DIRECTV R15 Receiver/Digital Video Recorder--Up to 100 Hours- may require 2 YEAR extension of contract,monthly fees will apply by DirectTV, may also require to be activated as a "Leased Receiver" as per DirecTV policy change"
Directv Disaster
BE WARNED! DO NOT GET SWINDLED BY DIRECTV!       I have been a Directv customer since 1995 when the receiver and dish cost about $800. Ever since then I have been a loyal Directv customer. NO MORE!!!       I have had a few different DVRs (Digital Video Recorders) through the Directv service. They all have had TIVO software on them and have worked great.       But suddenly, Directv had the bright idea to create their own DVRs with their own software. Hence the R15 was born. It has proven to be perhaps the biggest marketing disaster since New Coke.       We already had a DVR in our living room and wanted one for our bedroom. They sent us the R15, for which I had to pay $100, plus recommit to a new 2-year deal. I didn't think this a problem, since I never had any difficulties with their equipment before and figured 2 more years with the service was a given.        However, we found the new software to be very \\"user unfriendly\\". Even worse, it  had numerous glitches. Recording only 4 minutes of an hour-long episode, recording only half an episode, and some supposedly recorded programs would turn out to be just a blank screen when we tried to play it. In addition, the unit would constantly reset itself day after day for no apparent reason.        Completely fed up, I called customer service who insisted that the unit is just fantastic and I just got a bad one. When I begged the guy to send me one with the original TIVO software on it, as beyond the technical problems, I simply found the new software to be horrible anyway and very difficult to use. He told me 'no problem'. However, what I received was yet another 'R15'.        I called Directv once again, and they told me the fact that I did not receive what I requested was in fact, 'no surprise' as it was extremely difficult for them to get a hold of any unit besides the R15. They convinced me to give the R15 another try. So I did. You know where this is going.       Not only did I once again experience problems, but it was a WHOLE NEW SET OF PROBLEMS. When I tried to play anything it supposedly recorded, all I got was a blank screen. Additionally, I could perform a menu function or change a channel once, but then the system would lock up for 5 minutes (not an exaggeration) before I could even change the channel again. A total nightmare.        Fed up, I once again called Directv, asking for a refund of my $100 and to let me out of my 2-year contract. They unequivocally said 'no'. When I asked AGAIN for the 'R10' model to replace the horrible R15 model, they once again told me they would 'try'. Once again, another R15 showed up at my door.       So basically friends, Directv swindled me into giving them two years of service in exchange for an inferior product that is essentially a total piece of junk. When my two year sentence is over, I am completely done with them forever. DO NOT GET SUCKERED INTO THIS!!!        Just a friendly warning from someone who is tired of getting screwed by corporations that think they can get away with murder because they have a very recognizable name.