How can you request the HR44? One rep said that if I re-connect (long story..was not due to non-payment) I will have to pay upfront for the equipment. So if I talk to someone that doesn't charge me upfront, it sounds kind of snoody to requst the 44 haha.
It is a bit of a crap shoot, but there are a couple ways that work.
1. Use a local DirecTV dealer - if they can do the job for you, it is easy to get one from them, just tell them you won't take anything else.
2. Deal with DirecTV and when the installer calls before coming, ask him to make sure he has an HR44 for you. If he doesn't, cancel and reschedule the install, rinse-repeat ad nauseum.
Usually it isn't problem to get one, but D* won't guarantee you will as they have 'pronounced from on high' that the HR34 and 44 are the same thing. They are in only very basic terms. IOW, they both have 5 tuners and support whole home. Other than those 2 things, they are very different boxes.
Of course all the install tricks only work if you left on good terms and are returning on good terms.