Well, I've had DirecTV w/ Tivo for a few days now, and I have to say it lives up to the hype.

I told the install guy my phone line wasn't being installed til next week (wink wink), and he said that was OK and proceeded w/ the installation. After he pointed the dish, he called DirecTV on his cell and they activated my programming and Tivo, but said I wouldn't be able to use the Tivo until I hooked it up to my phone line. I asked the CSR if I could just take it to work and update it, since I didn't want to wait a week (wink wink). The guy was noncommital, and said I should just wait for a week. So I took it to a friend's house who does NOT have DirecTV, plugged it into the phone, and now I'm enjoying the wonderful world of Tivo.

Thanks again to all who helped me out in this thread.

I'm happy to hear it although I can't really say I'm surprised.

I used to hear people say you have to have one to truly understand why it's so cool. I didn't get it until I got one. Until you've tried a TiVo / DirecTiVo for a few days, it's really difficult to grasp why they're so great.

It's not that I'm watching new shows because of Tivo, it's just that now all the shows I usually watch are on MY schedule. No more trying to get home for PTI, no more staying home on Sunday nights just to watch Alias, etc. And yes you could tape those things with a VCR, except Tivo is about a bajillion times better.

One last related question - anyone who doesn't have their receiver connected to a phone line have any experience with the sports packages (NFL Ticket, etc)? I've read while you can get away w/out a phone line for DTV and Tivo, you do need it for the sports packages so DTV can check blackout regions, etc.

Just wondering.

To expand on watching things on your own schedule. I like letting things build up. I have the first four Six Feet Under episodes sitting on my TiVo at the moment waiting to be watched. There's nothing like sitting down at some point and just having a marathon viewing. It's great to get caught up on a months worth of shows in one evening. Like you mention, I could have done that with tapes, but it would have been a major hassle. And every year I'd screw up a minimum of one recording because I forgot setup the VCR. Last year I didn't miss anything.

It's also nice to be freed from the TV schedule. I don't have to worry about when my favorite show will start showing new episodes again. I don't have to worry if it's a special two hour episode or on a different night. It's great.

For me the best feature is no more being in deep ka-ka with the wife because I shushed her while trying to catch the last 30 seconds of some program. Now if she interrupts me, I can easily pause and rewind when she's done. Such a little thing, but it has completed eliminated some aggreviation on both our parts.

As for your question about the sports package. I'm not sure about that. But I've read over and over and over that the phone line is for downloading new software and sending some generic statistics to TiVo. I don't believe you'll be affected. But since I've not been in your position, I can't say for sure.

I paid 450.00 for my 2 Samsung 100hr DTIVOs and it was money well spent in my opinion.

ok, i signed up for my tivo during the current $99 deal but one thing is bugging me. i do love it, don't get me wrong, but why the heck should i pay the $99 at the installation PLUS another 4.99 per month for the reciever in addition to the 4.99 tivo fee? that doesn't really make much sense. i don't mind paying for the service, but it bugs me that i have to pay initially for the reciever as well as every month.

You shouldn't have to pay for the receiver itself unless it's a second receiver. It's 5 bucks extra per receiver after the first one. Did you hook up 2 tvs?

This is a good thread for me because I am seriously considering getting direct tv tivo. My queston is this: With the direct dvr can i record shows directly onto a blank dvd? If not, does anyone know how I can?

Thanks

DirecTV has the $4.99 charge for additional receivers. You only pay $4.99 for the DirecTivo service, not an additional $4.99 for that receiver.

If you have two receivers, one DirecTivo and another regular one, there should only be two $4.99 charges.

"Directly": no

You can hook it up to a tuner card on your computer and capture it real-time though.

Check out http://www.tivocommunity.com and http://www.videohelp.com for plenty of articles and help on this topic.

I didn't want to start another Directv thread so I'll ask my questions here. I have Comcast at the moment and I'm fed up with the price and reception. I'm looking at DTV but I'm not sure what all I need.

Questions:

The directv tivos: Do they act as a receiver as well as a DVR, no need for an additional receiver?

I would like 4 TVs hooked up with 3 of them being Tivos. I'm looking at a Custom Package(see below)
at Solid Signal.

Does that package have everything I'll need? It seems awful cheap with having 3 DVR's.

Last question. I'm concerned about LOS issues. I have a huge tree in the backyard but there is a space to see the southern sky. I'm just not sure if it's enough. Does cable wires on telephone poles interfer with the satellite? How wide open does the area need to be to get a clear view for the Sat?


Item Description Price Quantity Total

Philips DIRECTV® DSX5500 Receiver (DSX5500) $ 0.00 (1) $ 0.00
Philips DSR704 Series 2 DIRECTV® DVR powered by TiVo® (35 hours) (DSR704) $ 19.99 (3) $ 59.97
18 x 20 Inch Triple LNB DIRECTV Multi-Sat Dish Antenna $ 19.99 (1) $ 19.99
Standard Professional Installation - (3) Advanced Receivers / (1) Standard Receiver $ 0.00 1 $ 0.00
Phase III Compatible 4x8 Multiswitch (DTV48) $ 0.00 1 $ 0.00



Sub Total: $ 79.96
Shipping [Ground]: $ 34.95

Order Total: $ 114.91

Correct, the Directivo actually has two built in recievers allowing you to record two channels at the same time, or to watch one and record another. If you went with a stand alone Tivo you would need a reciever to record the Directv feed.

