The standard definition DVR with TiVo is the R10. The D10 is a receiver only.
There's a pretty vocal community here who talk a lot of smack about the R15, but it is usually free if you call DirecTV. Also, there are thousands of people who use one and don't have any complaints noted here.
If you do want a TiVo unit, the R10 was the most recent. It advertised up to 70 hour capacity. You should know that while it's pretty bulletproof, nothing is perfect, and who knows how a used one has been treated.
The chances of being able to use anyone else's access card are slim, and it's against the rules. Call DirecTV and hassle them a little bit and they'll get you activated the right way, and maybe even send you a new card for free.
I have both an HR20 and an R10 and honestly like the HR20 better, but there's no point in it if you don't have high definition. It's still working out the kinks and you don't need the advanced features.
A standard definition DVR shouldn't require a change in dish, unless he's got one of the old 1-LNB systems. You need 2 LNBs to use the 2-tuner functionality in either the R10 or R15.
The R15 also has advanced features like the active and mix channels. If they sound important to you, read Earl Bonovich's review of the R15.
Bottom line is, do as you wish, but you could end up spending a lot on a used R10 and have it work no better than a new, free R15.
There's a pretty vocal community here who talk a lot of smack about the R15, but it is usually free if you call DirecTV. Also, there are thousands of people who use one and don't have any complaints noted here.
If you do want a TiVo unit, the R10 was the most recent. It advertised up to 70 hour capacity. You should know that while it's pretty bulletproof, nothing is perfect, and who knows how a used one has been treated.
The chances of being able to use anyone else's access card are slim, and it's against the rules. Call DirecTV and hassle them a little bit and they'll get you activated the right way, and maybe even send you a new card for free.
I have both an HR20 and an R10 and honestly like the HR20 better, but there's no point in it if you don't have high definition. It's still working out the kinks and you don't need the advanced features.
A standard definition DVR shouldn't require a change in dish, unless he's got one of the old 1-LNB systems. You need 2 LNBs to use the 2-tuner functionality in either the R10 or R15.
The R15 also has advanced features like the active and mix channels. If they sound important to you, read Earl Bonovich's review of the R15.
Bottom line is, do as you wish, but you could end up spending a lot on a used R10 and have it work no better than a new, free R15.
