Why more $ to upgrade for existing DirecTV

[taszmom]

customers (@$349) when new subscribers only $299? I am really debating upgrading my existing satellite to the HD...nevermind about the additional HD Programming..will it really make diffference to my picture on all the regular channels? When a program is broadcast in HD can you really tell the difference? What exactly do I get for my $349? Is it just a new receiver? Is the satellite different? What's different than what I am getting now...more pixels? Do they replace any of the cables (coaxial from dish to receiver)? Can someone please enlighten me!

[hoorta]

Originally Posted by taszmom

customers (@$349) when new subscribers only $299? I am really debating upgrading my existing satellite to the HD...nevermind about the additional HD Programming..will it really make diffference to my picture on all the regular channels? When a program is broadcast in HD can you really tell the difference? What exactly do I get for my $349? Is it just a new receiver? Is the satellite different? What's different than what I am getting now...more pixels? Do they replace any of the cables (coaxial from dish to receiver)? Can someone please enlighten me!

Answer to question #1, Directv & Dish Network are seriously trying to sign up new customers and the price break is the big enticement (not to mention free install).

Before I go on, I'll have to assume you have (or are going to buy) an HD ready TV, or the upgrade won't do a darn thing.

To answer question #2 , to see a program in HD you need three things: HD source material, a HD tuner, and a HD TV. So will it make a difference on the non HD channels? Nope, because they're not being broadcast in HD.

Re question #3. Lord yes, you can tell the difference. Not only is the image about 4x sharper, the color saturation is way better. It's like the difference of having a computer monitor with 256 as opposed to 6million colors. Just truck on down to your friendly local electronics store and ask a salesman to show you the difference between a standard TV broadcast, and a true HiDef picture. (they'll be more than happy to oblige).

I'll answer the last questions in a running commentary. For the $349 you should get an HD receiver, and an oval triple LNB dish- because the satellite IS different. Yes, you're going to get a lot more pixels. Standard TV has 480 vertical pixels, HD has either 720, or 1080. Finally, your existing cables should work just fine with HD programming.

[taszmom]

Hoorta,

thank you so much for the clarity in your answers to my questions. makes a lot more sense now. from what I understand that occasionally other channels broadcast programs in HD , for example, the Olympics or maybe a movie on ABC, so if I had the whole HD shabang setup, I would be able to see it in all it's HD glory? so it's not just the DirecTV HD stations, but anyone else who was sending it down the pipeline. am i correct in that assumption?

[borromini]

DirecTV doesn't yet provide local channels except for CBS (LA) as part of their HD package. You can get an outdoor antenna like a UHF-type to receive OTA digital trasmissions of your local networks and connect that cable to your DirecTV-provided HD receiver. If the locals are broadcasting any programs in HD then you're HDTV would pick it up. This is what I'm doing and it works very well...great programs on PBS stations in the Northern California area and many prime-time programs are in HD...not to mention major sporting events like the NBA finals, NFL football, the World Series, Olympics, etc.

Go to this link to find out what's available in your area for OTA digital signals.

[hoorta]

Originally Posted by taszmom

Hoorta,

thank you so much for the clarity in your answers to my questions. makes a lot more sense now. from what I understand that occasionally other channels broadcast programs in HD , for example, the Olympics or maybe a movie on ABC, so if I had the whole HD shabang setup, I would be able to see it in all it's HD glory? so it's not just the DirecTV HD stations, but anyone else who was sending it down the pipeline. am i correct in that assumption?

Yes- but it depends. Currently Directv is offering 4 channels in "true" HD. (plus the HBO & Showtime HD feeds, if you already subscribe to those services) Thanks to the newsflash in another thread, it sure looks like Directv is going to get the entire NBCHD feed of the Olympics, as well as adding BravoHD. BUT, if you live in a metropolitan area that has local brodcasters putting out a digital HD signal, you're going to need an off the air antenna (all your Directv HD boxes are equipped to install one) to pull in the network HD feeds. That can be a touchy situation. The reason for this is the satellites just don't have enough bandwidth to carry every local station's HD feed.

[Tweek]

Also you will have the option of recieving HD pay per view channels as well.
Plus if you do subscribe to the NFL Sunday Tickey, they will have the games broadcasted in HD as well.

