Dish Network DishPVR 501 System

Pros: Crystal Clear Recordings, 35 Hours Recording Time, Awesome Remote Control, NO MONTHLY CHARGES!
Cons: None

I can sum this review up with one statement:

"Why didn't I buy this unit a long time ago?"

Truth be told, I've had the PVR 501 for one week and it's easily the best addition I've EVER made to my home theater, including DVD!...

Pros: Almost foolproof recording, pause and rewind live TV.
Cons: Can't record one channel while watching another and difficult to use at times.

The DishPVR 501 system is a great way to enjoy Dish Network programming. It integrates a standard satellite cable receiver and a PVR. The satellite cable receiver operates just like a cable box and is hooked up in essentially the same way. The PVR is...

Pros: Easy to use, no additional monthly fee, numerous features
Cons: Can't record one thing and simultaneously watch another.

We bought this system a few weeks ago, and it has been AWESOME!

First of all, we were already satellite TV users, under another provider. We were interested in purchasing a recorder system. The recorder would allow us to record certain...

Pros: Great Reception, Record and Play-Back Feature, Pause Live T.V.
Cons: Cannot watch a live program and record at the same time.

If you are looking for a personal video recorder system, this is the one for you. I have the Dish Network PVR150 plan. Costs run about 65.00 a month, with two tuners. One of the tuners is a standard satellite box, with a remote and access to over 200...

Pros: Ease of use, No DVR fees
Cons: Not as intuitive the 721 model, but gets the job done

I just want to start off by saying that I have been a Dish Network customer for 6 years now and have been very satisified with the level of service and the quality of the products that I have purchased from them. I currently own a 721 DVR, a 4900 and ...

Pros: None
Cons: Customer service, contracts, big ugly dishes, bad quality picture, DVR, remote, extra wires.

So I got an ad in the mail offering DISH network for $19.99 a month plus free HBO and Showtime for three months. It would then go up to $31.99 a month for the cheapest package available, and I could cancel HBO and Showtime. Also I was required to pay ...

Pros: More TV channels than local cable.
Cons: Bad customer service, non-refundable $200 equipment fee for HDTV, lie about money back guarantee.

After years of frustration with my local cable company I have decided to give a try to one of the available TV satellite systems. The ones available in my area were DirectTV and Dish Network, so after doing some research on both provider's websites I ...

Pros: Superior Integration, full Dish picture quality, smooth and easy operation
Cons: Timer is time/slot based, not show based.

There is no Dish 508 or 510 product listed on epinions that I can see, but the 501, 508, and 510 all work the same and have the same software (which has been greatly improved since a lot of these reviews), so I'll put this here... ***update 2 *** ...

Pros: Ability to easily record movies, NO monthly fee like TIVO
Cons: One tuner, unit must be shut off once a week to refresh movie listings

I've had Dish Network since about 2/03 and am very pleased with it. We have two TV's in our house a ...

Pros: Clarity of picture/sound unmatched by VCR. Hard drive with many hours of recording time.
Cons: A single tuner means no channel surfing while recording.

I've seen a number of reviews bemoaning the fact that these Dish network PVR's are not TIVO. Get TIVO if you want it. Dish has another, some might say better in some ways, idea. It also does not cost $14.00 per month just for a subscription to the guide, ...

Pros: Great audio and video, simple user interface (once you get used to it)
Cons: No awareness of changes in program title or duration. Recording based strictly on channel/time.

The Dish Network's single-receiver 501 DVR is a welcome addition to their product line-up. Video quality is visually as good as that produced by one of their non-recording receivers, so no additional compression is apparently being done -- or else ...

Pros: excellent digital image and sound, satisfactory customer service, easy to use.
Cons: extreme weather can disrupt signal

Recently, we've relocated to a home which, oddly, has no nearby access to cable TV (unless we want to pay to dig a trench, which we don't). When a friend suggested satellite TV to the alternative we had (approximately 1 1/2 channels), we thought we'd...

Pros: Mostly... watch what you want to watch and zap ads
Cons: Some software bugs, can't record while watching another channel

An update to this review:

1. I have found a flaw what would otherwise be an excellent system. Many HBO movies going over Dish that are supposedly encoded in Dolby 5.1 are feeding a false Dolby 5.1 signal with no sound encoded. The false...

Pros: Digital recording, dolby digital
Cons: Poor graphics, poor interface, terrible customer service

If you want digital recording capabilities, this is the receiver for you. If you're just looking for a newer receiver, stick with what you have.

The digital recorder works great, just as promised. It will record your shows either by pressing...

Pros: Free DVR
Free installation
Cheaper/more channels than digital cable
Less outages than cable
Cons: Contract required
Poor customer service (but this is typical with most companies)

For as little as this service costs it is wonderful and I miss my DISH. In fact it was far superior to what I have now with Comcast digital cable, which is always out (please see my review of Comcast if you're considering digital cable). DVR The ...