[boltjames]

Yesterday, the bird capable of putting 100+ HD channels into every DirecTV home in America launched successfully, and it's estimated that by mid-September the number of MPEG4 channels will exceed those that cable can provide.

In anticipation of this, I sold my beloved HR10 last month and got a pair of HR20's, and my question for the HR10 loyalists is this:

At what point are you going to cut over to the HR20? Or is the goal to hold onto your HR10 until they pry it from your sweaty hands?

The HR20 is not as good as an HR10, but if its the only way to get 5x or 7x the amount of HD you've got now, isn't that the only option?

BJ

 

[stevel]

I think all you have to do is follow this forum section over the past few months and you'll get a general idea. I too have placed an order for an HR20, though the HR10 will remain in service for a while.

 

[JimSpence]

Because of my DMA number, I expect to use my HR10 for quite some time. I'll wait until the new MPEG4 channels become available before I do any upgrading. And then, the HR10 will still be on the account to record SD conflicts and OTA.

 

[bidger]

It has to have an impact. HD is video crack and I just can't imagine anyone saying no to more if they have an HD set and are paying for multichannel services. And *gasp* there are certain HD channels I can and will watch live, like PBS-HD, Dsc-HD, HDNet, etc., so in my my video chain-of-command HD trumps DVR...but, I'm greedy and want both.

 

[HiDefGator]

I figure I have about one month left before ordering my HR20's. I've waited as long as I could but once the new channels are available I'll be retiring my HR10's to the electronic junk pile in my shop.

HiDef

 

[boltjames]

I figure I have about one month left before ordering my HR20's. I've waited as long as I could but once the new channels are available I'll be retiring my HR10's to the electronic junk pile in my shop.

HiDef

Is it really that hard to hack an HR10 to allow it to interpret MPEG4 and emulate an HR20's receiver, guide, etc.? I know it sounds too simplistic, but how is this different than something like Winamp getting a codec to allow MPEG4 as well as MPEG2 back in the day? In the end, it's a hard drive, an OS, and some software. Someone should be able to do it.

BJ

 

[GreggC]

I just gave my two remaining HR10's to my 2 sons (they got LCD's for birthdays) and replaced with 2 HR20's ( Paid 100 for both thx to retention).... Total of 3 now. Very happy so far.

 

[rjnerd]

Is it really that hard to hack an HR10 to allow it to interpret MPEG4 and emulate an HR20's receiver, guide, etc.? I know it sounds too simplistic, but how is this different than something like Winamp getting a codec to allow MPEG4 as well as MPEG2 back in the day? In the end, it's a hard drive, an OS, and some software. Someone should be able to do it.

BJ

One small problem, the codec's are in hardware. The processor just pushes data to the various bits of hardware, it has nowhere close to the horsepower it would need to decode the data in real time.

 

[Marino13]

90% of my recording is OTA. I have three HR10-250's and one HR20 and I must say I prefer the HR10-250's. I also have a H20 at each TV that has a HR10-250. That way I can keep the HR10-250's until they force me to give them up and still receive the new mpeg4 HD channels live on the H20. I will then make a decision if I will need to be recording any of the new HD channels.

 

[boltjames]

One small problem, the codec's are in hardware. The processor just pushes data to the various bits of hardware, it has nowhere close to the horsepower it would need to decode the data in real time.

Ah, and I'm assuming that the inverse (taking an HR20 and porting a version of the HR10 UI) is similarly impossible?

BJ

 

[stevel]

Ah, and I'm assuming that the inverse (taking an HR20 and porting a version of the HR10 UI) is similarly impossible?

Well, I don't know about "impossible", but you'd pretty much have to start from scratch and be able to install your own software on the box (which as far as I know, people have not yet figured out and it would get wiped by any DirecTV updates.)

Doesn't seem worthwhile to me, as much as I love TiVo.

 

[bonscott87]

Wow, I'm surprised that this thread hasn't turned into a flame fest. Good show everyone.

But it's a good question that I've been flamed before for bringing up. No matter how much you love Tivo, if you plan to stay with DirecTV and want HD you will end up with an HR20, like it or not.

And what I've encouraged people that don't like it is to participate in the CE program on DBSTalk and help shape the direction of the HR20. DirecTV is very involved with the users at DBSTalk on several fronts including multiple CE programs on the HR20, H20 and even R15 and testing the new SWM switches. I'll tell ya, it's awesome running dual tuners on just one cable. Anyway, I encourage any HR10 user that gets the HR20 to become involved to help point the direction of the HR20. DirecTV is listening to what we have to say.

