HD Program Welcome Package, VIP222k receiver

[kbsusa]

I currently subscribe to Welcome Package. I would like to get my local stations on HD. I search Dish Network website and there is no local HD package offer. The only HD package I see is Dish America or Top 120+ (free for life with 2 year agreement). Dish will not exchange my SD standard receiver for an HD-VIP222k receiver without HD programming. I do know I can get HD locals with just a VIP receiver, without the wiring on a 1000 HD dish. There is a post below this forum

Can I purchase a VIP receiver and get it activated?
How much do I need to pay for receiver fee or any other fee from Dish with my own VIP receiver?

I just want all my local sporting games on HD without switching antenna back and forth.

 

[chapelrun]

The Welcome Pack comes with HD Locals - - - I just set this up recently.

Several things obviously must exist.

1) An MPEG4 receiver - - - which receiver do you currently have?
2) You must have either 61.5 or 129 locations as that is where the local exist for most folks.

I was able to purchase a VIP211K off of Craiglist very cheap - - but make sure you call Dish before purchasing any receiver to make sure it can be activated.

If you only have one receiver, I understand there is no additional receiver fee.

Could you possible get your locals via a regular antenna and setup Over The Air (OTA) for locals?

 

[kbsusa]

I got a SD receiver for two TV and I got a big screen TV, hook up Dish and OMG!!! Horrible quality with double image. I went back to the store and tune to any SD channel and same quality, even worse.

I can only get a few local OTA, not even the big network stations.

I got all the locations on my dish, I just need a VIP receiver for HD locals.

If I purchase a VIP receiver, can I get it activated without HD programming and do I need to pay any other fees since I don't have HD programming (ie: Dish America)?

 

[osu1991]

Make sure that Dish does offer your locals in HD, then yes just purchase a VIP HD receiver and activate it. If it is replacing your sd receiver then no fee, if you are adding it to your acct in addition to the existing receiver then there will be an additional charge. If you are adding a dvr, then will be a dvr fee too.

 

[MattG@DISH]

If I purchase a VIP receiver, can I get it activated without HD programming and do I need to pay any other fees since I don't have HD programming (ie: Dish America)?

You would be able to activate the receiver without any problems if you purchase it (leased HD upgrades now require you have HD programming). Be sure to call, or send a PM to have the receiver number checked before you buy the receiver. There will not be any additional fees so long as this will be the only receiver on your account. What's your zip code so I can make sure we offer your locals in HD?

 

[Mr Tony]

If I purchase a VIP receiver, can I get it activated without HD programming and do I need to pay any other fees since I don't have HD programming (ie: Dish America)?

yes. If you have the Welcome Pack you cant sub to HD but you do get your locals in HD....provided they are in HD on DIsh

 

[dentke]

If you lease an HD receiver and a package with hd then later on decide you want to downgrade to a non HD package such as Welcome or Family, will they let you downgrade?
If they will let you downgrade will they make you swap out to a non HD receiver?

 

[Mr Tony]

If you lease an HD receiver and a package with hd then later on decide you want to downgrade to a non HD package such as Welcome or Family, will they let you downgrade?

yes you can.

 

[kbsusa]

Is the DISH STORE a reliable place to get Dish Network stuff??? It is a sponsor for this site.

I found the item I need except I am not sure is it a USED product or BRAND NEW.

If I send my old receiver back after getting the new one, do I keep the Smart Card or Dish will give me a new one for my receiver????

 

[osu1991]

The cards are married to the receiver. The new one will have a card built in to it. It should be new unless it says refurb somewhere on the listing.

 

[kikenovic]

If you lease an HD receiver and a package with hd then later on decide you want to downgrade to a non HD package such as Welcome or Family, will they let you downgrade?
If they will let you downgrade will they make you swap out to a non HD receiver?

Yes, you may do that. I just did it last month. (Available) HD Locals and some free previews will appear in HD.

 

[Dishman1978]

If you lease an HD receiver and a package with hd then later on decide you want to downgrade to a non HD package such as Welcome or Family, will they let you downgrade?
If they will let you downgrade will they make you swap out to a non HD receiver?

You wont have to change recievers, you just wont get HD programming if you downgrade your programming.

 

[kbsusa]

I did consider getting Dish America for a year with that commitment Dish make you sign to get someone out here and change packages after the agreement ends, but I am really really scare Dish will never give back the Welcome Package to me.

After a few adjustment, the picture do look better right now. Even better from the Direct TV signal at the store with the better TV hook up onto Direct.

 

[rufwork]

Yes, you may do that. I just did it last month. (Available) HD Locals and some free previews will appear in HD.

As well as any a la cartes -- movie channels, RedZone with the Sports Pack, etc All of those are HD "for free", or were, at least, when I was still on 120+ (swapped to Dish America a few months ago; too good a deal). Makes me feel a little better about the Dish CEO/owner/whatever he is saying "HD TV should be free", even if most of mine wasn't.

But yes, buy an HD receiver even if you don't pay for HD programming. I like my 211k. $40 and *poof*, unlimited DVR with no monthly fee.