DIRECTV Plus® HD DVR...

[recrisp]

I see that my wife's computer room's (old, old) DVR is going out, so we'll have to replace the box, and like many people before me, is the DIRECTV Plus® HD DVR the one I need to hook up an OTA antenna and record HD?
(I promise, I have searched, but I can't find the answer)

Is this box the they advertise as the DIRECTV Plus® HD DVR the same as the HR20?
When I call them to get a 'deal' (hopefully), is there anything I need to know, so I don't have to go 'round and 'round with them?
I have been a subscriber since day one, not that they care, and I don't want to have to call the retention department.

In other words, I need a HD that is also a DVR, that can also accept the OTA antenna, am I on the right track?

(We're still using then HR250 in our living room, and we just watch OTA HD, I don't need to replace that $1,000. box just right yet...)

Thank you! (And I apologize for asking with what I'm sure is an old question)

Randy

[Birdieman30]

From what I have read here, the HR21 does not have an OTA tuner. You would need the HR20 to record OTA HD programming in addition to having the programming guide for the OTA channels.

[mcbeevee]

Currently, there is only one HD-DVR. There are 2 models, the HR20 and HR21. Make sure you tell the CSR that you must keep OTA and you need an HR20, not an HR21 (no OTA). If you currently have the HR10-250, it should be a free upgrade to the HR20.

[recrisp]

Thank both of you for the replies, I do appreciate that!

I guess I am not going to get a deal then, I am wanting to keep my old living room box, (the HR10-250) if it ain't broke, don't fix it. heh
My wife's is an UltimateTV box, (the one that's dying) and they won't offer me any deals on that old thing, I'm sure.

I guess I'm kind'a apprehensive about getting a new 'anything', 'cause from what I have read some are still having troubles with their HR20's.
Really though, I don't have much choice...
I'll be going with the HR20 I guess, she doesn't know that she wants HD on a box, but I'd rather have her have that than not, one never knows.

If anyone knows a deal (HR20) that I can ask for, I'm all ears!

Thanks again for the advice!

Randy

[rightcoaster]

The HR-20's may still be available in some areas, but I doubt it will last very long. I also upgraded from my now relocated HD10-250 to an HR-21 without OTA but I now get my locals via satellite in MPG4 which were unavailable to the HD10-250. What I did lose was my PBS channel in HD (big issue) and the CW network in HD (no biggy).

If your local big four networks are available from D* in HD, losing the OTA isn't that big a deal, particularly since the HR-20 would require a dedicated third RG-6 to provide the OTA feed. For me, and most others, running that is difficult or nearly impossible. You can always record PBS on the old HD10-250 in the other room.

Nota Bene: Be sure the installer removes any diplexers at both ends that are feeding the HR20/21 location or you will filter out the new HD channels. Leave or add diplexers to the lines feeding the new HD10-250 location, so you can still get your OTA input. The loss of the MPG4 channels at that location is meaningless.

[jpfrasier]

Originally Posted by rightcoaster

The HR-20's may still be available in some areas, but I doubt it will last very long. I also upgraded from my now relocated HD10-250 to an HR-21 without OTA but I now get my locals via satellite in MPG4 which were unavailable to the HD10-250. What I did lose was my PBS channel in HD (big issue) and the CW network in HD (no biggy).

If your local big four networks are available from D* in HD, losing the OTA isn't that big a deal, particularly since the HR-20 would require a dedicated third RG-6 to provide the OTA feed. For me, and most others, running that is difficult or nearly impossible. You can always record PBS on the old HD10-250 in the other room.

Nota Bene: Be sure the installer removes any diplexers at both ends that are feeding the HR20/21 location or you will filter out the new HD channels. Leave or add diplexers to the lines feeding the new HD10-250 location, so you can still get your OTA input. The loss of the MPG4 channels at that location is meaningless.

I'm considering switching to DTV but losing OTA, for me, would be a big deal. I would lose my local PBS-HD, CW-HD, and TXA21 which is a local independent that broadcast Dallas Mavericks games in HD. Since Cuban owns HDNET and the Mavericks almost all of their games on this channel(if not all) are in HD and the PQ is amazing.

[recrisp]

Originally Posted by rightcoaster

The HR-20's may still be available in some areas, but I doubt it will last very long. I also upgraded from my now relocated HD10-250 to an HR-21 without OTA but I now get my locals via satellite in MPG4 which were unavailable to the HD10-250. What I did lose was my PBS channel in HD (big issue) and the CW network in HD (no biggy).

