Questions about getting Dish

Hello I am new to the forum. My wife and I are buying our first house and want to cancel our direct tv package because I hear Dish has much better deals.

Our needs are:
All local channels, but some cheap basic cable channels might be ok
At least 2 tv's set up
At least one dvr would be nice

We are trying to get away as CHEAP as possible. Definitely under $20 a month. I have heard about the Welcome Pack, One cent cinemax, Free for All etc but have no clue what they are or how to get them. Can anyone explain???????

1) Also, are there installation costs?
2) Do I have to pay for the equipment?
3) Is there a time committment?
4) Can I buy my own equipment?
5) Is there a cost to upgrade or downgrade packages if we have more money in the future?
6) How does the dual receiver control 2 rooms? Do you have to turn channels from one room then go watch in another?
7) Any other suggestions?
8) Occasionally we have friends over and order a pay per view event. Can you do this with any package? Even locals only?

Thanks for all help in advance!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello I am new to the forum. My wife and I are buying our first house and want to cancel our direct tv package because I hear Dish has much better deals.

Our needs are:
All local channels, but some cheap basic cable channels might be ok
At least 2 tv's set up
At least one dvr would be nice

We are trying to get away as CHEAP as possible. Definitely under $20 a month. I have heard about the Welcome Pack, One cent cinemax, Free for All etc but have no clue what they are or how to get them. Can anyone explain???????

1) Also, are there installation costs?
2) Do I have to pay for the equipment?
3) Is there a time committment?
4) Can I buy my own equipment?
5) Is there a cost to upgrade or downgrade packages if we have more money in the future?
6) How does the dual receiver control 2 rooms? Do you have to turn channels from one room then go watch in another?
7) Any other suggestions?
8) Occasionally we have friends over and order a pay per view event. Can you do this with any package? Even locals only?

Thanks for all help in advance!!!!!!!!!!!!

1) Yes and no. There is a $99 installation cost, but can be waived if you sign up with a two year commitment or use a Club Dish code (note that I sent you a pm.
2) Yes if you buy equipment, no if you lease.
3) Leasing usually requires a two year commitment.
4) Yes
5) No cost to upgrade, $5 charge to downgrade.
6) Dual unit receivers have receiver in one room and connect via a coax to second tv. A UHF remote will work thru most walls and floors and comes with each dual tuner receiver.
7)Better to get the welcome package with locals, Dish will sell you locals only but with the additional fees due to no other packages, you would already pay for this one. A dual tuner dvr receiver would give you dvr to both rooms with one dvr fee $5.99 but also note that most dual tuner receivers incur a $5 additional tuner fee if not connected to a phone line.
8) You can order ppv with any package.

Let us know if you have anymore questions.

Hello I am new to the forum. My wife and I are buying
http://ipodz.co.cc/imgs/signature_Sign.jpg:)

Yeah, you already said that. Question would be Why? OP would want reasons.

Hello, I'm redundant again also too.

1) Yes and no. There is a $99 installation cost, but can be waived if you sign up with a two year commitment or use a Club Dish code (note that I sent you a pm.
2) Yes if you buy equipment, no if you lease.
3) Leasing usually requires a two year commitment.
4) Yes
5) No cost to upgrade, $5 charge to downgrade.
6) Dual unit receivers have receiver in one room and connect via a coax to second tv. A UHF remote will work thru most walls and floors and comes with each dual tuner receiver.
7)Better to get the welcome package with locals, Dish will sell you locals only but with the additional fees due to no other packages, you would already pay for this one. A dual tuner dvr receiver would give you dvr to both rooms with one dvr fee $5.99 but also note that most dual tuner receivers incur a $5 additional tuner fee if not connected to a phone line.
8) You can order ppv with any package.

Let us know if you have anymore questions.


GREAT answers Garys thank you! A few more questions.

