DirecTV Tivo & new HDTV channels

Did you talk to the retention dept? They are the only ones authorized to
make the deals. Make sure you tell them you are considering leaving if you
dont get a better deal. Tell them what you want. exactly... I'll renewfor
2 years if I can get a hr20, install 5lnb, 6 mo hd, hbo, etc...

This is what I got last month... Free hr20, Free install of 5 lnb dish,
Multiswitch, move (recabling) of my hr10. 6 mo free hd.

You may have to talk to retention a couple times a few days apart... Good
luck.


"Chris Adams" wrote in message
...
Once upon a time, nik Simpson said:
Chris, you need to be more ruthless, when I moved in August, I spent
some time with the DTV sales rep as she outlined the costs for moving to
the new DVR. The offer started at $299 + service commitment + turning in
my existing TIVO-based DVR. I turned that down flat and threatened to
leave if they couldn't come up with a better offer. After several
permutations we got to $99, no commitment and I kept the TIVO-based DVR,
which seemed reasonable ;-)

I've talked to three DirecTV people on the phone (one supervisor) and
exchanged email with another person. The best they offered me is $199 +
two year service commitment + free HD package for a year (I own my HR10
so they don't want it). I may still take it, but I'm seriously
considering just going back to Comcast and getting a TiVo HD (especially
now that supported external storage and TTG have arrived).

I told every DirecTV person I dealt with that, and it didn't make one
bit of difference to them. On my last call, I even confirmed that I am
not under contract and what my billing cycle is so I'd know when to
cancel.

Telling me that I could get the HR20 without a commitment for $750 is
just plain rude, especially when I have already pointed out that I can
own a box with similar (or really better!) functionality for $299.

DirecTV also can't give me any idea of when I'll get locals in HD here
(I've seen rumors of end of 2008). I don't watch much network TV, but
I'd had times when I wanted to (and of course in HD) and couldn't
because I can't get CBS at all and NBC is not reliable.

The only really annoying thing about Comcast is that they don't carry
HDNet and HDNet Movies, and I watch stuff there regularly. I'd go with
Knology (I think they have every channel I watch on DirecTV currently)
but they charge a bunch for CableCARDs.
--
Chris Adams
Systems and Network Administrator - HiWAAY Internet Services
I don't speak for anybody but myself - that's enough trouble.

Chris Adams wrote:
Once upon a time, Z1Z said:
I have two units of the high def DirecTV TiVo, which which I am extremely
pleased. I have read that many new HDTV channels are being implemented over
the next couple of months, and that my current hardware will not be able to
receive the new channels.

Many of the new channels have already arrived. However, new equipment
is required to receive them, and the only available DVR is the DirecTV
HR20/HR21, which is not a TiVo DVR. You no longer buy DirecTV receivers
(unless you pay a fortune); they are leased.

The DirecTV with TiVo DVRs were co-developed by DirecTV and TiVo, and
(as far as anybody knows) no new systems are being developed. When
Rupert Murdoch bought DirecTV, he switched DVR development over to
another platform developed by another of his companies. He's sold
DirecTV, but they still have the other DVR platform instead of TiVo.

TiVo has models that work with HD digital cable and digital over-the-air
broadcasts, but the only practical way for a DVR to record satellite HD
currently is to have an integrated box (but that requires joint
development between the satellite provider and DVR maker).

Also, DirecTV wants IMHO too much for the new equipment: $299 (+ tax and
shipping) for a leased (not owned) box and a two year service
commitment. I've called and emailed pointing out I can get a cable
company HD DVR as a lease/rental for no up-front cost and no service
commitment, or I can get cable and a TiVo HD (that I own) for $299,
again with no service commitment. I've talked to several people at
DirecTV and they've offered some discounts, but not much.

I was told I could buy an HR20 with no service commitment for $750 and
that $299 was a "great savings provided by DirecTV to help their
customers".

I told them (both in email and multiple phone calls) that as soon as
either of my local cable companies had just a few more HD channels (and
I know both are working on adding more ASAP), I will be cancelling
DirecTV.

I had a bit of a different story. I called customer retention at DTV and
got a free HR20, free installation, dish, switch (if needed), 12 months
HD programing, 3 month of HBO, Showtime, Starz and Cinemax, and $5/month
off for a year to pay for the HD Extra Pack starting in December.

They called today to verify a Friday install. Hate to give up my HR10,
but it will be lovely (I hope) to get the extra channels. If I hate it,
I can hook up the HR10 again and keep the bennies, though I will be
locked in for 2 years.

Harvey

"Chris Adams" wrote in message
...
Once upon a time, nik Simpson said:
Chris, you need to be more ruthless, when I moved in August, I spent
some time with the DTV sales rep as she outlined the costs for moving to
the new DVR. The offer started at $299 + service commitment + turning in
my existing TIVO-based DVR. I turned that down flat and threatened to
leave if they couldn't come up with a better offer. After several
permutations we got to $99, no commitment and I kept the TIVO-based DVR,
which seemed reasonable ;-)

I've talked to three DirecTV people on the phone (one supervisor) and
exchanged email with another person. The best they offered me is $199 +
two year service commitment + free HD package for a year (I own my HR10
so they don't want it). I may still take it, but I'm seriously
considering just going back to Comcast and getting a TiVo HD (especially
now that supported external storage and TTG have arrived).

I told every DirecTV person I dealt with that, and it didn't make one
bit of difference to them. On my last call, I even confirmed that I am
not under contract and what my billing cycle is so I'd know when to
cancel.

