Wi, come to Papa!

I've been an outspoken critic of the HR20 since I got mine in Sept. 06, as my HR20 suffered many of the early issues others saw (black screen of death, freezes, etc.). Now, nearly a year later, it works pretty well. Doesn't miss recordings, good HD PQ (SD still is poor, but that's par for the course). Still get occasional sound and video dropouts on MPEG4 channels, which is really annoying (never got them with old SD Tivos via MPEG2). And, the worst thing is the FF/REW functionality. It still stinks. Other than than, not bad. But is not bad the same as ready for prime time? Not sure.

Also, all this mention of DBSTalk saving the day, etc. Just check out the forum's latest thread on the newest software download for the HR20. Plenty of people still suffering from glitches. Anyway, almost a year left on my contract. When that time comes, it will be a chance for a closer look at cable (Comcast), FiOS (Verizon) or DTV. But no 24-month contract this time. If that's part of the deal, I will probably go elsewhere. I used a Comcast DVR this week on vacation at my friend's beach house, and not bad. If they boost HD recording capacity, it would not be a painful move, especially if they finally get their Tivo interface working. And then there are the new HD Tivos, at $299. Interesting time for HD recording. In a year or so, it will be much more mature, and competitive.

For more info, you can read about some of the details of this ongoing debate at HDTVMagazine.com. The article is from Jan. 11, and software downloads have improved the HR20's reliability since then. But Directv's obvious seven-month denial/PR spin strategy about the box having any serious problems (and only affecting a "vocal minority" of subs) is really the lousy part of all this. They have deceived subscribers by basically releasing the box as if it were good to go. It wasn't even close, and still isn't completely. Just read the online user reviews at places like CNET, Circuit City and Amazon.com. Mostly negative, and for good reason.

If you want to read the HDTVMagazine piece to learn more, here's the link: http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/articles/2007/01/directvs_hr20_-_dvr_debate_rages_on.php

To say the new release candidate seems "much more stable" is optimistic, because there are still people reporting issues/problems on DBSTalk.com with the latest release (which has yet to be downloaded nationally to all Directv subs). Until it goes national, and the result is the HR20 has all of its basic DVR functions working for all subs, the jury is remains out.

Yeah, it'll be more of the same (500 channels and nothing to watch), only it will be a clearer picture. Give people 20-30 high-quality HD channels, and they will be thrilled. Quantity not quality is hardly a good thing. Not to knock Directv (I'm a sub), but does anyone really care about that many HD channels if they are gonna be carrying the same old dull programming (nature shows, weather, crappy films)? Doubtful. And if they don't get their HD DVR working right very soon (on firmware download #14 I type, in just 4 months), what will it matter? More HD channels to record means even more frustration for subs.

On the subjective side, I like some features, but really want dual buffers again (like the Dtivo) and also would like to have the guide actually come up on the screen when you hit guide. Right now, it's the second button push (the first is a specialized guide by subject, which is worthless). And the FF, REW and slip functions are jerky, at best. Flawed box for a flagship product.

I've had mine for nearly two months, and in the beginning, it would freeze up often, and present a black screen rather than recorded programs. It was impossible to release the black screens, so the recordings were lost. Removed the B-Band converters (not needed until 2007 when the launch all those HD channels) and switched to component from HDMI, did a reformat, and since the Oct. 21 software download, box is working. Still get regular audio/video dropouts on MPEG4 channels (MPEG2 works well). They have a new software release coming, but it's causing some early problems with West Coast subs (reported in www.dbstalk.com), so not sure if the rest of the country will get it. I don't want it, since mine is working, but the downloads are forced and unavoidable. Oh, last but not lease, a visible "8mm" strobe-like effect on the 1080i local feeds via MPEG4 (CBS and NBC). Ruins the sports viewing experience. Not the case with MPEG2.

Earl Bonovich's detailed response is on right target in terms of the situation as reflected on DBSTalk.com. The key issue is no one really seems to know the actual number of good v. bad boxes, how many actual customers are out there cursing Directv because their HR20 isn't doing what's it's suppposed to do, or lauding Directv for the opposite reason. And that's been the biggest frustration for some people. Directv's response, as you can see from their public statement on CNET, has been a "problem, what problem?" approach. All people want is honesty, and some real numbers as to the extent of the HR20's problems - which are undeniable at this juncture. Some folks are on their 3rd or 4th boxes, as reported on DBS Talk.

To date, there have been six firmware downloads (seven with the latest rollout this week), all have fixed problems, some have caused problems (there are people on the West Coast reporting their first HR20 problems ever today via DBSTall. And these problems are since they received the latest download. Only West Coasters have gotten the forced download so far).

I had issues early with the HR20, and I made a few hardware adjustments (moved from HDMI to component and removed some converters from the back of the box) and now it's working (after a complete reformat of the HD). But my fixes don't work for others.

It's all very mysterious. The key issue is many people have had nothing but relative smooth sailing for 5-6 years using standalone Tivos or Directivo boxes, and now this. Sure you can understand their frustration. Even if they don't love the UI or other aspects of the HR20, they expected it to do its basic functions properly.

Don't even get me started with D* They just gave me a $20 credit for each of the next 6 mos., 4 free HD months and a "free" 5-lnb dish and one of their uneven H20 HD receivers (I had a Zenith model, which delivered a better HD PQ via MPEG2), and all I really want are more HD channels and that mysterious HD-DVR (not the H10-250). They keep making promises they can't seem to keep, but I am only going to wait one more month or two, and then it might be a move, but where? Verizon FIOS? Dish? Comcast? Man, the choices aren't all that appealing. Looks like ubiquitous HD is really 5-6 years down the road.

I am getting so sick of Directv, and it's absurd ad campaign from last year (about how it was going to change the face of TV). If this change is expensive (new 5 lnb dish, HD-DVR) and it crashes, etc.), then I will dump it and get Dish's HD gear and programming. I've been with DTV for nearly 4 years, and still using my Zenith HD receiver. Completely aggravating. We can't get OTA signal here in Philly (from my neighborhood), which is the worst part. If we did, I would get the Tivo HD-DVR. Whatever happens, if we stay with DTV (jury is out), we'll keep our Tivo combo receiver for SD recording, and the great Tivo software.