I just need to order my 2nd one before the flood of orders begins in less then 2 months.

 

[kbohip]

I'm sitting here reading all of the various threads and I've come to the conclusion that I just don't know what I should do right now. I mean, I have an HR10-250 now that I like a lot, but I also don't want to wait TOO long to get an HR20. I'm thinking that maybe I've waited to change over to the HR20 as long as I can. The fall tv schedule is drawing ever closer and I'd like to have this resolved by then. It would also be nice to get CW in HD as well, which for me will only happen with the HR20.

It's been a while since I've checked into this but isn't there some sort of list that gives every city a date that Directv plans to rollout local HD service to?

 

[boltjames]

I'm sitting here reading all of the various threads and I've come to the conclusion that I just don't know what I should do right now. I mean, I have an HR10-250 now that I like a lot, but I also don't want to wait TOO long to get an HR20. I'm thinking that maybe I've waited to change over to the HR20 as long as I can. The fall tv schedule is drawing ever closer and I'd like to have this resolved by then. It would also be nice to get CW in HD as well, which for me will only happen with the HR20.

As someone who up until 2 months ago was in the same confused situation you were, I can give you the short answer if you want it:

What you should do is get yourself an HR20 right now.

I miss my HR10 and am forever indebted to Tivo for their revolutionary product idea, but loyalty will only get you as far as that very first program that's available in HD on the HR20 that's not on your HR10. Fans of the Apple Mac are fiercely loyal to their computers, but the content is not restrained. They stick to their OS of choice, but it doesn't cost them any access. Not like Safari says "sorry.....you can't visit Google or MSNBC or 70% of internet content".

I felt guilty about cheating on Tivo for about 10 minutes. Then I discovered native mode and then I saw my first Yankees game on YES HD and then I ran to Best Buy and purchased my second HR20 and sold my HR10 on Craigslist. Happened overnight.

You've got, what, 12 HD channels right now? By September, I'll have, what, 50 HD channels?

Bottom line: It's inevitable. No reason to wait.

BJ

 

[bonscott87]

It's been a while since I've checked into this but isn't there some sort of list that gives every city a date that Directv plans to rollout local HD service to?

Nope, there isn't. They announced a list of cities back at the beginning of the year and most have gone up already. They have said that a few more may go before year's end but the rest (as in all markets) will follow after the launch of D11 in early 2008. I think they want to make positive sure they can do it all before committing any dates.

As for CW-HD, they did announce that they planned to roll out *all* HD stations in a market, not just the "big four". No timeframe but again I'd expect 2008 on that one, maybe sooner if you're in a top market like New York or Chicago. So if the CW is in HD in your market then expect it up on DirecTV at some point. It's just a digital subchannel in my market so no luck for me.

 

[dswallow]

It amuses me how most people seem to forget they don't need to replace their HR10; they can supplement it with an HR20.

 

[JimSpence]

It amuses me how most people seem to forget they don't need to replace their HR10; they can supplement it with an HR20.

Finally! Someone said it!!

I don't understand the reasoning behind retiring the HR10 just because you get an HR20. !!!!

 

[stevel]

I can understand some reasons for replacing:

1) If you need to run new lines to the dish
2) You don't tend to have conflicts that would require more than two tuners
3) You don't want to pay $5 more a month (plus an additional $5 or so in power costs)
4) It would complicate your equipment setup

I do plan on keeping my HR10 active, at least for a while, and I already have the feeds in place. But I'm uncertain how much additional use I'll get from the HR10 once the HR20 is fully "operational". Time will tell.

 

[boltjames]

Finally! Someone said it!!

I don't understand the reasoning behind retiring the HR10 just because you get an HR20. !!!!

Because its still worth around $400 on the open market to those that want it. By this time next year, that's not going to be the case, and with very little must-have SD on D* once all the sat's are up and running, it's going to be the most expensive over/underfeatured DVR in the house.

I was able to get a second HR20 and a few months service for the price I got for my HR10.

BJ

 

[bidger]

Finally! Someone said it!!

I don't understand the reasoning behind retiring the HR10 just because you get an HR20. !!!!

For those who are in an MPEG-4 HD local area, don't want to or are unable to receive ATSC signals, and don't want to watch SD programming, I can understand how they would have no need for the HR10. It doesn't apply to me right now, but when the MPEG-2 HD feed is gone, I could see myself retiring the HR10.