[Twosted]

I am really confused by what is happening. My HR20 has been rock soild ever since I got it. I have only had to reset 2 times since I got it 2 months ago, and one time was after a software update. I haven't had any partial or deleted recordings. I have series links set up for every night of the week and have recorded them without problems. I am able to playback each one and never loose my trickplay buttons. My question is, Why? Why do I have a reliable unit while others are repoting problem after problem? I am not bragging or being sarcastic, I just don't understand how software problems are affecting everyone else except me and a few others. I used to think it was the whole MPEG4 thing but there are people in my DMA that are constantly reporting problems so it can't be that. Is there something other people are doing that exploits the software bugs? And if that is the case why haven't I come across it yet? I would like to think I use it the same way everyone else does. Any ideas? Over the past couple of days this has really started to bug me. Half of the time I choose not to post because I know the people with problems don't want to hear how mine has been problem free. And I understand that. I just don't understand what's going on.:shrug:

 

[patsrule316]

The people with problems are more likey to post and more vociferous with their posting. You aren't the only one that isn't having problems. Its just that the others without problems also aren't being very vocal about it.

There are plenty of internal and external factors in why one box would work great and another would not.

Don't let it bug you that yours is working well. Be happy!

 

[iceman2a]

I am really confused by what is happening. My HR20 has been rock soild ever since I got it. I have only had to reset 2 times since I got it 2 months ago, and one time was after a software update. I haven't had any partial or deleted recordings. I have series links set up for every night of the week and have recorded them without problems. I am able to playback each one and never loose my trickplay buttons. My question is, Why? Why do I have a reliable unit while others are repoting problem after problem? I am not bragging or being sarcastic, I just don't understand how software problems are affecting everyone else except me and a few others. I used to think it was the whole MPEG4 thing but there are people in my DMA that are constantly reporting problems so it can't be that. Is there something other people are doing that exploits the software bugs? And if that is the case why haven't I come across it yet? I would like to think I use it the same way everyone else does. Any ideas? Over the past couple of days this has really started to bug me. Half of the time I choose not to post because I know the people with problems don't want to hear how mine has been problem free. And I understand that. I just don't understand what's going on.:shrug:

Just stick with us Twosted, we'll bring you out of it! It's realy not your fault, you've fallen under the influence of the "EOT"! What they did was slap this "Blue Eye" on a H10-250 and tricked you in to beliving it was a HR20! Stay here at the computer for the entire weekend, do not watch any tv, and by Mon things should be back to normal! I think!

 

[hasan]

My question is, Why? Why do I have a reliable unit while others are repoting problem after problem? Is there something other people are doing that exploits the software bugs? And if that is the case why haven't I come across it yet? I would like to think I use it the same way everyone else does. Any ideas? Over the past couple of days this has really started to bug me. Half of the time I choose not to post because I know the people with problems don't want to hear how mine has been problem free. And I understand that. I just don't understand what's going on.:shrug:

Neither does anyone else. I doubt even D* understands the full breadth and width of the anomalies that are showing up for some and yet not for others. Think of all the variables (some I'm listing, and NOT in rank order, by any means)

1. True hardware failures. (including hard disk corruption)
2. HDMI or not
3. Dish pointing
4. Response of the HR20 to lost signals (weak/intermittant)
5. Loss of channel (going dark after finishing...NFL-Sunday Ticket and sports subs)
6. User activities (combinations/probabilities)
7. Obvious GUI bugs (very common things, not brought on by rarely used combos)
8. Features that don't do what is expected, but are actually working as designed
9. Cabling issues
10. LNB issues
11. Multi-switch issues.
12. Features that don't work under ANY circumstances or very few (Closed Captioning)
13. MPEG-4 presence or absence

I'm sure there are a ton more, these are just ones that occur to me at the moment. How does the HR20 handle errors in the data stream? What kind of error trapping routines do they have in the code (not too many, not very well done, from what I see)

I've seen some of these issues with every HD sat receiver I've had (3 of them). Hard freezes, funny glitches, features disappearing, etc. They happened with my RCA DTC-100, Samsung T-360 and now (to a MUCH lesser extent) the HR20.

I've had mine about 5 weeks. No major problems whatever (of the kind driving others nuts). I've never had to do a red button reset. One lost recording and that was the infamous NFL-ST channel going dark bug). No HDMI issues from day one. No DD issues from day one. No remote failure to work from day one. While I listed a bunch of potential "causes" for the difference between those doing well and those being tormented by the HR20's (mis)Behavior, I am left with the exact same question you have: WHY???? This isn't mysticism, but it is a mystery.

