HD Locals in Cincinnati

[ssm06]

D*'s website says locals in HD are coming in September in Cincinnati. We're almost half way through the month. Does anyone have any specific info on when this is going to happen?

[haggis444]

A few of us are waiting on it...

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=63528

Not sure what the communcation will be to us (e-mail, letter, etc). Does anyone out there with HD locals remember how D* told you they were live? Also, is there a chance they will be live before they get the communication to us?

[dnslammers]

I'm scheduled for the new hr20-700 friday. Direct TV said first shipment comes in on Thursday. I'll let you know if I have Local channels in HD with the new setup. I'm a new customer to Direct. Switching from TWC.

I referenced that their website said Cincinnati in September. My assumption was all we were waiting for was the shipment of HR20-700's to show up bc the channels were ready to go....

[uncrules]

It seems like that most of the time when D* says that a HD LiL market will debut in a given month that the channel gets activated at the very end of the month.

[Fuzzi]

I got an H20 with the new 5 LNB dish a month ago hoping to watch football in
Hi Def and so far no locals. I called D* but the CSR's have no idea when in
September it is supposed to start so I just check each night to see if they are
working yet.

[dnslammers]

hmmm...not good... :)

[haggis444]

I wouldn't worry, the CSRs they are often in a fog if it falls outside of their scripts. D* wouldn't announce September on their site if they weren't ready to go, they are very conservative that way. My bet is that it comes on line somwhere near the 25th. That gives them a full work week to field calls if issues arise. Not sure what they would be but thjey do have a track record for go-lives on Mondays.

[jdmac29]

I live in Memphis, TN we were listed as August did not get them now we are listed as September, csr states sometime this fall. Don't get your hopes up looking at the time frame they give you.
jdmac29

[crockett]

I would also like to add that you shouldn't necessarily believe what the website says.

I'm in the Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo area and we were scheduled for August. When they updated the website (early September) we weren't even listed and all the info the CSR's have is "Fall of 2006".

[Newshawk]

I wouldn't worry, the CSRs they are often in a fog if it falls outside of their scripts. D* wouldn't announce September on their site if they weren't ready to go, they are very conservative that way. My bet is that it comes on line somwhere near the 25th. That gives them a full work week to field calls if issues arise. Not sure what they would be but thjey do have a track record for go-lives on Mondays.

Actually, Haggis, what I've seen is that D* likes to go live with HD locals on Wednesdays.

[crockett]

I apologize for piling on but I can't start a new thread because I don't have enough posts.

I've read that D* monitors these threads and I realize some insiders post to these threads as well.

Does anyone have a contact email or phone number where I can speak/write to a person who knows more information about the availability of local channels in HD in my market (Grand Rapids/Kalamazoo)?

I've been through the D* website (originally stating August, now stating nothing), this website which states August, several CSRs who say "Fall of 2006", retention who say "Fall of 2006". But that is all the information I am able to find.

I know that D* has to negotiate each network but can't I at least get some form of specific information. i.e. have they signed 1 of 4, 3 of 4, etc.?

In my opinion this type of communication would be so beneficial to D* because I'm on the fence right now between choosing E* or D*. If I knew with a high degree of certainity that D* would sign the locals in the next month or so they'd get my $1700-$2000. However, if they were honest with me and told me they were quite aways off from closing a deal then I would give my money to E* for a year(simply because I would have more HD content) and just switch back to D* when my contract runs out simply because D* was so forthcoming (assumming they had added my locals in HD by this time).

However, armed with such little information (Fall of 2006) and that fact they have already broken one promised deadline of August 2006. I think I'll just be left with choosing E* and leaving D* with a bad taste in my mouth.

By some miracle that someone has some info to share and doesn't want to post it publicly, you are more than welcome to PM me here or contact me via email at:
crockett@btc-bci.com

Thanks.

[crockett]

I apologize for piling on but I can't start a new thread because I don't have enough posts.

I've read that D* monitors these threads and I realize some insiders post to these threads as well.

Does anyone have a contact email or phone number where I can speak/write to a person who knows more information about the availability of local channels in HD in my market (Grand Rapids/Kalamazoo)?

I've been through the D* website (originally stating August, now stating nothing), this website which states August, several CSRs who say "Fall of 2006", retention who say "Fall of 2006". But that is all the information I am able to find.

I know that D* has to negotiate each network but can't I at least get some form of specific information. i.e. have they signed 1 of 4, 3 of 4, etc.?

In my opinion this type of communication would be so beneficial to D* because I'm on the fence right now between choosing E* or D*. If I knew with a high degree of certainity that D* would sign the locals in the next month or so they'd get my $1700-$2000. However, if they were honest with me and told me they were quite aways off from closing a deal then I would give my money to E* for a year(simply because I would have more HD content) and just switch back to D* when my contract runs out simply because D* was so forthcoming (assumming they had added my locals in HD by this time).

However, armed with such little information (Fall of 2006) and that fact they have already broken one promised deadline of August 2006. I think I'll just be left with choosing E* and leaving D* with a bad taste in my mouth.

By some miracle that someone has some info to share and doesn't want to post it publicly, you are more than welcome to PM me here or contact me via email at:
crockett@btc-bci.com

Thanks.


Bump?

[NKy.Yall]

I live in Memphis, TN we were listed as August did not get them now we are listed as September, csr states sometime this fall. Don't get your hopes up looking at the time frame they give you.
jdmac29

I stopped by Bluegrass Satellite {Probably the biggest D* installer in this area} the other day trying to set up a 5lnb to replacement for the 3lnb antenna they put up 8 months in anticipation of getting my HR-20 this week.I talked with a supervisor { super nice guy by the way} and he was very informative.They usually get a heads up from D* about upcoming upgrades in equipment,HD locals being added etc. to get his staff/supplies ready for the many requests that they start getting hit with from all of us customers.He told me that one,he has not heard a word from D* about the pending HD-Locals in the Cincy. DMA other than yeah they were supposed to be added in Sept. but that D* sometimes is a month or more late in making these additions. Secondly he advised that they usually get at least a 30 day notice and since they have not heard a word he said dont look for it to happen anytime soon.Then again however they may fire them up tomorrow without saying a word to anybody,that he said happens at times as well.So basically he did not know either.

