[jjohns]

I bought my hr20-700 in October of 2006. Since then there has been only one version about 8 or 9 months ago that actually worked pretty well. If I only could have stopped the version upgrades then and there. But soon after, I received the next release of the software - that added something like networked-DOD-MP3-smellovision enhancements - and I got 'em even if I didn't want 'em - it now is back to its old problems and even some new ones. At least I can say no to software updates on my pc - or most of the time I'm sort of asked, "Would you like to upgrade?"

Why can't we opt out of any future "enhancements" or version upgrades that contain all sorts of enhancements that only bring new problems with them? If I bought a basic camera that recorded HD and did that well, and that's all I wanted, I shouldn't be subjected to a bunch of software add-ons that bring enhancements and potential bugs I don't want and didn't buy? (At least with the camera, I would have a choice of plugging its USB port in or not.) Once I've purchased something, I don't like this idea of changing it time after time without me saying okay. Call me kooky but something's just not quite right about this. Maybe that's why the lease.

 

[Mike Bertelson]

I bought my hr20-700 in October of 2006. Since then there has been only one version about 8 or 9 months ago that actually worked pretty well. If I only could have stopped the version upgrades then and there. But soon after, I received the next release of the software - that added something like networked-DOD-MP3-smellovision enhancements - and I got 'em even if I didn't want 'em - it now is back to its old problems and even some new ones. At least I can say no to software updates on my pc - or most of the time I'm sort of asked, "Would you like to upgrade?"

Why can't we opt out of any future "enhancements" or version upgrades that contain all sorts of enhancements that only bring new problems with them? If I bought a basic camera that recorded HD and did that well, and that's all I wanted, I shouldn't be subjected to a bunch of software add-ons that bring enhancements and potential bugs I don't want and didn't buy? (At least with the camera, I would have a choice of plugging its USB port in or not.) Once I've purchased something, I don't like this idea of changing it time after time without me saying okay. Call me kooky but something's just not quite right about this. Maybe that's why the lease.

Not sure but I don't think it's currently possible to opt out of firmware pushes.

Not to mention you wouldn't get upcoming featrues.

Mike

 

[say-what]

Not to mention, DirecTV wants everyone on the same software version to make it easier to troubleshoot.

 

[Ed Campbell]

Not to mention, many of us don't share the same whine.

 

[Stuart Sweet]

I tend to think the support load would be too great given that HR20 has had something like 25 major national releases since it came out.

 

[gregjones]

I bought my hr20-700 in October of 2006. Since then there has been only one version about 8 or 9 months ago that actually worked pretty well. If I only could have stopped the version upgrades then and there. But soon after, I received the next release of the software - that added something like networked-DOD-MP3-smellovision enhancements - and I got 'em even if I didn't want 'em - it now is back to its old problems and even some new ones. At least I can say no to software updates on my pc - or most of the time I'm sort of asked, "Would you like to upgrade?"

Why can't we opt out of any future "enhancements" or version upgrades that contain all sorts of enhancements that only bring new problems with them? If I bought a basic camera that recorded HD and did that well, and that's all I wanted, I shouldn't be subjected to a bunch of software add-ons that bring enhancements and potential bugs I don't want and didn't buy? (At least with the camera, I would have a choice of plugging its USB port in or not.) Once I've purchased something, I don't like this idea of changing it time after time without me saying okay. Call me kooky but something's just not quite right about this. Maybe that's why the lease.

The easiest way to disable a lot of possible issues is not to plug an ethernet cable in. I do use a lot of those features and have had exactly one spontaneous reboot and one lockup in the last year. Both were while running one particular CE release. With that, I went back to the NR until the next CE cycle.

I am sorry you had such difficulty. I will regret this, I am sure, but what issues did you have, exactly?

 

[MatthewTheRaven]

I tend to think the support load would be too great given that HR20 has had something like 25 major national releases since it came out.

The first programming job I had out of school was at a very small business with absolutely terrible management.

We had 100 customers on probably 50 different versions of the software. It was the most unmanageable horrible customer service situation I could imagine. I wouldn't wish that on anybody.

