My Neighbor Wants DirecTV

[mrfatboy]

My neighbor has Dish and is thinking about Directv. She gets very frustrated dealing with CSRs and has enlisted me to help. Frankly, I can't blame her. So I called Directv today to try to do some recon on the cost/benefits to switching to DTV. Here is what Dtv offered her:

My neighbor just wants two SD receivers and the 150 channel package.

Monthly Cost:
$29 150 Channel Package
$05 Extra receiver
$15 HBO
--------
$49 Monthy

Free Installation & SD dish
3 months Free Showtime
2 Free SD receivers
$100 ($10/10 months) Referral Program for me and her.

Is this a good deal? Should Directv be offering more? The CSR seemed cagey about other benefits but would not tell me until they ran a credit check on her. Her credit is perfect. My neighbor also read somewhere about a $100 VISA card but when I mentioned that to the CSR she side stepped the issue.

[Stuart Sweet]

That sounds pretty much like what she's going to get right now. In past years, DIRECTV has been a little more forthcoming with the freebies after football season. In the fall they traditionally sell all the systems they can without incentives.

[Shades228]

My neighbor has Dish and is thinking about Directv. She gets very frustrated dealing with CSRs and has enlisted me to help. Frankly, I can't blame her. So I called Directv today to try to do some recon on the cost/benefits to switching to DTV. Here is what Dtv offered her:

My neighbor just wants two SD receivers and the 150 channel package.

Monthly Cost:
$29 150 Channel Package
$05 Extra receiver
$15 HBO
--------
$49 Monthy

Free Installation & SD dish
3 months Free Showtime
2 Free SD receivers
$100 ($10/10 months) Referral Program for me and her.

Is this a good deal? Should Directv be offering more? The CSR seemed cagey about other benefits but would not tell me until they ran a credit check on her. Her credit is perfect. My neighbor also read somewhere about a $100 VISA card but when I mentioned that to the CSR she side stepped the issue.

There are promotions out there if you search for them but most people won't want to get into specifics too much when something is based on credit. It doesn't do any good to spend a lot of time and get someone excited about a promoion only to find out they're not eligible.

However if you have DirecTV as well you might want to do a search for the referal offer. You can sign up at http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/referral/referralProgram.jsp?_requestid=287295 or going through a specific phone number.

[Beerstalker]

I would recommend talking to her about getting 2 HD boxes instead. While she may not need them now she might want to get them anyway. It would most likely be easier to get 2 HD boxes for free with a new customer signup, then it will be to get them later (she will most likely have to pay $100 each for them).

[mrfatboy]

I would recommend talking to her about getting 2 HD boxes instead. While she may not need them now she might want to get them anyway. It would most likely be easier to get 2 HD boxes for free with a new customer signup, then it will be to get them later (she will most likely have to pay $100 each for them).


That's what I suggested exactly but she does not want to pay the extra $10 a month for HD access.

[Movieman]

I would recommend talking to her about getting 2 HD boxes instead. While she may not need them now she might want to get them anyway. It would most likely be easier to get 2 HD boxes for free with a new customer signup, then it will be to get them later (she will most likely have to pay $100 each for them).

Would the installer allow this if they show up and see that the TV's are not HD?

[lee78221]

Would the installer allow this if they show up and see that the TV's are not HD?Mine did(I signed up about almost a year ago(9 months)).

[The Merg]

Referene the referrals/promotions, DirecTV is very strict in that in order to receive a promotion or credit that you need to call the number specified on the promotion. So if the $100 VISA Gift Card is a separate promotion from the Referral Promotion and requires a call to a different phone number, you will most likely not be able to combine them.

- Merg

[ThomasM]

I would recommend talking to her about getting 2 HD boxes instead. While she may not need them now she might want to get them anyway. It would most likely be easier to get 2 HD boxes for free with a new customer signup, then it will be to get them later (she will most likely have to pay $100 each for them).

I'd recommend getting a FREE HD DVR which is the current new subscriber promo but she would have to take CHOICE EXTRA to qualify. What they don't tell you is that after you are installed you can change the package to whatever you want and keep the FREE HD DVR.

The one thing that must be pointed out with either recommendation (Beerstalker's or mine) is that subscribing to HD programming adds $10 a month to the bill. For someone without an HDTV (or someone WITH an HDTV who doesn't feel the $10 is worth it) it must be considered.

[Justin23]

That's what I suggested exactly but she does not want to pay the extra $10 a month for HD access.

Hmmmm...well if she pays for the 2 HD boxes later on down the road it would be $200 for the upgrade, plus a tech would have to come upgrade the dish. Or she could get try to get the 2 HD receivers for free now as a new customer. Yes she would pay the $10 a month for HD Access and not receive HD programming since her TV isn't HD yet. But the HD fee is one flat $10 charge to cover every receiver on her acct. If she is planning on getting any HDTV's within 20 months, I suggest she does for the HD equipment now.

[Justin23]

I'd recommend getting a FREE HD DVR which is the current new subscriber promo but she would have to take CHOICE EXTRA to qualify. What they don't tell you is that after you are installed you can change the package to whatever you want and keep the FREE HD DVR.

