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November 25, 2005

Is buying a DirecTV HD Tivo worth it?

With HD getting more popular and as a family upgrading to plasma based HD TVs for the house, we want HD through DirecTV, but we dont want to lose our Tivo.  Is buying a HD Tivo worth it through DirecTV or do they have their own coming?
-- Scott

November 25, 2005 in DirecTiVo, TV & HDTV

Answers

DirecTV has discontinued the HD TiVo and is moving to a new compression scheme for HD video on their satellite network. I haven't heard any firm dates for when the new MPEG4 video will be available and when they will produce a HD DVR for it, but I suspect it will be middle to late 2006.

Posted by: Matt Haughey at Dec 23, 2005 9:49:49 AM

DirecTV has *not* discontinued the HD TiVo. In fact, that is the only HD DVR they currently offer and will continue to be such until mid-2006 when a new HD DVR is supposed to come out. But since the NDS DVR was 6 months late - and is still buggy, I wouldn't count on the new HD model being on time.

The MPEG4 spot beams are starting to role out for HD locals, but the existing MPEG2 HD channels will remain for the foreseeable future.

Posted by: MegaZone at Dec 23, 2005 1:19:31 PM

hi there. well, the good news is that tivo is coming out with its own hd dvr's. they will be the series 3. you can read more about them at:

http://www.pvrblog.com/pvr/2006/01/hd_tivo_series_.html

yay tivo!

Posted by: m at Jan 11, 2006 9:10:24 AM

Or you can take a look at a video demo from CES here: http://www.gearlive.com/index.php/news/article/ces-2006-video-tivo-series-3-video-interview-first-look-0108051437/

Posted by: Robert Cortez at Jan 12, 2006 10:16:44 AM

But the HD Tivo is going to be around the $1000 mark, isn't it? And the DirecTV HD DVR is only $399 after rebate... I'm in the same quandry myself... I'm really close to switching to DirecTV from Dish, but Dish actually has more HD programming... (It's nice to have these kinds of problems!)

Posted by: Nick at Jan 15, 2006 12:27:53 PM

Nick, the HR10-250 HD Tivo for Directv is not $1000 for current customers.

Search the net bro! Look, here it is for less than $500, brand-new in box, and it's not for new subscribers only.

http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=2950017/search=hr+10-250

Posted by: Dave at Jan 17, 2006 1:20:06 PM

No no. You mis-red me.

The HD Tivo for DirecTV is $399 directly from them.

I was trying to say that the new HD Tivo FROM TIVO is $1K.

I think the DirecTV deal has got to be the cheapest thing out there... am I wrong?

Posted by: Nick at Jan 25, 2006 6:33:54 AM

DIRECT definitely has the best options for buying a HD DVR right now- with a $200 instant rebate $399 is a steal- a lot of others are doing mail in rebates which stink. I got my whole house set-up, 4 rooms, and with free installation- all from American Satellite and the customer service was great. I would recommend that anyone who is looking to purchase an HD DVR check out their site www.AmericanSatellite.com. They have a price matching guarantee so you never feel like you overpaid. Not to mention that I got 3 free months of an awsome HD programming package- also for free.

Posted by: Brian at Feb 17, 2006 2:01:17 PM

i have been looking for a site to warn/complain about my upgrade with directv. i waited till their upgrade hd came out and got it immediately. already had an flat screen sharpe which i love. the new hd receiver is NOT a tivo. it has been like going from a corvette to a modle t. the HD-20 i now have sux big time. biggest problem for me is ff and rew. it's all over the place and you cannot stop the "3" stage ff anywhere near the start of program after commericals. complaining to directv is useless. they will only say that my complaints "fall within the parameters of other complaints" and to watch for software upgrades. i've had one upgrade from satelite and it improved it only a little. I assumed the upgrade would be a tivo. it is not and i urge anybody thinking of upgrading to make sure u get a tivo or don't do it. is there a wider forum i can put forth my experience with my "downgrade?"
as steve martin says, "i'm sorry, but I'M ANGRY!"

Posted by: ron bagby at Oct 28, 2006 6:18:05 PM