DirecTV HR20 unit

[Blitzburgh]

Yes. The locals are ideantical.

Just one is OTA MPEG2

The other is Satellite MPEG4

Same picture tho, if one has weather junk on it they both do :mad:

[Blitzburgh]

How is the SD on this unit?

My Samsung TS-160 has terrible SD channels. A couple of months ago, I had TW
come in to try out cable. Cable has MUCH better SD, about the same HD, and I like
the DVR functionality of the 8300. It does have some problems. HD channels like
to cut out from time to time and I think D* is going to have more HD channels in
the near future.

I would like to stay with D* (and stop paying for two systems , so I need to
decide. Does anyone know if customer retention has a "money back" guarantee?
I would hate to get the HR20 in and decide that TW is better, but be locked in
to a 2 year contract.

On a side note, would there be any reason my TS-160's picture would degrade
over the years? Seemed fine until last year, but the macroblocking got so bad
it was unwatchable (CBS 58 was the worst). Signal strengths were always >92.

Thanks,

Dave

I think the SD is actually very good for the most part but it seems it might depend on what channel you are watching.

There are some that look amazing on a 62" DLP and some are a little fuzzy.

But overall they are very good, alot better then on the HR10-250.

[davidrab]

I decided to go with the HR20 (and D*). Man, it is a night and day difference with the
TS-160 (at least on SD, both D* and OTA HD were always great). The HR20 is a
pretty nice unit. I like the RF capabilities of the remote. It is also nice to be able to
listen to Satriani at "elevated" levels without fearing a signal glitch that produces an
ear piercing sound (like with the 8300). So far, the unit has been glitch free. Now
all we need is CBS 58 in HD.

[DBEX]

The HR20 is now shipping in black (HR20-100B)...has anyone seen one of these yet in Milwaukee?

[davidrab]

The HR20 is now shipping in black (HR20-100B)...has anyone seen one of these yet in Milwaukee?

Yea, I saw these in magazine ads. I would have paid extra for it:)   From reading
different forums, it seems like people just get them by luck of the draw. I have some
friends who are getting theirs on Saturday, so we'll see.

Dave

[DBEX]

Yea, I saw these in magazine ads. I would have paid extra for it:)   From reading
different forums, it seems like people just get them by luck of the draw. I have some
friends who are getting theirs on Saturday, so we'll see.

Dave

Cool! Let us know which model they get...

[davidrab]

Cool! Let us know which model they get...

It was a regular HR20-700  I know they would have LOVED a 100B.

[Ex Direcway]

Yea, I saw these in magazine ads. I would have paid extra for it:)   From reading
different forums, it seems like people just get them by luck of the draw. I have some
friends who are getting theirs on Saturday, so we'll see.

Dave

I own my HR10-250 & the money paid for it I will wait till the HR20 is free for me. :cool:

[Tom Snyder]

I owned my HR10, and D* gave me a new HR20 for free (plus free install and a free upgrade to my RCA DTC-100, too)... and they let me KEEP both of the old old units to do what I want with... will probably sell them on ebay.

[DBEX]

I own my HR10-250 & the money paid for it I will wait till the HR20 is free for me. :cool:

They let me have me HR20 for free as well. They did it with bill and programming credits. If you push them, they will relent and give me you to what amounts to a free one. I also get to keep my HR10-250.

[Ex Direcway]

They let me have me HR20 for free as well. They did it with bill and programming credits. If you push them, they will relent and give me you to what amounts to a free one. I also get to keep my HR10-250.

Do they charge a lease fee if you currently own?  I guess if it is a lease at least if it breaks they should replace it even without insurance right?  :confused:

[steve053]

I'm seriously considering switching back to D* from TWC.  D*'s current add is $199 for the HR20.  Does this mean that I would own it, or would I still have to pay a monthly lease on top of the $199?

[Talos4]

It means you lease it.  but you also own it. it's a mess.

Also for FYI You will need a credit card in order to upgrade through D* themselves.

I do not have an HD DVR, only SD Tivo's.

I wanted to upgrade to a HR20.

They've changed they're policy.  You can be an "A-list" or whatever customer and you will need the Credit Card.  No credit card no upgrade through D*.

I do not have a credit card to use. so I am out of luck.  I will purhcase mine through a retail store and activate it.

The "story" I received from 3 different levels of CSR's is that D* has been burned by people who upgraded and charged it to their accounts and then skipped with the gear without paying.

Plausible? I s'pose.

A DBS talk thread has confirmed the need for a CC for upgrades.

I was told that without a CC I would be better off to go retail.  That way I could do whatever I wanted with the unit when I'm done with it. :huh?:

I was irritated and that's the first time in nearly 10 yrs. they've irritated me.  Then it happened...

He flipped the card,    {fart}

"well, sir be aware that the FCC has mandated that all televsion be "HD" by 2009 and by that time equipment prices will be alot cheaper".

I said good bye and hung up.

[Blitzburgh]

It means you lease it.  but you also own it. it's a mess.

Also for FYI You will need a credit card in order to upgrade through D* themselves.

I do not have an HD DVR, only SD Tivo's.

I wanted to upgrade to a HR20.

They've changed they're policy.  You can be an "A-list" or whatever customer and you will need the Credit Card.  No credit card no upgrade through D*.

I do not have a credit card to use. so I am out of luck.  I will purhcase mine through a retail store and activate it.

The "story" I received from 3 different levels of CSR's is that D* has been burned by people who upgraded and charged it to their accounts and then skipped with the gear without paying.

Plausible? I s'pose.

A DBS talk thread has confirmed the need for a CC for upgrades.

I was told that without a CC I would be better off to go retail.  That way I could do whatever I wanted with the unit when I'm done with it. :huh?:

I was irritated and that's the first time in nearly 10 yrs. they've irritated me.  Then it happened...

He flipped the card,    {fart}

"well, sir be aware that the FCC has mandated that all televsion be "HD" by 2009 and by that time equipment prices will be alot cheaper".

I said good bye and hung up.

This is VERY wrong. IF you pay $299.0 (the going rate) for the HR20 you do not own it, matter of fact if you cancel any time down the road you have to send it back to DTV or be charged $800.00. IF you want to own it you will have to pay $800.00.

[Talos4]

As I said it's a mess,

I don't claim to be a D* CSR, I just relayed what I was told.

I don't know whether I own my gear or not? I bought a new H20 (retail) , returned it under the protection plan because of the heat and reset issues and replaced with a newer unit from D*.  

Is the new one mine or theirs?

A mess.