Customer Reviews

RCA DRD420RE DIRECTV PLUS Second-Room Receiver

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

I have two RCA receivers in my house. The first one started to have problems after a few months - the remote went out and the reception freezes and pixelizes frequently. DirectTV has a replacement "program" cause they have been getting a ton of calls about this problem. RCA refuses to recognize it.

I love the satellite service but would not buy any RCA product ever again.

You have to hand it to RCA. Their warranty for parts and labor is 90 days. Mine lasted exactly 95 days before it started to have problems. Won't turn off, set top buttons don't work, unable to access program guide menu, skips channels, etc. It is still useable, but it has lost many of the capabilities it had when it was working properly. This has happened to a couple of people I know. RCA was not alot of help. After speaking with them, I figure it is probably cheaper, and less of a hassle to buy a new receiver than return this one for repairs. I will be looking at Hughes or Sony for replacement.
In terms of the satellite picture, it is very good. In my area, it is definitely cheaper than cable. I have found the Direct TV people to be pretty good with changing packages, questions on services, etc.

My experience with the DRD420RE has been the same as most others here - disappointing. We purchased two boxes with our original installation of DIRECTV about a year and a half ago. The Hughes HIRD-E25 went in the family room and the RCA DRD420RE in the bedroom. Within two months, the RCA had gone on the fritz (power, reception, and remote problems). We had the RCA replaced (under warranty, thankfully) with another Hughes and we've been problem-free since. Beyond that, for the short time we used the box, I found the remote a bit too large to be comfortable and the buttons didn't have that crisp, sturdy feel you look for when you shop for remotes, cell phones, calculators (you know what I mean). Bottom line on this box - don't get it. Regardless of whether some people have had no issues, if so many on this board are citing defective boxes, common sense tells you there's a problem. Instead, insist on a Hughes box if possible. I should also note that we purchased a DIRECTV-TiVo combination box (the Sony SAT-T60) four months ago and we've had no problems with that either. By the way, if you haven't checked out TiVo yet, it will blow your mind. Visit the TiVo Web site and check out the reviews on Amazon.

I have 3 receivers in my home. Two are the DRD420RE. They were both bought new from a dealer/installer. Both boxes worked fine for a few weeks. One has been replaced (RMA'ed within the first 90 days) and the other has constant frame and sound lock-up, but is outside the 90 "very" limited warranty.

RCA does not stand behind their products very well. The current (October, 2001) replacement fee for this box direct from RCA is (...). And what you get back is refurbished. Very interesting that you can buy a new one here for (less).

RCA's warranty only lasts for 30 days for full coverage and 90 days for partial coverage. Partial meaning that after the 90 days, you pay to replace your broken box.

Other than the fact that these boxes don't last long and RCA has terrible customer service, I do enjoy my satellite. I use it daily and love it more than cable.

I think that next time I might try Phillips or Sony.

Online menus are ponderous to use. What can be done with a single click on an old Hughes receiver can take 15 clicks on the RE. Clutter menus, filled with redundancies, confusing format and the "interactive format" designed for nothing more than exposing you to more ads makes this one to avoid. The RCA DRD431RG for the same price is a MUCH better receiver. Don't say you were not warned.

I purchased this receiver and have been thru 3 of them. There is always a new problem. Turns itself off, searches for signal in the middle of a program, etc. I have had nothing but problems with RCA products including my new VCR that lasted about 6 hrs.

I have this box and I must say it works well for me. yes the box does have some problems, This is the 2nd RCA receiver I got from directv the 1st really messed up but the 2nd one works well.
yes I would buy and tell any one who wants Directv to get this receiver it works well.

This is the 2nd RCA box I have been through in the last 9 months. Granted it is not the most [costly] one around, so I guess you get what you pay for these days. I would recommend getting a midrange (price) of one of RCA's competitors products. It did however have nice features when it worked.

I've had two of these RCA 420RE's for about 18 months now and have only found one problem with them. The thing I found was that the remote works best with fresh batteries. When the batteries start going down some buttons may not work. I find the menus easy to use. I have friends and family with other receivers and I think the 420's menus are as good if not better. After reading the other reviews I will be knocking on some wood though.

I got the new direct tv plus when my old samsung (with the black controller) broke after I dropped it. This was the replacement, I finally called up saying i couldn't take it any more, it would randomly not record shows, randomly record half a show, not find shows in the listing, etc etc etc. After I escalated to advanced tech, they admitted there are software issues and sent me a new box with the old splash (he said all the boxes are essentially same with different faceplate). So be wary of the direct tv plus, it might not necessarilyi be the hardware. I am SOOOOOOOOOOOO much happier now I got rid of it.