Washington, D.C. (December 21, 2006) -- I get scores of e-mails every week from readers asking everything from whether they should buy a new HDTV to when will their TV provider add new high-def channels.

So, from time to time, I will publish my responses here in this new column called, "Ask Swanni!"


Q. Should I get a DIRECTV HD DVR? I've heard some bad things about it. -- Mark S.   
Should you get one? No. Let me repeat that: No!

The satcaster's new high-def recorder (HR 20) has more bugs than a hot summer night in Mississippi. I first got one about six weeks ago and I've had to reboot the thing about 25 times; make six different phone calls to DIRECTV customer service; and get four software upgrades -- all in a vain attempt to fix various recording gaffes and picture issues. (And it's not just me; many of our HD Observers have complained about the same problems.)

The biggest problem that I have is that when you record a program, it will frequently not playback at all. Instead, when you hit "Play," you get a message asking if you want to delete the show. Since you can't watch the recording, there's only one answer to that question.

Finally, yesterday, after my sixth call to DIRECTV customer service, they sent me a replacement HD DVR, which I installed immediately. This morning, I checked to see how my test recording of Criminal Minds looked.

And how did it look? Like a blank screen. Once again, it wouldn't playback. But I did get that nice message asking me if I wanted to delete the show.

In other words, DIRECTV sent me a replacement that had the same problem as the first unit.

What does this tell me?

DIRECTV's HD DVR is not ready for primetime. The satcaster launched the device too early, probably due to pressure from customers and Wall Street. (Rival satcaster EchoStar and many cable operators have offered HD DVRs for years; DIRECTV has used a TiVo HD DVR in the past, but the two companies have ended their marketing agreement.)

Consequently, there is an untold number of DIRECTV HD DVR "lemons" out there. If you're lucky, you'll get a recorder that works. But if you're not, you'll get one that sucks like a lemon.

Until you hear otherwise from me, I can't recommend that you get a DIRECTV HD DVR. In addition, I am removing CNET's favorable review of the HR 20 from our HD Product Review page.

(See Update to this commentary.)

Q. Will Time Warner show the NFL Network preview in HD? -- Mary S.  
For those who don't know, Time Warner has agreed to air the NFL Network's free preview next week, which includes the December 28 Texas Bowl between Rutgers and Kansas State. (Time Warner has not added the full-time channel due to a disagreement with the NFL Network over compensation.)

I checked this week with Time Warner. And, as of now, no decision has made on whether it will carry the Texas Bowl in HD. I hope to have more information by week's end.

Also, Cablevision now says it will not carry the free preview next week.

Q. Any plans for CNN to go high-def? -- Baruch E.
I thought that the news network would switch to HD by now. But like many other basic cable networks, they are waiting for cable and satellite operators to expand their bandwidth capability so they can add more high-def channels. What's the point of launching a HDTV channel if no one carries it?

Q. Hey, I looked at channel 95 on DIRECTV's (on-screen) guide for Thursday (today) and there was no listing for the NFL Network's broadcast of the Packers and Vikings. What gives? -- Ford K.
DIRECTV last week did not add the Thursday night HD game listing to its on-screen guide until a few hours before game time. So don't worry. It will be there.