(You tell me if this is hot or cold) Dish Network... If you're looking to sign up and get a PVR... LOOK HERE NOW

[ThaGrandCow]

DN is starting a new program in the next few weeks (they haven't told us the exact date yet)

Just like DirecTV and cable, they are going to start charging PVR fees for the "option" of using a PVR the way it was intended. Starting with the about-to-be-announced 510 model and the 722 model and anything higher, there will be fees assessed to use the PVR functions (thanks MPAA, RIAA, and everyone else that lobbied for this)

If you subscribe to the basic service (Top50) you will now pay $10 more/month if you have higher than a 508 or 721 reciever.
Top100 gets you down to only a $5/month charge for using the PVR features (This may be Top150, I forget at the moment).
AEP... Americas Everything Pack which is all channels we offer (Top150, HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz) will incur a $0 charge.

YOU CAN GET OUT OF THIS CHARGE:
The 501 and 508 models are still being sold... if you have either of these you are grandfathered into the "no charge for PVR functions ever" program... but only those recievers. The 721 is also grandfathered in.

Please don't post this thread in any other forum, and please don't forward this to any dish network managers... I still like my job

EDIT: This grandfather clause includes 501/508/721's purchased on EBay or from friends or whatever also. As long as it's that particular model you're good to go.

Edited again for the official word on the 721's.

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: ThaGrandCow
DN is starting a new program in the next few weeks (they haven't told us the exact date yet)

Just like DirecTV and cable, they are going to start charging PVR fees for the "option" of using a PVR the way it was intended. Starting with the about-to-be-announced 510 model and the 722 model and anything higher, there will be fees assessed to use the PVR functions (thanks MPAA, RIAA, and everyone else that lobbied for this)

If you subscribe to the basic service (Top50) you will now pay $10 more/month if you have higher than a 508 or 721 reciever.
Top100 gets you down to only a $5/month charge for using the PVR features (This may be Top150, I forget at the moment).
AEP... Americas Everything Pack which is all channels we offer (Top150, HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz) will incur a $0 charge.

YOU CAN GET OUT OF THIS CHARGE:
The 501 and 508 models are still being sold... if you have either of these you are grandfathered into the "no charge for PVR functions ever" program... but only those recievers. The 721 is TBD at the moment, decision will be made soon.

Please don't post this thread in any other forum, and please don't forward this to any dish network managers... I still like my job

lol give me a free month and my lips are sealed

 

[ThaGrandCow]

Originally posted by: isekii

Originally posted by: ThaGrandCow
DN is starting a new program in the next few weeks (they haven't told us the exact date yet)

Just like DirecTV and cable, they are going to start charging PVR fees for the "option" of using a PVR the way it was intended. Starting with the about-to-be-announced 510 model and the 722 model and anything higher, there will be fees assessed to use the PVR functions (thanks MPAA, RIAA, and everyone else that lobbied for this)

If you subscribe to the basic service (Top50) you will now pay $10 more/month if you have higher than a 508 or 721 reciever.
Top100 gets you down to only a $5/month charge for using the PVR features (This may be Top150, I forget at the moment).
AEP... Americas Everything Pack which is all channels we offer (Top150, HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz) will incur a $0 charge.

YOU CAN GET OUT OF THIS CHARGE:
The 501 and 508 models are still being sold... if you have either of these you are grandfathered into the "no charge for PVR functions ever" program... but only those recievers. The 721 is TBD at the moment, decision will be made soon.

Please don't post this thread in any other forum, and please don't forward this to any dish network managers... I still like my job

lol give me a free month and my lips are sealed

LOL! I am giving you a free month... all you have to do is either take it or not Actually I'm giving you a free 5 years

 

[Techie333]

Techie333 here, Thagrandcow, what receiver model do they currently give you with your order. Just ordered today, remember?

 

[ThaGrandCow]

Originally posted by: Techie333
Techie333 here, Thagrandcow, what receiver model do they currently give you with your order. Just ordered today, remember?

Unless you paid extra, you're getting a 301 reciever.
A very decent piece of equipment, but it has no PVR capabilities

 

[KrustyVT]

Originally posted by: ThaGrandCow
DN is starting a new program in the next few weeks (they haven't told us the exact date yet)

YOU CAN GET OUT OF THIS CHARGE:
The 501 and 508 models are still being sold... if you have either of these you are grandfathered into the "no charge for PVR functions ever" program... but only those recievers. The 721 is TBD at the moment, decision will be made soon.

