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I've been reading a lot of information on these forums, and a lot of it has been very helpful. I wanted to post my offers here to see what other people think. A bit of background history: I used to be a Dish customer until 2003, when DirecTV got our locals in Baton Rouge. I had no major problems with Dish, but DTV got the locals, and I got a nice deal on two DirecTivos. Now, I have been bitten by the HD bug, and I'd like to sample a bit of what the companies have to offer as our local cable probably will never get HD programming, and the most I can get is OTA HD. I've tried using various products to get HD into a computer for recording purposes, but it didn't work like I would like, so I'm probably just going to upgrade. I called Dish and DirecTV, asked Dish about a coming back special, and told DirecTV exactly what Dish offered to get a fair comparison. Here's what they offered:
Dish:
Free Installation
Free Equipment (HD-DVR, which I assume is the VIP-622)
Premium Movie Package free for 3 months
Dish Home Protection Plan for free for 18 months
$100 redemption credit ($10 off my bill for 10 months)
$100 HD programming credit ($10 off my bill for 10 months)
18 month commitment
From what the guy said, my bill would look something like this:
Bronze package - 49.99
DVR Fee - 5.98
Locals - 5.00
For the first 10 months, my bill would be 40.97. For the rest of the 8 months (and beyond, I assume), my bill would be 60.97. He did mention that I would have to pay a $49 fee, but it would be credited back to my account (any reason why they do that? Is it for retention purposes?)
DirecTV:
Free HD-DVR (Confirmed HD20) and installation (would have to pay $19.95 in shipping/handling)
HBO/Showtime for 2 dollars for 6 months
Free HD for 4 months
$10 programming credit for 12 months
24 month commitment
From what the woman said, my bill would look like this:
Total Choice w/locals - 44.94
HD Fee - 9.99
DVR Fee - 5.98
Extra Receiver Fee - 5.00
HBO/Showtime - 2.00 (for six months)
For the first four months, my bill would be 57.92. The next two months, my bill would be 67.92 (HD fee kicks in), and then for the next six months, my bill would be 65.92 (dropped HBO/Showtime). She said that even though it would be a two year commitment, I could call back in a year to see if there are any specials that I could get to sweeten the deal.
I don't have a direct comparison chart for the Dish Bronze and the TC w/locals (and HD) to see what channels I would get, but from a brief look at the listings on their respective page, I would apparently get a lot more HD channels through Dish, but less Standard Def channels (I'm guessing it's the AT60 package?). I would only have the one receiver as well, although I could set that receiver to dual mode so that my wife could watch TV. With DirecTV, I keep my upgraded DirecTivo in the bedroom, but I get less HD, and a higher price.
Looking at my offers above, what would most of you do? Right now, I have to be honest, the Dish offer looks pretty darn good since I don't watch a ton of TV, and Dish seems to have more HD available. Losing the extra receiver would be a bit of a drag, but my house is wired well enough so that it shouldn't be too hard to get that signal to the TV in the back. I just wonder if the remote's signal is strong enough to punch through the wall.
Anyone have direct comparisons between the VIP622 and the HR20? They both seem to have a few flaws here and there, but how is the all important wife acceptance factor on them?
Thanks for reading this post and thanks to all who respond!
Keith
Dish:
Free Installation
Free Equipment (HD-DVR, which I assume is the VIP-622)
Premium Movie Package free for 3 months
Dish Home Protection Plan for free for 18 months
$100 redemption credit ($10 off my bill for 10 months)
$100 HD programming credit ($10 off my bill for 10 months)
18 month commitment
From what the guy said, my bill would look something like this:
Bronze package - 49.99
DVR Fee - 5.98
Locals - 5.00
For the first 10 months, my bill would be 40.97. For the rest of the 8 months (and beyond, I assume), my bill would be 60.97. He did mention that I would have to pay a $49 fee, but it would be credited back to my account (any reason why they do that? Is it for retention purposes?)
DirecTV:
Free HD-DVR (Confirmed HD20) and installation (would have to pay $19.95 in shipping/handling)
HBO/Showtime for 2 dollars for 6 months
Free HD for 4 months
$10 programming credit for 12 months
24 month commitment
From what the woman said, my bill would look like this:
Total Choice w/locals - 44.94
HD Fee - 9.99
DVR Fee - 5.98
Extra Receiver Fee - 5.00
HBO/Showtime - 2.00 (for six months)
For the first four months, my bill would be 57.92. The next two months, my bill would be 67.92 (HD fee kicks in), and then for the next six months, my bill would be 65.92 (dropped HBO/Showtime). She said that even though it would be a two year commitment, I could call back in a year to see if there are any specials that I could get to sweeten the deal.
I don't have a direct comparison chart for the Dish Bronze and the TC w/locals (and HD) to see what channels I would get, but from a brief look at the listings on their respective page, I would apparently get a lot more HD channels through Dish, but less Standard Def channels (I'm guessing it's the AT60 package?). I would only have the one receiver as well, although I could set that receiver to dual mode so that my wife could watch TV. With DirecTV, I keep my upgraded DirecTivo in the bedroom, but I get less HD, and a higher price.
Looking at my offers above, what would most of you do? Right now, I have to be honest, the Dish offer looks pretty darn good since I don't watch a ton of TV, and Dish seems to have more HD available. Losing the extra receiver would be a bit of a drag, but my house is wired well enough so that it shouldn't be too hard to get that signal to the TV in the back. I just wonder if the remote's signal is strong enough to punch through the wall.
Anyone have direct comparisons between the VIP622 and the HR20? They both seem to have a few flaws here and there, but how is the all important wife acceptance factor on them?
Thanks for reading this post and thanks to all who respond!
Keith