HR20-700: 0x0251 - Issues Only

Both of my HR20-700s were automatically "upgraded" to 0x251 overnight. One of them seems to be working fine, but on the other one I no longer have access to the playlist. Long ago I used to download the cutting edge versions, but I stopped for a reason (I didn't like dealing with the bugs). Now I get sent a "release" version (although I'm on the phone right now with DTV tech support -- and she says the current release version is 0x235). They want me to reformat my drive, but I really don't want to lose my entire library.

Here's the problem:
When I hit the LIST button or when I go to menu and select "My Playlist" nothing shows up on the screen. Interestingly, the software thinks it is in the playlist because other buttons (channel change, record, etc.) don't work until I then hit the EXIT button (or the LIST button again). The channel banner then displays and everything else works normally again. Essentially the system works just fine as an HD receiver, but without access to the playlist it's useless as a DVR.

Tech support had me force a software a download to presumably get back to version 0x235. 0x251 started downloading again to the absolute surprise of the support technician. She said 0x251 isn't supposed to be in the screen. In the meantime, they've "escalated" the ticket, but unless I want to reformat my drive, they didn't leave me with any immediate options. Is there any other way to force a downgrade to an earlier version of the firmware?

Thanks in advance.

Remote Logging Report Number - 200800709-3519

Issue - Nero 8 not working in media share, this is getting very old and has been broke for some time now. I would like to see this addressed.

Issue Priority - Medium
Can it be Duplicated – Yes
Steps to Duplicate - Start up Nero media home share software, select menu, select music & photos, select computer, select music or photos, neither one will let you access the media.
Work Around –

Current FW -0x0251
Has RBR been done - No

Type of Sat Dish - 5LNB AT9, WB68, Single line feed to Tuner 1, no connection to tuner 2
Full Reset - Never
Network Port 1 - Yes, wireless connection
HDMI Connection - HDMI connection to Sony KDL32XBR4
Component Connection - Not Used
S-Video Connection - Not Used
Native Mode Setting - On
Fiber Audio Connection - Not Used
Phone Connection - Yes, all the time
RCA Audio.Video Connection 1 - Going to VCR Input
RCA Audio.Video Connection 2 - Not Used
Dolby Setting - Off
Internal Temp - ~125
OTA - Connected
Zip Code - 78641

Notes – WMP11 does work. This points to the software on the HR20-700 since the hardware is the same and the network connection is the same when using Nero or WMP. The error on Nero is that it cannot access media. Though it will list the songs. It will not list the folders for pictures.

Priority Rating:
Critical - System is DEAD, must be returned to D*. Everything has been tried to get system working. Consulted with dbstalk for suggestions/solutions
High - System is locked/BSOD/Lost Recordings. Cannot use system.
Medium - System still functional. Problems seen and some functions do not work.
Low - Annoying issue. System still functional.
Enhancement - Not a part of design. Would be a nice thing to have.

[Kind of good to see I'm not the only one with TDF issues! ]

Lockup under 0250 (the evening before the new National Release).

I was watching a recording of the Tour de France, Stage 4. The recording was from the first (live) VS broadcast, with an extra hour of padding. I was using a lot of trick play commands to fast-forward, then hit play, jump-back, or jump-forward when something caught my eye.

I was slipping through the race at around the 2:06 mark, then jumped-back to see something again. The while replaying (and before I got to the video I'd seen in FF), the video went black while the sound continued for at least a few seconds. Just after the video went black I tried to jump ahead, jump back, stop, etc. to get "around" the problem. None of the keys worked and the box stopped responding to my attempts (no flash of the power light or bong noise to indicate a remote command).

I let the HR20 sit for a few minutes, then eventually had to perform a RBR. After reboot (and report) I was able to watch the show from that point forward to the end, without any other problems.

[I too would have posted in the HR20-700 CE Issue thread, but it is Closed. ]

Lockup under 0251 (the same day as the new National Release).

I was watching a recording of the Tour de France, Stage 5. The recording was from the first (live) VS broadcast of the day, with an extra hour of padding. Just as the day before, I was using trick play commands to fast-forward; then hit play, jump-back, and/or jump-forward when something caught my eye.

I was either watching or slipping through the race at the 2:47 mark when I jumped-back to see something again. The while replaying in real time the video went black while the sound continued for at least a second or two. Just after the video went black I quickly tried to jump ahead, jump back, stop, etc. to get "around" the problem and avoid another lockup. None of the keys worked and the box stopped responding to my attempts (no flash of the power light or bong noise to indicate a remote command).

I let the HR20 sit for a few minutes, then performed a RBR. After reboot (and report) I was able to watch the show from that point forward to the end, without any other problems.