TiVo questions

[jfoofj]

Hi there... well, DH really wants a DVR and while I have been hesitating, I think he has convinced me. I am thinking that Santa will bring it this year for him! We have DirectTV, and are so-so happy with the service (beats the cable service we had previously that rate-jacked us all the time!)... FiOs isn't in our area yet and we are kind of waiting to see what the deals are when that comes out... SO, I'm not sure if we should order a DVR through DirectTV or just buy the TiVo... and I have to admit, I'm really not tech-savy so I don't get the advantages of having one over the other, but DH seems to think TiVo is the better bet/deal.

Any opinions, input, or DEALS out there (I do love me a good deal!).

TIA

J

 

[thruthelookinglass19]

I have a DVR through my cable company and cannot imagine not having it. I don't watch "regular" tv anymore. . . record all my faves and watch them when I want. I thought it was the best thing since sliced bread. . . tried talking my parents into one for a few years - my mom kept balking at the price (really - thru our cable company it's only maybe $10 more per month. . . ) and when the cable company finally ran a special in her area, she got it and now runs around telling all her friends how fabulous it is and how she should've listened to me to being with!!!

Don't know a whole about Tivo's - but i just love the DVR.

 

[KKB]

We have DirectTV & our DVRs are through them. The biggest advantage is that they will service the DVR & do upgrades...sometimes things cost, sometimes it is "free"--never quite sure on that one!
As far as we are concerned, DVRs are one of the greatest inventions ever! We never watch a show when it starts, but don't start watching until 15-20 min. into it...then you can fast forward through all the commercials! It is FAR easier to program than a DVD player, and you can set season passes for your favorite shows. If someone is talking and you miss a part...just do a quick rewind & you can hear it! (works well for your own instant replay for sports!)
For the NOMINAL monthly cost, I know it won't take long for you to see it is worth it!
Call your DirectTV provider and mention that you were considering buying a TiVo, but that if they were having any DEALS, you would get it through them!

 

[lovemygoofy]

I'm not up on all things direct tv as we have cable. I would talk to your direct tv customer service or reasearch at the website. It's my understanding that direct tv dvr can be used with tivo service but the actual tivo dvr cannot be used with direct tv.

We have tivo for the past 3 years and we love it. It has easily been one of the few things that has been worth the money. We have the hd tivo with lifetime subscription that we paid a little over $500 but we do use cable.

It was a godsend when my husband was deployed. He and his soldiers could access our tivo and record whatever they wanted and then I would burn it to a dvd and mail it to them. They were up to date on American Idol, wrestling, girls volleyball or anything else within reason.

I love that you can record two shows at once. Being on the east coast we don't stay up late now. The tivo will record my show in addition to my husband's show. We can season pass our shows and never worry have to about missing something. The tivo has an overtime extender for when games and shows go over the time limit.

We know have our tivo linked up with our wireless tivo internet thingy and can download netflix movies instantly. Another great option that we are enjoying.

Anyways because you have direct tv, call or visit the website and ask around about their dvr with tivo service. I understand that supposibly direct tv and tivo will issue a new dvr next year but I wouldn't wait for it.

 

[Kitzka]

I ahve Direct tv and had the tivo through Direct Tv and now have the Direct tv DVR. If you have never had either you will be fine going with the Direct tv DVR. it's basiclly the same but there are small differences. Basiclly, i prefer the Tivo operating system and menu layout to the one on the Directtv dvr. The main thing that gets me is if i have a season pass for a show on TLC, and i am already recording 2 things the tivo will find another showing and will record it for me. With the Direct tv dvr i have to find the other showing myself. Also, on the tivo if i want to record Suite life for my daughter, and that episode is on Disney west, i can't just search by show. i have to look at the listing by show and channel. it was not that way with my tivo.

we swtiched becuase we got an HDtv and an HDdvr and at the time there was no HD tivo with direct tv. as a long time customer i got the hd dvr for a one time fee of about $100 (3 years ago) and a monthly fee of $5.

