I've had DISH network satellite service for about a year now, and I've been very happy. When I purchased the service, I was told that a super new receiver was coming out soon. I did exactly what you would expect, I ordered one. Soon turned out to be longer than I'd expected, but now it's here. The DishPVR 721.

This receiver is a Personal Video Recorder, where programs can be recorded on a hard disk inside the system. This is similar to how a TiVo works. It's even better when integrated into a satellite receiver, because the program comes down from the satellite as digital data and is immediately written to the hard disk. The image is only converted to analog when it's viewed. With a stand-alone PVR, it must convert the analog image to digital, to record, then convert the digital to analog to view it. There are PVRs for DirecTV satellite system. I am not aware of any for Digital Cable.

Another advantage of the PVR in the receiver is that it can interface with built-in satellite guide. There's no additional charge for a programming guide, and it's automatically downloading a week's schedule from the satellite signal. The guide knows what programs you're able to view. You don't have the capability to tell the PVR to record all broadcasts of a specific show (like TiVo can), but you can set up weekly, weekday, or daily repeated recordings. I have my PVR set to record all my favorite shows automatically.

The 721 has a huge hard drive, can store 90 hours of video. So, if I was to go on a month's vacation to the moon, all my programs would be waiting for me.

When you are watching a program, the 721 is automatically recording what you are watching. Want to take another look at what happened? Hit the jump back button, and your own instant reply. Phone call? You can pause the program, the 721 will record the program so you can pick up where you left off.

All this is normal for a PVR. What's unique about the 721 is that it has two receivers built in. This means you can be watching one program on one satellite channel while it records another. Or it can record two programs at the same time while you're away. You can even watch a program that has previously been recorded, while the 721 records two programs. Or, you can have two shows on screen at the same time, using the built-in picture in picture feature.

Two receivers built in doesn't mean two outputs, you can't run outlets to two different rooms, and have people watching different programs at the same time. It has two phono (RCA) audio/video outputs, one S-Video output connection, and an antenna/coax connection that can be used with channel 3 or 4. If you have a receiver with digital audio input, there's a digital audio output for the best sound possible.

The remote is UHF, so you can carry it around the home, you don't need a clear line of sight to the receiver. It's well designed, and reasonably well designed. It can be used as a universal remote (only if it has codes for your devices, it's not a learning remote).

One nice feature is that its software can be downloaded from the satellite. When I first got it, it was a little buggy. But, two software updates later, and it's solid as a rock. If you get a satellite receiver, make sure that you download the updates, and check periodically.

I used to hear TiVo owners talk about how it was a life-changing experience to have a TiVo, that they could now set their own schedule for the things they want to watch. Well, I'm not sure I'll go that far, but it does make it easier to enjoy my programs without tying me to specific times. It's also a lot easier to try out a new show--Have the 721 record it, then check it out later. If I'm unsure, skip forward. If I want to can it, just erase it.

This receiver is NOT cheap, over $500. Is that a ridiculous amount to pay for television? Maybe. But it's a well-designed tool, obviously made by people who know television, and you'll find it useful every day. If you've got DISH network, check it out. If you've got DirecTV, check out the PVRs available for that system. If you've got cable or off-air, consider a TiVo. I give the DishPVR 9 Oooos out of 10.