DirecTV Plus HD DVR

We switched from Dish to DirecTV about a month ago and although the HR-21 does not provide the capability to watch what's on the DVR from any room in the home, I really like that you can record two programs… while watching another... all on the same box! With Dish you had to watch whatever was recording. I like the OnDemand as well. It's much more like Comcast (who I'm sure is the leader in OnDemand services). But the picture is GREAT and I haven't had any issues with the service. The one thing I would say is that you must have the box connected to an ethernet line in order to use the OnDemand feature. So, if your home is wireless, like mine, you will have to buy a wireless adapter. Any gaming adapter will do. DirecTV sells one for $99 but you can find them for like $40 online. You will need an adapter for each box that you want to have OnDemand access. I found that out the hard way.

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Unlike some other reviews I'm going to focus on the equipment itself, not installers or customer ignorance. The complaints you see (that are actually about the receiver itself) have all been resolved after… numerous software updates. These updates download automatically and have made owning this receiver a joy. Recording is flawless, I can record my locals from an off air antenna in HD. I get free on demand (the receiver connects to the internet!!!). I can schedule recordings remotely from my iphone (or any other phone or computer). I can record plenty of content and two shows at once while i watch a third I've already recorded. There is a million great things about DirecTV and this receiver in-particular. I just want to let anyone know who is considering buying one of these: This product is solid** - don't let these other dim wit reviews fool you. **In all fairness this receiver did use to suck with the old software - but its all fixed now.

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I haven't had any problems with this receiver since I have purchased it. Sounds like some other reviews are focused on other issues with DirecTv and not with the product itself. I really like recording… capability with this receiver. There is plenty of room for all of my recordings and much more. It has an on demand feature as well which I use quite often. I have HD-DVRS in all of my rooms and I definitely recommend this receiver to anyone who is looking for great HD and features.

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I've owned two high-def (HR-21) recorders and one standard-def receiver for the past 10 months, and here's what I've found: 1. If DirecTV physically damages your audio video equipment on installation,… they refuse all responsibility, refusing to pay for repair costs (after initially agreeing to do so and firing the tech). I'm out several hundred dollars in replacement costs. 2. They bill for premium channels not ordered and then state since the channels were available reversal of the charges are not possible. 3. Promised credits never materialize on the bill. 4. None of the equipment is guaranteed beyond 90 days; your choice is to either pay for an ongoing monthly service plan or the full cost of the repairs/replacements. 5. They nickel and dime you to death with extra charges (e.g., more than one receiver, HD reception). 6. The remote is not ergonomically designed, with the buttons being unlit, very stiff and difficult to use for anyone with a joint disorder (and if you don't have one to begin with, you may by the time you've finished surfing with this remote). Unless you hold the remote number keys down just the right amount of time, either the number will not register or it will be repeated (e.g., pressing channel 2 may result in channel 22). However, pressing the up or down arrow key buttons does not result in cycling through a menu; instead you must press repeatedly to arrive at your selection. Unlike other remotes, this one is not at all forgiving if you do not point it directly at the receiver and TV. (Although one is located above the other, they may or may not turn on/off simultaneously.) It is white and dirties easily. On the plus side, the rubberized back keeps the remote from slipping around. 7. Only one channel is available from local stations that broadcast multiple channels. For example, the local PBS station broadcasts one hi-def channel and three standard definition channels, but only the former is available. 8. The audio and video are not always in sync; sometimes resetting the unit helps, sometimes not. 9. Changing channels is not instantaneous, in fact, not even close, taking 4-11 seconds. 10. Sometimes when the DVR requires resetting, previously recorded programs are not available. 11. Although you "purchase" the DVRs at $200 each when initiating service, you don't really own them and must return them to DirecTV or be charged once again for them. 12. Attempting to record only the new episodes of a series does not work if the same episode appears later in the day or the next day (e.g., some news shows on MSNBC). The DVR will record multiple copies of the same show, unnecessarily using hard disk space. 13. All too frequently the receiver must be reinitialized using the reset button; this takes 10 to 20 minutes, so if you are intending to watch a program, you're out of luck. 14. Appointments are often either not kept, or when they are, are late. Phone calls are commonly not returned. *** In summary, if you don't mind shoddy & poorly designed equipment, missed appointments, and unethical behavior, you'll probably be delighted with DirecTV (the picture truly is terrific). However, given the overall inferior quality of its equipment and practices, DreckTV might be a more accurate appellation for the company. Note: The Amazon description of H-21 incorrectly states that it will record programs; it does not. The HR-21 does. Many reviews for the HR-21 appear following the H-21 description.

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