PVR Buying Guide: "PVR" is an acronym for satellite TV DISH network's Personal Video Recorder. PVR's record TV shows from a DISH subscription TV line-up. They are replacing VCR's because there is no messing with bulky VHS recording tape and recording shows is more versatile than with a VCR. For instance, like a VCR's you can record your favorite show but there's more. You can pause a LIVE broadcast, leave the room and replay it when you get back in the room. You can "rewind" LIVE TV too. If a program is about an hour into it and you think to yourself, "Gee I wish I had recorded that." - you still can! Just replay the event, press record and it not only records what you have already watched but it will record the remainder of the program.

You do need a DISH subscription to use a PVR however.  Other TV satellite or cable providers use other brand name recording devices such as a DVR (Digital Video Recorder) or the popular TiVo. These recorders work on the same principle as a PVR they just hook up with different TV cable and satellite systems brand names. Call your TV provider to find out which brand of PVR can be used on your provider and check if there are any fees connected with it's use. For example, if you use a TiVo with DISH, TiVo will charge you a monthly fee even though you have a DISH subscription. These two companies are in court working out how to provide their products to the most consumers as DISH's PVR and competitor TiVo compete for the same market.

When buying a PVR on eBay, make sure that you are getting a receiver with "DISH on Demand" recording features. The most popular is the DISH 508 model which is no longer made by DISH but can be bought right here on eBay. More advanced models beyond the 508 might be charged a fee for their use EVEN THOUGH YOU OWN THE PRODUCT OUT RIGHT! Check with DISH what fees are involved with which model PVR you plan to buy on eBay before you bid. You do not want a surprise fee on your DISH bill after hook up. For example, many are up-grading to HD recorders and there is a fee for these HD PVR's. Also, if you have a PIP feature or picture in picture feature in a newer PVR model, you may be charged a fee for the duplicate feed.

Beware, you do need the correct remote to match your particular PVR model. Silver color remotes go with the DISH 508 PVR. Remember, remotes can also be bought separately on eBay and the sellers are pretty good about answering your questions about which remote goes with which PVR. And even though there is no fee for some earlier models of PVR's (such as the no fee 508) you might be charged an extra $5. per month as an extra outlet fee by DISH if it is an additional receiver. Also beware that the 501 model is simply a receiver and not a receiver with PVR functions. 501 receivers use a black color remote and blue smart card.

For a good buy/sale, you need a matching remote, an antenna, and a smart card without any balance. DISH charges about $45 for a new smart card, $25 for a new remote. Buy your remote on eBay it's cheaper. The future of current PVR's is hard to predict with the changing but slow new government regulations involving the switch to High Definition TV as the standard for broadcast TV in the USA. While the government now requires all TV broadcast TV shows to be broadcast in High Definition this regulation does not apply to Satellite or cable providers just the major broadcast networks. Also, all televisions now sold in the U.S. have to be HD. So if you are buying a new TV it will be an HD-TV and you will need the matching HD-PVR. Again, check with your provider before bidding. I'll let someone who has experience with HD to write the HD article.

I have a DISH 508 PVR, silver remote and yellow smart card that I bought used on eBay. Set up was easy and I called DISH for free technical help as a customer as I had placed the antenna in the wrong outlet/inlet. I am pleased with my eBay PVR purchase and use it in an extra room. I do not have an HD TV and the only additional charge I have from DISH is the extra outlet fee.