Getting HDTV before Aug 1? [Archive]

Kitzhof

07-24-08, 05:57 PM

Hello everyone,

I'm new to this site. I recently bought a HD television and would like to add HDTV programming from Dish. As a current customer I'm wondering if anyone could explain to me whether or not I should wait until after August 1. I have heard that the programming is going to change from that date on.

Should this change play a role in my decision? Or doesn't it matter because I'm already a Dish customer?

Any help clearing this up for me would be greatly appreciated,

Kitzhof

space86

07-24-08, 06:28 PM

A Vip 722 and a Dish 1000, should pick up all the new HD channels.

Kitzhof

07-24-08, 07:06 PM

A Vip 722 and a Dish 1000, should pick up all the new HD channels.

Hello,

Thanks for your answer. However, I'm wondering about the programming, not the equipment.

Kitzhof

kstuart

07-24-08, 07:34 PM

If you are going to change to only HD channels, then you need to act either before August 1st or after August 1st depending on several factors which are discussed at length in other threads.

If you find that it would not be acceptable to be without some channels that are not in HD on Dish Network, such as Comedy Central or Fox News or FX (among others), then you will simply be adding one of two HD packages, which will not change on August 1st. One is $10 and includes any HD channels that are carried by Dish and for which you already subscribe to the SD channel. The other is $20 and also includes 7 other HD channels that have no SD equivalent.

PS People who do not currently have Dish Network are better off waiting until August 1st, and if they are in one of the Eastern markets that have HD Locals on the 61.5 satellite, then they are better off waiting even longer until the Dish 1000.4 dish is available (61.5/72.5/77).

billya

07-25-08, 10:53 AM

What do you think they mean by Tentative on the fllwing list of AbsoluteHD?

Golf/Vs
A&E
Animal Planet
Big Ten Network
Discovery Channel
ESPN
ESPN2
Food Network
HGTV
History
National Geographic
NBATV
NFL Network
Science Channel
TBS
USA (tentative)
Sci Fi (tentative)
TLC
TNT
HD Theater
HDNet
HDNet Movies
MHD
NHL Network
Universal
Animania
Equator
Family Room
Filmfest
Gallery
Game Play
HD News
Kung Fu
Monster

Plust this list (from a CSR) doesnt jive w what others are showing with this pkg
105 USA 9431
110 Food Network 9462
112 HGTV 9461
118 A&E 9419
119 Biography 9443
120 History 9491
122 Sci Fi 9432
129 Bravo 9492
138 TNT 9420
139 TBS 9499
140 ESPN 9424
142 ESPN News 9494
144 ESPN 2 9425
154 NFL 9426
172 Disney East 9433
174 Toon Disney 9449
176 Cartoon HD 9463
180 ABC Family 9434
182 Discovery 9487
183 The Learning Channel (TLC) 9488
184 Animal Planet 9489
186 National Geographic 9429
187 Hallmark Movies 9444
193 Science Channel 9490
200 CNN 9436
208 CNBC 9439
214 Weather Channel 9438
215 Travel Channel 9437
239 WGN 9446
362 HD Net 9422
364 HD Theater 9421
366 Universal 9427
369 MHD (music) 9469
374 Smithsonian
383 HD Net Movies 9423
385 MGM
394 World Fishing Network
398 Versus/Golf 9468
400 Tennis 9442
402 NBA 9508
403 NHL

kal915

07-25-08, 12:05 PM

Animania
Equator
Family Room
Filmfest
Gallery
Game Play
HD News
Kung Fu
Monster

These channels were dropped on May 12th

reddice

07-25-08, 01:20 PM

anex80

07-25-08, 01:31 PM

I just got HD installed and I have the Essentials pack which gives me the the HD versions of the channels I subscribe two however I get a few extra HD channels like HDNet and Universal. Will I sill get them after August 1st with the package that I currently have.

It is my understanding that any HD channels that do not currently have an SD equivalent (such as HDNet & Universal) will be moved to the HD Platinum package (currently the HD Ultimate package).

reddice

07-25-08, 01:57 PM

So it will cost me $20 with the package I have now. Is that correct.