Please don't post this thread in any other forum, and please don't forward this to any dish network managers... I still like my job

I wouldn't worry about losing your job, as this is common knowledge posted on a bunch of websites. Here's a hot deal - drop Dish. Their PVR's are crap, and now they want to charge extra for crappy software? Save your money, get a TiVo.

-=K=-

 

[Richard98]

Originally posted by: Techie333
Techie333 here, Thagrandcow, what receiver model do they currently give you with your order. Just ordered today, remember?

I think I paid $50 to upgrade to the 508 when I ordered last November. You could possibly change your order if the PVR is of interest. I was happy with DN until I bought a HD TV.

 

[zettler]

Switch frame of reference now...

For someone who doesn't have DISH, but wants to because local Cable is terrible, what are some good deals and where can they be found on - Basic, PVR, etc. - taking into consideration what has just been discussed here and the knowledge of DN staff on AT.

Just curious...

 

[Techie333]

zettler, for someone who just wants basic satellite w/o paying extra for PVR or premium channels, or nfl shows, the DISH Network promotion is currently the best deal. You get top100 channels, HBO, cinemax for first 3 months FREE, installation for up to 4 rooms is also free i think, and then you can downgrade to the top50 for the rest of the year for 24.99/mo. I added 4.99 for additional receiver and 5.99 for local channels to my bill everymonth. That brings me to about $11 for the first 3 months and then $41 for the rest of the months!

I'll stick to my 301 for now.....don't really need PVR and stuff, especially when they try to charge for the service.

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: KrustyVT

Originally posted by: ThaGrandCow
DN is starting a new program in the next few weeks (they haven't told us the exact date yet)

YOU CAN GET OUT OF THIS CHARGE:
The 501 and 508 models are still being sold... if you have either of these you are grandfathered into the "no charge for PVR functions ever" program... but only those recievers. The 721 is TBD at the moment, decision will be made soon.

Please don't post this thread in any other forum, and please don't forward this to any dish network managers... I still like my job

I wouldn't worry about losing your job, as this is common knowledge posted on a bunch of websites. Here's a hot deal - drop Dish. Their PVR's are crap, and now they want to charge extra for crappy software? Save your money, get a TiVo.

-=K=-

Actually their PVR models are pretty good. Much better than Replay. It's also faster than replay.
I haven't used a Tivo, but why use something when something else works just as good ?

You haven't said anything that's good about the Tivo except for "Save your money, get a Tivo"

 

[Wolverine27]

Originally posted by: isekii

Originally posted by: KrustyVT

Originally posted by: ThaGrandCow
DN is starting a new program in the next few weeks (they haven't told us the exact date yet)

YOU CAN GET OUT OF THIS CHARGE:
The 501 and 508 models are still being sold... if you have either of these you are grandfathered into the "no charge for PVR functions ever" program... but only those recievers. The 721 is TBD at the moment, decision will be made soon.

Please don't post this thread in any other forum, and please don't forward this to any dish network managers... I still like my job

I wouldn't worry about losing your job, as this is common knowledge posted on a bunch of websites. Here's a hot deal - drop Dish. Their PVR's are crap, and now they want to charge extra for crappy software? Save your money, get a TiVo.

-=K=-

Actually their PVR models are pretty good. Much better than Replay. It's also faster than replay.
I haven't used a Tivo, but why use something when something else works just as good ?

You haven't said anything that's good about the Tivo except for "Save your money, get a Tivo"

I've got a PVR 501 and love it. No problems what so ever.

 

[ir0nw0lf]

Two months ago I upgraded to the Dish 500 dish and got two PVR's with it. Was supposed to have paid $199/ea for a 501/508 but I got them for $149/ea. The installer came out with the 508's, i was soooooo stoked! I gave my 20GB Tivo to my brother. The IR blaster going from the sat to the Tivo was dog slow changing channels, the 508 PVR being all in one, works great! Also meant one less power plug to deal with on the UPS. Quite happy with the PVRs! 80GB PVR for <$150 is pretty good in my book. It's not FAR or anything though.

 

[Wolverine27]

Is it possible to hack these units and put in larger capacity hard drives?

