they give away, similar to the R15 (I know it costs $99, but I usually see a rebate for the entire cost almost all the time)

Or, as some of the much more experienced users than I have brought up in the past, the next R15 successor could be the slimmed down HR20. I don't think D* would necessarily do that, as they know it's important to keep the cost of acquiring and setting up customers low (somebody should have told SunRocket that, but anyway....), but who knows.

My $0.02 USD.

[AlbertZeroK]

An HR20 without a OTA tuner would save on unit cost and OTA is not used very much so it makes sense to make an HR20 without OTA. But would it really save enough money to make it worth while?

[boilerjt]

An HR20 without a OTA tuner would save on unit cost and OTA is not used very much so it makes sense to make an HR20 without OTA. But would it really save enough money to make it worth while?

They better get HD locals in place (including my 153rd Ranked DMA) before they do away with the OTA tuner. Right now, I record more off of OTA than satellite (maybe not right now considering the crap that's on this summer on network TV.)

[convem24]

They better get HD locals in place (including my 153rd Ranked DMA) before they do away with the OTA tuner. Right now, I record more off of OTA than satellite (maybe not right now considering the crap that's on this summer on network TV.)

I think that D* is going to offer both the H20/H21 and HR20/21 to all customers side by side. I think D* realizes that that markets that will be under supported for local HD need OTA. I would believe that both would be available for a while. The only issue is FTM/SWM issues. The HR20 (does support SWM)/HR21 (assumed SWM support) and H21 (we know this one supports SWM) support SWM/FTM features so legacy versus SWM support will be tricky. The majority of customers will not need OTA but there still is a viable audience for OTA. Again this is mostly conjecture but it does make some sense long term to leave OTA out since all HDTVs are now required by the gov't to include ATSC tuners with all new TVs this year.

[west99999]

The Hr21-700 Is On The Way And It Does Not Have Atsc Tuner Also (dod) Directv On Demand Has A Tentative Launch Date For September 17th 2007 Customers Must Have A Dsl Or Cable Modem With An Open Ethernet Port Must Have Hr20 Or Hr21 To Get The Service Also Something About Phone Plugs Will Be Issued Out For Wifi Capability

[Stuart Sweet]

west99999,

Where are you getting your information from?

[Drew2k]

The Hr21-700 Is On The Way And It Does Not Have Atsc Tuner Also (dod) Directv On Demand Has A Tentative Launch Date For September 17th 2007 Customers Must Have A Dsl Or Cable Modem With An Open Ethernet Port Must Have Hr20 Or Hr21 To Get The Service Also Something About Phone Plugs Will Be Issued Out For Wifi CapabilityWhat's a "Phone Plug" and why would one need this for "Wifi Capability"? Are you saying DIRECTV will provide adapters to enable HR20s/HR21s to be wirelessly connected?

[convem24]

What's your source for that information, boba? I have not heard a specific timeframe, nor specific features, such as lacking OTA tuners.

I don't know where Boba is getting his/her information but it would make sense that the HR21 would have no OTA since the H21 has no OTA. All new HDTVs have OTA and the integrated OTA into a D* receiver is great way for D* to decrease their costs if OTA tuners are not included. I know I am going to be a little disappointed but the HR20 still has OTA and VOD so it will probably be popular for a while but if the HR21 is $100 less for those folks who do not need OTA than it is worth while for D* to do it (I am curious besides this community which uses OTA more than usual consumers, what percentage of D* customers utilize the OTA tuners).

[kevinturcotte]

The fun question is, when you order an HD DVR, will you be able to specify an HR20 or an HR21, or will it be the usual "You get what you get."
Also, all HDTV must have a digital tuner. How many monitors are out there?

[paulman182]

I am not using OTA--it would require a hilltop antenna 1500 feet from me to get the major networks--but I don't want to lose the capability in case I ever do want to use it.

[Drew2k]

The fun question is, when you order an HD DVR, will you be able to specify an HR20 or an HR21, or will it be the usual "You get what you get."
Also, all HDTV must have a digital tuner. How many monitors are out there?If it's true that the HR21 doesn't have an OTA tuner, the HR21 will still meet requirements for a digital tuner, because all channels sent from DIRECTV are digital. :)

Your first questions is very interesting though. I would imagine that the CSRs will have to follow a new script and probe the customer ordering a new HD DVR to find out if the customer has an HD OTA antenna or needs to get their locals OTA. If the customer doesn't, maybe they send the HR21, but if they do, they send the HR20 (-100 or -700).

[JMCecil]

The Hr21-700 Is On The Way And It Does Not Have Atsc Tuner Also (dod) Directv On Demand Has A Tentative Launch Date For September 17th 2007 Customers Must Have A Dsl Or Cable Modem With An Open Ethernet Port Must Have Hr20 Or Hr21 To Get The Service Also Something About Phone Plugs Will Be Issued Out For Wifi Capability

You could complete the effect if you removed the spaces between the words.

[Stuart Sweet]

At this point you can't specify whether you want an HR20-700 ot HR20-100 so I doubt you'll be able to ask for HR21 either. You get what you get, as long as it satisfies your needs. The only alternative is go down to your local electronics store and pick up one yourself.

[JLucPicard]

You could complete the effect if you removed the spaces between the words.
Sorry - I had to LOL at this one. :D

[HarleyD]

I think an "OTA-less" HD-DVR will have limited value until D* starts offering all LIL programming in HD via satellite and not just the "major" networks.

Once I can get everything on the satellite, my use for OTA drops precipitously.

I went through the same cycle with SD OTA channels about 6 years ago. I couldn't get the local UPN channel (among other channels) off the satellite, but they were the channel showing the syndicated Simpsons episodes so I had to have an OTA antenna.

A year or so later they added the rest of the LILs to the satellite and my OTA antenna went largely unused until I made the switch to HD last March. Now I am largely back where I was.

Sooo, my point (point...what point??) is that once D10 and D11 light up AND IF there is not any significant remaining content that is unavailable on satellite (no guarantee that will ever happen though) the potential market for an HR20 'lite' with no OTA tuners would boom.

I don't really expect such a unit to be brought to market before that happens though...if it happens.

[Kansas Zephyr]

My $0.02.

I can understand the logic in not having a ATSC OTA tuner in a non-DVR box, since you should be able to use the HDTVs tuner to view programs "live".

The integration of the program guide for sat and OTA is rather nice. Not to mention, eliminating the need to switch sources. Also, D* has no plans, that I have heard of, to deliver all of the sub-channel content. There may not be much out there now. But, as the installed base of HDTVs grows, local stations will start using their digital bandwidth to deliver additional content. Imagine the *-1 as the normal program only channel, *-2 for local 24 hours news, *-3 for 24 hour/severe local weather, etc. Some stations in active weather markets may stop "breaking" into shows for severe weather information. They could insert a small icon the screen's corner, alerting the viewer that severe weather is occurring within the DMA. Those concerned or affected can then tune to *-3 for continuous information. Those that don't care, can watch the show without interruption.

So, I'd still like to have OTA in any D* box. Or at least offer the option of both OTA/non-OTA boxes in both DVR/non-DVR

However, it's my opinion, that an OTA tuner is a must have in a HD-DVR. Unless D* passes all the channels/sub-channels, for every market, via satellite. The cable companies already pass the sub-channels currently on-air here.

I would like the ability to record anything offered locally. I also would like to be able to have the ability to record, at least some, programs during snow/rain fade.

If D* completely severs the "OTA cord", without providing all local services, I would have to consider going back to cable.

[JeffBowser]

:lol: Same here - I have seen other people type like that and wondered why the heck......

Sorry - I had to LOL at this one. :D