Tivo vs. Directv DVR

[gee_dubyah]

I'm confused about why I would want a DirecTV DVR over a Tivo. Frankly I've been a ReplayTV user for several years now and love it! Sadly ReplayTV has gone the way of the dinosaurs. Now that I just got a new HD TV, I'd like to upgrade to DirecTV's HD service and am wondering what is the better route. I recognize that the streamlined approach would be to go with the DirecTV DVR, but couldn't I purchase an HD Tivo and a DirecTV HD Receiver and accomplish the same thing? What is the big advantage in going with the first option other than the obvious: less equipment to deal with?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

 

[JamesJ]

also, more HD channels with Directv DVR.

 

[scottie_h]

Conversely, why would you want to get a D* HD receiver and HD-Tivo instead of a D* HD-DVR?

I don't believe the HD-Tivo works with satellite. I'm pretty sure the Series 2 Tivo was the last version that did (and that's the one that I had, so can't speak from experience) - someone will correct me if I'm remembering wrong. Even if it did, you'd have to pay $12.95 (or whatever the current rate is) for Tivo service vs. $4.99 for D* DVR service (no matter how many DVRs are in your house).

 

[bidger`]

I recognize that the streamlined approach would be to go with the DirecTV DVR, but couldn't I purchase an HD Tivo and a DirecTV HD Receiver and accomplish the same thing?

Nope.

From the purchase page for the TiVo HD unit: † TiVo HD DVR does not support satellite service. Found at the bottom of that page.

 

[JamesJ]

I think he is talking about the HD 250 tivo or whatever it was, it is a HDTIVO....it use to be (pre Mpeg4 days) that Tivo was ROCK solid, compared to Directv DVr's....now I have to say I really really enjoy my HR21 and find it is getting easier to learn every day.

if you are talking about the series 3 tivo, then yes as scottie pointed out that will NOT work with Directv.

edit: also Read too fast on the original Post, I didnt see he wanted to do a HD tivo AND Directv HD reciever, thought it was either or. but as others have said a HD tivo will not work with satellite.

 

[gee_dubyah]

Thanks for the info folks. I assumed that the Directv HD receiver could output a digital signal that a Tivo HD DVR could accept. My old ReplayTV just allowed the SD signal to pass through but added all the benefits of the DVR. I guess I just figured a similar setup was possible with HD. It sounds like all around if I'm going to stick with DirectTV (way more reliable than cable in my experience) I should go with their DVR. Just wish I didn't have to pay for a DVR (lease?) PLUS a monthly fee. The old fees were supposed to be so you could get access to an updated guide on your DVR, but since that comes naturally with DirecTV, it feels like I'd be paying double.

 

[Jimbo]

Thanks for the info folks. I assumed that the Directv HD receiver could output a digital signal that a Tivo HD DVR could accept. My old ReplayTV just allowed the SD signal to pass through but added all the benefits of the DVR. I guess I just figured a similar setup was possible with HD. It sounds like all around if I'm going to stick with DirectTV (way more reliable than cable in my experience) I should go with their DVR. Just wish I didn't have to pay for a DVR (lease?) PLUS a monthly fee. The old fees were supposed to be so you could get access to an updated guide on your DVR, but since that comes naturally with DirecTV, it feels like I'd be paying double.

You'll pay a DVR fee of $5.99, thats equal to the $ 12.99 you would pay with just TIVO, the other fee would be a "Leasing" fee, that is $ 4.99, that would be the same fee you would pay otherwise IF you had a box that you OWNED. When owning a box it was a "Addl. Rec." fee, this paid for the programing to be transfered to the 2- and up rec's., with a lease box you no longer pay the Addl. fee but you now pay a leased fee., It's the same money spent out in the long run.

Jimbo

 

[joed32]

You'll pay a DVR fee of $5.99, thats equal to the $ 12.99 you would pay with just TIVO, the other fee would be a "Leasing" fee, that is $ 4.99, that would be the same fee you would pay otherwise IF you had a box that you OWNED. When owning a box it was a "Addl. Rec." fee, this paid for the programing to be transfered to the 2- and up rec's., with a lease box you no longer pay the Addl. fee but you now pay a leased fee., It's the same money spent out in the long run.

Jimbo

Don't forget that you only pay the lease fee on each additional receiver and not on the primary, and that the DVR fee covers all of your DVRs with one fee.

 

[Jimbo]

Don't forget that you only pay the lease fee on each additional receiver and not on the primary, and that the DVR fee covers all of your DVRs with one fee.

Correct ... Good point too.
With DISH you pay the DVR fee on each dvr on the account.

The original rec. you have on your account is not subject to a $4.99 fee.

If you look closely enough, on your bill it WILL show them all with a charge.
Example:
I have 3 rec's. and am charged 3 x $ 4.99, but there is a spot below that in the Credits portion that shows the $ 4.99 credited back to the account.

