I switched from DirecTV to a Dish receiver with DVR for the follow reasons/features:

-the Dish's user interface, in my opinion, is easier to use than the current DirecTV receivers
-the Dish receiver that I chose - VIP722 - can output an HDTV signal to one TV and a different non-HD signal to other sets in the home. Very cool. I routed this second signal through the standard coaxial cables in my home. Now any TV can access any of the programming on my receiver.
-After paying a one time fee, you can connect an external hard disk drive to the receiver's USB port. From the receiver's menu, you can archive programs on this external drive. This frees up space on the receiver's hard disk drive, ideal for special programs that you might want to watch again in the future. And you can connect multiple drives (one at a time) to the receiver. You could have an external drive with sporting events, another for movies, etc. A great way to build a library.

Everything worked great until a few weeks ago. My receiver developed a couple of problems. I called Dish Network,s customer support and, much to my surprise, received a replacement the next day. I was told that I would be able to access the programs on my external drive with this new receiver.

Well, I couldn't. When I tried to view a program on the external drive, I got an error message and the only choices that I had was to reformat the external drive (and erase any programs that I archived on it) or cancel.

I called Dish Network and was told, "Unfortunately when you get a replacement receiver, sometimes you cannot access the external HD and it becomes necessary to reformat the drive."

On my external drive I had many movies -- and more importantly the Orange Bowl and the semifinal and final games in the NCAA basketball tournament. I am originally from Kansas. Kansas University has never been to a BCS bowl, let alone win one and its been 20 years since they won the NCAA basketball tournament. I had these games archived on the external drive in beautiful high definition, now they are gone forever.

I am still pleased with Dish, but if you are thinking about upgrading your Dish receiver or switching from DirecTV or cable and one of your primary reasons for switching is this external hard disk archiving feature, you might want to reconsider.

What's been your experience with cable and satellite companies? Do you have a DVR?