Decisions, decisions--what receiver should I get?

3730 Views 21 Replies 15 Participants Last post by jdspencer, Jun 26, 2012

bb37

Discussion Starter · Jun 22, 2012

Hi, folks! I've been away from DBSTalk for about two years. During that time, I've happily enjoyed my DirecTV, but I think it's time to make some changes.

My current set-up is this:

Living room: HR21 and R22 (with HD enabled) connected to a 52" LCD
Den: H23 and AM21 connected to a 32" LCD
Bedroom: 40" LCD with just rabbit ears (I have no problem getting my locals with rabbit ears)

Dish: Five LNB slim-line with four coaxes running to a SWM-8 mounted in the basement.

I have an in-house LAN/Internet connection going to the R22 with no DECA. But I rarely use the Internet-based services.

The HR21 in the living room is dead. If I do a red button reset or cycle power, the blue power lamp comes on for a few seconds then goes back off.

The TV and H23 in the den are used only occasionally and I could live without having DirecTV there. The TV in the bedroom is used even less. I live alone, so there's rarely any disagreement about what to watch. Only on rare occasion do I need to record more than two programs at the same time. I do run up against the series link maximum of 50, though (which is why I went with two HD DVRs in the first place).

My package is the Choice Xtra Classic with HD and DVR package and I have the HD Extra Pack and Whole Home DVR. No sports packages. No premium channels other than the HD Extra. No protection package. My bill runs about $114/month.

Oh, I also have a brand new R22 that's still in the box. It has never been activated.

My thinking is that I need to get a new HD DVR to replace the dead HR21. I see that Solid Signal is still selling HR21 receivers, but they also have the HR24 for another $10. Would it be worth it to get the HR24 over another HR21? If I contact DirecTV and tell them I want the HR21 replaced, will I be at their mercy regarding the replacement?

My further thinking is that I will deactivate the used R22, because it would be functionally replaced by the new HD DVR, and deactivate the H23 because it isn't being used much. How can I legally dispose of these receivers? How about the brand new R22? Is there a market for it?

Finally, if I make these hardware changes, is DirecTV going to force me to a different programming package? What should I expect when I call DTV to make these activations and deactivations? Anything else I should consider?

Thanks for your help!

See less See more

1 - 20 of 22 Posts

veryoldschool

· #2 · Jun 22, 2012

Being the cheap SOB that I am, if I had:
Oh, I also have a brand new R22 that's still in the box. It has never been activated.

I'd activate it as it with HD service on your account is a HR21

bb37

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 23, 2012

OK, but I see no point in paying for an HR21 that doesn't work. If I tell DTV that I want my dead HR21 deactivated, the only HD receiver I will have is the H23. Will DTV still give me HD DVR service with an H23 and two R22's on the account?

But, the bigger point is that I'd like to lower my monthly payment a bit. Activating yet another receiver doesn't take me in the right direction. Right now, I'm paying for three receivers, two of which are HD and two are DVR. I'd like to get that down to two receivers or maybe even just one.

I'm pretty sure the HR24 has a larger hard drive than the HR21 or R22. Does it still have the 50 series link limit?

jdspencer

· #4 · Jun 23, 2012

If I were you, I'd get the HR34. This could replace both units in the living room.

dpeters11

· #5 · Jun 23, 2012

"bb37" said:
.
I'm pretty sure the HR24 has a larger hard drive than the HR21 or R22. Does it still have the 50 series link limit?

The HR24 does. The HR34 has a limit of 100.

carl6

· #6 · Jun 23, 2012

bb37 said:
If I tell DTV that I want my dead HR21 deactivated, the only HD receiver I will have is the H23. Will DTV still give me HD DVR service with an H23 and two R22's on the account?

Not sure, but I think you can do that. The H23 gets you HD service, and the R22 gets you DVR service. I know without the H23 you couldn't do it, but I think having an HD receiver (other than the R22) will cover the HD part. DVR service is DVR service - SD or HD doesn't matter.

The Merg

· #7 · Jun 23, 2012

carl6 said:
Not sure, but I think you can do that. The H23 gets you HD service, and the R22 gets you DVR service. I know without the H23 you couldn't do it, but I think having an HD receiver (other than the R22) will cover the HD part. DVR service is DVR service - SD or HD doesn't matter.

Correct. The OP will be able to get HD service by only having the H23 and the R22s will become R22 w/HD, however, the OP cannot get Whole Home activated with that setup. For Whole Home, you need an actual HD-DVR and HD receiver or 2 HD-DVRs. The R22s do not count.

- Merg

bb37

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jun 24, 2012

So, if I want Whole Home DVR, I need an HD DVR on my account. My current one is dead and should be replaced. That brings me back to my original questions--is the HR24 enough of an improvement over the HR21 to make any difference to the user? If I call DTV to get the dead HR21 replaced, will I have no choice regarding HR21 vs. HR24?

carl6

· #9 · Jun 24, 2012

If you absolutely want only an HR24, then you should order it from a 3rd party vendor such as Solid Signal. That is the only way you be guaranteed of getting specific model. If you order from DirecTV, you could very well get another HR21.

HoTat2

· #10 · Jun 24, 2012

carl6 said:
If you absolutely want only an HR24, then you should order it from a 3rd party vendor such as Solid Signal. That is the only way you be guaranteed of getting specific model. If you order from DirecTV, you could very well get another HR21.

