Customer Reviews

DIRECTV HR23700 / HR23-700 / HR23-700 High Definition DVR Receiver

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I bought the HR 23 Receiver, I thought, as it said shipped and SOLD by Hidef, turns out to be a LEASE, I wish somebody WOULD MAKE THIS CLEAR it their copy... The minute you are a Directv customer this is their property basically, and they want it back or a hefty fee if you cancel your service with them. I found this whole transaction deceptive ... WE NEED FULL DISCLOSURE, TRANSPARENCY PEOPLE ...

The HD Box works fine. Plug it in, activate it through Direct TV... and it works. My disappointment is in the shady business practices of Direct TV. You are not BUYING this receiver, although the product description would imply that you are. According to the customer service agent I just spoke with, you are not able to BUY any receiver through any retail outlet - they are all sold as "leased products." As noted in the fine print (supposably), Direct TV only leases their boxes. As soon as you activate the box through Direct TV, it's theirs. You will be charged a $5 monthly "leased receiver" fee, despite the fact that you "purchased" the box from a retail outlet. If you do not return the box, to them, when you're done with their service, they will charge you a hefty fee for keeping the box. (The box you paid for through a different retail store.) Also, you are required to extend your contract, with Direct TV, for two years when you add or upgrade equiptment. If you cancel before the 2 years is up, you're hit with another hefty "early termination" fee. Even if you are to "borrow" a receiver from someone else, you must pay for a new access card (so it can be linked to your account) and they will still charge you a $5 monthly fee, although they call the fee a programming access fee, rather than a leased receiver fee. Rediculous! Buyer, beware!

We were upgrading our equiptment to receive HD programming. We were not notified there would be a $5 lease fee, up front. We were not notified our contract would be extended if we upgraded our equiptment, until we called to inquire about why there was a "leased receiver" fee on our bill. I am really disappointed in the manipulative business practices of Direct TV, at this point. I guarantee I will never "renew my contract" with this company, again.

The increased storage capacity allows for recording of up to 100 hours of MPEG-4 HD or up to 400 hours of SD programming.

The front panel lights are much more subdued then the previous HR2x's from DirecTV. It's also quieter then previous models.

Its quiet operation and subdued lights even make it friendly for use in the bedroom.

From the most sophisticated home theater to the living room television, the HR23-700 will be a fine addition to the any home.

However, contrary to the description IT DOES NOT HAVE BUILT IN B-BAND CONVERTERS. IT HAS WIDE-BAND TUNERS SO THE BBCs ARE NO LONGER NEEDED.

Everyone seems to think they need to purchase receivers from outside retailers. I call DirecTV each time a new or better receiver comes out and ask them to upgrade it. They will send you their latest technology (including Sattelite Dishes, if needed) at NO COST. They do their equipment upgrades complimentary and usually ship them Free next day air. There will always be a $5 lease fee to have an extra box, but it should only be if you have more than one box. Your first box does not have a lease fee. If you get your receiver free from DirecTV then they do own the box and would want it back. If you do for some reason purchase it from a retailer than you do not have to surrender it to them upon cancellation of your service. Their sales people are a little direct and aggressive, but if you ask to speak with their supervisor right away, they will handle everything the way you want it. Especially if you have been with DirecTV for a while. I've been a customer for over 9 years and they have always surpassed by expectations with complimentary upgrades and they are one of the few companies I know that will allow you to switch your rate plan to one of their current specials. You don't have to be a "New Customer" which is great to know you are getting the best current deal possible.
The Tail doesn't wag the dog. You pay DirecTV, they will do what you want to keep you as a customer, you just have to insist on it. ALSO, if you do get a sales person who says you can't have what you want, all you have to do is say "I want to speak to someone about cancelling my account". That's when you can speak with their "negotiator". That's when you get the best deals- you will not only get what you want, but they will usually throw in Free HBO or Showtime for 6 months in addition. Once you establish yourself as getting what you want, they do make notes on your account. Who cares if their internal notes say I am a Jerk. They next time I call, they don't bother arguing with me.

I bought this HD DVR (HR23-700) a few days ago to replace a HR21-200 receiver and I also have a HR21-700. This receiver has twice the HD storage capacity than the H21-700. Works like a charm. I can't wait to put it through it's paces. The picture quality is OUTSTANDING in HD and can receive 1080p Directv programming. My display is a Sony KDS-60A3000. Shipping was very fast and the price is the lowest out there. When I was on the phone with Directv activating the receiver, I asked the agent to check the receiver ID to see if the receiver was in fact "Brand New" or reconditioned/refurbished. The agent assured me it was "NEW". Remember, you are getting a Leased Receiver. Directv reduces the price in half if you lease. The only problem they won't sell you one as "OWNED". That is why they charge a hefty fee if a leased receiver is not returned. If you could buy an "OWNED" receiver it would cost easily twice as much as a leased one. It came with remote, access card and a not to shabby HDMI cable. I was expecting a piece of junk/low quality HDMI cable but the one that came with the receiver was of pretty good quality. The rest of the cables are inferior, in my opinion. Remember, you are only as good as your weakest link. The VOD (Video On Demand) feature is great also. You can even download in HD. Many, many choices but anything recent there is a charge. No Cons, but Directv should look into keeping up with the times by having a DVR that can record 4 different programs and also being able to view your programming in another room from the DVR. I will never go back to cable TV!!!