Taco Lover

07-25-08, 02:08 PM

I just got HD installed and I have the Essentials pack which gives me the the HD versions of the channels I subscribe two however I get a few extra HD channels like HDNet and Universal. Will I sill get them after August 1st with the package that I currently have.
If you have HDNet Movies, UniversalHD, WFNHD, NBAHD, NHLHD, SmithsonianHD, and MGMHD, then you have the HD Ultimate, which includes the HD channels with SD counterparts. If your current package is AT??? with HD Ultimate, then it will stay exactly the same when 8/1 comes around.

billya

07-25-08, 02:37 PM

These channels were dropped on May 12th

Funny you say this because this list was just given to me yesterday (July 24) from a DISH rep. Maybe the $10 extra with cable is not so bad...at least when they do something not-nice i can just cancel my services.

Thanks

reddice

07-25-08, 02:52 PM

I am getting HDNet and UniversalHD with the everything pack and Essentials. Maybe they goofed up because I don't get SmithsonianHD, and MGMHD.

Taco Lover

07-25-08, 03:18 PM

I am getting HDNet and UniversalHD with the everything pack and Essentials. Maybe they goofed up because I don't get SmithsonianHD, and MGMHD.
Of course you get HDNet, but do you get HDNet Movies? It's a separate channel.

Could be a goof... I'm not familiar with what the Everything Pack does and does not have, though.

UniversalHD is part of HD Ultimate, or when 8/1 comes around "HD Platinum".

Stewart Vernon

07-25-08, 03:37 PM

HDNet is in the "Essentials" package. HDNet Movies is part of the "Ultimate" package.

UniversalHD is also part of the "Ultimate" package... BUT I believe it may be in free-preview mode for the Olympics... so it is possible that someone could have UniversalHD for the moment without being "Ultimate" but that is only temporary.

anex80

07-25-08, 04:05 PM

Any HD channels with non SD equivalants will be moved to the HD Platinum Pack come 8/1 regardless of where they exist now.

reddice

07-25-08, 04:15 PM

I am liking some of those extra HD channels. How much extra would it cost. I am paying $10 for essentials now.

anex80

07-25-08, 04:18 PM

I am liking some of those extra HD channels. How much extra would it cost. I am paying $10 for essentials now.

$10 more for HD Platinum (basically HD Ultimate).

reddice

07-25-08, 04:24 PM

Not bad. Will I have to call them come August 1st?

Taco Lover

07-25-08, 04:36 PM

Not bad. Will I have to call them come August 1st?
No.

reddice

07-25-08, 04:43 PM

Good because I don't want to deal with their customer service.

Taco Lover

07-25-08, 05:07 PM

Good because I don't want to deal with their customer service.
I meant if you want to pay the extra $10 for Ultimate/Platinum, you don't have to wait until 8/1. You still have to "deal with them" to order.

space86

07-26-08, 05:09 PM

Why is Dish going back to the Metal Packages ?

whatchel1

07-26-08, 08:50 PM

Why is Dish going back to the Metal Packages ?

Restructure of the packages before the fall buying season and $$$$$.

Jim5506

07-26-08, 09:17 PM

Have you investigated HD Absolute Package. You get all the HD channels but only SD channels corresponding to most of HD channels for $25 or more less per month than the regular HD offerings.

If you need an SD channel that is not offered in HD this is not for you.

I had AT100 DVR-Advantage with HD Ultimate and am saving $25 per month with HD Absolute.

YMMV.

jclewter79

07-27-08, 02:19 AM

Just finished up my upgrade for my new 722 about 2 and a half hours ago. I decided that with all the questions coming up I will go ahead and take the plunge now. Also, I must admit that when I explained to them what D* is offering with their current NFL Sunday Ticket promotion they were very responsive in wanting to get me into that 722 I have been wanting so badly. My install is scheduled for next sat 8-2-08. My only question is that I am in the Sherman TX/Ada OK DMA, and I know the the HD locals have already been announced to be scheduled for this summer or fall, does anybody know which bird they will be put on? So that I know that I am getting the right one to be ready for new locals coming soon.

bill-e

07-27-08, 08:37 AM

jclewter79

07-27-08, 08:58 AM

Hi folks, can you save me some time researching all the threads? I currently have the Everything pack with the most expensive HD tier. What will happen to my channels or cost after 8/1? I wish to remain getting all the channels.

