Any HR20 Installs recently?

1705 Views 25 Replies 14 Participants Last post by dkouz, Aug 20, 2008

AreBee

Discussion Starter · Jul 27, 2008

I received a phone call about swapping out my HR10 and I told them I was concerned about not having OTA. The CSR was completely lost and I just processed the swap and told her I would call back later.

When I called back and tried to get info, again this CSR was lost and after countless minutes of silence while searching and then a discussion with her supervisor I was assured that I was getting a receiver that would receive off air locals. When I confirmed that this would be an HR20. She said "yes".

I certainly plan on calling back, because I just can't imagine that there are any HR20s left. My last swap in March 08 I was brought an HR-21 and the tech stated that the HR21 was the only HD DVR they were getting.

Another thought was that I'm getting a refurb.

Any thoughts?

1 - 20 of 26 Posts

houskamp

· #2 · Jul 27, 2008

hr21 with am21 will get OTA..
am21 is an off air dual tuner... if they don't give you either a hr20 (OTA built in) or the hr21/am21 combo, call back and have them send you the am21..

davring

· #3 · Jul 27, 2008

As I understand it HR20's have been out of production and the only ones being shipped are refurbs for warranty. You may have to request an AM21 add on tuner.

harsh

· #4 · Jul 27, 2008

AreBee said:
I certainly plan on calling back, because I just can't imagine that there are any HR20s left. My last swap in March 08 I was brought an HR-21 and the tech stated that the HR21 was the only HD DVR they were getting.

It is all luck of the draw. While it is unlikely that you'll get an HR20, it happens.

Another thought was that I'm getting a refurb.

Same thing here. Through misdiagnosis by CSRs or true manufacturing defect, there are a lot of refurbs in the stream.

You'll have to wait and find out what you get before you can negotiate an AM21. The best you can do at this point is to make sure there's a note on your account about your desire for OTA.

Michael D'Angelo

· #5 · Jul 27, 2008

AreBee, you have a 0% chance of getting an HR20 from an installer. If DIRECTV sent you a unit there is a chance you could get a refurbished unit but the CSR could not guarantee you that. So you best bet would be to have the installer install an HR21 and get a AM21 like a few others have said.

kevinm34232

· #6 · Jul 27, 2008

If you upgrade you'll need a seperate line for the OTA if it's currently diplexed, and the AM21 which I think you can buy at Best Buy for $80. If you ask, DTV will give you a monthly billing credit to cover it. Also make sure they put the dish upgrade on the work order if you don't have the Slimline.

killerko

· #7 · Jul 27, 2008

I was upgraded with two HR20's last Tues. Was allowed to keep the HR10's they were replacing. Kept one of the HR10's active. I already had two 20's active but thought as long as they were passing them out I'd take them. I was certain I'd get 21's & was both surprised & pleased to get the HR20's. It's OTA for high def in my area. Hopefully that will change when the new sat. goes live. By the way, these boxes were delivered by a couple of service techs. I'm in the Dayton dma.

AreBee

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jul 28, 2008

killerko said:
I was upgraded with two HR20's last Tues. Was allowed to keep the HR10's they were replacing. Kept one of the HR10's active. I already had two 20's active but thought as long as they were passing them out I'd take them. I was certain I'd get 21's & was both surprised & pleased to get the HR20's. It's OTA for high def in my area. Hopefully that will change when the new sat. goes live. By the way, these boxes were delivered by a couple of service techs. I'm in the Dayton dma.

Wow, that's very surprising!

I am hoping for an HR21. If I do get one I will call and work on them for a no-cost AM21. I will explain that they took away an OTA capable box and left me without an OTA option. If I get an HR20, I've got my OTA and I'll be happy.

Although I like my current HR20, the AM21 I purchased from VE performs much better than my HR20's OTA tuner.

AreBee

Discussion Starter · #9 · Aug 16, 2008

I had my install today and the installer showed up with an HR21 as expected. I called D* and they are sending out an AM21 at no charge. I didn't even have to haggle.

On a side note, the installer did not take away my HR10-250.

