Newbie Questions on DishPVR

[Fastfwd]

My parents went to visit my Uncle and experienced their DirectTV Tivo and now would like to get a PVR for themselves. I've searched through the forums a bit and looked at some of the specs on the players and I'd like to hear what would be suggested for a Dish PVR for them on the cheap. Maybe a used 508? Just get a new one and not worry with the hassles of a used card? I see the Dish site says $299 for a 500 series - is that correct and the best price available.

It would be nice if I could hack their PVR to copy off to my computer. Is this possible with any of the DishPVR's? While I'm at it how does the capture on these PVR's work - is it captured as the original MPEG-2 stream from the dish? Surely it's not re-encoded MPEG-2, although my computer captures with a proprietary format in its PVR software in order to better navigate the file so I guess that would make sense. I'm sure I can look up the questions in this second paragraph, but if you feel generous enough to answer that would be great.

[Mike Richardson]

With a 2 year commitment they can get a new 510 for $99 plus PVR fees.

You could also call DISH and ask about the $149 or $199 deal for a 501 or 508. Most likely they'd get a 501 because the 508s are allegedly out of stock. But $149 for a 501 is a pretty good deal. No commitment, no PVR fee.

If they have Digital Home Plan they can get a 501 or a 508 for $99 and 1 year commitment, no PVR fees, and the receiver is rented.

[AppliedAggression]

Understand that the 501/508 are only single tuner PVRs. You can't record something and watch something else on the same receiver. You can however record something and watch something else that was already recorded.

I am almost positive if you call Dish and ask them for the 501/508 for $150, they'll give it to you. The 510 has a fee, like Directv receivers, the 501/508 doesn't. Take these into account before making your decision.

[boba]

If you do the DVR-510 you pay a monthly fee for the service AT-50 is $9.99 per month, AT-100 or AT-150 is $4.98 per month so you are paying $99 plus the 2 year commitment of at least $120 so it really is a cost of $219 for the 2 years. All DISH DVRs record the data stream and decode it on playback so to record it you would use the "S" video out to feed your computer. If your parents aren't already DISH customers get the Directv system like your Uncle has it is a better system.

[Jacob S]

Also understand the a 501 has 30 hours of record time, 508 60 hours of record time, and a 510 has 100 hours record time.

[toad57]

It would be nice if I could hack their PVR to copy off to my computer. Is this possible with any of the DishPVR's?

See http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dishrip/ for info on software for the Dishplayer 7100/7200 and 501/508. Be aware that it involves removal of the HD, thus you may be voiding a warranty, if there is one on the unit.

While I'm at it how does the capture on these PVR's work - is it captured as the original MPEG-2 stream from the dish?

That is true for my Dishplayer 7200, is probably true for the 50x series as well - makes the most sense, actually.

[Mike Richardson]

If you do the DVR-510 you pay a monthly fee for the service AT-50 is $9.99 per month, AT-100 or AT-150 is $4.98 per month so you are paying $99 plus the 2 year commitment of at least $120 so it really is a cost of $219 for the 2 years. All DISH DVRs record the data stream and decode it on playback so to record it you would use the "S" video out to feed your computer. If your parents aren't already DISH customers get the Directv system like your Uncle has it is a better system.

$219 is better than $299. It's $70 more than the $149 deal and you get more hard drive space too. $20 more than the $199 deal makes it worth it to get the 510 and pay PVR fees. Unless your parents have AT-50, in that case, avoid the 510. Only downside is the commitment.

[Filip1]

One more thing, if your parents have the all everything package like I do, there is no DVR fee!!

[Filip1]

Jacob, the 501 has 35 hours of record time, not 30.

[BobMurdoch]

One more thing, if your parents have the all everything package like I do, there is no DVR fee!!

If you can swing the cost, the Everything Pak is a great deal for what you get (the waived PVR fees are just gravy)

[gulmer]

If your parents are not already
Dish subs,they can get the 510
for free W/free install,plus a
second receiver for free,for a
second TV.Go to your local
installer for the details on this
deal,other wise,if they are
already Dish subs,see above
threads.