Lara

 

[Golf4food]

If you go with the DirecTV DVR get the standard DVR, not the HD version - there is a software download update that allows the standard DVR to receive HD signals - they are exactly the same box only they didn't put that software in the $99 regular DVR so that people would buy the $199 HDDVR instead. We just got one and the installer told us about it last week. We had a regular and bought an HD. So he downloaded the update to the regular and now we have two HD DVRs. In fairness they just did this in September so it is brand new. But in theory you can save yourself $100 if you need the HD.

Couldn't live without our DVRs now, lol. Greatest thing since sliced bread.

 

[secretpantssam]

I have a Tivo and I love it. I received mine as a gift about 5 years ago and seriously I can't live without it. I have no idea when shows are actually on anymore!

The reason I like Tivo is because I have moved since I got it, and had 3 different cable companies, but I still have the same box. I can even load it up with shows and take it on vacation, which I have done before. There are also some features that Tivo has that the others don't. You can sign up for video podcasts, there are games, you can check movie times and buy movie tickets and even order a pizza from your box. They also have "showcases" which are little spots for advertisers, but you chose what you want to watch and sometimes they have coupons for things. I've gotten coupons for toilet paper, paper towels, coffee creamers and a few more.

You can also use their website to schedule programs right to your Tivo. On day I found out a special was going to be on that night that I wanted to see but I wasn't going to make it home in time to set the recording. I just did it from my work computer...it was pretty awesome.

I guess the main thing that people worry about is the cost because you have to buy the box. But to me, it's worth it. I've also seen deals here and there on Amazon, I think. I'm not sure if they still offer the Lifetime subscription, but that's what I have and it's worth it! That way you pay once and then you don't have to worry about it. And in the long run, it's way cheaper.

 

[springandmac]

I ahve Direct tv and had the tivo through Direct Tv and now have the Direct tv DVR. If you have never had either you will be fine going with the Direct tv DVR. it's basiclly the same but there are small differences. Basiclly, i prefer the Tivo operating system and menu layout to the one on the Directtv dvr.

I agree. We had a tivo through Direct from years and years ago and it died (along with all the season finale shows I hadn't watched and the episode of my husband on Extreme Home Makeover (I still can't seem to let that go)) and they replaced it with the Directv DVR. I find it very cumbersome to use over the tivo operating system.

 

[foltzy]

We have DVR in our living room from Directv and still use our old Tivo through Directv in our bedroom (Got a great deal a few years ago where neither machine cost me anything) and I much prefer the DVR to the Tivo. I can not live without my DVR's anymore. My dh and I record a lot of shows we don't allow our kids to watch so we can watch later. We also record shows they do watch so if they want to watch a show and nothing appriate is one they can watch one we have recorded.

 

[jedijill]

I've been a Tivo junkie for close to 10 years now. I upgraded to the new Series 3 HD Tivo last year and I love it. One of the best parts of it is that I can stream movies via Netflix or Amazon.

I can't say enough about them. I could get a free DVR through work (work for a cable company) but still use Tivo because I think its a superior product.

HTH

Jill in CO

 

[darrengs]

I have DirecTV and all of my receivers are DVRs, both the olders actual series 2 Tivo DirecTV type and an HR22 HD DirecTV type.

If you aren't used to the Tivo interface I would recommend the DirecTV brand. You get 2 tuners, and iPhone app to record shows if you want and it works extremely well. Also check with DirecTV as you may be eligible for better pricing.

 

[schoen]

I love my tivo and insist that we keep it despite also having the cable DVR (my husband has to have it for his job because he works with cable companies and needs to be familiar with their products)

I still use my tivo promarily because it is so much easier, and I like the way it catalogues the shows much better.

Also, I listen to dis radio through my tivo. I wouldn't give it up for the world!

 

[lila]

I adore my TiVo. We are BFF since 2003. Specifically, I enjoy online scheduling, room to room transfer, the ability to transfer shows to my Ipod, the interface and the netflix streaming. I have a series 2 and a TiVo HD XL (just got it last week to replace another series 2). Check out the TiVo Community Forums to research the best solution for you.