Johnnie5000

· #10 · Aug 17, 2008

AreBee said:
On a side note, the installer did not take away my HR10-250.

Thats because you OWN that box. It's not leased like the new equipment. At least it gives you a chance to hook up a dvd recorder to get all of your recorded shows off of it.

AreBee

Discussion Starter · #11 · Aug 17, 2008

Johnnie5000 said:
Thats because you OWN that box. It's not leased like the new equipment. At least it gives you a chance to hook up a dvd recorder to get all of your recorded shows off of it.

Right, I did see some posts about installers insisting on taking the box, owned or not, so I was prepared to fight for it if I had to. He even mentioned that it was mine and that I should use it as my off air tuner until my AM-21 showed up.

CopyCat

· #12 · Aug 19, 2008

AreBee said:
I had my install today and the installer showed up with an HR21 as expected. I called D* and they are sending out an AM21 at no charge. I didn't even have to haggle.

On a side note, the installer did not take away my HR10-250.

Interesting, I had a swap yesterday and the installer took the HR10-250. Was he suppose to do that or should I call him to return it ?

I know I paid big bucks for it when new so I did own it.

davring

· #13 · Aug 19, 2008

D* doesn't want it back, the installer was either misinformed or took advantage of the situation.

CopyCat

· #14 · Aug 19, 2008

davring said:
D* doesn't want it back, the installer was either misinformed or took advantage of the situation.

Thanks, I just called the installer and told him to bring it back.
Installer returned my call and is returning my HR10-250, said he thought it was a lease.

evan_s

· #15 · Aug 19, 2008

I believe they are suppose to be collecting the HR10s even if they are owned for 2 reasons.

1) to prevent upgrading it multiple times if it stays active on the account.

2) To make sure they come out of active use so the mpeg2 hd channels can be shut off.

RobertE

· #16 · Aug 19, 2008

davring said:
D* doesn't want it back, the installer was either misinformed or took advantage of the situation.

Per DirecTv, any "swapped" receivers are supposed to be taken and returned to DirecTv regardless if they were owned or not. Many don't follow this as they don't want to haul around a bunch of loose receivers, but what he did was correct.

He didn't take advantage of anything.

rahlquist

· #17 · Aug 19, 2008

RobertE said:
Per DirecTv, any "swapped" receivers are supposed to be taken and returned to DirecTv regardless if they were owned or not. Many don't follow this as they don't want to haul around a bunch of loose receivers, but what he did was correct.

He didn't take advantage of anything.

That sounds odd to me, they are taking back owned receivers? So if I decide to finally replace my last directivo unit they are supposed to take it? Under what justification?

RobertE

· #18 · Aug 19, 2008

rahlquist said:
That sounds odd to me, they are taking back owned receivers? So if I decide to finally replace my last directivo unit they are supposed to take it? Under what justification?

Because they are SWAPPING your receiver for a "new" one at no or reduced cost.

Think of it like a car. When you go to get a new car, in most cases you trade in your old one (be it owned or leased) for the new one at a reduced cost.

That and I think they are tired of upgrading greedy individuals over and over and over... Their own fault on that one though, IMHO.

AreBee

Discussion Starter · #19 · Aug 19, 2008

RobertE said:
That and I think they are tired of upgrading greedy individuals over and over and over... Their own fault on that one though, IMHO.

My thoughts exactly. Each IRD has a serial #. There has to be some way for D* to cross reference the swapped out receiver and its replacement.

rahlquist

· #20 · Aug 19, 2008

RobertE said:
Because they are SWAPPING your receiver for a "new" one at no or reduced cost.

Think of it like a car. When you go to get a new car, in most cases you trade in your old one (be it owned or leased) for the new one at a reduced cost.

That and I think they are tired of upgrading greedy individuals over and over and over... Their own fault on that one though, IMHO.

I could almost swallow that if I couldn't call or get online and get a SD DVR drop shipped without having to return one. I think them 'reclaiming' purchased and sunset hardware is a bit of a stretch, are they going to refurb it and send it out?

1 - 20 of 26 Posts

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