[Plasma George]

One for the experts-
AVSers sent me here, since there may be more in the know on what I should do.
The problem,
I have DirekTV for the NFL Sunday Ticket ONLY, recurring every year on my account. (for 6-7 years I guess). I have a 3 LNB dish and an DST3000 HD receiver, hooked up via component to a 110" screen. I'm only interested in NFL-HD games, which is my passion and why I've been paying fo this hobby since 2002.
So when I activate the account, will the HD games showup Week #1 ?

Not having regular programming from DirekTV throughout the year, I'm thinking makes me ineligible for any freebies....meaning I'm going to have to PAY for a 5LNB dish and new HD reciever, installation.

My account is in "Suspension mode" all year....I turn it on in Sept, and turn it off after week 17, usually in Jan. If I don't turn it off, the taxes, box fees, etc. stay on the account and keep adding up every month.

Unfortunatley, I can't do any commitments wth DirekTV regular programming....I'm already paying high flying Comcast bills for HD, Phone, Internet, and Howard on Demand. Bottom Line, I'm a Philly Sports nut, and I HAVE to have ComcastSportsnet, this is a stranglehold Comcast has on Philly, DC, Baltimore and other metro areas where DirekTV doesn't have this channel....weird thing is Verizon FIOS has it, and it looks better !

Does anyone know, or suggest what I should do, what to say to CSRs, etc ?
Thanks so much.

 

[beavis]

You'll need the 5LNB dish and an MPEG 4 HD receiver to get ANY NFL HD games. NFL HD is MPEG 4 this year. You'll have to call D* to see if you're eligible for any free/discounted upgrades.

Another thing, D* has changed their suspend policy recently. Suspensions can only be for a maximum of 6 months at a time. It's been said that after 6 months the account has to be active for 30 days before another suspension can start. D* also puts a limit on suspensions to twice a year, unless you have 2 accounts. (Vacation home, etc.)

 

[kenpac89]

Unfortunatley, I can't do any commitments wth DirekTV regular programming....I'm already paying high flying Comcast bills for HD, Phone, Internet, and Howard on Demand. Bottom Line, I'm a Philly Sports nut, and I HAVE to have ComcastSportsnet, this is a stranglehold Comcast has on Philly, DC, Baltimore and other metro areas where DirekTV doesn't have this channel....weird thing is Verizon FIOS has it, and it looks better !

Does anyone know, or suggest what I should do, what to say to CSRs, etc ?
Thanks so much.

We get Comcast SportsNet through DirecTV down here in Baltimore/DC. It is only Philly that is screwed by this.

 

[CincySaint]

George:

Good luck. I was unable to get D* to let me upgrade to HD without adding base programming (I was a grandfathered ST-only sub for many years). I finally bit the bullet, dropped cable, and went for ST with SF.

For me, it was a very good decision as I'm now enjoying more HD than ever.

 

[bonscott87]

You'll also need to have the HD Access fee ($10 a month) and Superfan ($99 or free if you get a deal) on your account along with the 5 LNB dish and MPEG4 receiver.

If you are grandfathered in with Sunday Ticket only (no basic channel package) I highly doubt you'll get to keep it if you try to get upgraded equipment. You can buy the dish on your own and install it no problem. You can also buy and MPEG4 HD receiver on your own but activating it may take away the grandfathering you have as any change to an account usually stops it. They haven't offered Sunday Ticket stand alone for quite a few years now to new subs.

 

[Plasma George]

I guess yesterday was my day, I usually need a supervisor when I "re-activate" my account every August, cause the CSRs are programmed to say, "you can't have the NFL Sunday Ticket without monthly programming"...and I ask for a Supervisor, and they say "but Sir, as I already stated you can't have the ST without...".

I very nicely explained to the first CSR about how I read about DirekTv's transition to MPEG4, (acting a bit ignorant) and that my dish and HD receiver will no longer work. He said this is all true, and I'll need a new HD receiver, and an new 5lnb dish. He explained my account needs to be active for him to see if I "qualify" for any upgrades.....so I said activate it (a month early but he confirmed NFL Network is included with ST).
He came back saying I qualify for a new dish AND HD receiver !

Then I said "what about the SuperFan $99, I think that's too expensive since I'm already paying for the HD Access.....he said, "I can waive the charges for the Superfan".

To say the least, I was VERY pleased with their upgrading me with the new equipment. I had DirekTV for 9 months back in 2002, then NFLST only starting iin 2004, so I wouldn't say they've made a ton of revenue off me...(Comcast on the other hand). I was fine with paying for the SF, (te HD Gamemix will be the sh-t, since I'm at 110") but I read that they were offering at no charge to some, so I figure I'd ask.

Thanks for your advice.

 

[joed32]

Good deal!