Are there any DVRs that will work without paying a monthly fee for a service?

Raye Tredennick: Think about what you're asking here - it isn't possible for it to be free because the chip is built into the box you are "renting"!

Betsey Muehlbach: They all will record, but you won't be able to set up a Season Pass for instance, because you won't be able to download programming info. That's what you're getting for that monthly surcharge, is the prgramming info.You could still use it like a VCR - manually program in a time, date, and channel.I don't know about the newer Tivo's not even supporting *that*. It would surprise me, because you *could* be paying yoru fee but maybe your system goes a few weeks without being able to get updated programming. That shouldn't stop it from working...Show more

Giovanni Malool: Dishnetwork use to offer two versions of dvrs that there was no monthly dvr fee.(models 508 and 501). You can find used ones on ebay. As far as other providers i don't know of any.