[Batem]

I ordered a Hd Dvr HR21-100 receiver the other day but when it came it was a Hd Dvr Hr20-100s.Should I send it back and get the newer model which I ordered or just hook this one up.
I don't get Over the air HD so is there any advantages to keeping this receiver.
Everyones thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[TomF]

There's no functional difference between the HR20 and the HR21 with the exception of the OTA capability.

It's unlikely that DirecTV would take the HR20 back and give you an HR21.

 

[EricJRW]

Hmmm, that's the first time I read about it going that way... Most people want the 20, not the 21... I know I did... But somehow I got the impression that the 21 was actually a better box to have (newer=better?), especially if you have no need for OTA (though there is always the AM21).

 

[Batem]

Thanks for the info guys.I'm not update on directv Hd and I was buying the newer receiver for the reason Eric posted (newer=better?).
Maybe I should just keep it and save the hastle of waiting longer.

 

[Rich]

Thanks for the info guys.I'm not update on directv Hd and I was buying the newer receiver for the reason Eric posted (newer=better?).
Maybe I should just keep it and save the hastle of waiting longer.

Again, I must say this: I think the 20-100s are the worst of all the 20/21s. This is based only on my personal experience. I'd get a replacement.

Rich

 

[Rich]

Hmmm, that's the first time I read about it going that way... Most people want the 20, not the 21... I know I did... But somehow I got the impression that the 21 was actually a better box to have (newer=better?), especially if you have no need for OTA (though there is always the AM21).

I've got two 21s and five 20s and the 21 is most certainly not the superior unit at this time. I do have great hopes that in the future the 21s will be improved.

The 21s seem to do just about everything a little slower than the 20s. Aside from that, I don't see any difference other than color and physical measurements. The 21 is a little taller than the 20.

Rich

 

[EricJRW]

I've got two 21s and five 20s and the 21 is most certainly not the superior unit at this time. I do have great hopes that in the future the 21s will be improved.

The 21s seem to do just about everything a little slower than the 20s. Aside from that, I don't see any difference other than color and physical measurements. The 21 is a little taller than the 20.

Rich

Hmm, don't know why, it's got less in there...

Anyway, it's probably a bit of selective retention on my part... It seems for every "The 20 is better." post, there is a "The 21 is better!" post.

Moot point... I have what I have it it's my only data point.

 

[Rich]

Hmm, don't know why, it's got less in there...

Anyway, it's probably a bit of selective retention on my part... It seems for every "The 20 is better." post, there is a "The 21 is better!" post.

Moot point... I have what I have it it's my only data point.

Now that you mention it, I really haven't seen many posts that compared the 20 to the 21. I'm just basing my opinion on experiences with both.

As to the 21 being taller, I have no idea why, but I've had them side by side and the height difference is noticeable. Be nice if someone with a metric ruler measured a 20, my 21 is 72 mm high.

Rich

 

[2dogz]

I've got two 21s and five 20s and the 21 is most certainly not the superior unit at this time. I do have great hopes that in the future the 21s will be improved.

Dang, seven HD tvs? You running a sports bar, or maybe a sports book?

 

[cartrivision]

I've got two 21s and five 20s and the 21 is most certainly not the superior unit at this time. I do have great hopes that in the future the 21s will be improved.

The 21s seem to do just about everything a little slower than the 20s. Aside from that, I don't see any difference other than color and physical measurements. The 21 is a little taller than the 20.

Rich

Do you have the external OTA tuner hooked up to the HR21? I've seen other anecdotal reports of the 21's being slower than the 20's which doesn't make sense because the 21's have a newer chipset which is supposed to be slightly faster, so I was wondering if hooking up the external OTA box is what is slowing it down.

 

[CCarncross]

Now that you mention it, I really haven't seen many posts that compared the 20 to the 21. I'm just basing my opinion on experiences with both.

As to the 21 being taller, I have no idea why, but I've had them side by side and the height difference is noticeable. Be nice if someone with a metric ruler measured a 20, my 21 is 72 mm high.

Rich

I believe the 21's have taller feet, so the overall height is slightly greater. BUt the height difference should be irrelevant in a proper install as its small and they should not be mounted in any space thats just tall enough to fit the shorter of the two. you are asking for overheating issues not giving them enough breathing room.

 

[spartanstew]

Again, I must say this: I think the 20-100s are the worst of all the 20/21s.

I've got two 21s and five 20s and the 21 is most certainly not the superior unit at this time. I do have great hopes that in the future the 21s will be improved.

The 21s seem to do just about everything a little slower than the 20s.

So the 20-100 is the worst, but the 21's are not superior? Wouldn't that mean the 21's are the worst?

FWIW, I haven't experienced any differences in functionality between my HR21's and my HR20.

 

[jimb726]

I also have one of each and functionally I have noticed no differences in the speeds or reliability.

 

[EricJRW]

Has there ever been a poll on perception of the various 20s and 21s?

I realize that this would be mostly pure personal conjecture, and would/could be influenced by external factors, but still wouldn't a pattern develop?

It might be nice to include 1 or 2 signal strength readings in such a poll just to baseline perceived performance and alignment related issues...

Just a thought... Topic for a new thread maybe (for better attention) by the powers that be (or can forum mortals start polls too)?

 

[Mertzen]

I never had a problem with my 20-100. If that adds anything.

 

[jimb726]

Has there ever been a poll on perception of the various 20s and 21s?

I realize that this would be mostly pure personal conjecture, and would be influence by so many external things, but still wouldn't a pattern develop?

It might be nice to include 1 or 2 signal strength readings in such a poll just to baseline perceived performance and and alignment related issues...

Just a thought... Topic for a new thread maybe (for better attention)?

Its a good idea, but personnaly I believe that there are so many different variables affecting how these boxes operate the survey would be skewed. How else can you explain that one person has been through numerous boxes, missed numerous recording, etc. And then I have had 3 boxes and virtually 18 error free months. There has to be some type of mitigating circumstance beyond the boxes causing this.

 

[EricJRW]

Its a good idea, but personnaly I believe that there are so many different variables affecting how these boxes operate the survey would be skewed. How else can you explain that one person has been through numerous boxes, missed numerous recording, etc. And then I have had 3 boxes and virtually 18 error free months. There has to be some type of mitigating circumstance beyond the boxes causing this.

Yeah, I certainly understand that... but with enough data-points the outriggers would become obvious.

 

[shmengie]

i am learning to hate my hr21 for one simple reason: media share doesn't really work. well, it does, but if you have anything plugged into the ethernet port, your box will randomly lock up and only an rbr will fix it. so, if you want media share, stick with the hr20 until dtv addresses this issue.

 

[EricJRW]

i am learning to hate my hr21 for one simple reason: media share doesn't really work. well, it does, but if you have anything plugged into the ethernet port, your box will randomly lock up and only an rbr will fix it. so, if you want media share, stick with the hr20 until dtv addresses this issue.

I have my HR21-200 networked and have yet to have a lockup. That being said, I'm not using any sort of media share functionality... I DL'd a few VOD titles, but that was about it.

 

[shmengie]

yeah, it doesn't look like affecting everyone. but this is how i first got a clue about what was maybe going on.

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