Direct tv DVR receiver?

Could we buy a DVR/Receiver for Direct TV?

• My family is interested in going with Direct TV because Time Warner here is now charging us a little over $80 for just basic cable. Could we buy our own equipment from the stores and have it work with there service? What strings are still attached?

• Answer:

  Directv only leases their equipment. Which has caused some confusion over the past several years as it is not unusual to pay up front for it and many people think that means they have bought the equipment. In fact their system is no different than leasing a car... you pay some money up-front but then you also pay a lease fee each month. You can not buy your own receiver and get their programming. They just do not allow it. Make sure if you look at Directv or Dish Network that you are aware of two things. There is a contract involved and the amount you pay for the first few months is likely to be a teaser rate and not what the actual cost is. It is my experience that if cost is your primary motivation, you may want to consider Dish Network whereas if the maximum number of channels is your prime interest, look at Directv.