So is the HR-20 worth getting?

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acidburnlk

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Jan 25, 2007
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So I just bought a HD TV and currently have the R15 (not the greatest unit ever but problem free for a few months now) I was considering upgrading to HD programing but reading the horror stories about the HR20 have backed me off it a little bit. Since the brand new update hit recently, is the HR20 more reliable or stable? I just dont want to get this unit and have to replace it, or reset it constantly. Also, is the UI basically the same as the R15?
 
So I just bought a HD TV and currently have the R15 (not the greatest unit ever but problem free for a few months now) I was considering upgrading to HD programing but reading the horror stories about the HR20 have backed me off it a little bit. Since the brand new update hit recently, is the HR20 more reliable or stable? I just dont want to get this unit and have to replace it, or reset it constantly. Also, is the UI basically the same as the R15?

Mine has been solid for the last week since the 11B update. In my case, the only thing left is random pixelization and audio drops when playing back recorded shows. This is an annoyance, but not a show stopper. Previous to this, I was having to reboot at least twice a week, recording shows that could not be played at all, lockups of both the remote and buttons on the unit, and subscriptions to shows that would just disappear.

In my 1 week experience, 11B is one you can live with easily. I do still miss my old Tivo trick play sounds (ka-dink, ka-dink :) and the auto-backup function when clicking play. I have found that instead of clicking play to stop FF, I now click the 'back 6 sconds' button a couple of times and it works out about the same. I'm pretty happy with mine right now.
 
seems to depend on how bad you need HD. try watching SD on your set for a week and I bet you take the plunge!
 
So I just bought a HD TV and currently have the R15 (not the greatest unit ever but problem free for a few months now) I was considering upgrading to HD programing but reading the horror stories about the HR20 have backed me off it a little bit. Since the brand new update hit recently, is the HR20 more reliable or stable? I just dont want to get this unit and have to replace it, or reset it constantly. Also, is the UI basically the same as the R15?

In a word:
Absolutly !!!!

If you are looking to get into HD DVR type equipment,this unit has been worked on and progressing positivly ever week.
D* is working hard to make everything right, thuis is going to be thier flagship unit, thier words not mine.
This will handle mpeg 2 and 4 and HD and OTA.
Now that they seem to have thier S*it together with the updates, most are pretty happy with it NOW.

Remember this is very new, including the technology (mpeg 4) for sat usage.
The DISH 622 had many problems with it when it came out, most don't remember them now.

IF this current update is the one that makes it all work the way they want it to, you will bwe able to buy/lease one and when you load it for the first time the 11B will be on it and people will like it because it will work the way it was intended too and they will think nothing of it, not realizing all the ups and downs the original purchasers had with it.

At least thats what they are hoping for.

Jimbo
 
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what are people taking about when they speak of 'trick play' or whatever it is?
 
So I just bought a HD TV and currently have the R15 (not the greatest unit ever but problem free for a few months now) I was considering upgrading to HD programing but reading the horror stories about the HR20 have backed me off it a little bit. Since the brand new update hit recently, is the HR20 more reliable or stable? I just dont want to get this unit and have to replace it, or reset it constantly. Also, is the UI basically the same as the R15?

The HR20 is worth getting however I would recommend the HR20 100 not the 600.
I have replaced both of my HR20 600s with HR20 100s much better unit that I have had no problem.
 
The HR20 is worth getting however I would recommend the HR20 100 not the 600.
I have replaced both of my HR20 600s with HR20 100s much better unit that I have had no problem.

Dude, that's the H20 and not the HR20. HR20s are only the HR20-700 series. Sowwy :eek:
 
The HR20 has been a great performer for me albeit a few issues around some early forced releases (10b, 115, 119). With 11b and a few things I avoid doing, it records 100% of the time, playback is good, and its a good DVR. I just have found a few things that cause it to lock. If I dont do those things, its as reliable as my HR10 HD Tivo. I would recommend the unit especially now that 11b is national.
 
I think it is worth getting with the new update. Fixed MANY problems. All? Of course not.

But, I am having NO problems right now and am recording a LOT of shows everyday
 
The HR20 has been a great performer for me albeit a few issues around some early forced releases (10b, 115, 119). With 11b and a few things I avoid doing, it records 100% of the time, playback is good, and its a good DVR. I just have found a few things that cause it to lock. If I dont do those things, its as reliable as my HR10 HD Tivo. I would recommend the unit especially now that 11b is national.

What things would those be?
 
Well I had to order one yesterday since they wanted to charge me 299 + tax for a 2nd HR10-250, and they will give me the HR20 and the big dish for 199+tax. They said the installer would be here Feb 8 between 8 & 12 am. we will c
 
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What things would those be?

I dont do the following which (coincidence or directly correlated?) have either locked my box or caused black screen. If avoid, unit is 100% functional.

1. At the end of watching a program, I dont delete it. I go to live TV (preferably an MPEG2 HD channel like ESPN). Then I go to menu and delete a program. If I delete a program immediately after watching, it has a 10-20% chance of locking unit.

2. I leave my Live TV on an MPEG2 channel. I avoid leaving it on an MPEG4 or local OTA channel. I have had several overnight black screens and no response if leaving it on something like MPEG4 NBC or NESN HD. It hasnt happened since I have 11b but not taking any chances (had a dozen with combo of 10b, 115 and 119).
 
I dont do the following which (coincidence or directly correlated?) have either locked my box or caused black screen. If avoid, unit is 100% functional.

1. At the end of watching a program, I dont delete it. I go to live TV (preferably an MPEG2 HD channel like ESPN). Then I go to menu and delete a program. If I delete a program immediately after watching, it has a 10-20% chance of locking unit.

2. I leave my Live TV on an MPEG2 channel. I avoid leaving it on an MPEG4 or local OTA channel. I have had several overnight black screens and no response if leaving it on something like MPEG4 NBC or NESN HD. It hasnt happened since I have 11b but not taking any chances (had a dozen with combo of 10b, 115 and 119).

Hey Brewer,
Just for curiosity sake,
Next time you decide to delete something after watching the show, try doing it differently and see if that helps, try instead of doing the "Do you want to delete" spot, use the dash,dash and see if that makes any difference. They have to have that option there for some reason.

Jimbo
 
Hey Brewer,
Just for curiosity sake,
Next time you decide to delete something after watching the show, try doing it differently and see if that helps, try instead of doing the "Do you want to delete" spot, use the dash,dash and see if that makes any difference. They have to have that option there for some reason.

Jimbo

I havent tried that one but I have tried the yes, delete; more info then delete, and menu to delete. I will give that one a whirl and see what it does.
 
I thought this box was going to totally suck after reading early reviews, but I'm pretty pleased so far. I'm coming from the original RCA HD box (which is great) and the SD DirecTivo boxes (which were very good). Only things I don't like:

1. You have to hit Guide twice to get to your favorites guide settings. It should just default to that. All the sort-by garbage when you hit Guide once should be a different button.

2. No dual buffers on the tuners so you can't easily switch back and forth while two programs record. This is a huge step back from the DirecTiVo units.

Everything else seems to work great and everything is easy to find. Remote didn't take as long to get use to as I thought it would, though it's not as nice as any of the other ones I have owned.
 
When I first tried to use the interface I hated it, but now it's growing on me. I'm using 2 HR10s and 2 HR20s and the Tivo interface now seems kind of clunky to me. Still love the Tivos but there are a lot of cool things about the HR20.
 
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