If your local big four networks are available from D* in HD, losing the OTA isn't that big a deal, particularly since the HR-20 would require a dedicated third RG-6 to provide the OTA feed. For me, and most others, running that is difficult or nearly impossible. You can always record PBS on the old HD10-250 in the other room.

Nota Bene: Be sure the installer removes any diplexers at both ends that are feeding the HR20/21 location or you will filter out the new HD channels. Leave or add diplexers to the lines feeding the new HD10-250 location, so you can still get your OTA input. The loss of the MPG4 channels at that location is meaningless.

Thank you for the information.

I guess I don't understand what you meant by removing the RG-6 or diplexers, 'cause I would be doing it, I hope, I always have.

Here's why I need the OTA box, I mostly watch HD over the OTA while I record two stations at the same time.
(That's 3 stations at a time, but only recording 2)
I know, WAY too much T.V., but, that's the way it is here at Primetime on some days. heh
For instance, I may record Heroes on the DVR, but watch it on HD, then use it for reference later if I have to, and I have a season of them recorded.
That, plus another show at that same time schedule.
Now on my wife's, she's always recording 'her stuff' that is too girly for me, so that box is taken up for that, plus, that room is not made for me to watch T.V. in there, it's fairly small.
Also, I don't necessarily want to pay them for the added HD content, although I really love HD, I am content getting it free over the OTA, at least for now.
I actually mainly only watch my local stuff, with the exception of Discovery, and that kind of thing, but I can wait for that HD 'til another day.
(I used to have my OTA antenna hooked up to the HR10-250 for local stuff, but I had more problems with it that way due to trees, etc.)

"The HR-20's may still be available in some areas, but I doubt it will last very long"
So, are you saying from this is they are phasing out the HD-20 at DirecTV or they are in so much demand they may be unavailable?
(I know it's sold at Best Buy and C.C. for $299., but I don't plan on that if I can help it)

I won't have installers do this, I always do it myself, and hopefully I have the correct antenna, they keep changing them on me.
I have the 4LNB round dish now, I used to have the old 2LNB oval...
I have heard and seen way too many problems with installers not doing a good job, and also not knowing, or caring about it.
(That's not to say there isn't good ones out there, but from what I have seen and heard, they are few and far between)

Here's what I'd really like to do...
I'd like to get the HR20 as an upgrade to my existing HR10-250, but I'd like to keep my HR10-250, and I don't know if they'd let me do that or not, I guess only they'd know that.
In actuality, the HR10-250 would stay where it is, and the new (upgraded) HR20 would go in my wife's computer room.
That's the perfect scenario, and with me installing it.

Randy

[DodgerKing]

Originally Posted by jpfrasier

I'm considering switching to DTV but losing OTA, for me, would be a big deal. I would lose my local PBS-HD, CW-HD, and TXA21 which is a local independent that broadcast Dallas Mavericks games in HD. Since Cuban owns HDNET and the Mavericks almost all of their games on this channel(if not all) are in HD and the PQ is amazing.

Just make sure you ask for the HR20 if you want an OTA tuner.

[mcbeevee]

Originally Posted by recrisp

I guess I don't understand what you meant by removing the RG-6 or diplexers, 'cause I would be doing it, I hope, I always have.

If you have more than 4 coax connections (DVR's use 2), you will need a multiswitch. The only multiswitches certified for the new mpeg-4 HD channels are the Zinwell WB68 and WB616. These multiswitches do not allow the OTA connection to be diplexed like other multiswitches. This means if you had a multiswitch that was combining the OTA and sat signals into 1 coax cable, you will need to run a new (separate) line for the OTA signal.

Originally Posted by recrisp

So, are you saying from this is they are phasing out the HD-20 at DirecTV or they are in so much demand they may be unavailable?

Pace has stopped making the HR20-700 so they can concentrate on their HR21-700 model. The HR20-100 (Thomson/RCA) continues to be manufactured. D* has been trying to stockpile the HR20's so that they can be used to replace bad HR20's in the field. If you beg & plead enough, you can probably get the HR20.

Originally Posted by recrisp

I have the 4LNB round dish now, I used to have the old 2LNB oval...

You will need one of the 5-lnb HD dishes pictured at the bottom of this page. If you get a new 5-lnb dish, it will most likely be the Slimline.
http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global...setId=P4380122

Originally Posted by recrisp

I'd like to get the HR20 as an upgrade to my existing HR10-250, but I'd like to keep my HR10-250, and I don't know if they'd let me do that or not, I guess only they'd know that.

