Td,
1) The Deal is pretty good, any core package is $29 dollars off per month (of the regular core package for 12 months), then $14 dollars off the regular Core Package for the next 12 months. If you know somebody that has direcTV then mention their account # when Signing up and get another $10 off for the first 12 months. Either MRV or HD service is Free for life either or is $10 each.
2) MRV is per account, only HD receivers can use MRV. If you get 2 HD DVR's then both DVR's Recordings are shared, any HD Non DVR receiver can also access any recording on either DVR. Be aware you can only access ONE remote recording at a time between all your receivers. DirecTV now has SWM technology this is a Single Wire from the Dish and can be split using the appropriate DirecTV Splitters, upto 8 times on a standard SWM 8. A Swm 8 LNBF can support up to 8 total tuners, DVR's use 2 tuners so you can support upto 4 DVR's or a combination of DVR's and single Tuner receivers. If you want to support more than 8 tuners and are willing to pay for receivers you want then DirecTV will install a SWM16 which can support upto 16 total tuners.
3) I suggest you get 2 or 3 DVR's and then get HD Receivers so you can share all the recordings for all three DVR's to the additional HD receivers. DirecTV will supply the initial HD DVR for Free your Second HD DVR will be $99 dollars, a third would be $199, additional HD receivers are $99, a additional Standard Def DVR is $99, and Standard Definition receivers are free. All receivers are Leased, so when you terminate service you will have to return all the hardware.
4) DirecTV charges an additional Receiver Fee of $6.00 per each extra receiver regardless of the type, DirecTV also charges a Whole Home DVR fee of $7.00 per account.
5) The deal you will get will likely be the same regardless of the provider, also remember a New DirecTV contract is 24 months.
If you do churn over to DirecTV make sure you apply for the $29/$14 dollar rebate online before the installation so the Credits will appear on your first billing invoice. If you want a DirecTV customer referral to get the additional $10 per month off for 12 months, (PM Me).
I called a local retailer and then applied online to get the credits applied. In most cases a local retailer will guarantee which hardware you will receive. I insisted on H24/HR24's.
John