Clueless on HD ... Upgrade from DVR511 what to do ?

[crenninger]

So I've had my DVR511 2 TVs for year, like 5 or 6...
and got an HD Tv over the weekend.

I called to upgrade my system to HD and I was asked to pay $100 with 24 months commitment or pay $499 for a 622 with no commitment.

Is that true ? I never had a contract with Dish and I don't want one, but are these 2 options my only ones ? I don't pay any receive fees either right now.

I understand I need to add $10 for the HD programming on top of my current 200 package, that's ok

my question is what are my options to have my DVR upgraded.

FYI they came over to upgrade the antenna like 2 months ago as part of their upgrade program and that was free.

Thanks for any input/information you may have on this.

[jsaxon2]

You could try to get ahold of the Dish Loyalty department if you've been a long time customer and see what they can do for you, or you could try and bye a 622 from ebay. I think they go for around $250 sometimes.

[navychop]

The equipment is expensive for Dish to buy, esp HD equipment. They want to ensure you will be a paying customer long enough to make a profit from you. Even with the upfront payment, it'll be quite some time before they have positive cashflow out of you.

That upfront fee is to lease the receiver, not own it. You'll pay about the same each month whether you own or lease. So there's not much point in owning, unless you hope to sell the receiver some day. Keep in mind, new models come out, and the old lose value.

I've given up owning. I own my 508, but lease my two ViP722 HD DVRs.

[UnSat]

You might catch a break if you cancel your current service then open an account in some one elses name in your house.Your get the latest equip.and promotions .programming and such.
You`ll have to commit to 24 months but its better that paying $$ in full for a receiver and then taking chances down the road with no sevice plan and having to pay the standard for a house call should the system fail.

[crenninger]

so I guess I need to pay the $100 upgrade fee, and get the receiver from them.

Am I correct assuming I will not pay a monthly fee for leasing the receiver ?

What I would really like to get away is the 24 month commitment.
anyway to get out of that ?

thanks

[garys]

No lease fee if it is your only receiver, if you keep the 511 active on your account then it will probably be an extra $5 per month.

[crenninger]

thanks, the 511 will be returned and replaced by this new one.

so no way to get around the 24months commitment ?

[TheKrell]

What's a DVR511?

You get around the 24-month commitment by buying your own receiver. I recently did this via Ebay VIP722 for around $300, shipped. A new VIP612 sometimes goes for under $200. If you can get by without a DVR, then you can sometimes get a VIP211 for under $100 used. Note that you can turn a VIP211 into a DVR with addition of your own external USB hard drive for a 1-time cost of $40. This avoids that loathsome $5.98 DVR fee on all but the earliest Dish DVRs.

[crenninger]

What's a DVR511?

Very old model like 5 years old DVR from dish.

[jlhugh]

501 maybe? or 510?