Need help with decision

[bassman6805]

I currently have a series 2 tivo with a standard directv reciever. I am watching it all on a 52in tv. The quality of the series 2 is ok but when watching football games and things live the image sometimes looks like bunches of pixels. I am paying the normal tivo fee each month. I currently can upgrade to a directv dvr for a 2 year commitment and cancel tivo. Do these dvr produce a better quality? I looked at the series 3 tivo's but they are way out of my price range. Can some of you please give me some positives and negatives?

[JimSpence]

If you get an HD DVR then it will be better. Check with DirecTV to see what deals might be available to you.

However, the current HD DirecTV DVR (HR20) is not TiVo based.

To others that might read this thread, let's not turn this into a bashing of HR20 thread. :)

[stevel]

Yes, the integrated DirecTV receivers with DVR have a better picture quality, since they record the satellite signal directly. You also get dual tuners and more features. You would lose the TiVo networking features but pay less per month. Note that DirecTV will offer you the R15 which is NOT a TiVo. You can find older TiVo-based DirecTV DVRs on eBay and elsewhere.

You cannot use the TiVo Series 3 with satellite.

[John T Smith]

Ideas for Where to I get a DirecTv Tivo?
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=316297

If you do decide on a non-Tivo unit, read at
http://www.dbstalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=82

[Mashdoc]

Is your 52" HD or standard? Sounds like it's standard.

I'd just find a deal on a series 2 DirecTivo and use it. Significant improvement over your current picture using standard Tivo and standard directv receiver. Monthly cost much less too.

[wolflord11]

Well a number of questions.

1. A Directv DVR or Directv/Tivo DVR has far better picture quality than a Tivo Unit. Tivo's convert the Digital picture to analog, where the Directv DVR's do not.

2. You cannot use a Series 3 Tivo with Sat Service. Series 3's are CABLE only.

So your choices are as follows:

Directv R15 DVR (Non Tivo, Standard DVR) or HR20 DVR (Non Tivo, HD DVR) Neither has Home Networking ability.

OR you could get a Directv/Tivo Series 2 unit. They are Non HD, but that way you would have the Tivo Interface. Bare in mind the units need to be hacked to have Home Networking ability.

OR you could have it all:

Get a R15 or HR20 from Directv and keep the Standard Receiver. Use the Directv DVR on your main Television. Use your Series 2 with the Standard Receiver on a second Television.

It will cost you $4.99 a Month extra on what you are paying now for adding the Directv DVR. You may also need to pay the $5.99 a Month DVR Fee depending on your current Base Package. But this fee covers all DVR's from Directv.

The choice is yours :D

[bassman6805]

Ok. If I get the directv dvr and use the tivo on another tv what will I lose when I drop the tivo service? Can you still record stuff?

Also, my tv is hd but I don't have the hd reciever. Seems kind of high to me.

[litzdog911]

Ok. If I get the directv dvr and use the tivo on another tv what will I lose when I drop the tivo service? Can you still record stuff?

Also, my tv is hd but I don't have the hd reciever. Seems kind of high to me.

If you drop the Tivo subscription, then you won't be able to record anything with your Tivo anymore.

[JimSpence]

All you can do with an unsubscribed SA TiVo is watch what has already been recorded.

[bassman6805]

I thought you could still use it without the subscription for some reason but you would lose the networking and updates. The quality is pretty bad on a bigger tv and I am not about to pay what they are asking for a series 3. It's ridiculous. I don't know what to do. Maybe I will switch to the directv dvr and see how hard it would be to hack the tivo or something. Having the feature to watch one show and record another would be nice. I was hoping to soon make a decision but it looks like I have made it harder!!

[mallace]

have a nice deal. i like it.



thanks :eek:

[bassman6805]

So I called Directv about the hd dvr. I qualify for the lower end dvr but wanted to check on HD pricing. The unit itself was going to be 99 dollars. Then a 9.99 a month charge for hd service. Also, 4.99 a month for dvr service. Felt like I was about to get raped. Anyway, maybe sticking with the basic dvr might be best. I love my tivo but the picture quality during football and basketball games is horrible.

