i have dishnetwork in my apartments because they won't allow anything else here. i don't care for dish much, but since it's my only option, i'm stuck with it. the problem i have is that while i have HD, i do not want to get their dvr, which is $150 initial fee, $12 monthly charge, and a minimum of 18 months to keep the service (or else a $240 fee). i really just don't like the contract. i don't think i'll be in these apts in 18 months, and hence, certainly won't have dish (more than likely).

do i have any other options for recording my hd shows? i know tivo3, but that's expensive. of course i understand i'll have it for a lifetime, as with having dvr here i'll only have it for 18 months and pay over $300 (which is nearly half of tivo) for only temporary use.

thanks for any help.

btw, is there a monthly fee with tivo series3?

yes there is a monthly fee with tivo S3 service

when/if you move you can move the dish receiver with you and get a new dish installed at your new residence. go ahead and get the dish hd dvd, you will really enjoy it.

i've got a S3 and a HD tivo, I enjoy and use the hell out of both.

The dish HD DVR for new subs right now is free. It was announced at CES.

Currently for existing customers a Dish 622 is $149-$199. The exact price is dependant upon how good a Dish customer you have been to this point(personally I think they use a magic 8 ball). You then get a $50 one time rebate and $10/mo for 10 months, meaning if Dish has you in the Class A category($149), you get the 622 upgrade for -$1 after rebates.

btw, is there a monthly fee with tivo series3? I thought that the TiVo S3 couldn't be used with satellite (?).

Currently for existing customers a Dish 622 is $149-$199. The exact price is dependant upon how good a Dish customer you have been to this point(personally I think they use a magic 8 ball). You then get a $50 one time rebate and $10/mo for 10 months, meaning if Dish has you in the Class A category($149), you get the 622 upgrade for -$1 after rebates.

Yep, I just ordered the DishDVR last night at the $149 price. I had looked at getting it about 6 months ago, but the price at that time was more than I was willing to pay just for the right to lease the unit. I'm extremely glad that I waited now.

I thought that the TiVo S3 couldn't be used with satellite (?).
the S3 is for ota and cable use only. no sat. service.
and it does carry a monthly fee

i say it's all ridiculous. you should be able to buy one unit for one price to record tv. all this other mess makes no sense to me, but thanks for the input. i will probably just deal with watching tv on the times that it's on.