Is the Streaming box required for using the DVR service?

Hi u/chaotic1. You can record and view recordings in your account, and you can do it without the DIRECTV STREAM Device. You can get all the information at the following link https://www.directv.com/support/stream/article/KM1227364/. Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. Thank you for choosing DIRECTV STREAM.

Claudia, DIRECTV Community Specialist

@chaotic1 - Be aware that not all "smart TVs" are supported by having apps for the service.  Specifically, only TVs with Roku, FireTV, or AndroidTV/GoogleTV built in, plus fairly recent Samsung TVs have apps available.  Also, there are numerous reports that the Samsung version of the app isn't very good, and the Android TV version is quite new and may also still have issues (probably depending on what specific device you are using it on).  However, it is true that if you have a supported TV, you don't need the DirecTV brand streamer (or any other external device) to use the DVR.

So if that is the case for you, it is in a sense an upsell.  But the DTV device does provide a more "cable-like" experience (selecting channel by number, assorted short cuts keys on the remote that access features that require multiple buttons or menus on other devices, etc.), so you might find it desirable even if it isn't necessary.