Directv HD DVR Help Needed!

JSkip · 09-30-2006, 09:45 AM

I just spoke to a Directv rep about receiving local HD programming via Directv. He told me it was available in my area (NW New Jersey), but that I need a 5 LNB dish and an H20 receiver (total installed price was $99).

I told him I wanted Tivo also (can't live without it) and he told me an HD Tivo unit capable of receiving local HD programming was not yet available.

Is this true? If so, any information on when a receiver with these capabilities will be available?

Thanks, John

Gunnyman · 09-30-2006, 09:53 AM

call back and ask specifically if your locals are encoded in Mpeg2 or mpeg4.
If it's 4, then unless you get your locals OTA, a Tivo unit won't work ever, it has no mpeg4 decoder.
A DTV model H20 CAN receive and decode mpeg4, but unless I missed an announcement, that feature isn't turned on yet.
If your locals are in fact available OTA or in MPEG2 format, get a HDTiVo.

MikeekiM · 09-30-2006, 09:56 AM

True...

The locals are MPEG4...

The only HD TiVo for DirecTV is only MPEG2 capable... But it will allow you to hoist and antenna up and capture/TiVo broadcast HD...

The new HR20 is the only HD DVR for DirecTV if you want to get your local HD via MPEG4 programming...

I hate this dillemma!!! Cuz on the one hand, I do not want to hoist an antenna... there is some value to the clean roofline... On the other hand, I want a TiVo powered DVR...

I have seen threads entitled "Is there anyone who likes their HR20" (or something like that).... I think the thread is on another forum... And there are quite a few people who are fairly positive about their experience (and of course, others who are not)... But I gather that there are more people happy with the HR20 than the current SD DirecTV DVR (I think the model number is the HR15 or something like that)...

Anyway...big issue for me... I am on the fence about what to do...but I am leaning towards going with the HR20 and giving it a try... We'll see... My other option is to go with the new HD TiVo for $800, and switch over to cable...

MikeekiM · 09-30-2006, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunnyman

call back and ask specifically if your locals are encoded in Mpeg2 or mpeg4.
If it's 4, then unless you get your locals OTA, a Tivo unit won't work ever, it has no mpeg4 decoder.
A DTV model H20 CAN receive and decode mpeg4, but unless I missed an announcement, that feature isn't turned on yet.
If your locals are in fact available OTA or in MPEG2 format, get a HDTiVo.

Didn't realize some HD locals were broadcast in MPEG2...cool... I should check of the SF Bay Area is MPEG2...

rlj5242 · 09-30-2006, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeekiM

Didn't realize some HD locals were broadcast in MPEG2...cool... I should check of the SF Bay Area is MPEG2...

NY and LA big 4 are still in MPEG2. All other locals via satellite are MPEG4.

-Robert

JSkip · 09-30-2006, 10:46 AM

OK. now I'm a bit confused!! Some questions based on the responses so far:

If NY locals are in fact MPEG2, is there a HD DVR receiver with?

Is there a difference between DVR and Tivo?

What is the HR20? Will that work for me?

Thanks

JimSpence · 09-30-2006, 12:08 PM

Don't confuse the H20 with the HR20. The H20 is a non-DVR HD receiver for MPEG4 DirecTV signals. The HR20 is the DVR (non TiVo) for DirecTV MPEG4 HD channels, like your locals.

As noted the HR20 is an HD DVR, but it doesn't use the TiVo interface.
Here's the link to discussion about the HR20.
http://www.dbstalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=112

classicsat · 09-30-2006, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSkip

OK. now I'm a bit confused!! Some questions based on the responses so far:

If NY locals are in fact MPEG2, is there a HD DVR receiver with?

If you can get the Ny locals, you can use the HR10. If you need MPEG4, you need an H(R)20.

Quote:

Is there a difference between DVR and Tivo?

The HR20 does MPEG2 and MPEG4, but uses DirecTV's non-Tivo software, the HR10 does MPEG2 only, but has Tivo.

Quote:

What is the HR20? Will that work for me?

The HR20 is DirecTVs post/non TiVo HD-DVR that also records MPEG4. It will work for you, if you don't mind the loss of TiVo.

In the forseeable future, there will be no <MPEG4|HD|TiVo|DirecTV> solution. Take out one, and you can have it.

JSkip · 10-01-2006, 09:05 AM

First. thanks for all the responses. I am learning a lot.

It this summary accurate ?

The H20 is a receiver only and for MPEG4 signals (and MPEG2 signals)
The HR10 is a Tivo-based DVR for MPEG2 signals only.
The HR20 is a NON-Tivo DVR for MPEG4 signals (and MPEG2 signals)

There is no Tivo DVR available to handle MPEG4 signals. Will there be or is the Directv/Tivo thing over?

I want to call again them again knowing what I know now.

Thanks

MikeekiM · 10-01-2006, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSkip

First. thanks for all the responses. I am learning a lot.

It this summary accurate ?

The H20 is a receiver only and for MPEG4 signals (and MPEG2 signals)
The HR10 is a Tivo-based DVR for MPEG2 signals only.
The HR20 is a NON-Tivo DVR for MPEG4 signals (and MPEG2 signals)

There is no Tivo DVR available to handle MPEG4 signals. Will there be or is the Directv/Tivo thing over?

I want to call again them again knowing what I know now.

Thanks

You got it! And to add to you rlist, I think the HR15 is the non-TiVo DVR for standard def...

MikeekiM · 10-01-2006, 11:44 AM

Oh... and I found this review over at DBSTalk on the HR20 from a TiVo lover...

Reasonably positive review...

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=65530

Here's a thread restricted to positive comments on the HR20...

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=65618

phox_mulder · 10-01-2006, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeekiM

You got it! And to add to you rlist, I think the HR15 is the non-TiVo DVR for standard def...

It's just the R15.
the "H" designates High Definition.

phox

MikeekiM · 10-01-2006, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phox_mulder

It's just the R15.
the "H" designates High Definition.

phox

Ah...that makes sense...thanks...

Question: Is the R15 and the HR20 UI/Software similar/identical?

disco · 10-01-2006, 05:06 PM

Yes. Very similar/identical.

Just be advised that even if the HR15 (TiVo HD receiver) gets HD channels in the HD Package today (ESPN-HD, HD-Net, Discovery-HD, etc. etc.) that's not to say you won't "tomorrow". Speculation is that ALL HD channels will be MPEG-4 within 2-3 years. And DirecTV themselves have said any further additional HD channels being released in 2007 will be MPEG-4, and therefore not viewable on the HR15.

JSkip · 10-03-2006, 09:30 PM

Well I took the plunge today. I will be having a new dish and the HR20 installed in a few days.

Thanks to all who chimed in to help me through this process.

John