looking for info about ugrading to a dvr

[Video_9]

Hey guys i have some questions about dishnetwork and there dvr's. I already have dishnetwork and a standerd reciever. I would like to know what is required to upgrade to a DVR receiver.

I read about a deal on dishnetworks site that says current costumers can purchase a refurb dvr with a 1 year warranty for $149 without month fees.

My question is what is the difference between buying a new dvr and this refurbed one? Im not talking about technical specs but on service and costs.

For example,
Do you have to buy a dvr or can you lease one? And when does a monthly service cost apply? Do the older refub'd dvrs work without the monthly service? or is the service required for all dvrs as an intricate part of the recording proccess?

 

[Video_9]

ok never mind about my previous questions..lol

What i would like to know is if the 508 dvr requires to be plugged into the phone line. Because i dont have a phone line.

 

[lvkewlkid]

why dont you have a phone line?

I believe it is required once a month to be connected, and I have heard that you can use vonage as well.

 

[Purogamer]

My 510 has never been plugged into the phone, never will be. I've seen a lot of people say the same thing, don't worry about it...

As for the refurb, when people send back their "broken" units, dish network fixes them (probably takes them 5 minutes) and then sells them for !50 bucks. As long as it turns on, it's good to them, so I wouldn't buy it. It could be heavily damaged (hard drives are sensitive), and will be obsolete in mere months when MPEG-4 technology comes out and the box needs replaced...

Skip it. You've gone this long without DVR, just wait until an MPEG-4 DVR unit is available and get that. Probably will be 6 months from now, best case scenario. If you can wait, I suggest you do...

 

[Video_9]

why dont you have a phone line?

Because my family all uses cellphones and has no need for a landline. And $40 a month for a phone line you dont use is $40 to much.

 

[Jordan420]

MPEG-4 will have nothing to do with standard defination receivers for a long time.

 

[dfergie]

Actually the first 501 I had was a refurb... lasted from late 2001 till fall of last year when receiver died(it still had all dvr programs in it)... Its replacement has worked flawlessly... and the 501 and 508 do not have the dvr fee.