DTV HR10-250 and Sony SAT100

[polkatese]

Folks,

This is might sounds like a noob, but I don't care ;). Is a DTV card interchangeable between unit? I scored a HR10-250 and wondering if I can just swap the card with an active card currently used on my Sony SAT100, without calling CSR? I haven't got the HR10, otherwise I would just try em.

Thanks.

[disneyjoe7]

Not 100% sure, but I think it's a no go.

[polkatese]

Just an update, I got my HR10-250 off Ebay, and it was working for a day before the card reader went kaput. Interestingly enough, DTV agreed to send me a HR20 as a replacement, albeit it is a refurb. Needless to say, I am going to check out HR20 and see if it is really THAT bad. Btw, I spoke through several DTV CSRs and techies, and all of them confirmed that HR20 has issues, it has gone from "absolutely a nightmare" to "livable." The reality is, there is no turning back. DirecTV 10 and 11 satellites will launch this summer, and no more DirecTIVO series in the making. So, I guess the option is either liking HR20 (or future HR30) or switching over to Cable/Dish Network. We'll see when I get mine this week.

[disneyjoe7]

Ok please clear me up if needed, these 11 satellites are for local HD channels only which will be sent as mpeg4 right? If right then the HR10 will not die because of this as local / Antenna HD is mpeg2 right? and the tuner in HR10 is mpeg2 which is why it doesn't need to 5 lnb dish.

For the record I'm using an Antenna for my local HD, and have a 3 lnb dish.

Please clear me up as I'm getting a headache just thinking about this.

[polkatese]

What I've been told is, local HD channels will move to the new satellites, once they are operational. At that time, it will cease to be available on 109 (which is how HR10 is getting these HD channels). However, if you live in the Los Angeles and NY markets, local HD channels will continue to be available on 109 even after the migration to the new birds.

MPEG4 requires 5 LNB dish, however, HR20 will work fine with 3 LNB dish.

[billbillw]

DisneyJoe,
You can keep getting local HD via antenna and non-hd by satellite probably for the life of that TIVO. You will however miss-out on all the new HD channels that Directv will be offering later this year/early next year. There should be at 20 new HD channels to start, and more as they become active.

[polkatese]

Anyone knows if ALL HR20-700 that D* sent to customers is a "leased" receiver? They sent me one, as a "replacement" of my owned HR10-250? It costs me nothing and the only marking is ERP_HDDVR_1_Group?

TIA

[billbillw]

Anyone knows if ALL HR20-700 that D* sent to customers is a "leased" receiver? They sent me one, as a "replacement" of my owned HR10-250? It costs me nothing and the only marking is ERP_HDDVR_1_Group?

TIA

Its leased. Any receiver you get now is leased, that is, unless your HR10 was "replaced" under warranty for a problem. If they let you keep your HR10, its definitely leased.

[polkatese]

Thanks, Bill. I suppose, when I tried to activate it they will have it as leased receiver. They did mention that I can keep my HR10, but that's because they said they are no longer in the biz of dealing with TIVO-related unit.

Either way, is not a bad deal. In fact, I have several DTV boxes going back to Sony A-55, B-50 that are collecting dust, that I "owned".

I thought the latest HR20 is -100S? They sent me a sealed brand new 700, manufactured 4/11/07 in China, complete with all the cabling and brand new remote. Definitely "leased" :)

[billbillw]

I thought the latest HR20 is -100S? They sent me a sealed brand new 700, manufactured 4/11/07 in China, complete with all the cabling and brand new remote. Definitely "leased" :)

According to what I read at DBStalk, they are concurrently making the -700 and the -100 (which comes in silver and black). The -100 is made by Thomson (RCA) and doesn't really have any distinct advantage that has been revealed yet. Some say the 100 is quieter and cooler than the 700 but that's about it.
Enjoy your MPEG4. I'm about to make the same jump, but I was waiting till after the season finales to finish up.

[disneyjoe7]

DisneyJoe,
You can keep getting local HD via antenna and non-hd by satellite probably for the life of that TIVO. You will however miss-out on all the new HD channels that Directv will be offering later this year/early next year. There should be at 20 new HD channels to start, and more as they become active.

