Looking for a Directv DVR. Which one should i get?

[elwood]

I'm looking for a Standard Def, non-HD Directv DVR that will allow me to use a USB wireless adapter to download DVR/guide information through the internet (is this possible?) as i do not have a landline. Also, can the hard drives be upgraded like the tivo units?

Dual tuner not a must but would be nice for the future (i only have a single LNB round dish ATM) but not necessary. An RF remote would be nice too but not necessary.

I would like to spend no more than around $100.

Thanks for the suggestions!

[wmschultz]

HD or non-HD? I'm guessing non-HD since you only have a single LNB round dish.

[elwood]

HD or non-HD? I'm guessing non-HD since you only have a single LNB round dish.

Yes, sorry, Standard, non-HD.

[Xaa]

Elwood, you're in the stone ages man!

DirecTv would upgrade you to a new dish which would let you use either the R15 or HR20/21 which are great.

All DirecTv integrated DVR's (including the TiVo based models) don't need a phone for guide data. They don't need the wireless connection either, they get it from the sat. The TiVo based models do require a phone line for initial set up though and after 2 weeks you'll get a nag screen if it can't call TiVo. those things can be hacked out though.

If I were you I'd get an upgrade from DirecTv and get the latest technology and you'll likely still be in your price range.

The HR20/21 allow for storage upgrade simply by plugging in an esata drive. Couldn't be easier.

[bobnielsen]

HD or non-HD? I'm guessing non-HD since you only have a single LNB round dish.

You really have only one choice right now for SD. The R15 downloads guide data and software updates via the satellite, so a landline or internet connection isn't really needed (you can order PPV via the Directv web site). The R16 should be out soon, and it is nearly the same except that it is compatible with the upcoming single wire multiswitch. The "lease upgrade" price is $99, but often Directv will supply them for free. They are dual tuner units.

Since these are leased units, you probably shouldn't be replacing the hard drives (although technically it can be done, more easily than with Tivo). The drive will hold 100 hours of programming. If you plan to switch to HD soon, the HR20 or HR21 might be a better choice and they will hold ~200 hours of SD, plus have network connectivity (and work fine with non-HD TVs). These models allow the connection of an external eSATA drive which will replace the internal one. They are also more expensive.

[elwood]

Elwood, you're in the stone ages man!

DirecTv would upgrade you to a new dish which would let you use either the R15 or HR20/21 which are great.

All DirecTv integrated DVR's (including the TiVo based models) don't need a phone for guide data. They don't need the wireless connection either, they get it from the sat. The TiVo based models do require a phone line for initial set up though and after 2 weeks you'll get a nag screen if it can't call TiVo. those things can be hacked out though.

If I were you I'd get an upgrade from DirecTv and get the latest technology and you'll likely still be in your price range.

The HR20/21 allow for storage upgrade simply by plugging in an esata drive. Couldn't be easier.

Well, lets just say that an upgrade directly from Directv is not an option. I can get an oval dish if needed. Isn't the HR20/21 highdef? I don't need highdef as i wont be getting an HDTV for quite a while.

[curt8403]

I'm looking for a Standard Def, non-HD Directv DVR that will allow me to use a USB wireless adapter to download DVR/guide information through the internet (is this possible?) as i do not have a landline. Also, can the hard drives be upgraded like the tivo units?

Dual tuner not a must but would be nice for the future (i only have a single LNB round dish ATM) but not necessary. An RF remote would be nice too but not necessary.

I would like to spend no more than around $100.

Thanks for the suggestions!

an R15 with dual tuner will run abt 100 plus shipping and tax and soon it will support Directv on Demand

[drx792]

an R15 with dual tuner will run abt 100 plus shipping and tax and soon it will support Directv on Demand

says who?? there is no ethernet port....


umm but seriously

even without HD the HR20/21's are much better than the R15's you have a lot more features and of course if you want to help us out the CE program mainly focuses around them as well. The HD channels downconverted to SD look much much better than the SD normally too.

Plus dont forget On Demand is only for the HR's right now
And you get Media Share From (and soon to) your PC.

[elwood]

says who?? there is no ethernet port....


umm but seriously

even without HD the HR20/21's are much better than the R15's you have a lot more features and of course if you want to help us out the CE program mainly focuses around them as well. The HD channels downconverted to SD look much much better than the SD normally too.

Plus dont forget On Demand is only for the HR's right now
And you get Media Share From (and soon to) your PC.

I'd rather pay $50-$75 for an R15 now and use it for a few years and in a few years when i have a bigger place to put a large HDTV i'll buy a HD DVR for a lot cheaper than they are now. The HR20-21's are about $300 right now.