To think about expanding the idea that your entire national base could have any number of national releases back to who knows how long just makes my head hurt...

 

[gregjones]

Variability is the enemy of good customer service.

 

[Matt9876]

I get a couple of reboots per week but have tracked it down to bad modem data over a Vonage phone connection. Still keep it connected so the caller ID works.

Better error trapping of the modem/data ports could help.

 

[ThomasM]

The first programming job I had out of school was at a very small business with absolutely terrible management.

We had 100 customers on probably 50 different versions of the software. It was the most unmanageable horrible customer service situation I could imagine. I wouldn't wish that on anybody.

To think about expanding the idea that your entire national base could have any number of national releases back to who knows how long just makes my head hurt...

This is exactly why Microsoft came up with Active Directory, Group Policies and their SMS product so large IT departments (like I used to work for) could push software upgrades to the users without them blocking them or messing things up.

And that is exactly why DirecTV has a similar system in place for their receivers so that without any intervention at all by the user the boxes get automatic software upgrades in the middle of the night. Most all users are HAPPY to not have to worry about doing anything to get the latest features and have old problems solved.

 

[gregjones]

In the end, most errors I have seen on the forum resolve to one of four culprits:

Bad Guide Data
Improperly Aligned Dish
CE Version
Physical Issue (Power spike, crashed disk drive, etc)

 

[ThomasM]

In the end, most errors I have seen on the forum resolve to one of four culprits:

Bad Guide Data
Improperly Aligned Dish
CE Version
Physical Issue (Power spike, crashed disk drive, etc)

Very true!!

Bad Guide Data - Grumble about Tribune Media Service
Improperly Aligned Dish - Grumble about the contract installer
CE Version - Grumble to yourself for downloading it
Physical Issue (Power spike, crashed disk drive, etc) - Grumble to the Electric Company or subscribe to the Protection Plan

Ha ha ha!!

 

[Ken S]

I do think that allowing customers to stop updates would be a mistake, but if variability is a big problem they bring a lot of that on themselves with so many different manufacturers and models for essentially the same device.

 

[rudeney]

Also, many of the updates will contain “features” intended not to improve or add services, but to improve the reliability of DRM.

 

[Paul A]

Call me kooky

Uh, OK. You're kooky

 

[gregjones]

Very true!!

Bad Guide Data - Grumble about Tribune Media Service
Improperly Aligned Dish - Grumble about the contract installer
CE Version - Grumble to yourself for downloading it
Physical Issue (Power spike, crashed disk drive, etc) - Grumble to the Electric Company or subscribe to the Protection Plan

Ha ha ha!!

And that was my point exactly. Of course, the last can often be fixed by buying a cheap UPS and putting the DVR on it. A DVR is no more or less than a dedicated computer. For me, putting less than $60 in a UPS is worth avoiding the hassle of lost recordings, downtime, irritation, etc.

 

[gregjones]

I do think that allowing customers to stop updates would be a mistake, but if variability is a big problem they bring a lot of that on themselves with so many different manufacturers and models for essentially the same device.

Most software is expected to run on a variety of similarly spec'd hardware. In my 15 years of experience developing software, subtle changes in hardware are rarely the culprit. The issues come from having software installed in different ways, with different options and often developed by different teams.

I may be wrong, but I am not familiar with many bugs specific to a particular manufacturer. Any of which I am familiar are because one got a new software version before the other.

 

[CTJon]

This is exactly why Microsoft came up with Active Directory, Group Policies and their SMS product so large IT departments (like I used to work for) could push software upgrades to the users without them blocking them or messing things up.

/QUOTE]

Microsoft came up with those functions because other software companies already had that capability and Microsoft had to try and keep up.

 

[Stuart Sweet]

Back to topic, please. The topic is will DIRECTV allow you to opt out of future national releases. The answer is, no.

 

[JeffBowser]

:lol: I've been in high tech since the mid-80's - one thing a prospect or client doesn't want to hear is no, doesn't matter how ridiculous or even how valid the request is, they are the only person in the world in their own eyes. Enough to drive ya batty.

Back to topic, please. The topic is will DIRECTV allow you to opt out of future national releases. The answer is, no.