I have theorized that MPEG-4 is a virus to this box. (probably related to error trapping). It can't be the only issue, but I'm willing to be that it IS AN ISSUE. I dread the day MPEG-4 shows up here (supposedly the end of the year)...I have an "approach/avoidance" neurosis with this feature!

We're in for quite a ride (while some others, legitimatley feel like they have been taken for a ride).

 

[HaiChinGow]

I just don't understand what's going on.:shrug:

There is an update coming early next week that should make your unit just as reliable as every one elses.

 

[Twosted]

There is an update coming early next week that should make your unit just as reliable as every one elses.

I sure hope not!:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[LameLefty]

I'm with twosted on this one - my box has had a couple of the odd trick-play glitches here or there (but only about three or four times, total, and that's just about the extent of usability glitches. No lost recordings or partials or deletions either. My main "problem" has been that the local CBS MPEG4 channel is much more prone to pixelation and glitching than any of the others and of course, we watch more CBS HD shows than any other channel. Well, last night CSI looked just great, the best I've seen it. It frankly looked as good as the MPEG2 HD stuff we've been recording. So why is that? Who the hell knows? I'm sure there are lots who'd like to know, including D*.

 

[Andrew_J_M]

I know that people will flame me if I respond to a comment such as "xxx was totally screwed up last night" by saying that I have a recording of the same program from the same station and I didn't have a problem. So I don't bother any more, which is a shame because D* need to know that not eveyone has the same problem to assist in debugging. Finding bugs that affect everyone is easy, do the same for bugs that only affect a few people is much harder.

I have very few problems with this box, but I am not a power user. I don't watch sports, I never watch live TV except when I catch up a recording that I started watching 20 minutes or so after the show started. I don't use a programmable remote, just an RC32 using RF.

Since the last software update I have had one "Black Screen" recording but not a real BSoD since the DVR still functioned OK, but there again as soon as I saw it was a black screen that wouldn't respond to FF etc I just selected something else to watch from the list. No big deal, no continually pressing buttons or red button reset. I have also seen the occasional issue where the screen gets completely distorted with green break up but the audio still functions, but no where near the same extent as others report, never for more than a couple of seconds at a time and very infrequently. The first couple of times I saw it I checked the show recorded OTA on an HR10 and saw that there was some picture glitch or pixelation at the same time, so I have always assumed it is an issue with MPEG4 encoding being confused by an error in the broadcast signal. I just don't let it get me down.

That there are some problems with this DVR and with the signal delivery path is obvious, but the software is improving with each release (OK 0xDC introduced an issue with trick play but it did reduce the number of BSoDs). It is not a Tivo and that is upsetting to some, but personally I much prefer it to the HR10, warts and all. YMMV.

 

[tommyb]

I know that people will flame me if I respond to a comment such as "xxx was totally screwed up last night" by saying that I have a recording of the same program from the same station and I didn't have a problem. So I don't bother any more, which is a shame because D* need to know that not eveyone has the same problem to assist in debugging. Finding bugs that affect everyone is easy, do the same for bugs that only affect a few people is much harder.

I have very few problems with this box, but I am not a power user. I don't watch sports, I never watch live TV except when I catch up a recording that I started watching 20 minutes or so after the show started. I don't use a programmable remote, just an RC32 using RF.

Since the last software update I have had one "Black Screen" recording but not a real BSoD since the DVR still functioned OK, but there again as soon as I saw it was a black screen that wouldn't respond to FF etc I just selected something else to watch from the list. No big deal, no continually pressing buttons or red button reset. I have also seen the occasional issue where the screen gets completely distorted with green break up but the audio still functions, but no where near the same extent as others report, never for more than a couple of seconds at a time and very infrequently. The first couple of times I saw it I checked the show recorded OTA on an HR10 and saw that there was some picture glitch or pixelation at the same time, so I have always assumed it is an issue with MPEG4 encoding being confused by an error in the broadcast signal. I just don't let it get me down.

That there are some problems with this DVR and with the signal delivery path is obvious, but the software is improving with each release (OK 0xDC introduced an issue with trick play but it did reduce the number of BSoDs). It is not a Tivo and that is upsetting to some, but personally I much prefer it to the HR10, warts and all. YMMV.

:flaiming J/K, Just Having a little fun with you!!!

 

[Kapeman]

Has anyone tried to FF through a blackscreen recording?

I recorded the Alabama/Tennessee game on CBS (local MPEG4) and about 3/5 of the way through it went black. I FFed and the sound and picture was back a few minutes past the black part.

Would that be the classic blackscreen recording or a local uplink issue?


