DirectTV DVR service question
dragon1952
Posts: 4,899
Anyone with DirectTV out there? The DirectTV DVR package mentions a 'DVR service' which costs an extra $5.99 per month. I guess I don't quite understand. I thought all I needed was a DVR and I could record any channel I wanted, just like a VCR. Is there actually a 'service' that they have to activate to allow you to record? That doesn't make sense.
2 channel - Willsenton R8 tube integrated, Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE DAC, audio optimized NUC7i5, Windows 10 Pro/JRiver MC29/Fidelizer Plus 8.7 w/LPS and external SSD drive, PS Audio PerfectWave P3 regenerator, KEF R3 speakers, Rythmik F12SE subwoofer, Audioquest Diamond USB cable, Gabriel Gold IC's, Morrow Audio SP5 speaker cables. Computer - Windows 10/JRiver, Schiit Magni 3+/Modi 3+, Fostex PMO.4n monitors, Sennheiser HD600 headphones
Post edited by dragon1952 on
Comments
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yep. One charge per phone number per month, regardless of how many DVR you own or installed.I am sorry, I have no opinion on the matter. I am sure you do. So, don't mind me, I just want to talk audio and pie.
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Think of it kinda like Tivo service. It allows you to set up series recording, search through listings, prioritize recordings, automatically adjusts recordings if the time changes, etc.
Its a small price to pay for DVR functionality.
In addition, if you get the new HR20, you can network the DVR and get 'On Demand' type service through the internet.For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore... -
Ah...OK. So I can still record a show without the service, I just don't get the on-screen functionality? That would make more sense.2 channel - Willsenton R8 tube integrated, Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE DAC, audio optimized NUC7i5, Windows 10 Pro/JRiver MC29/Fidelizer Plus 8.7 w/LPS and external SSD drive, PS Audio PerfectWave P3 regenerator, KEF R3 speakers, Rythmik F12SE subwoofer, Audioquest Diamond USB cable, Gabriel Gold IC's, Morrow Audio SP5 speaker cables. Computer - Windows 10/JRiver, Schiit Magni 3+/Modi 3+, Fostex PMO.4n monitors, Sennheiser HD600 headphones
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No, you must subscribe to the service to have the recording capabilities.Shawn
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Center Channel: Polk LsiM706c
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Television: Samsung UN58NU7100FXZA
DVD Player: Sony PS4 -
OK...I guess I don't understand then. What difference is there in recording to a DVR and a VCR? You press 'record' and it records. How do they know what recording device you have?2 channel - Willsenton R8 tube integrated, Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE DAC, audio optimized NUC7i5, Windows 10 Pro/JRiver MC29/Fidelizer Plus 8.7 w/LPS and external SSD drive, PS Audio PerfectWave P3 regenerator, KEF R3 speakers, Rythmik F12SE subwoofer, Audioquest Diamond USB cable, Gabriel Gold IC's, Morrow Audio SP5 speaker cables. Computer - Windows 10/JRiver, Schiit Magni 3+/Modi 3+, Fostex PMO.4n monitors, Sennheiser HD600 headphones
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I know that a DVR is used in a camera, and a VCR is yeah, you know...
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Well, my uncle has DirecTV - You can use your own DVR (he has a Panasonic DMR-E95HS, same as what I use) and record DirecTV channels. There is no special "service" to subscribe to to be able to use a DVR to record DirecTV.
That being said, if you want to pay for their "DVR service," basically they will give you a DVR box for $5.99 a month.
My suggestion - use your own DVR unless you want to rent their DVR box.polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
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Its called "nickel and dime"
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Yeah....unbelievable. $5.99 to rent the dvr and $5.99 for the service.
OK..thanks appadv...that's exactly how I thought it 'should' work.2 channel - Willsenton R8 tube integrated, Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE DAC, audio optimized NUC7i5, Windows 10 Pro/JRiver MC29/Fidelizer Plus 8.7 w/LPS and external SSD drive, PS Audio PerfectWave P3 regenerator, KEF R3 speakers, Rythmik F12SE subwoofer, Audioquest Diamond USB cable, Gabriel Gold IC's, Morrow Audio SP5 speaker cables. Computer - Windows 10/JRiver, Schiit Magni 3+/Modi 3+, Fostex PMO.4n monitors, Sennheiser HD600 headphones -
dragon1952 wrote: »Yeah....unbelievable. $5.99 to rent the dvr and $5.99 for the service.
OK..thanks appadv...that's exactly how I thought it 'should' work.
No problem, just get a good HDD DVR or HTPC, or even a good DVD Recorder/HDD combo will do just fine!polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
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polkaudio DSWPro550WI
polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
polkaudio RM6750 5.1
Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good! -
dragon1952 wrote: »Yeah....unbelievable. $5.99 to rent the dvr and $5.99 for the service.
OK..thanks appadv...that's exactly how I thought it 'should' work.
