Considering D* - Questions

[jcrandall]

I've used E* for 3+ years and enjoy the service, but not the issues with lost programming and equipment delays. Anyway, I am considering switching sometime this year. Essentially, I like OLN and HD, but I'm not too big on Voom. Right now I have only basic receivers, I am still waiting for the E* 622s to become available for purchase - still on multiple waiting lists with no ETA.

Here is what I 'need' equipmnet wise - TWO HD DVRs. That's it. I understand everything is now leased. So I will need to consider that too when looking at what they charge for upgrades.




Questions:

Is the upcoming MPEG4 HD DVR like E* in functionality, will it operate two TVs with different programs, and record mulitple things?


If I save the $3 on locals do I still get guide info for my OTA channels?


The $6 DVR fee is one per account, right? No other fees?
Base package $45, HD $10, DVR $6, 2nd Recvr $5 = $66 (or $63 w/o locals)


The use the new 5LNB dish on ALL HD installs?


What is the best place to go equipment fee wise? Order direct from D*, or a retailer, etc? Is the HD DVR really $400 extra just to lease?


When will the MPEG4 HD DVR finally be available - I read 1st quarter and end of summer?


Finally, if they only lease you ONE HD DVR, I guess I could use a standard DVR for my wife, she isn't really picky, will they do that?


Thanks for any answers you can give, if I tried to answer them all I'd be here all day and still get stuff wrong.

 

[mikew]

No...the HD DVR Lease fee isn't $400.00. It's $499.

The OTA Guide is not dependant on subscribing to locals.

The DVR fee is per account (not per receiver)

There is a new, slimmer, dish that will receive the 5 satellite signals.

I'd wait until there are some deals out there. The current pricing structure does not seem worth the money. If I wouldn't pay $299 to lease from E*, why the hell would I pay $499 to lease a receiver that is not capable of receiving MPEG4?

I signed up with DirecTV through ValueElectronics.com. Great service and knowledgeable staff. You will have a hard time getting correct answers from BB or Circuit City.

 

[jcrandall]

I am willing to pay E* $650 to OWN HD DVRs - knowing I can resell for $500+ if I switch. I would NOT pay $500 for the right to lease them however.

This really makes me wonder - because I would prefer D* programming from the look of things. I would get OLN again (hockey) and they always carry ALL the RSN nets, which is good when considering the MLB package. E* seems to lose a few RSN nets each year.

 

[jcrandall]

One more thing - I did subscribe to D* back in 1998 at a previous address (6 addresses ago that is) for about 1.5 years. I only had a one LNB dish and one basic receiver. Everything was paid in full and cancelled with no problems when I moved to an appartment with LOS issues. Will this matter? Am I still a new customer?

 

[damaged]

nm

 

[dragon002]

yep, he is . long as he has a new phone # and the previous bill was paid in full.

 

[damaged]

yep

He is? I thought once a customer, never a new customer again?

 

[jcrandall]

Now I'm really confused. It has been eight years after all...

 

[damaged]

Listen to dragon on this, not me.

 

[dragon002]

it is done all the time.

go thru an e-tailer, as long as your phone # and address is different and you didnt owe a balance, they cant track you. as soon as one year is up after disconnect, they have to dump your ss# it is illegal for them to keep it. so how are they going to track you?

hell ive installed the same person three times as a "new"sub.

it is the same at dish and was the same at voom.

 

[vurbano]

Looks like we have found part of the reason the costs are so high fo equipment, even to lease it. Thanks a lot Dragon.

 

[dragon002]

just telling the truth, dude.

do you have any idea how many Voom customers were dish and directv disconnects/non pays? how many were in run down homes with 15 year old non remote control or B&W tvs? about 25%.

i dont get paid to screen them, just install them.

im no different than any other tech out there, directv or dish.