DISH to DirecTV Need Setup Recommendations

[unislick]

BTN dropped by DISH has driven me to the point of moving to DirecTV. Not familiar with DirecTv and need recommendations to simulate my DISH setup.

Things I consider a must (to keep wife happy...she is already not happy needing to learn new channels):
Ability to watch HD on all TVs
Ability to pause live TV (trick) on at least 3 of the 5 TVs (I may be able to give a little here).
Zero to very little upfront equipment fees

Current DISH Setup:
3 VIP722(s)

DirecTV Setup request:
1 Home Media Center HD DVR (HR34?)
What Other Receivers for the 4-5 other TVs? HD Receivers or HD Recievers plus DVR? HD25 or C31?

Can I specify what receivers I will receive when I order?

Thanks for all your help.

 

[Rdeejr]

The dvr receivers have two tuners and will cost $99 each. The non dvr receivers have one tuner and are free. The hr34 has five tuners and also costs $99. So it just depends on how many tuners you want.

I think Dish messed up by not putting a tuner in the joeys. I currently have Dish and am probably switching to Direct. My dad has Direct and their whole home is nice. All receivers are integrated.

Sent from my iPad using SatelliteGuys

 

[unislick]

Thanks.

Do the HD (no DVR) allow you to pause live TV? If I only want 5 tuners to record, what are the advantages of using HD DVR receivers vs just HD as the extra receivers to the HR34?

 

[rapidturtle]

The HD (non DVR) receivers don't allow you to pause live T.V. You can hit the record button though and when you come back to the program, just pull it up from the DVR and watch it that way. Then of course you are watching a recorded program and can pause or fast forward. The nice thing about the HD boxes is that they have their own independent tuner. When watching live T.V. they aren't taking a tuner away from the HR34. With Dish's Hopper Joey setup, the Joey uses a tuner from the hopper. I do believe that Direct has a Joey type of box coming out which will take a tuner from the HR34 and then you would be able to pause live T.V.,but you loose a tuner from the HR34. If you look around some here, there are discussions about the different setups, and the pro's and cons of both. Some people add a second DVR to the setup, which then you are able to pause live T.V. at that box.
I have the HR34 and 3 HD boxes. I personally prefer this setup. It really works great, and I have no problem hitting the record button when I need to pause a program at the HD boxes. By having those 5 tuners free, I never have any conflicts when recording programs. Just make sure when you sign up that you get the equipment that you want. It will be more expensive to do it as an existing customer, and you usually have to sign a new 2 year contract if you upgrade your equipment.

 

[unislick]

Thanks RapidTurtle.

One last question - if I add another HD DVR (HR24) to my HR34 can I access HR34 recordings on my HR24?

I plan to go with HR34, HR24 and 3 H25 (I will try and be a specific as I can when ordering to ensure I get the right equipment) ASSUMING I can access my recordings from the HR34 on my HR24 (if not, I may just go with all H25's with my HR34).

I will need to put my negotiating hat as well since I will refuse to pay any money upfront for any receivers as a new customer .

Thanks for everyone's help...this site ROCKS!

 

[shkarter1985]

Welcome to the DirecTV family.

 

[Gant]

I will need to put my negotiating hat as well since I will refuse to pay any money upfront for any receivers as a new customer .

Let me know how that works out for you. I plan to switch to a similar setup as what you're looking at.

 

[Gant]

One last question - if I add another HD DVR (HR24) to my HR34 can I access HR34 recordings on my HR24?

I believe the answer to this is yes. My question is are the HR24 recordings available on the HR34 and any other connected HD receivers in the house?

 

[unislick]

Will Do. Any advice on whether or not you can view recordings from the HR34 on the HR24? In essence will the 5 receivers all be networked together to share recordings (HR34, HR24, H25, H25, & H25)?

Thanks
Slick

 

[whitewolf8214]

to SatelliteGuys

 

[dfergie]

Yes, you will be able to view programming from the HR24 to HR34 & vice versa as well as view from the H series you listed.

 

[unislick]

Thanks! Now I will need to decide if one additional tuner, extra hours of recording and ability to pause live tv without recording is worth the additional $100. Or just talk them into giving it to me .

 

[cave1376]

With your set up, HR34, HR24, H24x3, that will give you ten tuners. You will be able to record four programs on the HR34, and one on the HR24 at the same time and still be able to watch live programming on all tv's

 

[unislick]

Thanks, Cave.

 

[RandallA]

Be prepared to pay at least $99 for the HR34. I never heard of anyone getting it for free but there's always a first time for everything.

 

[unislick]

I will try my darnest. One last question...I assume the receivers are networked together...how are they actually networked...wireless, hardwire, through cable, another way? Just trying to see how much fun the installer is going to have.

 

[Hutch1814]

I will try my darnest. One last question...I assume the receivers are networked together...how are they actually networked...wireless, hardwire, through cable, another way? Just trying to see how much fun the installer is going to have.

They're networked via the internal deca, once they are all connected and activated they're done. Just 1 coax line to each receiver is all

 

[unislick]

Interesting....thank you!!! I will Google DECA to educate myself.

 

[unislick]

Well...I called...they gave me all kinds of programming upgrades and monthly fee discounts, but wouldn't budge on the up front cost. With the HR34, HR24, and 3 H25's...they wanted $341.77...which is crazy. Couldn't talk her into it. Anyone know another line to a customer specialist (what DISH calls them) or any other tricks that can make the upfront costs less painful?

 

[jgags6]

Thats about what your going to end up paying... just signed up for Directv myself and had to pay upfront costs like that also.