The one thing that must be pointed out with either recommendation (Beerstalker's or mine) is that subscribing to HD programming adds $10 a month to the bill. For someone without an HDTV (or someone WITH an HDTV who doesn't feel the $10 is worth it) it must be considered.

No, I believe you have to maintain at least the current programming you first signed up for to keep the equipment you got for free, as well as keeping the new customer rebate. I highly doubt D* would allow someone to sign up for Choice Extra, then downgrade to the Family package after they are installed.

[ThomasM]

No, I believe you have to maintain at least the current programming you first signed up for to keep the equipment you got for free, as well as keeping the new customer rebate. I highly doubt D* would allow someone to sign up for Choice Extra, then downgrade to the Family package after they are installed.

Right. But they give you CHOICE EXTRA for almost the same regular price of FAMILY for the first year. After the first year (when the regular package prices kick in) you can drop to FAMILY with no equipment penalty.

[Justin23]

Right. But they give you CHOICE EXTRA for almost the same regular price of FAMILY for the first year. After the first year (when the regular package prices kick in) you can drop to FAMILY with no equipment penalty.

Correct....the way you worded your earlier post it made it sound like you could downgrade at any time after installation. :D

[Shades228]

Installers should not install HD equipment on a non HD TV especially if none of the TV's are HD. I know some don't care and do it anyways but that shouldn't happen. If the person has 1 HD TV then they will atleast get the service they're paying for. If they don't have any HD TV's then they're paying for something they cannot receive.

[Shades228]

Correct....the way you worded your earlier post it made it sound like you could downgrade at any time after installation. :D

You can change programming at any time as long as you keep the minimum level. The person will not get any of the rebates or credits for the new customer offer. So it can be done but doesn't make much sense financially to do so.

[slacker_x]

Installers should not install HD equipment on a non HD TV especially if none of the TV's are HD. I know some don't care and do it anyways but that shouldn't happen. If the person has 1 HD TV then they will atleast get the service they're paying for. If they don't have any HD TV's then they're paying for something they cannot receive.

If they want to pay the extra I say let them. I switched from Comcast to DirecTV prior to upgrading one of my TVs and I got the HD DVR and can honestly say the HD channels looked better even on my crappy tube tv. If DirecTV told me I can't have the HD receivers because I don't have a HDTV I'd have told the guy to "piss off" and would've gotten service with someone else.

[ejjames]

Even if I didn't have an HDTV, I might still opt for the HD package, as even the down converted HD signa is a vast improvement over the SD feed.

[HerntDawg]

Would the installer allow this if they show up and see that the TV's are not HD?
My relative got directv about 6 mo. ago with only sd package(and dish), but has an HD dvr.

[Tom_S]

You just make sure the installer is participating in the referral program. I tried to do this with my sister-in-law and they sent out an installer that did not participate so they wouldn't honor the $100. I got mine after threatening to cancel(and I meant it!), but when the installer calls just ask the question to avoid this nonsense.

[rudeney]

My relative got directv about 6 mo. ago with only sd package(and dish), but has an HD dvr.

Normally, D* does not allow an HD receiver on an account without HD service, but in areas with MPEG4 locals, they are required. Only the HD receivers (and the discontinued R22, which really was an HR21) can receiver MPEG4 signals.

[rudeney]

You just make sure the installer is participating in the referral program. I tried to do this with my sister-in-law and they sent out an installer that did not participate so they wouldn't honor the $100. I got mine after threatening to cancel(and I meant it!), but when the installer calls just ask the question to avoid this nonsense.

I've not heard of this. In fact, there is nothing in the terms of the referral program that states anything about having to use a participating installer. Was the installation done by a DirecTV-dispatched tech, or did you use a private company?

[Justin23]

You just make sure the installer is participating in the referral program. I tried to do this with my sister-in-law and they sent out an installer that did not participate so they wouldn't honor the $100. I got mine after threatening to cancel(and I meant it!), but when the installer calls just ask the question to avoid this nonsense.

I don't think the installer has to participate in the referral program, but you might have signed up through an authorized DIRECTV dealer that did not participate. I wouldn't think that an HSP installation company would care one way or the other if the customer had signed up as a referral...

[boba]

Does your neighbor understand she is entering into a 24 mo. contract and at the end of 12 mo. the programming is going to take a major jump in costs? If a $10 Hdtv fee is too much how will she react to the true subscription costs of D*?

[erosroadie]

Installers should not install HD equipment on a non HD TV especially if none of the TV's are HD. I know some don't care and do it anyways but that shouldn't happen. If the person has 1 HD TV then they will atleast get the service they're paying for. If they don't have any HD TV's then they're paying for something they cannot receive.

Last year I added an HR2X box to the basement, where my trusty SONY 32" CRT was. The installer originally balked at setting this up, but when I whipped out the S-Video cable, and showed him that I would get a decent picture, he completed the installation.

