What am I missing here Direct TV????

[MX2]

....a-holes.

Let me get this straight. You want me to pay $99 for the HD box to even send it here, then you want me to pay an additional $9.99 per month for the service of an imagined 75 HD channels,when its actually about 10. Direct TV has been talking out of their neck about all these HD channels being available for years (150+). Then when I am done or move, or switch to something better, I have to give you my HD receiver back and dont see a dime of my initial $99....you guys can suzk it where the sun doesnt shine.


Ok, enough of that. Is Dish any better guys? We dont have Comcast here or I never would have left

 

[Muadib]

You should be able to get the HD box for free with Direct TV since you are a new subscriber. You would have to agree to stay with them for 2 years though. Call & try again until you get someone to agree with this.

 

[Yourself]

Luck of the draw with CSR's. I just went from SD to HD and got a HD DVR for shipping and handling, HD receiver for free, new slimline dish installed for free and 12 mos of HD programming free. Call em back...

 

[Queasy]

As Muadib mentioned, you should be able to get the HD receiver for free. Are you a current subscriber or a new sub? I created a thread here about the deal I got with DirecTV - 2 HD DVRs, free installation, free HD channels for a year, plus free HBO and Showtime for 6 months. Follow the instructions in that thread.

And the HD channels are not imagined. They are going to be activated later this month. One of the birds went up earlier this summer and everything is set so far to start soon.

 

[Shawn]

I've heard all the new channels are going to be mpeg4 which means the old boxes won't work. Is that true? My dad just bought a new HD box less than a year ago.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: Shawn
I've heard all the new channels are going to be mpeg4 which means the old boxes won't work. Is that true? My dad just bought a new HD box less than a year ago.

Which HD box did your dad get? If he has the H20 or HR20, he'll be fine. He will need to make sure he gets the B-Band Converter though. Should get it for free.

The HD Tivo (HR10-250) will not work with the new HD channels. If he has the HR10-250, he should be able to call DirecTV and ask for an equipment/technology upgrade and get the new HR20 receiver...use the details in the post I linked above.

 

[Shawn]

Hmm, I think he has the H20. What does the b-band converter do?

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: Shawn
Hmm, I think he has the H20. What does the b-band converter do?

It enables the receiver to pick up the new satellites that DirecTV launched so that it can get the new MPEG-4 HD channels. Also forgot to mention that your Dad will need the 5 LNB dish if he doesn't have it already. DirecTV should have installed the 5 LNB dish though if your dad got the H20 earlier this year.

 

[Grimal]

Just to let you no I am going back to Direct Tv as soon as I get the cash for the HD DRV and a HD receiver I looked back at what it would cost for Comcast and I get less for for with they charge 150 a month. At that price i will make up what I paid for the Receivers, actually I can get the HD receiver for free but still have to pay for the DVR one and I am not a new customer.
Comcast is to big, they charge what ever they want it seems and they raise there prices once or twice a year.

I even quit using there cable ISP for DSL. Was 15 dollars cheaper and there Router has a good Firewall and great wireless. I get up to 4 PC's hooked up for that cost too were comcast wanted to charge you for each one.

 

[Blayze]

Originally posted by: MX2
....a-holes.

Let me get this straight. You want me to pay $99 for the HD box to even send it here, then you want me to pay an additional $9.99 per month for the service of an imagined 75 HD channels,when its actually about 10. Direct TV has been talking out of their neck about all these HD channels being available for years (150+). Then when I am done or move, or switch to something better, I have to give you my HD receiver back and dont see a dime of my initial $99....you guys can suzk it where the sun doesnt shine.


Ok, enough of that. Is Dish any better guys? We dont have Comcast here or I never would have left

Well if you sign up with Dish you can get your HD box for free to start with. However when you upgrade to something else you will have to pay for the upgrade lease and sign a 12 to 18 month commitment. I've had Dish for almost 4 years now and I'm planning to add HD in a few months. Its going to cost me around $100 to $150 for the new Dish install and to switch my SD box with a HD one.

They do have more HD channels than DirecTV, but the HD package costs more. $20 a month.

 

[Slick5150]

I just signed up with Dish Network and couldn't be happier. I got the HD-DVR for free, HD programming free for 6 months, HBO & Cinemax free for 3 months. Best yet, they don't make you sign a contract like DirecTV does, and if you have someone refer you to them, they'll still waive the usual $49.99 activation fee (they'll normally waive that if you sign an 18-month contract, but with a referral they'll waive it even if you don't).

As someone that used to have DirecTV, I'm quite happy to now have Dish Network.

 

[Queasy]

Here is a list of some of the upcoming HD channels for DirecTV. Everyone is anticipating for them to be turned on sometime around the 15th of September or soon thereafter. Found at the Satellite Guys.

Current HD Channels:
ESPN HD
ESPN2 HD
HB HD
Showtime HD
Discovery HD Theater
TNT HD
Universal HD
HDNet
HDNet Movie
+ HD Locals

Upcoming Regular HD Channels:
A&E HD
ABC Family HD
Animal Planet HD
Bravo HD
ESPNews HD
Food Network HD
Fuel TV HD
FX HD
HGTV-HD
Cartoon Network
Chiller HD
CNBC HD
CNN HD
History Channel HD
MHD
USA HD
National Geographic HD
Discovery Channel HD
Disney Channel HD
TBS HD
The 101 HD
TLC HD
Toon Disney HD
Weather Channel HD
Big Ten Network HD
NFL Network HD
Versus HD/Golf Channel HD
Sci-Fi Network HD
Science Channel HD
Speed Channel HD
Tennis Channel HD

Upcoming HD Premium Channels:
HBO HD West
HBO2 HD East
HBO2 HD West
HBO Family
HBO Family West
HBO Latino
HBO Signature
Showtime HD West
Cinemax HD East
Cinemax HD West
MoreMax
The Movie Channel HD East
Starz HD East
Starz HD West
Starz Edge HD
Starz Comedy HD
Starz Kids & Family HD

DirecTV should be starting out with most if not all of these with 100 HD channels by the end of the year. One thing I see missing on the list already is CNN HD. Last I heard, CNN is already ready to start broadcasting in HD.

edit: correction - CNN HD is included.

