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T O P I C     R E V I E W allen_couple I plan on getting DIRECTV soon (for our new Allen home!) and I was wondering if anyone knew of good deals. We could use 3 to 4 recievers and we want TIVO. I read the current offer on their website but I also got a flyer on my door from some local outfit (Pegasus?) that seemed to offer more. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Uncle Al allen_couple, I have an old neighbor who works with Dish-tv. If you want I can give you his phone #. he could probably give you a good deal. Uncle Al LindaHalverson We have Dish Network, after switching from cable two years ago. We love it. We have a PVR (Personal Video Recorder), similar to TIVO in the living room, and use it every day. It has a capacity to record and store 40 hours (I think) of TV time. Very easy to use. The only downside of satellite service is that during very bad storms, the signal gets lost. But during the storms this week, it wasn't lost once. We've lost service temporarily due to weather maybe a half dozen times in two years. Never had a problem other than that. We have 3 other receivers, and one is split to control two tvs in my son's room and playroom. We don't have any movie channels, and pay around $54.00 a month. Installation, from what I remember was around $100.00, with an additional $50.00 for the PVR. Two or three year contract, I believe. Next day install. I'm very satisfied with the technical service. When I had technical problems (I moved a couple of TVs around at one point), they were very, very helpful. Over the phone, too (and NOT put on hold forever!)...no waiting for a service call! Customer service has been excellent. go to www.dishnetwork.com or 1-800-333-3474. Tell them I sent ya! I remember receiving something in the mail at one point about referrals...I think I get a Visa gift card, or something, but that promotion may have expired. Thanks! [This message has been edited by LindaHalverson (edited June 08, 2004).] Michael I have had DISH-TV for long time and love it! I have three receivers. Two of the receivers are PVRs (or DVR Digital Video Recorder as they call them now). I left my air antenna connected to use in case of bad storms or when I want to record one channel while watching another (local) channel. Some of the new DVRs have dual tuners so that is not a problem. I think they have a special going on right now for free equipment and free install. My installer was Lone Star Satellite. SeanKelly Between Dish Network and DirecTV, the choice became pretty clear after DirecTV threatened thousands of people, including their own customers, with pricy litigation. Dish, on the other hand, has been a good deal, reliable signals, and the TiVo-like PVR system is nothing short of amazing. zeno SeanKelley The link you supplied deals with people that own Smart Card technology and are mistaken as stealing the signal. The key here is not to own any of the listed devices. http://www.directvdefense.org/threat/ I don't think they are suing people for no reason. campbellfam I have heard some rumors on the business channels that Tivo and DirecTV may have hit shaky ground in their relationship. They are claiming otherwise for now but I'd wait a bit to make sure you'll be getting everything you want... SeanKelly The key here is not to own any of the listed devices. That prevents me from using Smartcard technology for otherwise legal purposes. I won't bid on any contract that would otherwise use such technology, for fear of retribution from DirecTV. ...suing people for no reason. You're right, they're not suing people for no reason. They're suing people who've purchased Smartcard technology through customer lists they've obtained from dealers. While many of the customers purchased with intent to steal DirecTV's signals, DirecTV could care less: they're threatening everyone. A medical researcher in Houston, for example, wanted to use Smartcard technology to secure access to patient data. He ended up ponying up $3500 to avoid litigation. A person in Michigan got threatened; he doesn't even have a TV! DirecTV shall not get my business exactly because of this behavior which is tantamount to extortion.