Which Receiver for me?

[kmb1966]

I have been a customer with DishNetwork since 1997 using a model 4000. I now have Top 100 package with locals. Having the system for that long with never a late payment, I have to say that the upgrade options for existing customers is a little "flimsy". That being said, my problem is that the model 4000 is very slow and does not have dolby digital. Therefore, I am trying to get a new receiver that has UHF and dolby digital output. After speaking with several retailers, and dishnetwork, my choices are down to the following:

1.) Buy a Model 508 from Dish Network direct for $199.00 and upgrade to T150 and commit to 12 months with CC autopay.

2.) Buy a Model 508 for $269.00 from my local retailer with no commitment.

3.) Buy a Model 4900 for $100.00 (1 year warranty) from my local retailer with no commitment.

I really don't think I would use the dish recording capability of the 508, but who knows. Is the 4900 reliable?? Is it faster than the 4000 as far as paging and downloading information?

Thanks,

[DVDDAD]

Do you have a PVR now? There is noting like it. Pause live TV, record w/o tapes. Watch all your shows & sports w/o commercials. It will change the way you watch TV! Go for the 508, you won't be sorry.

[DishDude1]

I would check costco, I think people there were buying 501/508 pretty cheap. my advice, if there is nothing in the 150 that interests you is to buy the 508. If you can gain some benefit from the 150, go for the 501. I think you will be very happy with the PVR.

[Jacob S]

If you want more channels and the top 150 package or already have it take the $199 deal, otherwise if you want to stay on a budget and just want top 50 then get the $269 deal. If you have or want the top 100 you might as well take top 150 deal seeing the price difference is not much between 100 and 150 for the year compared to the difference in receiver price for the deal or through the retailer.

[BobaBird]

That's a great price for a 4900 but don't expect it to be much if any faster than your 4000 at displaying guide information. I retired my 4000 in favor of a 501 and also have to recommend getting the 501/508. Having the guide stored on the hard drive is worth the price in saved aggravation alone not to mention the recording features you think you won't use - but will! Just set recurring timers (sadly almost identical to the 4000 but the P168 software upgrade currently being doled out makes some big improvements) for your favorite shows and then watch them at your convenience. See http://ekb.dbstalk.com/292 for links to more info on the 501/508.

p.s. Take a moment to register, it's free and nearly painless. :)

[hikerak]

Hello ,
I think this is a thread I can chime into with my question, if not, let me know to start a new one.. First of all I think you should go with the 508. I also have the AT100 but I have the HBO package with mine. I think you would really enjoy the recording capabilities and the pause. I have a similar question.... :)

:confused: Currently I am saving for the 721, I have about another month to go before I get one. I currently have the 301 and was a DP owner. I loved the pause feature on the DP and was upset about the 9.99 charge for the other features so I never purchased them, I just used my VCR for recording as I do know. I have recently been second guessing myself about the second tuner because I think that is all that is really different between the 508 and the 721and I really want a PVR : ) . I am not sure if, for me the second tuner will be that useful. I am in Milwaukee and according to charlie we won't be seeing locals for a while and I get my locals OK through the air. Most of the programming I would be recording with a second tuner, would be while I am watching locals anyway. From the threads I am seeing the internet part of the 721 is probably gone for a while at least and I am not that interested anyhow. Does all of this make sense? If it does I think I am going to go with the 508. Have I read correctly that you can add a second HD to it for more recording hours? Is there somehing I am missing in my comparison? This does not need to become a 721 Vs. 508 fight. I am purely asking about my specific situation..

Thanks,

Matt

[boba]

hikerak you can't record your over the air channels with either a 721 or a 508. Only the actual DISH Network broadcasts can be recorded on the PVRs. No you can't add a second hard drive to the 508.

[Jacob S]

Couldn't one add a second hard drive to the 508 if it was external?

[Cyclone]

I have a 4900 and it is rock solid. It has the OpenTV stuff, Dolby Optical output and hasn't had a problem since it was installed in Sept 2000.

With that said, I would like to get a 508, but with HDTV in my future, I'm either going to have to get the 6000 or wait out for the 921 (which I won't be able to afford).

Cyclone

[hikerak]

Jacob, it looked to me like it had an external "something" port...

So should I just get the 508?

Thanks ......

[Jacob S]

I wonder what all we can and cannot do with this external port.

The 508 is a pretty nice receiver. Just make sure you get the 1.99 a month extended warranty right before your manufacturer's warranty runs out.

[John Corn]

Get the 508 from the local retailer. :)