Couple quick ?'s for upgrading to HD Service

[WittSmall]

So I just purchased my first HDtv last week and called directv this morning to upgrade to the HD service. I was disappointed to hear that with tax and handling, it would cost me $127 to upgrade my SD box to and HD box! So my first question, is there anyway, either through customer retention or customer service, to try to get this box for free, or am I stuck paying this for HD?

My second question is, how do I know if I have the proper dish on my roof? It was installed about 9 months ago and doesn't look like the HD dishes that they have pictures of on Directv's website. If I need a different dish, will I have to pay for that too? Any help is appreciated, thanks!

 

[iwc5893]

First of all, what type of receiver did you get, the HD-DVR or the HD receiver? Sometimes customers will have to pay for "free" equipment based upon their credit score or other factors, but it doesn't hurt to call back and ask if that amount can be reduced

D* will send the installer out and he will install all of the required equipment that you need. This is included in your upgrade costs, so you shouldn't have to pay anything extra unless there is custom work involved.

 

[aa9vi]

HD dish antenna install should be a freebie, or at least most people get that. The HD DVR can also be a freebie. You can haggle with a person in the retention dept (cancel service prompt) or get a free upgrade from a dealer. They send flyers through the mail all the time. You could prob find something online too. If you call the retention department, make no mention that you want to leave DTV. Just tell them you want to enjoy the new HD channels and would like a free upgrade to an HD DVR. Tell them you have been a loyal customer and they only thing holding you back from the upgrade to the new package is the HD DVR. Worst case scenario is you'll pay $99 upgrade fee for the new HR21 DVR. Best case scenario is all is free. The HR21, the latest HD DVR, does not have an OTA tuner in it. You'll need to purchase the AM21 add-on for $49 if you want that, which I recommend.

Otherwise, go to solidsignal.com and try and get an HR20 ($199) which DOES have the OTA tuner in it.

The HD OTA and DVR definitely worth it. DTV does not have OTA subchannels off of the dish. That's why I recommend you get the HR21+AM21 or HR20.

Make sure you get the AU9 slimline 5 LNB dish installed, too. (you may have got the AT9 5 LNB installed, if that's the case, you're also set.. AT9 is the older 5 LNB dish)