HR 34 question

Yes, I have.  It should work fine.  In fact, the HR34 actually scans for off-air channels.  Unlike the other HD DVRs/Receivers, the HR34 doesn't rely on DirecTV's Guide database for its off-air channels (which no longer includes all sub-channels in all markets).  Of course, off-air channels not in the Guide database simply show "Regular Programming" for all time slots.  

One other question. Does anyone know how much the HR34 is going to cost? And, is it my understanding that if I get a HR34 it can operate TV's in other rooms without a receiver. That doesn't seem logical.

My bad, 2 questions

As a new Directv customer the HR34 upgrade cost me $300.00 dollars up front with a $200.00 dollar instant rebate. Plus approx $26.00 dollars for shipping even though the tech delivered. Yes, the HR34 can feed 8 additional tv's (only 3 active at the same time) through the swim splitter by way of coax/cat 5. The brand new models tv required to do so are called RVU have a built in circuit card that replaces the usually required Directv box. An extra monthly fee for each tv just like required with a box is charged per month.

Steve

Thanks Steve

This so called RVU, is it in new tv's, digital tv's, or where can i get a list?

You can start here.

http://www.rvualliance.org/

Currently only the newest Samsung HDTVs have the RVU feature. 

litzdog911:

I'm very interested in how the AM21 acts with the new HR34, as I receive over-the-air stations from more than the two zip codes/cities/markets to which the AM21 is currently limited (with previous receivers).  In addition, the DirecTV on-screen station/guide listing doesn't include many stations (both main and subchannels) that I receive, even though they are listed in the Tribune/Zap2It database, presumably because DirecTV has chosen to not include them with, or attach them to, my primary and secondary AM21 zip code entries.  Hope you don't mind if I ask a few questions about the AM21/HR34 combination, as this combination might solve my current over-the-air shortcomings:

When the AM21 is used with the new HR34, I understand that the combination is now able to scan for received over-the-air stations.  Has the zip code entry option (primary and secondary cities/markets) been retained with, or totally removed from, the new receiver combination?

Since I use an outside antenna on a rotator to receive stations in all different directions, does the AM21/HR34 combination have the ability to either perform one or more additive scans to add new stations received into memory (while retaining previously-saved stations) once the antenna is rotated, or alternatively, simply add further received stations by manual channel entry (by real channel number, virtual channel number, or both) using the remote?

I understand that all DirecTV receivers are able to access the full programming guide database that is continuously downloaded from satellite.  In the case of over-the-air stations received by the AM21 (with previous receivers), it seems that programming guide data is saved into the receiver memory for all stations residing within the DMA/market/area of the primary and secondary zip codes entered.  Does the AM21/HR34 combination know to retain programming data from the downloaded stream for stations saved into memory that are beyond the formerly-limited two zip codes/areas, such that it is able to retain programming data that coincides with the memorized station listing (even though some of those stations reside in a third or fourth city/market/zip code)?

Thanks in advance for your comments...

gcd0865:

The HR34+AM21 does indeed scan for off-air channels, so even channels not in the guide will be displayed.  But you cannot "combine" scans from different antenna directions.  It just picks up whatever channels it sees when you run the Off-Air Setup.  

There are two zip code entries provided for your local and a neighboring market. This determines what Guide Data will be available.  Any channels outside those two markets, or channels with no provide Guide Data, will show "Regular Programming" in the Guide.  

Update. Have now had the HR34 installed 14 days here. First few days were great with no issues. Since then not so great. The HR34 appears to be over heating and shutting itself down. Sometimes once a night, other nights a couple of times a night it just shuts itself down and power cycles itself back up and comes back up on the same channel that it died on. Going to give a few more days than it gets replaced.

Steve

Is it in an enclosed cabinet?

No, the 34 is in a rack unit totally open on top and all sides.

Thanks, Steve