Which used DVR to get?

[pa1000]

I read many people don't like the current dvr's and I also don't want to sign a longer or HD contract so I want to get an older directtivo dvr off ebay. I don't care about HD and want to spend less than $100. what brand would people here recommend? what is most reliable as in not dying, what has the best interface, etc?


If I buy a used dvr how much extra will i have to pay direct tv to replace one of my current recievers with the dvr? since the reason people say they charge a dvr fee is because the dvr has 2 tuners, is it possible for them to only activate 1 tuner (and not be able to record 2 channels at the same time) and not pay the extra dvr fee?

 

[joed32]

You still have to pay the six bucks. A non HD DVR should be well under a hundred. If you lived nearby I would give you one. Most people here probably have at least one gathering dust.

 

[Bob Nielsen]

You should get one of the newer Tivo-based units, such as HDVR2, DVR40, DVR80, etc. These may have different brand names (Hughes, RCA, etc.) but are all made in the same Mexican factory and only the front panel is different (there are also different hard drive sizes). The R10 is nearly the same, but has some "features" to make it harder to hack.

 

[pa1000]

The R10 is nearly the same, but has some "features" to make it harder to hack.

does this include hughes model like the HR10-250 or is the direct tv r10 a different reciever?

 

[pa1000]

if i did get a model like HDVR2 or HR10-250 which are HD would I be forced to pay extra for HD service even if i do not want HD?

 

[joed32]

The HR10-250 is HD but not for much longer. I don't think you would have to have the HD Access, but you might want to call to make sure. If you don't want HD why would you buy the HR10-250? The others would be much cheaper but with less recording space.

 

[Bob Nielsen]

does this include hughes model like the HR10-250 or is the direct tv r10 a different reciever?

The HR10-250 is Directv brand, not Hughes. It is HD (MPEG2-only), the R10 (also Directv brand) is SD.

 

[pa1000]

The HR10-250 is Directv brand, not Hughes. It is HD (MPEG2-only), the R10 (also Directv brand) is SD.

why is it listed as a hughes tivo by people selling it then?

If you don't want HD why would you buy the HR10-250?

just for more space

 

[Hemi 6.1]

Be carefull of the Directv TIVOs, Its common for Power supply failure and and or hardrive failure .On the HDVR2's! $70-$200 to repair. They work fantastic, but around 4th year they start to go bad. If you plan to upgrade the Harddrive anyway they don't worry. But I would go with the R10 or 10-250.

 

[Hemi 6.1]

if i did get a model like HDVR2 or HR10-250 which are HD would I be forced to pay extra for HD service even if i do not want HD?

HDVR2 is SD. I know it sounds like its HD but its not. And no you won't have to subscribe to HD.

 

[pa1000]

But I would go with the R10 or 10-250.

why, because they're newer?

 

[Hemi 6.1]

why, because they're newer?

Yes, and less trouble. And the 10-250 is a great Tivo.

 

[Hemi 6.1]

Put it this way I bought a HDVR2 off Ebay less then a month ago.And wouldn't you know it ,When I got it ,It wouldn't start up. So I did some poking around ,and found out that ,the problem with mine was a really common problem after 3 years of use. Too Common!

 

[pa1000]

what are the differences in the r10 and r10-250 besides storage space?

 

[Hemi 6.1]

what are the differences in the r10 and r10-250 besides storage space?

The R 10 is SD DVR, the 10 250 is Mpeg 2 HD DVR

 

[cybok0]

My Samsung is doing fine(Knock on wood), it's five years old.

 

[atp1313]

I upgraded from my "owned" HR10-250 to the HR20-700, but kept the 10-250 for whenever we get TV for my kid's room/den. We may never use it again, but if the opportunity arises, I will fire that thing back up without hesitation. It's a great receiver and has robust recording capabilities. And being HD at its core, the output is very good, even if you don't have it hooked up to an HDTV. Of course, now that most/all of the HD is MPEG4, it won't work in that regard, but it is still a great unit for MPEG2/SD.

 

[Hemi 6.1]

My Samsung is doing fine(Knock on wood), it's five years old.

These are good too.