I have had the HR20-700 for a week now. Here are my observations with the 0x11b firmware. I'd like to hear if anyone else has had similar problems:
- Frequent audio dropouts on playback of recorded content.
- After reaching real-time (i.e. after viewing buffered content and fast forwarding to the point of live TV), VERY frequent audio dropouts. Usually, if I change channels at this point then change back, everything works ok, except this caused the system to re-boot one time.
- Only 1 re-boot so far (see above). I did have to manually re-boot the system because it got stuck in an infinite loop while trying to load episode listings.
- GUI is still slow. I was hoping it would be a little faster than the H20. (My dream is for it to eventually be as fast as the HIRD-E86, but I don't think that is ever going to happen).
- Very low noise. I know other people have complained about noise, but I have heard nothing, even though it is sitting in an open cabinet. The installers said each release of the HR20 (mine being the 700) has gotten quieter and quieter. He also said that people who lock the unit up in an enclosed cabinet will hear more noise from the fans, since they need to run more often. Unless the fans are very quiet, I don't think I have heard them turn on at all yet.
- Networking ability works great! I was able to easily connect the HR20 to my router, download and install Windows Media Player 11 on one of my network PCs and instantly I was able to view pictures and listen to mp3s on my TV! No videos yet, but I assume that will be added eventually.
- As far as I can tell, there are 4 tuners (2 off air and 2 sat), but I can only utilize 2 at a time.
i.e.:
if ( (num_sat_programs + num_off_air_programs)<=2)
allow();
else
prompt_user_to_cancel_one_program();
Where allow() would, for each source, begin to stream data from the tuner to the storage media (if recording) or to the TV outputs (if viewing).
It should, for example, be able to record 2 off air programs and 1 sat program while still being able to watch a sat program (this is the most utilized scenario). The firmware should be changed to be something like this:
if ( (num_sat_programs <= 2) && (num_off_air_programs <=2))
allow();
else
prompt_user_to_cancel_one_program();
It does not seem like this should be a huge undertaking. Then again, I don't work for D*, so perhaps their software priorities are somewhere else.
Overall I am happy with the system. Hopefully, the problems will be fixed in the firmware and not just forgotten about (like the H20).
Dan
- Frequent audio dropouts on playback of recorded content.
- After reaching real-time (i.e. after viewing buffered content and fast forwarding to the point of live TV), VERY frequent audio dropouts. Usually, if I change channels at this point then change back, everything works ok, except this caused the system to re-boot one time.
- Only 1 re-boot so far (see above). I did have to manually re-boot the system because it got stuck in an infinite loop while trying to load episode listings.
- GUI is still slow. I was hoping it would be a little faster than the H20. (My dream is for it to eventually be as fast as the HIRD-E86, but I don't think that is ever going to happen).
- Very low noise. I know other people have complained about noise, but I have heard nothing, even though it is sitting in an open cabinet. The installers said each release of the HR20 (mine being the 700) has gotten quieter and quieter. He also said that people who lock the unit up in an enclosed cabinet will hear more noise from the fans, since they need to run more often. Unless the fans are very quiet, I don't think I have heard them turn on at all yet.
- Networking ability works great! I was able to easily connect the HR20 to my router, download and install Windows Media Player 11 on one of my network PCs and instantly I was able to view pictures and listen to mp3s on my TV! No videos yet, but I assume that will be added eventually.
- As far as I can tell, there are 4 tuners (2 off air and 2 sat), but I can only utilize 2 at a time.
i.e.:
if ( (num_sat_programs + num_off_air_programs)<=2)
allow();
else
prompt_user_to_cancel_one_program();
Where allow() would, for each source, begin to stream data from the tuner to the storage media (if recording) or to the TV outputs (if viewing).
It should, for example, be able to record 2 off air programs and 1 sat program while still being able to watch a sat program (this is the most utilized scenario). The firmware should be changed to be something like this:
if ( (num_sat_programs <= 2) && (num_off_air_programs <=2))
allow();
else
prompt_user_to_cancel_one_program();
It does not seem like this should be a huge undertaking. Then again, I don't work for D*, so perhaps their software priorities are somewhere else.
Overall I am happy with the system. Hopefully, the problems will be fixed in the firmware and not just forgotten about (like the H20).
Dan
