No RF out on the HR20? (And other technical Q's)

[GaryPen]

I'm thinking of switching to D*, and their HR20 HD DVR. Currently, I have a Comcast 3412 that feeds my LCD HDTV via the HDMI output, a projector via the component output, and a bedroom TV via the coax RF out. My questions are these:

1. Does the HR20 even have an RF output? I didn't see one in a marketing picture.
2. If not, I suppose I could use one of the AV outs with an RF modulator. Are the AV outs always hot, even when connected to HDMI and/or Component?
3. Are the HDMI and Component both hot simultaneously? Or, do I need to go into a setup menu to select between them?

A few add'l tech questions about the HR20:

1. Will it function without a phone line connected?
2. Is the Ethernet port active? If so, can it be used in place of the phone line connection, for remote scheduling of the DVR, or media sharing on the home LAN?
3. Is the SATA port active, which I assume is for external storage?
4. Is the USB port active, which I suppose could be used for a keyboard for easy typing of searches, or for a USB wi-fi adapter?
5. Does D* have anything like E*'s DPP system, where I would only need to run one line to the dual-tuner receiver?

Thanks for your help.

 

[charper1]

Here is the user guide for you in advance of your decision. It does not appear to have RF out.

 

[GaryPen]

Thanks. I already saw that. However, if all outputs are hot, simultaneously, it should still be OK.

However, I could still use answers to the other questions, which aren't really answered in the manual. For instance, they label a number of ports "for future" use. However, I was wondering if they've been activated since the manual was created, and what the scuttlebutt is on their use, if not.

They also mentioned something called FTM, which seems to be like E*'s DPP system of one antenna cable for two tuners. But, they are not very clear or detailed in their description. Anybody familiar with this?

 

[charper1]

Sorry, I didn't know you already had the manual, I an don't have the other answers.

 

[Lynskyn]

1. Does the HR20 even have an RF output? I didn't see one in a marketing picture.
No
2. If not, I suppose I could use one of the AV outs with an RF modulator. Are the AV outs always hot, even when connected to HDMI and/or Component?
Yes
3. Are the HDMI and Component both hot simultaneously? Or, do I need to go into a setup menu to select between them?
Both hot simultaneously

A few add'l tech questions about the HR20:

1. Will it function without a phone line connected?
Yes
2. Is the Ethernet port active?
Yes
If so, can it be used in place of the phone line connection, for remote scheduling of the DVR, or media sharing on the home LAN?
No on the first 2, although this may be enabled in the future. Yes on the media sharing.
3. Is the SATA port active, which I assume is for external storage?
Yes
4. Is the USB port active, which I suppose could be used for a keyboard for easy typing of searches, or for a USB wi-fi adapter?
No, although it does have power. This might be enabled in the future
5. Does D* have anything like E*'s DPP system, where I would only need to run one line to the dual-tuner receiver?
No but it's supposed to be coming

 

[texasbrit]

Q. Is the SATA port active, which I assume is for external storage?
A. Active but not fully usable yet. People have successfully connected storage to the SATA port but it REPLACES the internal storage, it's not additive. There is supposed to be additive external storage coming

Q. Does D* have anything like E*'s DPP system, where I would only need to run one line to the dual-tuner receiver?
A. It's DirecTVs FTM system, we are supposed to hear more about it in January

 

[GaryPen]

Sounds promising. Now that I no longer need TV Japan (I'm using a LocationFree server at the MIL's home in Japan), I'm no longer tied to C* or E* as my choices.

I'll take a wait-see approach on this HR20. It sounds like it's on the way to being a pretty good unit. It seems like D* has gone the E* route, and started releasing receivers well before they are ready. Too bad.

Any other bugs or anomalies in the HR20 I should know about?

 

[cybok0]

I'm thinking of switching to D*, and their HR20 HD DVR. Currently, I have a Comcast 3412 that feeds my LCD HDTV via the HDMI output, a projector via the component output, and a bedroom TV via the coax RF out. My questions are these:

1. Does the HR20 even have an RF output? I didn't see one in a marketing picture.

yes it does. check here. http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=69535&

 

[charper1]

yes it does. check here. http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=69535&

Are you (your link) talking about RF remote? I think Gary is asking about RF OUT (ch 3 / 4), as in RG6 COAX video to feed an older TV. He will correct me if I am off base.

 

[GaryPen]

Exactly. Although, having RF remote capability is a big plus as well, to control it from the bedroom!

 

[cybok0]

Are you (your link) talking about RF remote? I think Gary is asking about RF OUT (ch 3 / 4), as in RG6 COAX video to feed an older TV. He will correct me if I am off base.

Sorry I misunderstood.

 

[charper1]

NP, I thought maybe I had and wanted to make sure I wasn't leading Gary astray.

 

[cybok0]

Well maybe both of us helped him.

 

[charper1]

Yep, it might look that way. LOL

 

[GaryPen]

I'm in no super rush. So, waiting another month or so for D* to roll out the other features on the HR20 is fine.

I was originally thinking about ATT/Dish Homezone. But, D*'s HR20with TC/Locals/HBO/HD seems to be about $30 cheaper than ATT/Dish with Homezone/HD Silver/Locals/HBO. ($20 cheaper than with the 622 instead of the HZ.)

 

[GaryPen]

2. If not, I suppose I could use one of the AV outs with an RF modulator. Are the AV outs always hot, even when connected to HDMI and/or Component?
Yes
3. Are the HDMI and Component both hot simultaneously? Or, do I need to go into a setup menu to select between them?
Both hot simultaneously

So, if all the outputs are hot simultaneously, are the composite/s-video outs auto-downrezzed to 480i when tuned to HD, while the HDMI and Component put out HD rez at the same time? (My Comcast HD DVR works that way.)

 

[Lynskyn]

So, if all the outputs are hot simultaneously, are the composite/s-video outs auto-downrezzed to 480i when tuned to HD, while the HDMI and Component put out HD rez at the same time? (My Comcast HD DVR works that way.)

Yes

 

[GaryPen]

Great! I read in another thread that you have to set the unit to 480i for the SD outputs to work. I thought that sounded fishy.

 

[Lynskyn]

They were probably talking about the HR10-250, which is that way.

 

[cybok0]

I'm in no super rush. So, waiting another month or so for D* to roll out the other features on the HR20 is fine.

I was originally thinking about ATT/Dish Homezone. But, D*'s HR20with TC/Locals/HBO/HD seems to be about $30 cheaper than ATT/Dish with Homezone/HD Silver/Locals/HBO. ($20 cheaper than with the 622 instead of the HZ.)

I like Directv, I don't have HD but all in all I'm very happy with them.