An update.

Just picked up the Channel Master DVR+ (model 7500 I think it is also known as)
Very nice.

On screen TV guide works like most cable or Sat boxes.
Picture quality is great.
Looks like recording shows should be easy, as well as finding and watching what you recorded (haven't tried this yet, but have looked around the menus)
Small HD built in for Pause functions, but big enough to record a couple of shows.
USB connection for bigger HD (will be hooking something up this week)
I Learned the remote codes into my RTI files, and they work as they should.
Connected to the internet it even has Vudu as a "channel" or App.
If they really wanted to make this the next big thing, they would start to add more "apps" like Netflix etc.

Compared to the clunky UI of some OTA PVR's I have seen and played with in the past, this works just like any cable or Sat box would, which makes sense as I understand Dish (echostar) owns it.
So far I am happy with it.