I currently use DirecTV but have been thinking of switching to Dish. It looks like I get more channels for less $$. I don't know anything about the TiVo and such but I've heard that the DishPlayer 7200 can do pause/replay which sounds pretty cool. But I've also heard that an entire show can not be recorded without subscribing to the MS service. What is the limitation on the dishplayer? Is there any way to use the dishplayer to record a show without the MS service? Any help to a newbie would be appreciated.

Well I too made the switch from directtv to a dishplayer. Here's the deal with recording. You can have the reciever remind you of programs that you want to watch for free. You can also pause programs and continue later (up to 2 hours later) without interuptions free. But to use it like tivo you have to sign up for PTV(9.99)

I just bought a 7222 and the deal is this: Without extra charges, you can use the "pause" function which will record to the dishplayer, but must be initiated manually and you cannot fast forward to catch up to real time. If you subscribe to the Personal TV service for 9.99/mo you can get all the goodies (timed start/stop, fast forward/rewind,etc). This is a bit more than I can justify at this point. When my one year contract expires I think I will downgrade my package to a $30/mo package and consider if I want to add the additionally $9.99/mo for the dishplayer. One other note. The hard disk drive on the dishplayer can be noisy (see the several FAQs on the subject on the dishnetwork website). So far my hard disk has been ok except last night. I adjusted the receivers position and it seemed to reduce the sound, perhaps due to vibration.

P.S. As you shop, look for the $200 rebate, some retailers give you the receiver free and pocket the difference!

Thanks for the info. I found the 7222 system which includes the 7200 dishplayer & 500 dish & remote for $99. They even included free shipping. Dish will send me $199 rebate; so they paid me $100 to switch. I'll get more channels for the same price, I get digital dolby optical output even if it's only a few channels, and I get some pause/recording capabilities. What a deal! Now I hope my family likes the dish guide as well as the SONY directv guide and that they don't get too mad about using two remotes (one for the AV, TV, VCR, DVD, CD and the new one for dishplayer) My SONY PP402 remote would control my Sony sat but doesn't have codes for dish.