DirecTV On Demand service question

[seas]

Hello all,

I'm not a current DTV subscriber because my old apartment building did not allow dishes to be installed on the roof. However, I've since moved from that place and am thinking about getting DTV, instead of Time Warner cable. I was talking to the DTV sales rep and asked him about the On Demand service. I really liked that feature on cable. I asked if I could get the HD DVR receiver but not the HD programming, so that I can get the On Demand Service. I don't have a HD tv set and don't think i'll be getting one any time soon. The rep said that HD programming was required in order to get On Demand, I asked why, he said he didn't know, but that is what his manager said...

Anyways, one thing the rep mentioned is that a customer does not need to subscribe to premium channels in order to be able to access that content via the On Demand service. This seems odd, because on cable if I wanted to watch a show/movie offered on the HBO or Showtime On Demand service, I had to be a subscriber to the HBO or Showtime channels. Is the rep correct, or is he dead wrong?

According to the rep, I'd be able to watch Entourage or Weeds through the On Demand service without having to subscribe to the HBO or Showtime packages.

I want to know if this is correct, because I don't want to then find out that he was wrong and i have equipment that I don't need and have to pay extra in order to get the service I really want.

Thanks.

[pjsauter]

Hi-

You need to subscribe to the premium channels in order to get access to their On-Demand counterparts (and have DVR service). So, it you want Weeds On-Demand, you need to subscribe to Showtime. If you want Entourage On-Demand, well, you won't get it, since HBO isn't (yet) available On-Demand at DirecTV.

Also, keep in mind that you need an Internet connection, since the On-Demand content is provided via your Internet connection.

[RACJ2]

Anyways, one thing the rep mentioned is that a customer does not need to subscribe to premium channels in order to be able to access that content via the On Demand service. This seems odd, because on cable if I wanted to watch a show/movie offered on the HBO or Showtime On Demand service, I had to be a subscriber to the HBO or Showtime channels. Is the rep correct, or is he dead wrong?
According to the rep, I'd be able to watch Entourage or Weeds through the On Demand service without having to subscribe to the HBO or Showtime packages.
I want to know if this is correct, because I don't want to then find out that he was wrong and i have equipment that I don't need and have to pay extra in order to get the service I really want.
Thanks.As was mentioned, if you don't subscribe to Showtime, you won't be able to watch any Showtime On Demand. So they were wrong. Also, D* has no HBO on demand programming right now.

On Demand for satellite is different then cable. The on demand programs have to download to your DVR. Some you can start watching right away and you never catch up to the download. If its a large file such as a 3 hr HD movie, you might not be able to watch it for a couple hours.

Don't know the answer to your question about an HD requirement to get On Demand.

[davring]

If you can get your hands on an R22 SD DVR, it will, to my knowledge, work with On Demand. It is the 'ONLY' SD DVR with an Ethernet port. I saw them in Best Buy recently.

[joshjr]

If you can get your hands on an R22 SD DVR, it will, to my knowledge, work with On Demand. It is the 'ONLY' SD DVR with an Ethernet port. I saw them in Best Buy recently.

Solid Signal carries them. You could also check Ebay just make sure its a owned unit before buying it.

[LOCODUDE]

If you can get your hands on an R22 SD DVR, it will, to my knowledge, work with On Demand. It is the 'ONLY' SD DVR with an Ethernet port. I saw them in Best Buy recently.

This is correct. the R22, will allow you to access the VOD services. Due to it being an SD unit, you would not need HD access. Good luck.. :)

[seas]

Thanks everybody for responding...really sheds a light on what I suspected.

The rep didn't tell me that currently there is no HBO On Demand...I'm glad I didn't submit my order yet.

Thanks again.

[The Merg]

As for the HD service with the HD-DVR requirement, the subscriber agreement states that if you activate an HD-DVR, you need to subscribe to HD service. The exception to this is if you live in an MPEG-4 area for locals. In those locations, DirecTV is installing HD-DVR's for users only wanting SD service and waiving the HD service requirement. I am fairily certain that LA is not one of those areas, but someone else can correct me if I'm wrong.

