I have basic DirecTV access now and looking to upgrade to HD access for the channels I watch (TNT, TBS, AMC, SyFy, etc etc).

I was told I needed to pay $10/month HD access PLUS $12/month to lease the DirecTV HD/DVR receiver. Does this sound right? I was under the impression that it would only be $10/month total.

Can I buy/find my own DirecTV HD/DVR elsewhere and bypass the monthly lease fee? Is there only a certain DirecTV HD/DVR that would work?

Thanks!

10/24/2011 11:17:30 AM

You'll definitely have to pay the $10/mo for the HD package, and there's a leasing fee per receiver, even if you go to a store like Best Buy (or even eBay) and pick one up. I didn't think it was $12/mo though.

10/24/2011 11:59:33 AM

that is accurate. $10 for hd, $12 for dvr. you are MUCH better off negotiating a package. I pay <60/month for hd+dvr+choice xtra plus (grandfathered plan they don't have anymore)+sunday ticket with no contract

10/24/2011 12:51:34 PM

go with dish network. no fee for leasing the equipment.

10/24/2011 1:36:02 PM

If you sign up for autodraft you should get a 10/mo bill credit for the HD. The lease fee should be included in the primary location and an additional 6/mo per receiver.

10/24/2011 2:15:33 PM

I'm trying to keep my cost down and I only wanted the better HD video quality on the basic DirecTV choice package channels since I don't watch/need the other paid movie or sports channels.

So thanks everyone for confirming the costs. Does anyone where I can purchase my own DirecTV HD/DVR receiver? DirecTV was going to charge me $199. I figure if I can buy for less than $100, I'll break even in saving on monthly leasing fee after a year.

Unless they change the receiver every year causing mine to go obsolete? Is there a certain brand/model receiver I need? Thanks

10/24/2011 2:44:48 PM

^You can try eBay or Best Buy. I've always just gotten mine on eBay. HD DVR... you'll want an HR24.
The prices will probably be about the same though.

10/24/2011 6:46:49 PM

what about the other models - HR21/HR22/HR23 - will these work too?

10/24/2011 9:17:21 PM

HR21 is deathly slow. Are you under contract currently? This is with a fuckton of new customer incentives, but you can see the breakdowns. Primary receiver should be free of a lease and there should be a way to get free HD/DVR for life. Referral credit hasn't started to show up yet for some reason.



[Edited on October 24, 2011 at 9:27 PM. Reason : ]

10/24/2011 9:20:12 PM

^^ The HR22 and HR23 aren't so bad, but the HR24 is the newer of them all.
From what I understand, they're all pretty solid on the new HD GUI due out in the next few weeks.

10/24/2011 10:49:23 PM

Quote :

"go with dish network. no fee for leasing the equipment."

This is incorrect. With both providers, you get the first receiver free, but must pay a fee to lease any additional receiver. Dishs rates for additional receivers are much higher.

10/25/2011 7:28:51 PM

if you sign up for directv through AAA, all receivers are free with the initial order and there's a single $6/month fee to have more than 1 receiver, whether it's 2 or 19

10/26/2011 3:40:01 PM

^^hmm. well i only have the dual receiver so that explains that i guess. i just logged into my parents' account & they pay $10 for an additional HD solo receiver, then nothing for 2 additional SD receivers. their dual receiver is the free/main one.

10/26/2011 4:24:27 PM

^^Certain receivers are free. You can't add 19 HR24s and just pay the 6/month lease fee.

10/26/2011 4:26:02 PM

well bad news apparently the community i am renting at gets directv through primecast, so i can't take advantage of any of the directv offers since we're all on some bundle program ........

so basically i only have two choices
- lease the DirecTV HD/DVR receiver for $12/month
- find/buy my own receiver and hopefully break even asap

10/27/2011 2:52:27 PM

if you "buy" the receiver for less than say $400, it is a leased piece of a equipment and you will still pay or fall into a service commitment

10/29/2011 12:02:19 PM