Tivo and Direct TV DVR

[dairyou]

We currently have Tivo (actually 2) and love it! We'd like to get a new HD tv but then we would have to change to HD Tivo also (From what I understand from the Best Buy guy). He said the Tivo HD is not out yet and will cost 700.00! He said the Direct TV DVR is much cheaper.

Does anyone have Direct TV DVR and does it basically work the same as Tivo? We love the season pass ect.....

Help!

Deb

 

[Bojo]

Never had TVio, so can't compare; but, DTV DVR does have season pass and many recording options. I absolutely LOVE it!

 

[ChristmasElf]

DirectTV is the BEST! You will love it!

 

[DisneyfeverTN]

We have two older model Tivos and a newer model Direct DVR. The Tivos work fine with our high definition tvs. However, the Direct DVR is better. It works better and we can also record two shows at once. You'll love it. I think they run specials where they offer them for $99, including installation. That's all we paid for ours. We do have to pay a monthly free for the Direct DVR, but it is worth it. We had purchased the lifetime membership with the older Tivos, that is the only reason we still use them.

 

[cherylp3]

I recommend checking out the tivocommunity.com forums. I like being able to transfer from my tivo to my computer and burning dvds.

 

[betsywdw]

We have a Hi Def Tivo that we got in March. It cost 299.00 at Best Buy and we love it! It was actually a lot more but they had some crazy rebate for a few hundred dollars. We at first had bought the Direct TV DVR and didn't like it but I think it's because we are so used to Tivo.

 

[RadioNate]

UGG we just did this. I don't like the DirectTV HD DVR at all. It is fine....but it isn't Tivo great. They have 'series link' which is the same as a season pass but takes longer to set up.

The FF and Rew is also jumpy and not as smooth and precise as TiVos.

My biggest issue is that it can't flip between the 2 tuners like TiVo can. I used to watch 2 shows at once and do the down arrow flip back and forth duing commericials and I can't do that on the DVR.

If I never had a 'real' Tivo I would probablly like it but I was spoiled.

That said, the HD picture is amazing...you won't believe how bad things look once you go HD.

 

[dairyou]

We have a Hi Def Tivo that we got in March. It cost 299.00 at Best Buy and we love it! It was actually a lot more but they had some crazy rebate for a few hundred dollars. We at first had bought the Direct TV DVR and didn't like it but I think it's because we are so used to Tivo.

That's interesting...The Best Buy salesman said it wouldn't be coming out until January or February. Wonder what he's talking about. Most likely it's me not understanding him. It happens alot to me..lol

Sounds like I need to do more investigating. We love our Tivo and it sounds like it may be hard to switch. We really want the HD, so something will probably have to give.

Thanks to all who responded!

Deb

 

[bicker]

Wow. Lots of misinformation flying around.

The TiVo Series 3 (The "HD TiVo") came out this past summer. It costs $800 (though you can get it closer to $700 some places), and requires a subscription to the TiVo service (now running about $20 per month with the minimum commitment). It's a premium device. It relies on CableCards to work with (encrypted) cable. The vast majority of folks have no problem getting things working, but it should be noted that a significant number of folks (myself included) never got the device to work -- my problem was that I would randomly lose channels, and TiVo couldn't fix it. Be forewarned.

I don't know what unit betsywdw was talking about -- it surely isn't available at BestBuy.com now. There are several Series 2 (i.e., NOT high-def) TiVos available for sale at BestBuy.com in that price range.

 

[starwood]

We have 2 directtv DVRs (I think they are made by RCA). We have season pass and on my unit I have it hooked up so I can record 2 shows at the same time and switch back and forth between them. I don't have them set up for HD but I was going to call directtv and see what is involved and what the cost is. I don't want to have to buy new DVRs.

 

[lulu71]

UGG we just did this. I don't like the DirectTV HD DVR at all. It is fine....but it isn't Tivo great. They have 'series link' which is the same as a season pass but takes longer to set up.

The FF and Rew is also jumpy and not as smooth and precise as TiVos.

My biggest issue is that it can't flip between the 2 tuners like TiVo can. I used to watch 2 shows at once and do the down arrow flip back and forth duing commericials and I can't do that on the DVR.

If I never had a 'real' Tivo I would probablly like it but I was spoiled.

That said, the HD picture is amazing...you won't believe how bad things look once you go HD.

Ditto!! Nothing is better than Tivo!

 

[GlennandAnn]

Does anyone have a DirecTV DVR that actually records using the season pass?! We've had this thing for about a year and it has NEVER recorded with season pass. We've been on the phone with them a million times and they say there is a glitch that they are aware of but have not/cannot fix. We've been credited, had lots of free movie channels, etc, but the thing still isn't right. If there is someone with a DirecTV DVR that does record the season pass, could you please give me the model # or some other identifying information so that we can call them and demand that they send us one of those models? TIA

Ann

 

[dcgrumpy]

I have this one, we bought it on ebay for about $500

http://www.pricegrabber.com/rating_getprodrev.php/product_id=2950017/id_type=M

 

[betsywdw]

I have this one, we bought it on ebay for about $500

http://www.pricegrabber.com/rating_getprodrev.php/product_id=2950017/id_type=M

This is the exact same one that we have.

 

[shortbun]

We got our DVR from our cable company for free(we have to give it back if we cancel the service). We're getting a LCD HDTV for Christmas but probably won't be using the DVR for those programs available on HD. Am I in trouble? I'm calling my cable station tomorrow to tell them about our new TV. Gawd, it used to be all you had to do was turn on the TV-no recording, no HD, no special cables, no other machines. I thought I was lucky to be able to find the remote. Now-DVRs,DVD,PS2,Gamecube and so forth all coming through my screen. I want to run screaming into the night. I remember when we got our first color TV. sigh

 

[What the Heck]

I've had a DirectTV DVR and I loved it (and it says TIVO on it). I don't tape in HD because it uses up so much space, but its' great for watching football games.

 

[Bojo]

Does anyone have a DirecTV DVR that actually records using the season pass?! We've had this thing for about a year and it has NEVER recorded with season pass. We've been on the phone with them a million times and they say there is a glitch that they are aware of but have not/cannot fix. We've been credited, had lots of free movie channels, etc, but the thing still isn't right. If there is someone with a DirecTV DVR that does record the season pass, could you please give me the model # or some other identifying information so that we can call them and demand that they send us one of those models? TIA

Ann

We use Season Pass on our Direct TV DVR for several shows; never had a problem. Don't have HD yet, just regular TV.

 

[bicker]

The linked DVR, the HR10-250, is indeed a DirecTV DVR. It only works with OTA and DirecTV service; it doesn't work with HD digital cable. Also, I don't think it is available for sale new anymore -- the only new units left are remainders. DirecTV is now pushing the HR20, which does not support TiVo software.