Taking the HD plunge. Advice?

[lilmatty]

I'm ready to upgrade to HD. I currently run DTV service into their R10 box.

I'm a little wary about just getting DTV's HD DVR. For one thing they say it can only hold 15 hours of HD content. That seems a little weak. Also, they are out of stock and won't see any for 3-4 weeks.

Do I have any better options by looking into Tivo units? Any advice will be appreciated.

[kturcotte]

Their HD DVR + should hold about 30 hours of HD programming. I don't know if those can be upgraded like the DirecTivo units can though.
If you want to go the cable route, and have about $800, you can get a Series 3 Tivo that will work with cable. I think those can hold the same (About 30 hours), but those can be upgraded.

[JimSpence]

Go here to find out more about the HR20 DirecTV HD DVR.
http://www.satelliteguys.us/showthread.php?t=84148

Or you can probably still find the HR10 HD TiVo if you need TiVo functionality. However, it doesn't support MPEG4.

[videojanitor]

I'm a little wary about just getting DTV's HD DVR. For one thing they say it can only hold 15 hours of HD content. That seems a little weak. Also, they are out of stock and won't see any for 3-4 weeks.

Like the other poster says, the HR20 will hold somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 hours of HD -- possibly more, if you record mostly from MPEG-4 feeds (your local HD channels, sent via satellite). You can definitely find one online quickly if you're in a hurry -- Best Buy's website usually has them in stock.

I have one of those, plus the HD TiVo unit. While I do prefer the TiVo in just about every way, it's not an option if you want to get your local HD channels via satellite. Also, future national HD channels will, according to what I've heard, will only be available in MPEG-4, thus not viewable on the HD TiVo. So it really comes down to, what do you want to watch, and how do you receive it? If you can get your local channels off-the-air, and don't care much about what might be coming down the road in the way of new national HD channels, then the venerable HD TiVo would be a good choice.

[lilmatty]

To clarify, the setup would be for satellite, DTV reception only. No local broadcast.

So, what's the recommendation?

[kturcotte]

There's supposed to be an update soon (Some are saying as early as this week) for the HR20 to enable it to record OTA channels.
If you want to replace your R10, and you already have 2 lines coming into the receiver, you can just switch the R10 out with the HR20.

[videojanitor]

To clarify, the setup would be for satellite, DTV reception only. No local broadcast.

So, what's the recommendation?

If you live in area where DirecTV is serving up (or will serve) HD local channels, then you're probably best off with the HR20. At the very least, that's the most future-proof solution at the moment. As I said, I like the TiVo interface better, but if comes down to sheer available content, the HR20 is going to offer more.

[kturcotte]

If you want to give us your zip code, somebody can check and see if Directv currently (Or plans to have) your HD/Digital locals.

[toomuchtivo]

How do you find out if and when DTV will have locals via sat? My zip is 55443. Thanks

[kturcotte]

The big 4 are available in HD/Digital, and you would need an H-20 or HR20 receiver to see them, along with the 5 LNB dish.
Check this out here http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/packProg/localChannels.jsp?assetId=900018