DVR through Directv

[rwethereyet (Premo)]

Does anyone have DVR through Directv? Like/dislike?

[Beta84]

heard it was decent and worth the money if you aren't using a Tivo already and don't plan on buying one.

IMO a DVR really does change the TV experience and is great to have if you can afford one. Tivo is probably better and holds more, though.

[lovinmaryland]

Originally Posted by rwethereyet

Does anyone have DVR through Directv? Like/dislike?

I have both a tivo and a dvr through direc tv and I must say I prefer the Tivo better but the dvr works just fine. Infact they now let you record programs from your phone or internet... its pretty cool

[rwethereyet (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Beta84

heard it was decent and worth the money if you aren't using a Tivo already and don't plan on buying one.

IMO a DVR really does change the TV experience and is great to have if you can afford one. Tivo is probably better and holds more, though.

I do not have Tivo currently. Can I buy a Tivo and hook up through Directv or do I have to use Directv's receiver? Anyone know?

[lovinmaryland]

Originally Posted by rwethereyet

I do not have Tivo currently. Can I buy a Tivo and hook up through Directv or do I have to use Directv's receiver? Anyone know?

You can get the tivo and hook it thru directv but you have to pay a $5 monthly service fee.

I like the tivo better but the dvr works just fine.

[rwethereyet (Premo)]

Originally Posted by lovinmaryland

You can get the tivo and hook it thru directv but you have to pay a $5 monthly service fee.

I like the tivo better but the dvr works just fine.

I'd still have to pay the $5 monthly fee with the DVR. That's what Directv said. I wonder if I did go out and by the Tivo, if we could hook it up ourselves or if Directv would have to come out and do and charge an installation fee.

It would be cheaper to get the DVR because Directv said it would be $100 for the receiver and S&H, comes to $132. It's not that much cheaper than the Tivo. I think Best Buy had one for $149. We aren't Mega TV users where were have to tape 3 or 4 shows at a time. But it would be nice to have a show taped everynow and then. And put a show on hold while the kids are acting up, as to not miss anything.

[BoyGenius]

Originally Posted by rwethereyet

Does anyone have DVR through Directv? Like/dislike?

One thing you have to watch if you're upgrading from a standard receiver is the DVR needs two lines running to it from the LNB. You can't split one line with a splitter into two. It needs two dedicated lines because it has two tuners. DTV won't run the second line for free, they'll charge you for the service call, even if the rep wrongly tells you it's free.

The HD DVR's have had some past problems with "black screens" but that may be fixed now with the more recent firmware upgrades. You'd set something to record and end up with a blank, black screen instead of the recording.

Since they fixed the black screen issue I'm pleased with it.

[Beta84]

Originally Posted by rwethereyet

I'd still have to pay the $5 monthly fee with the DVR. That's what Directv said. I wonder if I did go out and by the Tivo, if we could hook it up ourselves or if Directv would have to come out and do and charge an installation fee.

It would be cheaper to get the DVR because Directv said it would be $100 for the receiver and S&H, comes to $132. It's not that much cheaper than the Tivo. I think Best Buy had one for $149. We aren't Mega TV users where were have to tape 3 or 4 shows at a time. But it would be nice to have a show taped everynow and then. And put a show on hold while the kids are acting up, as to not miss anything.

Dont forget the ~$15/month service charge to own your Tivo. It's just some wires...lovin might know more, but I don't see any reason why you'd need to pay DirecTV to install the Tivo. It just connects from your box to Tivo to TV.

[Beta84]

Originally Posted by BoyGenius

One thing you have to watch if you're upgrading from a standard receiver is the DVR needs two lines running to it from the LNB. You can't split one line with a splitter into two. It needs two dedicated lines because it has two tuners. DTV won't run the second line for free, they'll charge you for the service call, even if the rep wrongly tells you it's free.

The HD DVR's have had some past problems with "black screens" but that may be fixed now with the more recent firmware upgrades. You'd set something to record and end up with a blank, black screen instead of the recording.

Since they fixed the black screen issue I'm pleased with it.

oh wow...DirecTV screws you with the dual tuner? That sucks. What jerks. You only need 1 hookup with cable.

[lovinmaryland]

Originally Posted by Beta84

Dont forget the ~$15/month service charge to own your Tivo. It's just some wires...lovin might know more, but I don't see any reason why you'd need to pay DirecTV to install the Tivo. It just connects from your box to Tivo to TV.

I never had to pay them to install it but you do have to pay the monthly fee to them.

Originally Posted by Beta84

oh wow...DirecTV screws you with the dual tuner? That sucks. What jerks. You only need 1 hookup with cable.

They never charged me to do that... it might be a new fee