[cejohnsonjr]

Hi everybody! I currently live with my mother (a senior) and she is a D* subscriber since 2004, wanting to upgrade to HD DVR's.

Let me first start with a description of my current setup:

OK, we have an oval dish with triple LNB. There are 3 separate lines coming from it. 2 of them go to the DirecTiVo we have in the living room. The 3rd one goes to my regular old receiver downstairs in the den. We have the Total Choice package.

Now, we both have recently purchased HDTV's. I would like to get her an HDDVR and one for myself. Some questions I have:

1. Since I want to have dual-tuner capability on both HDDVR's will I simply be able to run one more line from my existing dish or will I need a whole new dish?

2. I currently get local channels out of Knoxville, TN in SD through the dish. How can I determine if I will get HD locals through the dish? One reason I ask is that the OTA HD locals I get now aren't from Knoxville. They're from much further east. I can't seem to pick up Knoxville stations OTA with my attic-mounted antenna.

3. Can I go to Best Buy and pick up a couple of HDDVR's and set them up myself or do you think I could maybe get a deal by going through D*?

4. What's the least expensive programming package that we can get and still receive HD channels? What would be the monthly bottom line?

TIA for any help y'all can provide

 

[harsh]

1. Since I want to have dual-tuner capability on both HDDVR's will I simply be able to run one more line from my existing dish or will I need a whole new dish?

A different dish is required and an additional cable from it to your room.

2. I currently get local channels out of Knoxville, TN in SD through the dish. How can I determine if I will get HD locals through the dish?

Enter in your zip code here: http://directv.com/DTVAPP/packProg/....8_A&_DAV=-1&_dynSessConf=1187915061746265209

3. Can I go to Best Buy and pick up a couple of HDDVR's and set them up myself or do you think I could maybe get a deal by going through D*?

You may save a few dollars, you may not. In either case, DIRECTV is going to have to install the new dish and their contractors work at no cost to you.

4. What's the least expensive programming package that we can get and still receive HD channels? What would be the monthly bottom line?

You can get a handful of channels with the Family Package, but to get more than nine, you'll be looking at a more expensive package. Again, do some exploring on the DIRECTV website.

 

[noursegod]

Hi everybody! I currently live with my mother (a senior) and she is a D* subscriber since 2004, wanting to upgrade to HD DVR's.

Let me first start with a description of my current setup:

OK, we have an oval dish with triple LNB. There are 3 separate lines coming from it. 2 of them go to the DirecTiVo we have in the living room. The 3rd one goes to my regular old receiver downstairs in the den. We have the Total Choice package.

Now, we both have recently purchased HDTV's. I would like to get her an HDDVR and one for myself. Some questions I have:

1. Since I want to have dual-tuner capability on both HDDVR's will I simply be able to run one more line from my existing dish or will I need a whole new dish?

2. I currently get local channels out of Knoxville, TN in SD through the dish. How can I determine if I will get HD locals through the dish? One reason I ask is that the OTA HD locals I get now aren't from Knoxville. They're from much further east. I can't seem to pick up Knoxville stations OTA with my attic-mounted antenna.

3. Can I go to Best Buy and pick up a couple of HDDVR's and set them up myself or do you think I could maybe get a deal by going through D*?

4. What's the least expensive programming package that we can get and still receive HD channels? What would be the monthly bottom line?

TIA for any help y'all can provide

1. If you don't have a slimline dish, you would have to upgrade your existing dish to that one in order to get the HD channels. Other than that, a single dish will support at least 8 tuners so you won't need a 2nd dish.

2. Knoxville locals are available in HD through your dish

3. You can get them through best buy, but you will probably be better off getting them professionally installed by directv and you might get a better deal.

4. HD access is $9.95 a month for any package and it will give youthe HD version of any channel you have in SD. So the cheapest package would be Family with HD access for around $40 for the programming.

 

[Grentz]

Here is the breakdown of what you get in HD with each package:
http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPageNR.jsp?assetId=3420007

Note the way Directv does it, you always pay $9.99 for the HD access fee, but what HD channels you get is determined by your main package (Family, Choice, Choice Extra, Premier)

 

[techrep]

Call DirecTV and tell them that you need a Slimline dish to receive the Knoxville locals. The CSR will look at your account and may bring up the HD DVR during the call. If the CSR doesn't mention it then, you request 2 HD DVR's.

If the CSR does not offer the Slimline dish, 2 HD DVR's, and intallation for $199 (or less) ask for a better deal. This is a good time to ask about the protection plan and, the protection plan is recommened.

The plan you now have will suffice with addons like: HD package (if you don't have it) and DVR service. I can't remember what is included with your package so there may be something else that you would like to have. You get the Knoxville local's so the HD package will include the HD locals

Remember: we are not hillbillies, we are Apalachian Americans :lol:

GO BIG ORANGE!

 

[cejohnsonjr]

Thanks for all the rapid resposes y'all! I'll get going on this and let you know what I get.

GO VOLS!!

 

[cejohnsonjr]

Well, I called and talked to a very nice CSR. She set us up with two HDDVR's at $99 each and a new dish and HD access. Only bummer is the install won't be until the 20th . But that is my mom's birthday so it'll be a nice present!

Thanks again to everyone here for your help and for being such a great forum!

 

[techrep]

Well, I called and talked to a very nice CSR. She set us up with two HDDVR's at $99 each and a new dish and HD access. Only bummer is the install won't be until the 20th . But that is my mom's birthday so it'll be a nice present!

Thanks again to everyone here for your help and for being such a great forum!

There are a lot of good knowledgeable folks here, ask the installer to give the sat 103c and sat 99c signal strengths a little extra (tweak) attention.