DirecTv HD DVR Question

[ltrinidad]

I've only been a part of this site for about a month or two, and I have searched the forums for an answer, but no luck. My question in is:
Why does DirecTv not lease an HD-DVR instead of selling it for $200? Dish, Time Warner, Comcast all do it and seem to have success with the program. I understand the HD-DVR is with Tivo, but I think DirecTv and Tivo could stand to make more money with the HD-DVR if they leased it instead. When peolpe are on a budget, $200 really is an amount that is kind of hard to pay upfront. I also know some people who although realize DirecTv has the most HD channels, will not switch becasue of the $200 DVR. If I know a couple of people like this, I'm sure there are thousands out there who feel the same way about switching.

Anyways, please enlighten me on the subject please.

 

[ClemSole]

Boy you are new. The HD-DVR's are leased, you pay the $299.00 down payment and lease it from there. Also they are NOT TIVO's, the HR-20/21's, & R15's are D* own version of DVR's.

 

[scottie_h]

If you don't want to pay the $200-300 for the LEASED NON-Tivo HD-DVR, keep calling back to see if you can get a deal. There are all kinds of threads on the subject. I got one for free about 3 months ago.

Dish no longer offers receivers for purchase or Tivo receivers if you didn't already get that message.

 

[bjthadj]

It's only leased if you get the box from D*, right? If I can buy it from Costco isn't it mine outright?

Also, with a HR20, can I record 2 HD shows at the same time? Or can I only do 1 HD and 1 SD simutaneously? I saw something about it having 1 HD tuner and 1 SD tuner and got a bit confused.

 

[joed32]

1. No
2. Yes,any 2 shows.

 

[ltrinidad]

how would you go about getting a free one? is there something you would say to directv, or is it just a matter of continuously asking and waiting?

 

[scottie_h]

how would you go about getting a free one? is there something you would say to directv, or is it just a matter of continuously asking and waiting?

There are lots of varying experiences discussed at length in many threads. I just called and asked about upgrading. It took 3 calls for me to get an answer of "free". The first 2 offered $199, and I politely told them I'd think about it. Others "threaten" to leave, etc.

I'm not sure how successful people have been with free upgrades since the new channels were launched though.

 

[TheDeuce]

how would you go about getting a free one? is there something you would say to directv, or is it just a matter of continuously asking and waiting?

yes, some people have called back 10 times if needed.

 

[bookwalk]

What about new customers--I need to try to get the standard DVR (R15) free, as I already pay $200 for the HR 20--how could I get such a deal?

 

[Bob Nielsen]

What about new customers--I need to try to get the standard DVR (R15) free, as I already pay $200 for the HR 20--how could I get such a deal?

On the web site order form there is a box for entering a promotional code. Put "DVR4U2" in that box and you should be able to get a free R15.

 

[bookwalk]

On the web site order form there is a box for entering a promotional code. Put "DVR4U2" in that box and you should be able to get a free R15.

So far, it's not letting me do that!

Any other ideas?

 

[ONUOsFan]

So far, it's not letting me do that!

Any other ideas?

Going to the website is not the way to get a deal. As others have said, you have to pick up the phone.

The standard deal is one $100 rebate, which either makes the HDDVR $199 or gives you a SD DVR or HD receiver (non DVR) free. That's all the website will give you.

If you want better, you will have to call - maybe several times. Mention Dish's free HD-DVR and/or any other offers that are out there - that may help. If they don't think they are competing for you, you'll get nothing.

 

[ScottChez]

The DVR4U2 offer expired Oct 30th

 

[ltrinidad]

can you have a regular dvr connected to your tv if you already have an hd reciever hooked up with directv?

 

[raoul5788]

can you have a regular dvr connected to your tv if you already have an hd reciever hooked up with directv?

Sure, you can mix sd and hd equipment.

 

[ltrinidad]

how would you go about connecting the D* HD Reciever with the D* DVR? If I do this, I wan to make sure it is connected correctly.

 

[ltrinidad]

is it just a matter of having a wire connected from one to the other?

 

[Bob Nielsen]

how would you go about connecting the D* HD Reciever with the D* DVR? If I do this, I wan to make sure it is connected correctly.

You don't connect them together. You connect each to both the dish and television set. There is a way to have the remote control each separately using the AV1 switch position.

 

[ONUOsFan]

can you have a regular dvr connected to your tv if you already have an hd reciever hooked up with directv?

Why would you want to? Why not just get an HD-DVR?

Hey, look at that - my 1000th post and becoming a Pub Member all in one day - I'm all aflutter...

 

[ltrinidad]

You don't connect them together. You connect each to both the dish and television set. There is a way to have the remote control each separately using the AV1 switch position.

but would I get a good picture on the recorded shows having the HD receiver on a different input?