Upgrade to Directv HDTV service for $399, includes new dish and install

[deahdeen]

Directv is offering an upgrade special for current subscribers that want to get HDTV. It includes the HD receiver, the 3 LNB dish, and standard installation. All this for $399 plus shipping and tax.
The HD receiver that you get is not guaranteed, but I got the Samsung SIR-TS160. If you look up the price of this receiver, it sells for around $550 by itself. One year commitment is required.
To find the deal go to Directv.com and click on HDTV on the right. The deal add should show up. This receiver also receives over the air( OTA) HD channels. I bought a Terk TV-44 and hooked it up to the dish before they installed it and now get all my local OTA HD channels. They didn't charge me extra for putting the antenna on the dish.
This deal was first announced on avsforums.com.

 

[RDMustang1]

Only push the post button ONE time!

 

[UncleWai]

postcount+3 :beer:

 

[deahdeen]

Originally posted by: RDMustang1
Only push the post button ONE time!

Sorry about that. It kept giving me an error, but it still posted the message.

 

[HotshoT69]

Old news, requires the 10.99 HD Package for 1 year. I think it's a rip off considering you only get ESPN HD and Discovery.

 

[deeznuts]

Originally posted by: HotshoT69
Old news, requires the 10.99 HD Package for 1 year. I think it's a rip off considering you only get ESPN HD and Discovery.

how is it a ripoff? you get it for $399 + $132. you get the receiver, which is $500+, the dish with 3 lnbs, which is $100+, and you get at least to watch those two channels.

 

[deahdeen]

Originally posted by: HotshoT69
Old news, requires the 10.99 HD Package for 1 year. I think it's a rip off considering you only get ESPN HD and Discovery.

You also get HDnet, and HDmovies; and HBO HD and Show HD if you subscribe to them already. You also get access to the CBS HD feed on Sunday if you have nfl ticket. My first month of the HD package is free.

PS: I didn't see the deal posted here when I searched.

 

[Abem3]

Not only that, but you also get HDNet and HDNet movies. Also HBO and Showtime have HD channels if you subscribe to those channels. Not only that but the DirecTV HD boxes also receive OTA HDTV signals. So you'll get most networks too...

A great deal for $399, I wish it was available when I purchased my TS-160... OTOH I did get my box during BB's 50% off all open box directv deal.

 

[nsafreak]

Well if you folks subscribe to Dish Network you might want to give them a call. They have a deal similar to this except it's at a significantly lower price. You have to qualify for it though (and I don't know what the qualifications are) so I am NOT going to be giving any details out about this promo and have somebody turn out to not be eligible. But believe me, it's worth a call.

 

[flenn]

Only problem is that I'm hooked on DirecTivo and simply can't live without it anymore. Any idea when HD receivers will have built-in recorders?

 

[grandeCC]

The Hughes model has poor OTA reception minus the DVI or VGA outlets.... bump deal!!!

 

[Mooncalf]

Had no idea that getting into HDTV was so expensive. How long before the HDTV Directv equipment reaches nearer to current non-HDTV ones?

 

[Heinrich]

Originally posted by: deahdeen

Originally posted by: HotshoT69
Old news, requires the 10.99 HD Package for 1 year. I think it's a rip off considering you only get ESPN HD and Discovery.

You also get HDnet, and HDmovies; and HBO HD and Show HD if you subscribe to them already. You also get access to the CBS HD feed on Sunday if you have nfl ticket. My first month of the HD package is free.

PS: I didn't see the deal posted here when I searched.

Queer as Folk in HD? All those beautiful guys in their undies or less?

I'M IN!!

:heart:

 

[thecollectivewi]

OMG thanks for this post. Ive been sitting on my 42" Samsung widescreen htdv with no programming since Feb. I just couldnt justify the $600-700 price
tag upgrading. This $400 deal is right in the sweet spot though. I will be heading over to check it out.

 

[Pahioman]

HDTV Box comes free with cable - he he

 

[Heinrich]

Uh oh...I guess I can't run this through my generation 1 DirecTivo huh

 

[CPA]

This is a very good deal. Earlier this year I paid $600 for the receiver and another $600 for installation (took two days) and an OTA antenna. Good deal, unless I got royally screwed.

