My current system consists of a 722K w/ OTA module (owned), a 211k w/OTA (leased), and the original 211 w/OTA (owned). Both 211’s have external hard drives attached to them so they can be used as DVR’s. Believe it or not but there are a couple of nights that we use all four of the receivers on the 722K to record shows we watch while also recording a couple of shows on the bedroom 211K that we watch in bed every evening. There are nights that we are recording 3 shows off of the satellite (2 on the 722K and 1 on the 211K) while also recording 2 shows off of the OTA tuner (722K).
If we move to the Hopper/Joey setup, it sounds like we’d need 2 Hoppers and 1 Joey to give us the recording capability we have to day. Not only will my monthly equipment charge go up, but my upfront cost is going to be $99 for the first Hopper and another $199 for the 2nd Hopper. Until they integrate the Hoppers, the recording functionality won’t be any different than what I have today. I think another upfront cost most of you also forgot to include is the cost to send your currently leased equipment back. I’m not current on that cost, but I’m sure Dish isn’t going to do free shipping unless the installer picks it up when they do the install.
A whole house system with the newest technology would be nice but I can’t justify in my head (or to my wife) going out and spending $300 for new equipment that’s not going to give me any more recording capability then I have today, plus a higher monthly equipment charge. Maybe when my current equipment dies, I'll consider it, but for now, sorry Dish.