 

[ThaGrandCow]

Originally posted by: Wolverine27
Is it possible to hack these units and put in larger capacity hard drives?

yes, but it's more difficult than doing it w/a tivo

 

[Easygoing]

Great post grandcow, I do have some questions for the group. I current own a 508 that I bought at Costco. My whole family loves this thing. It does have some problems from time to time. Sometimes I can't shut it off and it hangs up. I have to remove the smart card to get it to reset. No big deal, just anoying. The thing I really want now is a dual tuner unit. There are many times we want to watch one show while recording another. Dish network has a new model with the two tuners but it pretty expensive and now with your info, looks like I will have to pay an additional monthly fee. I was also looking at going to directTV as a new customer and get their TiVo model which is two tuners and cheaper, but I would have to switch out all my gear (dish and reciever). I heard that TiVo is night and day better than the standard 508 type model. Any advice? Thanks

 

[ThaGrandCow]

Originally posted by: Easygoing
Great post grandcow, I do have some questions for the group. I current own a 508 that I bought at Costco. My whole family loves this thing. It does have some problems from time to time. Sometimes I can't shut it off and it hangs up. I have to remove the smart card to get it to reset. No big deal, just anoying. The thing I really want now is a dual tuner unit. There are many times we want to watch one show while recording another. Dish network has a new model with the two tuners but it pretty expensive and now with your info, looks like I will have to pay an additional monthly fee. I was also looking at going to directTV as a new customer and get their TiVo model which is two tuners and cheaper, but I would have to switch out all my gear (dish and reciever). I heard that TiVo is night and day better than the standard 508 type model. Any advice? Thanks

Dish is coming out with a 921 reciever soon... a 2 tuner model. You'll be able to pick up a 721 from ebay soon after that for cheap (but call up dish and get at least the $1.99 basic warranty, since it'll be out of warranty (warranty takes 30 days to take effect, so pay the $2 from the beginning)

You can check ebay out now and see what kind of deals you can get.

 

[Cheapest]

Go back yo Cable man! if they keep increase the prize!

 

[huesmann]

Problem with satellite TV systems is that I can't use them to record to my PC TV card.

 

[Wolverine27]

bump^

 

[sat4fun]

Originally posted by: huesmann
Problem with satellite TV systems is that I can't use them to record to my PC TV card.

Not sure what your problem is, but I do this all of the time.

Seriously though, go with anyone you want, as long as it isn't DirecTV. See my sig for details.

 

[QuicknDirty]

Originally posted by: Cheapest
Go back yo Cable man! if they keep increase the prize!

HUH???

 

[Johnbear007]

DirecTV is the only provider pretty much anywhere unfortunatley

 

[nsafreak]

Originally posted by: Easygoing
Great post grandcow, I do have some questions for the group. I current own a 508 that I bought at Costco. My whole family loves this thing. It does have some problems from time to time. Sometimes I can't shut it off and it hangs up. I have to remove the smart card to get it to reset. No big deal, just anoying. The thing I really want now is a dual tuner unit. There are many times we want to watch one show while recording another. Dish network has a new model with the two tuners but it pretty expensive and now with your info, looks like I will have to pay an additional monthly fee. I was also looking at going to directTV as a new customer and get their TiVo model which is two tuners and cheaper, but I would have to switch out all my gear (dish and reciever). I heard that TiVo is night and day better than the standard 508 type model. Any advice? Thanks

Well the 721 is a dual tuner unit and like thagrandcow says we will be releasing a 921 in the future, basically a High Def PVR and I think it has dual tuners as well, none too sure on that though. DirecTV does admittedly have lower prices on their dual tuner Tivo units but keep in mind that they charge PVR fees as well so switching providers will not get you away from that charge.

 

[aperry]

Originally posted by: Johnbear007
DirecTV is the only provider pretty much anywhere unfortunatley

Huh? Dish Network is a big competitor to DirecTV. In fact, Echostar (Dish Network's parent company) was going to buy DirecTV a while back. It was squashed by the DOJ, but many feel that it was the cable companies (and perhaps Rupert Murdoch, owner of Fox, and the current bidder for DirecTV) spent a lot of money to make sure it didn't happen.

Oh well, that's water under the bridge.

But Dish Network is definitely there. Admittedly Dish has much fewer users than DirecTV, but they are not going anywhere.

 

[aperry]

Originally posted by: nsafreak
Well the 721 is a dual tuner unit and like thagrandcow says we will be releasing a 921 in the future, basically a High Def PVR and I think it has dual tuners as well, none too sure on that though. DirecTV does admittedly have lower prices on their dual tuner Tivo units but keep in mind that they charge PVR fees as well so switching providers will not get you away from that charge.

But getting a 721 will avoid the fee. It has been stated many places, including by Charlie Ergen (CEO), that the 501, 508, and 721 will be grandfathered, and will not incur a monthly fee.