[jmrwiseguy]

I've been considering the upgrade to HD but recently when one of my Series 2DirecTivo units died I finally decided to switch to HD.

I didn't think DirecTV would give me much although I've been a customer for 7 years. When I called DirecTV the CSR could not give me any free HD DVRs but could sell me two of them for $99 each but also $20 extra handling fee on each. That would make the cost about $240 and that seemed to be more than what I would get as a new customer with Dish and their 722 HD DVRs.

I decided to cancel DirecTV and switch to Dish and asked to cancel my service. The person I talked to next (Karen) was able to get me a much better deal. She could get me the 1st HD DVR for free and the 2nd one for $49 (plus I had to still pay the $20 handling fee -- so total was $69).

Regarding the monthly service, I used to have the Total Choice Plus (and locals) and they would switch me to to Choice Xtra and HD. She was able to give me a monthly credit for one year off of the DVR fee ($6 per month). So, with the credit I think the monthly amount was $70 per month.

I was quite ready to switch to Dish but DirecTV was able to give me what I believe to be better value than what Dish was offering. I did not have any problems with my DirecTV previously so I'm happy to stay. My old Series 2 DirecTivos worked flawlessly and I had been using the 6.2 sw so I could use the MRV. That will be one thing my family will miss. I sure hope DirecTV adds the MRV to the HR-2x series.

BTW, I understand that the HR-22 is the newest HD receiver. I asked the CSR if I could get those instead of HR-21 but they could not say what I would get. Does anyone know if the HR-22s are fully in the pipeline or are there still alot of HR-21s that they are installing? I was able to get the # for the installation company (MasTech or something like that) so I'll try calling them for details.

The only complaint so far is that the installation is booked until the 17th of September so my family won't be too excited to wait that long but I'll try calling the installation company to see if I can get it installed earlier -- I'm even willing to pay extra for an early install.

I'll let you know how the installation goes but altogether I'm very happy with the deal DirecTV was able to make me.

 

[RAD]

You can't plan on what receiver you're going to get, it all comes down to what they put on the installer truck, if could be a new HR22 or a refurb HR20.

As for the install date, logon to your online account and check for order status, you might be able to find an earlier date, if not keep trying every day. Things are busy now with all the installs/upgrades for NFL Sunday Ticket.

While you're waiting, if you don't have it now, get a network connection from your router to where you're putting the HR2X's so you can make use of DirecTV on Demand and Media Share features. If you can't run a cat 5 wire to there you can either order power line adapters from DirecTV or if you can do wireless get a Linksys WGA600N wireless game adapter since it looks like DirecTV will be supporting that device soon in the software in the box.

Also check into the Cutting Edge section if this site if you're interested in testing new software releases for the DirecTV receivers. You can let DirecTV know how things are running in your environment, what changes you'd like to see made and sometimes get to test new features before the general public gets to see them.

Enjoy your upgrade!

 

[davring]

I noticed this mornings paper BB had HR22's @ $199.00. So they are in the pipeline. To bad you can't tell what you are going to get as the HR22 can hold about 100 hours vs 50 hours (HR20/21)of HD recordings. Enjoy.

 

[Ken S]

Tell them not to switch you to Choice Xtra...it's basically the same package as Total Choice Plus but costs $3 more a month. You can add HD access to Total Choice Plus get all of the same channels (actually a couple more IIRC) and save a couple of bucks.

 

[inkahauts]

I noticed this mornings paper BB had HR22's @ $199.00. So they are in the pipeline. To bad you can't tell what you are going to get as the HR22 can hold about 100 hours vs 50 hours (HR20/21)of HD recordings. Enjoy.

Yeah, I think they are fully in the distribution pipeline for retail. My costco has had them for 169.99 for a couple weeks...

I wonder if they are at any installers yet. We've only heard of -100, so there are a couple more manufacturers to go before they are all 22 is my guess...

 

[jmrwiseguy]

Yes, I'm networked already (I use MRV on my DirecTivos with the 6.2 version). I've just started reading some of the postings about the CuttingEdge and I'm definitely interested.

Regarding the price difference of Total Choice Plus and Choice Xtra the price seemed to be the same from what I was paying before but I did the math in my head :eek2:

I'll try checking the installation date as you guys mentioned -- I didn't realize I could change it to an earlier date with their website.

Does the Install company generally know what they have in inventory such that it would be worthwhile to contact them directly?

Thanks all for the comments.