Direct TV, their equipment and other options and DVRs.

[TNDemo]

I have Direct TV and their DVR. I had to sign a two year contract for service (mistake) and last night our box died (this is our second or third one because they apparently don't last that long). They said they would mail out another one but would charge us $20 for mailing fees. We said we should not have to pay for their equipment failure, not to mention having to be without service until the thing arrives. I looked at the contract we signed and basically they take no responsibility for their equipment so just thought I would mention that to you folks who might be thinking of signing up.

Anyway, all that made us stop and think about having satellite anyway. We really only watch a few channels other than the local ones and most things can be watched on-line. We would like to maybe get basic cable (is there basic satellite?) but buy a DVR of our own. Who has a DVR and what do I need to know? Any other alternatives for TV watching?

[datadiva]

1. First time Dish customers get a free DVR

It comes with the service. Of course it belongs to them. I bought mine before they were free but have had few problems with it. Plus I get the Free Speech channel!

[shanti]

7. dish is much better

than direct. i have it too, and except for a replacement of the "eye", have had excellent service. also, dish isn't owned by RUPERT MURDOCH (as is direct)!

[eFriendly]

2. We USED to have DirectTV back when you had to buy all of the hardware.

Needless to say, they are a shit company. And their service (in Florida) absolutely sucks. After NSAT&T got out of the local cable TV market here and Comcast took over, we got Comcast Digital Cable, and are totally satisfied with their service.

Me and DirectTV had a dispute (that I won) about an invasion of privacy when they tried to discontinue satellite service that I paid for in advance (and had received for 18 months prior) because they said I had to have a landline telephone connection to "their" box. First, I corrected the misguided DirectTV Rep about "their" box and told him that it was "MY" box that I purchased from Circuit City, and that their argument about they could terminate pre-paid service because they could not communicate with "their" box was total bullshit, and an invasion of our right to privacy.

Our service was turned back on almost immediately, while I was still on the telephone with the poor Rep and his supervisor. And I began checking into cable TV service packages. Shortly after that is when I remember for the first time DirectTV "leasing" their hardware to customers, rather than having them purchase it out-right. They lose all rights to the boxes inside your house when you own all of the hardware. I still have all of the hardware sitting in the garage, doing what it does best -- collecting dust.

[dysfunctional press]

4. i've never had my directv hooked up to a phone line and i've never had a problem.

and i own all of the equipment.
when we bought our hd-plasma tv my neighbor convinced me to try comcast, so i signed up for a month, but right back to directv because of the poor service i got from comcast.

[taterguy]

3. We use a media PC and run it through our Xbox

Don't ask me how it works since my spouse does all the tech stuff at our house

[Big Blue Marble]

5. The great DVRs of a few years ago,

those made by Sony, Panasonic, and others that were not connected to monthly services such as TIVO, cable, or
satellite are no longer being sold in the US. I purchased a Panasonic DVR/120g HD in the fall of 04 and it changed
my TV viewing. I only watch what I want to watch when I want to watch. I catch shows from PBS and others
that I would have missed before.

I am very disappointed that the major manufacturers have dropped these excellent machines. I have spoken
to both Sony and Panasonic customer service and they are at best evasive as to whether or not they will ever be
available here again. They seem to still sell in Japan.

There is an amazing after market with machines selling for as much or even more than they sold new. Check ebay.

[MrSlayer]

6. I've had DirectTv for 10 years.

And I've never had a problem with them or their equipment. I upgraded to a TIVO receiver three years ago and it's been fine. It sucks that your experience has not been good, I swear by them. As far as your question about alternatives, most cable companies now offer DVR boxes, it shouldn't be difficult to obtain. Another alternative is to go on Ebay and buy old TIVO devices cheap.