[Oglikn]

Info:
Model: HR20-100
Software v. 0x254 (national release)

OTA tuner 2 is bad. Anytime I record a show on that tuner it is unwatchable. If I'm trying to watch OTA I have to spend a few minutes getting it on tuner 1 to be able to watch it.

I can reboot and the problem goes away for an hour or so. Then it starts again. If I check signal strength, tuner 1 is locked at 85%, while tuner 2 drops from 85% to no signal over and over.

I called support and they don't understand. The first rep told me I only had one OTA tuner. I asked very nicely to be transfered to someone else. His supervisor told me again that I only had one OTA tuner in this receiver. I explained that was incorrect. There is one input but two tuners. I told him the information from system test (with OTA 2 at 0%). I also explained that I've had this box for years and it has just recently started doing this. He placed me on hold four times and I was finally disconnected.

I understand the reps just don't know, but what am I supposed to do? I have the protection plan, but I can't make them understand there is a problem. They think I'm ignorant about the box.

Help...:nono2:

 

[AirRocker]

I know how aggravating and time consuming this can be, but I would just continue to call back until you get someone competent..

 

[llowrey]

There is a known issue (well, known here...) with the HR20-100 tuner 2 which causes it to become unstable when both sat tuners are on MPEG4 channels.

Tune to two SD sat channels and see if your OTA tuner 2 signal strength stabilizes. If it does, then there is nothing you can do but replace the unit with a non HR20-100.

 

[joshjr]

I know how aggravating and time consuming this can be, but I would just continue to call back until you get someone competent..

I agree. I think you should be able to get someone that is willing to replace the DVR for you. Make sure to make a request for another HR20 or you will need an AM21 for the OTA capabilities.

 

[ShinerDraft]

I got an HR20 back in February and developed the same problem a few months ago.

Once I got the right antenna up in the attic, all of my signals were great. 90+ across the board and 98-100 on the important stations.

Now, I still get great signals on tuner 1, but mostly 0 on tuner 2. One channel still registers 20% or so, but it's still not viewable. Resets seem to have no effect.

It wouldn't be nearly as frustrating if there were a way to control which tuner you're using at the moment and also be able to specify which tuner would be used for a particular recording.

Fortunately, I haven't needed the OTA tuner too much over the summer so I had time to work through some recorded stuff. With newer shows starting up though, I'm going to need to start the replacement process tonight. Hopefully I get decent CSR's..

 

[Oglikn]

There is a known issue (well, known here...) with the HR20-100 tuner 2 which causes it to become unstable when both sat tuners are on MPEG4 channels.

Tune to two SD sat channels and see if your OTA tuner 2 signal strength stabilizes. If it does, then there is nothing you can do but replace the unit with a non HR20-100.

Thanks so much! That seems to do the trick. Now if I could just be at home to make sure of that setup before every recording. :nono2:

 

[vernonator]

There is a known issue (well, known here...) with the HR20-100 tuner 2 which causes it to become unstable when both sat tuners are on MPEG4 channels.

Tune to two SD sat channels and see if your OTA tuner 2 signal strength stabilizes. If it does, then there is nothing you can do but replace the unit with a non HR20-100.

Say what? If both my SAT tuners are on MPEG4 channels THAT is what is causing my crappy OTA signal? Mine does not seem to degrade as fast as the OP. Once I do a reset it the qaulity of OTA signal degrades over the next few days (well not degrades just bounces from 0 to 80 back to 0) ruining anything I am watching/recording. And this is ONLY on HR20-100s? Hmmmmm we are supposed to get HD - LiL here in November so do I wait or call D* and get an upgrade? Maybe I can get an HR22.....

 

[ziggy29]

Interesting. I have an HR20-700, and while it doesn't quite exhibit this behavior, tuner 2's strength reports 10-15% higher than tuner 1 on a fairly routine basis.

 

[llowrey]

Say what? If both my SAT tuners are on MPEG4 channels THAT is what is causing my crappy OTA signal? Mine does not seem to degrade as fast as the OP. Once I do a reset it the qaulity of OTA signal degrades over the next few days (well not degrades just bounces from 0 to 80 back to 0) ruining anything I am watching/recording. And this is ONLY on HR20-100s? Hmmmmm we are supposed to get HD - LiL here in November so do I wait or call D* and get an upgrade? Maybe I can get an HR22.....

If you have an HR20-100 and you want reliable OTA, I'd recommend replacing it with anything but an HR20-100. We did some polling last year about this and found that some -700 folks did report the effect but the vast majority were -100s.

I suspect it has something to do with the processor of the -100. If it is slower than the -700 it could fall behind and perhaps there just aren't enough cycles left for OTA tuner 2. MPEG4 decoding is substantially more CPU intensive so that might explain why the problem only manifests itself when both sat turners are decoding MPEG4.

 

[jwd45244]

Not sure if it matters but if the current CE is any idication the up-coming NR will have much better OTA functionality.