Directv Tivo R-10 - Why are these DVRs popular on eBay?

[h linamen]

DirecTV claims there are no equipment charges, so if they provide receivers and DVRs, why are the DirecTV DVRs selling like hotcakes on eBay? I have the DirecTV Tivo R10 model and am wondering if I should sell it, or keep it. How would I use it, if I resubscribe to DirecTV rather than cable and DirecTV provides the equipment?

[Will Collier]

They're hackable, if you have the time and inclination. You can turn off encryption and turn on direct extraction from the hard drive, plus networking, remote access, and a bunch of other goodies. That's why they're popular (that, and the Tivo interface, which I can take or leave).

The newer DTV-provided DVRs haven't been hacked as far as I know.

NOTE: The encryption noted above is Tivo's encryption of saved shows on the hard drive. Completely different from DirecTV's signal encryption going into the receiver.

[Forrest]

The primary reason they're popular is they're Tivo's. DirecTV stopped selling Tivo's 2 years ago, and substituted their own inferior designed DVR's.

Note the R10 is NOT easily hackable because of the PROM chip soldered to the logic board. In order to hack the R10, you'll need to unsolder the SMT PROM chip and resolder a regrogrammed PROM chip.

Most of the series 2 DirecTivo's ARE easily hacked by installing the hard drive in a PC - no soldering required.

[Will Collier]

[quote Forrest]The primary reason they're popular is they're Tivo's. DirecTV stopped selling Tivo's 2 years ago, and substituted their own inferior designed DVR's.

Note the R10 is NOT easily hackable because of the PROM chip soldered to the logic board. In order to hack the R10, you'll need to unsolder the SMT PROM chip and resolder a regrogrammed PROM chip.

Most of the series 2 DirecTivo's ARE easily hacked by installing the hard drive in a PC - no soldering required.
The R10 has been software-hackable for a couple of years now. Check around dealdatabase.com for the details or take "the quick and easy path" here:

http://www.mastersav.com/tivo_zipper.html

I certainly agree that the DTV DVRs suck.

[h linamen]

If one subscribes to DirecTV can the R10 Tivo be used as is in lieu of the one they provide?

[onthedownlow]

Of course...yes.

[Forrest]

According to the Tivo Zipper link above " R10 (Only with modified PROM)"

[Will Collier]

[quote Forrest]According to the Tivo Zipper link above " R10 (Only with modified PROM)"
I guess I'm just imagining the R10 in my rack that I hacked myself. I couldn't pull a PROM if you put a gun to my head.

[Forrest]

A link proving me wrong would be more useful

[Will Collier]

[quote Forrest]A link proving me wrong would be more useful
Already provided one: the DealDatabase forums. Check "Tivo Series 2 Support."