Hd-dvr

dave shepard
dave shepard Posts: 1,334
edited October 2008 in The Clubhouse
I'm looking at getting a HD-DVR. We are using Directv as our provider and we were informed that if we buy (which is what I was going to do) the $399 HD-DVR that in order to use it there is a fee for it ($5) or we couldn't record anything. What the hell is that about? I thought it would act like a VCR and that if it had the ability to record it would. Does anybody have one? and are you paying a $5 per month fee to use it? I sure as hell am not going to pay that kind of money for a reciever and also have to pay a extra fee every month to use the damn thing.

Dave
Post edited by dave shepard on

Comments

  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited October 2008
    Yes, sorry to say but thats the way it works. Same thing with DirecTivo, you pay a monthly fee.....
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
  • ViperZ
    ViperZ Posts: 2,046
    edited October 2008
    There are three PVRs, which even have ATSC OTA tuners built-in and are free, and these record in HD.

    Off the top of my head, I remember one: Sony DHG-HDD250. The other one was made by LG. Both are discontinued now, but are still available on ebay. There is a new one, which is coming out in the next couple of months, but I forgot the brand/model :).
    Panasonic PT-AE4000U projector for movies
    Carada 106" Precision Series (Classic Cinema White)
    Denon AVR-X3600H pre/pro
    Outlaw 770 7-channel amplifier
    B&W CDM1-SE fronts
    B&W CDM-CNT center
    B&W CDM1 rears on MoPADs
    JBL SP8CII in-ceiling height speakers
    Samsung DTB-H260F OTA HDTV tuner
    DUAL NHT SubTwo subwoofers
    Oppo BDP-93 Blu-Ray player
    Belkin PF60 Power Center
    Harmony 1100 RF remote with RF extender
    Sony XBR-X950G 55" 4K HDR Smart TV + PS3 in the living room
  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited October 2008
    Lorthos wrote: »
    Yes, sorry to say but thats the way it works. Same thing with DirecTivo, you pay a monthly fee.....

    You'll be using DirecTv's "DVR interface" (which you don't have a choice right now) with that HD-DVR not Tivo's. Tivo's sleeping with DirecTv again and they'll be coming out with a HD Directivo here in about a year....
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited October 2008
    ViperZ wrote: »
    There are three PVRs, which even have ATSC OTA tuners built-in and are free, and these record in HD.

    Off the top of my head, I remember one: Sony DHG-HDD250. The other one was made by LG. Both are discontinued now, but are still available on ebay. There is a new one, which is coming out in the next couple of months, but I forgot the brand/model :).

    These aren't integrated with the receiver though....
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
  • brettw22
    brettw22 Posts: 7,623
    edited October 2008
    For that reason alone, why not just pay the $5 fee per month and use theirs so when it crashes you can have them drop ship you a replacement. It might be slightly more for an HD DVR per month, but even if it's aroun $10 you get almost 3.5 years out of it before you're out any money really.......then there'll be something you want in place of it anyways..........
    comment comment comment comment. bitchy.
  • Unknown
    edited October 2008
    This content has been removed.
  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,194
    edited October 2008
    You can get one now for $179.00 at Best Buy. Not sure why you were quoted so much.
    I have 2 of them, they are sweet in my opinion.
    Check out the review at Cnet to get more info.
    I know what you mean though...$5 per household for a DVR charge adds up after a long time...but cable and Dish have the same type of charge, although they may word it differently.
  • dave shepard
    dave shepard Posts: 1,334
    edited October 2008
    I thought they worked like a VCR, I didn't know you had to pay a fee to record that to me is just retarded. The signal passes through like a VCR except unstead of using a tape you are using a hard drive to record. I was looking at getting the HR21 Pro series by Directv but if I still have to pay a fee per month to record anything I'm just not too sure. If I go with their plan and I rent one instead of buying one the monthly fee would be $5 for the use of the service and $5 for the rental of a unit of their choice.


    Thanks for the info guys
    Dave
  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 7,147
    edited October 2008
    The fee is for the service, which includes the ability to record series, (and it will automatically change the time if needed), determine whether a show is a first run or repeat, and a whole slew of other things. This comes from the advanced program guide, which goes out for 14 days in advance. Dish TV, Directv, Comcast, TIVO, etc, all have a DVR service fee. The stand alone Tivo monthly fee is double what Directv charges.

    By the way, I wouldn't recommend buying the DVR. I would just lease it. That way, if it breaks, they replace it. DVRs are not known for their stout reliability. If you are a long time Directv user, you can negotiate to get the leased HDDVR for free, or maybe just a minimal install charge ($20?).

    I got two HDDVRs installed for about $120. One for the bedroom, one for the living room. They are both leased.
  • Unknown
    edited October 2008
    This content has been removed.