HDTV Almanac - DirecTV Offers Whole Home HD DVR

[alfredpoor]

TiVo created a revolution in television viewing when its digital video recorder (DVR) first showed up. In a world resigned to scrolling back and forth through an endless stack of VHS tapes, TiVo made it simple to record a show and watch it later. More than anything, the user interface made it quick and easy [...]

[url=http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/columns/2010/05/hdtv-almanac-directv-offers-whole-home-hd-dvr.php]Read Column[/url]

[DavidEC]

I just called DirecTV and was told that it cost more than $36 per year.. in my case I would have to get a new HD-DVR (replacing an R15) and two more HD-Receivers so my lease costs alone would be $9 more a month X 12 = $108.00 a year!! + Lease Purchase of new HD-DRV of $199.00 + (get one HD-Receiver free) + second HD-Receiver for another $99.00 = first year set up cost of about $407.00 ($33.93 per month incress).

Or else the agent did not know the costs of this new set-up and was working off of older costs.

:David

PS: Their web site has the following clause ""we will be turning off the Beta trial for the service on May 20, 2010"" and when I called a second time I was told that I was not signed up for the ""BETA""??? Yet I am currently using the Multi-Room HD-DRV service between two HD-DVR's and the rep had no way to mark my account to make sure that I do not loose the service!?!

[knarducy]

I tried to sign up for the Whole House HD DVR online at DirecTV.com, but I received a message that I was ineligible for the service. A phone number was provided. Originally, the DirecTV agent on the phone wanted to charge me $99 to "install" the whole house HD DVR. When I informed her that I was a successful participant in the "beta testing," she figured out that I didn't need a technician to come to my house and that I was"good to go.". She then signed me up for the $3 a month service.

:KNA

[FHSPSU67]

I just called DirecTV and was told that it cost more than $36 per year...

Call back. It is $3 per month once installed. Installation is $49 and $99 for the DECA hardware. Any non-DECA receivers that you have will be upgraded to equivalent DECA compatible receivers at no cost. DECA stands for Directv Ethernet Coaxial Adaptor. Be sure to ask for the Whole Home Solution, or some CSR's recognize it as Connected Home Solution.

[ANonemoose]

DirecTV has once again released a feature without training CSRs and installers on how to use it, install it, or give any reasonable information about it. The pricing is all over the place, varies from customer to customer and is not cheap. Getting it properly installed is another story completely. The odd thing is that an Ethernet system for their Whole Home Viewing option works almost as well as the DECA system they are pushing on customers. I use the Ethernet system and it only costs me $3 a month for that.

Moose

[DavidEC]

Has anybody been able to pin down a rep with alisting of the supported hardware?
I know that the HR:20-100 & HR:21-100 DVR's are supported.

My main question is.. which HD Receivers (not DVR's) support Cat5 setup?

:David

[FHSPSU67]

Everything, but the H20 and Tivo units. For SD, the R16 and R22 are supported. Anything not supported will be replaced by an equivalent DECA compatible receiver free of charge. I know I've included DVR units, but it might save the same question being asked about DVR's. I apologize in advance if I've left something out, but if anyone is concerned about a certain model. just ask and I will find out.

[ANonemoose]

I have 20-700s, a 21-200, and a 21-700 on my Ethernet system for MRV. As far as I know the 20-100 will work with an Ethernet system, but will need extra equipment to work on the DECA system. Personally, I wouldn't have any HR in my home that ended in 100. Those last three digits in each model number denote the manufacturer and the 100s are the worst of the HRs. If you switch to the DECA system, you should be able to upgrade that 20-100 to a better model. Don't be fooled by the larger HDD in the 22-100 if you're looking for a replacement, it's just a 21-100 with a larger internal HDD (500GBs, which is still pretty small). And it's still a 100.

Moose