[home owner]

I was given a TIVO as a gift. It is still in the box unused. I already have Direct TV. I am interested in using the TIVO, but am not crazy about the monthly fee. I was told by a few friends that since I already have a subscription to Direct TV that I do NOT have to pay an additional monthly fee, but when I called Direct TV I naturally got another story because they want to charge me. Some nonsense about the unit being registered previously, and they did not seem to want to hear me when I tried over and over to explain that the unit has not previously been registered because it is brand new. Can anyone help me with this. Supposedly all I have to do is connect it between the incoming signal from the satellite and the signal going to the TV. Thank you.