HD and Grandfathered SD DNS?

[mrfatboy]

I have the SD Total Choice Plus with SD DNS. I have been grandfathered in for DNS. I would like to go to HD but I have heard that if I upgrade to HD I will loose my grandfathered SD DNS. I do get the locals in my area but I really like getting East/West channels.

Is this still true? If I upgrade to HD will I loose my SD DNS? Any way around it?

[andunn27]

No, you will not. At least I did not when I upgraded. I still have LA/NY DNS SD feeds. You will not receive the HD NY/LA feeds though. I do not have local channels in SD, but receive them in HD.

[mrfatboy]

hmmm, your situation is slightly different because you don't have the locals in SD. It may or may not be important to my situation. But thanks for telling me that I might have hope.

Anybody else out there in my exact situation?

[Joe C]

I upgraded to HD at the end of July and have LA SD DNS channels. (I'm in the NY market). They did not get turned off during the upgrade. I am seriously thinking of turning off the SD versions as we never really watch them anymore.

[carl6]

I upgraded to HD at the end of July and have LA SD DNS channels. (I'm in the NY market). They did not get turned off during the upgrade. I am seriously thinking of turning off the SD versions as we never really watch them anymore.

Turning off the SD receivers will not prevent you from continuing to receive the SD DNS channels on your HD equipment.

[mrfatboy]

@carl6
I believe Joe was referring to turning of the SD DNS service not just the receivers.

@Joe
I'm just curious.. How did you get LA SD DNS only when you live in NY? Did you get NY locals at the time you got the LA DNS waiver? If you did, why would they give you LA?

When I could not get my locals they just gave me LA and NY.

[Marvin]

I upgraded to HD at the end of July and have LA SD DNS channels. (I'm in the NY market). They did not get turned off during the upgrade. I am seriously thinking of turning off the SD versions as we never really watch them anymore.

I tried to cancel my LA FOX SD because I never watch it and was told I couldnt without losing NY FOX HD as well since they are tied together in the billing system. I have half a mind to call back and try again but I dont feel like wasting another 15 minutes on the phone.

[joshjr]

I tried to cancel my LA FOX SD because I never watch it and was told I couldnt without losing NY FOX HD as well since they are tied together in the billing system. I have half a mind to call back and try again but I dont feel like wasting another 15 minutes on the phone.

This is absolutely not true. I had mine granted one at a time and there was 2 of them that they only turned on the East coast feed for. I called the VP of CS's Office and asked and was told that it was just put in wrong. Took less then 2 minutes to fix. They have the option to give you one coast just probably not a regular CSR.

[spanishannouncetable]

...Anybody else out there in my exact situation?

I've had DNS service here (Greensboro DMA) since '96. When Greensboro locals were made available I made sure I could keep my DNS before adding my locals to my account. I've had them all (NY, LA and GBO) ever since.

Jump to a month ago. Directv sent me a free-with-commitment HR22-100 to which I immediately added HD service. My grandfathered DNS status remains in effect, so I now get GBO-HD, GBO-SD, and NY/LA SD DNS.

Having SD DNS has no influence over HD DNS, but you get your local HD & SD affiliates and can keep your SD DNS without a problem. You will probably find yourself watching them a lot less than before, though.

[mrfatboy]

I didn't expect to get HD DNS. From what I understand you need a complete new set of waiver to get those. I just didn't want to loose my SD DNS :D From what you are telling me, I should be good to go and my precious SD DNS will be untouched. :D

[stevendsnyder]

Did you get waivers, or did you just qualify for DNS based on where you live ? (Grade B signal) I had to go through the waiver process first for Cincinnati stations, then for Dayton stations since I was about equal distance from both. Since I have those waivers on file, I still have DNS from NY/LA in SD and still have the NY DNS in HD, but assumed I would lose that at some point.

[mrfatboy]

I have the waivers. I got them 10 years ago. God knows where the actual paperwork is now but DTV has them on file.

The one funny thing to note was that i was only able to get 2 out of the 4 waives (abs & cbs) 10 years ago. Then DTV had a computer meltdown and messed up my file. The CSR said that he could see some waiver information in the my file but it was corrupted. He then asked me what waivers I had. Uh duh! I told him I had them all :lol::lol::lol::lol: The rest is history :D

[BrucePadgett]

Just a reminder--several years ago all long-time DNS subscribers had to choose between locals and the DNS, per federal law. A postcard was sent to each home, with another card to return indicating your choice. If no card was returned, DirecTV would automatically choose the locals for you. Anyone in these circumstances who still receives both DNS and locals gets them solely due to bureaucratic oversight on DirecTV's part. Irregardless of what any particular CSR may tell you, these are the facts.

