I have been a subsriber to Dish Network for a year. I don't have many complaits, and am generally happy with the service.

About two days ago, my VCR broke. I've been thinking about buying a TIVO for about six months, but just found out that Dish Network sells a TIVO-like device for its system. There is a one time fee to buy the unit, unlike TIVO where you have to pay a $12.95 subsription fee per month (it's going up from $9.95) after you purchase their unit.

Here's my question: Dish Network is offering this device to NEW subscribers for $99. Old subscribers have to pay like $350 for it. Has any current subsriber been able to find a loophole to this rule? The truth is that I just can't afford $350 right now (couldn't afford the TIVO either). I also don't care to spend any money on a new VCR since I don't have any movies on tape anymore. I only use it to record television.

Any advice would be appreciated.

The recording device that Dish Network provides to its customers is awful. If you even touch the recorder, while it is recording the unit will break. What ever you do, don't buy a recorder from Dish Network ever. I am not exaggerating at all.

I've been a loyal dish network subscriber for a couple years now and all i can say is I want a DirectTivo! I got a dishplayer for real cheap a little over a year ago and now i hate it lots. Its wasnt too bad at first, but recently they've been upgrading the software and it makes it crash almost everyday. THe newer dish PVR (dishpro 501 i think) is supposed to be just as bad or worse. check out www.dbsforums.com for more info. I really would like a Directivo instead.

-daveninja.com

For the record I have had a PVR 501 for a few months n ow and have not have a problem.

Also, Dish was having a promotion for existing customers a while back......$199 for the receiver, as long as you sign up for credit-card autopay and the top 150 package.

If you can wait I would suggest holding out for the DISH PVR 721 receiver that is supposed to be coming out soon. It is a lot like the DirecTIVO unit that DirecTV people have had for a while. Early reviews have been positive, but there is no confirmed date yet and it might be expensive. I am probably going to get one myself if it doesn't cost too much.

I just got a Philips DirectTivo unit for $19.95 w/ professional installation. I was a first time subscriber to DirectTv so I only had to pay shipping and handling. I have to subscribe to a year of DirectTv of course. However, I found that DirectTv had cheaper package prices than both local digital cable and dish-network.

I love mine. I can record 2 shows at once or record one & watch a live show at the same time. Very nice indeed.

I have the Plus package (middle level) which is $35.99 and with the $9.99 Tivo service I pay roughly $47 a month. The cheapest digital cable package was $52 a month with no Tivo and not as many channels. Give me a break. Don't recall what Dish-Networks pricing was, just that it was higher at the time.

Nefarious: Where did you find the deal on the directivo? i was thinking of switching to direct tv but couldnt find any deals for directivos