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Performance HR20 vs. HR21

1803 Views 26 Replies 19 Participants Last post by  bwaldron
Is there a short answer as to why my HR20's are so much faster at everything versus the HR21? Guide use, channel changing, etc. The HR21 is frustraitingly slow compared to the HR20-700!
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jfern1960 said:
Is there a short answer as to why my HR20's are so much faster at everything versus the HR21? Guide use, channel changing, etc. The HR21 is frustraitingly slow compared to the HR20-700!
In one sentence, no there is no short answer as to why the HR20s are faster than the HR21s.
are you using am21 unit? my personal experience is enabling 30skip instead of 30slip brings speed up to the same as hr20.
I'd like to hear more, as I've found my HR20 and HR21 perform about the same, with the exception of a well-documented issue with trickplay on long recordings from AM21/OTA sources.
HR20 and HR21 have performed the same for me. More specifically, HR20-100 (my relatives) and HR21-700 (mine).
Add me to the list of "about the same" [HR20-700 & HR21-200].
Now either one can have moments where they seem to be sluggish, but it seems to be due to "housekeeping" in the background.
HR20-700 and HR21-200 here.

I'd say overall they perform about the same but the HR21 is more picky with remote keypresses sometimes as the batteries run low (HR20 hangs on longer before getting cranky about low batteries). Interface and guide wise the HR21 *might* be a bit slower but not enough to really notice in regular use. If I really pay attention to it I would say it's a tad slower, but we're talking like quarter second, enough to notice if you really pay attention, but not enough in general use.

I will say it's not something my wife has noticed or complained about so I think that is the true test in my house. :)
How come the HR2x can't tell you when the remote is low on batteries. My computer does that for my wireless keyboard and mouse. It's not perfect, but it's a helpful indicator.
jcricket said:
How come the HR2x can't tell you when the remote is low on batteries. My computer does that for my wireless keyboard and mouse. It's not perfect, but it's a helpful indicator.
"mine do" [using the RF mode]
Add me to the list who's HR21 is slower then my HR20's for just about every single operation. Both a HR21-200 which was replaced by a HR21-100 show the same slowness.
veryoldschool said:
"mine do" [using the RF mode]
Mine also, they are in the RF mode
We got a new HR21 in July and at first it was faster than our HR20-100. Then about 6 weeks ago it locked up a few times. Ever since then it is a little slower than the HR20. These are very slight differences and most people would not notice this.
jcricket said:
How come the HR2x can't tell you when the remote is low on batteries. My computer does that for my wireless keyboard and mouse. It's not perfect, but it's a helpful indicator.
Perhaps a dumb question but, for those having issues on one box or another......Are you using an RF remote on both? My HR-21 is slower in responding but I've always assumed it was because my HR-20 is on an RF remote and my HR-21 is using a standard remote.
I once tried to compare the speed of my HR20 & HR21.

There didn't seem to be any.

In fact, in some situations where one seemed faster, later it would be the opposite.

This is just my opinion but I think that some functions operate as if there was virtual memory with a swap file. If you don't use say the guide for a while and then access it make take a little longer to get there then if you had just accessed it a few minutes ago.

I don't know if that makes any sense but it just a perception on my part.

At any rate, I can find no appreciable difference in speed between my HR20 & HR21.

Mike
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My 21 has been problem free but my 2 20s definately walk all over it for speed..
again, this is only my experience, but with no am21 both were the same. with am21 installed and 30slip enabled everything was slow, guide, all remote commands, etc.
enable 30skip and everything sped up and the hr21-100 works as fast as the hr20-100.
jcricket said:
How come the HR2x can't tell you when the remote is low on batteries. My computer does that for my wireless keyboard and mouse. It's not perfect, but it's a helpful indicator.
My MX-700 universal remote does tell me when they are getting low. I believe the DirecTV remotes will also let you know the batteries are getting low as well.

Per the main discussion, IR mode only here.
Also "about the same for me". I was surprised to see that the HR21 wasn't "snappier", since it uses a newer Broadcom CPU than the HR20.

I'm guessing from this that the new CPU isn't faster, but just redesigned as a single-chip replacement solution (HR21) for the older 2-chip solution (HR20), probably lowering unit production costs. If so, can't fault DirecTV for that. /steve
There all slow - but I believe my HR22 is faster (but not by much) than my HR21-200 or my HR20-700 ...
David MacLeod said:
again, this is only my experience, but with no am21 both were the same. with am21 installed and 30slip enabled everything was slow, guide, all remote commands, etc.
enable 30skip and everything sped up and the hr21-100 works as fast as the hr20-100.
I find that interesting.

I think I'll move my AM21 around and see what happens.

Mike
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