Jimbo

 

[Bob Nielsen]

Correct ... Good point too.
With DISH you pay the DVR fee on each dvr on the account.

The original rec. you have on your account is not subject to a $4.99 fee.

If you look closely enough, on your bill it WILL show them all with a charge.
Example:
I have 3 rec's. and am charged 3 x $ 4.99, but there is a spot below that in the Credits portion that shows the $ 4.99 credited back to the account.

Jimbo

Not everyone's bill shows it that way. Mine doesn't show the charge/credit for the first receiver. I think it relates to the state tax laws.

 

[Jimbo]

Not everyone's bill shows it that way. Mine doesn't show the charge/credit for the first receiver. I think it relates to the state tax laws.

Really Bob ?
Have you made sure that you are NOT paying for the initial rec. ?
I called and questioned them about this a few years ago, because I saw that all of my rec's were being billed the $ 4.99 and then they pointed out the Credit of $ 4.99 which was in a different location.
On my Online bill, the Credits are at the bottom of the statement.

Jimbo

 

[Bob Nielsen]

Really Bob ?
Have you made sure that you are NOT paying for the initial rec. ?
I called and questioned them about this a few years ago, because I saw that all of my rec's were being billed the $ 4.99 and then they pointed out the Credit of $ 4.99 which was in a different location.
On my Online bill, the Credits are at the bottom of the statement.

Jimbo

My latest bill:

Current Charges for Service Period 07/02/08 - 08/01/08

07/02 08/01 TOTAL CHOICE PLUS Monthly 54.99

07/02 08/01 DIRECTV HD EXTRA PACK Monthly 4.99

07/02 08/01 HD Access Monthly 9.99

07/02 08/01 DIRECTV DVR Service Monthly 5.99

07/02 08/01 DIRECTV on DEMAND -Complimentary 0.00

 

[Jimbo]

My latest bill:

Current Charges for Service Period 07/02/08 - 08/01/08

07/02 08/01 TOTAL CHOICE PLUS Monthly 54.99

07/02 08/01 DIRECTV HD EXTRA PACK Monthly 4.99

07/02 08/01 HD Access Monthly 9.99

07/02 08/01 DIRECTV DVR Service Monthly 5.99

07/02 08/01 DIRECTV on DEMAND -Complimentary 0.00

This does not show your rec's pricing though, I think there is a different way to look at your bill as well.

Here's what mine looks like:

07/02/2008
XXXXXXXX7116
TOTAL CHOICE PLUS-no local - Charge
$51.99
$2.86
07/02/2008
XXXXXXXX0920
Leased Receiver - Charge
$4.99
$0.33
07/02/2008
XXXXXXXX7116
HD Access - Charge
$9.99
$0.55
07/02/2008
XXXXXXXX6302
Leased Receiver - Charge
$4.99
$0.33
07/02/2008
XXXXXXXX7116
Primary Leased Receiver - LeaseFee Free Rcvr
($4.99)
($0.33)
07/02/2008
XXXXXXXX7116
Primary Leased Receiver - Charge
$4.99
$0.33
07/02/2008
XXXXXXXX7116

NFL SUNDAY TICKET - Charge
$41.50
$2.28

The Primary rec. is listed twice, once being a credit.

Jimbo

 

[Bob Nielsen]

I tried to look for that information, but the Directv site is down right now (new HD info coming?)

 

[talos4]

Well, My bill looks exactly like Bob's with the only exception being I have HBO.

It's always looked the same.

 

[Bob Nielsen]

It has a bit more information, but still the same (spaces added for clarity):

07/03/2008 XXXXXXXX0589 TOTAL CHOICE PLUS - Charge $54.99 $0.00
07/03/2008 XXXXXXXX0589 HD Access - Charge $9.99 $0.00
07/03/2008 XXXXXXXX0589 DIRECTV HD EXTRA PACK - Charge $4.99 $0.00

If I had another receiver on the bill it would show up as an additional line (with tax, if leased)


Boy, this discussion is sure getting away from the subject of the thread!

 

[Jimbo]

It has a bit more information, but still the same (spaces added for clarity):

07/03/2008 XXXXXXXX0589 TOTAL CHOICE PLUS - Charge $54.99 $0.00
07/03/2008 XXXXXXXX0589 HD Access - Charge $9.99 $0.00
07/03/2008 XXXXXXXX0589 DIRECTV HD EXTRA PACK - Charge $4.99 $0.00

If I had another receiver on the bill it would show up as an additional line (with tax, if leased)


Boy, this discussion is sure getting away from the subject of the thread!

Bob,
Are you saying you ONLY have 1 rec. on the account ?
From what you show there, it doesn't show any rec's.

Jimbo

 

[Bob Nielsen]

Bob,
Are you saying you ONLY have 1 rec. on the account ?
From what you show there, it doesn't show any rec's.

Jimbo

Yes. When I had another receiver, it showed that as well, but didn't break out the primary receiver as on your bill.