Thanks

Absolutly nothing should happen to the price of your programming, the only thing that will change for you is that you will gain all 17 new channels on 8-1-08.

space86

07-27-08, 12:47 PM

Absolutly nothing should happen to the price of your programming, the only thing that will change for you is that you will gain all 17 new channels on 8-1-08.

Not if you don't subscribe to HBO. Must of the 17 channels are premium channels.

kal915

07-27-08, 12:58 PM

Not if you don't subscribe to HBO. Must of the 17 channels are premium channels.

He clearly said he had the Everything pack, so he does subscribe to HBO

Jim5506

07-27-08, 06:44 PM

All the new HD locals being currently added are on 61.5 spotbeams.

clue

07-27-08, 06:47 PM

PS People who do not currently have Dish Network are better off waiting until August 1st

Can someone explain why new subscribers are better off waiting until August 1st and the new plans? It seems like the new plans would be more expensive.

I was planning on ordering HD Absolute in the next day or two (prior to August 1st) and setting the install date after August 1st. Then once the details for the new Turbo plans come out I would be able to decide if I want to keep the HD Absolute or go with one of the new Turbo plans. If the Turbo plans are better than I would cancel my HD Absolute install and sign up for the Turbo. Would that work?

Any help would be appreciated! :)

Jim5506

07-27-08, 07:03 PM

At the present time there is no upgrade path to Turbo, it's only for NEW subs. After you have Absolute, you cannot switch to Turbo as the plans are currently constituted.

clue

07-27-08, 07:21 PM

Right, but after August 1st HD Absolute will no longer be available either. I was just curious as to why kstuart said for new customers to wait until after August 1st. I guess he meant more specifically for people that need RSN and only HD?

kal915

07-27-08, 08:56 PM

jacmyoung

07-27-08, 09:18 PM

Is it true the HD Absolute pack will end on 8/1?

IDRick

07-27-08, 09:37 PM

Is it true the HD Absolute pack will end on 8/1?

HD Absolute will no longer be available to new subs but current subs will be grandfathered in with the HD Absolute package.

HobbyTalk

07-27-08, 09:41 PM

The only advantage of HDGold + Platinum is it includes the RSNs. HD Absolute does not.

reddice

07-27-08, 10:16 PM

What are the RSNs. Are they the sports channels. I hope I can still get SNY HD feed for the Mets game since I live in New York with the Bronze package.

clue

07-27-08, 11:00 PM

What are the RSNs. Are they the sports channels. I hope I can still get SNY HD feed for the Mets game since I live in New York with the Bronze package.

RSN's = Regional Sports Networks

jacmyoung

07-27-08, 11:28 PM

HD Absolute will no longer be available to new subs but current subs will be grandfathered in with the HD Absolute package.

I wasn't clear, as an existing sub, can one still add HD Absolute after 8/1?

Stewart Vernon

07-27-08, 11:33 PM

I wasn't clear, as an existing sub, can one still add HD Absolute after 8/1?

Nope. If you don't have it before 8/1, you can't get it after.

HobbyTalk

07-28-08, 02:10 PM

I wasn't clear, as an existing sub, can one still add HD Absolute after 8/1?

HD Absolute isn't an "add-on" package. If you subscribe to HD Absolute you can only have that and add your LiL, that's it. Oh, you can add the Movie and CD channels (no Sirius) too.

kblee

07-28-08, 04:29 PM

Any HD channels with non SD equivalants will be moved to the HD Platinum Pack come 8/1 regardless of where they exist now.

So - you're indicating that those of us with an AT package and Essentials are going to lose MHD and HDNet on 8/1? This is the first I have heard of this... :confused:

Taco Lover

07-28-08, 05:06 PM

So - you're indicating that those of us with an AT package and Essentials are going to lose MHD and HDNet on 8/1? This is the first I have heard of this... :confused:
Naw, it's actually the channels in the Ultimate pack. 7 of them, I believe.

compubit

07-29-08, 11:14 PM

I just "downgraded" from AT100 + Dish Ultimate + Locals + Superstations + DVR + Dish Protection plan to HD Absolute with Locals + Superstations + DVR + Dish Protection plan - and dropped my bill from over $20 per month.

Lost a few channels (OK, quite a few), but have enough to keep me happy in HD (have trouble with the SD stuff on the big screen anyway!). I was surprised, though, that the SD versions stayed (I have an SD receiver I was expecting to only use for locals, but do have some SD on it...).

