Any reason not to change program pkg? [Text View]

Mark Lopez

12-22-2007, 10:01 PM

Scooter

12-22-2007, 10:56 PM

I have been wondering the same thing. I have the same package but I have lifetime DVR service with mine.

Scooter :)

TyroneShoes

12-23-2007, 12:50 AM

I have been wondering the same thing. I have the same package but I have lifetime DVR service with mine.

Scooter :)

unnnh? Lifetime on a DTivo? :confused:

dishrich

12-23-2007, 01:24 AM

unnnh? Lifetime on a DTivo? :confused:

unnnh yea, several of us still have it, including myself & including having non-Tivo DVR's on our accounts... :confused:

Smartest $249 I ever spent... ;) :D

narrod

12-23-2007, 09:21 AM

unnnh? Lifetime on a DTivo? :confused:

Yep. I bought it with my first SD DirecTivo. DirecTv still honors it.

adlerx

12-23-2007, 10:07 AM

I'm currently grandfathered into the old Total Choice pkg. I also have the HD access and the DVR service. So it's $51.99 + $9.99 + $5.99= $67.97

The Choice Plus HD DVR package is $69.99 which supposedly includes all of the above. So other than saving $2.02 by leaving it as is, is there any reason not to just switch to a single package?

I don't get it. Why spend the extra $2.02 just to keep what you already have? Maybe if it included the premium hd channels they just yanked away from me a week after I signed a new two year commitment.....

I have the same pkg as you and would love a way to get more for less but not interested getting the same for more $$...

RS4

12-23-2007, 10:26 AM

I don't get it. Why spend the extra $2.02 just to keep what you already have? Maybe if it included the premium hd channels they just yanked away from me a week after I signed a new two year commitment.....

I have the same pkg as you and would love a way to get more for less but not interested getting the same for more $$...

That way his bill will look more neat and tidy - that certainly must be worth a lot, and oh yeah, think of all the ink they will be saving by not printing all of those lines.:D

slydog75

12-23-2007, 11:27 AM

I also noticed that The Science Channel is now included with even the most basic (Family) of the new packages, but I'm not getting it with my current Total Choice package.

Mark Lopez

12-23-2007, 11:59 AM

That way his bill will look more neat and tidy ...

Well, actually that was a big part of the reason. Up until recently I also had DNS networks and locals listed separately (yes I had them both :) ). The bill was sort of a mess. Plus every time I go to the web site, and look at programming, it 'reminds' me that I have a package that is no longer offered. Unlike some folks here, the $2.00 is irrelevant to me. I was basically trying to confirm that the other package did indeed includes the items that are now listed separate. And as I migrate all of my recievers over to HR2X units, I felt there will be less to go wrong if things are as simple as possible.

TolloNodre

12-23-2007, 12:11 PM

I was essentially 'forced' to upgrade since everytime I would add/remove something (premium or sports), their acccounting system would toast all my programming!

In the end, it was much easier to just 'upgrade' to the PlusHD-DVR package. Now I can add/remove on the website without calling a CSR, or spending 20 minutes on the phone with them as they try to figure out how to make it work! I think the price difference was less than a $1 for me, so no biggie...

Scooter

12-23-2007, 12:35 PM

unnnh yea, several of us still have it, including myself & including having non-Tivo DVR's on our accounts... :confused:

Smartest $249 I ever spent... ;) :D

Smartest $200 I ever spent. ;):p

I jumped in on lifetime when the D-TiVos first came out.

Scooter

JeffZ81

12-23-2007, 11:47 PM

Well, actually that was a big part of the reason. Up until recently I also had DNS networks and locals listed separately (yes I had them both :) ). The bill was sort of a mess. Plus every time I go to the web site, and look at programming, it 'reminds' me that I have a package that is no longer offered. Unlike some folks here, the $2.00 is irrelevant to me. I was basically trying to confirm that the other package did indeed includes the items that are now listed separate. And as I migrate all of my recievers over to HR2X units, I felt there will be less to go wrong if things are as simple as possible.

Have you lost you DNS? If not, then that may be a reason not to switch. I'm thinking that if you change your base package you may risk losing your DNS. Others?

dishrich

12-24-2007, 10:24 AM

Smartest $200 I ever spent. ;):p

I jumped in on lifetime when the D-TiVos first came out.

Don't remind me - they had just RAISED it before I had activated my first Tivo. :( But considering it has still paid for itself almost by 150%, I can't complain - especially considering they even include the new non-Tivo DVR's units under your lifetime plan. :up: :) AND, it still beats the hell out of DISH network, who charges for EVERY DVR on your account. (unless you have AEP, which I would NOT want) :rolleyes:

dishrich

12-24-2007, 10:27 AM

Have you lost you DNS? If not, then that may be a reason not to switch. I'm thinking that if you change your base package you may risk losing your DNS. Others?

