HD Enabling Fee--what do you get for it?

[JohnL]

Back when the 622 was introduced, you could activate without HD and without the enabling fee. Doing so would disable the OTA tuner, giving you in essence a 522 with a lot more space for SD recordings.

That option is no longer available

It's probably most "palatable" as haertig said, to look at it as a $6-per-tuner access fee, plus the $6 dvr fee. The base monthly cost of the box is $24. Actually $30 if you count the "access fee" you're hit with if you don't sub a base package. You can get $6 waived by subbing an "America's Top" or other package, $6 by connecting a phone line, $6 by subbing HD, and another $6 if it's your only receiver. And waive another $4 by subbing the DVR Advantage.

Since I own my box, I feel $30 per month for basic functionality before I even add what I'm paying for programming is quite ridiculous. That's a lot of nickels and dimes.

Pepper,


Where do you get it a monthly BASE cost of $24 per month for a VIP 622. If you lease the receiver then you pay a $6.00 lease fee, as well as a DVR Fee, and if you don't get the HD package another $6.00 per month that is much less than $24 per month, oooh unless you don't connect a Phone line or Broadband internet connection. Seems to me that 80-95 percent of VIP622 subs will have either one or the other. It's not a Base cost of $24 per month. The Base cost of a Vip622 is $6.95 per month. If you decide to lease that receiver than you ADD a $6.00 lease fee to that BASE COST, you also ADD the Enabling fee to that same BASE COST if you do not sub to the HD Package, and you also can ADD a Phone line Fee to that same BASE COST if you don't connect either a Phone line or Broadband connection.

The ONLY Base Cost for a VIP622 is the DVR FEE as this is the only fee you have no choice but to pay. $17.00 of your "BASE COST" are fees you choose to pay by either NOT Purchasing the receiver, or by NOT ordering a specific package, or by connecting a Phone line.

I'll add that it makes no sense to NOT get the HD package when you spent a lot of Money on a HD display. Would you not want to have more HD content to display on your new HDTV. So it only costs $14 more to have the HD package instead of NOT having it. I'll add you could get a Standalone HD ATSC receiver or use a Built-in ATSC in your Television to get Network TV for FREE with NO Monthly BASE COSTS, if you want to record the same OTA ATSC signals then build a HTPC, no BASE Monthly costs. Oooh but that would require a capital outlay on your part.

Dish's VIP622 is very reasonably priced Hardware. The reason for that is that Dish is subsidizing the hardware costs with fees. There is no such thing as a "Free Lunch". The problem is that the average person expects hardware very cheap or entirely free, so Dish does this by locking subs into extra fees.

Until people realize it would be likely be cheaper to purchase the hardware, and allow companies to unbundle the associated fees to subsidize that Free/Cheap hardware this will continue.

Again, this is NOT going to change until the vast majority of prospective Subs accept more acquisition costs or service costs will continue to subsidize Hardware and acquisition costs. Since the majority of prospective subs expect or demand little or no upfront costs, service fees and charges will be the norm.

 

[Pepper]

The point is that $24 is the least it could possibly cost you if you don't have a phone line and don't subscribe to an AT package.
6=access fee
6=phoneline fee
6=dvr fee
6="enabling" fee

The other point is I paid for mine, I own it. Let those who got the hardware for free pay for it in fees, not those of us who bought it outright. I should not have to pay a monthly fee if I decide I don't want to receive DishHD with it. Which is exactly what I will decide the day they implement HDCP since my TV uses component inputs.

 

[JohnL]

The point is that $24 is the least it could possibly cost you if you don't have a phone line and don't subscribe to an AT package.
6=access fee
6=phoneline fee
6=dvr fee
6="enabling" fee

The other point is I paid for mine, I own it. Let those who got the hardware for free pay for it in fees, not those of us who bought it outright. I should not have to pay a monthly fee if I decide I don't want to receive DishHD with it. Which is exactly what I will decide the day they implement HDCP since my TV uses component inputs.

Pepper,

First off the Access Fee is if you don't connect a Phone line, that is the phone line fee. There isn't a seperate Phone line fee. So its $18 bucks, and don't understand why you don't either connect a Phone line or your Broadband internet connection. If you use the receiver as a secondary receiver then you do have a Access fee (Mirror Fee) or a lease fee. There is NO way to avoid the secondary receiver/Lease Fee.

Again, the secondary receiver fee is NOT a BASE Cost fee, if you own the receiver and its your only receiver NO FEE, If you connect a Phone line/Broadband Internet then you do not have that fee. BTW the cost you paid to buy the VIP622 does NOT reflect its true cost so whether you purchase it or lease it the cost you pay to lease or purchase the receiver is LESS than it cost Dish to produce. Dish decided to subsidize the Vip622's retail price because Dish Assumes they will be able to recoup those extra costs.

If you own one receiver and its a VIP622 and only use it for SD Satellite and local HD then you only pay the Enabling fee and DVR FEE.

The other TWO fees are being charged to your account based on YOUR Decisions or lack for subsequent service levels.

