Should I wait?

[hometheaterman]

I'm thinking of buying another DVR either the 508 or 721 but this whole mpeg 4 thing worries me I Don't want to buy it now and have it where I can't use it in a few months or a year when they change to Mpeg4 and it would then become useless correct? Should I wait until Mpeg 4 rolls out until I buy another DVR or will they upgrade the one I buy to a current one when they do change formats or will I be stuck with something that is just useless and have to buy a new reciever? I want another one but am worried about the Mpeg 4.

 

[rad]

I've not seen any mention for a time table to change the SD channels to MPEG4, just the HD channels. So since you're looking at SD DVR's I'd say go and get one now.

 

[Stargazer]

Personally I would wait because MPEG-4 is just around the corner.

 

[hometheaterman]

Ok so will only the HD channels be converted or will all of them?

 

[hometheaterman]

I wish I had of bought the 721 when Dishdepot had them I may end up having to buy a used one now.

 

[kavula]

My understanding is SD eventually, but several years away. I'd like to see Rad's HD timetable, though.

 

[larrystotler]

Personally I would wait because MPEG-4 is just around the corner.

Yep. Projections say it will take at LEAST 5 years. They have to replace all of the HD boxes first. Then, they would have to start the changeover with the 25 million current SD boxes.

 

[mikew]

I wish I had of bought the 721 when Dishdepot had them I may end up having to buy a used one now.

Mark's bargain bin at Dish Depot has a used 721 for $169 shipped. Has a 30 day warranty and you can add your own warranty through dish. Better than E-Bay...

 

[hometheaterman]

I meant Dish Store but I would buy from Dish Depot also. I really want atleast a year warrenty and thats why I haven't bought a used one.

 

[hometheaterman]

How much is the warrenty through Dish isn't it like $5.99 a month? I don't really want to pay that.

 

[SatinKzo]

If you plan on owning a DVR, that protection plan is a good investment after the initial warranty expires. Or you can risk it and just buy a new DVR from ebay or someone here when the systems die. They are still mechanical HD's and they will eventually die.
I have 3 dvr's and all work great, but I also have the protection plan because I have 3 of them.


There have been some conflicting reports that you can add it and make a claim, then a month later, cancel it and others have said that now you need to keep it for a period of time.

 

[Stargazer]

The warranty is a must have if you have DVR's, particularly more than one.