Even if I don't pick up any new channels on 8/1, it's a better deal, IMHO!

Jim

Kitzhof

07-30-08, 01:48 PM

Thank you all for your answers.

I have a few more questions:

So if I get HD Absolute before Aug 1, I will have a 24-month commitment, right?
Are there any special deals as far as Premium channels free for 3 months or something like that?
If my locals are not available in HD will I be able to get them in SD with this package?
Does anyone know if I can add a foreign (non-HD) channel to this package?

Thank you for your help,

Kitzhof

cudwortho

07-31-08, 12:04 AM

I currently have America's Everything Pack w/ DishHD Ultimate. I find myself 95% of the time only watching the HD channels. Wouldn't it be in my best interest to switch to DishHD Absolute and save some money before August 1st? To my understanding if I were to do this the only HD channels I would be missing after the switch would be Fox Sports Mid West since thats my RSN?

I'm still a little confused, but it my statement correct?
Any thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks!

cg7879

07-31-08, 02:39 AM

Hopefully this will clear up any confusion. After 8/1, there will be no HD-only package for current customers. Until Dish changes their mind that is. I did, however, hear something the other day that said current customers can get the Turbo package in Feb. The current HD packages will change in name only. Bronze, Gold, and Silver will be the current Essentials package for The AT100, 200, and 250, respectively. Platinum will be a $10 add-on just like the current Ultimate package is.

Mike Kennedy

07-31-08, 05:25 AM

cudwortho

07-31-08, 03:32 PM

I switched to DishHD Absolute and I was under the impression I would still get HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, and Starz in HD. I called customer service and they ensured me I would be getting those channels, but they are still red on my program guide. Do I just need to wait alittle longer or should I not be getting those channels?

HobbyTalk

07-31-08, 04:01 PM

You will get them is you subscribe to them (at an extra cost).

Alsat

07-31-08, 04:16 PM

You will get them is you subscribe to them (at an extra cost).

I currently do not have a dish pointing to the sat with HBO HD, but I subscribe to HBO. If I have an HD reciever and had a dish pointing to the right satellite, would I get HBO in HD or is that an extra cost over and above the regular HBO subscription?

HobbyTalk

07-31-08, 04:18 PM

You have to subscribe to an HD package to get the HD versions.

kal915

07-31-08, 05:11 PM

I currently do not have a dish pointing to the sat with HBO HD, but I subscribe to HBO. If I have an HD reciever and had a dish pointing to the right satellite, would I get HBO in HD or is that an extra cost over and above the regular HBO subscription?

You should have a dish pointed at 110. If not then you're not getting some SD channels as well as HD channels: ESPN, HDNet, USA(there's a few more).

EscapeVelocity

07-31-08, 05:25 PM

Here is a handy discription and list of the Turbo HD packages.

www.turbo-hd.com

kal915

07-31-08, 05:47 PM

Here is a handy discription and list of the Turbo HD packages.

www.turbo-hd.com

Once again this is a retailer's website, so it might not be accurate

EscapeVelocity

07-31-08, 06:13 PM

I would say its probably more accurate than some of the speculation and rumors flying around this place.

jclewter79

07-31-08, 10:30 PM

I would say its probably more accurate than some of the speculation and rumors flying around this place.

With an online sat. retailer, I would not bet any more money on that than I would be willing to lose.

Stewart Vernon

07-31-08, 11:17 PM

I would say its probably more accurate than some of the speculation and rumors flying around this place.

Actually, it's probably likely that such a Web site is even the source of some rumors and speculation online!

Seriously... When corporate Web sites like Dish and DirecTV are not always updated with changes, I find resellers to be notoriously unreliable. One reseller that was quoted/linked last year was using a list of HD channels carried by DirecTV in such a way to make it look like those same channels were available via Dish as well. The reseller sold both, but their Web site design made it look like the same channel lineup was available either way.

So I kinda don't trust the reseller Web sites that much these days.

EscapeVelocity

07-31-08, 11:30 PM

Well I heard that it was accurate, on dbstalk. ;)

Alsat

08-01-08, 10:15 AM

You have to subscribe to an HD package to get the HD versions.

That is what I thought. The neighbor got rid of 4 70+ foot tall pines out of their yard so I might be able to see 110 and 119 instead of just 119 if I move the dish.

But if I have to pay extra, I don't see the need to.