If you have an old computer, you can construct your own DVR for abut $50 by purchasing a MYHD MDP-130 HD card from EBay. I have made four of these and since they are "hardware" cards, they are stable as the sun coming up. Just got off an internet chat on the DishNetwork web site:
Please wait while we find a representative to assist you...
Welcome to DISH Network Chat.
(03) MKtecha Ruby R.FEB: How may I help you?
: I just received a letter in the mail, supposedly from Dish, indicating that the HD Absolute package we have had for quite some time will be phased out as of February 1. Is this information correct?
(03) MKtecha Ruby R.FEB: I'd be happy to assist you with your concern.
(03) MKtecha Ruby R.FEB: Please give me 2 minutes while I pull up your account and assist you further.
(03) MKtecha Ruby R.FEB: Please give me just 1-2 minutes while I check the information for you.
(03) MKtecha Ruby R.FEB: I am sorry for the wait time. On February 1st, we will be making some business changes. We do not yet know all of the changes that will be occurring; however, you will receive more detailed information about our changes in your February statement.
: Based on the letter, my new programming and hardware charges will be going up from $56 a month to $96 a month. UNACCEPTABLE!
(03) MKtecha Ruby R.FEB: I understand.
(03) MKtecha Ruby R.FEB: I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this has caused you.
(03) MKtecha Ruby R.FEB: We will keep you updated as soon as we have the details.
(03) MKtecha Ruby R.FEB: I am sorry we really do not have information yet.
: WE are long term customers, becoming DishNetwork customers in April of 1997. By the way I OWN all my equipment, so if (WHEN) we drop Dish, the receivers will not be returned to you. Just so that this is understood.
: Thanks for your time. You might want to pass along to Dish management that their upcoming changes will cost them a LOT of long term customers.
(03) MKtecha Ruby R.FEB: I understand.
(03) MKtecha Ruby R.FEB: I assure you that we will let us know if there will be changes as soon as we have the details.
(03) MKtecha Ruby R.FEB: You're welcome. It was a pleasure assisting you today!
(03) MKtecha Ruby R.FEB: Is there anything else that I can assist you with?
: Thanks for your time. Just needed to vent. Looks like we will be going with Netflix streaming over the internet...
(03) MKtecha Ruby R.FEB: I understand. You're always welcome. I can assure you that Dishnetwork still offers the best value for your money and we have the best equipment in the industry.
: Bye