Home > Consumer Reviews > DirecTV HR23 Plus® HD DVR

The increased storage capacity allows for recording of up to 100 hours of MPEG-4 HD or up to 400 hours of SD programming.

The front panel lights are much more subdued then the previous HR2x's from DirecTV. It's also quieter then previous models.

Its quiet operation and subdued lights even make it friendly for use in the bedroom.

From the most sophisticated home theater to the living room television, the HR23-700 will be a fine addition to the any home.

However, contrary to the description IT DOES NOT HAVE BUILT IN B-BAND CONVERTERS. IT HAS WIDE-BAND TUNERS SO THE BBCs ARE NO LONGER NEEDED.

I bought the HR 23 Receiver, I thought, as it said shipped and SOLD by Hidef, turns out to be a LEASE, I wish somebody WOULD MAKE THIS CLEAR it their copy... The minute you are a Directv customer this is their property basically, and they want it back or a hefty fee if you cancel your service with them. I found this whole transaction deceptive ... WE NEED FULL DISCLOSURE, TRANSPARENCY PEOPLE ...

I bought this HD DVR (HR23-700) a few days ago to replace a HR21-200 receiver and I also have a HR21-700. This receiver has twice the HD storage capacity than the H21-700. Works like a charm. I can't wait to put it through it's paces. The picture quality is OUTSTANDING in HD and can receive 1080p Directv programming. My display is a Sony KDS-60A3000. Shipping was very fast and the price is the lowest out there. When I was on the phone with Directv activating the receiver, I asked the agent to check the receiver ID to see if the receiver was in fact "Brand New" or reconditioned/refurbished. The agent assured me it was "NEW". Remember, you are getting a Leased Receiver. Directv reduces the price in half if you lease. The only problem they won't sell you one as "OWNED". That is why they charge a hefty fee if a leased receiver is not returned. If you could buy an "OWNED" receiver it would cost easily twice as much as a leased one. It came with remote, access card and a not to shabby HDMI cable. I was expecting a piece of junk/low quality HDMI cable but the one that came with the receiver was of pretty good quality. The rest of the cables are inferior, in my opinion. Remember, you are only as good as your weakest link. The VOD (Video On Demand) feature is great also. You can even download in HD. Many, many choices but anything recent there is a charge. No Cons, but Directv should look into keeping up with the times by having a DVR that can record 4 different programs and also being able to view your programming in another room from the DVR. I will never go back to cable TV!!!

The HD Box works fine. Plug it in, activate it through Direct TV... and it works. My disappointment is in the shady business practices of Direct TV. You are not BUYING this receiver, although the product description would imply that you are. According to the customer service agent I just spoke with, you are not able to BUY any receiver through any retail outlet - they are all sold as "leased products." As noted in the fine print (supposably), Direct TV only leases their boxes. As soon as you activate the box through Direct TV, it's theirs. You will be charged a $5 monthly "leased receiver" fee, despite the fact that you "purchased" the box from a retail outlet. If you do not return the box, to them, when you're done with their service, they will charge you a hefty fee for keeping the box. (The box you paid for through a different retail store.) Also, you are required to extend your contract, with Direct TV, for two years when you add or upgrade equiptment. If you cancel before the 2 years is up, you're hit with another hefty "early termination" fee. Even if you are to "borrow" a receiver from someone else, you must pay for a new access card (so it can be linked to your account) and they will still charge you a $5 monthly fee, although they call the fee a programming access fee, rather than a leased receiver fee. Rediculous! Buyer, beware!

We were upgrading our equiptment to receive HD programming. We were not notified there would be a $5 lease fee, up front. We were not notified our contract would be extended if we upgraded our equiptment, until we called to inquire about why there was a "leased receiver" fee on our bill. I am really disappointed in the manipulative business practices of Direct TV, at this point. I guarantee I will never "renew my contract" with this company, again.

I am using my new receiver/DVR for the first time today. I am completely amazed at the picture quality, speed and ease of use as far as programming shows and series. You can store up to 100 hours of HD programming and 400 hours of standard programming. The picture quality is amazing and I'm playing it on a 720 plasma, not a 1020 plasma or LCD. I recommend this for everyone. I am giddy to be using it. : )