 

[deahdeen]

Originally posted by: Pahioman
HDTV Box comes free with cable - he he

Not around here. Cable also doesn't have as many HD channels. I did have HD service through Cox cable until this deal came out. I was so happy to get rid of that box. It was the SA 3100 and always froze up and couldn't display both the HD picture and the info about the show at the same time. So whenever you changed the channel the info box would show up for 5 seconds preventing the picture from appearing right away.
Also, the cable boxes can't receive OTA HD so you are at the mercy of the cable company. Cox doesn't carry CBS here and they have a lot of HD programming. Same with PBS.

 

[Pahioman]

TimeWarner in San Diego has OTA HDTV, and they just added HDTV Discovery channel, besides the PBS HDTV. I had a Digital Cable Box and they swapped it with the HDTV Box for no extra charge.

Just wish I had a 16:9 TV, but I'm waiting for the prices to drop on the Plasma's, LCD's or whatever technology will be next.

The letterbox image on my Large Screen for HDTV isn't too cool, but for Broadcast TV it's nice, and right now we watch more of that.

 

[RightHere]

Originally posted by: CPA
This is a very good deal. Earlier this year I paid $600 for the receiver and another $600 for installation (took two days) and an OTA antenna. Good deal, unless I got royally screwed.

What did you have the installers do for $600??

 

[pyrojunkie]

Originally posted by: HotshoT69
Old news, requires the 10.99 HD Package for 1 year. I think it's a rip off considering you only get ESPN HD and Discovery.

Like others have posted there is more to the HD package than just the ESPN and Discovery. NFL ticket is broadcast in HDTV, a mucho bonus to those football fans who went out to buy the HDTVs just for the games. All HDTV satellite receivers also receive all local HDTV signals. Near Chicago where I am, there are at least 6 (6 that I at least watch) stations from Chicago that I can pickup in HDTV. Not to mention the stations I can get from as far as Milwaukee and Peoria.

If you own a HDTV this is the cheapest way to get a HDTV receiver and dish to date. It will most likely even be cheaper in a year, but there is a considerable amount of HDTV choices as of today. I know I have been waiting for a price deal like this. Consider me sold.

One extra note, this triple LNB dish points simultaneously at the one satellite they have dedicated to spanish speaking stations. Even MORE stations to watch, if you speak spanish that is.

 

[deahdeen]

Originally posted by: pyrojunkie


One extra note, this triple LNB dish points simultaneously at the one satellite they have dedicated to spanish speaking stations. Even MORE stations to watch, if you speak spanish that is.

This is true, but just to let you know those most of these channels are extra(big surprise). They also have a few Chinese and/or Taiwanese channels(not making the politcal argument about whether Taiwan is part of China or not).

 

[vabrave]

OK, I'm looking into the HDTV thing so I am new to this. I currently have DirecTV with 2 DirectTV/Tivo receivers. With this deal, will my other TVs with regular directv receivers be able to receive the non-HD signal or do I have to replace ALL my receivers? Is the NFL Sunday Ticket broadcast in HD? I seem to need some other off-air antenna to recieve local channels...what is this all about and how much does it cost?

Sorry for the bombardment of questions, Im just not up to speed on how all of this works yet.

Thanks for any info -

 

[deahdeen]

OK, I'm looking into the HDTV thing so I am new to this. I currently have DirecTV with 2 DirectTV/Tivo receivers. With this deal, will my other TVs with regular directv receivers be able to receive the non-HD signal or do I have to replace ALL my receivers? Is the NFL Sunday Ticket broadcast in HD? I seem to need some other off-air antenna to recieve local channels...what is this all about and how much does it cost?

You only need a new receiver for the tv that is HD capable. The HD programming shows up as a couple extra channels that you won't see on your old receivers. You might need a multiswitch to get enough feeds, there are four that come out of the triple LNB dish. You do need an antenna to get OTA HD programming. Depending on where you are located in relation to the station antennas is going to determine what type of antenna to buy. Go to Antenna Web and type in your address to see what type of antenna you need to get the stations you want. I bought the Terk TV44 for $70 which mounts on the new dish and uses a multiplexer to run with the four feeds off the dish.
Only some of the games on Sunday ticket are in HD. Usually the more important games.

 

[Lurker1]

Originally posted by: flenn
Only problem is that I'm hooked on DirecTivo and simply can't live without it anymore. Any idea when HD receivers will have built-in recorders?

According to Sears, DishNet HD PVR systems are supposed to be on shelves in 30 days. (They demo'd these in the spring, but wouldn't let me beta it for them! :Q)

Do note that I've only heard about the release date from one source, and have not confirmed it with anyone I would consider official.