 

[wirm]

oh my god, when is Dish going to get USA HD and Sci-Fi HD? My TV is on those channels about 50% of the time.

 

[Blayze]

That DirecTV HD list looks great. A lot better than the current Dish listing. I know DIsh is having problems with the 129 sat, so will they be able to continue adding HD channels?

If DirecTV does add all those I might just switch. DirecTV also offers some of my locals in HD while Dish doesn't.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: Blayze
That DirecTV HD list looks great. A lot better than the current Dish listing. I know DIsh is having problems with the 129 sat, so will they be able to continue adding HD channels?

If DirecTV does add all those I might just switch. DirecTV also offers some of my locals in HD while Dish doesn't.

From what I've read, DISH is adding the History Channel and some PPV channels to their HD lineup in September. Haven't heard about anything else upcoming.

 

[microAmp]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: Blayze
That DirecTV HD list looks great. A lot better than the current Dish listing. I know DIsh is having problems with the 129 sat, so will they be able to continue adding HD channels?

If DirecTV does add all those I might just switch. DirecTV also offers some of my locals in HD while Dish doesn't.

From what I've read, DISH is adding the History Channel and some PPV channels to their HD lineup in September. Haven't heard about anything else upcoming.

That bolded part will make me move to DISH from Time Warner cable. (drool). I'll have to keep an extra eye out now.

 

[Grimal]

Just beware that if you wish to use Dish instead of Direct TV. I will cost you more than Direct TV if you have more than 2 TV's.
I have used all three Comcast, Dish, and Direct TV, going back to Direc Tv at the end of this month. I couldn't receive A HD signal from Dish and fell they cost to much I have 4 TV's and 3 are HD type. I would use comcast if they went so expensive do to not loosing the signal when it rains hard like it dose with the satellite types.

 

[etrin]

Well they gave me the run around when I called to upgrade on DTV.
The dish is a free upgrade. Std receiver to HD DVR $100 after rebate of $100
so I guess it $200 for DVR.
I want to keep my Dtivo in the bedroom that was ok.
NO free HD for a year...free HBO and SHOWTIME for 6 months.

seems that they tell everyone something different.

MOST of these channels only do 2-4 hrs of HD a night..SO WHY can they call them HD

oh yea on the list was one channel that said a minimum of 30 minutes of HD programming
per 24 hr period ROFL

 

[dainthomas]

Originally posted by: microAmp

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: Blayze
That DirecTV HD list looks great. A lot better than the current Dish listing. I know DIsh is having problems with the 129 sat, so will they be able to continue adding HD channels?

If DirecTV does add all those I might just switch. DirecTV also offers some of my locals in HD while Dish doesn't.

From what I've read, DISH is adding the History Channel and some PPV channels to their HD lineup in September. Haven't heard about anything else upcoming.

That bolded part will make me move to DISH from Time Warner cable. (drool). I'll have to keep an extra eye out now.

About freakin time. Now they just need Scifi so I can catch Dr Who and Painkiller Jane in 1080 goodness.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: etrin
Well they gave me the run around when I called to upgrade on DTV.
The dish is a free upgrade. Std receiver to HD DVR $100 after rebate of $100
so I guess it $200 for DVR.
I want to keep my Dtivo in the bedroom that was ok.
NO free HD for a year...free HBO and SHOWTIME for 6 months.

seems that they tell everyone something different.

MOST of these channels only do 2-4 hrs of HD a night..SO WHY can they call them HD

oh yea on the list was one channel that said a minimum of 30 minutes of HD programming
per 24 hr period ROFL

It may take a couple of calls. When I upgraded to a the HR10-250 (HD Tivo) last year, it took 5 calls. It took me and my co-worker only one call this time. Some people at DBSTalk.com have posted that it took a couple of tries though.

 

[Grimal]

As far as Slick5150 sated as there being no contract I am in a dispute over that right now. Trying to cancel without paying a fee.

 

[etrin]

Queasy I called back and no change...I will try again later.
The person that I did talk to said that some of the channels would not be available in Sept like it was originally planned but that they would be available in January.

MAN is lying a common thing with co's now...Tell them anything we don't have to do it just tell them.

 

[Queasy]

Yeah, it can be a pain trying to find a good CSR willing to deal with you. Last year it took five tries to upgrade to the HR10 while I was able to get an upgrade to the HR20 with the first call.

Just be sure to mention competitor's deals - free HD DVR from DISH or cable company. The new HD channels might not all come this month. Supposedly, DirecTV will be adding them throughout the rest of the year....some this month, some next month, etc.

 

[MX2]

Man, you arent kidding. I just got off the phone with yet another jerkoff who insisted "no deals" would be made. I pay the full price for the HR20....blah, blah,...blah.

 

[MX2]

Ugh...finally got them to upgrade me to the HR20 for the cost of shipping instead of the $199 quoted by the 5 other CSR's. Wow, took me almost 10 phone calls over a two week period.

Thank you Laura at DirectTV, you rock!:thumbsup: