Joining the DVR world, need help

[sNaKeYeZ]

I currently use a 311 receiver, one room, one TV. I have a SuperDish dish outside and a DP 34 switch with one coax line going from the switch into the house. We have one of the higher packages and locals. I have no HD equipment and don't need any HD stuff at this time. Still using an old TV set that isn't even widescreen. I'm waiting for it to die before I start worrying with HD.

My wife has been wanting a DVR for years now, so I'm thinking about calling to upgrade if possible. I've been a Dish customer for years and pay annually for our package.

1) Is there a Dish DVR available right now that could meet our needs? I realize we'll have to pay Dish some kind of fee to upgrade, but will we be able to?

2) Will we need a bunch of new equipment? Or will the 1 SuperDish, 1 DP 34 switch, and 1 coax line run to the house meet the needs of a DVR? I realize one of the main uses of a DVR is to be able to watch one channel and record on another. Man I hope I won't need a 2nd coax run into the house, there's a lot of stuff in the way.

Yes, I'm behind on the new technology. Please be gentle with me.

 

[iwannarock1]

If it's too much work to run another cable into the house, let a tech come out and do the upgrade. The tech will most likely replace the 34 switch with a 44sw, and then you'll be able to get by with the single cable.

You mine as well ask for a 522 DVR when you call and upgrade, because it costs less that the 625. The difference between them is that the 522 records 100 hours, the 625 records 150 hours. The cost is probably $50 difference so you'll have to decide whether it's worth the extra cash for the extra recording time. Most of the time techs will just install a 625 anyway because most of them don't carry the 522's in their vans.

If you subscribe to the top 250 channels, and get your locals through dish, make sure to ask for DVR advantage and the DVR fee is waived. You'll want to make sure the receiver is plugged into a phone line somehow, either directly into a phone jack, or with a wireless phone jack, and that will save you $5.00 a month also.

And once you get used to the DVR, make sure you tell your wife how difficult this was so she can reward you for all your hard work...lol

 

[aquaman67]

Don't feel too bad, I don't have HD either nor do I want it for now.

I was thinking about the 625 myself but have been wondering about the Tivo / Dish lawsuit that's going on. I don't know too much about it though.

Would it be worth it to wait to see how this plays out or just go ahead and do it? Anybody?

 

[garys]

The 625 is not effected by the tivo suit.