Telling me that I could get the HR20 without a commitment for $750 is
just plain rude, especially when I have already pointed out that I can
own a box with similar (or really better!) functionality for $299.

DirecTV also can't give me any idea of when I'll get locals in HD here
(I've seen rumors of end of 2008). I don't watch much network TV, but
I'd had times when I wanted to (and of course in HD) and couldn't
because I can't get CBS at all and NBC is not reliable.

Two comments: (1) What's the deal with local stations? I live in Westchester
County, NY (about fifteen miles north of Manhattan) and get locals just fine
on my HR10-250. Would I loose that functionality with the HR20? (2) Since
DirecTV will have (by year end 2007) far more channels than any cable
company, you could save money by going with cable, but you would be giving
up all the extra channels available only on DirecTV, correct? If so, than
cable TV is no bargain, you get what you pay for.

BTW, I also have cable TV, and an SA8300 dvr. I like having options, and I
don't mind paying for them. The SA8300 is vastly inferior to TiVo, no doubt
about it. The cable service recently added the former VOOM channels, which
was a nice touch, but they still have only around 35 (more or less) HDTV
channels. Compared to DirecTV, they are missing lots of good HD content,
such as the History Channel. At this point in time, it seems that if you
want/need/demand mega HDTV channels, DirecTV is the way to go, don't you
agree?

Once upon a time, Z1Z said:
Two comments: (1) What's the deal with local stations?

I only live about 9 miles from the local towers, but I'm behind a hill
(no line-of-site to any of them) that blocks much of the signal. For
example, according to tvfool.com, I'd have to have a 52 foot tall tower
to get -100dBm signal from the local CBS station.

--
Chris Adams
Systems and Network Administrator - HiWAAY Internet Services
I don't speak for anybody but myself - that's enough trouble.

Once upon a time, GB said:
Did you talk to the retention dept? They are the only ones authorized to
make the deals. Make sure you tell them you are considering leaving if you
dont get a better deal. Tell them what you want. exactly... I'll renewfor
2 years if I can get a hr20, install 5lnb, 6 mo hd, hbo, etc...

How did you get to retention? I tried to get there. I might try one
more time; I wanted to ask about the HD change (charging more for
channels I've watched for years (UHD, HDNet, HDNet Movies) in a month)
to see if that was included in the "free HD for a year" part.

Of course, I never watch commercials, but every time I get ready to call
or email DirecTV or post here (including right now), the DirecTV
commercial with Joey Ramone singing "What a Wonderful World" comes on.
Weird!

--
Chris Adams
Systems and Network Administrator - HiWAAY Internet Services
I don't speak for anybody but myself - that's enough trouble.

* Chris Adams wrote in alt.video.ptv.tivo:

How did you get to retention? I tried to get there.

As soon as they pick up ask for Customer Retention, say nothing more.

--
David

In article ,
Chris Adams wrote:

Also, DirecTV wants IMHO too much for the new equipment: $299 (+ tax and
shipping) for a leased (not owned) box and a two year service

I paid $20(down from $99 they first quoted). The HR20 works but
it's no TiVo.
--
vince
/***** Visit the Home of the Rancid Tofu Experience *****/
/***** http://www.garageband.com/artist/rancidtofu *****/

Z1Z wrote:

Two comments: (1) What's the deal with local stations? I live in
Westchester County, NY (about fifteen miles north of Manhattan) and get
locals just fine on my HR10-250. Would I loose that functionality with
the HR20? (2) Since DirecTV will have (by year end 2007) far more
channels than any cable company, you could save money by going with
cable, but you would be giving up all the extra channels available only
on DirecTV, correct? If so, than cable TV is no bargain, you get what
you pay for.

You are talking about locals recived through an antenna, that works fine
with the 10-250 and the HR20. Chris is talking about locals delivered
via the satellite which will be done through MPEG4 in the future and
will not work with th 10-250.

Chris Adams wrote:


The only really annoying thing about Comcast is that they don't carry
HDNet and HDNet Movies, and I watch stuff there regularly. I'd go
with Knology (I think they have every channel I watch on DirecTV
currently) but they charge a bunch for CableCARDs.

Not sure what HDnet is, but just got two cablecards for the tivo/comcast/HD
stuff, and they are 1.99 a month..... I don't consider a buck 99 a "bunch"

Z1Z wrote:

Two comments: (1) What's the deal with local stations? I live in
Westchester County, NY (about fifteen miles north of Manhattan) and
get locals just fine on my HR10-250. Would I loose that functionality
with the HR20? (2) Since DirecTV will have (by year end 2007) far
more channels than any cable company, you could save money by going
with cable, but you would be giving up all the extra channels
available only on DirecTV, correct? If so, than cable TV is no
bargain, you get what you pay for.
BTW, I also have cable TV, and an SA8300 dvr. I like having options,
and I don't mind paying for them. The SA8300 is vastly inferior to
TiVo, no doubt about it. The cable service recently added the former
VOOM channels, which was a nice touch, but they still have only
around 35 (more or less) HDTV channels. Compared to DirecTV, they are
missing lots of good HD content, such as the History Channel. At this
point in time, it seems that if you want/need/demand mega HDTV
channels, DirecTV is the way to go, don't you agree?

Not sure who you have cable TV with, I'm in the Baltimore and have
comcast... normal channels are on like 11/12/13 etc, and the HD stuff starts
at 200 (just checked, yes History channel HD is 225

Looked at Dtv, and FIOS, but ended up with comcast and their triple play
(gotta have High Speed internet!)