[JLucPicard]

Well, lets just say that an upgrade directly from Directv is not an option.
Wow. This statement just confuses me - or just leads me to a bunch of questions that are probably none of my business. You live in Canada or something? :)

[curt8403]

says who?? there is no ethernet port....


umm but seriously

even without HD the HR20/21's are much better than the R15's you have a lot more features and of course if you want to help us out the CE program mainly focuses around them as well. The HD channels downconverted to SD look much much better than the SD normally too.

Plus dont forget On Demand is only for the HR's right now
And you get Media Share From (and soon to) your PC.


The R15 does have a USB port I suspect it could be used to network when D* decides to network the r15

[curt8403]

Well, lets just say that an upgrade directly from Directv is not an option. I can get an oval dish if needed. Isn't the HR20/21 highdef? I don't need highdef as i wont be getting an HDTV for quite a while.

buy it from a store, get it from directv, get one used and get a new card.
it all works the same.

[Sixto]

HR21 will be $199 on 1/10.

Couldn't imagine anyone not going with the HR21 over the R15.

$100 more and all features are targeted at the HR21 ...

[elwood]

buy it from a store, get it from directv, get one used and get a new card.
it all works the same.

I see the 100hr (doesnt say which model it is) standard def DVR from Directv is a $99 lease with a 2 year contract.

If i buy a new/used DVR, when i add it to my account, will they extend my contract to another 2 years?

[drx792]

The R15 does have a USB port I suspect it could be used to network when D* decides to network the r15

IIRC Earl and many others stated that USB ports wouldnt be used for networking( at least wireless idk about a lan adapter)

So basically just pray for the R16 to have a LAN port if you want a SD DVR with DOD for now.

[drx792]

I see the 100hr (doesnt say which model it is) standard def DVR from Directv is a $99 lease with a 2 year contract.

If i buy a new/used DVR, when i add it to my account, will they extend my contract to another 2 years?

if you dont have the DVR service on your account already they might....

[curt8403]

I see the 100hr (doesnt say which model it is) standard def DVR from Directv is a $99 lease with a 2 year contract.

If i buy a new/used DVR, when i add it to my account, will they extend my contract to another 2 years?

I think you may mean the R15-100 or maybe the R15-500 both are standard DVRs the 99 lease fee is a fee to get the unit installed. if you got a used one, you would need a new access card. you would indeed get a new contract.
there is no way around the install fee unless you get one that is used and that can be very risky

[CJTE]

I think you may mean the R15-100 or maybe the R15-500 both are standard DVRs the 99 lease fee is a fee to get the unit installed. if you got a used one, you would need a new access card. you would indeed get a new contract.
there is no way around the install fee unless you get one that is used and that can be very risky

Having an R15 shipped out to you is $99 one-time lease fee with a $19.95 S&H. Assuming the option is in the system for a self install its $99 one-time lease fee with a $19.95 shipping and handling.

Oh wait. Theres no difference in cost between self install and tech install? Wow. That must mean that having a tech come out and install the unit it at no additional charge! As in, its included in the equipment cost!

[curt8403]

Having an R15 shipped out to you is $99 one-time lease fee with a $19.95 S&H. Assuming the option is in the system for a self install its $99 one-time lease fee with a $19.95 shipping and handling.

Oh wait. Theres no difference in cost between self install and tech install? Wow. That must mean that having a tech come out and install the unit it at no additional charge! As in, its included in the equipment cost!


Right, Directv does not consider that some of us are not only capable of installing a DVR, but even putting up the dish, and possibly even running CRBC.
they should pay us to install the dvr since it would not tie up a tech but oh well.:D

[ces1948]

I'm very tempted by the new $199 offer for the HD dvr but they say on all the order forms you must have a landline. I currently have a landline but in a couple of week will only have a voip over packet8 and am uncertain whether it satisfys Direct requirments. What is the landline used for on these units?

[carl6]

Landline is used to allow ordering pay per view shows using the remote control, user preference tracking (what shows are watched on an aggregate, not individual, level) and verifying the receiver is where it is supposed to be.

All of the newer DirecTV receivers and DVRs will work just fine without a phone line. If you do not have one, you will have to order PPV on-line. You will be just fine without one.

It may or may not work with a VOIP line. VOIP and analog modems are inherently incompatible. Sometimes they will work, sometimes they won't.

Carl

[Lord Vader]

Most VoIP services nowadays will work fine with DirecTV receivers.