[bnewsom]

I just recently got Directv. So far, so good. I am very happy with the picture quality, HD selection, etc... much better than TWC.

My only disappointment really is that the DVR is soooo slow to respond to remote commands especially moving around in the guide, but also the cruise controls. Sometimes, it will respond relatively fast, but other times, it will do nothing, so I push the button again and after a couple of seconds, it will respond twice.

Currently, my HR21 is connected to the Internet via my broadband connection, and I added an AM21 for local OTA channels. I have read that both of these configuration options can make the HR21 sluggish. It does seem a little slower now, but was not that great before either. I am using the remote in RF mode, so I doubt interference is an issue.

As a software developer, I know that it doesn't matter how good your program is, if the UI is not responsive, then the user typically gets frustrated and can't focus on the benefits. Actually, I think the HR21 software is pretty good IMHO, just slow. I have never used the Dish DVR or Tivo, so I can't make any comparisons there.

I know there have been software updates that have improved things a little, but is there really any hope that there will be a significant boost in performance in the future?

 

[darekd]

I have the same combination (HR21+AM21) and problems. Trickplay on OTA recorded shows is often unbearable. Often picture freezes for several seconds after remote control key press. It's been like this for months (since AM21 was introduced) and it seems that Directv is not interested in fixing this problem. I will not recommend Directv to anyone until this is fixed.

 

[jhillestad]

I have the same combination (HR21+AM21) and problems. Trickplay on OTA recorded shows is often unbearable. Often picture freezes for several seconds after remote control key press. It's been like this for months (since AM21 was introduced) and it seems that Directv is not interested in fixing this problem. I will not recommend Directv to anyone until this is fixed.

They cant even fix the screensaver problem ..... How are sports bars using this thing ?!? the screensaver turns itself on every 2 or 3 hours and it cant be turned off.

The HR21 and 20 for that matter have the worst guide .. its very hard to set recordings. I still use my Tivo HR10-250 for OTA HD recording and will not give them up no matter how many times DTV calls and wants to replace them for free.

 

[say-what]

I have the HR21/AM21 combo networked and have not noticed any performance issues that can be associated with the HR21/AM21 hardware or software.

The only time I have noticed performance issues with trickplay is during playback of OTA recordings with signal issues throughout, otherwise everything is fine.

My parents have an HR21 and it performs fine.

I've used the DirecTIVO and standalone TIVO's and my HR2x experience is on par.

 

[say-what]

They cant even fix the screensaver problem ..... How are sports bars using this thing ?!? the screensaver turns itself on every 2 or 3 hours and it cant be turned off.

Never had that problem and I leave mine on for extended periods of time while at home.

 

[spartanstew]

Maybe it's a problem with the combination of the 2 units. I have 2 HR21's (without an AM21) and trickplay features work just fine, even when using an IR repeater system from another room.

I also don't experience the screen saver issue

 

[dcowboy7]

significantly ?.....thats a mighty big word i reckon....no.

 

[Maruuk]

Let's what 255 does for all these hideous trickplay issues, especially on OTA recordeds. I'm hopeful, it's surely something we shouldn't have to live with. I'm going to check it out tonight.

 

[MartyS]

My HR21-100 and AM21 combo are working fine as well. I don't notice any more or less sluggishness than before, and have NEVER had a screensaver problem, and those units are on at least 5-6 hours a day.

 

[hdtvfan0001]

Overall, as a long-time user, I have been very pleased with my HR20 and HR21 series HD DVRs for some time.

One of my pet peeves that is actually beeing adressed over time is the guide and menu speeds. They have actually been slower in the past than they are right now.

A few months ago, there was a non-fanfare announcement that DirecTV has partnered with some software firm that specifically provides acceleration solutions towards this problem.

Typically, it takes several months to imbed this kind of code, so I'm not sure just how far along the process is at this time. There are 2 things I do know:

1) DirecTV knows about it
2) They are committed to improving the performance

 

[darekd]

I have the HR21/AM21 combo networked and have not noticed any performance issues that can be associated with the HR21/AM21 hardware or software.

The only time I have noticed performance issues with trickplay is during playback of OTA recordings with signal issues throughout, otherwise everything is fine.

My parents have an HR21 and it performs fine.

I've used the DirecTIVO and standalone TIVO's and my HR2x experience is on par.

You don't have any problems and I just exchanged my HR21 for a new (refurbished) unit. This didn't help. This HR21 is as bad as the other one. Some OTA recordings work fine and some have problems. I just hope that my city will have locals on the new satellite soon (my market is 68th on the DMA list).

 

[hasan]

It is a complete mystery to me why some people have few problems and others have them all the time. My HR21/AM21 records OTA all the time, without problem. I don't miss shows, don't have blank recordings, etc.

The GUI is slow. It's been slower in the past, so there has been some improvement, but it's still painfully slow.

Trick play issues have been problematic for some, perhaps many. I haven't done a ton of trick play with OTA specific recordings, so I can't comment on that, except to say many have reported this problem.

The one thing that has been clear in nearly 2 years of working with D*'s development team is that they do have a commitment to making things better, including both feature development and bug fixes. Progress is quite evident to me.

Is it far enough, fast enough....never.

 

[joed32]

They cant even fix the screensaver problem ..... How are sports bars using this thing ?!? the screensaver turns itself on every 2 or 3 hours and it cant be turned off.

The HR21 and 20 for that matter have the worst guide .. its very hard to set recordings. I still use my Tivo HR10-250 for OTA HD recording and will not give them up no matter how many times DTV calls and wants to replace them for free.

I have 5 Hr2Xs and have never had the screen saver come on unless I am paused.

 

[upnorth]

They cant even fix the screensaver problem ..... How are sports bars using this thing ?!? the screensaver turns itself on every 2 or 3 hours and it cant be turned off.

The HR21 and 20 for that matter have the worst guide .. its very hard to set recordings. I still use my Tivo HR10-250 for OTA HD recording and will not give them up no matter how many times DTV calls and wants to replace them for free.

We have not had these issues and find setting the unit to record from the guide is very simple and easy.
Yes there are issues that people are having that others are not and that is troubling for all.
It is time to dump the HR10-250 and start enjoying recording and watching all the excellent MPEG4 HD channels.

 

[itzme]

Overall, as a long-time user, I have been very pleased with my HR20 and HR21 series HD DVRs for some time.

One of my pet peeves that is actually beeing adressed over time is the guide and menu speeds. They have actually been slower in the past than they are right now.

A few months ago, there was a non-fanfare announcement that DirecTV has partnered with some software firm that specifically provides acceleration solutions towards this problem.

Typically, it takes several months to imbed this kind of code, so I'm not sure just how far along the process is at this time. There are 2 things I do know:

1) DirecTV knows about it
2) They are committed to improving the performance

I'd be interested if a mod could offer us a status report on that code.

 

[rahlquist]

Not owning a hr21 I am sure to be setting myself up as flame bait but I have never had significant lag except when using the remote on my hr20 in RF mode instead of IR.