Yeah, I think for most people the contract thing is a non issue but I tend to switch providers more often than some. Uverse has just installed a vrad right behind my back gate so I can't be sure that i will stick with dish. I'm not sure why they will not give me the better dvr as I am returning it when and if I leave anyway. It just seems like a racket to me. The cable and sat providers saw cell phone providers doing contracts and jumped on the bandwagon. Cell providers have a reason to use contracts whereas cable/dish providers in my opinion do not. Its just a chance to lock you into a payment.
I should say tho, I am not trying to rain on your parade. It's awesome that you will have the full integration. I am a little jealous even....lol the contract thing is my hang up. I kicked a security company salesman out of my house because he was requiring a contract even though I was really interested in a security system. lol I'm a weirdo.