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General discussion

DVR - Any real option to what the provider offers?

by Joseph Decker Jun 18, 2009 12:10AM PDT

I will probably start subscribing to DirectTV via Verizon soon. They have a DVR which one can rent for $10/month. Is it possible to buy your own DVR and have it work just as well, avoiding the monthly $10 subscription? I have not seen much in the way of alternative DVRs (with a hard disk) available. Am I missing something?

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3 Posts
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There are discussions here about that. Let's do the math.
by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Jun 18, 2009 12:14AM PDT

Remember you wrote "DVR" without detailing or listing other features you demand. So for the 300 buck DVR I own that's 30 months of rental without having a worry about warranty or much else.

Also, the common DVR will only record in SD. This may be a sticking point for some.

So, yes you have choices. The 10 buck a month is not bad if you do the math.

As to the "work just as well" I'm going with "maybe" but lean to "no" since it will be just SD.
Bob

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Further question
by Joseph Decker Jun 18, 2009 12:37AM PDT

Thanks for the quick reply. Is it true that the DVRs on the market only allow you to record one program at a time, while the DVRs from the provider allow you to record two programs?

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With DirecTV, I would say no, but...
by ahtoi Jun 18, 2009 4:02AM PDT

check with them. A dvr with a separate tuner is like adding another room; in effect they are charging you $5 for room and $5 for equipment. To buy the equipment in the open market is not cheap.

Of course with cable, that maybe a different story.

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