HD Tivo

[Rich1227]

Just a quick question. I was just about to upgrade to the HD Tivo unit when the retention rep told me that even though HD network channels are available in my area (New York), the only way to receive them via the dish is to use a standard HD receiver. I was not under the impression that the HD Tivo could not receive local network channels in HD. Is this true?

Thanks.

[OaklandRobb]

The HD Tivo is well equiped to handle over the air broadcasts with its two independent ATSC tuners. However, it will receive these through the appropriate antenna (based on your distance from the broadcast tower and ability to receive those transmissions) and not through the dish.


Robb

[darthrsg]

seems like you csr was talking about the mpeg4 locals. for which you would need their non-tivo HD/mpeg4 unit. but if you are in range of a good OTA HD feed go for tivo.

[kepper]

Just a quick question. I was just about to upgrade to the HD Tivo unit when the retention rep told me that even though HD network channels are available in my area (New York), the only way to receive them via the dish is to use a standard HD receiver. I was not under the impression that the HD Tivo could not receive local network channels in HD. Is this true?

If you are within the NYC local viewing area, then you should be able to receive the four major network channels from New York City in HD on the HD Tivo via satellite. If you need waivers because you aren't considered in the NYC local viewing area, then that could be problematic. The four network HD channels are still being broadcast by D* in a format the HD Tivo can receive, and they probably will be for some time.

The HD Tivo also has the ability to record local digital channels using an off-the-air antenna, and that may be another option for you. Plus, you can get other HD channels such as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, TNT, etc. in HD if you subscribe to the appropriate program packages.

Kevin

[RMSko]

I live in NJ and I have the HD TiVo. I get all of the network channels in HD as part of my standard DirecTV package. The bottom line is if you are presently getting the NY network channels with your current DirecTV receiver, you'll get the HD versions when you upgrade. Also, there is NO charge for the HD versions, i.e., you do NOT need the HD Package in order to get them. Finally, in addition to the DirecTV versions of the network channels, you can also view (and record through the TiVo), OTA versions of the network channels, assuming you have an OTA ntenna that can pick up those channels.

[Rich1227]

Thanks for all your answers. Subsequently, I've done alot of research with DirecTV on this. I've talked to DirecTV CSR's, their installation experts, their retention people (after setting a cancellation date because they couldn't give me locals on the dish), supervisors, you name it. Bottom line (they told me) - those of you who receive HD locals via the dish with an HR10-250 can't. It's impossible. No way.

But of course I know you guys are the experts, so I went ahead and ordered my HD equipment today!

Thanks again!

[DTV TiVo Dealer]

Thanks for all your answers. Subsequently, I've done alot of research with DirecTV on this. I've talked to DirecTV CSR's, their installation experts, their retention people (after setting a cancellation date because they couldn't give me locals on the dish), supervisors, you name it. Bottom line (they told me) - those of you who receive HD locals via the dish with an HR10-250 can't. It's impossible. No way.

But of course I know you guys are the experts, so I went ahead and ordered my HD equipment today!

Thanks again!
That is simply not true. The HR10-250 will receive, ABS, CBS, FOX and NBC in HD through the satellite dish without a OTA. This is only true in the NY and LA DMAs.

May I recommend buying your HR10-250 from your favorite dealer so you get a lower cost, free shipping and no sales tax, not to mention far better service. You can get DIRECTV to upgrade your antenna dish to the AT9 for $49.99.

-Robert

[rcbray]

That is simply not true. The HR10-250 will receive, ABS, CBS, FOX and NBC in HD through the satellite dish without a OTA. This is only true in the NY and LA DMAs.

May I recommend buying your HR10-250 from your favorite dealer so you get a lower cost, free shipping and no sales tax, not to mention far better service. You can get DIRECTV to upgrade your antenna dish to the AT9 for $49.99.

-Robert

Robert, I know that a couple months ago everyone expected D* to swap out the HR 10-250 for the new DVR (HR 20) at basically no cost. Now I'm reading about upfront lease costs for everyone.

Bottom line: Can we still expect D* to provide a no/minimal cost swap out when MPEG4 comes to our area or (1) must we wait until MPEG2 is discontinued, or (2) have they discontinued plans for any no/minimal cost swaps?

Thanks for the input.

[Rich1227]

In the course of all of this I originally set a disconnect date of March 30 for the service since I couldn't get what I wanted. Unfortunately and ultimately fortunately they disconnected me this morning instead. Why I say fortunately is that before March 1, they had offered the hr 10-250 for a net bottom line of $250, with $120 worth of programming credits. Since I didn't sign because of the locals confusion, I lost that opportunity. The best I could get yesterday was $499, period. And you're right, it's a lease and you don't own the equipment.

When I called this morning because of the mis-disconnect, I got a retention CSR who was willing to credit me $250 toward the $499, plus give me the $120 in programming credit and 6 months free for the HD package. She still claims I won't get locals in HD over the dish, but as I said earlier I don't believe it (and Robert backed this up) so I took the deal. I still won't own the unit, but I guess I gain the ability to get a new one if it breaks, and probably have more leverage in the MPEG-4 swap, for which they had no info at all.

The CSR I worked with was a sweetheart, uncharacteristic of what I've dealt with over the last few days with DirecTV. If you do decide to upgrade, it might be worth doing the disconnect thing and then blame them for getting the date wrong. There's nothing like negotiating when they want YOU back.

Good luck!

[SpankyInChicago]

If you do decide to upgrade, it might be worth doing the disconnect thing and then blame them for getting the date wrong.

Except of course that is dishonest if they did not truly get the date wrong.