Just curious.

 

[Andrew_J_M]

Has anyone tried to FF through a blackscreen recording?

I recorded the Alabama/Tennessee game on CBS (local MPEG4) and about 3/5 of the way through it went black. I FFed and the sound and picture was back a few minutes past the black part.

Would that be the classic blackscreen recording or a local uplink issue?

Just curious.

The classic BS can't be watched at all, it just sticks on the first frame and doesn't respond to any FF or RW keys.

 

[tstarn]

I am really confused by what is happening. My HR20 has been rock soild ever since I got it. I have only had to reset 2 times since I got it 2 months ago, and one time was after a software update. I haven't had any partial or deleted recordings. I have series links set up for every night of the week and have recorded them without problems. I am able to playback each one and never loose my trickplay buttons. My question is, Why? Why do I have a reliable unit while others are repoting problem after problem? I am not bragging or being sarcastic, I just don't understand how software problems are affecting everyone else except me and a few others. I used to think it was the whole MPEG4 thing but there are people in my DMA that are constantly reporting problems so it can't be that. Is there something other people are doing that exploits the software bugs? And if that is the case why haven't I come across it yet? I would like to think I use it the same way everyone else does. Any ideas? Over the past couple of days this has really started to bug me. Half of the time I choose not to post because I know the people with problems don't want to hear how mine has been problem free. And I understand that. I just don't understand what's going on.:shrug:

Why not ask if there is a God? You'd have about the same luck trying to figure it out at this point. Frankly, judging by the complex issues raised by Hasan (and it was nice of him to gather up those problems on a single list), D* is going to have its hands full trying to get it figured out. I know there are some problems with other receivers/DVRs, but it seems the R15 and HR20, which both involve recording, do not represent D*'s shining hour. The problems are way more evident and bountiful than with other boxes, no matter who made or provided them. Seems like this time, they got in way over their heads. Unfortunately, we who have had HR20 problems are the recipients of their foray into the unknown.

 

[hasan]

Why not ask if there is a God? You'd have about the same luck trying to figure it out at this point. Frankly, judging by the complex issues raised by Hasan (and it was nice of him to gather up those problems on a single list), D* is going to have its hands full trying to get it figured out. I know there are some problems with other receivers/DVRs, but it seems the R15 and HR20, which both involve recording, do not represent D*'s shining hour. The problems are way more evident and bountiful than with other boxes, no matter who made or provided them. Seems like this time, they got in way over their heads. Unfortunately, we who have had HR20 problems are the recipients of their foray into the unknown.

That is a fair-minded and balanced assessment of where things stand at this point. I couldn't have said it better (I've tried, unsuccessfully:hurah: )

How you framed "where we currently are" should be a must read for anyone, having problems or not. It would save a lot of misery, and as long as updates continue, there is hope. My worst fear is the Vietnamization of this box: declare victory and pull out. (not very likely IMHO). My next worst fear is that the MPEG-4 virus will kill what has been a good box for me up to this point. (please, I'm trying to be funny, I know some people are doing fine with MPEG-4).

 

[ebasham]

I'm one of the ones that has had relatively few problems but can identify with people that are having issues. I've only had to do 3 or 4 reboots and have had my HR20 mess up about 4 shows I tried to record. Reading this forum, I think that puts me in the "good HR20" category. But not having any backup besides the HR20, if (or when?) my HR20 goes bad, I would be really pissed. I'm thankful D* does work on updates quickly but wish they would spend more time and money training their support staff. Its rare that you call into D* and come away thinking they know what they are talking about. But still...its better than cable.

 

[iceman2a]

I have found the "ULTIMATE" workaround that makes this box work flawlessly!
Now, this may not work for everyone!

This is what I did:

1) Disconnected coax feeds from AT9 dish, connected to 2x6 multiswitch going to my round dish!

2) Do not use any DVR functions of the HR20!

I know..I know....no HD, no MPEG4, and no recordings, but the HR20 works great for what's left!!

 

[Bobman]

Why do I have a reliable unit while others are repoting problem after problem?

Read this thread before you count your chickens.

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=66235

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=68496

I said the same thing for months then BAM about the R-15.

 

[tstarn]

I have found the "ULTIMATE" workaround that makes this box work flawlessly!
Now, this may not work for everyone!

This is what I did:

1) Disconnected coax feeds from AT9 dish, connected to 2x6 multiswitch going to my round dish!

2) Do not use any DVR functions of the HR20!

I know..I know....no HD, no MPEG4, and no recordings, but the HR20 works great for what's left!!

Good plan.