FYI, I turned in such a postcard via registered mail five years ago, and my DNS were removed despite my stated preference. Luckily, I had them restored due to the return receipt from USPS.

Lord knows what will happen after the SHVERA rules are revised later this year.

[mrfatboy]

I never got that post card. I have been told and read that the my SD DNS is grandfathered and if I upgrade to HD I will lose them. This thread has come full circle :)

I pay $14 a month extra for SD DNS. I think directv doesn't mind the extra money :)

I am beginning to believe it will be a crap shoot if I get to keep them.

[joshjr]

Just a reminder--several years ago all long-time DNS subscribers had to choose between locals and the DNS, per federal law. A postcard was sent to each home, with another card to return indicating your choice. If no card was returned, DirecTV would automatically choose the locals for you. Anyone in these circumstances who still receives both DNS and locals gets them solely due to bureaucratic oversight on DirecTV's part. Irregardless of what any particular CSR may tell you, these are the facts.

FYI, I turned in such a postcard via registered mail five years ago, and my DNS were removed despite my stated preference. Luckily, I had them restored due to the return receipt from USPS.

Lord knows what will happen after the SHVERA rules are revised later this year. Thats not true. Here is a piece from the 2004 SHVERA act off the FCC's web page. www.fcc.gov/mb/policy/shvera.doc

5. If I am currently receiving distant analog television signals can I continue to do so?
The 2004 SHVERA statute changed some of the rules for distant signal eligibility. There are four ways in which most satellite subscribers are eligible to receive distant signals, and the way in which you are eligible determines your continued ability to receive these signals.
a) A subscriber who received distant signals as of December 8, 2004 because he or she resides in an unserved household may also receive local stations if the satellite carrier is currently offering them in the subscriber’s market or if the satellite carrier introduces new local-into-local service in the future. However, a subscriber who did not receive or try to receive distant signals as of December 8, 2004, is not eligible for distant service if local channels are offered. As with local signals, the satellite company determines whether to provide distant signals to eligible subscribers and which distant signals will be offered. Satellite companies also may charge an additional fee for these distant signals.

[mhking]

Thats not true. Here is a piece from the 2004 SHVERA act off the FCC's web page. www.fcc.gov/mb/policy/shvera.doc

5. If I am currently receiving distant analog television signals can I continue to do so?
The 2004 SHVERA statute changed some of the rules for distant signal eligibility. There are four ways in which most satellite subscribers are eligible to receive distant signals, and the way in which you are eligible determines your continued ability to receive these signals.
a) A subscriber who received distant signals as of December 8, 2004 because he or she resides in an unserved household may also receive local stations if the satellite carrier is currently offering them in the subscriber’s market or if the satellite carrier introduces new local-into-local service in the future. However, a subscriber who did not receive or try to receive distant signals as of December 8, 2004, is not eligible for distant service if local channels are offered. As with local signals, the satellite company determines whether to provide distant signals to eligible subscribers and which distant signals will be offered. Satellite companies also may charge an additional fee for these distant signals.

Which makes sense -- I've got NY/LA DNS and got them prior to 2004; When I upgraded to HD locals, I was allowed to keep the SD DNS stations, but was told I could not upgrade my DNS stations to HD. Likewise, I've been told that I cannot obtain the two CW stations (Washington & San Diego) since I have local CW availability.

(Well at least as well as the rules can be interpreted. I think the SHVERA rules are total bollocks myself; if I'm willing to pay for the stations, there's no logical and rational reason as to why I cannot obtain them.)

[joshjr]

Which makes sense -- I've got NY/LA DNS and got them prior to 2004; When I upgraded to HD locals, I was allowed to keep the SD DNS stations, but was told I could not upgrade my DNS stations to HD. Likewise, I've been told that I cannot obtain the two CW stations (Washington & San Diego) since I have local CW availability.

(Well at least as well as the rules can be interpreted. I think the SHVERA rules are total bollocks myself; if I'm willing to pay for the stations, there's no logical and rational reason as to why I cannot obtain them.)

Well the CW thing does stink but its pretty clear what you had before 2005 is what you were allowed to keep. So I am guessing thats why you can not apply for CW although they cany stop you from sending a waiver but there is no HD CW so either way not a whole lot to gain. Enjoy the DNS feeds. I am hoping that with this next wave they will say anyone who had DNS feeds in 2008 can keep them with the new SHVERA act. Then when D* finally gets me some locals I could keep mine to if I want.

[BrucePadgett]

joshjr, I wish you were correct. But why was I sent that postcard, and when DirecTV lost my return card, they then defaulted me to the locals?
I do hope you're right, though. I'd love to get both DNS and locals.

[joshjr]

I copied from the SHVERA Act. How can it not be true?

[spanishannouncetable]

joshjr, I wish you were correct. But why was I sent that postcard, and when DirecTV lost my return card, they then defaulted me to the locals?
I do hope you're right, though. I'd love to get both DNS and locals.

