DIRECTV Group - HR20-700S DVR Reviews

I love being on the bleeding edge of technology as much as the next geek, but only when I choose to be there. I don't like being painted into a corner by technology, and that's exactly what happened when we installed our second high-definition set in our family room, requiring us to get a second DVR capable of recording high-definition programming from DirecTV. Our high-definition TiVo in our upstairs home theater worked great, but we quickly discovered that horror of horros - TiVo no longer makes DVRs that work with DirecTV!! After much mourning, wailing and gnashing of teeth, we took the… read full review »

Having been a loyal Tivo user for over 7 years, I was quite hesitant to switch to DirecTV's new HD DVR box and service. I made the switch mainly because I had recently purchased a new HDTV, and DirecTV had severed their relationship with Tivo (I also own the excellent DirecTivo) in favor of building and selling their own DVR solution. When DirecTV announced a HD tuner/DVR that would be completely integrated into one box, and would receive and record HDTV programming at only $199 (Tivo's HD DVR is $800), I jumped at the chance. — It does the job. However, it's the little things that… read full review »

If you have never had any type of DVR before, you will love this device and it will completely change the way you watch TV.  This review is not for you.  You can't miss what you have never had.  But for those of us that have been using Tivo for the past several years, DirecTV is forcing us to choose between giving up our Tivo and accepting this inferior DVR, or remaining in the Standard Definition world.  DirecTV's latest satellite cannot be received on the Tivo integrated DirecTV receivers.  A large portion of the High-Def programming is broadcast on this new… read full review »

If wanted to have a HD DVR with Direct TV, I had no choice but get this reciever. — The Seach feature, the "To Do List", and just about every menu  on this reciever are almost impossible to navigate without feeling like you are carrying buckets of sand after using the Direct TV w/TiVo for the last few years. When I'm looking for a show or actor or sporting event, I usually look it up on one of my TiVo's and then go set it up on this reciever. Because I have Direct TV this HD DVR is a neccesary evil.  —… read full review »

Good picture quality, but interface is difficult to learn after Tivo.  Price was right - free.  Call Directv and they may upgrade you for free. MPEG 4.  About 30 HD channels now, soon to be 70 according to Directv. 2 tuners, OTA tuners also. No dual live buffer though.  HDMI Inputs are nice.  Ethernet can connect to internet for Video on Demand.  Anyways, Good… read full review »