Thinking of trying out Dish

[Troch77]

Hi guys, obviously I'm new here.
I don't subscribe to any satellite services currently.
I did look at Directv briefly, A friend of mine has HR44 and 3 clients, but it really didn't impress me.

It seemed kind of slow to navigate and I've been looking at some of the monthly fees, Like RSN fees?? and it seems like dish will be cheaper over all and the Hopper with sling looks more advanced IMO.
The guide and Menu just seems way more advanced on the Hopper
But the 3 tuners is kind of a downer

So my question before I call Dish,
Can I get 2 hoppers and 2 joeys?
Also can someone breakdown the fees on that setup, and would I have to pay anything upfront?

Also please add anything else you think is some good advice. Please! !

I don't want to call Dish fully blind.
Thank you!

 

[bobvick]

Yes, you can get two Hoppers and two Joeys, you'll have to pay I think $199 for the second Hopper. Dish is some, but not THAT much cheaper than DirecTV. You would have $12 second Hopper fee, $12 DVR fee, $7 for Joey 1, and $7 for Joey 2, total of $38 in fees with Dish, plus your programming package cost. I have used the HR44 Genie and the Hopper, I find the Hopper to be superior in every way, except for the 3 vs 5 tuners.

 

[Troch77]

Thank you.
Do you think they would go lower on the 2nd hopper upfront cost?
And I guess they would install all of it at no cost?

Also do you guys have maybe a channel break down ,or where I can find a channel list with maybe the real prices.
I keep getting the promo prices.
Thanks.

 

[bobvick]

Not positive sure that it is $199 anymore, you'd have to check. There is no upfront cost for the install.

 

[Troch77]

I'll have to call them, I'm just trying to put it off, because I'm afraid I'll get talked into it before, I know all the real facts.

 

[bobvick]

AT120 $59.99, AT200 $74.99, AT250 $84.99, Smart Pack $34.99, AEP $129.99 (I think) Blockbuster @ Home is $10, but you can usually negotiate 1/2 off for 6 months.

 

[harshness]

Understand that there's no such thing as a trial. If you jump in with either provider, you're in it for 24 months or face a $20/month ETF (some states may offer specific relief here).

Another general rule is don't cut off your nose to spite your face by planning to get additional equipment later. The monthly savings probably isn't going to cover the lease entry fee that is often waived at sign-up (or maybe shortly thereafter).

I find that most everything that isn't covered by Prime Time Anytime usually repeats at least twice so having a half-dozen tuners or more usually isn't necessary but I'm not a family of four either. Almost everything I watch is recordings.

 

[Troch77]

The Recording factor Isn't as important to me , as the ability to have 4 rooms with live tv.

 

[Troch77]

AT120 $59.99, AT200 $74.99, AT250 $84.99, Smart Pack $34.99, AEP $129.99 (I think) Blockbuster @ Home is $10, but you can usually negotiate 1/2 off for 6 months.

We are leaning towards Top 250, and maybe blockbuster pack.
But that is it for now.
Is there an HD charge, or is that included with the Hopper fees?

 

[bobvick]

We are leaning towards Top 250, and maybe blockbuster pack.
But that is it for now.
Is there an HD charge, or is that included with the Hopper fees?

No charge for HD, it is "free for life" with AutoPay.

 

[primestar31]

The Top 250 includes the Blockbuster pack. It's a good way to go, if you want a LOT of channel choices for watching. I had it for quite a few years, but recently dropped down to the America's Top 120 to save some money.

Edit, (much later): Whoops, I was paying extra for Blockbuster. I was thinking about the Encore channels that come with A250...

 

[Troch77]

I can't find a full channel list of the Top 250.
Is it on the Dish Site?

 

[harshness]

The Recording factor Isn't as important to me , as the ability to have 4 rooms with live tv.

Is the live TV all different channels? As I understand it, two Joeys watching the same channel live can share a tuner (assuming they're both attached to the same Hopper).

Unless you're watching sports or breaking news, watching live TV probably isn't the best utilization of the resource.

 

[Troch77]

Yes , very common for all 4 of us to watch different shows.
4 live tuners is a must, and actually dish shows a Hopper ,Super joey and 2 regular joeys when I do a 4 room system.

 

[AZ.]

Dish has great equipment and killer software.....I tried them so I know...My problem is Im a sports nut and the other provider is better for me....I still have a dish account at my other house and use the sling function all the time....
I think you will be very happy with them for 2 years...

 

[harshness]

The Top 250 includes the Blockbuster pack.

Blockbuster isn't included in any package last I checked. It is part of the 3 months of promo swag but after that, you pay for it. Make sure you're not confusing the BBHME barker channel with the Blockbuster pack.

 

[Troch77]

This seems like it would be okay.
With Prime Time anytime how does that work exactly?

 

[harshness]

I can't find a full channel list of the Top 250.

Try this link:

http://www.mydish.com/filestream.ashx?ID=6051&inline=true

There's also a way to get an interactive listing using a "Compare Channels" button that pops up when you're presented with the package choices.

 

[boba]

The Recording factor Isn't as important to me , as the ability to have 4 rooms with live tv.

Instead of 2 Hoppers you might consider a Super Joey that will add 2 tuners to the Hoppers 3 for a total of 5 available.

 

[dwarren2]

For packages
http://www.mydish.com/upgrades/english-packages