OK, I am still a newbie to this stuff, but How Do I get Updates? Does my HR-20 eventually download the stuff in the middle of the night? Do I have to tell it to download? Do I have to connect it to some ethernet?
If you want the 'official' software that D* sends to the HR20 you don't need to do anything, your HR20 will automatically download and install if for you in the middle of the night.
However, if you want to get this early release software, when the window is open (11PM to 2:30AM EST on the specified days) you need to press the red button to start the reboot process. When you get the very first welcome screen enter 0 2 4 6 8 (don't press enter) on that screen and the box will download the new code. If you have problems with the new code and want to go back to the old just do the same process again and it will reload the current production code.
If you do have a problem with the new code, DO NOT call DirecTV about it, the CSR's know nothing about this, but go to
www.dbstalk.com and in the thread for that specific software version report the problem with as much detail as you can. Basically, you're going to be beta testing for D* to help get the code fixed to eliminate some of the problems. A side benefit is that sometimes a new feature, such as the OTA or ViiV support is in theses new downloads so you get a chance to play with them before anyone that isn't doing this.