they are gonna force you to get the new dish and HD access with the HD DVR. Although you can just buy the HD DVR in a store, you'll get HD Access added on when activating, and then you wont get the free dish install.
Upgrade A Piece At A Time?
I am getting ready for HDTV. I plan on getting an HD DVR from Costco, a Sony big screen LCD TV, a Sony HDMI capable stereo receiver, and a Sony Blu-Ray player. I can't do this all at once, so I would like to ease into it. I currently have three DirecTivo's on a standard two cable dish with a multiplexer.
Can I start out by only getting the HD DVR and just installing it in place of one of the DirecTivo's? No HD programming or new dish, etc. Just run it in place of a DirecTivo for a while to get used to it, and be ready for when I can afford the other equipment. Will DirecTV let me do that without any changes to my programming? And after that, will DirecTV do just the install for the new dish along with the programming upgrade for HD? Or will they insist on doing everything at the same time? I can install the HD DVR without their assistance.
Can I start out by only getting the HD DVR and just installing it in place of one of the DirecTivo's? No HD programming or new dish, etc. Just run it in place of a DirecTivo for a while to get used to it, and be ready for when I can afford the other equipment. Will DirecTV let me do that without any changes to my programming? And after that, will DirecTV do just the install for the new dish along with the programming upgrade for HD? Or will they insist on doing everything at the same time? I can install the HD DVR without their assistance.
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Your best bet would probably be to get it from Directv directly cause then they will come and install the dish you need. The dish can be bought alone, but it is a good $110 - $150 at most stores and even on ebay they still are $80+
So from a cost perspective, it is still best to go through directv and let them come and put up the dish. Plus you might be able to get a deal on the receiver!
and to answer your questions. Yes an HD-DVR will work on the old dish, just not get HD programming obviously. You will be required to add HD Access to your account when you activate it ($10/mo). and another note is that you will most likely need a new multiswitch with the new dish, again something Directv would provide if you order the HD-DVR/HD upgrade through them (make sure you let them know you need one and have it put on the work order).
So from a cost perspective, it is still best to go through directv and let them come and put up the dish. Plus you might be able to get a deal on the receiver!
and to answer your questions. Yes an HD-DVR will work on the old dish, just not get HD programming obviously. You will be required to add HD Access to your account when you activate it ($10/mo). and another note is that you will most likely need a new multiswitch with the new dish, again something Directv would provide if you order the HD-DVR/HD upgrade through them (make sure you let them know you need one and have it put on the work order).
I think you'd just be frustrated with the HD-DVR until you got the new dish. I'd second or third or whatever the suggestion you go with DirecTV and get them to install a new dish as part of an HD-DVR upgrade. Call DirecTV if you haven't and see what kind of a deal they'll work for you.
Thanks. I was afraid that was the case. One of my problems is that my current programming (not available anymore) would have to be upgraded to the Plus HD DVR package, which is about twice the cost of my current package. Without an HDTV it would be kind of pointless, as we rarely watch anything except the networks. So I guess I might as well wait until I can do it all.drx792 said:they are gonna force you to get the new dish and HD access with the HD DVR. Although you can just buy the HD DVR in a store, you'll get HD Access added on when activating, and then you wont get the free dish install.
why would you go with the hddvr if you do not want the programming? It would be better to wait until you can actually use the service. Get some of your other pieces first as you can start to use those immediately.
Yeah, but there is a lot of difference between a $170 DVR and a $2,500 TV.thespaceghost said:why would you go with the hddvr if you do not want the programming? It would be better to wait until you can actually use the service. Get some of your other pieces first as you can start to use those immediately.
You can add HD access to a grandfathered package. It has to be done by telephone instead of the website, but you will need to call to activate in any case.
Wow! I hope you are right Bob. We have the old (OLD) Select Choice package that hasn't been offered for years. If we could put HD on that it would be fantastic! We are also grandfathered into east and west coast networks (except for PBS) and we sure don't want to give that up by screwing around with the packages.bobnielsen said:You can add HD access to a grandfathered package. It has to be done by telephone instead of the website, but you will need to call to activate in any case.
My approach would be to get an HDTV first. Doesn't have to be the biggest and baddest they sell either. Mid size model's prices keep falling. Upgrade sat dish and receiver ASAP after that to start enjoying your spent money now.
Later, you start building out your system with bluray, A/V receiver and speakers, and the mother of all eyeballs big TV as the budget allows. Don't forget theater seats and popcorn machine.
Later, you start building out your system with bluray, A/V receiver and speakers, and the mother of all eyeballs big TV as the budget allows. Don't forget theater seats and popcorn machine.
1. Get the TV
2. As funds allow, get the HD DVR and dish from DIRECTV
3. Prioritize the receiver and Blu-ray player as you have funding.
I would suggest that if you chose by value rather than brand name, you might be able to swing more pieces sooner (and you might avoid the 1080p/24 fight).
2. As funds allow, get the HD DVR and dish from DIRECTV
3. Prioritize the receiver and Blu-ray player as you have funding.
I would suggest that if you chose by value rather than brand name, you might be able to swing more pieces sooner (and you might avoid the 1080p/24 fight).
Before you buy all that Sony gear buy some of their stock first.:lol: Since you mostly watch locals maybe you can get those channels in HD from an antenna for now. Does Prescott (15 miles away) have locals? Phoenix does but may be too far away for an antenna. The soon to be released Sony BD model 550 looks hot but the best value in LCD tv is Samsung and home theater is Onkyo. You might be able to save a little money there. I prefer the HR20 interface to tivo but you may not, in other words you probably will have to get used to it. For HD it is well worth it though.DeweySat said:I am getting ready for HDTV. I plan on getting an HD DVR from Costco, a Sony big screen LCD TV, a Sony HDMI capable stereo receiver, and a Sony Blu-Ray player. I can't do this all at once, so I would like to ease into it. I currently have three DirecTivo's on a standard two cable dish with a multiplexer.
