Setup / Service advice?....I'm coming back

[nfindlay]

OK, a little over a year ago (maybe close to 18 months), I had DirecTV with 2 Hughes DVR's. Model numbers escape me, but they were standard definition with 2 inputs, and one was 40 and one 80 hour. (HDVR2 sounds familiar). (I still have them boxed up)

So, because of my location (more specifically the direction of my damn balcony at the apartment), I had to go to Comcast cable, and I opted for their HD DVR Motorola box.....all I can say is "Terrible"...I hate it with a passion. So much so, that the only thing I record is kids programs for my son. It freezes, dies, drops video and audio, freezes some more, requires reboot, pixellates...the list goes on...almost daily....

Anyway, I am moving again and I am planning on returning to DTV. I originally intended to go to HD but that isn't a priority. My priority really is that I get to use true TIVO again. But, on looking through DTV's website, and browsing these forums, it seems that Tivo is no longer available for DTV...

Is this correct?

I still have the DVR boxes from my DTV days, so would be happy to use those, but the only service I see mentioned on DTV site appears to be the DVR+...is this a true "Tivo"? or is it another attempt to copy tivo like comcast did so badly?..

I also heard that comcast is working on a Tivo / Comcast box, but I don't really wanna wait.

So, to summarize:
can i use my existing Hughes Tivo boxes to receive and record DTV?
IF I decided to go with HD on DirecTV, what are my options for getting a "True Tivo"?
When I left DTV last year, there was a HD DirecTV Tivo just about out at around $1000 that needed 4 inputs (I think)...is this still available anywhere, or did it even ever materialize?

Thanks

[T1V0]

As long as the access cards in the tivos you still have aren't old enough, Directv will reactivate your previous tivos with no problem at all. If the cards are expired, they'll probably provide you with 2 new cards (either free or $20 each) and having a new dish installed for a previous customer generally only runs $19.95. These prices are including a one year commitment with DTV and they may try to get you for 2 years, but since you have older equipment that you have yourself owned for years, they probably won't push the 2 year very hard.
And since you had DTV previously, they'll usually give you a pretty good deal on programming at first. If you push hard enough, you might be able to get the "new customer" deal with the Sunday Ticket and all the premium channels for like $69 for 4 months. Just call retention, tell them you've been with cable and you don't like it and you wanna come back and they more than likely give you a nice deal.

There is currently an HDTivo available but it is going to be slowly phazed by DTVs new dvr version. If they cant provide with an HDTivo, you can find them throuh retail or ebay pretty cheap. I believe DTV generally wants $399 for the hdtivo and you wont own it if you get it straight from DTV so you'd have to return if you ever end their service again.

[nfindlay]

Thanks, this is helpful info....

Is the HD Tivo worthwhile...I am happy to buy through Ebay or wherever, as long as I own the machine..i see some stuff about leases etc?? Whats the model number I should look for?

So, it sounds like the Tivo piece, either SD or HD is still going to work if I sign up soon enough with DTV....

My home is almost ready, and it's prewired with at least 2 (homerun) cables to every room, 4 to the Family Media Nook.....I'l probably end up with HD in there and then regular SD w/ Tivo to the other rooms.

[dtremain]

So, it sounds like the Tivo piece, either SD or HD is still going to work if I sign up soon enough with DTV....Yes. They just aren't selling TiVo SD hardware anymore. They will still activate them, and they still work just fine (thank goodness) and should for a long time. :up:

[sniper308]

I just did the exact same thing, had moved out of my house where I had 2 Direct Tivo's and hibernated my account and took cable in the apt for 5 months while having a house built.

Call DirecTV and ask for the retention line. Tell them you are moving into your house and you had cable but are a previous customer and that you are trying to decide what service to go with for the new house. Ask them what they can offer. I got my 2 DirecTivos reconnected (owned), a new DirecTV DVR for another room (free, leased), $10 off a month for a year and 6 mos free HBO and Showtime, and no install charge without really pushing... they stated it would be a 2 year committment but my account only shows a 1 year committment online.