I recently recorded a show on HDNet movies and got a recording the entire length that it was an unpurchased channel. I emailed DirecTV and they said I only had a "preview" of it. But, I'm almost certain I had it as long as I've had my HD package (8+ months). They said I'm only entitled to HD channels that have an SD companion. But, I get the regular HDNet channel. Has anyone else had this happen to them? Or, contacted them and had them add it back?

HDNet Movies is part of their "HD Access" channel package. We've known about this since December 15...if you subscribe to it now, you'll get 3 months free before the 4.99 charge kicks in...

HDNet Movies is part of their "HD Access" channel package. We've known about this since December 15...if you subscribe to it now, you'll get 3 months free before the 4.99 charge kicks in...

HD Extra Pack, not HD Access

My bad ;)

I understand that it is an extra package, now, but shouldn't people who received it before they moved it into another package still be able to receive it?

My understanding is once you change from the old/grandfathered programming tiers, you go by the new tiers. I do not have locals, but if I change now I have to get them with the new tiers.

I didn't change my plan. Just, one day HDNet Movies was gone

jasonclovis - It happened to everyone. No one kept it (i think). You'll also notice that you don't have SmithsonianHD, The Weather Channel HD, and a few others...

jasonclovis - It happened to everyone. No one kept it (i think). You'll also notice that you don't have SmithsonianHD, The Weather Channel HD, and a few others...

The Weather Channel HD wasn't taken away by the HD Extra Pack. Channels that are part of the HD Extra Pack:

HDNet Movies
MGM HD
MHD
Smithsonian HD
Universal HD

Matt

Yes, originally HDNet was going there, too, but Mark Cuban sued based upon their contract and got HDNet taken out of the HD Extra package.

And, no, just because a channel was in a package previously does not mean you still get it. Packages are changed all the time for all TV providers.

I didn't change my plan. Just, one day HDNet Movies was gone

Your original post indicates that you signed up about 8 months ago. This puts you in the timeframe for receiving the 5LNB dish and the MPEG4 capable receivers. That's why you lost HDNet Movies. You received it during the "preview" period and then on the 15th of December it went away because you did not subscribe to the package.

I still have HDNet Movies because I have not converted to the MPEG4 package and equipment.

Call Direct up and they may give you a 3 month extension...

Its kind of stupid that they now have HD packages or seem to head that way.

I expect that when I pay extra for HD, that I should get all channels that have an HD counterpart in my current standard package in HD as well.

Its kind of stupid that they now have HD packages or seem to head that way.

I expect that when I pay extra for HD, that I should get all channels that have an HD counterpart in my current standard package in HD as well.

That's the way it works with the new HD Extra pack from Directv. When you subscribe to the HD Access Pack, you get all HD counterparts of the SD channels you receive via your subscribed packages (along with HDNet).

The channels in the HD Extra Pack do not have a SD counterpart.

I know the creation of the HD Extra pack and the migration of HDNet Movies to it has ticked off a good number of people, but Directv (and every other provider) can change their programming packages at any time.

That's the way it works with the new HD Extra pack from Directv. When you subscribe to the HD Access Pack, you get all HD counterparts of the SD channels you receive via your subscribed packages (along with HDNet).

The channels in the HD Extra Pack do not have a SD counterpart.

I know the creation of the HD Extra pack and the migration of HDNet Movies to it has ticked off a good number of people, but Directv (and every other provider) can change their programming packages at any time.

HDNet Movies is part of their "HD Access" channel package. We've known about this since December 15...

Plus information about the new package started going out in October of last year.

Topic title changed.

I don't have a problem paying for any form of packaging of HD programming as much as I do having to pay for an SD base package to get it.

Your original post indicates that you signed up about 8 months ago. This puts you in the timeframe for receiving the 5LNB dish and the MPEG4 capable receivers. That's why you lost HDNet Movies. You received it during the "preview" period and then on the 15th of December it went away because you did not subscribe to the package.

I still have HDNet Movies because I have not converted to the MPEG4 package and equipment.

I subscribed 8 years ago, and have not converted to the Mpeg4 package, and they yanked HDNet Movies from me this week.

I accepted the three months free, but after that, it is gone. I also canceled HBO, and downgraded to the family plan. D* is not going to make more money from me for this theft of service.

I subscribed 8 years ago, and have not converted to the Mpeg4 package, and they yanked HDNet Movies from me this week.

