[whodave]

Here's what DirecTV's Tier 2 help section (866-678-6664 direct to this department) told me tonight:

1. They are replacing my year old HD DVR HR10-250 (the $1000 unit that some refer to) with a new one because of the HDMI problems that I have. I actually bought the unit from Best Buy but DTV is still replacing it. I have to return my old HR10-250, but they'll allow me to keep it for a while to empty the contents.

2. The lease program starts in March, but only for new customers. Existing customers will not be charged equipment lease fees for their equipment.

3. For $99, they will send you a new dish with 5 LNBs when the new satellites are activated.

4. Existing HD receivers / HD DVRs will not be able to receive the new HD channels on the new satellites. If you have an HD receiver, they will replace it at no charge and it will become your property.

5. If you have an HD DVR, they will initially replace it with a new HD receiver. Once the new HD DVRs become available in late 2nd quarter or early 3rd quarter, they will swap with you again and it will become your property. You will have to send them your original HD DVR.

6. You can choose to keeps your existing HD receiver or HD DVR and they will continue to operate with the existing 3 satellites, but you won't be able to receive the new satellites.

This, of course, sounds too good to be true and that means that it probably is too good to be true. But the two people that I talked to at two different times tonight had the same story and told me that this is what they're being told during training.

 

[HDTiVo]

Too good to be true would be they'll swap your HR10-250 for an S3 hacked to receive satellite in late Q4.

 

[tase2]

Too good to be true would be they'll swap your HR10-250 for an S3 hacked to receive satellite in late Q4.

Amen Brother! :up:

 

[whodave]

Does that mean that I won't get a replacement HR10-250 for my HDMI challenged HR10-250 or that DTV will give me an inferior HD DVR when it comes time for the new satellite swap meet? BTW, what is an S3?

 

[elbodude]

That sounds COMCASTIC!!! When Comcast rolls out TiVo, D* is gone from my house.

S3 is TiVo's new box.

 

[Gregor]

Too good to be true would be they'll swap your HR10-250 for an S3 hacked to receive satellite in late Q4.

Unfortunately I think DTV is going to stay with their own DVR box. If they were going to re-up with TiVo I think that would have been announced.

As many DTV customers haven't seen a DVR, any DVR looks good to them. The SKY DVR in the UK has gotten a tremendous acceptance.

It's kind of a shame as there is a product that is so much better out there that many customers will never see

 

[Stanley Rohner]

Here's what DirecTV's Tier 2 help section (866-678-6664 direct to this department) told me tonight:

2. The lease program starts in March, but only for new customers. Existing customers will not be charged equipment lease fees for their equipment.

I never figured they'd start charging people lease fees for equipment we already own. If we(existing customers) need new equipment after March 1st and we get it from DIRECTV we'll be paying fees to lease it I'm sure.

 

[samo]

I never figured they'd start charging people lease fees for equipment we already own. If we(existing customers) need new equipment after March 1st and we get it from DIRECTV we'll be paying fees to lease it I'm sure.

My understanding is that existing customers will pay $5/month mirror fees instead of $5 leasing fees. After March 1st existing customers who need new equipment will have a mixed account - they will be paying leasing fees for new equipment and mirror fees for the old equipment. New and existing subs will still have to pay upfront money for DVRs and HD DVRs. You will still be able to buy R10 and HR10-250 in stores while supply last, but you will not get any rebates. All DVRs available to new or existing subs on lease program will be DirecTV DVRs.