New HR34 or wait for Hopper???

[Aliens]

Back and forth I go.

I currently have the E* 622 and I’m confident I can get them to give me another 622 without an additional charge, I just need to get back to them since our last negotiation a few days ago.

Reading about some of the glitches (every new receiver goes through this process) with the new HR34 makes me hesitant to go that route. I’m thinking more like the time tested HR24 as my main, and two additional HD receivers to finish off the whole-home feature. I’ll need to add the AN21. Going with D* will save me $264 the first year versus staying with E*. If I can get D* to throw in the AN21 for free, and I like my chances, my only cost will be for the $21 install. I left D* in ’05 and have been with E* since. My 622 has been very reliable and I’m familiar with the system - I find it about as simple as it can get. Test-driving the HR34 the other day was like going into another universe - lots to learn.


Decisions. Decisions. Decisions.

[DetFan]

When is the HR34 available?

[Iceberg]

Feb 9th for current subs through D*
You can buy them now at solidsignal for $399 which is the base price. DOnt know if D* will give current subs any discount on it

new subs its available now

[DetFan]

Of course...LOL new subs get everything.

[lparsons21]

I'm patiently waiting to see what existing customer offers are on the HR34. It would make a great replacement for the 2 HR24s I use now in my preferred viewing location, and it would reduce the bill by $6/month as I would send back 2 HR24s. A single HR34 would be much easier to manage than the two HR24s I control now.

At $399 it isn't a consideration, at something much less it might be.

[Iceberg]

I agree
I have 2 R22's in the same viewing spot (hooked to same TV) and like last night I had all 4 tuners maxed out for an hour or so.....5 tuners would be nice

[lparsons21]

Not just because of 5 tuners, although that would be nice now and then, but because Series Management and To-do list could be done on one box instead of trying figure out what is set where. I've got about 40 series links on each now, some with shows scheduled, others not. Managing 80 links means that sometimes I end up recording the same thing on 2 HRs.

Of course, if we could get unified management across MRV the problem wouldn't exist! Are you listening D*?

[rd76]

I'm a DTV customer and am seriously looking to switch to the hopper. The reasons are many. As a DTV customer is it almost impossible to upgrade without paying out the nose for everything. As a new customer they almost give you everything for free. Second the hopper guide is extremely fast compared to all the DTV DVR tuners I've had including their new hd guide. I've had Dish prior and it's basically the same quality. DTV has their sports packages but I cann't afford them. I hope the hopper is cheap for new customers cann't wait.

[Phil T]

Unfortunately both providers treat new customers better then existing. I had the same issues with Dish several years ago. It seems to be a game of CSR roulette to get a good deal as an existing customer.

[MJL Atlanta]

Thanks to everyone who posted all the great info on this thread. As an update, I decided to wait to see what E* is going to offer with the new Hopper/Joey system before I make my final decision. I still like the idea of the HR34 and its 5 tuners, but it sounds like there will be more info of the Hopper as early as this week and I am not in a great hurry. If I like the functionality of the hopper and the price for an existing customer is reasonable, I will probably avoid the hassle of a new installation and stay with E*. But if E* does not offer the new equipment to current customers or the price is ridiculous, I will be giving D* a call. Thanks again.