When's the best time to buy?

[TigerFX]

I'd like to upgrade to HD. I have this great HDTV-capable LCD, but no HD programming for it.

By the looks of it, the only HD Tuner with PVR is the massive 921, right? And that's $1000.

Firstly, are there any other fees? You have to pay ~$949 for the reciever, another $100 for the dish (not sure if I need that - I already have a dish feeding two 500-series recievers and a 301), plus $10/month. Is that it? Are there any other fees that will jump out and bite you?

Secondly, is this a good time to buy it? It'd be nice to dive in during a promotion - are there any rumors about when a promotion will be coming up? Or are they about to come out with a new version that will make this one obselete?

Any advice you all can shed will help. I wanted HD for Christmas, but I'm not sure if I'll really be able to shell out the $1000 needed for it.

Thanks.

 

[hdtvtechno]

The dish 921 is $549

but there is a newer model out now, dish942

 

[jbcheshire]

BTW... Welcome to Sat Guys!!!!

 

[riffjim4069]

The dish 921 is $549
but there is a newer model out now, dish942

The 921 isn't worth $5.49 if you ask my opinion. The 942 is an excellent receiver and can be purchased for $639 at the Dishstore.

 

[lakebum431]

They are right, go with the 942. But I would not buy it. I would lease it for $250 and $5/mth

 

[BlackHitachi]

Yes go with the 942!! Its a great receiver.

 

[TigerFX]

They are right, go with the 942. But I would not buy it. I would lease it for $250 and $5/mth

Where would you lease it from? Also, if you're leasing, what happens if the HD dies? I've had that happen on one I owned - I had to pay to replace it.

 

[jergenf]

Where would you lease it from? Also, if you're leasing, what happens if the HD dies? I've had that happen on one I owned - I had to pay to replace it.

You would lease from dishnetwork but only new customers qualify.
The unit has a 1 year warranty after that you can extend it for $5 a month or just pay $20 plus S&H for a replacement. The S&H includes an RMA and you would have to return the bad unit promptly to avoild being billed the entire value.
This price was quoted to me in September so I'm assuming it still in effect.

 

[jergenf]

Firstly, are there any other fees? You have to pay ~$949 for the reciever, another $100 for the dish (not sure if I need that - I already have a dish feeding two 500-series recievers and a 301), plus $10/month. Is that it? Are there any other fees that will jump out and bite you?
Secondly, is this a good time to buy it? It'd be nice to dive in during a promotion - are there any rumors about when a promotion will be coming up? Or are they about to come out with a new version that will make this one obselete?
Any advice you all can shed will help. I wanted HD for Christmas, but I'm not sure if I'll really be able to shell out the $1000 needed for it.
Thanks.

The 921 cost $550 (no longer available from dish) and the 942 is $700.
$100 for a second wing for Voom or maybe swap the dish500 for a dish1000.
If you keeping both of your 500 series and 310 then you'll need a switch cascaded because 2 more coax lines are need for the dual tuner DVR. Not sure if that included in the $100 install (but I think so if they already know your requirements).
You'll need a TV antenna installed if you want free SD/HD locals. That's not part of the satelite install. Outside is recommended but some people get by on an indoor antenna.
There's a $5 DVR fee (unless you subscribe to AEP)
There's a $5 dual receiver charge for the 942 (if you don't connect a phone line to it)
There's a $5 additional receiver (but you could offset the cost by removing the 301. In fact doing that may also save you on the extra switch).
The HDPak is $10 (but if you pay annually there's a half off promotion)
Use can use that credit to pay for Voom if you want.

You have to search the net or make calls to dish to find out about promotions.
The 942 will be replaced by the 962 but don't know when (guessing within 6 months). The 962 is a mpeg4 version of the 942 but official informatiion has not been made. If you buy the 942 now and later need the 962 I'm fairly certain there would be a replacement policy but as I stated nothing official to report. Replacement may cost $50 or might be free but that's speculation based on the upcoming 411 and 211vip models.