Need Some Advice Switching to Dtv from Comcast... (Plans / Negotiation / etc...)

[wahooka]

Hi-

I am currently a Comcast subscriber but am moving and interesting in signing up to DirecTV to:
1) Save money
2) Get MLB Extra innings
3) Get a better DVR (comcast one sucks)

I need some advice given my situation.

I will need 4 receivers. 3 should be standard DVRs.

What can I do to negotiate a good deal switching from cable? What do they usually offer?

I also may buy an HDTV within the next few months, still not sure. I was looking at packages and the Plus package looks to be what I'd want... I dont care much about HBO, Showtime, etc...

Should I get an HDTV receiver / dish initially even though I don't have it yet?

Also what scares me is if you don't keep service for 24 months (with advanced receivers) then they bill you for the rest of the time. This sucks! I live in an apt and could easily move after a year.

What advice can you give me?

I really appreciate any help

[JLucPicard]

Just a couple of quick hits here.

First and foremost - wahooka, Welcome to DBSTalk!!! :welcome_s

Being a new customer, I would most certainly look to going ahead and getting the HD receiver (H20 - HD Receiver or HR20 - HD DVR) right away as you would be more likely to get a better deal as a new customer than an existing one (just the way it works, unfortunately). They would set you up with the 5 LNB HD dish right away - no need for a separate installation to upgrade later.

Also, if you do move within a year and can get reception at a new location, you can just transfer everything with you. If you would likely have to cancel, then that may be a factor you should consider now as well.

Good Luck!!!

[wahooka]

thanks for the info.

do you recommend that i buy my own HD DVR? or get one through them?

also can i get the 5 LNB HD dish setup even if i dont want an HD plan just yet? like stay on the regular plans which are cheaper since i dont have an HDTV yet...

thanks for the help!

[Koz]

Get the HR20 through DirecTV. I'm very happy with mine. It had a lot of issues when it launched last fall, but they've improved the software tremendously since then, and continue to improve it.

Your other options are getting an HR10 DirecTV Tivo box. A lot of people have these and love them, but you can't get them new from DirecTV anymore and they are phasing them out since they can't tune in the newer HD channels. (new technology not supported by the HR10) Or you could get a standard HD (non DVR) DirecTV box and hook up a Series 3 stand alone TiVo. I think some people do this, but I would rather have my tuner and DVR all in one. Plus, with that set-up, you'd only have 1 tuner. With the HR20, you'd have 2 tuners.

I'm not sure what they'd say about setting you up with HD equipment, but not HD service. Even if you don't get the HR20 right away, you should try to get the 5 LNB dish. (symplistically, 5 LNB means it looks at 5 different satellites) Otherwise, they'll give you the 3 LNB dish. If/When you later wanted HD, you'd have to get your dish replaced so you can tune in the extra 2 satellites that have the HD content. They'd do that for you for free, but it's a hassle you could avoid by getting the 5 LNB right away.

[wahooka]

so the hr 20 is a dvr and receiver?

are there two different versions, one with dvr and one without?

thanks for all the help

[Koz]

There's an H20 (HD non-DVR) and HR20 (HD DVR). They are both HD DirecTV receivers. The HR20 has a built-in 2-tuner DVR.

[carl6]

I believe it is current policy that you must add the HD service package when you activate any HD equipment now. You would not be able to get either the H20 or HR20 without HD service.

However, I personally think the HR20 is enough better than the standard def product, the R15, that it's worth the $10 a month difference until such time as you get an HD TV, at which time you are already set up for HD - just plug the TV in and enjoy. If you expect to go to HD in the next six months or so, I would seriously consider starting out with HD from DirecTV. If the HDTV is a year or more down the line, then it's probably not worth it.

Carl

[hr20manray]

thanks for the info.

do you recommend that i buy my own HD DVR? or get one through them?

also can i get the 5 LNB HD dish setup even if i dont want an HD plan just yet? like stay on the regular plans which are cheaper since i dont have an HDTV yet...

thanks for the help!

