Get the DVR from DirecTV. If you get one right now, they're still TiVo boxes with TiVo software (that will change in a couple of months). The $6 per month is totally worth it. It doesn't seem like that now, but for that cost you never have to remember to set up recordings, and you save the time it takes to do so. Plus, your bill is about $50-$60? What's $6? If you're a Total Choice Premier subscriber (the $89 package) the DVR fee is included in that price.
If you want more information about the DirecTV TiVo, try the Tivo Community forums at
http://www.tivocommunity.com/
Disclaimer: I might have five TiVos on my DirecTV account.