Digital Video Recorders and Dish Network

I can't live without my DVR and Dish Network. This tells you about how they compare with Tivo and cable.

I bought my first TIVO machine in 2000, and it was one of the most liberating entertainment actions I ever took. Although at the time I had cable, it still extended my options tremendously.

For the first time I got to watch television on my own terms. If the phone rang, I just paused the live show I was watching, and had my telephone conversation. When I was finished, I simply returned to the remote control and pressed play and watched the rest of the show.

Tivo allowed me to program ahead of time all the shows I wouldn't be home to watch live, and it was intelligent enough to notice if the show time changed. It was expensive at the time, but well worth the investment to my family.

Digital Video Recorders have come a long way since then. On a recent relocation, I was forced to shop around and I'm glad that happened, because I believe I currently have the best incarnation of DVR and Satellite Television service.

God bless Google, because that's how I found my current Dish reseller. Although it was necessary for me to communicate clearly exactly what I wanted, I got it.

Did you know that it's possible to get the newest Dish technology, including a built-in 40-hour DVR without having to make an eighteen-month commitment? It is. This particular offer gave me the first month free under Term Agreement Option and Cancellation Fee:

"If you are a new, first-time DISH Network subscriber who would like to receive a $49.99 credit applied to your first bill …..……. or if you are only eligible for this promotion as a Former DISH Network Subscriber…., you must agree to an eighteen month agreement by initialing below. If you elect this option, …your service is disconnected for any reason…..you agree to pay, and we will automatically charge, a cancellation fee equal to $13.33 multiplied by the number of months remaining in the initial Term to your DISH Network account or your Credit Card…..at our option."

NOW COMES THE IMPORTANT PART:
"(If the eighteen month agreement option is not initialed, you will be deemed to have declined a term agreement.)"

The way that translates is that I declined the credit, paid the $49.99 installation fee, but did not have to make a commitment. I can cancel my account tomorrow, just ship the equipment back to them, and it's finished…..no penalty, no foul.

When you first sign up, they usually give you some free movie channels for a time, and Pay per View allows you to pay the same amount Blockbuster charges to see recently released movies. They are available to you 24-7, and you can record them straight to the video recorder in the middle of the night to watch whenever you choose.

After the unit is installed, Dish Network charges me only $5.98 per month DVR Service Fee, whereas Tivo still charges $12.95 per month (with a one-year commitment). And Dish Network is almost never down and costs less than cable.

An additional downside to Tivo is that, having purchased your unit, when the technology gets old, you're stuck with it and have to buy a "new and better" one. With Dish Network, I only have to get them to send me another unit.

Oh yes, did I forget to tell you that I can record two different channels at the same time? Heaven!