Try adding up all the costs. My Tivo cost $50 with a new dish. @ $10/month, it will be over a year before it adds up to the lowest price available for the PVR 501. For $250 I can make it not cost anything per month, either. Tivo's business plan separates the cost of the equipment from the cost of the service. Only Micro$oft's UTV also does this.

As an added benefit, my Tivo never loses a recording.