As you are interested in becoming a new customer, I would call them and ask for prices. You may get a very good price on a new DVR and free installation, including all the hardware that you are thinking of purchasing. I don't advise buying a used unit, too many possible problems with billing. I think the HR20/21 are good units, I enjoy using them. If you have a router all you really need is an Ethernet cable, unless you want to go wireless.
Help for a noob please?
I am going to be signing up for DirecTV and I had a few questions I was hoping I could get answered.
I have found an HR21-700 on Craigslist. The guy says that he got it in a random box of electronics at an estate sale and he does not use D* so he is selling it. He wants $100 but I talked him down to $85.
First off, is this a good deal? I know I can lease one from D* for $99 but I assume that I would not be able to add a larger hard drive to a leased unit.
Second, when I go through the package creation portion of D*'s website it looks like I have to buy $50 of random hardware for VoD. It appears to be some kind of weird router. I already have a DSL router and the HR21-700 has 2 ethernet ports already on it (I know #2 is a pass through which would be great for my BD-Live blu ray player). Do I still need to get this additional hardware or can I just connect the DVR to the router directly and get the same results?
I have read some really mixed reviews on this unit. People either seem to love it and give 5 out of 5 stars or really hate it and give 1 star, nothing really in between. Is it really as phenomenal / crappy as people are saying?
Thank you all in advance.
I have found an HR21-700 on Craigslist. The guy says that he got it in a random box of electronics at an estate sale and he does not use D* so he is selling it. He wants $100 but I talked him down to $85.
First off, is this a good deal? I know I can lease one from D* for $99 but I assume that I would not be able to add a larger hard drive to a leased unit.
Second, when I go through the package creation portion of D*'s website it looks like I have to buy $50 of random hardware for VoD. It appears to be some kind of weird router. I already have a DSL router and the HR21-700 has 2 ethernet ports already on it (I know #2 is a pass through which would be great for my BD-Live blu ray player). Do I still need to get this additional hardware or can I just connect the DVR to the router directly and get the same results?
I have read some really mixed reviews on this unit. People either seem to love it and give 5 out of 5 stars or really hate it and give 1 star, nothing really in between. Is it really as phenomenal / crappy as people are saying?
Thank you all in advance.
1 - 11 of 11 Posts
Unless you can confirm that box is owned and not leased I wouldn't touch it. Get the RID # and call D*. But I don't think any HR21 would be old enough to be owned and simalar to find one that was actually purchased from D*. For the small savings you make I wouldn't bother. And if you would need a new card you'd be out $20 for that also.
First, that is not a good deal. HR2x units are never sold, always leased, and if you buy it you will not be able to use it. You can always add an external hard drive even to a leased unit and no problemBizket said:I am going to be signing up for DirecTV and I had a few questions I was hoping I could get answered.
I have found an HR21-700 on Craigslist. The guy says that he got it in a random box of electronics at an estate sale and he does not use D* so he is selling it. He wants $100 but I talked him down to $85.
First off, is this a good deal? I know I can lease one from D* for $99 but I assume that I would not be able to add a larger hard drive to a leased unit.
Second, when I go through the package creation portion of D*'s website it looks like I have to buy $50 of random hardware for VoD. It appears to be some kind of weird router. I already have a DSL router and the HR21-700 has 2 ethernet ports already on it (I know #2 is a pass through which would be great for my BD-Live blu ray player). Do I still need to get this additional hardware or can I just connect the DVR to the router directly and get the same results?
I have read some really mixed reviews on this unit. People either seem to love it and give 5 out of 5 stars or really hate it and give 1 star, nothing really in between. Is it really as phenomenal / crappy as people are saying?
Thank you all in advance.
you do not really need to get weird hardware to network for DOD. People here can tell you what you need and where to get it at a good price.
The HR21-700 is a fair unit after getting software upgrades. It does not have an OTA tuner which the HR20 did, but you can get an AM-21 to take care of that issue.
That makes sense.Mertzen said:Unless you can confirm that box is owned and not leased I wouldn't touch it. Get the RID # and call D*. But I don't think any HR21 would be old enough to be owned and simalar to find one that was actually purchased from D*. For the small savings you make I wouldn't bother. And if you would need a new card you'd be out $20 for that also.
So how exactly does the lease work? I will probably go with the NFL ST offer and get the HD DVR 'free'. Do I own it after the two year lease period? I am wondering about modifying the unit to give it a larger hard drive but I suspect that doing that with a leased unit is a no-no.
Sorry, you will never own that unit. you get it for the price of the programming, but never own it. As before, You can add an external Sata Drive and be fine.Bizket said:That makes sense.
So how exactly does the lease work? I will probably go with the NFL ST offer and get the HD DVR 'free'. Do I own it after the two year lease period? I am wondering about modifying the unit to give it a larger hard drive but I suspect that doing that with a leased unit is a no-no.
You will never own the leased unit and it will be returned to Directv if you ever leave.Bizket said:That makes sense.
So how exactly does the lease work? I will probably go with the NFL ST offer and get the HD DVR 'free'. Do I own it after the two year lease period? I am wondering about modifying the unit to give it a larger hard drive but I suspect that doing that with a leased unit is a no-no.
Now for the good part: You pay the same $4.99 for each additional (first one is free) receiver whether it's a lease fee or a mirror fee (if you pay $500-$600 to purchase and own a receiver).
Lastly, when your "leased" receiver becomes obsolete or fails it will be replaced for free, most likely.
[edit] There is absolutely no problem with adding an external SATA hard drive to a leased unit. Many here have already done it.
BTW :welcome_s to DBSTALK!
I say stay away from the 85 buck deal and at least see what Directv will do for you.If you have cable they are offering great deals. I myself would never buy a used receiver or dvr because you never know where it's been.You can add an external hard drive.
Check the thread about saving $240. AAA info, referral info and more, I made out well
These aren't Tivo boxes you can 'hack'. as others suggested get an external SATA drive if you want more storage.Bizket said:I am wondering about modifying the unit to give it a larger hard drive but I suspect that doing that with a leased unit is a no-no.
Excellent. Thank you all very much for the information. You saved me $85 and a hoarse throat from cussing about it after wards 
1 - 11 of 11 Posts
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