I still have the old 3 LNB dish with one old Zenith SatHD520 receiver, one D* Tivo (non HD), and one LG HD receiver (can't recall model# right now). One of the lines coming directly out of my dish is bad (I'm thinking it could some of the internal wiring to the dish) = meaning I have no signal when hooked up to that line but get the signal when moving the cable to any of the other 3 lines. Anyway, instead of repairing old school equipment should I go ahead and get my D* equipment (dish and receivers) upgraded? If so, can I buy the receivers (where?) or am I required to lease them (would prefer not to have to add to my monthly bill)?

Thanks

There is no additional cost for leasing, the current mirror fee you pay for your additional receivers becomes your lease fee. If the primary receiver is leased, there is no additional fee added. Basically if you replaced your 520 and LG model with leased H20's, your bill would remain the same.

You can buy H20's and HR20's at Costco now, but I don't see the point. As stated above there is no additional lease fee and if your equipment fails, Directv will send you a new box, you have to return the old box (thier dime)and pay $20.95 Fedex shipping fee to have the new box sent to you. If your bought box fails you would have to buy another one for the cost of the box.

Awesome - I had no idea it was this simple. So I guess I should get on board with all the others calling in to get a low or next-to-nothing price on the install of the new dish and receivers. Thanks!

What are you getting for low cost ? I just called D* about upgrading to HD and for an HD DVR it is $299 and that includes the new dish and installation. The rep did offer $5 off my bill for one year and FREE HD for one year.

I'm wondering if I can get a better deal out of them, and if I even want to get D* 's HD. From what I understand, cable is better !?

I suggest you start here if you are looking for a deal on the HR20 - http://www.dbstalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=113

As for cable is better, lots of variables can change the answer to that question, it should be, is it better then your local cable.

Thanks for the link !! I am going to call them back today and say I am going to cancel.

the dish install is free with maybe a 19.95 service chg. plus tax

the h-20 receivers can typically be leased for free

the hr-20 with a $100 discount for $199.

they usually waive the $19.95 fee

there is a internal guideline at directv that you can basically upgrade 1 item for free every 6 months. discuss the options with the csr. I usually have better luck calling m-f in the morning with the csr staff in wyoming. there is so much a regular csr can do. the next step is customer retention route.

for 2 h20's, 1 hr20, dish upgrade, installation the chg was $199 with the $19.95 plus tax fee waived. they also credited me the $99 superfan chg.

depending on programing and/or customer standing you can haggle some. the csr typically can do so much with equipment side then you start with programming charge deductions. for example...waive $99 superfan chg., 6 months of free hd programming, 3 months free hbo and showtime, etc.

I think the entire upgrade process needs improvement. they should stop this practice of haggling and offer a more consistant user friendly process to be more fair to all customers. there are too many angles and deals.

for example offer free h20's, $100 off an hr20, free antenna and installation...and just move on. the internal accounting side of this process also needs improvements. the installer fees and commissions. etc.

I have better luck telling retention that I want to stay and not cancel. I tell them that I just want to take advantage of all the deals they are giving to all the other customers who threaten to leave.

I have another question (or two) - is it in my best interest to have it installed by D*? In the past we have always done the install/setup ourselves (only for older 3LNB dish). Plus, since the dish is supposedly much larger, will it be able to be mounted on the edge of my roof in the current location of the 3LNB dish (or should I just let the installer figure that out on install day)?

the new 5 lnb dish is more challenging to install than the other dishes (without the proper instrumentation and experience).

have directv do the install since it is basically free.

I have installed satellite since the mid 80's could have done it myself but my instrumentation is a little out of date for the new satellites and I was lucky. the directv installer did a great job at all the installs I have been involved in.

The dish is heavier and bigger with a larger mounting system and can be installed where you suggest. you would just need more room (not much) for the mount and 2 support struts. I would remove the old mount and just leave the base attached and start new somewhere beside the older setup. or you can have installer determine location at time of installation.

I just got off the phone with DirecTV. The CSR I spoke with was very nice and a pleasure to do business with.

Here is what I ended up getting:

FREE HR20 Receiver
FREE Shipping
FREE HD Programming for 1 year
FREE DVR Service for 1 year
$10 Credit on my bill for 1 year
$50 Credit for an Over-the-Air antenna. ( I get to buy any I want from anywhere
and they will install it for free)
Everything installed for free.
Install date is set for Friday Aug. 24th.

I think I did good !!!!

I need the OTA antenna because D*TV doesn't carry CBS HD and I want it for the Colts games. So I need to find an antenna that will pick it up here in Shelbyville, IN 46176. Any suggestions would be great!!

I think I did good !!!!

I need the OTA antenna because D*TV doesn't carry CBS HD and I want it for the Colts games. So I need to find an antenna that will pick it up here in Shelbyville, IN 46176. Any suggestions would be great!!

I think you did very good. Antenna:

http://www.warrenelectronics.com/antennas/pr7042.htm

That should serve you well.