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"This DVR Sucks"
1.5 starson by robeerskiPros: Screen Saver
Cons: Lockups, Software Problems, Crappy Guide, Very slow Menus, Only one live TV buffer and many others
Summary: I have had TIVO for years and now DirecTV has shoved this inferior DVR down my throat saying that my old HD recorder would stop functioning and I had to upgrade (Ha Ha) to this new DVR provided by DirecTV.
When compared to the TIVO unit this unit is missing many features. It only has one live TV buffer where TIVO 2. It doesn't do suggestions. It only has one guide option where the TIVO has 2. It has no over the air tuner and I'm sure there are other missing features but these are the most obvious for me.
Many of the programs in the guide do not fit in the space provided. This makes it hard to use the guide to see what is coming up. You almost have to highlight each program to find out what it is. With the slowness of the guide this whole process becomes long and laborious.
Navigating the menus is very sluggish paging up or down or changing or channels in the guide take almost a second to refresh after each button press. It also seems to take a long time to respond to any button press anywhere. This is almost like it is either lacking in system memory or it needs a faster processor.
The 30 second skip is not really a 30 second skip but a 30 second fast forward. If I wanted fast forward, I would press fast forward.
The most frustrating problem I have experienced so far was last night. I was watching a show on live TV delayed by about 30 minutes. The DVR asked me if it could change channels to record a scheduled program. I assumed it would allow me to finish the last half hour on my current show while it started recording the newly scheduled one. WRONG, it changed channels and I lost the last half hour of the show I was watching.
Since it has only one live TV buffer, you cannot bounce back & forth between 2 live channels and expect to be able to pause. Sometimes I like to watch 2 live sporting events. I will pause one the watch the other for a bit then pause it and come back to the first. With one live TV buffer, this is impossible. When the channel gets changed it is always back to live.
I don't think the menu's or setup procedures are very easy to use or user friendly.
Now that I have described what I don't like about this box, there are a couple of things I do like. I like the 4 colored buttons on the remote that do different things in different areas like a soft button on a cell phone. I like the fact that it has a screen saver that engages whenever you pause the program for a long time. I think the favorites section with multiple levels of favorites is also nice.
I don't recommend this box to anyone. I guess it is OK if you have never had a good DVR and don't know what you are missing. I wish more people would voice their disgust at this horrible DVR and maybe DirecTV would release a better product or do what they used to do and just partner back up with TIVO who already knows how to build a great DVR. I hate this DVR so much in fact that I am thinking of changing TV providers to see if I can get something better elsewhere.
- 4 replies to this review
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DirecTV`s equipment has always sucked.
Eversince they caught up with DISH Network in terms of DVR technology, Their software has been terrible. -
I think you should find out more about the unit.<br>Tivo records the lowered resolution of 1080i and is still called High-Def by them. I don't see much of a different but the true High-def that shows air is higher and only the top-of-the-line tivos can get those.<br>They have not as of yet changed the system, but will be doing so and your tivo will be out for the new units. (sorry) hope they give some kind of credit.<br>I love Tivo and like that Directv might put the service on again if they make the changes. ( they do give a free machine change for you)<br>I have not gotten the delay problem you have. I don't like the buffer issue either (I can live with that for now) My HR21 lets me know if there is a conflict with the programing, while I'm programing it. Don't know why you have this issue.<br>The NEW processor in the HR21 has more that enough space for upgrades... This guide issues have been addressed and will be updating as of Aug to Sept. with even more ways to play with it (Love toys LOL)<br>I don't believe the date, but that is what was mentioned by the company.<br>One of my issues was that the software to stream your music and pictures from your computer to the HR-21, only came for Windows!! I'm a Mac user and hated this!!