You "lease" the HR20, no matter where you get it.

[wahooka]

You "lease" the HR20, no matter where you get it.

what if you buy it at bestbuy or on ebay? you still dont own it?

[Pink Fairy]

No, it would still be leased. You can only get 'owned' receivers either through Ebay and the likes of that, or order it through D*, where it will cost you significantly more

[Mertzen]

Also what scares me is if you don't keep service for 24 months (with advanced receivers) then they bill you for the rest of the time. This sucks! I live in an apt and could easily move after a year.

That is what the movers connect is for. You keep your service / contract and just take your receivers to the new place.

[golfnut-n-nh]

Hi-

I am currently a Comcast subscriber but am moving and interesting in signing up to DirecTV to:
1) Save money
2) Get MLB Extra innings
3) Get a better DVR (comcast one sucks)

I need some advice given my situation.

I will need 4 receivers. 3 should be standard DVRs.

What can I do to negotiate a good deal switching from cable? What do they usually offer?

I also may buy an HDTV within the next few months, still not sure. I was looking at packages and the Plus package looks to be what I'd want... I dont care much about HBO, Showtime, etc...

Should I get an HDTV receiver / dish initially even though I don't have it yet?

Also what scares me is if you don't keep service for 24 months (with advanced receivers) then they bill you for the rest of the time. This sucks! I live in an apt and could easily move after a year.

What advice can you give me?

I really appreciate any help

I too am switching from Comcast to D*. Installation is scheduled for tomorrow assuming a signal can be had. (Wish me luck!) Tried to have D* installed two weeks ago, but a foot of snow stopped the installer from going on the roof,which is the last installation option.

I am switching because of the uncertainty of the MLB EI package on cable and the additional Sports Package offered by D*. Psst, don't tell the wife the other reason is for NFL Sunday Ticket!!

[Proud Liberal]

I too am switching from Comcast to D*.

I am switching because of the uncertainty of the MLB EI package on cable and the additional Sports Package offered by D*. Psst, don't tell the wife the other reason is for NFL Sunday Ticket!!

Count me in as another switcher from Comcast due to the MLB EI issue. However, based on my research on the DirecTV site, it looks like if you just get the Sports Pack option, do you really MLB EI? For example, I used to get MLB EI to see the Red Sox games. NESN is the carrier of Red Sox games & the Sports Pack comes with NESN, so why would I need to also get the MLB EI package to watch Red Sox games? Can someone enlighten me if I'm understanding this correctly?

Thanks!

[heavyobjects]

Count me in as another switcher from Comcast due to the MLB EI issue. However, based on my research on the DirecTV site, it looks like if you just get the Sports Pack option, do you really MLB EI? For example, I used to get MLB EI to see the Red Sox games. NESN is the carrier of Red Sox games & the Sports Pack comes with NESN, so why would I need to also get the MLB EI package to watch Red Sox games? Can someone enlighten me if I'm understanding this correctly?

Thanks!

One of the reasons I switched from cable is to have access to NESN, too (and psst! Sunday Ticket). Found out quickly that Red Sox games are blacked out if you are not in the NESN viewing areas because of contractual arrangements with MLB (so they can sell us out-of-market games themselves). You need EI to watch those games if you live outside of NESN area. You WILL get most other programming on NESN though, as long as it is not a live professional event. Some Sox highlight shows are also blacked out, however, due to MLB constraints.

[Proud Liberal]

One of the reasons I switched from cable is to have access to NESN, too (and psst! Sunday Ticket). Found out quickly that Red Sox games are blacked out if you are not in the NESN viewing areas because of contractual arrangements with MLB (so they can sell us out-of-market games themselves). You need EI to watch those games if you live outside of NESN area. You WILL get most other programming on NESN though, as long as it is not a live professional event. Some Sox highlight shows are also blacked out, however, due to MLB constraints.

Bummer...thanks for the info. I was afraid I wasn't seeing the whole picture - it was just too good to be true :(