Well, in a perfect world, changing base packages should NOT have an effect on this. BUT, since we are talking D*'s world, personally I would NOT be taking the chance of loosing them, considering the sheer hassle of trying to get them back. ;)

I was essentially 'forced' to upgrade since everytime I would add/remove something (premium or sports), their acccounting system would toast all my programming!

I've changed premiums/HD pkg several times on-line under my grandfathered TCP pkg & have never had a problem loosing it. ;)

TolloNodre

12-24-2007, 11:01 AM

I've changed premiums/HD pkg several times on-line under my grandfathered TCP pkg & have never had a problem loosing it. ;)

Have you tried it with the newly released web site they just rolled out?

That's when I started having problems...

bigpuma

12-24-2007, 11:21 AM

Well, actually that was a big part of the reason. Up until recently I also had DNS networks and locals listed separately (yes I had them both :) ). The bill was sort of a mess. Plus every time I go to the web site, and look at programming, it 'reminds' me that I have a package that is no longer offered. Unlike some folks here, the $2.00 is irrelevant to me. I was basically trying to confirm that the other package did indeed includes the items that are now listed separate. And as I migrate all of my recievers over to HR2X units, I felt there will be less to go wrong if things are as simple as possible.

I am not sure if it will really clean up your bill. I have the 69.99 HD DVR plus package and it still lists ABC HD, CBS HD and DVR service even though they are all listed at $0.00. Also doesn't the HD DVR plus package include some channels not in the old Total Choice package. I thought it included the channels from the old total choice plus package. Not that I have any idea what those channels are or whether they are worth it.

JimSpence

12-24-2007, 11:47 AM

dishrich

12-24-2007, 12:10 PM

Also doesn't the HD DVR plus package include some channels not in the old Total Choice package. I thought it included the channels from the old total choice plus package.

Yes, the HD DVR+ pkg, which has the new Choice+ basic pkg, has the same exact channels as the old TC+ pkg.

dishrich

12-24-2007, 12:13 PM

Have you tried it with the newly released web site they just rolled out?

That's when I started having problems...

Nope, but I was about ready to give it a try, since I have NOT added the HD xtra pkg back on yet; just hadn't gotten around to it yet. Hmm, now you have me worried now, since I do NOT want to loose my TC+ pkg, since I have lifetime DVR. :eek: Maybe I might just call this one in, just to be safe... :confused:

Mark Lopez

12-24-2007, 05:36 PM

Have you lost you DNS? If not, then that may be a reason not to switch. I'm thinking that if you change your base package you may risk losing your DNS. Others?

Yes, DNS is gone. What happened was I was living in CA and had them there along with locals due to grandfathering on the DNS. I moved here and 'forgot' ;) to tell them I moved. I was also able to get my HD locals here OTA so it was great as I could use the time zone difference to solve just about any conflict issue. But I knew that sooner or later I would have to tell them I moved when I tried to get the HR20, so I called and told them I moved. That actually reduced my bill because I no longer had to pay for the DNS and locals. So even with the $2 increase if I change to just a single package, I'm still ahead of the game from what I was paying.

JeffZ81

12-25-2007, 05:59 PM

Well, in a perfect world, changing base packages should NOT have an effect on this. BUT, since we are talking D*'s world, personally I would NOT be taking the chance of loosing them, considering the sheer hassle of trying to get them back. ;)

I've changed premiums/HD pkg several times on-line under my grandfathered TCP pkg & have never had a problem loosing it. ;)

But have you changed your base package? I assume your current package is one of those that is no longer available but that you can keep since you are a long time customer?

I am concerned that if I want to add the Biography channel or the Science channel, etc., then I have to get a new base package (you can not just add these channels ala carte like the HD Access Package), and DirecTV may then have to reprogram in all the channels and subsequently not give me DNS because of the new restrictions and the availability of local-in-local HD access. Thanks.

JeffZ81

12-25-2007, 06:07 PM

Nope, but I was about ready to give it a try, since I have NOT added the HD xtra pkg back on yet; just hadn't gotten around to it yet. Hmm, now you have me worried now, since I do NOT want to loose my TC+ pkg, since I have lifetime DVR. :eek: Maybe I might just call this one in, just to be safe... :confused:

I added the HD Access Package on-line; not a problem with affecting DNS.

JeffZ81

12-25-2007, 06:11 PM

Yes, DNS is gone. What happened was I was living in CA and had them there along with locals due to grandfathering on the DNS. I moved here and 'forgot' ;) to tell them I moved. I was also able to get my HD locals here OTA so it was great as I could use the time zone difference to solve just about any conflict issue. But I knew that sooner or later I would have to tell them I moved when I tried to get the HR20, so I called and told them I moved. That actually reduced my bill because I no longer had to pay for the DNS and locals. So even with the $2 increase if I change to just a single package, I'm still ahead of the game from what I was paying.

