DirecTV's HD DVR hits stores, unpacked

The whole situation surrounding DirecTV's HR20-700 HD DVR launch is still a bit confusing, but apparently a few units have already made their way into stores, and Earl B. over at the DBSTalk forums has managed to get his very own to play around with. He's posted up some excruciatingly detailed hands-on info, so if that's your thing, be sure to check the read link. Or, if you're more like us, just soak up the pretty pictures. Tipster Eric managed to spot a couple of units at his local Best Buy, and snapped some pics which can be viewed after the break.

[Thanks, Terry and Eric]

[docsharp01 @ Mar 30th 2008 12:25AM]

Excellent article and comments. Direct TV satellite is the future of satellite TV communications.
http://www.1-satellite-tv-facts.com

[otakucode @ Aug 16th 2006 1:41PM]

Are you guys at Engadget just unaware that one of the most desired bits of info in any post you give is a price? Or do you actively omit prices as often as possible for some reason? To breed frustration in your readers? Drive click-throughs so they'll go looking for the price?

[adam @ Aug 16th 2006 1:43PM]

I work at Best Buy. Those pictures of the boxed up DVR's are not the new HR20-700. You can see the TiVo logo on them. They are the old HD-DVR's. Every Best Buy has had these particular ones on display for weeks.

[cat pee is teh awesome @ Aug 16th 2006 1:50PM]

I concur with Adam. I have one of those boxes sitting on the floor of my office, so unless I bought mine through a temporal paradox registered as as eBay PowerSeller, and unless DirecTV has been soaking their boxes in cat pee before shipping, it's the HR10-250.

[Adrian @ Aug 16th 2006 1:59PM]

Reading the review -- the new box seems to have the same horrible interface as the non HD DVR -- the R15. It just seems to actually run at a usable speed (the R15 is so laggy and slow and limited)

How sad ... To any HD-Tivo people out there: you will have a hard time switching to the interface -- which feels so clunky. Keep your Tivo for as long as its supported.

[tofu713 @ Aug 16th 2006 1:59PM]

yep, that box is the HR10-250... I have one sitting at home, same specs on the box too.

[Eric @ Aug 16th 2006 2:05PM]

I am the one who took the pictures of the unit in Best Buy. What is the difference between this one and the one that supposedly not out yet? Is it because of the Tivo branding on it? Im confused about this whole thing which is why I took the pictures because I didnt know people were making a big deal out of this and saying its not out yet. Is the new unit supposed to be really cheap or something? The one in Best Buy has 1080i out and HDMI support so what is the big deal about the one thats not out yet?

[Johnny @ Aug 16th 2006 2:05PM]

Agreed, the boxed pictures are pictures of the old HR10-250 box. (I thought it looked familiar!) The TiVo logo visible on the lower-right front is the dead giveaway.

[malcolm bell @ Aug 16th 2006 2:08PM]

Phoned directv and the guy said I was the first customer and the HD20 is available today!!!

[Earl @ Aug 16th 2006 2:20PM]

I can confirm that is NOT the box for the HR20-700 (not like that everyone else hasn't confirmed it).
As far as I am aware, the HR20 is not available in retail stores.

I got mine as a review box, not via a retail channel.
Hope you all enjoy the review.

[malcolm bell @ Aug 16th 2006 2:23PM]

Directv said the engineer would bring the box and the dish.

[airpolgas @ Aug 16th 2006 2:24PM]

OK, the picture in the engadget post is not the 700, but the one in the "read link" (dbstalk), is the genuine article. I'm a member of that forum, and those guys know their stuff.

[airpolgas @ Aug 16th 2006 2:25PM]

I meant the box Eric took. The PVR at the top is the 700. Kudos to Eric for trying though.

[Rc @ Aug 16th 2006 2:33PM]

to malcom bell, what was the price, if it really is available today?

[Harley3k @ Aug 16th 2006 2:36PM]

Also the details on the back of the box say 250GB Hard Drive.... The HR20 has a 300GB SATA Hard Drive.

[Rusty @ Aug 16th 2006 2:36PM]

The old unit (HD10-250) is an HD DirectTV TIVO unit, but does not support the new MPEG 4 delivery protocol. All local HD stations devlivered by DirecTV are in MPEG 4. So will be all new national HD content. So the old unit is a TIVO, but cannot receive a lot of HD content.

The new unit will receive local HD stations and other new HD content which will be delivered via MPEG 4, but is NOT a TIVO. It is the new DirecTV proprietary interface/operatign system which is reported to be seriously lacking compared to TIVO.

[malcolm bell @ Aug 16th 2006 2:45PM]

Price is $399

[Earl @ Aug 16th 2006 2:47PM]

Yes, the HR20 runs the DirecTV UI and DVR software. It is not a TiVo. As for "lacking", really really really really really depends on the user.

[malcolm bell @ Aug 16th 2006 2:54PM]

Would you say that Pace shareholders finally likely to see a rebound in the share price after all the delays hammerred the stock?

[Andrew @ Aug 16th 2006 3:14PM]

Malcolm, what market are you in? I called and was told these first generation DVRs are being released in LA only.

