New Customer - which tivo box to get

[MiamiWood]

Hi,

I am going to be getting DirecTV for the first time. What receivers would you recommend getting. I really want the real Tivo units (need 2). I know the only one they still offer is the HR10-250. I don't have any HD tv's yet so HD is not a priority. I can get the R10 from Weaknees but it's like $200. I noticed that ptvupgrade has the Philips DSR704 for $69. I am computer hardware proficient and don't mind doing a HD upgrade on one of these older units.

Which would be the best Tivo unit to buy. I know there are several older ones out there like Samsung and what not. If you were in my shoes which unit would you get.

Thanks.

[rminsk]

Any DirecTiVo series 2 unit or the R10 will be fine. All the series 2 units (except the R10) are exactly the same (mostly made in the same plant) except for the front plastic piece, some screws, and the drive size. The non-R10 units are more hackable.

[DTVPro]

you can get a cheap Phillips 704 off ebay much cheaper than that


I just got one for 40 dollars (including the shipping) that worked perfectly

[MiamiWood]

Ok, the Phillips 704 looks like the way to go. Which free upgrade box should I take when I sign up, the HD box or their version of tivo box?

Thanks for all the advice...looking forward to finally going digital, have been on analog cable.

[tivoupgrade]

Another reason to get the DSR704, or any Series DirecTV TiVo other than the R10 (including the HR10-250) is that you can also modify it for use on your home network. Not only can you enable HMO and MRV, but you can also install TiVoWebPlus on the unit so that you can access it remotely via web browser.

Unfortunately, you cannot do this with the R10 due to a slight difference in the hardware, however all other DirecTV TiVo units such as:

Philips DSR704 / DSR708 / DSR7000
Hughes HDVR2, DVR40 and HDTV HR10-250
RCA DVR39, DVR40
and
Samsung SIR

units all have the same or similar hardware are all amenable to modification to allow network access.