I did this because my commitment was nearing an end and D* offered me a free HD DVR for signing up again for 2 years. They also added a second line to the basement for full DVR functionality at no cost. I was planning (and subsequently purchased) an HDTV, but not for ~6 months after the install. I simply wanted the free HD box first...:grin:

[Beerstalker]

If the installer has a problem hooking up a HD box to a standard def TV, just tell them you are planning on buying a new TV soon, and wanted to have the receiver ready for it now, rather than swapping it out later. This is especially true for the dish, I don't think any installer would want to waste their time installing the standard dish if they know they will be back out soon to install the HD dish in it's place.

[mrfatboy]

Does your neighbor understand she is entering into a 24 mo. contract and at the end of 12 mo. the programming is going to take a major jump in costs? If a $10 Hdtv fee is too much how will she react to the true subscription costs of D*?

yes, she does. At the end of one year when the prices go up she will be approximately the cost as her current Dish cost. However, she gets some channels on Directv that she doesn't get on Dish plus she saves a bit for the year.

[mrfatboy]

She did the deal today. She is now a directv customer. She got the $100 Visa Prepaid & the $100 Referral bonus to me and her.

[KVH]

Installers should not install HD equipment on a non HD TV especially if none of the TV's are HD. I know some don't care and do it anyways but that shouldn't happen. If the person has 1 HD TV then they will atleast get the service they're paying for. If they don't have any HD TV's then they're paying for something they cannot receive.

That's not exactly true...
If you have a 480i/p tube TVw/comp inputs (not HD) you can still get an amazing picture with an HD box. You are still getting an HD picture, just down scaled to 480i/p via the HD box.

I currently have my H23 hooked up to my old 32" tube TV. Except for being letterboxed all the time, the picture is better than what an SD box would give me. That's worth $10 until my TV dies and I replace it.

Kevin

[texasbrit]

That's not exactly true...
If you have a 480i/p tube TVw/comp inputs (not HD) you can still get an amazing picture with an HD box. You are still getting an HD picture, just down scaled to 480i/p via the HD box.

I currently have my H23 hooked up to my old 32" tube TV. Except for being letterboxed all the time, the picture is better than what an SD box would give me. That's worth $10 until my TV dies and I replace it.

Kevin

You are absolutely correct about the quality issue. The reason is that DirecTV compresses the SD channels because of limited transponder space. That isn't the case with the HD equivalents, so the picture quality on an HD channel downconverted by the receiver to 480i is much better than the equivalent SD channel.

[TBoneit]

Installers should not install HD equipment on a non HD TV especially if none of the TV's are HD. I know some don't care and do it anyways but that shouldn't happen. If the person has 1 HD TV then they will atleast get the service they're paying for. If they don't have any HD TV's then they're paying for something they cannot receive.

You can still receive HD channels on a HD DVR and feed a SD TV set. You get a better picture from the HD channels. What you watch isn't butchered on the HD channel anywhere near as bad as on a SD channel (Cropped). When I got the HD DVR I noticed a significant improvement in picture quality as well as channels that are not available on a SD DVR. I still have one SD TV hooked up to the 2nd HD DVR I added. Note that I said nowhere near as butchered.... What's up with the channel logos positioned for a 4:3 AR on a 16:9 broadcast from the networks?

I say go for it on the HD DVR. What happens if 1 month after the install sparks and smoke come out of the SD TV Set? Why you go out and buy a $349 32" HDTV as a replacement for example. Who sell SD Sets these days. Not to mention SD on a HD TV looks poorly.

[Shades228]

Again I said it shouldn't be done not that it isn't. I also am aware that a HD channel on a SD tv will work and look better so long as the tv has the inputs for it. This is to cover them legally nothing more or less. If the customer gets an installer who follows the rules we shouldn't set expectations incorrectly.

Much like how SWM situation was for awhile when techs would just install them when they shouldn't.

[texasbrit]

. Note that I said nowhere near as butchered.... What's up with the channel logos positioned for a 4:3 AR on a 16:9 broadcast from the networks?

The channel logos are positioned for 4:3 because there are millions of people watching a 4:3 version of the 16:9 signal - people with digital converter boxes, and all the people with SD satellite TV.

[texasbrit]

Again I said it shouldn't be done not that it isn't. I also am aware that a HD channel on a SD tv will work and look better so long as the tv has the inputs for it. This is to cover them legally nothing more or less. If the customer gets an installer who follows the rules we shouldn't set expectations incorrectly.

Much like how SWM situation was for awhile when techs would just install them when they shouldn't.
You don't need special inputs to get a better picture. The HD channel will look better than the SD channel even if you connect it using coax and deliver it to the TV on channel 3/4 using a modulator.

[raoul5788]

What's up with the channel logos positioned for a 4:3 AR on a 16:9 broadcast from the networks?

Simple. That way the network can crop the hd feed and make it an sd aspect ratio with the bug still there. They need a digital 4:3 feed now that there is no analog 4:3.

[bidger]

You just make sure the installer is participating in the referral program. I tried to do this with my sister-in-law and they sent out an installer that did not participate so they wouldn't honor the $100. I got mine after threatening to cancel(and I meant it!), but when the installer calls just ask the question to avoid this nonsense.

Don't blame you one bit. Do they put a disclaimer on those referral coupons to that affect? Shouldn't matter if the installer participates or not anyway since the monthly payments are made to DIRECTV.