Solid Signals packages generally have everything you need. But check out this solidsignal deal. You may want to shoot them an email or PM on Tivocommunity, a great place for Tivo and DTivo info, under SolidSignal to see what it would cost to add a basic receiver and another 35 hour Dtivo. Do you need the oval dish? Some areas need it to recieve local channel, some Spanish Channels and Hidef channels if I remember correctly. If you aren't in the market for Hi-Def or anytime soon and don't need it for locals I would get the regular dish.

As far as signal loss, it would depend on the angle you need for signal and where they mount the dish.

I'm looking to get local channels with it. When I punch in my zip code, all the local channels are in the #900 range, doesn't say anything about a specific Sat requirement.

Also, when they install it, they don't use the existing cable wires in the house correct? I'm assuming they don't, will that cause a problem for free installition if they have to drill some holes from outside to inside?

Looking at that package, It doesn't list a Multiswitch. I would need one of those to have 3 tivos and 1 regular reciever to run correct? Looking at the 4X8 switches they have and they are pricey heh.

Unfortunately I am unsure if you will need a oval dish then, you may want to ask in Tivocommunity's Dtivo forum, they would know better.

Some installers will try to use the existing cable, since it is cheaper for them, some won't since the quality is unknown. Me personally they did try but I told him I was keeping cable so they couldn't. But I am almost positive solidsignal's installation includes one outside wall per receiver, not sure if they include an inside wall also. They should tell you on their site under professional installation as far was what it covers.

Correct it doesn't list one because for the two free ones you wouldn't need one, but if you pm them and ask about the cost of adding another dtivo and regular receiver, ask about the multiswitch. When I originally priced them, they included a multiswitch and my package was 3 Dtivo's and 2 basic receivers. Like I said I would pm them on Tivocommunity and they usually respond the same day to any questions

I'm currently considering switching to DirectTV and I was wondering what kind of monthly fees are on the bill that might not be apparent.

I know there will be sales tax, but do they have the stupid FCC User Fee, Franchise Fee etc?

Mordred

Yup. The DirecTivo has the receiver built in.

It really tends to vary, and the installer can usually tell just by looking (they've got special tools and stuff) beforey they even hook anything up. One thing you really should keep in mind is that the signal tends to be very finicky about the weather. If you don't have a lot of storms in your area, you should be fine, but if it rains a lot there, then you really may want to consider sticking to cable. We tend to completely lose our signal here about half an hour before it starts so much as even sprinkling. Heck, one time we had a complete signal loss when there was a storm about thirty miles away.

So far my bills have been $34.98 ($29.99 promotion price for six months of TC, plus $4.99 for Tivo). No taxes or fees

Just to jump in...

Switched from Dish to DirecTV last August partially because the newer DishDVRs now have a $5 fee, and the DirecTiVo software is superior. And, since I'm a student, it's great to watch shows on my time (although one of these days, I have to watch the entire season of 24, Solstrom, and The Mole on GSN).

Monthly bill: Total Choice Plus + DVR + Two Additional reveivers: $57.
That's about the same price as my cable company for one digital receiver and they do not offer DVR services.

And, within two months of getting the unit, I upgraded the hard drive from 40 GB to 160GB. Four months later, and another 160GB was added. Yet, there is still not enough space.

And, yes, Virginia, there is a DBS Talk. Just have to state that I'm a moderator there.

I obviously don't know all the details, but that doesn't sound right to me. I'd guess your dish isn't aligned properly and you're not getting a strong signal to begin with. The only time I've ever lost reception due to weather was last year when we had a bad ice storm. Our dish had about 1/2 inch of ice on it. Other than that, we've had no problems with rain or snow. Or you're located in some remote location in which case a larger dish might solve your problems.

A few questions:

Seems like most people experience signal loss very rarely and only in the worst storms. I'm in Texas so snow isn't normally a worry but it does rain pretty bad sometimes. Does the oval dish do better in storms than the standard round one?

Also I'm interested in the Total Choice Premier package. With two DVRs that will run me about $95 + tax. It looks like if I sign up for the NFL Sunday Ticket the $90 Total Choice Premier cost is waved for the 4 months I'm paying for the Sunday Ticket. It looks like my total cost during the first four months would be $62/mo which is just the payments for the Sunday Ticket + $5 for the additional reciever. Is that correct? Or do I still have to pay for the base Total Choice package + the $62 Sunday Ticket deal?

I just don't wanna waltz in unprepared if/when I make the switch.

It's been a while since I upgraded to the oval, but I haven't really noticed a difference. It was pretty rare that I lost signal with either.

I did a similar deal a few years back, and everything worked out fine. It was only a little more expensive to get the Sunday Ticket and Total Choice Premiere than just the Total Choice. Just keep in mind that they do this so you'll get hooked on Sunday Ticket for life like I am. Unless you explicitly tell them not to, they will assume you want it every year.

das

So they'll automatically renew you for the Sunday Ticket every year? I get all the Cowboy games local here so I have no use for the Ticket except for a better deal for those 4 months.

Yeah. All you have to do is tell them not to, though. After the 4 months, just give them a call and tell them not to auto-renew.

das

I have the directivo and I love it. A friend of mine has the DVR from dish and she haaaaaaaaates it! She used to have directivo and is considering going back to directv only based on that!

It's been a stormy summer here in MD. My dish is aligned fine (strong signal 95 or above every time I've checked) and I've still lost signal several times during bad storms with hard rain and thick clouds.

Most times was only for 5 minutes or so, twice I lost signal for over a half hour during SEVERE storms.

But I still wouldn't go back to cable as I save over $30 a month on my special and over $20 when it goes to full price over what I was paying for more or less the same channels on Comcast.