Newbie looking to buy an HR21

[Loki240SX]

Alright, so I moved to a new house closer to school, and was able to get DirecTV in the new place. Much to my dismay my TiVo wouldn't play well with my set-up; I could have either TiVo, or HD programming, but not both at the same time. Since then I've been looking into some DirecTV DVRs. I've heard the HR20 can't do MPEG4 so I wouldn't get my locals in HD. As a huge Lost fan, that won't do.

So then I found one on eBay and I can't find anything bad about it. Now, if I'm not mistaken, I can just plug that right in, pop in the card, and I'll be good to go? I would link you, but I guess newbs aren't allowed :) I've seen several eBay auctions for leased items, but I thought you weren't allowed to sell a leased DVR. Any help is greatly appreciated!

[convem24]

Alright, so I moved to a new house closer to school, and was able to get DirecTV in the new place. Much to my dismay my TiVo wouldn't play well with my set-up; I could have either TiVo, or HD programming, but not both at the same time. Since then I've been looking into some DirecTV DVRs. I've heard the HR20 can't do MPEG4 so I wouldn't get my locals in HD. As a huge Lost fan, that won't do.

So then I found one on eBay and I can't find anything bad about it. Now, if I'm not mistaken, I can just plug that right in, pop in the card, and I'll be good to go? I would link you, but I guess newbs aren't allowed :) I've seen several eBay auctions for leased items, but I thought you weren't allowed to sell a leased DVR. Any help is greatly appreciated!

Just as a side note the HR20 and HR21 are both local HD (mpeg 4 capable). The HR10-250 (Directivo HDDVR) is not obviously. Basically get an HD-DVR at a retailer or directly through Directv. The standard price is $199 but Costco locations carry HD-DVRs for $169. All the boxes are leased as you have found out. Basically get an HD-DVR through whoever gets you the best deal. Call Directv directly. Good luck! By the way you get the ABC affiliate and Fox affiliate in HD. I don't know about the other affiliates, they might be owned by LIN networks, but atleast will have Lost in HD.

[Ken S]

Loki,

Stay away from eBay on this type of "purchase". All of the new DirecTV receivers are going to be leased. You may be able to get a better price by calling DirecTV and telling them you want to upgrade to an HR2x.

The HR20 does do mpeg 4. The only real difference between the HR20 and HR21 is that the HR20 has OTA capability and the HR21 doesn't.

[Loki240SX]

Loki,

Stay away from eBay on this type of "purchase". All of the new DirecTV receivers are going to be leased. You may be able to get a better price by calling DirecTV and telling them you want to upgrade to an HR2x.

The HR20 does do mpeg 4. The only real difference between the HR20 and HR21 is that the HR20 has OTA capability and the HR21 doesn't.
Yeah, my mistake, I was thinking of the HR10-250, which I saw tons of on eBay. I've talked to DirecTV and they'll lease me a DVR for $200, but I am not sure of the model. They won't cut me any deal if I return the HD receiver either. The HR21 I found on eBay was $165. I have yet to check the local Sam's Club, but I'm pretty sure they don't have DVRs. No Costcos near me unfortunately. I think I may just get one from DirecTV, it doesn't look like eBay is going to give me that much better deal for giving up security of product.

OTA doesn't really matter to me as I don't, and probably never will have an antenna.

[Loki240SX]

Anyways. I called DirecTV again and they would be selling me an HR21. One odd thing they told me was that they could sell it to me for $165, but charge me 90 something to install. Apparently they would have to install a second cable line coming from the dish. Does this sound right to anyone? I was hoping it'd be something I could do myself.

[NO1B4ME]

Anyways. I called DirecTV again and they would be selling me an HR21. One odd thing they told me was that they could sell it to me for $165, but charge me 90 something to install. Apparently they would have to install a second cable line coming from the dish. Does this sound right to anyone? I was hoping it'd be something I could do myself.

Are you sure they are selling it to you or Leasing it to you. I called and everything seems like a lease.

I bought one at Best buy thinking it was mine and when i went home to activate it it was a lease :(.

[Loki240SX]

It's a lease. But the main thing that concerns me is having to run two cable lines to it. Is this solely for the recording two shows at once thing? Cause it seems really unnecessary. Can't I just splice the cable line somewhere myself? :)

[Justin23]

Are you a current or new DIRECTV customer? If you are new you can get a $100 instant rebate on the Hd-DVR. If you are a current customer and are upgrading to your first HD-DVR and don't already have HD Access or DVR service....the install will be free.

J

[Loki240SX]

Are you a current or new DIRECTV customer? If you are new you can get a $100 instant rebate on the Hd-DVR. If you are a current customer and are upgrading to your first HD-DVR and don't already have HD Access or DVR service....the install will be free.

J

I guess I'd be an existing customer. We've had the DirecTV for about three weeks now, and I've had HD that whole time. They didn't say anything about free install.

[joed32]

It's a lease. But the main thing that concerns me is having to run two cable lines to it. Is this solely for the recording two shows at once thing? Cause it seems really unnecessary. Can't I just splice the cable line somewhere myself? :)

They will run the lines for free. Recording 2 shows, recording one show and watching another, recording 2 shows while watching another recording, etc. No splicing allowed.

[Loki240SX]

They will run the lines for free. Recording 2 shows, recording one show and watching another, recording 2 shows while watching another recording, etc. No splicing allowed.Alright, I'll ask them again. What should I say if they insist that they charge me for the install?

Also, do I hang on to my HD Receiver or will they take it off my hands?

[Justin23]

Let me correct myself...because you have been a customer less than 6 months....there might be a $50 charge to run the 2nd line because they had just rolled a truck out there. You can move the existing HD receiver to replace a standard receiver you have on another TV. My question is why did you not get the HD-DVR during the initial install?

J

[Loki240SX]

I wasn't the one who initially set it all up. And I didn't bring it up because I figured my Tivo would work with it.