No, no, no. There is not a separate rental fee.
If you have only a single TV, and that TV has a DVR, there is no rental/lease fee. You would only be charged the DVR fee. If you have two TVs, the 2nd TV is charged a $4.99 lease fee to "mirror" programing. This is much the same as Cable, or any of the other satellite providers. The DVR service fee is separate and applies to any and all DVRs in the house.
I do not recommend doing what appadv said, especially if you are considering HD service. A 3rd party DVR won't be able to record in HD from the satellite feed.
Even if you aren't considering HD, the hassle of having a separate DVR are not worth the savings if you ask me.
The ability to pause live TV, buffer 90 minutes of live TV, record 2 shows, (or a show that you are not watching), or watch an old recording while recording two shows. You can't do all that with a plain Directv box and a 3rd party DVR (or HTPC). Its worth 20 cents per day, isn't it?For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore... -
I do not recommend doing what appadv said, especially if you are considering HD service. A 3rd party DVR won't be able to record in HD from the satellite feed.
Even if you aren't considering HD, the hassle of having a separate DVR are not worth the savings if you ask me.
The ability to pause live TV, buffer 90 minutes of live TV, record 2 shows, (or a show that you are not watching), or watch an old recording while recording two shows. You can't do any of that with a plain Directv box and a 3rd party DVR. Its worth 20 cents per day, isn't it?
What? I can definitely pause live TV with my DVR, or watch a recording on the hard drive while recording another.
Time slip feature is pretty cool:)polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
polkaudio DSWPro550WI
polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
polkaudio RM6750 5.1
Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good! -
The VOD is awesome.. I have yet to see any HD VOD though.. Some shows looks good(dexter) some shows look like complete crap(apocolypto) on VOD.Think of it kinda like Tivo service. It allows you to set up series recording, search through listings, prioritize recordings, automatically adjusts recordings if the time changes, etc.
Its a small price to pay for DVR functionality.
In addition, if you get the new HR20, you can network the DVR and get 'On Demand' type service through the internet. -
What? I can definitely pause live TV with my DVR, or watch a recording on the hard drive while recording another.
Time slip feature is pretty cool:)
You cannot watch a live show and record another though or record two shows at the same time. Also, unless I'm misinformed, the program guide is not compatible with satellite service, so you cannot setup any kind of series recording and you have to manually tune and record everything.
With our busy lives, the convenience of a full fledged two tuner DVR with support from your provider is hard to beat. Set up a recording for a series and forget about it.For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore... -
What? I can definitely pause live TV with my DVR, or watch a recording on the hard drive while recording another.
Time slip feature is pretty cool:)
I think he was referring to dual tuners - watching one live channel while recording another, or recording two channels.
I'd almost always rent a DVR, just for the ease of it, and the free upgradability. If you spend 400 bucks on a DVR, it would take you five and a half years to recoup that at 6 bucks a month. By then it would have broken, which would be a free replacement on a rental. Plus, in five years, the technology will be better. Again, free upgrade with rental.
I hate giving more money to satellite or cable companies but it's definitely worth it.If you will it, dude, it is no dream. -
hmmm..........let me check my last bill...........
nope, you have to pay 4.99 for the receiver and 5.99 for the DVR service,,,,,,waaaaaaaaaa or argggggggggggg.
RT1 -
You cannot watch a live show and record another though or record two shows at the same time. Also, unless I'm misinformed, the program guide is not compatible with satellite service, so you cannot setup any kind of series recording and you have to manually tune and record everything.
With our busy lives, the convenience of a full fledged two tuner DVR with support from your provider is hard to beat. Set up a recording for a series and forget about it.
The "TV Guide On-Screen" guide will still load. IIRC, it basically takes the info hidden in the vertical blanking signal, and this data contains guide/time info.
Edit: yes you can also set up recording for a series, I've done it!polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
polkaudio DSWPro550WI
polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
polkaudio RM6750 5.1
Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good! -
bobman1235 wrote: »I'd almost always rent a DVR, just for the ease of it, and the free upgradability. If you spend 400 bucks on a DVR, it would take you five and a half years to recoup that at 6 bucks a month. By then it would have broken, which would be a free replacement on a rental. Plus, in five years, the technology will be better. Again, free upgrade with rental.
I hate giving more money to satellite or cable companies but it's definitely worth it.
Amen to that!
Two HR10, total cost: approx. $450 - obsolete, one with a bunch of HD recording that I want to keep.
3 HR20, total cost: $0
rental it is from now on.I am sorry, I have no opinion on the matter. I am sure you do. So, don't mind me, I just want to talk audio and pie. -
My cable company charges $10.95 a month for a DVR, so buying my own DVR was worth it in my case.
Guess it's different when it's $6 a month...polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
polkaudio DSWPro550WI
polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
polkaudio RM6750 5.1
Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good! -
My cable company charges $10.95 a month for a DVR, so buying my own DVR was worth it in my case.
