Questions on potentially switching from cable to Dish Network.

[mh454]

Newbie here. I'm sure this question comes up all the time but since promotions and hardware are always changing, I figure I would post. I currently have TV and cable internet through a local company called Midcontinent Communications. I have DVR service and the highest non-movie channel package. The TV service cost me about $80 after taxes. I get about 38 HD channels which includes the locals (all for free too). My last statement showed that there will be an increase across the board on all cable packages starting in June. This is what made me start looking at satellite programming. I have two TV's...a 42" in the living room and a 22" in the kitchen. I need HD-DVR in the living room and I'm not too concerned about HD or DVR in the kitchen. I've been back and forth between Dish's and DirecTV's website building packages and checking out their options. Each has the pros/cons but what really pulls me towards Dish is having the locals in HD (got to have football in HD!). I'm currently eyeing Dish's America's Top 200 with HD.

Does this pricing include any taxes?
Does the included HD DuoDVR receiver support HD on the 2nd TV?
How big of a hard drive does this receiver come with?
What is the current situation with Dish and TiVo?
Is there any truth to this "free HD" coming in June talk?

I'm sure I'll think of some more questions later but this is a start. Thanks much!

[coldsteel]

Newbie here. I'm sure this question comes up all the time but since promotions and hardware are always changing, I figure I would post. I currently have TV and cable internet through a local company called Midcontinent Communications. I have DVR service and the highest non-movie channel package. The TV service cost me about $80 after taxes. I get about 38 HD channels which includes the locals (all for free too). My last statement showed that there will be an increase across the board on all cable packages starting in June. This is what made me start looking at satellite programming. I have two TV's...a 42" in the living room and a 22" in the kitchen. I need HD-DVR in the living room and I'm not too concerned about HD or DVR in the kitchen. I've been back and forth between Dish's and DirecTV's website building packages and checking out their options. Each has the pros/cons but what really pulls me towards Dish is having the locals in HD (got to have football in HD!). I'm currently eyeing Dish's America's Top 200 with HD.

Does this pricing include any taxes?
Does the included HD DuoDVR receiver support HD on the 2nd TV?
How big of a hard drive does this receiver come with?
What is the current situation with Dish and TiVo?
Is there any truth to this "free HD" coming in June talk?

I'm sure I'll think of some more questions later but this is a start. Thanks much!


First of all, :welcome_s


All pricing online should not include taxes.

The duo HDDVR is HD on TV1 only but both TVs get DVR capability.

The 722/722k has 350 SD and/or 55 HD capacity, in hours.

It's still up in the air between Dish and TiVo, but the consensus opinion is that the DVRs will never go down.

Something is coming, but nothing will be concrete till 6/3.

[James Long]

:welcome_s
Does this pricing include any taxes?No. Taxes are additional. The additional receiver fees should be what you see in the online calculator.

Does the included HD DuoDVR receiver support HD on the 2nd TV?No. The second output is SD only. You can watch HD on it, but it will be downconverted.

What is the current situation with Dish and TiVo?On hold for probably a year. The suit only names certain receivers. For the 722 to be affected Tivo would have to file specifically against the new receivers.

Is there any truth to this "free HD" coming in June talk?Yes, but note the commitment/payment level. If you don't mind electronic billing and no paper statements for the next two years it won't be a problem.

AT200 w/locals and HD will be $54.99 after June 3rd. $10 more if you want the extra HD only channels. The $54.99 provides you with 55 full time 24/7 HD channels plus your locals and occasional regional sports in HD. As long as the games you are looking for are on local channels you should be fine.

[mh454]

Thanks for the answers guys! It sounds like I should wait till next Thursday for the new pricing. If I'm understanding this correctly, the new AT200 pricing will include 55 HD channels but there still be a $10 option for the Platinum package?

I was also curious if anyone has had any luck with getting a Dish installer to your house for sort of a "consultation" visit. I have some questions that could really only be answered by an installer at my place (like location of the sat and running of cables).

Thanks again.

[domingos35]

Thanks for the answers guys! It sounds like I should wait till next Thursday for the new pricing. If I'm understanding this correctly, the new AT200 pricing will include 55 HD channels but there still be a $10 option for the Platinum package?

I was also curious if anyone has had any luck with getting a Dish installer to your house for sort of a "consultation" visit. I have some questions that could really only be answered by an installer at my place (like location of the sat and running of cables).

Thanks again.

u will also get $15/month off for 1 year making the AT200 $39.99 + TAXES/month for 1 year

[coldsteel]

You could try calling a local installer, see if they'd do a look-see for you.