DirecTV HR20-700 HD DVR: Reviewed

Finally! After months of waiting, DirecTV called me about a week ago to let me know the long awaited HD-DVR was available. They installed this puppy today. I've mostly kept up with the forum talk about there about this receiver and I read the review done of the set back in August and honestly, I can't find reason why I wouldn't get this. Other than the $299 price tag of course. Bah! It's HD, it's worth it. Isn't it?

Anyway, since hoping on the HD bandwagon a couple of years ago I've suffered through a dual setup that included a DirecTV-Tivo and a DirecTV RCA HD Receiver (no DVR). Yuk!!! Since darn near everything I watch nowadays is recorded, it sucks not being able to watch those shows in HD. I mean, why have all this equipment if you can't right? So the day has finally arrived and I'm pretty pleased with what I've got.

The only real downside I've found at the moment is the lack of Tivo support but I knew that going into this deal. DirecTV opted a while back to make use of their own media management software and not Tivos'. Why use their wheel when you can build one from scratch? I have to say though, that so far, I can't a great deal of difference. The functionality while not as robust as the Tivo software is virtually the same. I can still record a show, I can record a series of shows, play lists are organized etc.

There's a few cool features that have shown up that my Samsung didn't have. The program guide now indicates that a program is scheduled to record (flagged as single or series), there's a cool feature that allows you to bring up the program guide in single line mode. Something else about the program guide, the screens are fast, very fast as compared to my older DirecTV receivers in other rooms. Sure, there's still a noticeable wait or pause as the screens refresh and audio updates but those are minimal, not the hurry up and wait screens I've had in the past. Oh and DirecTV finally get an RF remote. I missed this since switching over from DISH a while back.

A few of the features the HR20-700 sports:

• Standard and High Definition (Mpeg-2, Mpeg-4)
• Record up to 200 hrs SD, 30-50 hours HD
• 2 Satellite tuners and 2 ATSC tuners
• Pause and rewind live high-def up to 90 minutes
• One touch record, manual record, bookmark (like chapterpoints on a DVD)
• Search and record
• Interactive TV
• 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i picture output and multiple screen formats
• Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
• On-Screen Caller ID
• HDMI output, Component, S-Video, Composite, Optical Audio
• Parental Locks

The HR20-700 did require a whole new dish antenna. The installer said he'd have to replace everything including the base, and just wanted to let me know there would be 10 new bolts added to the roof of the house. This five LNB antenna is much larger than the triple head I've had. The dish itself is a good twenty percent larger and the stand it sturdier. It also now has two side supports to help keep the arm sturdy during high wind. Thankfully though, the additional LNB's don't require any additional wiring be dragged into the house.

All in all, I'm pretty please with what I've played with so far. I've been able to reschedule all my normal shows and test records of both HD and SD seem to playback fine. I'm sure I'll run into bugs at some point, but I'm hoping the long wait has helped get most of those bugs fished out by now. It is a bit pricey, but a bargain when compared to the $1000 the older models used to be. I think the DirecTV installers are going to be some very busy dudes after Christmas this year.
Couple of links that might be of benefit:

DBSTalk.com has a section in their forum dedicated to HR20 Q&A. Check it out.

• HR20 Ordering; Installation Tracking
• OTA Status
• Unofficial HR-20 Tips and Tricks (everybody's favorite)