Help with directv hd dvr's?

Directv HD dvrs on ebay?

• I see directv brand high definition dvrs at a good price on ebay. Are those legitimate? Can I actually buy a dvr unit for under $200 and then just pay directv for the hd access and dvr service and not pay rent on the dvr unit? I am not clear on how the dvr thing works. thanks

• Answer:

  Ebay is a legit way of selling receivers, yes. Are all the ones listed legit? No. A good number usually are though. The best thing to do is to contact the seller and ask for the RID (receiver ID) number. If the seller doesn't give the info treat it as stolen equipment. If you DO get the number call DirecTV (800 531 5000) and have them look up the number provided. They will be able to tell you if the receiver is leased or owned (and also check to see if it's been flagged as stolen). If the number checks out you're free to order it, but I recommend to check the RID number on the receiver itself as soon as you get it. Also, when looking at receivers online, be sure to keep in mind that some of the older model HD receivers NO LONGER receive the HD feed. This is because DirecTV launched satellites in two new orbit locations that these receivers cannot read from. If you have questions about if a specific receiver will have HD capabilities feel free to ask the DirecTV rep when you're verifying the RID number. After your purchase the receiver you'll still pay the monthly mirroring fee of $5 to have the individual programming on the receiver. The fee isn't RENT on a leased receiver, but it's named separately on leased units so customers can see if the receiver's leased in case they really do own it. In addition to the fee, though, you'll see a charge of $7 for dvr service if you want the DVR to record and $10 for the HD service if you want the HD channels.