- Merg

[lee78221]

As for the HD service with the HD-DVR requirement, the subscriber agreement states that if you activate an HD-DVR, you need to subscribe to HD service.
- MergTrue, but there is a loophole.

1) If you have HD access(Under My Services) and you must upgrade to CHOICE XTRA™ + HD DVR, then the Next day(As you can only change packs once a day) downgrade to CHOICE XTRA™ + DVR.

2) If you all ready have CHOICE XTRA™ + HD DVR then it's a simple downgrade to CHOICE XTRA™ + DVR.

Downgrading won't take away any of your HDDVR features(VOD,DirecTV2PC,Mediashare...etc) just Access to HD programing.


I hope DirecTV doesn't close this loophole, As it doesn't cheat them out of anything, You still only get what you pay for.


(I've ask Doug Brott in the past and he said it was fine to post this loophole.)

[The Merg]

True, but there is a loophole.

1) If you have HD access(Under My Services) and you must upgrade to CHOICE XTRA™ + HD DVR, then the Next day(As you can only change packs once a day) downgrade to CHOICE XTRA™ + DVR.

2) If you all ready have CHOICE XTRA™ + HD DVR then it's a simple downgrade to CHOICE XTRA™ + DVR.

Downgrading won't take away any of your HDDVR features(VOD,DirecTV2PC,Mediashare...etc) just Access to HD programing.


I hope DirecTV doesn't close this loophole, As it doesn't cheat them out of anything, You still only get what you pay for.


(I've ask Doug Brott in the past and he said it was fine to post this loophole.)

I'm not quite sure I am following you. The Equipment Lease Agreement states the following:


PROGRAMMING AGREEMENT.
Within 30 days of provision of DIRECTV equipment to you, or on the date that the professional installer has installed or is prepared to install your DIRECTV equipment, whichever is sooner, you agree to activate each and every DIRECTV Receiver ordered by you or provided to you with any DIRECTV® base programming package (valued at $29.99 per mo. or above); Jadeworld; or, any qualifying international service bundle, which bundle shall include either the DIRECTV® BASIC programming package (valued at $12.99 per mo.) or the DIRECTV PREFERRED CHOICE™ programming package (valued at $35.99 per mo.) together with any WorldDirect™ international-language service. DVR service activation ($6/mo.) required for DVR leases; HD Access fee ($10/mo.) required for HD Receiver leases; and, both DVR service and HD Access fee payment required for HD DVR leases.

PROGRAMMING TERM.
For a new DIRECTV customer, The programming package(s) must be maintained for a period of not less than twenty-four (24) consecutive months. For a current DIRECTV customer, the programming package(s) must be maintained for a period of not less than (a) twelve (12) consecutive months for accounts with only standard receiver(s), or (b) twenty-four (24) consecutive months for accounts with advanced product(s)/receiver(s) (DVR, HD, or HD DVR, including additional DIRECTV receiver(s)). After you have fulfilled the agreement to the required programming package(s), you are not obliged to continue your subscription to DIRECTV programming for any specific duration. Current DIRECTV customers may activate additional receivers with thier existing DIRECTV programming package. THIS AGREEMENT TO MAINTAIN PROGRAMMING IS SEPARATE AND DIFFERENT FROM ANY OTHER PROGRAMMING COMMITMENT YOU MAY HAVE MADE WITH DIRECTV AND IS FULLY ENFORCEABLE UNDER THESE TERMS.


Looking at that, if I get an HD-DVR, I would need to subscribe to HD service (either separately or within a package) for 24 months. Am I just misunderstanding your post?

