About to Pull the trigger on Dish, Making sure I got all my bases covered!

[adam61]

This is my first time with satellite so sorry if I missed anything. I read all the major stickied posts and did the whole Dish vs DirecTV thing and I'm thinking since I wouldn't get NFL sunday ticket, and have an HDTV Dish was the way to go. Let me make sure I have a couple things right...

I have 2 TVs, One HD one SD and I would like both to have DVR capability. I've narrowed myself down to 2 packages as well, the best package without premiums, and then the premium loaded package. Let me make sure my prices are right and I'm not missing anything. I also want locals and the HD package regardless.

On DirecTV the best package without premiums (TC+) would be $71/month(Total Choice Plus+HD+DVR+Lease Fee) or $115/month for Platinum. Seems like it might be a better deal if I go cheaper but doesn't give as big a discount if I add in all the premiums. I would also pay $299 which includes the recievers and installation.

On Dish the best package without premiums is $81/month (DishHD Gold+Lease Fee+DVR Fee). And the best package with all premiums is $111/mo? It seems like it won't let me get a DVR for both my HD and SD TV, is this accurate or am I missing something? THere is a $250 fee to get going which is for recievers and installation.

That's what I learned from research, it seems like if I go premium Dish has more HD channels and is a little cheaper, with no significant downsides. For budgeting purposes how much in additional taxes/fees would be added on top of the $111? Is there anything else I need to know? Do I need a HDMI cable or whatever to hook up the box or does that come with the installation? Little stuff like that. Thanks for your help!

 

[mdonnelly]

Welcome.

I think you've got the costs right. The DVR fee is waived when you get the Platinum package. You should be able to get two dual-tuners with your order, as long as one is SD (625, etc.). The key point is that Dish only allows up to four leased tuners. PM me for a Club Dish number to save a little on installation.

 

[adam61]

They don't particularly list an installation cost on their site, is $49 activation fee the installation or is there a seperate installation cost they don't cover in their costs in the DishBuilder?

 

[mdonnelly]

If you use Club Dish you can get the activation fee waived. The installation is separate, but it should cover the up-front charge for a 622, the dish, and the wiring.

 

[adam61]

I'm sorry, installation is seperate as in I have to cover it with whoever does my install?

Also it seems to still be charging the $6 DVR fee even when I choose platinum on dishbuilder?

And when I say I have 1 HD and 1 SD TV I can set the HD as a DVR but then it grays out all options but 0 for SD DVR, not sure why that is?

And what approx do taxes and fees add to my total cost?

 

[mdonnelly]

Installation fee is taken from whatever credit card you use when you order.

Are you sure that $6 is the DVR fee, not the lease fee?

The web site may be a little stupid. You could try a CSR at 1-888-825-2557.

I don't know if it's the same in your state, but in Oklahoma taxes and fees are $0.45 on a $103.00 bill.

 

[n0qcu]

And when I say I have 1 HD and 1 SD TV I can set the HD as a DVR but then it grays out all options but 0 for SD DVR, not sure why that is?

And what approx do taxes and fees add to my total cost?

That's because the 622 (HD DVR) is a dual output receiver.
It has one HD output for you HD set and one SD output for you SD set.

 

[adam61]

Just because that "happens" to be the case does that prevent me from getting another reciever for my second TV? Surely it's not that uncommon for someone with 2 TVs to want DVR on both? It seems kinda silly Dish would completely block you from doing this.

 

[boba]

The 622 is a DVR both TVs would have access to the DVR functionality with only one "box".