Going HD - D* vs E*

[vicrock]

We are looking to go HD sometime this fall, and are weighing options for new equipment.

We have subscribed to E* for the last 7 years and are satisfied. Dish 500, top 100, locals and 3 premiums. We have two receivers - no built in DVR, but have a Pioneer 810H DVR/burner integrated in the main room.

We are not wedded to E* - I am annoyed that all the REALLY good deals seem to be for new subscribers, and loyal customers pay through the nose for the same deal.

If we have to switch, that is fine.

Requirements:
Seattle HD locals - we have no over air reception.
DVR with the ability to watch one channel while recording another - and it would be a real plus to have one that would also integrate with the Pioneer - I don't want to lose the ability to burn shows to DVD.

Any insight would be appreciated.

[Stewart Vernon]

Since Feb of this year all of Dish's HD deals have been exactly the same offer for new or existing customers... so I'm not sure exactly what the complaint is here?

[Nick]

Since Feb of this year all of Dish's HD deals have been exactly the same offer for new or existing customers... so I'm not sure exactly what the complaint is here?vicrock's post was a question, not a complaint. Simply put, he asks: When upgrading to HD,
which sat provider's HD programming/deals would be best for his family?

Personally, I recommend E* because they currently have the greatest number of HD channels,
but for each person and family, the choice is a personal one and should be made only after
doing their own research, of which his question here is just a part, I'm sure.

[HDNut]

"I am annoyed that all the REALLY good deals seem to be for new subscribers, and loyal customers pay through the nose for the same deal."

Sorry, Nick, but that sounds like a complaint to me.

[curlysir]

Since Feb of this year all of Dish's HD deals have been exactly the same offer for new or existing customers... so I'm not sure exactly what the complaint is here?

I am an existing Dish customer and just went through the Hd upgrade experience. Existing customers do not get the same offers.

New customers get a $200 rebate and existing customers get a $100 rebate.

New customers get all new equipment at no charge. Existing customers have to pay a minimum of $49. And this was after about 4 calls after I had already signed up for Direct TV. It was going to take 3 weeks before Direct could get an installer here. I stayed with Dish. If Direct TV ever gets a decent HD package I will switch so I can upgrade the rest of my receivers. I was just told by the Dish CSR that it would cost me $299 to upgrade to another VIP211 as I used my Dish it up offer for the year with the previous upgrade. I have to wait 12 months before I can get another receiver at the $49 price.

Dish has the better HD offer right now but the cost to upgrade for equipment is a little steep. I would pay another $49 but not $299.

Doesn't add up the same to me.

[airpolgas]

I don't have DirecTV HD so I can't give you the pros and cons there. I do have Dish and the 622, so per your requirements:

Seattle HD Locals:
Based on this (http://www.allamericandish.com/dish_network_local_channels.htm), you will get ABC, CBS, and NBC on Dish. You may find a more updated list on this (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=57690) site.

Ability to watch show A while recording show B:
622 is dual tuner, so you can pull this off. On top of that, you may watch a pre-recorded show and record two live shows simultaneously - or three, but you mentioned you don't have OTA.

Burn shows on DVD:
I have the composite out of TV1 going to my DVD burner. You can archive any show on the 622 in Standard Definition.

I hope this helps somewhat.