If you've been a DirecTV customer for a while you can probably get them to give you the HR20 for nearly free. Call up and ask for customer retention. You don't have to be coy. Tell them you want an HD DVR and are thinking of switching to cable if they don't make you a better offer. Usually they'll give it to you. Sometimes you have to call back and get a different CSR. It's a silly game but it works.