I'm sure there are others that can explain this better than myself. I don't mind the lease thing because I don't want to invest money in expensive DVRs that have the potential to break so often or be outdated next month.
Providers started doing this to reduce up-front costs. To buy a HR24 may exceed (IDK? $750?) but you'd still pay the $5 mirror fee which is still the same as the lease fee. Owned DVRs are no cheaper to operate month to month, so I see no point in purchasing one if it can't pay for itself in the long term.
I guess the 24 month contract is a little hard to accept. I'm guessing with Directv dropping the HD access fee and effectively discounting the upgrade cost, I would likely be staying with Directv for the next two years anyway. BTW, Directv told me that if a HR24 were to be replaced, HR24's are to be replaced with HR24's. This is due to the internal DECA. Directv does not want to get into sending HR20-23 with DECA adapter to replace a HR24 and ask the subscriber to accept and install themselves.
No way the Chinese made HR24 is worth $750. I would guess cost is less than $150.
You can buy the Dish equivalent ViP612 for around $200 and you actually own it - no commitment.
Directv`s lease system is flawed.
Armchair,
Very good post and explanation :up
Peano,
When the HR20's first came out you could still buy them, they ran in the $750-850 range.
When the HR Tivo first came out, people were buying them for $ 1000.
The current "Leasing " plan is a great idea, although I fought it in the beginning as I owned ALL my equipment, I like the idea that everything is covered, even shipping if you have the PP.
Often they will Ship the recvr to your door.
Awhile back D* would NOT do this as they wanted an installer on every job, eventually I push the issue when I needed a replacement due to not wanting to have to take time off work. Also the fact that awhile back it was not uncommon for them to MISS the commitment when you had taken the day off.
Also, You say that the Leased system is Flawed, how so ?
It came directly from DISH Network, D* saw that DISH's lease program was working and eventually implemented it back in '06