How do you get an accurate answer from D*? Wait for Earl?

[jeffjorgy]

Directv was quick to send out a press release last year announcing that they were bringing HD locals to 25 new markets. We'll it is almost exactly a year later and my promised market (Des Moines) is still without local HD.

I sent a nice email off asking if there is any update and received this answer:

*******************
We had hoped to be able to offer HD local channels in your area by now and I’m sorry that we haven’t been able to. Our newest HD-capable receivers have been more popular than we expected. As a result, we’ve had to slow down our timetable for offering HD locals in new markets until we feel like we’ve got enough equipment to meet the demand.
*******************

Serious? They haven't delivered because of HD-capable receivers? Funny I haven't heard of a shortage. Every Best Buy I checked has their allotment.

I guess it doesn't pay to ask D*, I'll just wait for Earl.

It is so sad the best communication you get from a company is from an unpaid enthusiast.

Thanks Earl.

[Stuart Sweet]

It's true that there's been incomplete and incorrect information from DIRECTV, but they are hardly alone in that the user community, with a real passion for the product, is better informed than a low-paid, overworked, CSR who thinks it's just a job.

Earl deserves credit, as do hundreds of dedicated enthusiasts here, but that's not a slam on DIRECTV. They created a product we care about, that's actually a good thing.

[paulman182]

I can see where local markets lighting up in HD could cause a shortage of HR20s. I don't think D* is referring to the stock at Best Buy (which probably accounts for a very small percentage of their sales,) but the stock among installers.

Already in this rural area there is a 3-week wait to get an HR20 installed. When our locals show up in HD, that'll have to get worse, unless there are more HR20s available, or perhaps more installers to put them in.

I have no inside information and I'm certainly not Earl, but if several markets got HD locals in a small period of time, D* had better have lots of equipment available.

[blueoyster]

It's true that there's been incomplete and incorrect information from DIRECTV, but they are hardly alone in that the user community, with a real passion for the product, is better informed than a low-paid, overworked, CSR who thinks it's just a job.

Earl deserves credit, as do hundreds of dedicated enthusiasts here, but that's not a slam on DIRECTV. They created a product we care about, that's actually a good thing.

But the truth is this is the place to find out what's going on.Not D*'s releases or CSR's.The Moderators and Enthusiasts here are priceless!:up:

[bonscott87]

They announced a few months ago that they would be waiting until D11 launches (scheduled for Dec 07/Jan 08) and active before launching much in the way of HD locals. You might see a few more by year's end but I wouldn't count on too many until next Spring.

[Greg Alsobrook]

But the truth is this is the place to find out what's going on.Not D*'s releases or CSR's.The Moderators and Enthusiasts here are priceless!:up:

Amen... pass the biscuits

[JonVig]

But the truth is this is the place to find out what's going on.Not D*'s releases or CSR's.The Moderators and Enthusiasts here are priceless!:up:

+ 1 :D

[longrider]

Another thought is that with the rollout of national HD, a lot of people are installing H20/HR20 for that purpose. Now when they turn on HD locals a lot (I would guess majority) of the HD subscribers will already have the new equipment.

[Milominderbinder2]

This is consistent with what DIRECTV is doing with the HD roll-out as well.

Have you also noticed that DIRECTV has as yet not even made a press release that the new HD channels are here? They pulled their HD ads in August when the wait times were starting to go up in anticipation of the new channels.

Look at this thread:

What the Deals are, and what are you being told by CSR? (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=1174192#post1174192)

We are routinely seeing installation times of 3-4 weeks. In some areas they are already up to 4-5 weeks. In July, installation lead times were a few days.

Remember last fall when the HR20 installation times got as long as 8 weeks and then they finally put everyone on waiting lists? Some were on those lists for months.

Right now they are at the full capacity of their call centers and installers.

They have to be careful to open up this valve slowly so that they can build demand at a rate that they can handle.

Can I ask how far you are away from Des Moines? Is OTA an option?

- Craig