Many people who have upgraded to the HR20/HR21 have kept their HR10-250 and continue using it to record the mpeg-2 channels.

[recrisp]

Mcbeevee,

I can't thank you enough for taking the time to answer my questions on this.

Man, I am having a hard time with DirecTV and their upgrading to all of this... heh
I just upgraded not that long ago to the 4 LNB dish, now I'd have to upgrade again, and, I'm not sure about the box's longevity really, at least in my mind.
I think what I will end up doing is buying an OLD HR10-250 on e-Bay and go with that, that will suit our needs actually.
(I was a 'little' excited about the prospect of VOD, but I can wait on that)

Now my only deal is that DirecTV will send me a new card for the HR10-250 if I buy one, I'm pretty sure they will.
I'll have to read (again) about whether or not I own it, or lease it, or whatever, I remember that something was up about all of that.
I think it's for the newer boxes though, not the HR10-250's, but I could be wrong.

Anyway, I think that would be fine with me, that way I'm covered if I can buy the box on e-Bay, I really don't have to have all of the foo-foo that the new ones offer.
(Sure, I say that now... heheh)
Really, this is for my wife, so she could care less about HD, all she cares about is that it records enough hours, and this will.

I'm hoping that I can go this route anyway, if someone knows that I about to embark on a stupid journey, please speak up!

Thank you again!

Randy

[mcbeevee]

If you do not care about HD, you could get the SD-DVR (R15)...you could probably get it free from D*. The few HD channels that the HR10-250 can currently receive will eventually go away...maybe by the end of 2008. The only downside to the R15 is you can't record OTA.

[recrisp]

Thanks again!

HD is something that I do want to have, for the OTA, so that is something that I don't want to do without.
I don't really have any HD stations that I pay for, or would pay for, so the giggage and the DVR are enough really.
(We just have a Total Choice package, the older one, so HD's not included)

I hadn't really looked at anything else, we have been really happy with the HR10, no problems, the only problems I have ran into were with DTV, but, you get that anywhere...

Thank you for your help again, I'm looking on e-Bay to see what's available, then I'll get that card hopefully.

Randy

[recrisp]

Actually,

The more I think about it, the one you mentioned (R15-500) might be a better deal for her.
It's got all she'll need, plus it's digital,. so when they do go to that, she'll be covered.
Her digital that's on the T.V. now is really good, it is perfect actually, so that may be the thing to do, I'd have never thought of going this route.
Also, IF it's HDMI, I get that coaxial connection back, and I can get OTA HD, so if it does have HDMI, I'm set I think.

EDIT*
I just read the online manual, it doesn't have the HDMI, but it does have the OTA (non-HD) coaxial IN, so I'm set, now I'll just have to see what DirecTV says about my deal.
I'm going to try for no money swapping, and I'll sign a 2 year contract, no problem on that.

Also again... heh If I can upgrade to that AND keep my old HR10, then I'll really be set...

Is that a possiblity, or am I looking at the gift horse too close? heheh

I like that idea a lot, and if it works, that will be perfect, no satellite upgrade, no nothing but replacing the existing box on her T.V.

Is this the exact one that they are offering on DirecTV now? (I see that it is after looking a little more)

R15-500

Randy

[thekevman]

I am having the exact same problem... I just had a 5lnb dish put up and put in a new 20-700 box... I can not get any of the new hd channels. I have only one line coming into my box which is diplexed so it can bring in the ota as well as the d signal. The installer did not bother to stick around to check the new channels, so I called dtv and they are sending a new box. It sounds like the problem may be the diplexing of the ota line which is blocking the hd channels.. any thoughts?

Thanks for your help.

Kevin

[deadhead68]

Originally Posted by thekevman

I am having the exact same problem... I just had a 5lnb dish put up and put in a new 20-700 box... I can not get any of the new hd channels. I have only one line coming into my box which is diplexed so it can bring in the ota as well as the d signal. The installer did not bother to stick around to check the new channels, so I called dtv and they are sending a new box. It sounds like the problem may be the diplexing of the ota line which is blocking the hd channels.. any thoughts?

Thanks for your help.

Kevin

Yes, remove the diplexer. And you should have 2 feeds for the HR20-700. With only 1, you are not able to record 2 channels or watch 1 and record another. I'd let D* know that your installation was not done properly.

DeadHead68