Get a free upgrade to DirecTVs new HD DVR (HR20) + more

[kki000]

My hr20 was free. My second one was 99 dollars.

I remember paying 400 for the second gen dish hd recvr, then another 100 for the ota module, then another 129 for the mpeg4 card when discovery hd came out.
Then I paid 900 for my directv tivo....

No one in this industry wheres a white hat.

Originally posted by: ghart999
Most of the others that DTV has I don't care about.

You dont care about hd content?
As more content rolls online, there might be some content either you or you family might miss in hd.

(from avs)
Announced HD Additions
Channels listed as available this Fall and Winter (source: DirecTV website)
1. ABC Family
2. Biography
3. CMT
4. CSTV
5. Disney Channel
6. ESPN News
7. MTV
8. Nickelodeon East
9. Spike
10. The Tennis Channel
11. Toon Disney
12. VH1
HD channels promoted by DirecTV under "end of year heading" (source: DirecTV website)
13. BET
14. Chiller
15. MTV2
Previously announced as "Fall 2007" (source: Press releases and/or statements made by one or more of a variety of sources)
16. Sleuth
17. MoreMax
18. HBO2-E
19. HBO2-W
20. HBO Family-E
21. HBO Family-W
22. HBO Signature

Channels that showed up in Engineering Mode with no official carriage announcement
23. Outdoor
24. Comedy Central

 

[CPA]

Originally posted by: kki000
My hr20 was free. My second one was 99 dollars.

I remember paying 400 for the second gen dish hd recvr, then another 100 for the ota module, then another 129 for the mpeg4 card when discovery hd came out.
Then I paid 900 for my directv tivo....

No one in this industry wheres a white hat.

Gah! when and how did you get that deal? Now I don't feel like I got a decent deal at all.

 

[kki000]

My first one was a replacement for the broken hr10-250 tivo, this was well over a year ago. My second tivo steadfastly would not break, so i couldnt go that route, nor could I bludgeon it on purpose after its given me so many years of joyful service.

So the 99 dollar deal was basically what I got after following this script (included dish, switch and install, free 6months hd).
I think I could have done better but I waited till after the birds went live.

I have another buddy in the same position, he has 2 hr10 tivo units. I wonder what kind of deal he's gonna get. I'll post after he calls them up.

At this point if you can weasel a hr20 for less than 100 then I think you got a good deal.

 

[CPA]

I could only get it for $199, but got 12 months free HD. So $199-$72 ($6 x 12 months) gets me close.

 

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: CPA

Originally posted by: kki000
My hr20 was free. My second one was 99 dollars.

I remember paying 400 for the second gen dish hd recvr, then another 100 for the ota module, then another 129 for the mpeg4 card when discovery hd came out.
Then I paid 900 for my directv tivo....

No one in this industry wheres a white hat.

Gah! when and how did you get that deal? Now I don't feel like I got a decent deal at all.

A lot of us got the HR20 free back before the new channels came online. I didn't even have to dicker for it, just emailed them, they responded with a phone number and PIN. I called the number and got the box for a $19.00 service/shipping charge.

 

[ghart999]

Well I called DTV with 3 different reps as anew customer wanting the HR20's for free. Saying that Dish's equivalent is free to mew customers. All 3 reps said its $400 for both and they can't do anything for me.

So they just lost $1200/year of business for that one.

 

[gr8snakee]

glad to see i dont miss out on all the good deals.

kept my 2 hr10s hd tivos for ota recording.

added 3 hr20s , 2 616 multiswitches, for -40 after a 200 credit. (10x2) x 12 months.

What are you gonna do accept say thanks directv.


This occurred about 3 months ago.

 

[Tdavis5432]

I've got 4 boxes in my house, most are SD non dvrs... I have an H20 box in my room, which i use for some HD, I have been trying to get an upgrade to the hr20 for free, I would even be willing to pay the $99 but what I won't do is extend my contract for 2 years just for upgrading the box. Wondering if the H20 is capable of showing all the new MPEG-4 stuff that just came out? I think it does, but I wish there was a way i could work it out as a technology upgrade and not do the extension... Any ideas?

 

[kalipoo2000]

sweet

 

[Cstefan]

I was finally able to get a $150 off my setup so I ordered this morning. Will be installed Wednesday. I really hate Time warners service.

 

[minguskhan]

Bah...I just tried calling and they'd only do 199 for the DVR + 6 months of free DVR service and 6 months of HD service. I've read else where need to keep trying....

 

[CPA]

Originally posted by: minguskhan
Bah...I just tried calling and they'd only do 199 for the DVR + 6 months of free DVR service and 6 months of HD service. I've read else where need to keep trying....

4 times seems to be the magic number, that and sending an email. I was finally able to get mine for free, but man what a hassle.

