Thinking of switching back...

2792 Views 16 Replies 9 Participants Last post by AMike, Jun 26, 2012

AMike

Discussion Starter · Jun 21, 2012

About a year ago, I made the decision to switch to Comcast (see http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=195104 for the details). Overall, we have been pleased with the switch.

However, a carrot was dangled in front of me last weekend while at Sam's Club. There was a D* salesman there who was doing a great job of selling me on returning. If I were to switch back, I could basically save $40 a month if I were to get my old package and get ST for free.

Because I terminated my service last year, I had read varying accounts on how D* would treat someone like myself that was a customer for 12 years, but walked away last year after a sweetheart deal from Comcast. After the meeting with the guy at Sam's, I called D* to see how they would treat me coming back. Essentially the CSR made the same offer to me that the Sam's guy did. Then I discover that I can get even a better deal via Costco.

Now I am still weighing the offer but thought I would turn to this board for additional information. First, I see that I could get the HR 34 for a discounted rate, but I would like to know if I have to get another dish (I still have a Slimline 5 lnb dish still installed) or a different multi-switch? Second, if I don't order the HR34, what receiver would I get typically?

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carl6

· #2 · Jun 21, 2012

The HR34 requires SWM. Your dish is okay, but the LNB might have to be changed. Does your old dish have one coax coming down, or four? If four, then the LNB would need to be replaced.

As to what DVR you would get, it could be any of the HR series, but most new installs report getting an HR24 (certainly no guarantee of that though).

AMike

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 21, 2012

carl6 said:
The HR34 requires SWM. Your dish is okay, but the LNB might have to be changed. Does your old dish have one coax coming down, or four? If four, then the LNB would need to be replaced.

As to what DVR you would get, it could be any of the HR series, but most new installs report getting an HR24 (certainly no guarantee of that though).

I have 4 cables coming from the dish. I guess my next question is would I be charged to swap out the existing LNB at install?

carl6

· #4 · Jun 21, 2012

If you order the HMC (HR34 - Home Media Center), they should do whatever is necessary as part of the installation, which includes converting you to SWM. You need to discuss with whoever you order through what the installation charges will be before signing up.

MrShowtime

· #5 · Jun 21, 2012

AMike said:
I have 4 cables coming from the dish. I guess my next question is would I be charged to swap out the existing LNB at install?

Former customer work orders always have the required dish/lnb on them. D* has no way of knowing what type of shape your dish/lnb is in or if you even still have it.

AMike

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jun 21, 2012

Thanks. I guess I'll need to update my signature since my install is scheduled for Saturday afternoon.

I did get the HR34. I've been looking forward to this type of receiver since I first had the service installed.

RACJ2

· #7 · Jun 22, 2012

Welcome back to DIRECTV! You will enjoy the HR34, despite it still having a few glitches. Having the ability to record up to 5 different programs or 4 recordings and still have a live tuner available, makes it worth while. And then add to that WHDVR, PIP, 100 series recordings and double the recording space of an HR24. The benefits far outweigh a few glitches that I'm sure they will iron out (you can read about in this HR34 discussion [thread] so you will know what to expect..

AMike

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jun 22, 2012

It will be good to be back. At the time I made my decision, the cost savings was decent, but in February, Comcast decided to up their costs per outlet at a ridiculous cost, increasing my overall bill by about $30.00 per month which basically defeated my initial purpose of switching.

But coming back, I will get to feed my sports addiction! And my wife gets her movie channels as well, so everyone wins!

spartanstew

· #9 · Jun 22, 2012

carl6 said:
The HR34 requires SWM. Your dish is okay, but the LNB might have to be changed. Does your old dish have one coax coming down, or four? If four, then the LNB would need to be replaced.

Or get a SWM-8/SWM-16, right?

AMike

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jun 23, 2012

So much for my install today.

I received a call from the installer stating that they had no HR34's available for install. They are due to receive their receivers on Wednesday.

I just wish at the time I placed my order they would have known the stock availability of the equipment and plan accordingly.

AMike

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jun 23, 2012

And I spoke too soon. About 30 minutes ago, the installer calls back to inform me that they received a shipment of the HR34's, so he can proceed with my install.

He is having to change the LNB for the HMC, but he states this should be an easy install since I already have a dish installed.

dewd

· #12 · Jun 24, 2012

I switched to Verizon FIOS 3 years ago after being with D* for 12. I just switched back 2 months ago and I can say I'm very happy I did. I got the HR34 and so far I am pleased. I'm not a huge fan of having every one's recording on one list, but the performance of the DVR has been excellent.

I switched to Verizon to save money and now I switched back to D* to save money. I think I'll keep switching every few years and eventually it will just be free. :lol:

dpeters11

· #13 · Jun 24, 2012

You can turn sharing off per DVR.

AMike

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jun 24, 2012

The install went off without a hitch. MRV is working in all rooms with no issues thus far.

I will say that the PQ just appears to be crisper than what I had with Comcast. When I first got Comcast last year, the PQ there was not bad, but there were certain channels where the HD picture was shaky at best as it seemed that they were at their limit with the number of HD channels. Sometime over the past year, several HD premium channels disappeared without notice and were replaced by HD channels that have been requested here (BBCA for example).

Here's a few pros/cons:

Pros:

Better PQ
SD channels are not duplicated. On Comcast (at least here in metro Atlanta), there is no rhyme or reason for the SD and HD channel number placement.
Comcast guide only shows 4 programs at a time. D* guide shows 6.
Greater number of premiums in HD (35 vs. 10ish)

Cons:

Comcast guide was color coordinated based on type of program. D* guide is all blue (unless there's a way to change that I'm not aware of).
Instant On Demand (that was one of the huge selling points of Comcast)

Overall...it's good to be back.

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Old_School

· #15 · Jun 25, 2012

Glad to see everything went okay.. also glad to see you back...

Comcast prices are insane after the first year. I have decided to pretty much stick with D as i only really have it for the NFLST.

Sadly, i have to stick with comcast for my internet as they are the fastest service offered in my area.

Beerstalker

· #16 · Jun 25, 2012

I initially missed the color coded guide of Comcast, but now I no longer do. If you hit guide twice you have options to show movie channels, sports channels etc, to just look for that stuff if that is what you are wanting.

Also the ability to have a true custom guide, hide duplicate SD/HD channels, etc. far outweighs the missing color codes. My parent's still have comcast and I find it's almost a chore to find something on TV anymore because of their guide. There's no way to get rid of all the channels that they don't get, HD channels are all over the place, multiple copies of the same channel all over the place etc.

AMike

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jun 26, 2012

The color guide is not really an issue for me, but for my wife. She just got used to the colors to identify what is on. I've told her that she needs to remember that the premiums are in the 500s and the other channels she likes are in the 200s.

I have been extremely pleased with the HR34. That is truly a great device. I also have an HR24 in the mix as well. The other receivers are H25s. I have 2 older receivers that I am thinking of adding to my setup to reconfigure my media room to the way it was previously.

This is how I was set up before and now:

Media Room
Main Monitor: Then HR20/700 Now HR34

Monitor 1: Then H20/100 Now TBD

Monitor 2:Then H23/600 Now TBD

Living Room Then HR20/700 Now HR24

Master Bedroom Then HR22/100 Now H25

Office: Then HR22/100 Now H25

Guest Bedroom Then D10/300 Now H25

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