Can someone explain to me if there are any benefits in purchasing a HD DVR? I'm jumping ship from DTV to Dish because the Dish has more stations to offer over DTV. I understand I will be paying $15 per mo. for the HD programing + DVR from Dish. Will that payment go away if I purchase a Dish Network HD DVR from someplace like ebay? If not, what are the advantages in owning my own HD DVR?

I was thinking the same thing, but for the price of a new receiver it is not worth buying. Just sign up as a new subscriber from DTV and they will give you a good offer. Free installation I would imagine and whatever else you need to get up and running. The First DVR is included in your sub. If you have a second TV you can run it with the duo receiver. If you are set on buying look at $200-$400 to buy the receiver. The technology will outpace the payback time.

If you'll look on my pictures with modifications, you'll know why owning is better. Check eBay - 622 are pretty cheap and if you'll buy approved Seagate 500 GB disk, your 622 will be like 722.

So if I do buy a 622, will that mean that Dish Networks will not charge me the $10 for HD and the $5.98 for DVR service?

You can go with the locals/dvr bundle (for each basic programming pack: classic bronze/silver/gold/) and the dvr fee is bundled with your programming. The hd fee is separate , but for 10.00 you can get the platinum channels included with your basic hd pack. The real advantage to owing your own receiver is that if you install your own dish and receivers, you can sub to just locals, or to the welcome pack + locals and then there is no commitment. I have always owned my own receivers , but with the new 922 about to be released , I might have to lease. I simply can not afford to buy anymore.

You are going to pay the same fees, lease or own. No advantage to owning, IMO.

For the average consumer, Buying is not reccomended. Fees are exactly the same. Buying only give you the option to modify the equipment legally.

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Mark

Local Dealers always make good friends
1 VIP 622 - 1 VIP 722K - Dish 1000-Dish 300 at 61.5 - DirecTV HR20-700 - DirecTV HR21-100 - DTV SWMline Dish
Wildblue SM2000 and dish

I agree and I have bought all of my DVR's (625 and 622). It use to pay but not anymore. I also don't like the 2 yr commitment.
With my 622 I didn't want to wait for the install of 61.5 also HD Absolute (programing package) was going to end. For the price I paid for the 622 it didn't pay to take a day off.
So if you don't mind a 2 yr commitment with the best HD DVR (hands down) and the best HD selection you can't go wrong.
Good luck.

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You got to love all that new HD on Direct TV.

1 no commitment
2 modifications of equipment.
Neither were worth it to me so it's eyes of the beholder.

I ONLY BUY, if they forced me to lease I will cancel.

Over the years I have upgraded hard drives, you cant do that when leased

by the time you take time off work for installation, and pay the upgrade fee. lease is a loser for me.

i enjoy doing wiring upgrading etc