 

[Tina]

Do NOT buy a standalone TIVO box to use with your Directv service. Years ago Tivo and Directv introduced a DVR box together, which was fabulous. Then Directv decided to ditch Tivo and create their own DVR boxes. About 2 or 3 years ago, Directv started using a screensaver mode on their system, which completely screws up those with standalone Tivo boxes. I learned about it the hard way. When you set your Tivo to record something, after about 20 minutes or so, the Directv receiver thinks you need to go into screensaver mode. You end up taping hours of the Directv logo bouncing around the screen.

If you want a DVR, just upgrade your receiver to a DVR box at Best Buy or another local vendor. You could also go through Directv, but those are sometimes refurbished units. I have two HD DVRs from Directv and am perfectly happy with them both. My Tivo box is collecting dust in the basement.

 

[jfoofj]

Thanks for all the info.... much appreciated!

 

[DawnM]

We got one *free* DVR through Directv but we also purchased 2 more. I bought them at Costco.com for $199 each.

I prefer Tivo too (and Directv is SUPPOSED to be getting a deal with Tivo to use with Directv soon) but am fine with DVRs for now.

I can't imagine only having live TV to watch anymore!

Dawn

 

[Pugsley]

I adore my TiVo. We are BFF since 2003. Specifically, I enjoy online scheduling, room to room transfer, the ability to transfer shows to my Ipod, the interface and the netflix streaming. I have a series 2 and a TiVo HD XL (just got it last week to replace another series 2). Check out the TiVo Community Forums to research the best solution for you.

Just got the TiVo HD XL last weekend and the cable installer came last night to put the cable cards in. (Which was a nightmare btw since he had no idea what he was doing. DH practically had to do it himself and the service call cost over $100.) I'm praying that everything is working correctly now. I had TiVo years ago and loved it. Then we switched to the DVRs provided by DirectTV and then Cox Cable. Hated them!! I can't believe that anyone who has used TiVO can stand other DVRs. The TiVo interface and options are WAY better. Getting the new TiVo was expensive, but my DH and I decided that we would pay whatever we had to to get TiVo back!

 

[CTrumble]

I agree. We had a tivo through Direct from years and years ago and it died (along with all the season finale shows I hadn't watched and the episode of my husband on Extreme Home Makeover (I still can't seem to let that go)) and they replaced it with the Directv DVR. I find it very cumbersome to use over the tivo operating system.

Same thing happened to us---only I didn't realize that I was getting a DVR. It was so different. I sent it back and my husband fixed the harddrive in the old tivo (with a bigger one that could record more hours). It is still running great.

Direct TV is supposed to come out with another REAL tivo soon. I'm waiting.

 

[STLDisney_Freak]

We have Tivos direct from their company and Directv. Both work fine together. We have a series 2 tivo with a regular directv box. Works fine and has for years. I can tell you that if you go directly through tivo you will have to agree to a contract period. The differences (as far as I know) with tivo and a dvr is on the tivo you can move programs from one tivo to another in the house. The last time I had directv dvr you couldn't do it. If you recorded it in one room then you had to watch it one room. Tivo has recently got agreements with Blockbuster and Netflix to do movies on demand. If you have directv then you would have to get a Series 2 tivo because none of the other tivo boxes work with directv or wait till early 2010 when the new Directv HDR tivo box comes out. There are a few other differences with the tivo compared to a dvr such as other on demand things. I love my tivo!

 

[CLR4321]

I actually work for DirecTV. I will tell you that you can get a leased DVR for $99 plus $19.95 s/h. A tech will come and install it for you. If you want an HD DVR (you need an HDTV) the tech will put up a new dish and the leased HD DVR is $199 plus $19.95 s/h.
Sometimes there may be specials running, when you call, just ask if there are any. You may be subject to a $50 fee if your account is either new or if you have had late payments previously, if you have to pay it, it will be quoted to you. When you get a DVR it will activate a 2 year commitment onto your account. DVR's are great...it's all we use in my house! I forget what it is like to watch TV and not be able to rewind it! A Tivo will actually cost you more than just getting the DirecTV DVR. The monthly fees will be $6 for DVR service and then $5 for the additional receiver. So your bill will go up about $11 a month, but it is worth every penny.