Upgrade Now?

[stevmead]

I have 2 HR10's and a couple old sd directivos. Have had the $100 per month package for as long as I can remember.
I get all the HD locals I need OTA. The $10 HD package is (was) fine for me. I don't need or would not watch an additional 50+ HD channels.
I have been receiving the D phone calls and e-mails regarding upgrading my equipment. They have offered 2 HR20/21's including dish and install for basically nothing (shipping).
I prefer the TIVO interface and dual buffers. I have had zero problems with my HR10's and see no present need to upgrade. Different story when they take away my HD package channels.
My concern is that if I wait much longer the free upgrade will be off the table and when I do have to switch i am at their mercy. I'm considering taking the offer now and using the HR20/21's as doorstops until I need them. Assuming D will let me keep my HR10's, is any downside to my plan? Will the new dish work with my HR10's?

Thanks

[JimSpence]

The 5LNB dish will work with the HR10s. Only you can determine if you want to upgrade.

[newsposter]

when you say doorstop to you mean unsubbed? I'm pretty sure activation is required or there is a penalty.

[stevmead]

when you say doorstop to you mean unsubbed? I'm pretty sure activation is required or there is a penalty.

Correct, $10 monthly doorstops

[newsposter]

i can only assume you dont have the wiring capability to stack units or otherwise use them. This of course assumes you

1. need extra space

2. like at least one show on one of the 70+ new HD channels and are interested

3 need more tuners

4. need more flexibility in other room viewing.

I guess the part that i dont get is you say use as a doorstop until you need them. By definition that means you dont need them today and must not be interested in any of the new HD and that is fine of course. But what i dont understand is what channels or what are you waiting for that would determine that you 'do' need them? It is pretty pointless to pay 10 /month when in 20 months (the cost of a full price upgrade now) there may be a new receiver, new channels etc out there and you would have wasted the 10/month.

[Mark Lopez]

Have had the $100 per month package for as long as I can remember.

I get all the HD locals I need OTA.

I don't need or would not watch an additional 50+ HD channels.


I don't understand why if you get all the HD stuff you want OTA, you have the $100 package. And if you watch that many channels, I don't understand why you would not want to get as many as possible in HD.

[stevmead]

I don't understand why if you get all the HD stuff you want OTA, you have the $100 package. And if you watch that many channels, I don't understand why you would not want to get as many as possible in HD.

Didn't say I get all the HD stuff OTA, only the locals. My concern is I soon might (will) lose the HD ESPN, HBO, STIME, etc to MPEG4.
For me, for right now, the lack of dual buffers and OTA capabilities outweigh the new HD channels. I pay the $100 pkg for the convenience of having that many channels. For the occasional times I watch those channels, I can live with SD for the time being.
I understand my TV viewing habits are significantly different than yours.

[stevmead]

i can only assume you dont have the wiring capability to stack units or otherwise use them. This of course assumes you

1. need extra space

2. like at least one show on one of the 70+ new HD channels and are interested

3 need more tuners

4. need more flexibility in other room viewing.

I guess the part that i dont get is you say use as a doorstop until you need them. By definition that means you dont need them today and must not be interested in any of the new HD and that is fine of course. But what i dont understand is what channels or what are you waiting for that would determine that you 'do' need them? It is pretty pointless to pay 10 /month when in 20 months (the cost of a full price upgrade now) there may be a new receiver, new channels etc out there and you would have wasted the 10/month.

I'm not wired for 2 units in each room. I could run extra cables if I had to.
As in my original post, I'd switch to the HR20/21 when I could no longer access the HD channels I regularly watch. From what I've read that will be sooner rather than later

[RS4]

Didn't say I get all the HD stuff OTA, only the locals. My concern is I soon might (will) lose the HD ESPN, HBO, STIME, etc to MPEG4.
For me, for right now, the lack of dual buffers and OTA capabilities outweigh the new HD channels. I pay the $100 pkg for the convenience of having that many channels. For the occasional times I watch those channels, I can live with SD for the time being.
I understand my TV viewing habits are significantly different than yours.

Since it appears you can get the doorstops for $10/month, I'd say go for it. You appear to want to stay with D* and this will give you the insurance that you will have the equipment ready if/when they drop the HD channels you like. Another way to look at it is that you might pay up to $600 to get 2 boxes later, and you will also be eating up the 2-yr commitment at the same time, so that you may be able to take advantage of other options on down the road.

It certainly doesn't appear that D* or Tivo will be offering any kind of mpeg4 products in the near future so this would be an insurance plan for you.

Good luck with your choice.

[milominderbinder]

Why not use both the HR10's and the HR20's?

Let them send you the HR20's. Negotiate with them to give you HD for free for a year. That covers the cost of the added receivers at least for the first year.

If they keep calling you, you have made their lsit. Maybe you get the LA feeds or NY feeds? Maybe you have MLB EI or NFL ST?

If you answer yes to any of these you are on the hot sheet of people they need to convert to MPEG4 quickly.

Why not see if they will do they new subscriber deal with $20 off a month for a year. That will save you the entire cost of adding the HR20's for the full 24 months.

Why not see if you can get it all?

As to whether or not you will like the 87 new HD channels...

I must say after having the MPEG2's I was not expecting much. Wow, was I wrong. The MPEG4's are just stunning. It is not just the resolution, it is the color depth. The biggest disappointments are the HBO's because they are still limited resolution HD-Lite MPEG2 converted to MPEG4.

Make sure you follow the Ordering Tips (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=839938#post839938) & confirm your order and make sure you get HR20's (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=1270572#post1270572).

- Craig

[stevmead]

RS4 & Milo:

That's my situation. I'm in the LA area. Great info, thanks much

[RS4]

RS4 & Milo:

That's my situation. I'm in the LA area. Great info, thanks much

See there, Craig? We both actually helped the same person!! I guess it must be the season of the year :D

[milominderbinder]

See there, Craig? We both actually helped the same person!! I guess it must be the season of the year :D
Merry Chrsitmas, Ronald!

- Craig