If or when Dish enables HDCP it will be at the Content Owners request, there will NOT be ANY OTHER PROVIDER that will be able to skirt the Content Owners request for HDCP. Whether that be, DirecTV, Dish or the Cable Company of your choice.


John

 

[Hemi 6.1]

Hi Hemi 6.1!

I was just reading some threads and noticed a post from you. I noted that you have D HR20 and E vip 622. We have been with D using Tivo for about 10 years. Have been reluctant to give up Tivo but want HD. I'm real concerned about all the problems I have heard about the HR20 but I like D programming better. Sounds like the vip 722 had some cool functions. Just can't decide whether to go with Dish or stay with DTV. I can get Dish equip for free but will have to pay for HR20. What do you think of the quality of the DVRs? Any difference in the quality of the signal between D & E?

IMHO! HR-20 has a lot of great features,but Its a piece of Junk. Sorry D* fans ,but it is . It changes channels like crap ,Native or not! If your playing Game lounge it will freeze up right in the middle of something.But it does record real easy,and the HD is great. I think recording is a pain on the 622 because of the way its set up with the tv 2 function.When I want to record something ,I want to record it! Not to be asked 5 questions every time on how I want it recorded.Thats where I would rank E* DVR lower then D*. If you want HD IMO you don't have a choice .D* is where you want to be. I had E* HD for 3 months, Need I say more.They are uplinking more HD on their 110 satellite,is that desperate for space ,or what.

 

[osu1991]

The other point is I paid for mine, I own it. Let those who got the hardware for free pay for it in fees, not those of us who bought it outright. I should not have to pay a monthly fee if I decide I don't want to receive DishHD with it. Which is exactly what I will decide the day they implement HDCP since my TV uses component inputs.

I agree. I paid for mine, why should I have to pay an enabling fee for the OTA tuner if I don't want Dish hd and I own the receiver. They are not subsidizing me I have been a customer for 10 years and have bought every receiver I have had including Dishplayers, 508's,522, 622 and now my 722. This HDCP is gonna stink also as I use both outputs to send hd to 2 hdtvs.

I used to keep both Directv and Dish but the Directv receivers have gone down hill since they went in house and I won't go back until they make a receiver that I like again.

 

[kb7oeb]

I agree. I paid for mine, why should I have to pay an enabling fee for the OTA tuner if I don't want Dish hd and I own the receiver.

This keeps getting said but the HD fee originally was to view any HD channel, not just OTA. They don't charge the fee on mpeg2 HD hardware so its just another because we can fee.

I think recording is a pain on the 622 because of the way its set up with the tv 2 function.When I want to record something ,I want to record it! Not to be asked 5 questions every time on how I want it recorded.Thats where I would rank E* DVR lower then D*.

Then turn TV2 off, its not a negative to me if a device is configurable for various situations.

 

[Hemi 6.1]

This keeps getting said but the HD fee originally was to view any HD channel, not just OTA. They don't charge the fee on mpeg2 HD hardware so its just another because we can fee.



Then turn TV2 off, its not a negative to me if a device is configurable for various situations.

Even if tv 2 is off ,its still not a 1 touch record.It doesn't need to serve 2 rooms. If I'm paying for 2 tunners then one shouldn't have to compromise the other.Their should be a 3rd tunner in this case then! Glad you like it ,but I hate the setup.If my wife wants to watch tv in the bedroom and I want to watch and record at the same time ,It can't be done with this setup.This is another way for E* to get you right where they want you. To lease another receiver.And Trust me TV2 is off! Directv in full force 3 rooms to 1.

 

[Katmandoitall]

Are you guys saying the HD package has EXTRA fees on top
the HD programming cost? I have the Dish 811 receiver; don't
want a DVR. Is it worth me going to the HD programming; or
just stay on the SD programming? I haven't "re-upped" yet.
Had them turn off service over 5 years ago in a dispute with
them over mistakes in billing (all the time).
I have a Dish 1000.2 antenna available ($80 to the door);
wondering if I should go for it; OR NOT?

 

[kb7oeb]

Even if tv 2 is off ,its still not a 1 touch record.It doesn't need to serve 2 rooms. If I'm paying for 2 tunners then one shouldn't have to compromise the other.Their should be a 3rd tunner in this case then! Glad you like it ,but I hate the setup.If my wife wants to watch tv in the bedroom and I want to watch and record at the same time ,It can't be done with this setup.This is another way for E* to get you right where they want you. To lease another receiver.And Trust me TV2 is off! Directv in full force 3 rooms to 1.

I should have said you should be in single mode, not just having tv2 off. I don't understand what directv is doing for you, as I understand it you need a dvr for each tv on directv.

 

[Walker1]

Are you guys saying the HD package has EXTRA fees on top
the HD programming cost? I have the Dish 811 receiver; don't
want a DVR. Is it worth me going to the HD programming; or
just stay on the SD programming? I haven't "re-upped" yet.
Had them turn off service over 5 years ago in a dispute with
them over mistakes in billing (all the time).
I have a Dish 1000.2 antenna available ($80 to the door);
wondering if I should go for it; OR NOT?