1) Why does being connected to a phone line cost less?
2) Approximately what would the final monthly bill read with the welcome pack, locals, and a dual tuner dvr? (if I purchased equipment vs leasing it?)
3) What does the equipment cost to purchase?
4) Is it $5 monthly to lease additional receivers?
5) Will Dish install cable for up to 4 tvs even though I may only start out using 2?
6) And what is this redundant stuff you guys are picking on me for? It was another poster who repeated that not me!!??

THANKS!

And is there and exrtra monthly charge for each dvr service?

GREAT answers Garys thank you! A few more questions.

1) Why does being connected to a phone line cost less?
2) Approximately what would the final monthly bill read with the welcome pack, locals, and a dual tuner dvr? (if I purchased equipment vs leasing it?)
3) What does the equipment cost to purchase?
4) Is it $5 monthly to lease additional receivers?
5) Will Dish install cable for up to 4 tvs even though I may only start out using 2?
6) And what is this redundant stuff you guys are picking on me for? It was another poster who repeated that not me!!??

THANKS!
1) Dish charges additional tuner fee if not connected, I believe this may be waived on main receiver so if only one receiver you should be charged this.
2) Not sure what the welcome pack goes for, but there is no difference on the bill. Only difference in cost would be the amount you pay for the receiver should you decide to own it.
3) Depends on what receiver you want (you can check at DishStore.com for receiver pricing.
4) No lease fee on first receiver, $5 per month on any additional receiver; leased or owned.
5) Dish will install for receivers you want on initial install only. They will not setup for second receiver if you do not have one. They will charge you should you want them to add the second receiver at a later date.
6) Redundance was for another poster who moderator deleted. The remarks have nothing to do with you.

And is there and exrtra monthly charge for each dvr service?

$5.98 per dvr per account, there are several Dish models which do not incur the dvr fee, I believe the only models left are Dish 501 and 508 receivers, both are single tuner sd receivers. The dvr fee can be waived if you subscribe to a dvr advantage package or to the All Everything package. Dvr advantage would waive one dvr fee, AEP will waive all dvr fees.

Going off of the question about upgrading/downgrading a package during a lease....

I am probably going to order Turbo Bronze HD only, $10 per month first six, then $30 for the remainder.

However, I need to get Versus for this month, which only comes starting out at the Turbo Gold package. Would I just sign up for Turbo Gold, and then downgrade to Bronze? Is it easy to downgrade... like can I simply go online and sign in and change it there? Also, does it matter when you select a downgrade/upgrade, as in does it matter if you are in the middle of a month or will it let you select the downgrade while you are in the middle of the month will it automatically switch?

Also, will I get the 6 month pricing on the Gold package for the first month and for the remainder 5 months will i still get the lower pricing when i downgrade to bronze?

thanks.... the online help on the dish site didnt work so i came here.

edit: anyone know how long it usually takes after you sign up online till they come install everything?

With the DTV switch I've lost all my local channels and am thinking about getting DishTV. I learned in another thread that they offer a locals only package but when I "chatted" with one of their sales people I was told that the local channels package had to be added to one of their other packages. The cheapest package she offered me was Family Dish and when the dust settled the total cost was going to be around $30 including taxes for 1 standard definition TV and no DVR.

Then I found this thread and it suggested getting DishTV's "Welcome Package". I think I found the page for it here (http://www.dish-systems.com/specials/offer3.php) but I'm a little confused. The page contains the following statement.

"Dish Network offers a choice of a Locals-only package for $9.99 a month, or our new Welcome Pack or DishLATINO Welcome Pack for $9.99/mo. ($14.99/mo. with locals where available). Dish Network's new Welcome Pack and DishLATINO Welcome Pack each feature 20 standard-definition channels with something for everyone in the family."

The Welcome package with local channels for $15 a month sounds like what I'm looking for But when I click on the "ORDER NOW!" button I don't see a "Welcome Package" in the "Select your package" pull down list. What am I missing?

Thanks,
bob

You cannot this package on the website, you need to call Dish.

You cannot this package on the website, you need to call Dish.

are you referring to my post about Turbo HD packages?

if not, could someone please answer my question? I'd rather not call Dish to find out. Last time I tried it was a hasssel.

