You lease from D* now, you don't buy the DVR. And it's covered for repair/replacement under the lease agreement. And remember, people that don't have problems with their equipment generally don't go to forums to post. You hear mainly from people that have problems. From the posts it's obvious there are issues with the R-15 but for what it's worth, I have 2 (R15-100 and R15-500) and no real issues with either one. I say go for it.
DVR Newbie
Wife asked for a DVR for her birthday. Fair enough. I usually don’t go about such things half-cocked, so I dove into the internet to see what the offerings were. We’ve been DirecTV customers for about seven years. For our casual use, I think Tivo is going to be a little too expensive. I looked into DirecTV’s DVR offering, the R-15 and ended up here - in this forum. I’ve browsed through some of the threads to get the feel for what the party line is. It seems that for everyone that’s had good experience with the R-15, there are at least as many negative experiences, which tends to support the “wherever there’s smoke, there’s fire” theory. If you could indulge me, I’d like to ask a few questions:
Should I buy a DVR from DirecTV or a third party retailer? I think the R-15 retails for around $100 but DirecTV may be offering a rebate. If I buy from DirecTV and the R-15 turns out to be a turd and I decide to return it within the 30 day trial, am I still locked in to the monthly DVR service charge? What if I buy from a retailer – same deal?
I don’t have any experience with Tivo so I have no standard to compare the R-15 to. Is the R-15 a buggy product that’s slowly evolving via software updates or is it a doomed design?
I’m sure a lot of the questions have been beaten like a dead horse before. I appreciate your patience.
Should I buy a DVR from DirecTV or a third party retailer? I think the R-15 retails for around $100 but DirecTV may be offering a rebate. If I buy from DirecTV and the R-15 turns out to be a turd and I decide to return it within the 30 day trial, am I still locked in to the monthly DVR service charge? What if I buy from a retailer – same deal?
I don’t have any experience with Tivo so I have no standard to compare the R-15 to. Is the R-15 a buggy product that’s slowly evolving via software updates or is it a doomed design?
I’m sure a lot of the questions have been beaten like a dead horse before. I appreciate your patience.
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I have 3 R15s and have had no real issues with any of them, but we use them fairly lightly.
If you read the forum you will see that the number of complaints have gradually trickled off as time has passed, although some are still having problems. And there are still occasional software updates from time to time.
If you read the forum you will see that the number of complaints have gradually trickled off as time has passed, although some are still having problems. And there are still occasional software updates from time to time.
I maintain that the your level of happiness with the R-15 will be inversely proportional to how much you ask it to do.
If you want it to record one show a week, it will likely work (nearly) flawlessly.
I have about 12 Series Links (Season Passes in Tivo-speak) which result in about 10-15 recordings a week. I have never maxed out the ToDo list or even come close. The hard drive has never been more than about 30% full. While there are some quirks I have experienced and the failure of Dtv to address some of the bugs in almost a year is annoying, I am generally quite satisfied. For me, the ability to pause and rewind live TV is as much of a reason to have a DVR as recording shows automatically.
It seems that people who have MANY shows set to record have many more problems than those who just have a handful.
So, I guess it comes down to how you plan to use it (IMHO).
If you want it to record one show a week, it will likely work (nearly) flawlessly.
I have about 12 Series Links (Season Passes in Tivo-speak) which result in about 10-15 recordings a week. I have never maxed out the ToDo list or even come close. The hard drive has never been more than about 30% full. While there are some quirks I have experienced and the failure of Dtv to address some of the bugs in almost a year is annoying, I am generally quite satisfied. For me, the ability to pause and rewind live TV is as much of a reason to have a DVR as recording shows automatically.
It seems that people who have MANY shows set to record have many more problems than those who just have a handful.
So, I guess it comes down to how you plan to use it (IMHO).
Good comments posted by the others. I'm one who has few problems (with 27 SL's), but you're right. Given the complaints here, it's clear there are significant problems. If you do decide to take the plunge, check out the Free DVR thread. I think the offer's still going.