[Scott Johnson @ Aug 16th 2006 3:19PM]

Does anyone know whether DirecTV will offer any sort of incentive for those of us who own the HR10-250 TiVo boxes to switch to this new box when it's finally available?

[Rod Burchell @ Sep 21st 2006 6:48PM]

I called Directv today and they said it was a $99 upgrade to get the new unit, and they did not want the old unit back, you could relocate it to another hd tv...I think that this is rediculous since I have only had the HR-10 since march and it is still under warrenty, I was originally told it would be a free upgrade 3-4 months ago.

[[e-mail] @ Aug 16th 2006 3:23PM]

the idiots at DirecTV have no idea what I am talking about and that it would be available 'sometime in the fall'...anyone special I should talk to?

[Jimmy Rowe @ Aug 16th 2006 3:28PM]

I just spoke with someone else there and they are telling me "only selling to los angeles"

[Rc @ Aug 16th 2006 3:56PM]

I was told that if you already have a Directivo there will be deals, they told me that you could possible get one for free if you sign a 2 year contract.

[Rusty @ Aug 16th 2006 4:59PM]

There are no details on an upgrade path from the current unit to the new one. They are only shipping to L.A. currently. I expect they will do a nationwide roll-out of the new unit for new subscribers and offer something to the current HD TIVO owners sometime later after teh bugs are worked out and they have sufficient supply.

[evan @ Aug 16th 2006 5:02PM]

You can tell just by looking at it, because it has the TIVO LOGO on it. :)

[TheMan @ Aug 16th 2006 5:54PM]

I just got the new non-DVR HD box and dish installed on Monday. I got the non-DVR boxes free and she said that I would most likly be able to get the DVR the same way, with 2 year contract. I have the HD-TIVO and a spend too much money with them already, so they BETTER give it away free.

[Christian @ Aug 16th 2006 9:11PM]

Ordered the HR20 today. Apparently your zip code has to qualify to get one (L.A. Area) which mine does. It is $399 to lease it with a 2 year service commitment or you can buy the unit outright for $799. They do offer a three payment plan.

[joshj @ Aug 16th 2006 9:51PM]

I thought direct tv abandonded their "Tivo" and got back in bed with Tivo to do their DVR??????

[Jim @ Aug 17th 2006 12:32AM]

Just called DirecTV customer retention department. I've been customer for 10 years, and have had both DirecTV TIVO and HD receivers in the past. They stated the HR20 is only available in LA now, but "within next 2 months" in most markets. When I mentioned I was thinking of switching to cable, they offered:

$399 for HR20 DVR installed (before rebates/credits)
$150 instant rebate
$120 in programming credits
4 months free HD service
6 months HBO and Showtime for $2/month

So... for $129, I get HD DVR installed, with a bunch of free programming credits. Seems pretty fair.

Oh yeah... they will have Portland locals in HD by Q4 this year.

[Galley @ Aug 17th 2006 8:51AM]

Does anyone know whether DirecTV will offer any sort of incentive for those of us who own the HR10-250 TiVo boxes to switch to this new box when it's finally available?

A CSR assured me that my recently leased HR10-250 will be swapped out for free when we finally get local HD's here. I dunno if that applies to people who purchased the HD10-250 before the lease program began Mar. 1, 2006.

[Reid @ Aug 17th 2006 1:15PM]

I just spoke to the customer retention department and had to argue with them a little bit. They said their system still showed "fall" as the release date.

I said I heard that other people were getting it, and she transfered me to the upgrade department and again after a little presure (she said "the unit is available in the fall sir") and I pushed harder she finally agreed to try and place an order and see what happens.

Low and behold, she now had an option for the 5LNB system with the new MPEG4 reciever!!!!!!

I have called many times before and got them to give me the upgrade (I have two 10-250's) for just the $19.99 handeling fee.....no rebates needed.

I got the install scheduled for next week. She said it looks like the part says it's only availble in CA, but I am not sure how true that is.

[Rc @ Aug 17th 2006 2:34PM]

how do you get intouch with the Retention department

[GhostDoggy @ Aug 19th 2006 8:22AM]

Jim, "So... for $129, I get HD DVR installed, with a bunch of free programming credits. Seems pretty fair." Please remember (hopefully I get this right) that you do not own this piece of equipment and you will be paying a monthly leasing fee with it.

Of course, if I am wrong then I am sure that many will correct me. Also, no one mentioned what the mandatory contractual period will be to get that '$129' bribery for leasing condition will be. Best of luck on that HDlite DVR.

[TiVo preffered @ Aug 21st 2006 8:12PM]

I just ordered the old one - HD10-250 with the TiVo functionality. While the new one has some advantages like MPEG4, that's about it. I upgraded from the first DVR (Samsung TiVo) to the R-15 and have been rather dissapointed with the DirecTV DVR functionality - while I'm sure they are working on it, it doesn't come close to the user friendly and highly functional TiVo. I'm ordering the TiVo HDTV DVR now (since I'm upgrading my TV) and am glad that it's still available. I spoke with technical assistance and couldn't see much advantage of watiting for the new one if I like TiVo. They told me available PROBABLY late August. I'm on the East Coast.