Not necessarily. You could have purchased the HR20, and had it installed yourself. I take it you obtained a deal to have DirecTV pay for the HR20 and/or the install and that is why you had to give them the Texas address? Curious if you "move' back to CA if you could get them back? I doubt it.

CrashHD

12-25-2007, 07:30 PM

Mark Lopez

12-25-2007, 07:53 PM

Not necessarily. You could have purchased the HR20, and had it installed yourself. I take it you obtained a deal to have DirecTV pay for the HR20 and/or the install and that is why you had to give them the Texas address? Curious if you "move' back to CA if you could get them back? I doubt it.

Yes, but originally I got an e-mail for a free upgrade. In order to do that I had to have them use my address here in Texas, and of course that would have triggered the move anyway. So I first officially moved (and promptly lost DNS) I then called for the free deal but they refused to just send it to me even though I told them I already had the 5 LNB dish. After going back and forth, they basically told me there was no entry in the system to do it that way (BS or not I don't know). So instead of wasting a day at home waiting for in installer and risking getting an HR21, I just bought an HR20 at Best Buy and activated it over the phone. Next, I e-mailed them saying I still wanted the free DVR they offered (I don't care which HR2x I get for this one). They respnded that since there is already one on my account (that I paid for), they said they could ship this one (for free). As for HD DNS, I don't really care anymore because I'm confident they will be gone very soon anyway.

Mark Lopez

12-25-2007, 07:59 PM

How does/did one get DNS anyway? From the context of what I have read (this thread and others), I gather that it is not possible to get them if you don't already have them, and once you loose them, they're gone for good? Is that correct?

I got mine way back when they first came out and you had to get the waivers yourself and was grandfathered in for most of the changes over the years. I still had both E & W coast SD feeds, but lost the E coast HD feed a couple of years ago (everyone lost one of the HD coast feeds). As far as I know it's not easy if even possible to still get them. The exception might be the RV folks, but I'm not sure.

JeffZ81

12-25-2007, 09:51 PM

Yes, but originally I got an e-mail for a free upgrade. In order to do that I had to have them use my address here in Texas, and of course that would have triggered the move anyway. So I first officially moved (and promptly lost DNS) I then called for the free deal but they refused to just send it to me even though I told them I already had the 5 LNB dish. After going back and forth, they basically told me there was no entry in the system to do it that way (BS or not I don't know). So instead of wasting a day at home waiting for in installer and risking getting an HR21, I just bought an HR20 at Best Buy and activated it over the phone. Next, I e-mailed them saying I still wanted the free DVR they offered (I don't care which HR2x I get for this one). They respnded that since there is already one on my account (that I paid for), they said they could ship this one (for free). As for HD DNS, I don't really care anymore because I'm confident they will be gone very soon anyway.

Even if DNS is gone soon, you still would have had access to the California locals of the affiliates in your area, if of interest to you.

parzec

12-26-2007, 02:05 AM

Does changing packages reset the programming committment ? That might be something to consider.

dishrich

12-26-2007, 10:42 AM

But have you changed your base package? I assume your current package is one of those that is no longer available but that you can keep since you are a long time customer?

I am concerned that if I want to add the Biography channel or the Science channel, etc., then I have to get a new base package (you can not just add these channels ala carte like the HD Access Package), and DirecTV may then have to reprogram in all the channels and subsequently not give me DNS because of the new restrictions and the availability of local-in-local HD access. Thanks.

No, I have never changed from TCP since it first came out.
Yes, you WOULD have to change your base pkg to Choice Xtra, to get those channels like you mentioned. Again technically, it should NOT screw up your DNS, but others have reported having this problem - YMMV.

dishrich

12-26-2007, 10:47 AM

I added the HD Access Package on-line; not a problem with affecting DNS.

Uh, reread TolloNodre point that I was responding to - we were NOT talking about DNS, but our grandfathered base pkg TCP, since D* rolled out their new website software... ;) :confused:

Mark Lopez

12-26-2007, 05:35 PM

Even if DNS is gone soon, you still would have had access to the California locals of the affiliates in your area, if of interest to you.

No, because they had moved most of them to the spot beams. I think there was only one left that I was able to get here.

JeffZ81

12-26-2007, 09:25 PM

No, because they had moved most of them to the spot beams. I think there was only one left that I was able to get here.

Right. I had forgot about that. I know at 400 miles the main networks are still received (although distance may vary by region) but not the other channels, i.e., independent channels. Not sure what the limit is for the main networks, but most likely not to Texas. I'm surprised you received even one channel from CA in TX.