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"
Not for previous Directv w/ Tivo users. Directv Plus is a minus!
If you are considering this machine as a new Directv customer, I would say go for it.  Directv is a great service and this high capacity receiver/DVR seems to fit the bill for a reasonable price.  I, however, have been using a Directv with Tivo receiver for 3 years and am finding that the features and the remote control are too different for me to easily adjust to without getting frustrated and disappointed.  Read on for more details.....  ---------------------  I bought this to replace a March 2003 vintage 35 hour Directv/TiVo receiver and am returning it as soon as possible.  I purchased the R15 for its:  100 hour recording capacity; the 90-minute \\"buffer\\" for live tv; 2 satellite line input (record one show, watch another).  I was intrigued by the R15's more traditional-shaped remote than the Tivo peanut-shaped remotes.    After two nights, I am seriously disappointed, for the following reasons:  - If you are used to TiVo, the Directv Plus menus and functionality are far less user friendly and the remote buttons are very hard to decipher.  The R15 remote makes you appreciate the elegant simplicity of the Tivo remote.  The R15's fast forward and rewind buttons are not very responsive, meaning that you have to play around with them a few times to get to a precise place in a recording. (Maybe this would get easier for each user over time.)  In contrast, a Tivo remote seems to \\"know\\" where you want to go.    - This machine does allow you to watch one show while recording another.  Unfortunately if you have used an old Directv/Tivo receiver this won't be enough to satisfy you.  The old Directv with Tivo receivers' two satellite inputs are BOTH available for recording. It is easy to switch between satellite inputs if you have two shows recording buffering at once.  You can be recording two satellite feeds and watching a previously recorded program all at the same time.   The ability to record a baseball game and your favorite network show on the same DVR while simultaneously watching a previously recorded program is truly an amazing feature that our family can't give up after 3 years.  For those of you are interested go to WeeKnees.com and look at their Directv DVRs page to learn more.    - The Directv Plus's \\"Active\\" guide or channel is cluttered and seems to be just a big sales pitch for Directv pay per view or sports package programming.  The one neat thing is the ability to get your home zip-code weather on your tv screen.  I don't really care to check my horoscope on the satellite each day, however.    The Directv Plus menus and guide seems similar to digital cable services I have seen.  If so, this machine will make it easier for someone who is used to using a digital cable box to make the change to Directv.  For a long time Directv and Tivo user, I feel I have to make too big of a re-training leap.    I'm returning this R15 receiver and buying one of the few remaining Directv with Tivo receivers that are left out there.