Edit: Oh... I think I got you.. You're talking about if you currently have an HD-DVR and want to downgrade back to SD service and are out of your commitment period. Yes, I see how your procedure works. However, if you are activating a new receiver that is leased, I think you are stuck with the HD service for 12 or 24 months depending on the type of receiver. Now if your new receiver is owned, the Equipment Lease Addendum does not apply so there is no commitment to worry about.

- Merg

[lee78221]

I'm not quite sure I am following you. The Equipment Lease Agreement states the following:



Looking at that, if I get an HD-DVR, I would need to subscribe to HD service (either separately or within a package) for 24 months. Am I just misunderstanding your post?

Edit: Oh... I think I got you.. You're talking about if you currently have an HD-DVR and want to downgrade back to SD service and are out of your commitment period. Yes, I see how your procedure works. However, if you are activating a new receiver that is leased, I think you are stuck with the HD service for 12 or 24 months depending on the type of receiver. Now if your new receiver is owned, the Equipment Lease Addendum does not apply so there is no commitment to worry about.

- MergNot really, If you want to go by the letter of DirecTVs TOS then your right, but I'm of the option that it should be changed.

It helps DirecTV in having the HDDVR in the home before the user even thinks of HD and it pushes the user into going HD("I have a HDDVR, why not get HD from DirecTV?!")

But, right now I'm under lease and have a HDDVR(And I do plan in going HD in a few weeks) but through my "loophole"(Which can only be done online) I don't have HD programing(And I only have a 3 LNB dish).


I hope DirecTV doesn't close the loophole and DirecTV does change it's TOS.

[The Merg]

Not really, If you want to go by the letter of DirecTVs TOS then your right, but I'm of the option that it should be changed.

It helps DirecTV in having the HDDVR in the home before the user even thinks of HD and it pushes the user into going HD("I have a HDDVR, why not get HD from DirecTV?!")

But, right now I'm under lease and have a HDDVR(And I do plan in going HD in a few weeks) but through my "loophole"(Which can only be done online) I don't have HD programing(And I only have a 3 LNB dish).


I hope DirecTV doesn't close the loophole and DirecTV does change it's TOS.

So you initially signed up for HD service when you activated the receiver and then just downgraded the next day, is that correct? Although that is not what their TOS states, the fact that the website allows you to do it leads me to believe that they have accepted that. As stated here and other threads, DirecTV is now issuing HD-DVR's to those with SD service in MPEG4 markets and allowing those to be activated without HD service. That is obviously against their own TOS, but they are doing it.

- Merg

[lee78221]

So you initially signed up for HD service when you activated the receiver and then just downgraded the next day, is that correct? Although that is not what their TOS states, the fact that the website allows you to do it leads me to believe that they have accepted that.

- MergYes(Well, DirecTV signed me up per the TOS) . One would hope they accept it.

[Shades228]

Yes(Well, DirecTV signed me up per the TOS) . One would hope they accept it.


This is for owned equipment only. If you read the lease addendum it states this:
If you cease to be DIRECTV's customer for any reason (whether voluntarily or involuntarily) or if you decide to disconnect/cancel/terminate your DVR service or HD Access fee (if you are leasing a DVR or HD Receiver, respectively), you must call DIRECTV within seven (7) days after the termination of your DIRECTV programming services, DVR service or HD Access fee, as applicable, to obtain information from DIRECTV necessary to arrange for a ground or air freight service to pick up and deliver all of your DIRECTV equipment to DIRECTV.

I bolded the part about the programming. If you cancel your HD Access on a leased receiver they can reactivate the service if the receiver is still active or they can deactivate it and send you a recovery kit.

source: http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPage.jsp?assetId=P500014

[The Merg]

Good point Shades. I missed that part specifically, but I figured Lee was referring to a leased box to begin with which is why I initially quoted the Equipment Lease Addendum.

Your point just solidifies that it is not really a loophole in the website process then, if you are using a leased receiver. You are allowed to downgrade from HD to SD service, BUT you are required to notify DirecTV and then return the leased box.

- Merg