I accepted the three months free, but after that, it is gone. I also canceled HBO, and downgraded to the family plan. D* is not going to make more money from me for this theft of service.

"Theft" is a bit strong. Directv's customer agreement gives them the right to modify packages at any time. And no one complained when the total HD channel count went from 3 to 100 with no extra charge. Also, at some point in the very near future you'll have to upgrade to an MPEG4 receiver if you want to receive ANY HD from Directv.

"Theft" is a bit strong. Directv's customer agreement gives them the right to modify packages at any time. And no one complained when the total HD channel count went from 3 to 100 with no extra charge. Also, at some point in the very near future you'll have to upgrade to an MPEG4 receiver if you want to receive ANY HD from Directv.

I'm still trying to figure out how I get 100. Many are spot beam RSN's; while many others are premium subscriptions. I'm not thouroughly complaining but my grandfathered package is hard to compare to the new packages. It looks as though I'm going to have more B.S. charges (DVR,Extra receivers x 3,HD access, HD extra, Equipment rental) than actual programming.

I'm still trying to figure out how I get 100.

You're exactly right with your point. The total number available doesn't mean that everyone will get them with their typical packages. I should have modified my statement to say something like "no one complained when the total number of HD channels available to most customers multiplied by 10x without a corresponding rate increase."

I subscribed 8 years ago, and have not converted to the Mpeg4 package, and they yanked HDNet Movies from me this week.

I accepted the three months free, but after that, it is gone. I also canceled HBO, and downgraded to the family plan. D* is not going to make more money from me for this theft of service.

If you have d* and an hd set and you HAVEN'T upgraded to mpeg4.. you are robbing yourself.

I have to say that though this tier is the most asinine ever created.

If you have d* and an hd set and you HAVEN'T upgraded to mpeg4.. you are robbing yourself.
Especially when there are some good deals to be had for the MPEG4 gear if you get a sympathetic ear at D*. I simply asked if they could match the equipment deal Comcast was offering and they did.

Not only that, paying $10 a month for a handfull of low bit rate MPEG2 channels is a bad value - kind of like half the extra pack.

I have to say that though this tier is the most asinine ever created.
My issue is the extreme lack of channels for the money - and the fact that at least 2 are still MPEG2. I might even give them a pass on the channel count if they were at least be shown at the best possible quality.

Of course, now that UHD is now butchering their movies, it only leaves HDNet Movies as the single channel I care about in the pack. Even though there are some real gems shown on that channel, I just can't justify it, especially at MPEG2.

A year or two of $5 a month becomes a decent chunk out of the price of a Blu-Ray player.

I do plan to convert to the MPEG4 package, but I'm having solar PV panels installed on my roof this month and I want to wait on the new 5LNB dish installation until after the PV panels are in to make sure I'm not casting a shadow. I'm also trying to wait for the SWM to be generally available. I want to put a HR21 in a bedroom with only a single coax line.

NetworkTV commented:
> Of course, now that UHD is now butchering their movies <

Are they actually butchering them? I.e., editing content? Or just adding annoying commercial breaks? Their lead-in slates on movies would seem to indicate the later.

- Tim

Definitely bummed about the new tier for more money. I actually didn't realize it was going to change even though it's apparent there was no secret to it changing. While I can't stand MTV anymore, MHD actually had a few decent concerts in gorgeous hi-def. Watched a documentary on Nick Drake before the channel went away.

I definitely would tune into the channels that are now gone, but it's not worth $60 a year.

I've been following these threads since I knew I would be updating from my old MPEG2 receiver to one of the new MPEG4 models.

I have had the 9.99 HD access package for a while now (3 years.... maybe more...).

Just a couple of days ago I upgraded to a new HR21 receiver.

From what I've read I would've expected to lose HDNet Movies and UHD once I upgraded my receiver and authorized the new box. But I haven't lost them. I don't appear to have the HD Extra Pack added to my account since I don't get Smithsonian, MGM HD, or MHD so that doesn't account for their being there for me.

I also see I have NBA HD working now, but don't get (and never did get) NBA TV before.

I was under the impression no grandfathering was taking place if I changed my receiver and I also thought I'd only get HD channels if I had their SD equivalents in my current package.

I'm just curious if I'm getting what I'm supposed to, or if I am getting more than I'm supposed to.

-AKH

^^^ Be very, very qwyat or the wabbits might hear.