Some of what you say isn't how I understand it.
As a NEW Direct customer, which I am, if I would have added one more tuner giving me a total of 9 tuners (5 in the HR34 + 4 more tuners for 5 rooms total) they would have given me the different LNB and SWM16 for free. The SWM16 is still SWM even if it takes 4 lines from the LNB it still uses only one line per device after that. So no cost there.
The SWM16 bridges DECA between the two SWM8 ports but that is a recent change. Even if it didn't you could bridge them at an ethernet switch/router with two Cinema Kits and still have a full whole home DVR system with internet access for VOD etc.. I haven't had any problems connecting to the internet with the Cinema Connection Kit from any of my clients or the HR34 but that isn't to say nobody else isn't having problems.
I would bet that both Dish and Direct are going to have multiple firmware updates before everything is resolved. Also, the HR34 is the first DVR from Direct that can bridge Ethernet with its built in port simultaneously with the DECA so that could take the place of the Cinema Connection Kit. So I don't see any negatives from a technology standpoint.
Now the disadvantage I can see is if a person uses Joey's for Dish or RVU's for Direct is that if the main box goes out you lose all TV. That is why I went to separate tuners for the HR34 so that if it bites the dust I can still watch TV in addition to watching recordings.
So the true cost for a NEW customer would be the additional $399 internet purchase to add one more HR34. The HR34 and H25's and Cinema Connection kit were all free for me, I just had to pay for the $20 install/handling fee.
That probably isn't much different than how Dish will charge new versus existing customers
First, you're an
existing customer, so all the fees quoted are real and would apply if you wanted to add a second HR34 to your existing configuration and have it professionally installed. You could also buy the parts online for about $150 (used SWM16 and LNB) and install everything yourself. If you go that route your only out $550 or so.
However, new customers would have to pay $299 for a second HR34 (they would get a second AP discount as a qualifying new customer)
and the difference in material cost
prior to initial installation. The LNB would be a wash, so no up-charge there, but the SWM16 is $225 compared to $8 for a SWM8 resulting in a $217 up-charge (at a minimum since $225 is cost and not retail). A new customer's upfront cost for two HR34's and two H25's would be around $650 including install, and each additional H25 would be no less than $99 (and may incur an install fee) because you would have used up all of your AP product discounts on the two HR34's and two H25's.
Using your example, and assuming you would have made the selection
prior to installation, you would have paid $99 for the 4th H25, the difference in material cost, and potentially an install fee for the 4th H25.
D* considers a SWM16 a "custom" install, and you will be billed for the part. If someone from DIRECTV told you differently then make them put it in writing and order it now.
As for the DECA issue, it is sporadic.
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