Boy are you telling me ...

My (new when I received it back in '08) HR21-200 just recently died.

Error code 14-133 on boot-up, meaning a malfunctioning HDD. Took a lot of good shows I wanted to see out with it too.

Called DIRECTV for a replacement, then hoped on top of hope I'd get an HR24 ...

My hope went in vain though as a re-furbed HR21-100 arrived a couple of days later with a scratched up rear panel and the TVapps feature won't work at all on it for some reason.

n3vino

· #11 · Jun 24, 2012

I have a question. If an HR24 or an H25 dies and a replacement is needed, could I order one from solid signal and get credit from D* for whatever I paid, or would I have to obsorb the cost? Since these units have built in deccas, what are the chances of getting replacement HR24 or H25 from D*? I'm on a swm system also. I also have the maintenance plan, so I would think that entitles me to a tech bringing and setting up the replacement unit? Would that be correct?

spartanstew

· #12 · Jun 24, 2012

n3vino said:
I have a question.

Several, actually.

n3vino said:
If an HR24 or an H25 dies and a replacement is needed, could I order one from solid signal and get credit from D* for whatever I paid, or would I have to obsorb the cost?

I know people have received credits, but it's rare.

n3vino said:
Since these units have built in deccas, what are the chances of getting replacement HR24 or H25 from D*?

It's irrelevant. If you received a unit without built-in deca, they'd just send you a deca.

n3vino said:
I also have the maintenance plan, so I would think that entitles me to a tech bringing and setting up the replacement unit? Would that be correct?

I don't think so. If it's just a simple swap, they might just send you the receiver.

n3vino

· #13 · Jun 24, 2012

Thank you for your response, Spartan.

I guess I'll have to re-evaluate the plan. My whole reason for having the plan was to have a tech come out and bring me one of the most current receivers. I know they have them since most of the new installs use the current receivers. I hope they at least pay for the shipping because of the plan.

The Merg

· #14 · Jun 25, 2012

"n3vino" said:
Thank you for your response, Spartan.

I guess I'll have to re-evaluate the plan. My whole reason for having the plan was to have a tech come out and bring me one of the most current receivers. I know they have them since most of the new installs use the current receivers. I hope they at least pay for the shipping because of the plan.

The PP includes the cost of shipping for replacement receivers. Without it, you would pay $19.95 to have the replacement shipped to you.

- Merg

TBlazer07

· #15 · Jun 25, 2012

n3vino said:
I have a question. If an HR24 or an H25 dies and a replacement is needed, could I order one from solid signal and get credit from D* for whatever I paid, or would I have to obsorb the cost? Since these units have built in deccas, what are the chances of getting replacement HR24 or H25 from D*? I'm on a swm system also. I also have the maintenance plan, so I would think that entitles me to a tech bringing and setting up the replacement unit? Would that be correct?

Chances are slim to none that they would reimburse you. If it matters, if you order from an outside source you will get a 2yr extension to your contract upon activation as they will look at it as an upgrade even though you are replacing an existing box. If DirecTV replaces it for you as a dead device you won't.

Shades228

· #16 · Jun 25, 2012

n3vino said:
Thank you for your response, Spartan.

I guess I'll have to re-evaluate the plan. My whole reason for having the plan was to have a tech come out and bring me one of the most current receivers. I know they have them since most of the new installs use the current receivers. I hope they at least pay for the shipping because of the plan.

Shipping is covered with the protection plan.

dielray

· #17 · Jun 25, 2012

"n3vino" said:
Thank you for your response, Spartan.

I guess I'll have to re-evaluate the plan. My whole reason for having the plan was to have a tech come out and bring me one of the most current receivers. I know they have them since most of the new installs use the current receivers. I hope they at least pay for the shipping because of the plan.

It's not a sure thing the tech would even have one. Refurbs have been being pushed to techs much more heavily than in the past. I haven't had a new HD/DVR on my truck in about 3 months now. Although we get 24s as refurbs, most are older models.

Beerstalker

· #18 · Jun 25, 2012

The last tech at my house said that in our area the installer techs get all the HR24, H24, H25 receivers for new installs, and that the troubleshooting techs get all the old refurb equipment. So having a tech come out to replace a faulty receiver around here seems to be worthless if you are trying to get a newer model. When he was at my house he said he only had HR21 on his truck, so I told him it wasn't worth swapping out my current HR21 that is starting to have hard drive issues. I'd rather wait and try to watch everything off of it before it fails completely and then take my chances with DirecTV shipping me a replacement.

Fateswarning

· #19 · Jun 25, 2012

dielray said:
It's not a sure thing the tech would even have one. Refurbs have been being pushed to techs much more heavily than in the past. I haven't had a new HD/DVR on my truck in about 3 months now. Although we get 24s as refurbs, most are older models.

Would I be better off contacting a local installer for my initial install if I want to get newer equipment?

Refirbished equipment is a great way to get infested with bed bugs.

The Merg

· #20 · Jun 25, 2012

Fateswarning said:
Would I be better off contacting a local installer for my initial install if I want to get newer equipment?

Refirbished equipment is a great way to get infested with bed bugs.

If you go through a local installer for your order, you can usually work with them directly to get yourself new equipment. It's not a guarantee though.

- Merg

1 - 20 of 22 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.