[darita]

After six months away, I've returned and boy have things changed! When I left, the HR20-700 was the hot ticket. I have three of those and am ready to have my new house hooked up. Problem is, it seems my HR20s are no longer the hot ticket they once were. Are my receivers antiquated? If so, what's the newest HD DVR and what kind of deals are DTV giving on it?

 

[mishawaka]

if you dont get your locals in HD via DTV, then the HR20 will be quite the hot ticket.

 

[Grentz]

The HR20 is just as capable as the HR21. The HR22 is just an HR21 with a larger internal drive.

The HR20 is actually more desirable to most as it has the OTA tuner, for using an antenna, integrated where as the HR21 needs the AM21 addon. Besides that the only differences are the HR21 is black and most HR20 models are silver, plus the HR21 has a digital coax audio out.

 

[Mertzen]

Problem is, it seems my HR20s are no longer the hot ticket they once were. Are my receivers antiquated? If so, what's the newest HD DVR and what kind of deals are DTV giving on it?

The new ones are HR21 [ glossy black, no OTA ] and HR22 [ no OTA, bigger HD drive ] but functionality wise they are still the same with the same features available to all.

 

[Mertzen]

plus the HR21 has a digital audio out.

The HR20 I have has optical and coax digital out.

 

[darita]

if you dont get your locals in HD via DTV, then the HR20 will be quite the hot ticket.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding this...I was always able to get my local HD channels from DTV with these. Has this changed? By the way, thanks for the quick responses!

 

[Grentz]

The HR20 I have has optical and coax digital out.

Sorry, I forgot that the HR20-100 does have coax digital out in addition to the optical. The HR20-700 does not have coax digital out and also lacks the second ethernet pass through port.

The HR20-100 also requires an external RF antenna for use with RF remotes where the HR20-700 and HR21/HR22 have integrated RF antennas.

 

[stblake10]

Maybe I'm misunderstanding this...I was always able to get my local HD channels from DTV with these. Has this changed? By the way, thanks for the quick responses!

What he is saying is that the OTA on the HR20-700 is more desireable for that reason on the locals HD channels.

 

[Grentz]

Maybe I'm misunderstanding this...I was always able to get my local HD channels from DTV with these. Has this changed? By the way, thanks for the quick responses!

The HR20s have a built in OTA antenna tuner so they can record from off air channels as well. This is good in some markets that do not have all their HD locals on Directv yet, and also nice to have as a backup to the satellite for some.

You can still get OTA with the HR21 though, you just need to get the AM21 addon. It costs $50 from Directv but some have been able to get it for free if you tell them your situation.

 

[stblake10]

I have the hr20-700 and have never used the OTA. My preference is to not have a bulky antenna. I would prefer an indoor one, but with the closest HD signal being 45+ miles away. No indoor antenna can't go that far.

 

[stblake10]

The HR20s have a built in OTA antenna tuner so they can record from off air channels as well. This is good in some markets that do not have all their HD locals on Directv yet, and also nice to have as a backup to the satellite.

How does one use this feature. I am not that technical and would like to see if PBS or the local channels can come in?

 

[Mertzen]

How does one use this feature. I am not that technical and would like to see if PBS or the local channels can come in?

Install/align antenna, run coax to back of IRD, Set up IRD for OTA reception.

 

[stblake10]

Pardon my ignorance. What is an IRD? I told ya I am not tech savy.

 

[stblake10]

So I need an antenna? And more than likely it has to be outdoors. And I have seenthe size and price of them. My wife won't go for it.

 

[Grentz]

Pardon my ignorance. What is an IRD? I told ya I am not tech savy.

IRD is just another name for the receiver.

So I need an antenna? And more than likely it has to be outdoors. And I have seenthe size and price of them. My wife won't go for it.

Yes, you would need an antenna if you dont currently have one. If you are 40+ miles away like you said before it would most likely need to be a larger outdoor one.

 

[stblake10]

Yuk, on the bigger antenna. I don't think I will get many more channels but maybe down the road I can look into it. Thank for the info

 

[Grentz]

No problem, thats what we are here for!

and if you do decide to try it in the future, make sure to come and ask and we can help you get what you need

 

[Mertzen]

So I need an antenna? And more than likely it has to be outdoors. And I have seenthe size and price of them. My wife won't go for it.

That's what nice dinners and gift cards are for. :lol:

 

[Newshawk]

Maybe I'm misunderstanding this...I was always able to get my local HD channels from DTV with these. Has this changed? By the way, thanks for the quick responses!

No, your HD locals still are available by satellite. The HR20-700 is still the "hot ticket"-the HR21 series just removed the off air tuners and changed to a gloss "piano black" finish and the HR22 is just a HR21 with a bigger hard drive. If you live in the LA market, you should get all six of your national network stations in HD, along with KCAL 9. KCET 28 should be provided in HD some time soon as DirecTV has an agreement with PBS and the APTS to provide member PBS stations in HD.

 

[JLucPicard]

In other words, your HR20s should do you just fine, and since you already had those, your dish should be OK, too.

Best part about your HR20s at this point is you don't have to pay all over again to get something else!

Most importantly - WELCOME BACK!!! :welcome_s