I've had a DirecTV HD DVR since the HR20 first came out. It's always been a leased option. My first one was $200 in advance and wait 3 months for it to be released. Attempt to upgrade from the HR20/21 through DirecTV and you may simply get a replacement for the unit you already have (and probably a refurb at that). The only way to assure you get an HD23 is to go "buy" it. But, once you do, contact D-TV for a "recovery kit" and they'll send you a postage-paid box and everything you need to return your original unit for credit (they know the standard cost of the HR23 through Best Buy). If you save a few bucks (like here) then so much the better. When D-TV gets your old receiver they credit your account for the typical Best Buy price (less sale tax).

This unit has more storage than my HR20 and no longer needs the B converters. It also updates the appearance to match the rest of my components. Functionally, it's all familar territory if you've already used a DirecTV HD DVR.

I'm still not happy that the $200 fee I originally paid means that I then get the honor of paying a monthly fee for something I still don't own. But as long as they roll that original fee forward with each product upgrade at least I'm not stuck with a stack of old equipment as I go through the upgrade process.

I am using my new receiver/DVR for the first time today. I am completely amazed at the picture quality, speed and ease of use as far as programming shows and series. You can store up to 100 hours of HD programming and 400 hours of standard programming. The picture quality is amazing and I'm playing it on a 720 plasma, not a 1020 plasma or LCD. I recommend this for everyone. I am giddy to be using it. : )

I just got my HR 23 yesterday after having agonzied over the desicion to move up to HD for a year or so. I've been using DirecTV Tivo for years now, and was leery of DTV dropping Tivo. First off I have to say that the device is pretty easy to get going with, once you know generally how the DVR works. The menus are fairly straightforward and functionality is simple to understand. The fact that you can program the remote to set certain devices as always active (my entire system runs through the surround sound, and this remote allows me to control volume on the receiver no matter if the remote is on TV, DVD, or Stereo)is a huge convenience.
The big bonus with the HR23 is the Media Center functionality. Using Media Center, and with your DVR connected to your home network, and running a media server on your network, you have access to your photos, music, and videos on your TV. I have ripped much of my DVD collection for archiving purposes onto hard drives. Now all those videos are available to me on my TV without having to re-burn them onto optical media. Additionally, there are media servers out there that will allow you to view online content (youTube, Hulu, etc) on your TV. Between that capability and the OnDemand content available if you have the HD DVR on a computer network, I definitely have more content than time now.
That DirecTV leases these boxes now rather than sell them to me is fine. I have two DVRs that I own. If I ever leave DirecTV service, these boxes are useless. The lease doesn't cost any more than what DTV was charging for DVR service in the first place, so no harm, no foul. (if that is not your situation, its time to have a chat with DTV Customer Retention about having any additional charge removed). I have the added incentive that if I decide to stay with DTV, I can upgrade my equipment every two years with a minimum of cost to me.

The HR23 HD DVR receiver is a very nice unit. Picture quality is excellent and some of the features I like are 1) the 90 minute backup of live programming and the 100 hour HD / 400 hour SD recording. 2) ability to tie to local ethernet for computer monitoring and control. 3) has two built-in tuners for recording two programs simultaneously and 4) can receive all 5 Direct TV satellites without additional broadband converters.

The only negatives are 1) the fact that you are LEASING this unit, not buying it. However because of this, DirectTV will service the unit should it ever require it. and 2) The remote control has a slight learning curve and is a bit confusing at first, mainly trying to figure out what button to push for what function but is quickly learned and very versatile. It also will control the TV and two other AV devices.

Overall I would recommend this unit.

Have you been a loyal customer and advocate of Directv for many (or as I have been > 12) years? Have you been happy with what seemed to be extraordinary customer service when things aren't right? Have you upgraded your service to HDTV lately?

Well, I just got off the line with a 'supervisor' at Directv after they tried to pawn off an refurbished HR21-100 HD DVR as the sent upgrade for a standard DVR in our home theatre. The original agent who took the request 3 days ago told me I would receive a unit as least as good as the brand new HR22-100 in our living room. When this unit arrived today, I immediately called to find out why an older and inferior (reburbished) model was sent. The supervisor, to whom I was transferred after asking for a higher level contact from the 1st level agent, spent 45 minutes with me arguing why he was 'listening to me' but also agreeing with my point about why customers are upset with getting whatever Directv sends them (rather than offering specific models). No escalation path was offered for my complaint or how to fix their customer-dissatisfyer process.

THESE GUYS ARE NO LONGER LISTENING!!! I am sending this dysfunctional unit back and getting my contract reset to expire in 6 months. I suggest you consider dumping these guys when yours expires too. I can't say DISH is better, but this kind of treatment for long-term customers really sucks...