DirectTV

[fac]

Hi

I have a few questions on DirectTV

We purchased a house recently and are looking to install DirectTV, and possibly FIOS for internet, however, it seems that it may be cheaper to install them separately rather than getting the bundle from Verizon, but we have never used DirectTV before, have a few questions and hope someone can help...

a. Is it possible to install DirectTV without internet? DH thought both internet and DirectTV will share the same cable, therefore if we were to install them separately then when there are problems, they will be pointing fingers...

b. the base price for DirectTV seems to be reasonable, however, we have never used DVR or anything, checking the DirectTV website, it seems that for every receiver I used, I will have to pay $6 per month. From everything I read, it seems that the Home Media Center HD DVR will give me more options, therefore is it possible to have only 1 Home Media Center HD DVR installed without any receiver ?? (I saw the HD Receiver, DVR receiver, Standard Receiver... but I don't need them as long as I am okay to watch TV in one room, is it correct? ) Is there any option to watch TV in more than one room, if I only have the Home Media Center HD DVR?

BTW, DirectTV seems to be my only option in that location...I am not really looking for comparision between DirectTV with other option...

 

[ICF]

a. Is it possible to install DirectTV without internet? DH thought both internet and DirectTV will share the same cable, therefore if we were to install them separately then when there are problems, they will be pointing fingers...

Yes -- we have Direct TV but don't get our DSL thru them.

 

[MichiganKris]

We have two separate dishes, one for TV and one for internet, even though they are billed through the same company.

 

[badblackpug]

We have DirecTV and verizon FIOS for internet.

 

[shoney]

We have DirecTV and verizon FIOS for internet.

We do too!

 

[fac]

thanks.

What about the HMC HD DVR? Can I just use the HMC HD DVR without ordering other receiver?

 

[WIDisneyFan]

We have DirecTV and Time Wrner for Internet (business class). It works well.

As a side note - one thing to keep in mind - find a friend that has DirecTV and have them refer you. You will both save some money.

 

[shoney]

http://support.directv.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2848/related/1


I had to look this one up. We have dvr receivers for all the tv's. they don't cost us extra for the dvr service because we are lifetime members...years ago they offered this, not anymore!

It looks like each tv would need a receiver. The whole home one would be on tv #1, but all others would need HD receivers. I put the link above...hope that helps!

 

[fac]

thanks for the link. We are okay to just have one TV as we only go to the house on weekends. I am not sure whether the HMC HD DVR is considered as a receiver. It seems to me that I can just order the HMC HD DVR without any receiver.

From what I read, I think I can use my AAA to get a $10 discount, hence a reason I think ordering them separately will give me a better rate.

 

[shoney]

thanks for the link. We are okay to just have one TV as we only go to the house on weekends. I am not sure whether the HMC HD DVR is considered as a receiver. It seems to me that I can just order the HMC HD DVR without any receiver.

From what I read, I think I can use my AAA to get a $10 discount, hence a reason I think ordering them separately will give me a better rate.

That is the way I took it too.

Why do you want the hmc hd dvr on 1 tv? I thought the purpose of it, was to have access to the DVR data on all TV's. That way you don't have to worry about "oh, no XXXX is only taped upstairs and I really wanted to watch in downstairs". Isn't is cheaper to just get the regular HD DVR receiver box? I'm just wondering!

 

[vicki_c]

The DVR is the receiver - it's just one box.

 

[fac]

That is the way I took it too.

Why do you want the hmc hd dvr on 1 tv? I thought the purpose of it, was to have access to the DVR data on all TV's. That way you don't have to worry about "oh, no XXXX is only taped upstairs and I really wanted to watch in downstairs". Isn't is cheaper to just get the regular HD DVR receiver box? I'm just wondering!

I think the reason may be because I do not understand the difference between receiver and a DVR... I assume my TV has to connect to either a receiver or a DVR in order for me to watch TV, right?
Is the DVR used to sync the data to the receiver? therefore if I will only use one TV, I only need one DVR is it correct?

To expand my assumption further, if I only use one TV, in fact, I only need one Receiver without any DVR, is it correct?

What about if I use two TVs, do I need a DVR and a receiver? or 2 receiver?

I noticed they have HD receiver, Plus DVR, Tivo HD DVR receiver, which one do I need? I assume the Plus DVR is sufficient, right? it is $8/month.

thanks. I must live in a cave in the last many years...

 

[shoney]

Let me see if I can help......

each tv needs a receiver to work. There are just different types of recievers.

A DVR reciever will get you your Direct TV stations plus the ability to record, pause, rewind live tv. You can set up season passes that will automatically record your favorite shows, etc.

If you want HD in addition to regular, you need a reciever that has DVR and HD.

While all our tv's are HD capable, I am too cheap to pay the extra fee, so we don't have it. (Direct TV has offered to replace the satelite for free, but I would still have to pay the monthly surcharge, so we haven't)

All of our tv's have a DVR receiver box. We can record, pause, etc on each TV, but they are independent. If we record Criminal Minds in the living room, you can only watch it in the living room.

The whole home receiver box that you were looking at is HD and DVR, but it also gives you the opportunity to have a central DVR. If you were to record Criminal MInds on that box, you could watch it on any TV in the house (as long as you have the minimum HD receiver described in the link). To me, this option is for people with multiple TV's that want access all over the house. It is a premium service, therefore I would think it comes at an extra charge.

If you don't want HD or DVR service, then you would just get a regular receiver box.

I hope I didn't confuse the situation!!!! LOL