Can I start out by only getting the HD DVR and just installing it in place of one of the DirecTivo's? No HD programming or new dish, etc. Just run it in place of a DirecTivo for a while to get used to it, and be ready for when I can afford the other equipment. Will DirecTV let me do that without any changes to my programming? And after that, will DirecTV do just the install for the new dish along with the programming upgrade for HD? Or will they insist on doing everything at the same time? I can install the HD DVR without their assistance.
Nope. There are no locals in Prescott. That's why we were able to get the nationals in the first place. There is one channel (NBC) in Flagstaff that we could get a snowy picture on, but we got an authorization letter from them long ago. Phoenix would be impossible. Too many mountains. It's either satellite or cable for us.kikkenit2 said:Before you buy all that Sony gear buy some of their stock first.:lol: Since you mostly watch locals maybe you can get those channels in HD from an antenna for now. Does Prescott (15 miles away) have locals? Phoenix does but may be too far away for an antenna. The soon to be released Sony BD model 550 looks hot but the best value in LCD tv is Samsung and home theater is Onkyo. You might be able to save a little money there. I prefer the HR20 interface to tivo but you may not, in other words you probably will have to get used to it. For HD it is well worth it though.
I have always been a Sony fan since their first CD player many moons ago. We pretty much stick to Sony and Pioneer for everything, although I understand that Samsung makes some great TV's. My eye is on the Sony Bravia 52". When I go to Costco or Best Buy, that TV immediately stands out from all the rest, whether LCD or Plasma.
I'm a Sony fan too, but I'd never buy all Sony Equipment. Like any company, they do some things good (TV, BD) and some things bad (speakers, receivers).
HD locals look pretty sweet with Directv. I have no clue whether you would get Phoenix or LA feeds. If you get neither that would suck.DeweySat said:Nope. There are no locals in Prescott. That's why we were able to get the nationals in the first place. There is one channel (NBC) in Flagstaff that we could get a snowy picture on, but we got an authorization letter from them long ago. Phoenix would be impossible. Too many mountains. It's either satellite or cable for us.
I have always been a Sony fan since their first CD player many moons ago. We pretty much stick to Sony and Pioneer for everything, although I understand that Samsung makes some great TV's. My eye is on the Sony Bravia 52". When I go to Costco or Best Buy, that TV immediately stands out from all the rest, whether LCD or Plasma.
As far as LCD tv's it depends on which model of Bravia Costco carries. Cnet rates the xbr the best made but sony's site only shows a W4100 which compares somewhat with the Samsung A650. Cnet rates the samsung better. I suspect they are selling the lesser model, the V4100. That would compare to the Samsung A550. The lesser models don't have the 120hz refresh. Cnet actually gave the A650 an editor's choice award. Review here.
http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/samsung-ln52a650/4505-6482_7-32887597.html?tag=mncol;lst
It may come down to styling. The Sony has a thick silver bar across the bottom and the Samsung has a thin red bar I guess. I prefer all black bezel. Costco prices are hard to beat.
The Costco Sony is a KDL-52WL35135, which is made especially for Costco. According to posts on the AVS Forum, it falls somewhere between the XBR4 and the KDL-52W3000. It does have 120hz refresh, and the bezel is very thin and all black. I love the look of it.kikkenit2 said:HD locals look pretty sweet with Directv. I have no clue whether you would get Phoenix or LA feeds. If you get neither that would suck.
As far as LCD tv's it depends on which model of Bravia Costco carries. Cnet rates the xbr the best made but sony's site only shows a W4100 which compares somewhat with the Samsung A650. Cnet rates the samsung better. I suspect they are selling the lesser model, the V4100. That would compare to the Samsung A550. The lesser models don't have the 120hz refresh. Cnet actually gave the A650 an editor's choice award. Review here.
http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/samsung-ln52a650/4505-6482_7-32887597.html?tag=mncol;lst
It may come down to styling. The Sony has a thick silver bar across the bottom and the Samsung has a thin red bar I guess. I prefer all black bezel. Costco prices are hard to beat.
If the guys at avsforum like it you can't go wrong. I love that site for home theater. And that's the style that I like too. Sony's website is confusing as I see 9 46" models including xbr and W3000 but the 52" has only 2 models. Where are the rest hiding?:grin:DeweySat said:The Costco Sony is a KDL-52WL35135, which is made especially for Costco. According to posts on the AVS Forum, it falls somewhere between the XBR4 and the KDL-52W3000. It does have 120hz refresh, and the bezel is very thin and all black. I love the look of it.
Definitely get the TV first.harsh said:1. Get the TV
2. As funds allow, get the HD DVR and dish from DIRECTV
3. Prioritize the receiver and Blu-ray player as you have funding.
I would suggest that if you chose by value rather than brand name, you might be able to swing more pieces sooner (and you might avoid the 1080p/24 fight).
Not telling you how to TV shop but, Sony's are good, although there are better TV's for less than what Sony wants.
You can purchase your DVR from any retailer and get a free dish installation. Just call and politely ask to add HD to your plan as you purchased an HD receiver. I did this about 4 months ago and a week later a truck as at my house installing the new Slimline dish and taking the round dish with them when they left. Took less than an hour even including activating the HR21. There was no charge for the install. Since you need a 5lnb dish to view HD I think they should provide the dish for free as well as install. But then again it could have been free because of our premier package with a total of 15 or 16 receivers. Like others have said, it also allowed me to keep the old price for the premier plan that we have had for 3 years or so.
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