Well, the HR20-700 isn't listed. The '23 is, but not the '20. And since the models since the '20 were designed to cut the cost to DTV, I would not be terribly surprised if the '20 were actually faster. Common knowledge is that the '20 is typically faster than any of it's younger siblings anyway.
Still, interesting stuff. But speed is not just how fast the proc is. And it isn't just how busy the proc is. Its a combo of both with other factors added in. As an example, a Tivo HR10-250 running v3.1.1 is significantly slower than the same Tivo (with the same processor) running v6.x. And, a HR10 with no SPs WLs or thumbs ratings is hella faster than the same box, same OS with 100 SPs, 100 WLs, and 100 thumbs ratings.
Still, faster sure can't hurt. There is probably a correlation that DTV DVRS are slow while DISH DVRS, with faster processors, are faster. But more-elegant programming is probably the real key to speed. That, and how multitasking and virtual memory is handled.
DISH DVRs from a decade ago were the snappiest things you ever saw, like driving a Ferrari. I can't imagine DVRs from circa 2000 had procs nearly as fast or as much available RAM/VRAM as do the slowest ones today, yet those old antiques will still run rings around just about anything. Of course while as fast as an Italian sports car, they were about as reliable as a British sports car (mine were always in the shop
) which made them excruciatingly frustrating to own (say goodbye to the last 7 eps of "Lost" you were saving).
<edit> I'm sorry, my mistake; the HR20 is indeed listed. And as I suspected, is actually faster than the HR23.
MIP MIP