Guess it's different when it's $6 a month...
How much did you pay for your DVR?
It would have to be less than two years worth of rental for it to be worth it to me, as I assume pretty much any type of electronic device like that is going to break or need upgrading within two years.If you will it, dude, it is no dream. -
The "TV Guide On-Screen" guide will still load. IIRC, it basically takes the info hidden in the vertical blanking signal, and this data contains guide/time info.
Edit: yes you can also set up recording for a series, I've done it!
Doesn't work with Satellite, like I said. You have Cable. Dragon was specifically asking about Directv.For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore... -
Doesn't work with Satellite, like I said. You have Cable.
My uncle has DirecTV. He also has the same DVR. See my first post.polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
polkaudio DSWPro550WI
polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
polkaudio RM6750 5.1
Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good! -
reeltrouble1 wrote: »hmmm..........let me check my last bill...........
nope, you have to pay 4.99 for the receiver and 5.99 for the DVR service,,,,,,waaaaaaaaaa or argggggggggggg.
RT1
The 4.99 lease/mirror fee only applies to 2nd/3rd, etc receivers. The 1st one is free (or included in monthly service cost anyway)For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore... -
With DirecTV, the (an external) DVR's TV Guide works this way: at night when you're sleeping, the DVR goes through every channel on the satellite feed and grabs its embedded data.
The DVR needs to have a remote controller (IR blaster) glued to the front of the DirecTV box, otherwise it will not work. Also, at night you may notice the channels magically changing on the DirecTV. This is how the DVR is able to get its guide info.polkaudio RT35 Bookshelves
polkaudio 255c-RT Inwalls
polkaudio DSWPro550WI
polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
polkaudio RM6750 5.1
Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good! -
get cable direct tv and dish are garabage
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Not around me.. I love my directv setup..hexumjunkie wrote: »get cable direct tv and dish are garabage
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hexumjunkie wrote: »get cable direct tv and dish are garabage
At least twice as many HD channels? Superior hardware with more advance features and longer recording capability? Directv is definitely not garbage. Not to mention, in my area, its almost $30 cheaper than equivalent service from Comcast.For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore... -
no bill, its not included, i called and checked because I pay both, I was very clear about what I was asking because its right on my invoce. your just wrong dude oh so wrong so wrong so wrong......waaaaaaaaaaaa if you got a better deal that is so wrong so wrong so wrong the dip dong I got said sir you pay, if you dont pay you dont play........this fee never bothered me until this thread you bastages from the hound of bastages.....but now it bothers me plenty, especially if bill is not paying, I am calling Direct to report him..........hmmmm.....maybe a ban on him..........naw.......ok bill you pay me two bucks a month or I am snitching you dude and it will be in your permanent record!!!!!!!!
RT1 -
reeltrouble1 wrote: »no bill, its not included, i called and checked because I pay both, I was very clear about what I was asking because its right on my invoce. your just wrong dude oh so wrong so wrong so wrong......waaaaaaaaaaaa if you got a better deal that is so wrong so wrong so wrong the dip dong I got said sir you pay, if you dont pay you dont play........this fee never bothered me until this thread you bastages from the hound of bastages.....but now it bothers me plenty, especially if bill is not paying, I am calling Direct to report him..........hmmmm.....maybe a ban on him..........naw.......ok bill you pay me two bucks a month or I am snitching you dude and it will be in your permanent record!!!!!!!!
RT1
Do you have more than one TV? I though so. That 4.99 is mirror/lease fee. Not charged for your primary receiver. I guarantee.
Straight from Directv's website:
"Leasing
01 Why lease the DIRECTV equipment?
As the technology in our receivers becomes more advanced, leasing allows us to continue to provide the latest equipment to you — at minimal cost. Leasing also permits affordable upgrades and free replacement receivers.
02 Is the monthly lease fee different for different equipment?
The monthly lease fee is $4.99 per receiver, though we waive this fee on your first receiver. This low monthly fee is the same for standard receivers, DVRs, HD receivers and HD DVRs."For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore... -
reeltrouble1 wrote: »no bill, its not included, i called and checked because I pay both, I was very clear about what I was asking because its right on my invoce. your just wrong dude oh so wrong so wrong so wrong......waaaaaaaaaaaa if you got a better deal that is so wrong so wrong so wrong the dip dong I got said sir you pay, if you dont pay you dont play........this fee never bothered me until this thread you bastages from the hound of bastages.....but now it bothers me plenty, especially if bill is not paying, I am calling Direct to report him..........hmmmm.....maybe a ban on him..........naw.......ok bill you pay me two bucks a month or I am snitching you dude and it will be in your permanent record!!!!!!!!
RT1
dayum, RT1, you started early! What are you having?
I am sorry, I have no opinion on the matter. I am sure you do. So, don't mind me, I just want to talk audio and pie.
