DIRECTV's HR20 tested and reviewed

CNETs previewing DIRECTV's newest HD DVR. DIRECTV threw out the TiVo interface in favor of one of their own design and this is CNETs, and many other peoples, complaint with the receiver. The predecessors interface was intuitive and slick but the HR20 lacks these creature comforts. CNET's users did give the unit a modest 71. rating even though it lacks TiVo'ish controls thanks to the ability to receive and record the newer MPEG-4 signals. Plus, the unit can record up to 200 hours of SD and 30 hours of HD programming at an affordable $300 list price with new customers scoring it for $200 after a $100 mail-in rebate. We agree with those guys over at CNET that it is a great recorder for the price even though it lacks the TiVo interface.

UPDATE: Here is another mans view that isn't so upbeat.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 3rd 2006 11:13AM]

Am I missing something or is this "review" actually a preview? The text of the article even says they haven't gotten their hands on the new DVR yet. The 7.1 rating is from USERS who actually do have it.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 3rd 2006 12:45PM]

i've had the box for about 3 weeks, so far its worked fine, only 1 lockup , the recordings have played back fine and the user interface is adequate. I have never been a TIVO user, strictly been using ReplayTV or SageTV for the past 5 years.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 3rd 2006 2:09PM]

Matt, the unit wasn't tested. They don't have one in hand, their "Review" is strictly from specs and have nothing to do with the unit in action at all.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 3rd 2006 2:50PM]

Yes, looks like this is just a preview where the author hasn't even used one first hand ;)

I just had 3 of them installed (replacing SD tivo's, I kept a HR10 (HD Tivo) as backup.) So far so good, it hasn't eaten any recordings but I've only had them a few days. Personally, I like the improved responsiveness of the menu's, the lack of the 3 second auto rewind that tivo does when coming out of fast forward, and a number of the UI changes. Oh, and getting my local's in MPEG-4 is great too. I've had LA HD channels for ABC and CBS for a year or so but it's nice seeing NBC and FOX finally.

Lots of discussion going on here: http://www.dbstalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=112

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 3rd 2006 5:32PM]

I've had the HR20 for 10 days and love it. I also ordered the RC32RF back lit remote. $25 and very nice. The center blue light can be eliminated and the others dimmed. Something faster than 3x FF would be nice. Mine is very quiet but a bit hot.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 27th 2006 10:57AM]

Where did you purchase the RC32RF remote for the DirecTV HR20? Thanks

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 3rd 2006 7:21PM]

What good is an MPEG-4 DVR is its HD storage and recording capacity is no better than the 4-5 year old unit it is suppose to replace? To me, this seems incredibly as!n!ne. I had expected the storage capacity to be atleast double the original HD DVR (i.e. HD DirecTiVo).

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 5th 2006 5:43PM]

Hooked mine up last night in repacement of a HR-10 250 that suffered a mother board failure after only a year. First thing, changing channels between HD and SD resolution takes FOREVER. Performance within one resolution rate is fine but when changing between, it seems to test every resolution before it lands on the right one. Also, it took three tries by DTV helpdesk to enable the DVR functionality. By the exasperated read I got from the reps, it seems to be a common issue. However my biggest complaint is not having the terrestrial ATSC tuner enabled. I live in a fat HDEF market. I don't need to pay for locals or the the 5LNB dish here. They claim a pending software push coming at some point in the next few months will turn up the ATSC tuner...the one I paid a premium for BTW. Not having the software done by the time you roll the product is pretty lame.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 4th 2006 8:10PM]

DirectTV is going to have to pry my HR10-250 from my cold dead fingers.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 6th 2006 10:50AM]

My HR20 is in its third day. So far is has not been an endearing unit. The User Interface (UI) is a decade behind the Tivo. I understand others have been accepting because of the local HD channel upgrade and possible picture improvement. This household has not been won over by the new unit. We do miss the Tivo UI and Remote.

This is our Third DVR after a SD Tivo and HR10 Tivo. All units are still in use and function like new. With our first unit I performed a Weeknees update that went flawless. My only reason to update was to have local HD support without an off air antenna.

I outline these facts to indicate that we are experienced judges between the boxes. This new DVR leaves much by the side of the road in usability. The back-skip on Fast Forward or RR, the intuitive remote and UI and overall smooth operation of the Tivo software is much missed. This unit continues freeze during playback, suffer drops in audio during playback of passed programs and complicated operational controls.

I have given the unit until the end of the week to show me its charms before sending it back to the mother ship. I will get an �old� HR10 unit and a good outdoor antenna and live with the off air signal. Testing in progress. Hopes low�

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 27th 2006 11:04AM]

Joe, I have never had a Tivo unit, so the HR20 won't be such a disappointment to me as it is to you