[Spring Rubber]

I went out and bought two H20-600 units to go along with the two HD LCD TVs I also bought without checking here for information first. When I got home and checked this forum, I found many stories about the 600's horrible overheating problems. I also read about the H20-100's lack of HDMI support. I would like to know if the 600's overheating problem is the case for every single unit. If it is, is it bad to the point that it's unusable? How about the 100's HDMI problems? Is it likely that I would want to use HDMI on the new TVs? How is the RF remote support on the two units?

Two other questions:
1) How would I determine the maximum number of receivers that can be used with a single dish?

2) Are all new D* receivers leased now? What was the cutoff date for when you could buy the receivers?

 

[bobnielsen]

Some -600s seem to have more problems with heating than others. Mine has reset itself maybe three times in 5-1/2 months, so I am not too concerned. I have it on a shelf with good airflow around it. I am prepared to add a fan if it gets worse, however. Supposedly there is a software update being worked on which will improve its power characteristics, reducing the heating. The times mine has reset have all been while watching MPEG2 HD channels, so maybe the effect with the MPEG2 decoder circuitry is greater than with SD or MPEG4. The HDMI issue varies with different brands of television sets (possibly a weakness in the specification).

The number of receivers (number of tuners, actually) is four without a multiswitch. Multiswitches suitable for HD use are available with 8, 12 and 16 outputs. The latter type are powered and can probably be cascaded.

All receivers for residential use have been leased since March 1, 2006. I believe that receivers used commercially must be purchased (for a much higher price than the lease-upgrade fee).

 

[Groundhog45]

I've had a -600 since early spring with no heating problems. Seems to vary from unit to unit. The picture is great. The menus are supposedly a little slower than with the -100 model.

The number of receivers connected to the dish depends on the model of dish you have. Multiswitches are available to increase the number. Having a HD receiver would probably mean you have the 5 LNB dish which would have four connections, and can be increased to eight or more.

D* started the lease program back about March 1st. You can sometimes find units for purchase through retailers, but for more money than the lease.

GH

 

[Spring Rubber]

Ok, so I see that the problems with the -600 aren't universal. Makes sense, because they probably would've been recalled if *everyone* had severe problems with them. Here's hoping mine are good ones!

As for the dish, I'll probably have to call up D* and get a new dish; the one that's on the house now is a single LB dish from 1999.

As for the lease program: are most of the units you find at retailers leased units?

 

[bobnielsen]

Ok, so I see that the problems with the -600 aren't universal. Makes sense, because they probably would've been recalled if *everyone* had severe problems with them. Here's hoping mine are good ones!

As for the dish, I'll probably have to call up D* and get a new dish; the one that's on the house now is a single LB dish from 1999.

As for the lease program: are most of the units you find at retailers leased units?

It is my understanding that all the units at dealers are leased and the only way to own a receiver (at a higher price) is through Directv. Some older models may be available as owned units at niche dealers, such as weaknees, who specialize in Tivo models with upgraded hard drives.