Basic tuner / recording questions

[rarvesen]

I'm looking into satellite and I have some very basic questions (let me know if these are in a FAQ somewhere). I'll probably get Dish Network but I assume the questions apply to all satellite companies.

1) Do you have to get the tuner / receiver from Dish Network, or can you get receivers from places like Amazon, Circuit City, etc.?

2) I don't understand how recording works if the tuner is not also the recording device. For example, if you have a satellite tuner and a separate VCR (or DVR), can you record channel-x at one time and then channel-y at another time? It seems like you have to run video-out to the VCR and have the correct channel tuned in at the right time to record. That seems like a real pain.

3) Dish Network indicates their DVRs are free but my understanding is they have a monthly charge (around $5.00). Is it possible to use their DVR without paying a monthly charge? I'm not interested in any type of advanced programming or anything, just very basic VCR-like functions.

4) We have a DVR and I archive shows to DVD. How do you get shows off of Dish Network's DVRs? Do they have an option like firewire, USB, or Ethernet, or is the only option video-out?

I called Dish Network but they would not answer the questions since I'm not a customer. Thanks,
--
ralph

[Ken Green]

Ralph,
1) you can obtain receivers elsewhere, but it is best to obtain them from Dish, or an affiliated Dish retailer.
2) Dish has a system called IR Blaster, in which you schedule the recording through your Dish receiver, which then turns on your VCR/DVR at the record time, and tunes to the channel scheduled to record.
3)No, only if you opt for the highest tier of programming is the DVR fee waived.
4)Not at the present time, only video out.