Having a DVR or digital video recorder from DIRECTV enables one to record the favorite shows so that they can be viewed anytime. However, DVR service is not free following are some of the costs associated with it. Therefore, the amount that DIRECTV charges for DVR capabilities is how much more than the above prices. Now, let us discuss the details of the DVR packages of DIRECTV and their corresponding rates.
What is DIRECTV DVR and What Does It?
A DIRECTV DVR box is a device that enables you to record programs from DIRECTVs directly onto a hard drive contained within the box. It allows you to take full control of watching live television to enable pausing of live television, scenes, reproducing scenes, and the ability to record the entire series as well as the ability to record up to 200 hours of standard definition (SD) content or 100 hours of high definition (HD) content.
Key features of a DIRECTV DVR include:
The following are some of the features of a digital video recorder that enable its users to enjoy watching live TV programs in different ways. This also allows you to time-shift every live content properly.
- Schedule to record every episode of a series with just one button through series recording. This ensures that you do not miss any episode or event.
- Record two shows at once, if your cable or satellite system has two tuners. Many of the DVRs manufactured by the company offer this feature currently.
- Have full control over all your recordings as well as monitor them through a playlist option. Allow users to remove watched movies or episodes with ease and prevent the automatic removal of favorite items.
- Have programs for those moments when you are out of the house or busy to sit down and watch live.
A common question among the users is whether there are additional costs for DVR service with a DIRECTV subscription.
Yes, DIRECTV does have extra costs offered to customers by charging them some extra monthly charges to use DVR services and equipment. This means that the service charges are offered on a monthly DVR basis apart from your program selection cost.
However, there is a ray of hope. They were considerably higher some time before but in the recent past, DIRECTV reduced the monthly price of the DVR to $10 extra per month. It’s also relatively cheap for TV providers, which are known to charge anything from $15 to $20 for DVR service.
It is also cheaper than making individual purchases of third-party DVR equipment on your own. While Direct TV has the prices quoted per month, the inclusion of the HD DVR box plus service fees makes the overall prices of Direct TV relatively cheap.
DIRECTV offers a range of DVR packages to cater to the needs of all its valued customers.
DIRECTV currently offers three main DVR receivers for new customers:
- DIRECTV HD DVR (Model Genie HR44) – Information about this equipment consists of a monthly rental fee of $10.
- DIRECTV Plus HD DVR (Model Genie HR34) – Additional cost of $10 per month.
- DIRECTV Whole-Home HD DVR (Model Genie Mini C41) is priced at $7/month.
Let’s take a closer look at what each package includes:
DIRECTV HD DVR
This is the basic DVR model that is offered by the company and as such it goes by the name DIRECTV standard DVR. For just $10 more per month, you get a powerful HD DVR receiver that offers:
- High Definition video recording capability of up to 100 hours
- This feature makes it possible for the user to record two different shows at the same time.
- No whole home DVR for recording the programs and watching them separately in different rooms.
DIRECTV Plus HD DVR
An upgrade from the base model, this DVR adds even more capability:
- It has the capability to record up to 200 hours.
- Record up to two shows at once
- Get Genie Minis to view from any room.
- Telecast the programs to tablets/phones via the DIRECTV app.
At $10 more a month, the upgrade to the Plus model may be justified to include whole-home functionality.
DIRECTV Whole-Home HD DVR
This consists of the main Genie DVR box (the Plus model mentioned above) along with Genie Mini boxes for other rooms:
- Main DVR: $10/month
- Each additional Genie Mini: As low as $7 per month
Therefore if you need DVR access on your primary television as well as two other areas in your home, it will cost $ 24 per month.
Still, bear in mind that you require the superior Genie HD DVR as your primary device to add Genie Minis for your whole-home use. But at least it lets you pause and rewind from any television in your home, which is unbelievably convenient.
To be specific, is it possible to get a DVR together with particular packages of DIRECTV?
DIRECTV offers their DVR receivers as an option to users with all of their distinct packages. That means, no matter whether you decide to go for the most basic package which is ENTERTAINMENT, or for the ULTIMATE service, the option of getting the DVR added to your service is possible as well, for $10-24 every month, depending on your equipment choice.
A couple of things to note about availability:
- Certain programs that are available on DVR may only be available in specific advanced DVR models that are associated with higher package tiers in the first instance. However, you can always buy better equipment for a one-time amount that can also be considered an upgrade fee.
- However, some of the previous direct deals may not include the option for a digital video recorder. But it is always an option concerning their current plans.
How Many Programs Can You Set to Be Recorded at Once in DIRECTV DVR?
This depends on the kind of DVR that you have since different models will enable you to record different numbers of shows at once. Here’s a quick breakdown:
DVR Model |
Number of Tuners |
Number of Simultaneous Recordings |
HD DVR (HR44) |
Tunisian satellite package |
2 tuners & 2 shows |
Plus HD DVR |
(HR34) 5 tuners |
5 shows |
Mini (C41) |
2 tuners |
2 programs |
Well, if you want the best recording options and space with the DIRECTV DVR service then Genie Plus HD DVR is the answer with 5 tuners.
But even the basic high-definition digital video recorder or HD DVR box ensures that you can record a couple of shows simultaneously, which is a useful feature.
What About DVR Service for Business/Commercial Account in DIRECTV?
Yes! There are two forms of DVR upgrades available at DIRECTV one being for residential clients while the other is for business television service. Business DVR plans involve the recording of programs on up to 16 separate receivers.
DIRECTV commercial DVR service includes:
- Our programming services are available in standard-definition and high-definition DVR equipment.
- This also means that a single recorder can be connected to several TVs in the house.