Let the hive mind of Engadget get that for you.
"I finally got a new laptop with a lone USB 3.0 port. I'm now looking at getting a USB 3.0 hub with a power adapter so I can use both of my USB 3.0 hard drives at faster speeds. I've read lots of horror stories where some hubs either don't come with power adapters -- and as a consequence the portable drives don't work with them properly -- or they are designed poorly which results in USB 2.0 speeds. Or, the hard drives keep getting disconnected. Do your readers have any suggestions or experience using USB 3.0 hubs? Thanks!"
I am a custom CE integrator/installer. I have worked with HD DVRs from both satellite providers, and I agree that they are both great. I feel the need, however, to clarifiy some inaccuracies in previous posts:
Directv's HR20 receiver was released prematurely because they wanted to get the MPEG4 service rolled out. I got this receiver as soon as it came out, and it had some issues. It was NOT, however, the second coming of Hitler, as many comments on this and other forums suggested. It is now a fine DVR (after many updates), and has no issues. I agree that Dish's DVRs are more user friendly but I would caution anyone that it's not that big a deal, and to notice how few commenters here actually support their contention (about the Dish DVR being better) with examples.
Aztec Pilot mentioned the on-demand feature for Directv, but forgot to tell the newbies that you need a wired LAN in your home to get that feature. He was incorrect about Dish not having on-demand, and I'm not sure whether remote booking is possible with Dish. On-demand is a great feature, and with Directv and Dish, it's standard definition only for the time being.
Erik made an excellent point about multi-room use. While you can do the same thing with Directv, they don't offer the RF remotes, so you either need to walk into the other room to change the channel or buy an RF remote extender and install it yourself. The extra room is coax only, with both services. You may run component and HDMI simultaneously, but you only get the same channel on each display. Also, I believe with Directv you have to have the same channel on both displays even when using coax on the second display, unlike Dish.
Eaton said about Directv "when you add a drive you have no access to the old one." In fact, you can switch drives in the menu. This is not as user friendly as Dish, but it still works. You just don't have simultaneous access.
Jody said about Directv "the Directv boxes will re-record an episode if you have deleted the original recording." I have never experienced this, and am guessing it's a setting issue. He/she also said "The guide for dish is also much better, I like how they put the HD feed right next to the SD channel." The Directv HR20's guide works exactly the same way. He/she also said Directv doesn't have on-demand, another false statement.
Nat559 gave an excellent example of why the Dish DVR has a loyal following. This user friendlieness is a big feature to some, but it shouldn't be a deal breaker in my opinion.
Jon said about Dish "the program guide seamlessly integrates [OTA channels] in (including the sub channels), shows the signal strength, and does all the DVR goodness." "I can't speak for how DirecTV handles this, but surely someone else can..." Directv does the same thing, but you need to enter the setup menu to see signal strengths. Be aware that the HR21 does not have the off-air decoder, just the HR20.
I agree with many posters that it sucks to have to buy the equipment from Directv, but ebay is an option. You still need the access card from Directv, and last time I checked, the access cards cost $5. (a long time ago admittedly). I also agree that if you're a sports fan, go Directv.
I work with these units but it's not all I do, and I realize I'm not the be-all/end-all authority. If anything I've said is in error, please correct me!
One correction to your post. DirecTV receivers and remotes are all RF. One of my HR10's is hooked up to 4 TV's in various rooms in my house (I have 7 total TV's and 4 recievers) and the remotes work from any room in the house. And they are all just regular DirecTV RC64r remotes. You can select between IR or RF on these receivers.
This is one of the reasons i love EngadgetHD. I just went through the menu on my HR20 and found the IR/RF setting. Cool! And it doesn't need an external antenna like the Dish receivers! I use a universal remote at home and in almost all of my jobs, so I never noticed this. Thanks!
One major correction--the Dish HD DVR can broadcast TV2 over NTSC/UHF *OR* RF coax in addition composite/RCA. So, if you have two TV's (and a neighbor) that want to watch channel 78, they all can.
Moreover, the Dish HD DVR can record THREE HD programs at once. Only one can be OTA. However, the other two can be satellite feeds.