[hyde76]

If you drop your SA Tivo service won't you be saving $12.99 a month anyway (or something like that)? so, for $100, the price for the HD DVR, you have the same thing you have now without pixelization. Sounds like a good deal to me. The HR20 is not a TIVO but it's still a DVR with HD.

[bassman6805]

I can drop the 12.99 tivo subscription but I would pick up a monthly fee of 5.99 for the dvr service and 9.99 a month for the HD service plus I think there is a monthly fee of leasing the dvr of 4.99.

DVR Service: 5.99
HD Service: 9.99
DVR Lease: 4.99

Total: 20.97

Minus 12.95 is 8.02 more a month for HD. Maybe not a bad idea.

If I upgrade to the basic dvr I can keep the tivo service and use it on another tv for an extra 10.98 a month.

2 dvr's for 10.98 more a month or $100 one time fee plus 8.02 a month for HD DVR.

AHHHHHHHH. These decisions suck. I think I am getting way to deep into all of this pricing. Maybe I should create a spread sheet for other OCD people to compare prices and fees.

[wolflord11]

All you can do with an unsubscribed SA TiVo is watch what has already been recorded.

Unless its a Series 1 Tivo Unit. Up to a certain Software update, you can still manually record without a Subscription.

[wolflord11]

I thought you could still use it without the subscription for some reason but you would lose the networking and updates. The quality is pretty bad on a bigger tv and I am not about to pay what they are asking for a series 3. It's ridiculous. I don't know what to do. Maybe I will switch to the directv dvr and see how hard it would be to hack the tivo or something. Having the feature to watch one show and record another would be nice. I was hoping to soon make a decision but it looks like I have made it harder!!

That would also require switching to Cable, as the Series 3 does not work with Sat :D

[wolflord11]

I can drop the 12.99 tivo subscription but I would pick up a monthly fee of 5.99 for the dvr service and 9.99 a month for the HD service plus I think there is a monthly fee of leasing the dvr of 4.99.

DVR Service: $5.99
HD Service: $9.99
DVR Lease: $4.99

Total: $20.97

That assumes that you are keeping your current Directv Receiver on your account. Remember the First Receiver is Free, then $4.99 each after that.

If you dropped the Tivo (Saving $12.99 a Month Sub) then you could also drop your Standard Receiver to (The one attached to the Tivo unit), so your new calculation would be:

DVR Service $5.99 (This covers not One, but all Directv DVR's in the house)
HD Service $9.99
There would be NO DVR Lease. It would be the First and only Receiver on your account.

Total: $15.98

So only $2.99 more a Month for a HD DVR. Now thats not bad at all :D

[hyde76]

DVR Service $5.99 (This covers not One, but all Directv DVR's in the house)
HD Service $9.99
There would be NO DVR Lease. It would be the First and only Receiver on your account.

Total: $15.98

So only $2.99 more a Month for a HD DVR. Now thats not bad at all :D

What he said. That's what I meant. 2.99 a month. It's a total wash. Get the HD DVR and You'll wonder what you've been waiting for all this time. Sure, it's not a "TiVO" but with Liberty around the corner, there's always hope.

[bassman6805]

I know it seems like a good deal but I can't bring myself to pay $99 for the box then pay to lease it. When you no longer want it you have to give it back. At the rates they charge you each month they should give it to you for free and be happy about it.

[bassman6805]

I finally made a decision today and placed my order. I called directv and asked about the free dvr upgrade. I told them I was interested in HD DVR also and wondered how much the service was. One person told me 299 with a 100 dollar rebate. I told them that was way out of my ballpark. They transfered me to another guy who then told me $99. I told him i didn't mind paying 9.99 a month for hd service and 5.99 a month for dvr service but I wasn't interested in paying more per month and also and up front fee of $99. He put me on hold and told me that they would give it to me for free if I paid the 19.95 shipping. Looks like I will be canceling the tivo soon and paying 3.03 more a month for HD. I don't think it's too bad of a deal.

[hyde76]

Let's just hope Liberty brings back TiVO into a relationship with DTV so that we can all have HD TiVo's in the future. You'll be much better off with the HR20 but it'll take a while to get used to a new kind of DVR.