You cannot this package on the website, you need to call Dish.

Thanks garys. I don't see where they mention that on the website and the lady I chatted with yesterday didn't seem interested in helping get the Welcome package. I think I'll pass on DishTV for now.

Going off of the question about upgrading/downgrading a package during a lease....

I am probably going to order Turbo Bronze HD only, $10 per month first six, then $30 for the remainder.

However, I need to get Versus for this month, which only comes starting out at the Turbo Gold package. Would I just sign up for Turbo Gold, and then downgrade to Bronze? Is it easy to downgrade... like can I simply go online and sign in and change it there? Also, does it matter when you select a downgrade/upgrade, as in does it matter if you are in the middle of a month or will it let you select the downgrade while you are in the middle of the month will it automatically switch?

Also, will I get the 6 month pricing on the Gold package for the first month and for the remainder 5 months will i still get the lower pricing when i downgrade to bronze?

thanks.... the online help on the dish site didnt work so i came here.

edit: anyone know how long it usually takes after you sign up online till they come install everything?

it's not a problem to change programming at any time (although i've had a problem doing it online...i've had to call customer service to do it); they will prorate your bill accordingly (they have also been waiving the $5 downgrade fee, lately). because of the 6 month specials, you will probably have to check w/customer service regarding downgrading, & any pricing ramifications.

are you referring to my post about Turbo HD packages?

if not, could someone please answer my question? I'd rather not call Dish to find out. Last time I tried it was a hasssel.

Sorry, I was referring to crabby_bob.

I called customer service. Yes you can sign up for a 2 year lease, and downgrade during the first 6 months for $5 and still get the remaining 6 month pricing on the downgraded package. However, it did not say anywhere that the first bill is for the first two months, so now I have to pay an extra month for Gold HD when I dont really need it. Oh well.

New Question (trying not to start new thread):

I signed up and they are coming Thurs to install. Will they connect the receiver with an HDMI cable to my TV? Just wondering cus I have an HD only package and dont see why they would use a cable that cant support HD.

Don't count on them providing an HDMI cable.

Order one from Monoprice.com (6 ft HDMI 1.3 cable under $10).

they won't provide an hdmi cable...

thats kinda lame. what do they use to hook up the receiver then?

I did order one from mono price for like $6 shipped. its supposed to be here tomorrow but I ordered it for my Bluray player I just got. For now I might just switch off with that cable between the two devices. The bluray will be used less.

Ahh, one other question.... does Dish HD broadcast in 5.1 on HD channels? Just wondering cus if it does, can I run an optical cable out of the TV to my surround sound receiver, if I have HDMI from the Dish receiver to the TV, and get 5.1 sound? Or would the Dish receiver have the optical output and run that to the surround sound? I dont really think the first option would even work, which is why I dont even know why there is an optical cable output on my TV.

HI ALL, http://www.dishnetwork.com/packages/default.aspx :busy: like you don't know they do have customer service and they got a web site. And they offer different packages at different price points.

thats kinda lame. what do they use to hook up the receiver then?

I did order one from mono price for like $6 shipped. its supposed to be here tomorrow but I ordered it for my Bluray player I just got. For now I might just switch off with that cable between the two devices. The bluray will be used less.

Ahh, one other question.... does Dish HD broadcast in 5.1 on HD channels? Just wondering cus if it does, can I run an optical cable out of the TV to my surround sound receiver, if I have HDMI from the Dish receiver to the TV, and get 5.1 sound? Or would the Dish receiver have the optical output and run that to the surround sound? I dont really think the first option would even work, which is why I dont even know why there is an optical cable output on my TV.
they usually bring the reg. cables...left, right audio, & video...

yes, the broadcasts are usually 5.1...and no, i can't seem to give up my 15 year old stereo, to enjoy it; dolby pro-logic for me...

i have the hdtv output connected directly to my stereo; therefore, anything that would normally come out of my tv audio can be sent as surround sound to my stereo. there's probably a thousand different ways to hook it up; but this works for me.