In another thread you guys listed all the reasons to get Direct TV and DVR. I am going to listen to you guys and get it. I hope you guys are right.

Now the question is where should I get the system?

I need 3 rooms that need to be hooked up. One of them will have DVR.

What is the best deal out there for equipment in my sitution?

Should I call Direct TV directly?

Should I call Rapid Sat?

Who has the best deals, service, and customer service?

Also whats the difference between the DVD Series 2 version by Hughes? Phillips? Samsung? RCA? Whats the best company of those for DVR?

The guts of the receivers are all the same, I believe.

What are the differences among the Philips DSR704/DSR7000, the Samsung S4040R and the Hughes SD-DVR40/HDVR2?

As strange as it may sound, the Philips DSR704/DSR7000, the Samsung S4040R and the Hughes SD-DVR40/HDVR2 units (together with the RCA DVR40) are identical in all important respects. With the exception of the Samsung, which contains parts made and is built in Korea, all of these units use the same parts and are built in the same factory in Mexico. They all have dual tuners and the same TiVo functionality. For those familiar with the early generation Sony SAT-T60, Hughes GXCEBOT and Philips DSR6000 TiVos, the same was true with those units.

The only differences between the DSR704/DSR7000, S4040R and SD-DVR40/HDVR2 are:

Color of the remote (DSR704/DSR7000 may have a silver remote; S4040R and SD-DVR40/HDVR2 have black remotes)

Appearance of the front panel

Brand name (Philips vs Hughes vs Samsung) on screen and on the front of the unit

Use of phillips-head, rather than Torx, screws in the Samsung

Western Digital factory drive in the Samsung; Maxtor QuickView drive in the Hughes and Philips units (our upgraded units contain Maxtor QuickView drives exclusively, regardless of the manufacturer of the TiVo)

So if you are shopping for a DirecTiVo choose the one that looks most appealing to you. You will have the exact same features no matter which model you buy.

All your other questions are answered here:

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb...p?s=&forumid=7

I just went through WeaKnees.com and got a DirecTV system with 2 regular receivers and 1 upgraded DirecTivo receiver. WeaKnees specialiazes in Tivo upgrades but they can also get you a DirecTV system with complete installation for a fair price.

You can't order a new setup directly on their website, you have to email them, but they are a respected online store with excellent customer service and are very easy to deal with. They respond to my emails within 2-3 hours usually. Browse their site and you'll see info about getting a new direcTV system on their DirecTivo page. Send them an email with exactly what you want and they'll reply with a price quote. Then you can tweak it from there.

Be careful with some of these other online companies. They don't always guarantee COMPLETE installation. I've heard some people say they only install 1 receiver and 1 cable run, and charge extra for running the other cables. Just be sure to read the fine print as to what "free installation" actually includes.

I made sure to ask for complete installation of all receivers + 2 cable runs for the DirecTivo. Also, I would get the newer "Phase 3" oval dish, especially if you're considering HDTV in the future.

I've ordered through www.expertsatellite.com twice and had no problems at all.

another vote for expertsatellite.

People at tivocommunity really like

http://www.valueelectronics.com

I would just go through Directv directly,but that's just me.

That's where I went and I'd do so again.

I ordered through Valueelectronics and I currently have an order pending with solidsignal.com for a three room setup for my mom's house with 2 free 35 Dtivo and one basic receiver, total cost of 24.99 for shipping. http://www.solidsignal.com/dtv/freetivo.asp ends the 31st I believe. I emailed them and they added the third reciever on since they didn't have the option of the 2 free dvrs and a third receiver. My order has shipped and I am just waiting for the arrival, but so far I would do business with either company.

Thanks for the link innocentfreak... I just ordered a two room system with the Triple LNB dish and one TiVo.

We recently dumped our cable before our trip and now we are back, I'm glad to find threads like this, so that I don't have to ask.

I assume that once I get the system, they'll send someone over to set-up the dish and get it all rolling right? Do I need any special equipment/cabling/splitters?

Why only one Tivo if I may ask? Why not two since they are the same price as what you got and the 4.99 Tivo fees covers up to 5 boxes I believe assuming you don't go with their full package in which case it is free. The only extra charge would be for the second tuner so 5.65 or so extra a month.

The installer called my mom last night because they recieved notification the package had been signed for. I spoke to them today and I have an appointment next Saturday. The order should include everything you need.

Just ordered a 5 room system from Solid Signal. Only got 1 of the Tivo units because I have a standalone series 2 Tivo that I'm keeping.
Order came to $80 shipped. Shipping was as much as the equipment.

Can't wait to get it all installed.

You know what, I asked myself that same question. My wife and I discussed that, but the second receiver is going in the kid's game room, and there's no real point to doing it. The TiVo is going in our bedroom (we have no TV in the family/living rooms). Plus, I didn't know that the $5 covers five boxes. Maybe I'll have to email the folks at SS and have them change my order.

Cool, thanks.

I would only because the price is such a bargain. I actually debated the same thing for my mom's house but decided in the end it was well worth the price, versus adding an additional unit later for 99.99 plus tax and shipping.

I emailed them this morning, but since its a weekend, I don't expect an answer 'til Monday.

Two free DirecTiVos can't be too bad.

On Tuesday the installer called, and I hadn't received the package yet. So he left his number. The box got here yesterday, I called him last night and made an appointment for today.

Well, I only got one DirecTiVo (which is okay). The guy is installing right now and then I get to call and hook up the service.

Hours away from pure entertainment bliss!

(I got the Phillips 704, btw.)

I'm currently looking as well.

I'm looking for a HD receiver. Either just 1 receiver, or if I can find it (I haven't yet), 1 HD receiver and 1 DirecTivo. If not, I'll just go with the HD receiver and later purchase a single DirecTivo ($79.99 at Best Buy).

Got my system installed today. It arrived on wednesday. Have to wait for Solig Signal to get my email and respond to me. The DVR unit I ordered was stated as being a Series 2 unit, but its not. So I have to find out what they are going to do to me because when I ordered it it said Series 2 and in the confirmation email it said series 2.
Hopefully they'll ship me a unit that is series 2 and hav eme send back the one that I have now. I'd hate to have to return it all because its not what I thought I was getting.

Though maybe it could be a series 2 unit. I don't know.
I just read at tivo forums that all the direct tivo units have the usb ports disabled and disabled the things like remote scheduling and home media option.
That was a major part of my reason to get a direct tv system.
The model is Philips DSR704R.

Home Media Option is not available to any DirecTV TiVo, and I'm not sure it ever will be.