upgrade good news and AM 21 install questions

[Marty999]

I have an HR20-700 for several years with OTA and BBCs as well as several SD DVRs. I have a WB68 with all 8 outputs routed to the house. I also have an old HR10-250, which the HR 20 replaced 2 years ago, which as been inactive for quite some time (I owned it). I just got a new HD TV and called D* to find about a new HD DVR and to temporarily turn on the HR10. The great news was that they were about to charge me $100 for the new HD DVR, but the act of turning the HR 10 back on suddenly made me eligible for a free upgrade -- free receiver and install. (Others with old HR 10s around might use this to get a new free DVR). I also asked them to confirm that the upgrade would not extend my contract, which I have now done twice. I was pretty happy.:)

Now, I want to have OTA on the new receiver and know I'm highly unlikely to get another HR 20, so I called back to make sure I got an AM 21 tuner for the new receiver, but DTV simply refuses to offer it, install it, etc because I'm in the Washington, DC metro area and have HD locals. The tech was incredulous that I wanted it as back up for D*service, which I'm sure will drop out this weekend during our blizzard, or that I was interested in my local PBS in HD or other extra channels.

I'm willing to pay for the AM 21 and still see it for $59 on line, but want D* to provide it and set it up.

Any suggestions for getting D* to supply it and install it with the new receiver? Are there any issues for installing it while I have the WB 68 or the current set up for my HR 20?

[RobertE]

Hate to break it to you, but you will have a 2 year commitment upon activating the upgrade for the HR10.

As for the AM21, thats not a tech provided/installed item except in a few "unserved" markets, DC is not one of them. Your on your own for installation.

[BattleZone]

Robert is correct. Your "free upgrade" is a lease upgrade and will come with a 2 year commitment.

And DirecTV does not provide AM21s for free in markets where they offer HD locals, period. DirecTV's business is to provide you DirecTV service, not OTA service. The only reason they did OTA at all was because until 2 years ago, only a few larger markets had HD locals. When they expanded HD locals to over 100 markets, they dropped built-in OTA support and made it a pay-for OPTION.

BTW, you'd have no trouble installing an AM21; it will probably take you less than 30 seconds.