DirecTV Plus HD DVR

Has anyone here gotten one yet? It comes with the bigger 5LNB dish and apparently you get Comcast SportsNet in HD (as well as the locals in HD), which is why I'm looking at it so I can watch the Caps in HD.

Any opinions?

 

I am getting mine tomorrow. I'll let you know what I think. I am mainly interested in getting HD local channels through it.

 

Did you get yours from Best Buy ($300 "lease" I think) or were you able to get any special deals straight from them? I heard their retention dept sometimes gives it for $99 if you say you are going to cancel, etc.

 

I am getting it straight from DTV. $99 with installation. Always a challenge to figure out their promotions. I changed to DTV from the dish about 8 months ago. Part of the deal was that I would get a DVR, which didn't have local HD. I pressed and they said new one to come out shortly, and that I would be able to get a new DVR with local HD at no charge.

Seems they lost that offer in the system, and I had no documentation. They then said I could get the new one for $99. Includes new satdish.

 

Nice! I need to see if I can work that too... I hope the DVR will compare nicely to the DirecTV TiVo units that we currently have. If you have a min, let us know what you think of it after using it for a few days!

 

That's why I didn't raise such a stink. I look at the $99 as an installation fee and new dish. They originally had also asked me to trade in my current DVR. I pressed and they allowed me to keep it. How nice of them.

At the end of the day, I really like DTV. The best signal, best HD, and great website. At least for me. YMMV.

 

I wish I could just get them to send the equip so I can install myself... the contracted guys I think are paid by the job and want to be in and out ASAP. I prefer to spend more time and make it look nice and neat. Afgm, did they ship to you or does the installer bring it with them?

 

They're suppose to bring the equipment tomorrow morning, so I'll see.

As for Adelphia, or it's spawn, I can't stomach them. A few years ago they tore through Ashburn Farm causing over $75,000 in damage. Totally and arrogantly ignored it. Since then I've not wanted to have anything to do with them, and I like to think I am responsible for a lot of others not dealing with them, as I had no problem ranting about them to anyone who would listen.

BTW, after nagging them for over two years, we eventually got $60,000 out of their bankruptcy. Very satisfying.

 

I think both E* and DirecTV are now on a leasing model, unfortunately. I've read a few opinions about the HR20 and most people seem to like it, but there are some things that TiVO people will miss (mostly because of patents):

• predictive rw/ff which will jump back by your reaction time
• the SPS30S code which enable the 30second forward jump (I use that all the time for commercials & football)
• ability to switch between live tv buffers like the directivo units.

I think I'm just going to bite the bullet and order one and see how it goes.... it's the only way I can get Comcast in HD from here. They are releasing new software fixes pretty fast, so any bugs shouldn't last long hopefully.

Here is a good forum on it:

http://www.dbstalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=112

 

Tivo Series 3 is out and supports HD and dual cable-cards. You can't get it at an subsidized price, but it looks like a neat machine if you were to go with cable.

 

Mr. Linux,

My experience was DTV loves to talk to switching users. There are several deals, not sure which is current. I received installation, dish, four rooms, three with regular receivers and one DVR for $99. I also received free HBO/Showtime and HD channels six months free. I think I had to commit to two years. It was a no brainer. The HD from DRV is superior to that from Dish.

This was a purchase of the equipment not lease. Also, the new DVR I am getting today (Iam waiting) is a purchase and not a lease.

 

This is a great website for info and opinion. Search tool is very good. Check it for DTV offer discussions, availability, and user feedback on the interfaces.

http://www.avsforum.com/

 

Brim, nice to see you.

 

We got the older DirecTV Tivo HD DVR back in January. I've been debating on upgrading, since we get the HD-locals fine via antenna, and so far the other HD programming isn't worth the extra money. (HBO-HD comes with our HBO subscription). Here's a decent comparison of the Dish, DirecTV Plus and Tivo Series 3 from CNet:
http://reviews.cnet.com/4321-6474_7-6546224.html?tag=cnetfd.mt


As a Tivo user for over 6 years now, and a DirecTV subscriber even longer, it's hard that they are separating. I'm thinking of just sticking with my happy combo now until more HD channels I'm interested in become available.

 

Thanks, I'll have something more complete to say later...

 

Hi Brim
Welcome back!

 

Thanks...I appreciate the support in the other thread (afgm and everyone else also).