Theres a code to make it disappear quickly. Its one of the few codes I use on mine but it only works on TIVO model of DirecTV DVR.
While a recording is playing, press the following buttons in this order. Don't pause too long or it won't work. The bar will then appear for only about 1 or 2 seconds when you pause then disappear.
After you press the buttons in correct sequence you will hear 3 bongs.
Select - Play - Select - Pause - Select
If it doesn't work the first time, press clear and start over. Sometimes the buttons get out of sequence or something.