Other typical trends are that people who do searches and set up recordings by doing searches tend to have more problems than people who simply highlight the program in the guide and tell it to record. (Searches use an alphabet screen to choose show titles or keywords.)
Regardless of how/where you "buy" an R15, you will be leasing it. In other words, paying $99 at a store or calling DirecTV and ordering (whether you pay or not) still results in a leased unit. You will have a two year committment to programming with a prorated $12 a month (or something near that) disconnect fee.
Overall, the R15 probably works acceptably for most people most of the time. It was released prematurely, and the software upgrades have yet to reach the level of stability and reliability one would expect after a year on the street.
If you are already a DirecTV customer, then getting a DVR with integrated DirecTV tuners certainly is the way to go. Other options than the R15 include the R10 and earlier model DirecTivo DVRs (also have built in DirecTV tuners). You can find them at Weaknees.com, and also at auction sites. Exercise lots of caution on an auction site - get the receiver ID number and access card number, then call DirecTV and verify you will be able to activate the unit before you buy it.
If you are not already a DirecTV subscriber, then a standalone Tivo unit may be a good choice. You will have to pay a monthly subscription fee to Tivo if you go that route.
Carl
Regardless of how/where you "buy" an R15, you will be leasing it. In other words, paying $99 at a store or calling DirecTV and ordering (whether you pay or not) still results in a leased unit. You will have a two year committment to programming with a prorated $12 a month (or something near that) disconnect fee.
Overall, the R15 probably works acceptably for most people most of the time. It was released prematurely, and the software upgrades have yet to reach the level of stability and reliability one would expect after a year on the street.
If you are already a DirecTV customer, then getting a DVR with integrated DirecTV tuners certainly is the way to go. Other options than the R15 include the R10 and earlier model DirecTivo DVRs (also have built in DirecTV tuners). You can find them at Weaknees.com, and also at auction sites. Exercise lots of caution on an auction site - get the receiver ID number and access card number, then call DirecTV and verify you will be able to activate the unit before you buy it.
If you are not already a DirecTV subscriber, then a standalone Tivo unit may be a good choice. You will have to pay a monthly subscription fee to Tivo if you go that route.
Carl
Hey, why not think about the HR20.... more space and with the latest update, it works greats. Even if you don't have an HDTV I think it would be a wiser choice, the HR20 and would give you the flexibility for the future. Also you can subscribe to HD channels and watch them on a standard TV. Depends on you viewing habits but there are lots of cool things on the HD channels. I'd suggest going through D*, they might be able to get you a screamin' deal on one.
Buying one from Ebay would be an exception, wouldn't it?carl6 said:Regardless of how/where you "buy" an R15, you will be leasing it. In other words, paying $99 at a store or calling DirecTV and ordering (whether you pay or not) still results in a leased unit. You will have a two year committment to programming with a prorated $12 a month (or something near that) disconnect fee.
Yes, but it would probably run much more than $99 via that route.qwerty said:Buying one from Ebay would be an exception, wouldn't it?
Just use the "DVR4U2" code and get the R15 for free.
Only if the unit was actually owned by the seller. R15's purchased before March 1st (2006) are owned. Those purchased after March 1st are leased. Most have been acquired after March 1st (they first became available sometime last November), so are leased.qwerty said:Buying one from Ebay would be an exception, wouldn't it?
If buying from ebay (or anyplace else for that matter) you need to get the receiver ID number (RID) and the access card number from the machine you are considering buyiing, and call DirecTV and make sure that unit can be activated on your account. If it is a leased unit on someone elses account you won't be able to activate it. If there is any outstanding balance on the account the unit came from, you won't be able to activate it. So buyer beware.
The other way you can own an R15 (if you really want to) is to pay the unsubsidized cost for the unit, which is something like $299. It really makes more sense to go with a leased unit, lower starting cost and they replace it if it breaks.
Carl
That makes sense. I was thinking that it might be because D* can force the other resellers to make their customers sign an agreement as part of the purchase.
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