That depends on if you have an HD TV & want to watch HD shows. I bought a top of the line Sony XBR 60" set a few mos. ago. When I signed up with D the rep told me HD is part of HBO. He didn't tell me that all chs. in the 250 ch. pkg. that offer an HD feed only are accessible to watch if I pay $20/mo. for the HD pkg. The way I see it is there's no point in having a super nice HD TV if I'm only going to see SD programming on it.

I am unhappy with the $20 HD fee, but I'm on an 18 mo. lease. Perhaps when that's up I'll go to Direct. I think D has some nerve charging $20/mo. for HD programming. I can see $10/mo. If you use an antenna & have an HD TV you will see your locals in HD. My TV has an input for an ant. & I hooked my cable into it. I got all my locals in HD & it's real nice. You have to decide if you think $20 is worth it. As to a DVR- I would not be without it after having the 722. It stores lots of programming. Before all I could store was 2 hrs. per disc on my DVD recorder.

 

[Hemi 6.1]

I should have said you should be in single mode, not just having tv2 off. I don't understand what directv is doing for you, as I understand it you need a dvr for each tv on directv.

Your right you do need a receiver for every room. But I can also record and watch live tv on 2 tv's at once without pissing the wife off.I paid $150 for my HR-20 and nothing for my R15 when I upgraded to DVR. plus 3 months programming free.For 3 rooms is cost $5.99 for the first DVR and $4.99 each for R15 and H20.

 

[Hemi 6.1]

Now Dishnetwork charged me $49.99 +2 months of programming for the Americas Everything pack at $230. Thats was my start up cost. Now I dropped HD so they charge me $6 for no reason ,+ $5 for dropping HD,and dropped down to AT100 and that cost me $5 to do. So now I pay $6 for nothing ,and $6 for additional receiver. For 3 rooms With a half assed DVR that serves 2 rooms barely. and a Vip211.I can't trade either of them for lower cost SD receivers without paying around $300. This is a joke. This $6 HD enable fee is a joke.

 

[Walker1]

Now Dishnetwork charged me $49.99 +2 months of programming for the Americas Everything pack at $230. Thats was my start up cost. Now I dropped HD so they charge me $6 for no reason ,+ $5 for dropping HD,and dropped down to AT100 and that cost me $5 to do. So now I pay $6 for nothing ,and $6 for additional receiver. For 3 rooms With a half assed DVR that serves 2 rooms barely. and a Vip211.I can't trade either of them for lower cost SD receivers without paying around $300. This is a joke. This $6 HD enable fee is a joke.

Yeah, It's a ripoff. Even cable doesn't charge that much for HD. I will go with Direc when my lease is up if Dish doesn't lower their fee by at least 1/2. I hate greedy cos.

 

[kb7oeb]

To make everyone feel better about the enabling fee there are rumors in another post about dish raising the fee to $7 in February.

 

[visiter555]

Great fee for those of us who line in areas where there is no OTA HD being broadcast. The one reason why I have not gotten a 622 or 722.

Great PVRs, but I don't want HD and paying $6 to allow me to use the box for OTA that is not available... PRICELESS. LOL

 

[Jim5506]

If it does not suit your needs take your marbles and go home.

 

[cire50]

I bought my 722 and called to activate it in place of the leased 522 ... When I was told I had to pay an enabling fee I asked what for. Was told it was to enable my HD receiver ... I told them I purchased the unit and that I didn't want their HD programming. Once again I was told it b/c I had a "HD" receiver. Long story short I snapped and was transfered to a customer specialist after I said I wanted to cancel ... told them there's no way in hell I'm paying to use my own equipment ..... ended up getting the enabling fee waived for twelve months and got a new dish 1000.2 being installed Dec. 26th .. for FREE !! lol

Should've pushed harder ... maybe I could've got HD programming too !!!??? lmao

 

[MikeD-C05]

I bought my 722 and called to activate it in place of the leased 522 ... When I was told I had to pay an enabling fee I asked what for. Was told it was to enable my HD receiver ... I told them I purchased the unit and that I didn't want their HD programming. Once again I was told it b/c I had a "HD" receiver. Long story short I snapped and was transfered to a customer specialist after I said I wanted to cancel ... told them there's no way in hell I'm paying to use my own equipment ..... ended up getting the enabling fee waived for twelve months and got a new dish 1000.2 being installed Dec. 26th .. for FREE !! lol

Should've pushed harder ... maybe I could've got HD programming too !!!??? lmao

So you receive no HD channels or OTa digital channels right? OR are they allowing you to see the ota digital and hd locals ,if you subscribe to the sd locals, for free for 12 months?

 

[cire50]

I'll let you know once I get the new dish installed on the 26th ... I'm told they can't activate the OTA tuner with the current dish ... can't receive the signal !!!??? They tell me that I'll get the OTA Digital & HD channels, but there are no HD locals in my area thru Dish.