[Editor Rob]

Hi All:
After being disconnected 4 times and bounced around in the call hopper, waiting 20 minutes, it gave me a lot of time to think about DRTV. I professionally edit, (and I apologize in advance for stepping up to the soapbox) I shoot, edit, and look at Broadcast Digital Video all day long. We just upgraded our edit suite to an AVID Adrenaline. Go to AVID.COM. Anyway, I was appalled by DRTV after subscribing since 1996, their customer retention division offered me a $20 discount for six months on service, and $150 to upgrade with install to the HD package.

$9360 since 1996 and they offer me $150 #$%!& dollars, and a grainy picture slammed down a pipe with overstuffed data, and not enough bandwidth. So I called Cablevision about IO, and with my Optonline – I can get all my locals in HD, everything that DRTV is offering, and SHO, HBO, MAX, and TMC ON DEMAND. Also, DRTV entices you into looking at the new TIVO HD, and you can’t even get it through them.

Where is sanity. For less money, I can get Cablevision, Broadband, and a hard-line with better programming. I’ve also been told that a TIVO like box is around the corner with IO service. So, I ask you all, I have an appointment for September 7th to plug into IO service and put a bullet in DRTV. I’m open to opinion and guidance?

All of this is for the new Samsung HLN-617W(1) Or am I just $&#&$ crazy?

Best regards,
Rob
www.netonevideo.com

[highdefbubba]

Directv not giving a long standing good customer a break on the HD receiver is the reason I'm a Voom customer today. Maybe if they want me back bad enough they will make me an offer I can't refuse. (Not holding my breath)

[ibnaz5150]

Not to mention 10.99 added expense to your exsisting cable bill!. Wow10.99 for 4-5 channels...BS! I actually went and bought my own hd reciever and saved 50.00 . I bit the bullet and ordered the hd package through directv...I will say this .Voom is looking more enticing each day.

[Editor Rob]

Originally Posted by ibnaz5150

Not to mention 10.99 added expense to your exsisting cable bill!. Wow10.99 for 4-5 channels...BS! I actually went and bought my own hd reciever and saved 50.00 . I bit the bullet and ordered the hd package through directv...I will say this .Voom is looking more enticing each day.

No Locals, No Yankees, lotsa Def - Not ready for Prime Time.

I'm going IO. I've been told the hardline cable is much better, it work great in blackouts , and those pesky tornados and earthquakes.
(good sales people)

Cablevision also has On demand, no in HD but it can't be far behind.

Editor

[donavanb]

I too would like to see DTV add more channels, however where I live my cable company sucks and offers NO High Def. So I am stuck. However when I decided to go High Def I was able to get a good deal ( approx. 6 months ago) I threatened to leave and the sent me to retention department and go the Samsung HD rec. the new Triple LNB dish and Professional Install for only 99.00. Cant complain about that.

Now if they would only ad more programming in HD.

[Tmccaie]

I finally had to do it, Comcast became available in my area, The diffrence between the 2 was no contest in cable the colors were so much better than DTV. Has any one else noticed, Is it true cable lines are better for transmitting that kind of clarity, or was I just soooo tired of the run around with DTV that anything looked better.

[borromini]

You were more likely tired. I tested both and didn't see a quality difference. I went with DirecTV in the end because of their exclusive NFL Sunday Ticket package.

[Editor Rob]

Originally Posted by borromini

You were more likely tired. I tested both and didn't see a quality difference. I went with DirecTV in the end because of their exclusive NFL Sunday Ticket package.

Let's JUST look at quality. I have a 60" Pioneer Elite RP it is going to be replaced with a Mitsu 825 DLP RP with the 120 Gig Hard drive in it.
To be available in September???

Cablevision with my Opt-Online is less $$, not much but it is.

Now for the real truth??? Is Cablevision IO going to look better?
Right now, my DTV is grainy and pixelated os some stuff, great on others - I WANT YANKEE BASEBALL IN HI-DEF is it there??

Rob

[mikekny]

Editor Rob,

Unfortunately, The YES Network is not broadcasting in Hi-Def for anyone right now. I love the Yanks and I find this channel to be one of the most disappointing, compressed, and pixelated channels being broadcast. Ironically it's one of the most expensive, isn't it?

The best we could do for now, I would imagine will be to enjoy the Post-Season games on Fox which hopefully will be HD. Rumor is D* is supposed to be picking up Fox HD in September and I would expect HD basball coverage. Of course, you could alternatively pull that in with an OTA antenna also.