So what you're saying I will loss my HD channel that I get off of Satellite now? HBO, DiscoveryHD stuff like that, which I get now?

[polkatese]

Enjoy your MPEG4. I'm about to make the same jump, but I was waiting till after the season finales to finish up.

Not there yet. Still has to install 5 LNB (btw, they offer it for FREE including install!!) I am sure commitment to 2 more years be part of it. Btw, how long before I have to activate the HR20, or else they will ding me with the full retail price?

[billbillw]

So what you're saying I will loss my HD channel that I get off of Satellite now? HBO, DiscoveryHD stuff like that, which I get now?

Well, I didn't say that specifically. There has been no word by D* on how long they will keep those original HD channels in MPEG2 for the existing receivers, but it is speculated that they will eventually switch them over too. At some point, they will figure that everyone has had a chance to upgrade to their new receivers and they will pull the plug. A year? Two? Nobody knows.

[billbillw]

how long before I have to activate the HR20, or else they will ding me with the full retail price?

Not sure if they still do that. That was something the dealers used to do, but since you can't activate a receiver unless you are the original leasee, I don't think they are worried about that so much. They know it takes time to get an install. I'm sure the installer will activate it before he leaves.

[disneyjoe7]

Sorry to drag on this but does the new HR20 be able to see both mpeg2 and mpeg4 channels? Or will Directv be send both signals up, for new boxes and the old boxes. I don't plan on replacing my HR10 anything soon as I repair them for myself. Heck I still have my original Sony SVR-2000 Stand alone Tivo it's got to be 8 yrs old, I paid for a lifetime subscription on that box I plan on having it for My Lifetime.

[billbillw]

Sorry to drag on this but does the new HR20 be able to see both mpeg2 and mpeg4 channels? Or will Directv be send both signals up, for new boxes and the old boxes. I don't plan on replacing my HR10 anything soon as I repair them for myself. Heck I still have my original Sony SVR-2000 Stand alone Tivo it's got to be 8 yrs old, I paid for a lifetime subscription on that box I plan on having it for My Lifetime.

The HR20 and the H20 (non-DVR) see both MPEG2 and MPEG4.

[scottvamp]

Just bought the new DVR unit from Direct. I have been a loyal customer for ten years. $350 plus a two year contract. The unit flat out rocks. 60 hours of HD and 200 SD. I don't know how i lived without it. The Blue lights are really cool feature.
Has anyone found a use for the USB port on the front of the unit????? The manual just says "for future use".

[polkatese]

Scott, did you get HR20-700 or HR20-100S? did you get AT9 (5 LNB) dish too?

USB port has always been on DTV DVR, starting back in R10 (Standard Definition) DVR till the latest one. I think DirecTV uses the term "Future Use" as a euphymism for "you wished' :)

[scottvamp]

Scott, did you get HR20-700 or HR20-100S? did you get AT9 (5 LNB) dish too?

USB port has always been on DTV DVR, starting back in R10 (Standard Definition) DVR till the latest one. I think DirecTV uses the term "Future Use" as a euphymism for "you wished' :)

I'll check which one i have when i get home today. I moved to a new home a little over a year ago, and i got the first gen 5lnb. The service guy told me they are on a third gen 5lnb already.
I replaced my Samsung reciever which is now in my guest bedroom. It is a really nice unit. They could not even produce enough for demand. He said that later this year when they switch mpeg's it will be be obsolete.........can't get local HD channels on it as it is.

[scottvamp]

polkatese, its the 100S. You seem to know your DTV units. What is the difference in the two? Any tips or tricks you can share.....

[polkatese]

It's a better (supposedly) DVR and newer than the 700, quieter, came in silver and black, and run cooler (as far as the internal temperature). That's what I read, not experienced. You seem to like it a lot, and that's great and what matters. Given the choice between the two, I would go with a 100s too. I did receive a 700 that hasn't been activated yet, though.

[scottvamp]

It is very quiet, you can feel the hard drive spinning. The temp stays cool to the touch. Much more than the standard non-DVR units. Did i mention the cool blue lights. The center "spins" during playback. I just found out about the dimmer function. The playback is crystal clear, even in HD. I'm ready for football season.:D

PS. They did give me 18 months of free HD for the new contract. I guess thats not bad.......