DirecTV HR-20 High Definition DVR

DIRECTV HR-20 HIGH DEFINITION DVR 50 Hours of High Def Recording

February 2007 By Jonathan Takiff

DirecTV has been able to work out other glitches reported early on in the new box’s existence, with software upgrades. For example, I only had to tap the system reset button once in the past month, to defrost an image frozen on the screen. Brief picture blackouts, image stuttering and de-synchronization of picture and sound on those less robust MPEG-4 HD channels have been largely eradicated. I think handshaking issues between the local high def affiliates and DirecTV may be at the heart of these issues.

When all the stars and sats are in alignment, an MPEG-4 encoded high def program does look just as good as one beaming in MPEG-2, which is to say, pretty darn terrific, when results are enjoyed on a high resolution set connected to the box’s HDMI or component outputs. (Standard def connectors are also available along with a single SPDIF optical connector for relaying the 5.1 channel Dolby Digital audio signals.)

More good news—recording capacity almost doubles with content delivered in the new, more efficient codec. The HR20’s drive captures 50 hours of MPEG-4 HD programming, versus 30 hours of HD in MPEG-2, or 200 hours of standard def MPEG-2 content (or combinations thereof).

The remote control and advanced program guide aren’t quite as fast and flexible as TiVo’s, but not shabby. With logical placement and sizing of menu, fast forward, rewind, instant replay, etc. buttons, the remote is easy enough to operate in the dark.

The guide needs more precisely defined metadata, though. Program this device to record just all episodes of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, and the recorder will still capture the four repeats happening in the same 24 hour cycle. Yes, you could plow through the two week EPG and individually mark each desired episode as a one-time recording. But life’s too short for that.