[jkc120]

I've had 4 lockups in the past 2 days, and they are occurring when the unit is doing NOTHING (e.g. not recording, we're not interacting with it at all).

We simply turn the TV on to find live TV playing, but the unit doesn't respond to remote commands nor to front button pushes.

The unit was not tuned to an MPEG4 or MPEG2 HD channel when it freezes, it's been a normal SD channel each time.

I'm fed up, having to reset the damn thing daily means the guide data is perpetually out of date/not updated.

Should I call for a replacement? I have a feeling it'd be like replacing a $1 bill with another $1 bill.

 

[btmoore]

I've had 4 lockups in the past 2 days, and they are occurring when the unit is doing NOTHING (e.g. not recording, we're not interacting with it at all).

We simply turn the TV on to find live TV playing, but the unit doesn't respond to remote commands nor to front button pushes.

The unit was not tuned to an MPEG4 or MPEG2 HD channel when it freezes, it's been a normal SD channel each time.

I'm fed up, having to reset the damn thing daily means the guide data is perpetually out of date/not updated.

Should I call for a replacement? I have a feeling it'd be like replacing a $1 bill with another $1 bill.

Yep, well established bug, full or partial lockups, only fix is rebooting.

Your swapping box paradigm is on spot, you can go thru the hassle and not be in any better shape. I have not had a lock up for 5 or 6 days now, but in 5 mins it might just lock up. I am hopeful that there is a new release this week and it might address this issue.

 

[tstarn]

I've had 4 lockups in the past 2 days, and they are occurring when the unit is doing NOTHING (e.g. not recording, we're not interacting with it at all).

We simply turn the TV on to find live TV playing, but the unit doesn't respond to remote commands nor to front button pushes.

The unit was not tuned to an MPEG4 or MPEG2 HD channel when it freezes, it's been a normal SD channel each time.

I'm fed up, having to reset the damn thing daily means the guide data is perpetually out of date/not updated.

Should I call for a replacement? I have a feeling it'd be like replacing a $1 bill with another $1 bill.

Don't shoot me, but I had the same issues and moved to component, and that SEEMS to be working. But as BT said, "when you least expect it" the lock-up bug will strike.

 

[jkc120]

Don't shoot me, but I had the same issues and moved to component, and that SEEMS to be working. But as BT said, "when you least expect it" the lock-up bug will strike.

hehe, I'm already using component (have been from the get go)

 

[tstarn]

hehe, I'm already using component (have been from the get go)

Oops. So solly. I got suckered in by the component move, and somehow it's working. But I figure I'm due for a crash.

 

[Halsey101]

My HR20 hasnt lockup for a long, long time, but the funny thing is, I was just watching 201 ( DTV Basics ) and paused it to change laundry, then it kept freezing on me... It would lock up for about 10 seconds, then play for about 3 seconds.. It just kept doing this.. I just swithced channels and all good... WEIRD....

 

[paulman182]

I'll probably get flamed for this, but it needs to be said--virtually anything that is wrong with a system could conceivably cause problems for the HR20.

One would not normally think so--others ridicule the idea--but we are dealing with "sensitive" software here.

How could HDMI cause problems? HDMI is a two-way, handshaking system. What does the HR20 software does when it does not understand the message coming back from the TV?? Lock up?? We don't know.

How could the RG6, LNB, dish, or switch cause problems? The HR20 is getting data from the dish at all times--that's all the signal is, data. What does the HR20 do when the data stream is interrupted, say, 3 times in 10 minutes, due to an intermittent problem? Lock up? We don't know.

I feel that any connection that inputs data to the HR20 could cause problems if the data it inputs is not exactly what the HR20 is looking for. I don't mean all of them ARE causing problems, I mean I can see how ANY of them COULD cause problems, with software that is not "bulletproof."

I know it should not be this way. Yes, it is the software's fault! But if you folks can believe this might be true, then please don't make fun of the "check all connections" comments. There could be truth to them--we, as end users, have NO WAY of knowing what is throwing the software for a loop. If it was simple, it would be fixed by now, for everyone.

 

[tstarn]

I'll probably get flamed for this, but it needs to be said--virtually anything that is wrong with a system could conceivably cause problems for the HR20.

One would not normally think so--others ridicule the idea--but we are dealing with "sensitive" software here.

How could HDMI cause problems? HDMI is a two-way, handshaking system. What does the HR20 software does when it does not understand the message coming back from the TV?? Lock up?? We don't know.

How could the RG6, LNB, dish, or switch cause problems? The HR20 is getting data from the dish at all times--that's all the signal is, data. What does the HR20 do when the data stream is interrupted, say, 3 times in 10 minutes, due to an intermittent problem? Lock up? We don't know.

I feel that any connection that inputs data to the HR20 could cause problems if the data it inputs is not exactly what the HR20 is looking for. I don't mean all of them ARE causing problems, I mean I can see how ANY of them COULD cause problems, with software that is not "bulletproof."

I know it should not be this way. Yes, it is the software's fault! But if you folks can believe this might be true, then please don't make fun of the "check all connections" comments. There could be truth to them--we, as end users, have NO WAY of knowing what is throwing the software for a loop. If it was simple, it would be fixed by now, for everyone.

The HDMI bone's connected to the HR20 bone, the HR20 bone's connected to the AL9 bone....

Hey, as you know, I think D* screwed this launch up big time, but my switch to component is working. Still, it's not permanent fix. In fact, as I sit in my office, I know downstairs lurks a potential turn on, freeze, reset pain point.

 

[Italfra1]

I've had 4 lockups in the past 2 days, and they are occurring when the unit is doing NOTHING (e.g. not recording, we're not interacting with it at all).

We simply turn the TV on to find live TV playing, but the unit doesn't respond to remote commands nor to front button pushes.

The unit was not tuned to an MPEG4 or MPEG2 HD channel when it freezes, it's been a normal SD channel each time.

I'm fed up, having to reset the damn thing daily means the guide data is perpetually out of date/not updated.

Should I call for a replacement? I have a feeling it'd be like replacing a $1 bill with another $1 bill.

Don't bother having them send a replacement out. It's a waste of time. I'm on my second box and and it's still locking up just like the first. Same scenario as you described but only on HD MPEG 2 channels. Audio and video keeps playing but the DVR won't accept any commands from the remote. Like someone stated, it's a well known bug that hopefully will get fixed soon. It's the most frustrating thing. We rolled the dice and went for these boxes early and now how to suffer until they get fixed, if ever. Call D* and demand refunds, credits, etc. if your not satisfied. They've given me everything under the sun. I won't even list all the credits they've given me. Good luck.

 

[matto]

I am sure that the D* CSR will be surprised to hear you've had problems with the unit, since they've never heard of anyone having problems with it

 

[Alvin Nuckleglazer]

I am sure that the D* CSR will be surprised to hear you've had problems with the unit, since they've never heard of anyone having problems with it

probably because only a small minority of users are having problems.

 

[matto]

i totally agree, and figure the problem is probably in your cabling.