[Bmfr79]

I stopped by Bluegrass Satellite {Probably the biggest D* installer in this area} the other day trying to set up a 5lnb to replacement for the 3lnb antenna they put up 8 months in anticipation of getting my HR-20 this week.I talked with a supervisor { super nice guy by the way} and he was very informative.They usually get a heads up from D* about upcoming upgrades in equipment,HD locals being added etc. to get his staff/supplies ready for the many requests that they start getting hit with from all of us customers.He told me that one,he has not heard a word from D* about the pending HD-Locals in the Cincy. DMA other than yeah they were supposed to be added in Sept. but that D* sometimes is a month or more late in making these additions. Secondly he advised that they usually get at least a 30 day notice and since they have not heard a word he said dont look for it to happen anytime soon.Then again however they may fire them up tomorrow without saying a word to anybody,that he said happens at times as well.So basically he did not know either.

I live in your area and have a few questions. Were you able to set up your installation? I have an order set up through D* and the install date is set for 10/22. D* said they could not "guarantee" that the installer would show up with the HR20. Did Bluegrass have it available? I'm looking forward to the HR20 and next Friday. I was hoping by setting the install date a little away from the release date of the receiver in our area, it would help. Any info you could provide would be great.

[NKy.Yall]

I live in your area and have a few questions. Were you able to set up your installation? I have an order set up through D* and the install date is set for 10/22. D* said they could not "guarantee" that the installer would show up with the HR20. Did Bluegrass have it available? I'm looking forward to the HR20 and next Friday. I was hoping by setting the install date a little away from the release date of the receiver in our area, it would help. Any info you could provide would be great.

When I stopped by {which was about a month ago now} D* had not yet made the HR20 available nationwide.So they did not have any but thay had been given the training materials and how to install them etc. He also told me " that when I do receive my unit D* will call and set up the install and antenna upgrade w/me.When they call tell them that you would like to request us, or tell them that you will call us and get it handled that way." Now I talked with a lady working the front desk,answering phones and so forth.She told me that her husband works for Bluegrass and that he would do my install on the side. i.e.,his off days/weekend and can do it right away and D* would still pick up the cost and he would get credit for the commission.So he has my number { sorry I do not know his or her name}.I however am in the process of finishing off my basement and really will not need them for about another month or so.I just wanted to pre-order one in case of high supply and low demand.Which often happens when new receivers come out.Plus Roberts price at V.E. seemed to be the best going at the time. The only reason that I went to Bluegrass in the first place {beside them being close by} was that I tried dealing with some dim-wit CSR @ D* asking what I had to do as far as getting an upgrade on my antenna and adding another receiver,{new hook up/running new coax etc.} and how and when would be the best time to set up the install during the construction phrase of my home improvment project. If you call them 859-746-9996 and if you hear a female answer the phone chances are she is the person I spoke with and might to able to expidite your service.

[Bmfr79]

When I stopped by {which was about a month ago now} D* had not yet made the HR20 available nationwide.So they did not have any but thay had been given the training materials and how to install them etc. He also told me " that when I do receive my unit D* will call and set up the install and antenna upgrade w/me.When they call tell them that you would like to request us, or tell them that you will call us and get it handled that way." Now I talked with a lady working the front desk,answering phones and so forth.She told me that her husband works for Bluegrass and that he would do my install on the side. i.e.,his off days/weekend and can do it right away and D* would still pick up the cost and he would get credit for the commission.So he has my number { sorry I do not know his or her name}.I however am in the process of finishing off my basement and really will not need them for about another month or so.I just wanted to pre-order one in case of high supply and low demand.Which often happens when new receivers come out.Plus Roberts price at V.E. seemed to be the best going at the time. The only reason that I went to Bluegrass in the first place {beside them being close by} was that I tried dealing with some dim-wit CSR @ D* asking what I had to do as far as getting an upgrade on my antenna and adding another receiver,{new hook up/running new coax etc.} and how and when would be the best time to set up the install during the construction phrase of my home improvment project. If you call them 859-746-9996 and if you hear a female answer the phone chances are she is the person I spoke with and might to able to expidite your service.

Are you sure that's the right number, just tried, was fax?

[NKy.Yall]

Are you sure that's the right number, just tried, was fax?

They just recently moved to a new location and the updated info is as follows.
TX # 859-746-0308 and there address is 7725 Foundation Drive,Elsmere,Ky.
Sorry about the wrong#,I did not know myself until you replied back 2me.

[jimmyt]

Here is something funny - cbs 12 in cincinnati has had the fiber transmitter running at their station for several, several months, so directv has been getting cbs12 hd for a while.. I imagine the rest of the cincinnati stations are in the same boat.. interesting - Cincinnati Bell provides the equiptment and fiber to level 3 in mason and then level 3 passes it along to directv..

[haggis444]

FYI....I just installed both of my HR20s today and tried to schedule a 5LNB dish install and the Retention rep said he couldn't even schedule it. He said most likely because the subs in Cinci didn't have the dish in stock. Now, we all know their system can't tell him that, but what I think he was saying is because there is no reason for anyone in Cinci to have one (per their system) then no subs would have them. Point is you would think if the locals were going live soon (within a couple of weeks) they should have the abilty to schedule an install. I am going to keep calling every few days to try and schedule an install.