[Cameron @ Sep 12th 2006 12:14AM]

I have a HR20-700 sitting in a box waiting for the install guy to come by tomorrow. Got it at Best Buy on Saturday in Reno, NV. It was their only one, it was supposed to be their floor model, but they sold it to me because I was there at the right time. The install order shows I'll be getting the 5 LNB mini dish. They didn't offer any rebates or discounts, but I was so happy to get rid of Charter and the horrible Moxi box that I paid $399 for the pre-paid lease deal.

[Bkolak @ Sep 13th 2006 11:36AM]

The HR20-700 is only available online at bestbuy.com. I ordered one 9/1 and have been up and running for over a week. The box is pretty sweet and is only available online and not at the stores.... yet.

Directv wanted to get the box out as soon as possible so all of the features of the new box are not active. For instance the off air antenna, some audio features, and access card are disabled. The off air antenna will be activated via a software download in october. This new box will have more features in the future. This box is unlike any other that directv has in that it will allow them to update the box with new features via software downloaded. For instance the ethernet port in the future will be used to communicate with a computer or home network.

All in all this is a great box. If you talk to Directv on the phone they always do not have the information you are looking for. Ask to get transfered to the higher support that covers the HD equipment. They will be able to help you.

All in all this is a great box. I am very impressed with it and I have been using it for a week. The HD recording is a great picture. I have not noticed the issues with ghosting, lip synching,etc that I have with the H20.

I hope this helps. If you have any questions drop me an email at [e-mail]

[Hani Durzy @ Sep 14th 2006 6:10PM]

In the Bay Area, the HR20 is now available straight from DirectTV as of Wednesday night. I called this morning, and without any pushback got a free upgrade from my current DTV Tivo HD DVR. Just had to pay shipping, but free installation with a 2 year commitment. It requires a swap out of the old box, though.

I'm a little nervous about letting go of the TIvo interface -- anyone have any experience with the new DVR functionality in the HR20?

[Steve Sanders @ Sep 17th 2006 6:13PM]

I got the HR10-250 about a year ago and did a 2-year contract and have just ordered the HR20-700 upgrade. DirecTV will swap out the old DVR for the new one plus install the required new 5 LNB dish for a total charge of $129 including tax. I am in the Tampa Florida area, it will be installed this Thursday. I did not know the new one wasn't a TiVo, that is a bummer as I have used TiVo's for a very long time now.

[kayla512 @ Sep 17th 2006 10:18PM]

I have 4 tivo's working in my house now. ONly one is the HR10-250 on a HD TV. I want to upgrade another tv with the HR-20 and go DLP 1080i. When i called directv they said that they would upgrade my dish but that my hr10-250 would still work. I get my local channels from New york eventhough i live in the DC area so i do not use an off air antenna (long long srory don't ask). I am worried that the new dish will mess with my locals i can't get the dc ones with out an off air antenna and i don't want to loose theones i do getthe . Also I heard the big difference with the Directv DVR is that only one of the tuners is always working unless you are recording something so just switching around bwtween live TV and being able to rewind, pause etc is an issue. I like the hr10-250 so maybe i will just get another one and let thinks be.

[pdm @ Sep 20th 2006 3:06PM]

This has me seriously thinking about switching from directv to digital cable and getting a Series 3 tivo. I have the tivo based HD HR10-250, and while its a piece of crap in many areas (speed, reliability, no advanced tivo features), it has the now (for me) required tivo guide instead of the clunky directv grid.

Porbably not at all practical, but it would be neat if directv made a cable card based tuner so you could use the series 3 tivo units with directv. Everyone wins.

[Boomer @ Nov 6th 2006 7:28PM]

Just got one of these last week for $299 ("leased"). Purchase price is $799. Interface is decent, but no buffer of the incoming signal on the second tuner, so no switching between tuners like with the Tivo box. Also, ATSC tuners are disabled, so you're going to have to hope that Directv carries your locals. In my area, they carry some but not all. Pretty frustrating.

One more thing - HDMI is not compatible with my brand new Samsung hr-s4273 Plasma HDTV. Using HDMI I get a message on screen that reads, "Mode Not Supported."

WTF?? Anyone know what this is about? Directv claims a future software update should address this issue.

[Tom @ Nov 30th 2006 1:15PM]

The new HD box from DirecTv is the biggest piece of crap ever designed. Sent it back after 2 frustrating weeks with it. Mine locked up just about everyday and told me that I lost signal on one of the inputs, I was constantly having to reset the box and lose my programming information. Went to Circuit City and got myself a trusty HR10-250 and all is well again. I just get my locals using HD over the air antenna.

[Murphs @ Dec 13th 2006 9:01PM]

Question from someone who doesn't have a clue. Please respond in language that a 12 year old would understand - seriously, I've no clue, nor any desire to learn:

Getting a Samsung LCD S4692D soon. Currently have DirectTV with basic DTV DVR (4 years old, so assuming it's truly basic). What would you guys recommend I ask DTV for? I may be clueless on tech but I'm a damn good haggler (think Life of Brian) - you tell me what I can, and should, get and I'll report back on my success rate - deal?
Seriously, thanks for your help - much appreciated.