[Jason Whiddon]

I am very happy with Directv right now except for the HD locals. I am an HR20 owner that has had zero problems also.

After much consideration I am going to suspend my account till July of next year and have Comcast come out and reinstall the HD DVR so I can view all my locals reliably.

I tried to get waivers but they would not give them to me, and being in an apartment my OTA is spotty. Being I paid $2500 for my TV, I want HD locals more than anything.

I plan to leave my 5lnb up in hopes that by July we will have HD locals. If not by then, I'll guess I'll drop them or re-up the suspension.

It really pains me because I've been happy in the few mo's, but I honestly thought we'd have hd locals by years end, so I was wrong.

Anyways, good luck to everyone and I'll keep my fingers crossed that we get HD locals soon so I don't have to use the SA8300HD dvr for long!

 

[crockett]

Have you looked into this? Is there any fees, etc. for suspending your account?

I'm am considering doing the same. HD locals were listed on their website for my DMA in August. I signed up (2 year commitment) in September after being told they were just running behind and would be up shortly. About six weeks later they removed my DMA from the list. About 2 weeks later they added my DMA to list for the end of this year. Now they have removed my DMA from the list (for the end of this year) from the list once again. CSRs are now saying the end of this month.

I think I'm done with the games and am considering calling them for a refund of all fees paid until this point and having my account put on hold until they get all four networks in my area in HD. I've since learned that even when they put up a DMA it not all four of the major networks but more likely just 2.

I'm a reasonable guy and have been patient but I'm in the same boat you are. I purchased an HD TV and part of my decision was based on conversations I had with DirecTV that my locals channels would be available in HD in the near future.

How long can you suspend your account. I could just get Dish for a year and then just switch back aftewards. Yes, I know Dish doesn't offer my locals in HD and won't be anytime in the near future but at least they are being honest about it.

Cable is not an option and even though an antenna might be feasable it would have to be a big one and an expensive installation even if I did it myself so I've ruled that out as well.

 

[Jason Whiddon]

It costs nothing to suspend the account. I just logged into "my directv" and sent customer service an email.

They then told me there was no charge and that I needed to give them dates up to 9 mo's total. So I told them 11-30 to 7-30. Hopefully by then I'll know more about their plans and can make a new decision. You basically keep your equipment the whole time, your service is basically shut off.

I have Comcast coming out on 11-25 for the HD Dvr. Only good thing about this other than getting my hd locals back is my internet will drop $15 per month.

I will definitely miss my HR20.

 

[dodge boy]

This sounds like a plan from football season to football season, just get the family package + NFLST during football season.

 

[Jason Whiddon]

Well,

honestly football season doesn't matter much to me because I only watch college.

This means I need locals and espn and espn 2 hd. If I was a big NFL viewer, then I probably would need the NFL package thru D*.

 

[crockett]

hmmmm. If only it was for a year. I wonder what they would do if I suspended for nine months and then suspended for another 3 back to back. I don't want a double bill while I'm locked into to Dish Network.

O.k. off to call Dish Network and see what they have to offer.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[Jason Whiddon]

From what I've read of of DBSTalk, you just re-up your suspension at the end of 9mo's.

 

[Jason Whiddon]

Well, its done.

Comcast comes out on Saturday, and the D* suspension begins on 11-30 for 8 mo's.

Comcast gave me one hell of a deal for 12 mo's, the only bad thing is I'll have to suspend another 4 mo's if I want to go back to D* next fall. I got Digital cable, HD DVR and internet for $73 per month. They are basically giving you the internet free if you agree to 12 mo's.

I wish everyone well and hope that D* keeps up their promises with the new sats for when I re-evaluate next year.

 

[408SJC]

Well, its done.

Comcast comes out on Saturday, and the D* suspension begins on 11-30 for 8 mo's.

Comcast gave me one hell of a deal for 12 mo's, the only bad thing is I'll have to suspend another 4 mo's if I want to go back to D* next fall. I got Digital cable, HD DVR and internet for $73 per month. They are basically giving you the internet free if you agree to 12 mo's.

I wish everyone well and hope that D* keeps up their promises with the new sats for when I re-evaluate next year.

Ive heard here in NoCal that many people are having more problems with Comcraps HDDVR than everyone with an hr20 is having. Hopefully you wont have any problems with yours. They wont have a software fix until Dec. which is only a week and a half away. Good Luck! Call comcrap right way to get a replacement if you have problems!!!

 

[Jason Whiddon]

Thanks. Comcast here has the SA8300HD which I had before and worked flawlessly. It just has a boring interface and space limitations compared to the HR20.

Ever since the newest update to the HR20 I have started having corrupted recordings which I have not been happy about, but it's hit and miss. I never once had that with the 8300HD so that's something positive I can say about it. Other than that, the SA box is far from impressive.

 

[newsposter]

does your contract run during suspension or do they restart it once you start paying again?

 

[Jason Whiddon]

I have read on here that your commitment still counts down while on suspension, and I've read that it does not. I am not sure.

 

[oldschoolecw]

I just found this in my search so I thought I would bring it out of the ashes.

And does this suspend your account really work?
Because Comcast just took over in my neck of the woods for Adelphia, who was not the greatest of cable TV companies. I am thinking about giving them a try until they fix the HR20 issues.

 

[Earl Bonovich]

I would highly doubt your "commitment" continues to tick away during a suspension (aka you are not paying a bill).

It is possible... and it would be more of a loophole.
As there is doubt that if they see a trend in people doing this, that it would be changed.

 

[oldschoolecw]

I would highly doubt your "commitment" continues to tick away during a suspension (aka you are not paying a bill).

It is possible... and it would be more of a loophole.
As there is doubt that if they see a trend in people doing this, that it would be changed.

That is what I was thinking but wanted to bring it up. Thank you Earl

 

[capecodsooner]

It is possible... and it would be more of a loophole.

New logo'd Earl

Loopholes???DTV????

Naw that would never hapen.

I suspended mine during a move. Re-upped the "suspension" when the house was not yet completed on schedule. Total suspended time - September of 04 - Julyof 05 --- 11 months.

However, they will begin to send you a bill/charge you're credit card on the date service resumes (or the date you give them to resume service). You might not have the equipment hooked up and operatonal on that date but you do begin to see it on you're bill.

Give them a call a few weeks ahead of time if the suspension needs to continue beyond the maximum dates allowed on the web site. Otherwise you will then need to play the credit game to get back you're $$$.

Good luck.