[Samuel_M]

Hello:


I’m in need of some expert advice concerning Dish Network’s HD receivers, in particular the 811.


Basically, I’ve got a cousin who purchased a new Hitachi HDTV a couple months back. He receives HD programming right now through Charter Cable. However, he’d like to drop it and replace it with a satellite provider due to lack of channels and poor customer service in his area. I told him he should consider VOOM or DirecTV, but he is leaning towards Dish Network for its international programming offerings that are not available anywhere else.


Ideally, he wants to be able to receive HD programming via satellite and combine it with OTA reception as well receive the standard SD fare, including international programming. Assuming that Dish Network is the way to go here, what is the best way he can get on a deal to get a new HD receiver from them? I seem to remember reading about an offer a while back on the 811, but a quick search didn’t reveal much. I’m hoping that someone here can enlighten me as to what his options might be should he decide to go the Dish Network route for HD…specifically, how do you get in on this deal (if there is one), and also, how reliable is the 811 in terms of performance, PQ, etc…


Thanks for taking the time to read my post, and I look forward to reading your thoughts and comments on the matter.


-Samuel

 

[jacmyoung]

Is your friend in Bay Area? If the international programming is needed, two dishes will be required, one Dish500 and the other 18" for 148 satellite. The second dish will probably cost more but if there are any of the local networks channels in your friend's market that are on the 148 bird, you can ask for the second dish installed for free. They are required to provide the second dish free of charge to give you all the local channels, otherwise $50 extra should do.


Currently there are two ways to get in on the 811 deal, one is purchasing which is free (hardware and install) but there is 24-month programming contract, the other is lease also no upfront cost and no contract but if you cancel the hardware has to be returned.


As far as 811, not the best reliable HD STB out there but acceptable if you can be patient with some issues they are working on. Do a search on 811 shold get you a few hits.

 

[rad]

Here's a forum dedicated to the 811 for questions/comments/issues/problems: http://www.satelliteguys.us/forumdisplay.php?f=46

You might want to check there before making a decision.


Also, if you can wait a month or two you might want to see what happens with D* and E* for HD programming. E* recently added TNT-HD but the rumor mills say that D* will have a bunch of new HD programming once they finish lighting up all the new local cities on D7S satellite.


Another issue is if you're looking for HD PVR. E* has the 921 and D* have the HR10-250 DirecTivo unit. Both units have limited availability but it looks like it's easier to get a HR10-250, folks have reported finding them in BB and CC, I got mine via the CC website, and other retailers which appears to be better then the 921, which was on a production hold for a number of months. There also appears to be less problems/bugs with the HR10-250 vs. the 921, a check of www.dbstalk.com, www.tivocommunity.com and www.satelliteguys.us will let you see what's happeing on that front if that's something you're interested in. Good luck.