 

[minguskhan]

I can handle 4 times...all in one day?

 

[CPA]

Originally posted by: minguskhan
I can handle 4 times...all in one day?

For me, it was over the span of about a week. It really helps to call the retention department and/or send in an email stating you are going to go to Dish Network. You will get another 1-800 number and a PIN. Use it and cross your fingers.

 

[JBT]

marked for later. I'm not currently a customer but my tiny selection of HD channels with Cox is pathetic I really need the DVR server along with HD but the price is holding me back if I can get a little more enticing I would sign up in a second.

 

[minguskhan]

Sent an email...crossing fingers

 

[PDubs]

Can anyone comment on how this HD DVR compares to a TiVo set or are they one in the same?

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: PDubs
Can anyone comment on how this HD DVR compares to a TiVo set or are they one in the same?

The main difference that I know I'll miss, is that the Directivo had 2 buffers, one for each tuner. This was great for watching football, because you could watch 2 games at the same time, and not miss any action. The HR20 has 1 buffer that both tuners must share.

I think I'll call DTV today, and see if I can get an HR20 for free. I've put it off long enough.

 

[minguskhan]

Got a reply via email with pin number...I'll be trying again at lunch

 

[minguskhan]

Still no go...199 _ 6 months free of HD service...I might have to switch to Dish

 

[kki000]

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: PDubs
Can anyone comment on how this HD DVR compares to a TiVo set or are they one in the same?

The main difference that I know I'll miss, is that the Directivo had 2 buffers, one for each tuner. This was great for watching football, because you could watch 2 games at the same time, and not miss any action. The HR20 has 1 buffer that both tuners must share.

I think I'll call DTV today, and see if I can get an HR20 for free. I've put it off long enough.

There is a goofy workaround to keep the 2 going. Record both games and use the previous channel button to switch. This has a fatal flaw in that one of the games must always be live and you have to backup to catch any action you missed on one. (It keeps the place in the other game)
This is fine if theres one game you care about and one you dont.

There are actually many ergonomic ADVANTAGES to the hr20, the lack of the dual live buffers is its crucial missing feature.

 

[Mitch101]

I tried about a month ago and the best deal I could get was $200.00.

If Dish Network had the MLB package then I would jump immediately over to Dish and forget all about Direct TV. Its a shame Dish Network is too stubborn to come to an agreement with the MLB. If they would just get the YES network that would be even better.

After reading this forum I have sent Direct TV a letter indicating that I may just do it anyway. This $200.00 to lease a receiver you dont own makes the HD Package on Direct TV a $28.33 a month increase just to have HD programming from Direct TV. Hardly a deal at all especially since you wouldnt be allowed to upgrade the HD receiver with a larger hard drive. Maybe I will switch to cable. All I really want is the local channels in HD and easy to record.

 

[cboath]

The MLB thing isn't dishes fault. DTV paid a premium for the 'exclusive' aspect of it. You'd think it'd make financial sense to put it as many system as possible for greater availability which would then generate more sales. However, the 'premium' must make it not worth the effort. Don't know what the price is for the baseball pack, but the fact that Sunday Ticket is pushing $300 is starting to make it not worth it.

I also think i've read the DTV DVR has an eSata port or something so you can just plug in a larger hard drive externally, reboot the machine, and it'll recognize the external drive instead. Not sure if it was the HR20 though.

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: Mitch101
I tried about a month ago and the best deal I could get was $200.00.

If Dish Network had the MLB package then I would jump immediately over to Dish and forget all about Direct TV. Its a shame Dish Network is too stubborn to come to an agreement with the MLB. If they would just get the YES network that would be even better.

After reading this forum I have sent Direct TV a letter indicating that I may just do it anyway. This $200.00 to lease a receiver you dont own makes the HD Package on Direct TV a $28.33 a month increase just to have HD programming from Direct TV. Hardly a deal at all especially since you wouldnt be allowed to upgrade the HD receiver with a larger hard drive. Maybe I will switch to cable. All I really want is the local channels in HD and easy to record.

I called last night, and also was given the $200 "deal". I'll try again though. You can't just give up when it comes to DTV.

cboath is correct. You can upgrade the hard drive with an external drive, however the external drive will be the only working drive. That not idea, I have 2 hard drives in my Directivo, but it's better than nothing.

 

[Mitch101]

Best I was offered was $199.00 with 12 months free HDTV service.

I already have a Media Center PC with HDTV tuner grabbing HDTV local shows so I think I will just pick up an X-Box 360 instead and stream the HD content to it.

Only $79.00 more to have the 360 after the year.

Will probably switch to Dish Network anyway while I am at it. Best way to show your not satisfied is to leave.