Could be you were sent the postcard by mistake. mhking and I are both east coasters who had DNS before Dec. 8, 2004 and before our locals were available via satellite. We never got postcards, kept DNS even after our SD locals became available and have even added HD locals without losing DNS or even filing any extra paperwork.

If you were receiving DNS before Dec 8, 2004, you should not have gotten a postcard. If you signed up for DNS after Dec 8, 2004, then the postcard was correct and you made your choice.

So, if you were receiving DNS before Dec 8, 2004, I say call Directv, let them know you want to keep your grandfathered DNS no matter what and just want to add all your locals, too. Whenever I've made any programming changes over the years those are the first words out of my mouth and Directv has never given me any problems with it.

[mrfatboy]

this is the best news I have heard all day :) I have my DNS since 1999 :D

[BrucePadgett]

Something odd on that information sheet from the FCC in paragraph #5:

Subsection B states, "If you are a grandfathered subscriber who, as of October 1, 2004, received distant television signals you may continue to receive the distant signals unless you choose to subscribe to local-into-local service. Grandfathered subscribers should have received a notice from their satellite carrier asking them to choose which service they prefer, but they may not receive both distant and local-into-local service."

However, subsection A declared: "A subscriber who received distant signals as of December 8, 2004 because he or she resides in an unserved household may also receive local stations if the satellite carrier is currently offering them in the subscriber’s market or if the satellite carrier introduces new local-into-local service in the future."

Is it because of this apparent contradiction that DirecTV has allowed some subscribers to keep both DNS and locals, including several posters to this thread? Are their legal experts now interpreting the SHVERA statutes more loosely than before?

[joshjr]

Something odd on that information sheet from the FCC in paragraph #5:

Subsection B states, "If you are a grandfathered subscriber who, as of October 1, 2004, received distant television signals you may continue to receive the distant signals unless you choose to subscribe to local-into-local service. Grandfathered subscribers should have received a notice from their satellite carrier asking them to choose which service they prefer, but they may not receive both distant and local-into-local service."

However, subsection A declared: "A subscriber who received distant signals as of December 8, 2004 because he or she resides in an unserved household may also receive local stations if the satellite carrier is currently offering them in the subscriber’s market or if the satellite carrier introduces new local-into-local service in the future."

Is it because of this apparent contradiction that DirecTV has allowed some subscribers to keep both DNS and locals, including several posters to this thread? Are their legal experts now interpreting the SHVERA statutes more loosely than before?

I think it depends on how you look at it. Im not really sure how many people with DNS are in unserved area's. I know I am not in an unserved area except for PBS and CW. I am in a grade A signal area but D* dont carry my locals. I think this might be part of the problem for some. Just because you carry DNS channels cause D* dont offer them dont mean they are not available to you via OTA in your area. That being said I guess in my mind the ones who had to choose or lost DNS are ones that were not unserved by the cut off date.

I do know it happened to one guy on here but he was able to get it cleared up because he had the right to have the DNS stations. ITs all up to Congress now. I am hoping they grandfather again on DNS feeds for 2009 but there is no gurantee that people like me would still be able to keep my DNS feeds if they started carrying locals in my area.

I guess not many people get DNS feeds off waivers if they are considered served lol. I am one of the lucky ones. You should see how suprised D* acts when they read over my notes and see that I have DNS feeds but they know I am in a grade A signal area. All I can say is good luck with it. I use the SHVERA act with them on the phone anytime I need to. It is your rights to not just D*'s way of getting what they want. They are the provider but alot of times they will say we wish we could or some crap that isnt true. You have to point it out to them.

[bjlc]

well if one of you calls and upgrades to your locals tell us..

[Joe C]

@carl6
I believe Joe was referring to turning of the SD DNS service not just the receivers.

@Joe
I'm just curious.. How did you get LA SD DNS only when you live in NY? Did you get NY locals at the time you got the LA DNS waiver? If you did, why would they give you LA?

When I could not get my locals they just gave me LA and NY.

When I first has DNS turned on Directv had select channels from around the country to make up the DNS package. Then when that changed they became NY & LA like we know today. I subbed to the NY locals through one of the base prgraming packages so instead of paying twice for the "same" NY locals I dropped the NY DNS. Now with DVRs and my hunger for Hi Def I really don't see the need for the LA SD DNS channels any longer.

[andunn27]

I know I am grandfathered into my NY/LA packages, but I was shocked to find out that I also get my local channels in HD. I just turned my HD-DVR on and bam there they were. We still have 1 SD Tivo receiver so those NY/LA SD channels are great even though we don't get out local SD channels. If there is something I want to watch locally I go downstairs and watch it in HD! :D