Can you still buy Directv Tivo receivers?

Try Weaknees.com who has units that are new/refurbs/remanufactured that should take care of your needs.

Standard definition units definitely available (according to their web page). HD units I didn't check for, but would expect they have some available too.

VERY IMPORTANT -- IF YOU BUY ONE OF THESE UNITS MAKE SURE THAT AFTER ACTIVATION ON DIRECTV THAT THE CSR (customer service rep) FLAGS THE(SE) RECIEVER(S) AS OWNED BY YOU, not leased from DirecTV.

DirecTV normally flags all new receivers on accounts as *leased* not owned which would mean if/when you ever stopped using the receiver(s) you bought and paid for that you'd owe them back to DirecTV. Not cool at all.

If the first CSR can't fix it for you, ask for a supervisor. They can make it right, you just have to be patient and persistent to get it right so they don't screw it up and screw you over on your own equipment.

Follow-up to add that you could find some used units on eBay or similar places, but be extremely careful in buying them to make sure you aren't getting a unit that can't be activated for some reason. You may not get burned at all, but there's much more homework involved to make sure you are getting equipment that works, can be activated, doesn't have an balance due, etc.

I recently bought a refurbished unit from Weaknees that was identical to the one I was replacing. I called DTV and asked them to activate the card (from my old unit) and the CSR said it could not be done. I called back and talked to a different CSR who said the same thing, so I asked to talk to her supervisor. He also told me that it could not be done and I would have to pay for a new card (as well as extend my contract for two years). 20 minutes later I called again and the CSR said no problem, just read me the card & IRD serial numbers (which you can call up on the screen). Within 2 minutes I was watching television.

The moral of the story is keep calling until you find someone there who knows what they doing.

It's getting tougher, but watch the used market for them. Keep an eye out for HR10-250's that may enter the market with the new HD channels available. Even if you don't use HD, that unit will record like 200 hours of SD as it sits, so that might be an alternative.

Good luck.

TiVos are work horses. Just make sure you buy from a reputible seller.

The last dozen HD TiVo HR10's were about $100 - $125 today on eBay. 6 weeks ago they were averaging over $200, 6 months ago - $400.

But if you wait about 3 more weeks I bet there will be a glut of them as people realize they will not work with the 70 new HD channels.

They will still be chugging along recording HD OTA and SD for a long time to come.

- Craig