I have had an issue wuth my HR21-100 not turning on, so I called DTV last night and they are sending me a Refurbed HD-DVR but they do not know what model. I really do like the HR-21 alot any chance I get the same model? I also want to know if anyone else has had experience with the refurbs are these models reliable?
Getting a Refurbed HD-DVR from Direct TV
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I have had two refurbs, the first was a HR20-100, which lasted 4 months, then I started having constant reboots. They sent me a replacement, which is a refurb HR20-700. I've had it for three weeks, and it so far has been fine. I know that you can't request a certain model, you get what you get, and most of the time when they are replacing or upgrading you for free and shipping it to you, you will get a refurb.
Sometimes you can get lucky if you have an installer come out, they will sometimes have new units on the truck, and sometimes have a variety of models. I had a guy come out in February who was going to give me my choice of a new HR20 or HR21, and he also had refurbs on the truck. Unfortunately it was too icy on my roof that day and he was there to install the 5 LNB dish. He couldn't do the install, and couldn't/wouldn't leave the box with me for the next installer. When the next guy came a day later, he only had HR20 refurbs on his truck, so that is what I got.
Sometimes you can get lucky if you have an installer come out, they will sometimes have new units on the truck, and sometimes have a variety of models. I had a guy come out in February who was going to give me my choice of a new HR20 or HR21, and he also had refurbs on the truck. Unfortunately it was too icy on my roof that day and he was there to install the 5 LNB dish. He couldn't do the install, and couldn't/wouldn't leave the box with me for the next installer. When the next guy came a day later, he only had HR20 refurbs on his truck, so that is what I got.
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I got a refurb HR20-700, after a lightning strike took out my original. It has worked perfectly for over a year. (original was an HR20-700 as well).
My only complaint is that the refurb was still registered to the user that returned it...they had been paying for it for months (they never discontinued their service with D*) I had to jump through some hoops to get it authorized, but since that time, I've been very happy. I doubt very much there was anything wrong with the refurb when it was returned to D*.
My only complaint is that the refurb was still registered to the user that returned it...they had been paying for it for months (they never discontinued their service with D*) I had to jump through some hoops to get it authorized, but since that time, I've been very happy. I doubt very much there was anything wrong with the refurb when it was returned to D*.
Does DirecTV clean their refurbs, I have heard horror stories about Cable boxes having roaches and other crap in them. Do they inspect each box and clean them up? Also will I have the new firmware on it or will it have to be downlaoded again?hasan said:
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Mine was reasonably clean...I have no idea what D* does. It will have the firmware that it was returned (from the original owner) with, most likely, so yes, you may have to update. Be sure to do a system test (Info and Test on Menu), so you can verify what firmware is on the box. Then you can decide if you need to force an update, or stand pat.rob316 said:
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During boot up it will detect the tuners.rob316 said:
During boot up it may take your to the SAT setup like if it was a new unit. If not you may want to run the SAT setup again to make sure everything is set right.
As for software update it will reboot after running a little while and download the newest software if it does not already have it.
One thing to watch out for is that it may do an automatic version update without warning you.rob316 said:
About 10 minutes after I installed my box (but before it was activated) it rebooted on its own and downloaded the newest version of the software. Kinda surprised me.
You might want to wait until that is done before calling to activate. Or not - depending on hold times.
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I have three HR20-700's. Two were brand new when installed, but the third was a refurb. It has no different markings or model number, but the anti-tamper "warranty void" label has been removed (leaving behind its tell-tale residue) and next to it, an anti-tamper label identifying it as a "refurb", except that label is affixed only to the back of the housing and does not span the gap to the cover. Speaking of anti-tamper labels, neither of my original two HR20-700's had them at all.MIAMI1683 said:
Two of my 3 HR-20s are refurbs. No problem with any of them and they all came with new access cards. The only unit I did have a problem with was the one I bought new at Best Buy. One of the BBCs went out, but DirecTV FedEx-ed me two new ones immediately.
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When I upgraded one of my TV to HD... they sent me a refurb h20 since it was a free upgrade... it was broken upon delivery... No mpeg 4 channels worked... they sent a tech out, first thought it was a BBC but turned out the box was just broken... they left me with a brand new h23-600. I also have the protection plan.
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