Need Help With DirecTV, HD, and Receivers

[PacMan3000]

Hey guys,

This may have been mentioned elsewhere previously, but I'm new to the HD game and probably need someone to walk me through this a bit as if I was 5 years old.

I have had DirecTV for some time now. I have HD capable TV's, so I'm now ready for HD via DTV.

Here's my situation. I know I need to get the specific HD dish from DTV, which I think they'll hook up for free. However, here's my problem. I went to their site, and they only have their own DTV HD receivers with DVR. They don't have Tivo HD receivers with DVR. I am assuming they no longer use Tivo. They're HD receivers with DVR cost $200 per unit!

I actually like Tivo, so I'm wondering...is there a way where I can purchase a HD TIVO DVR receiver that WILL work with DirecTV? And since I might need two of them (and potentially three depending on if I get one more TV), are they at all cheaper than $200)? And, if this is possible, does a Tivo HD receiver with DTV come with OTA, so I can receive HD signals of my local channels? I think the new HD receiver for DTV has this, correct?

Secondly...if I was able to find a Tivo HD DVR receiver that works with DirecTV, and I am obviously not purchasing this from the DTV website...will DTV still hook up this new HD dish for free? I'm wondering if the free Dish hook up is soley because I would be buying the HD DVR receiver from them.

Thanks in advance, guys.

[shibby191]

If you want HD from DirecTV then you need their DVR (HR20 or HR21) which is not a Tivo based unit. Period.

You may be able to get a used HD DirecTivo unit (HR10-250) but it will only get 7 or so of the 90+ HD channels and those 7 are going away within a year.

So yes, you need the DirecTV DVR. I won't bore you with any other details because it's that simple really. DBSTalk.com for more info on DirecTV's DVRs. And call DirecTV, don't order online. You may be able to get a much better deal then $199.

[stevel]

Don't go there. The only TiVo-powered HD DirecTV-capable DVR is the HR10-250 which cannot receive any of the new "MPEG4" channels introduced since last August. If you already had an HR10 you could continue using it for a while, more and more HD channels will become unavailable over the coming months as DirecTV shuts off the MPEG2 HD feeds.

Furthermore, DirecTV won't give you the free install without their HR21 DVR, (If you want OTA, you'll also need the new not-quite-yet-out AM21 OTA tuner, unless you can get them to give you an HR20 that does have an OTA tuner. These are disappearing from the channel.)

My advice is to go for the non-TiVo DVR - it's not a TiVo but it has some nice features missing from TiVo. I have both. I would not recommend obtaining an HR10 (TiVo) unless you were fully aware of the limitations.

[PacMan3000]

Thanks guys...so the HR20 is the current model thats out, right? Well, the current HD DVR DirecTV Receiver...?

And it is capable of OTA? I will be able to get local channels in HD without the need of any additional antenna hooked to my television?

Thanks.

[litzdog911]

Thanks guys...so the HR20 is the current model thats out, right? Well, the current HD DVR DirecTV Receiver...?

And it is capable of OTA? I will be able to get local channels in HD without the need of any additional antenna hooked to my television?

Thanks.

The HR20 HD DVRs have been discontinued, but you might still find them at some eBay merchants. The HR21 replaced the HR20, but doesn't include the built-in OTA tuners like the HR20. To add OTA tuners to the HR21 you'll need to buy an AM21, which connects to the HR21's USB interface and provides the same off-air features as the HR20. But the AM21 isn't quite available yet, although you can preorder one at http://www.solidsignal.com

As far as getting your local HD channels without the OTA tuners and off-air antenna, you didn't tell us where you're located, so check your zip code at DirecTV's web site. Not all cities have their locals available in HD from DirecTV yet.

[TyroneShoes]

If you want HD from DirecTV then you need their DVR (HR20 or HR21) which is not a Tivo based unit. Period.

You may be able to get a used HD DirecTivo unit (HR10-250) but it will only get 7 or so of the 90+ HD channels and those 7 are going away within a year.

So yes, you need the DirecTV DVR....You seem to have contradicted yourself, shib. Either you need the HR2x to get HD, "Period.", or you don't. And as you say, there is still core HD available on the HR10. So I guess "Period." doesn't really mean much here.

90% of what folks watch in HD is available from OTA channels, so anyone with OTA access and typical viewing habits could use a HR10 to get 90-95% of their HD without the HR2x. I think that explains why they are still selling for a reasonable price on eBay.

But then all it takes is one program YOU want to be unavailable WITHOUT the HR2x, to make you want to have one. I find that a mix of two HR10's and one HR20 seems to be a great combination.

[stevel]

Only a couple of the shows I watch in HD are available OTA. Not everyone is in a position to receive OTA - in many cases, an outside antenna is required (certainly is for me.)

[shibby191]

You seem to have contradicted yourself, shib. Either you need the HR2x to get HD, "Period.", or you don't. And as you say, there is still core HD available on the HR10. So I guess "Period." doesn't really mean much here.

90% of what folks watch in HD is available from OTA channels, so anyone with OTA access and typical viewing habits could use a HR10 to get 90-95% of their HD without the HR2x. I think that explains why they are still selling for a reasonable price on eBay.

But then all it takes is one program YOU want to be unavailable WITHOUT the HR2x, to make you want to have one. I find that a mix of two HR10's and one HR20 seems to be a great combination.

Come now, for a new user to HD why confuse them. ;) The HR20/21 are realistically the only option for someone. Sure, I guess if all you care about is OTA then there are other options but that's not really what the OP was asking. Thus the KISS principle. :D