How to Add a DVR to DirectTV

Adding a DVR to a DirecTV account is simple.

If you are already a DirecTV customer and have satellite service through them, you can easily add a DVR or digital video recorder to your service and begin using it. A DVR allows you to record, pause and playback live TV. A DVR frees you from needing to watch a show when it first runs live by allowing you to record it while you are watching, or doing, something else. Many of DirecTV's DVRs allow you to record up two shows at once and watch a third show on two different channels. With a DirecTV DVR, you can record up to 400 hours of programming and watch programming on up to 15 TVs with only one DVR.

Instructions

1. Contact DirecTV and tell the representative you are interested in purchasing a DVR. Many times, DirecTV runs specials that may allow you to upgrade to a DVR for no additional cost. Make sure to specify whether or not you want an HD, or high definition DVR. If you don't have a high-definition television set, you will not need a high-definition DVR. However, a high-definition DVR allows you to receive high-definition television programming. If you do not receive the service for free, DirecTV's average cost for DVR service is $7.00/month. The average cost for the HD DVR is $199 and the cost for the DVR is $99 as of 2010. However, specials are often offered that reduce this cost in half or completely.

2. Install your new DVR. After you have purchased a DVR from DirecTV (which just costs the additional monthly fee), you can either schedule an installation appointment with DirecTV (recommended) or install the DVR yourself. DirecTV will send a local third party satellite installer to your home to upgrade your DVR to an HD DVR or to exchange your DirecTV Plus Receiver for a DirecTV Plus DVR Receiver. If you wish to install it yourself, you may ask DirecTV to mail you the DVR and you can hook it up to your TV and then mail back the old receiver to DirecTV.

3. Begin receiving and recording satellite programming on your new DirecTV DVR. DirecTV offers whole-home DVR service while means once you install the one DVR you can watch programming on every TV in your house. They also offer the ability to schedule your DVR to record shows from your mobile phone through the DirecTV mobile app (m.directv.com); your computer (by logging in to directv.com); and remote control.

References

• DirecTV: DVR Service
• DirecTV: DVR Scheduler
• DirecTV: DVRs