HR10-250 High Def

[tivovan]

I have been using my HR10-250 to get Hi-Def locals and standard satellite. Directv offered to upgrade my dish and give me a HR20-100- with no obligation - so I let them. The question I have is this - what high-def Directv channels should I still be getting on the HR10-250. I know if doesn't do MPEG4 - but I thought a few channels would be available - but I haven't found any.

Thx for your help.

[JimSpence]

The 70s and the networks in the 80s depending on your subscription.

[BNut]

I have been using my HR10-250 to get Hi-Def locals and standard satellite. Directv offered to upgrade my dish and give me a HR20-100- with no obligation - so I let them. The question I have is this - what high-def Directv channels should I still be getting on the HR10-250. I know if doesn't do MPEG4 - but I thought a few channels would be available - but I haven't found any.

Thx for your help.

Greetings! I just purchased a HDTV and wanted to talk to people who did the swap. I currently have an HR10-250 and had a few questions:

- Did you have to "give up" your HR10 to get the new HD DVR?
- What did they send you as a replacement?
- How do you like it compared to the HR10-250? (Pro's and Con's)

Thanks,
Brian

[JimSpence]

Since you probably own the HR10, then the new HD DVR isn't really a replacement. You can keep it and use it for OTA.

I have the HR20-100 (first generation), which has the ATSC tuner.I just called DirecTV, way back then, and worked out a deal.

They have updated the software quite a few times and it has improved. Remember the early days of the HR10?? My biggest complaint with the HR20 is the lack of dual buffers, but it's not a reason to not get the HR20.

[BNut]

Jim

Thanks for the quick reply. That is comforting to know I might be able to actually keep my current equipment.

Am I correct in my understanding that all of the current HR2X receivers must be "Leased" from DirectTv (after an initial upfront cost) rather than purchased outright? Are you required to pay a "Protection Plan Fee" to have a "Leased" receiver replaced/fixed if breaks or does that Fee strictly cover wiring/dish repairs?

From the little information I've been able to find it appears there are 2 or 3 HR2X models? The HR20, the HR21 and the HR22? Are there any significant differences b/w the features or recording time?

Thanks again,
Brian

[JimSpence]

You won't be required to pay a Protection Plan fee.
The HR20 is no longer being produced, it has a built in ATSC tuner for OTA. The other models (HR21, HR22, and now the HR23) do not have the OTA tuner, but if needed there is an add-on, AM21, that will tune the OTA. These are all basically the same except the HR22 and HR23 has a larger hard drive. What you get from DirecTV is up for grabs. Depends on what the installer has on the truck.

[BNut]

Thanks again Jim!

That's good news about the Protection Plan.

As luck would have it, after searching DirecTV's website my city doesn't receive local channels in HD and isn't on the list of upcoming cities. :\

If my local station won't broadcast an SD signal after Feb 09 how could DirectTV provide me with a non-HD signal after Feb 09?

[shibby191]

If my local station won't broadcast an SD signal after Feb 09 how could DirectTV provide me with a non-HD signal after Feb 09?

I sorta addressed this in your other post but I'll explain further.

What DirecTV (and Dish, and all the cable companies and Fios and AT&T) are doing is taking the digital signal from the local channel and either center cutting or letterboxing it (most stations choose center cut) and then sending that out as the SD channel. In fact that's pretty much the way it is now in most markets as they have been working on this for months already.

[BNut]

Shibby,

Thanks again for all the information. I'm going to follow up with my local ABC and CBS stations to see if I can find someone with information. From the sounds of it they don't care if its a PITA for me to get my locals in HD via OTA (ie having to reposition an antenna for each differenet station) and my only chance for getting a waiver is if its impossible to get the channel at all (which I can get but only in SD from D*). My only hope right now might be for NBC which I currently get from Biloxi, MS (No local NBC station in my city) but with my luck they don't provide D* with an HD feed either.