<br>Now they are testing the Mac version in different places and it is great! from the reviews. <br>The version even has MORE stuff to do. You will be able to buy products from Tivo, DT, Itunes and others, and play your collections of movies from you computer and the web on your DVR. (Tivo does the pic and music, but will be Updating the hardware to do this upgrade so it can work with Directv in the future and cable boxes, that's why the box is out) Love new stuff that works with everything. LOL<br>TIVO will also be doing updates to their software that has this capability in their high-end units, so that it can work with every unit, and can even work with any Directv and cable boxes (that's why I will always love tivo too.(they are working together with Directv so that their systems will always be compatible.)<br>That's why I don't have so many worries with Directv.<br>Anyway.. The big issues that people had with them were always addressed in their past units, and then the units where changed completely for free (in my area, don't know about yours)<br>It sounds like the new upgrade will take care of your issues with Directv.<br>I just DON"T HAVE the technical issues you do. (????)<br>Usually the upgrades go out nationally after testing. (???)<br>Where R U Located?? I'm in the North east.<br>Tivo is great, this Directv unit is amazing!! if you have it with directv, you r covered. I hope you see for yourself with the new upgrades.<br>I hope you can get a credit on tivo boxes that do the upgrades to be like this system.<br>to do all the things that this does.... I would be buying a $400, $500, $1000 dollar Tivo unit??? Don't think so.<br>Hopefully, from the reports Tivo will change this for those of us that don't have or want to spend this much money to buy this boxes now.<br>The issues you with the HR21, everybody has..... but they listened and their upgrades have been GREAT!! in the past.<br>ALL the things you mentioned are software issues. That is sooooo easy to fix with an upgrade.<br>However.... Even the High-end Tivo units Don't have the memory space to handle a big upgrade package. Or the processor speed to perform the future plans of software manufacturers. (the HR21 does)<br>I hope Tivo changes ALL their machines. they are great systems and deserve the chance to do so. (just don't cost us $1000s to upgrade please)<br>This companies will always get along. LOL<br>The HR21 is like a Playstation 3 right now...... It is so powerful that the software people can't keep up with it, so It will be a little bit before it all works great together. <br>If you buy this, it wont cost you an arm and a leg to do so.<br>It has more power and upgradeability than a Hi-end Tivo.<br>And if you get it from Directv as part of your service..... Any Unit replacement are covered!!<br>So Robeerski..... I hope this clears things up a little. And if you got this unit, and don't want to use it to go back to Tivo at least for now, just cancel your Directv service and keep the unit.<br>You might regret it a few weeks from now if you don't, If you want to get rid of it..... I can take it off your hands!!!! LOL 8-)<br>I will post ALL the links with all the info on what I have mentioned. <br>I'm a tech geek, and do a LOT of research before I buy anything. (don't want to lose money. Don't have that much of it 8-) )<br>P.S. <br>Directv's Customer Service SUCKS!! it's better than before, but they still can learn a lot from Tivo customer service. (I know you guys have to agree)<br>I LOVE TIVO AND DIRECTV so this commentary is totally unbiased 8-)
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Due to the GREED of DirecTV and their insistence that they can build a better DVR than Tivo they have created one of the most frustrating, buggy, clumsy, SLOW, UN-intuitive, pieces of CRAP ever forced upon the viewing public.<br>I find it unconscionable that any company would have the balls to actually offer this garbage to the public with their name on it. It just goes to show that DirecTV is more about profit and screwing the consumer than offering a quality product at a fair price.<br>"Oh you wanted the "T's" crossed on your bill?... that will be another $5.95 a month"<br>After a year and a half of nothing but problems with their; billing, customer service, inferior equipment... 4 replacement DVR's and 3 HD receivers, lack of customer commitment, crappy program guide, etc, etc, etc I'm so ready to go back to cable and get my beloved TIVO back into operation.<br>STAY AWAY FROM DIRECTV. They are all about RIPPING YOU OFF!!!
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I was forced to get this unit as well "upgrading" from the tivo unit I used to have because the tivo unit would not receive the local philly HD broadcasts. Therefore, I would not be able to see my Eagles in HD otherwise. However, now I still can't watch them in HD because those channels are not working and customer service is blaming it on the equipment! Total crap! I really hate Directv now! I have jumped through hoops for them and spent tons to get this level of service! I can switch away since I am no longer under contract, but the options we have suck even more! And Fios isn't available where I live, which is only 10 minutes outside of center city Philadelphia!! Hardly the sticks!
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