best way for established customer to gain HD programming

[tw66]

I have been a faithful Dish Network subscriber now for the better part of 3 years. I have owned a HD ready television now for 2 years, but have yet to view any HD programming on it. I know, what a shame! The problem is that I have a problem paying upwards of $500 for a receiver when they are being given away for free by the thousand. Sure I can lease one for the forever lease fee. But why not just pay it up front and not pay for 3 or 4 receviers by the time I am all done. So I am back to square one. Question is, What is the best option? Switch to Directv, and get it for free, I really don't want to, I like Dish Network. Also thought about buying a recevier on Ebay perhaps, but can I do that and just activate it like it was new? So what to do? Give me some suggestions, please!

Thanks,

tw66
:confused:

[Ken Green]

One suggestion would be, if you have, or are planning to add an OTA antenna, you could get an set-top HD tuner. I believe they're around $100-200 or so.
If you're in range of, and have local DT broadcasts, they're free once you have the antenna and tuner.
If you go with Dish receivers in either the 942 or 811, both also provide an HD tuner for local OTA DT broadcasts.
Though, with the new Dish receivers coming out shortly supporting MPEG2 and MPEG4, you may want to wait another couple of months.

[Nightlife1970]

The only lease option HD receiver's arethe 811 & 942. If you find the right person at Dish you can lease a 942 for $250. This may take serveral calls to CSR's and telling them you are cancelling for Direct, before you get it. Most people can get the 811 for $99.00

As far as paying a forever lease fee, there is no such thing. All you would pay for a 942 is the $5.00 a month (not counting HD programing) you would pay to have any additional receiver on your account. Your other option is to buy the receiver at $800 and then it is yours. You still pay $5.00 a month to use it on your account, unless you don't have a phone line hooked up then you would pay an additional 4.98 a month for that.

[marty43]

Also thought about buying a recevier on Ebay perhaps, but can I do that and just activate it like it was new? So what to do? Give me some suggestions, please!

Thanks,

tw66
:confused:

I have been with E* since 1997, I even paid for my first system, no freebies back then.
I bought an 811 a year ago on EBAY from a dealer. It was a brand new box, warranteed by DISH. I paid $ 189 for it. I still have it and it is working fine. I spent $100 for a good outside antenna. So I get all my locals in HD and get the HD pak from Dish. I do not get VOOM. No need to spend $500.

[DougRuss]

I have been with E* since 1997, I even paid for my first system, no freebies back then.
I bought an 811 a year ago on EBAY from a dealer. It was a brand new box, warranteed by DISH. I paid $ 189 for it. I still have it and it is working fine. I spent $100 for a good outside antenna. So I get all my locals in HD and get the HD pak from Dish. I do not get VOOM. No need to spend $500.


That's the same thing I did....found a 811 on Ebay for around the same price.

Happy ever since......except for Dish messing with the Voom Channels right now !!:nono2:

[jerryez]

They are messing with all HD channels, not just Voom. None are watchable. To freeze up for 5 to 10 seconds during a movie is not acceptable.