Botched DirecTV software update requiring HR2X STBs to be restarted?
By Darren Murph 
posted October 6th 2008 4:21PM
posted October 6th 2008 4:21PM
Generally, we'd pass something like this off as just coincidence, but when over 95% of 1,000+ respondents confess to sharing the same issue, we simply can't turn the other cheek. It's assumed that DirecTV botched up a software update early this morning that affected a number of HR2X set-tops. Over at DBSTalk, the vast majority of readers who voluntarily took part in a poll affirmed that at least one of their HR2X units required a restart / reboot this morning. We know there's no real point in asking if you too were affected, but that aside, what was DirecTV attempting to send down? The world may never know.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
I had to reboot both of my receivers today. Not only that, but all of our season passes have been erased. Arrgh.
We have had to reset twice today an just now it reset automatically
My HR-20 was affected, too.
The remotes and front panels of both my HR20s both stopped working forcing me reset both. One of the two reset itself six hours later.
And to top it off, they send another update at 6:50 PM CT + / - that will interrupt all 7:00 recording. Way to go DTV!
Dang .. us too!
I had the remote quit working and required a restart as well...you would think that if an update needed a restart they would just restart the box automagically at 3 or 4am.
had to reboot mine and then it decided to reboot itself again just before 7pm which caused it to not record the first 10 minutes of 2 shows.....
Returned 2 bad HR20 DVD Plus boxes after upgrading from HR10-250 last December. Never had anywhere near the problems with the old TIVO boxes. Glad to hear DirecTV is going to give up on their own DVRs and switch back to the real deal. As for me, after the holidays, I'm going strictly OTA with one of the new TIVO DVRs and drop DirecTV completely. I've been a customer for over 10-years, and finally figured out most of our recording is network stations anyhow, and we keep a current DVD movie collection. Who needs the frustration, and why pay mucho bucks for it every month!
TiVo will be offered along side DIRECTV's offering (probably at a premium).
We just have the R15, and even that restarted late last night. Seems to do that fairly often, lots of times because of an update too. I never have to physically unplug it to get it working again though.
3 of our HR20's needed reset. One thing that is different: Instead of ESPNHD being channel 73, it was moved to channel 206-1.
DirecTV is trying to send SkyNet to our HR2Xs and it needs a reboot to initialize. ;-)
Thanks for posting this... I had the same problem. This wasn't the first time that I've had to restart after a DirecTV update. Hopefully this patch will fix the buggy performance (freezing, slow performance, unresponsive controls, recording failures). I wish that there was a way to update the software to TIVO once the new box comes out next year.
Had to unplug my HR20s to restart. They went black 2x around 6-8 hours later. I'm relieved it apparently is not a hardware failure. I do not see a software update, must not have completed.
One power plug pull followed by pressing the reset button after failure of the remote to function on my HR20.
Ditto - frozen unit this AM. Had to unplug. Stupid non-TIVO craptacular DVR. 3 restarts so far today...all shows in the last 2 days listed as recorded properly, but none work right - some have audio only, some nothing! uhggg. DirecTV is very lucky to have the NFL package - that's the only reason i stick around.
10/7/2008 3:00AM EST, HR-21 Box just rebooted on it's own, software update/patch I assume, hopefully..stay tuned for results!
They acknowledged it.
http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPageNR.jsp?assetId=P4950006
Nice to know even the current directv DVRs suck. I've been stuck in my R15 hell for a couple years now. Despite several updates, my setup still suffers a bizarre issue where if the "to do" list reaches the upper limit of 100 scheduled items, it stops recording anything until you delete part of the schedule and reset the system. (Probably some sort of sloppy code causing a sync mismatch in the program scheduling data...)
Guess I won't be upgrading to a newer box for a while yet...
I had to bounce mine yesterday afternoon first time I used it on Monday. I tried to turn it on and nothing happened. I wondered if something was up as it's usually been trouble free.
My HMDI ports died the last time Directv made a software update. I hope everything is ok when I get home today.
I was still on HOLD waiting for a Customer Service Rep after having my receiver reset by itself for the second time that evening (three times total including the one to get it to power on the first time) when I decided to check the forums. Ended up unpluging for 10 minutes and then doing a power on reset to cure the problem....
Just found this onthe Direct TV Website under an ALERT tab at the top of the page:
Need help with your DIRECTV Plus® HD DVR or DIRECTV Plus® DVR receiver?
October 6, 2008
In our effort to improve and expand our service, we experienced a temporary technical glitch. If your HD DVR or DVR receiver is not responding to your remote control or front panel commands, you can resolve this issue by pressing the red "Reset" button located inside the small door on the front right corner of your receiver. Please allow about 15 minutes for your receiver to complete the resetting process. Once completed, your picture will return automatically. Unfortunately, any show you may have scheduled to record earlier today will not be available on your DVR.
Please note, in certain customer regions DIRECTV will automatically reset your HD DVR or DVR receiver remotely to resolve this issue for you. You may experience a temporary interruption to your TV viewing or recording during that time.
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you. Our promise is to provide you with the best television experience, and to resolve any issues that might arise as quickly as possible. If you have any further concerns, please do not hesitate in contacting us at 800-347-3288.
For more information, please check out our Tech Forum.
Ha ha I have Dish DVR. I have never had the problems like i did with DTV. Sorry to hear of all your misfortune.
Thanks for the info, seriously.
Wife called me at work pissed because she thought I had done something to it. In fact I had stayed up playing Xbox instead of watching dumb tv.
This is weird. When did this happen because I was out all day yesterday and when I left all my boxes were off. When I got back yesterday after noon all my boxes were on like they had to be restarted. I have 2 HR-20 and 1 HR-21. I wonder what DirecTV is messing with over there.
The article is wrong about it was a software glitch. There was no software glitch!!! It was a problem with the data coming from DirecTv to the receiver. For example Guide Data. The was not software up then and haven't been for a little while, but there will be one really soon.
Looks like DirecTV decided to acknowledge there problem - got this email tonight
"IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT YOUR HD DVR OR DVR RECEIVER
In our effort to improve and expand our service, we experienced a temporary technical glitch. If your HD DVR or DVR receiver is not responding to your remote control or front panel commands, you can resolve this issue by pressing the red "Reset" button located inside the small door on the front right corner of your receiver. Please allow about 15 minutes for your receiver to complete the resetting process. Once completed, your picture will return automatically. Unfortunately, any show you may have scheduled to record yesterday will not be available on your DVR.
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you. Our promise is to provide you with the best television experience, and to resolve any issues that might arise as quickly as possible. If you have any further concerns, please do not hesitate in contacting us at 1-800-347-3288. "