Do I need a DIRECTV box for every TV?

Do I Need a DIRECTV Box for Every TV?

Determining if you should get a DIRECTV box for every TV that you own in your home requires careful consideration as it involves your pocket and your shows. There are several important points to consider to decide whether you will need a DIRECTV receiver for every TV or it is possible to manage with fewer boxes.

What is a DIRECTV Receiver and how does it function?

A DIRECTV receiver is commonly referred to as a set-top box as it is the equipment that decodes the signal from the satellite and converts it into TV content to be watched. The receiver is a device that hooks to your TV and enables you to interact with all the available Directv channels and functionalities. Most receivers also allow you to record shows with a connected hard drive as well. Directv programming cannot be viewed without a receiver.

How Does DIRECTV Whole Home DVR Work

DIRECTV has a Whole-Home HD DVR system where all your receivers are connected to make it possible to share recorded programs. This means that programmes that are recorded on one DVR receiver can be watched on any of the TVs in your house. Whole-Home DVR means that you don’t have to have a DVR under each TV to record programs and watch recorded ones in other rooms. If you have one primary DVR receiver, then other TV units can get access to the storage space of the main unit.

Are You Required to Have a Receiver for Each Television?

You do not have to have a DIRECTV receiver for each of the televisions you have in your home. Here are some scenarios where fewer boxes could work:Here are some scenarios where fewer boxes could work:

• In the event that you are using Whole-Home DVR, it is only necessary to have the DIRECTV boxes connected to the TVs on which you want the DVR functions to be active. Other TVs can view recorded content from the shared recorder.

• The less frequently a TV is used the simpler the receiver may be without the fancy functions such as DVR recording, HD or On Demand.

• You can hook one receiver to many TVs with the use of HDMI splitters or RF modulators, but the picture quality might be reduced.

• In a workout room, garage, patio or in other spaces that does not require all the DIRECTV channels you could fix a TV antenna to receive local broadcasts for free as opposed to paying for a different receiver.

  Advantages of Procuring a Receiver for Every Active Television

  While the above options allow you to avoid getting a box for every TV, there are some advantages to activating a receiver on all your home’s regularly used televisions:While the above options allow you to avoid getting a box for every TV, there are some advantages to activating a receiver on all your home’s regularly used televisions:

• Everyone can watch different channels and shows at the same time without restrictions.

• Extra receiver fees are often more modest and are often a fraction of the total prices of a full package of DIRECTV. Additional receivers cost about $6-$8 per month.

• It includes all the channel package and all the enhanced features and operations options are available on all the TVs.

• Increases the value of your home in case you decide to sell it in future. New owners should find DIRECTV readiness favorable.

  Consider Your Viewing Habits

  Spend some time considering how your household uses your televisions, to decide whether you require one receiver per set. Ask the following questions:

• Is it a common occurrence to have family members watch different programs on different TVs at the same time? If the different channels are watched at the same time in different rooms, then more boxes allow no one to miss their show.

• Which TVs are used at a frequency of daily or nearly daily? Consequently, one should focus on the sets that are frequently used rather than those which are only occasionally watched.

• Which rooms require extra features like DVR recording, On Demand, High Definition, or live sporting events? If some TVs need additional features, a receiver box allows all the functions.

• Were you able to use splitters or RF modulators without a considerable downgrade in picture quality? To determine the viability, it is possible to test the signal strength.

• Is the secondary space of a TV such as a garage happy with local programs from a TV antenna? Local programming may satisfy their fundamental requirements which may not warrant the purchase of a receiver.

  Consider Costs

  Finally, weigh out the costs between getting an extra box or not having one for specific TVs. Estimate the costs for equipment fees and additional fees for each additional receiver per month. Consider whether it is worth incurring the additional cost for better viewing on that specific TV or not. Contact DIRECTV customer support to verify current costs if precise equipment and activation fees are crucial to your choice.

  The actual number of DIRECTV boxes required can only be determined by the physical structure of your house and how your family members use the television in different rooms. Take all these guidelines, and the number of DIRECTV receivers required per TV, into consideration on a TV by TV basis to arrive at the most suitable number of set-top boxes for your family’s budget and needs.