What's the best model SD DVR?

[dingo55]

I'm looking to replace my two SD directv boxes with used DVRs. I do not plan to hack them or upgrade harddrives. I'm just looking for something that is reliable and a good value. I've read a lot of negative things about the R15, so I'll stay away from those. But if you had the choice, which box would you buy?

R10
DSR708
SIR-S4080R
SIR-S4040R
SD-DVR80
Other

Finally, is there a way to check whether a box has an unpaid balance online? If not, is there a special number you call for this or just the regular CS number?

Thanks.

[JimSpence]

Other series 1 models are the Sony SAT-T60 and the Philips DSR6000.

You need to give the serial number and/or receiver ID from the units to DirecTV to determine if there is a balance due.

[John T Smith]

What Jim said... plus

I have one R10 one HR10-250 (no HD service... have never even looked at the existing MPEG2 stations in HD) and two RCA80 boxes in service right now

The R10 replaced a Samsung 80 that completely died

The R10 and both RCA80 models have been upgraded to 320Gig using http://mfslive.org/winmfs/ to clone and expand the existing drives... the HR10-250 is still stock as it came out of the box

All units operate pretty much the same (all are on the current 6.4a software, non are hacked) except the R10 seems to respond just a "bit" slower to commands from the remote

Based on what I've read in this forum, all DTivo boxes were built in one plant (in Mexico?) so other than the name put on the outside, they are all the same hardware

Verify with the seller that the box is working... verify with DTV that no balance is owed... clone and expand the drive with Winmfs (hard drives wear out... any old unit is a failure waiting to happen) and you should be good to go

[halfempty]

If you can find some of the earlier series 2 models before they started using the RID chip, these are easier to swap out. You don't have to call D* to activate or transfer the card, you can just put the card from your current unit and call D* ext. 722. The non-RID models are HDVR2, DSR7000, DVR39, and I *THINK* the SIR-S4040R. The downside is that they are all 40GB models, so a hard drive upgrade would be in order.

[catocony]

Well, IMHO, one problem with series 1 boxes is they are getting to be fairly old these days, so unless they've been sitting in a box for a couple of years, I would suspect the hard drives, power supplies, etc are aging rapidly by now.

My experience has only been with DSR704/708, they seem pretty solid but, as I understand it, all series 2 units are pretty much the same except for bezel. They all came off the same line except for the Samsungs, which do have some hardware differences to them.

I just bought a uned 708 the other night, $25 bucks locally off of Craigslist. That's probably your best bet, that way you can physically inspect the unit, make a quick cell call to check on the serial number with DirecTV, that kind of thing.

Maybe I'm wrong about the Series 1 units, but the "newest" (or really, "least old") series 2 boxes are three years old. Having non-RID boxes is nice but the age would lead me to be more diligent on research on buying those units.

[SLOmike]

The non-RID models are HDVR2, DSR7000, DVR39, and I *THINK* the SIR-S4040R.Don't forget the Sony SAT-T60.

[ciper]

The SAT-T60 has the sexiest remote too.

[JimSpence]

Many didn't like the Sony remote because it wasn't peanut shaped. :) I preferred my non-peanut Sony remote.

[classicsat]

I don't know where they are built exactly, but there are about four different DirecTV board models; The S1, S2, S2-RID, S2.5,S2-HD.
I think most of the S1 and S2 models were build in Mexico. I think the Samsung brand were made in S. Korea.

[dingo55]

Thanks for all the feedback. I ended up getting a used HR10-250 for $50 off craigslist. I figured it was worth spending the extra $20 to get a new unit with a larger hard drive. Now I just have to wait for my new card. For the $20 they charge, directv could at least send it 2-day priority mail.

[magnus]

I would have got a DSR7000 or a HDVR2. Then it would not have cost you $20 or the hassle of a commitment or $10 for HD (when you can only get locals).

Thanks for all the feedback. I ended up getting a used HR10-250 for $50 off craigslist. I figured it was worth spending the extra $20 to get a new unit with a larger hard drive. Now I just have to wait for my new card. For the $20 they charge, directv could at least send it 2-day priority mail.