First off, sorry for the noob question thats probably been asked a few times. We will be moving into our new house soon. I think I will go with Dish Network again as we dont have many options where I live. My question, do I have to go with the DVR box that dish provides me or would it be better to go buy my own like a Tivo or something? Suggestions? we currently have dish and their box at our home. Edit- we watch mainly all HD programming and we record many different shows. Sometimes 2 shows at once.

Dish Network does not permit digital host devices connected to its network other than those it provides itself. Neither satellite service complies with the FCC requirements regarding separable security, which would facilitate such customer-owned host devices; they secured waivers from the FCC many years ago, and those waivers have not been lifted yet.

For the satellite services, you'll need to use their DVR if you want HD.

Ask for the Dish ViP722K. This DVR record up to four different channels at once (two satellite, two OTA) with the optional OTA module.

Dish Network does not permit digital host devices connected to its network other than those it provides itself. Neither satellite service complies with the FCC requirements regarding separable security, which would facilitate such customer-owned host devices; they secured waivers from the FCC many years ago, and those waivers have not been lifted yet.

Thanks! I guess that means no. There is the option of Direct TV and also Comcast. I have not heard good stuff about comcast in our area though. Last I checked, they didnt even offer HD programming. Also, some one told me direct tv was good if you really are into sports, which we are not.

Thanks! I guess that means no. There is the option of Direct TV and also Comcast. I have not heard good stuff about comcast in our area though. Last I checked, they didnt even offer HD programming. Also, some one told me direct tv was good if you really are into sports, which we are not.DirecTV offers better HD picture quality than Dish, if that is a concern. In terms of cost, Dish Network is the better value.

Many feel DirecTV's HR21/HR22/HR23 DVRs are inferior to the Dish ViP722K DVR because of the comparatively slow performance and older/slower hardware. DirecTV has a new, faster DVR in the works, but it's probably still at least three months off. DirecTV will give customers the option of the TiVo software on that new DVR.

DirecTV offers better HD picture quality than Dish, if that is a concern. In terms of cost, Dish Network is the better value.

Many feel DirecTV's HR21/HR22/HR23 DVRs are inferior to the Dish ViP722K DVR because of the comparatively slow performance and older/slower hardware. DirecTV has a new, faster DVR in the works, but it's probably still at least three months off. DirecTV will give customers the option of the TiVo software on that new DVR.

Thanks. I will need to do my research then on DirecTv and see what the price difference would be as well as channel line up. I do want the best possible picture quality though. I didnt realize there was a difference in HD picture from one cable company to the other.

The differences may even depend on which channels you're talking about. Here, for OTA channels, Comcast is best, while for cable networks, DirecTV is considered best.

You do actually have another DVR option ... although it may be more of a hassle than it's worth.

If you don't mind having a computer (PC/Mac) in your set-up, you could purchase a Hauppauge HD-PVR. The Hauppauge would be connected to your Dish HD-STB via component and connected to the computer via USB.

Then, I believe that the software can use an IR blaster to change the channel on the STB at the appropriate time and allow you to record the output of the STB onto the computer.

The upsides are: you wouldn't need the full DVR from Dish, just the HD-STB; you have a quality recording in h264 format with no DRM; virtually unlimited recording space (just buy more HDDs).

The downsides are: you're limited to one tuner; cumbersome set-up; potentially flaky software.

I'm not saying that it's an ideal set-up, but it's an option.

You do actually have another DVR option ... although it may be more of a hassle than it's worth.

If you don't mind having a computer (PC/Mac) in your set-up, you could purchase a Hauppauge HD-PVR. The Hauppauge would be connected to your Dish HD-STB via component and connected to the computer via USB.

Then, I believe that the software can use an IR blaster to change the channel on the STB at the appropriate time and allow you to record the output of the STB onto the computer.

The upsides are: you wouldn't need the full DVR from Dish, just the HD-STB; you have a quality recording in h264 format with no DRM; virtually unlimited recording space (just buy more HDDs).

The downsides are: you're limited to one tuner; cumbersome set-up; potentially flaky software.

I'm not saying that it's an ideal set-up, but it's an option.

Thats some cool yet intense info for a noob. There is no way I want that kind of set up. I want a simple box that records some shows in HD to put in my AV cabinet.

The differences may even depend on which channels you're talking about. Here, for OTA channels, Comcast is best, while for cable networks, DirecTV is considered best.

Here are the channels that we watch most. NBC, ABC, CBS, TNT, the cooking network, HGTV, Discovery, and we put on Nick for our daughter. We only watch the HD versions.

Thats some cool yet intense info for a noob. There is no way I want that kind of set up. I want a simple box that records some shows in HD to put in my AV cabinet.

Yeah, I agree that it's not the ideal solution. But you never know. Being a HT newbie doesn't mean that you can't be a computer guru type. The Hauppauge device and this kind of set-up can be fun for those who like to tinker with computers. But yeah, not for everyone.