Austin, TX HD locals -- need 2 dishes?

[mmorlino]

Question:

We get Austin, TX locals, and until recently Dish has told us that they did not broadcast the Austin, TX locals in HD (even though we pay for them).

A few weeks ago I received an e-mail from Dish stating that the Austin, TX locals were now available in HD and to call to receive them.

So, I did... they didn't know why I wasn't receiving them already, and took me thru a few steps to try to get them. Eventually they told me to call back if I didn't have them in 15 minutes. We never received them, but I was too busy to call back.

Well, a few days later my husband calls, and now they tell him that we need a separate dish to receive just the HD locals, and that the install is $70 on a 2 yr contract or $100 on no contract. So we would have two dishes on our house.

Is this true? Or is this BS? Or... even if we were to get a separate dish, would it not really be in HD?

I'm just confused.

Yours in Christ,
~Molly~
www.hcdoxies.com

 

[patrickandsarah]

Hi Molly,

Yes, it's true that if you want Austin HD locals over satellite, you'll have to get a second smaller dish installed so you can "see" the satellite at 61.5. Otherwise the only way to get HD locals thru Dish is via an over-the-air antenna.

As for the pricing, some people have been able to get the installation for free, even without a renewed commitment. I chose not to haggle and just accepted the 2-yr renewal and free installation. In fact, the installer is supposed to be here sometime this afternoon.

Good luck!

Patrick

 

[mmorlino]

Man, that's discouraging.

Does anyone know if they're "really" HD channels? I mean... I've heard of them being crappy quality.

 

[jesch3]

They are really HD. They are very close to OTA.

 

[mmorlino]

They are really HD. They are very close to OTA.

Awesome -- thanks!

 

[mmorlino]

Well, is this normal? Does everyone have to have two dishes to get their local HDs? Or is just something lame for my area?

Either way, why haven't I heard of this before? When we first signed up for Dish we signed up the HD package right away... no one every told us. Then when we moved a month ago and I called Dish to install at our new place, they never mentioned this, either.

 

[mike123abc]

Eventually they should have more satellites in the second dish location. Then you can put a single multisatellite dish pointing to the new location (61.5-77) and not have to have the old one (110-129). But, for now you will need 2 dishes.

 

[daboogas94e]

the easiest way is to tell them your not getting the programming your paying for and that you want it installed.......

sometimes, its what you don't say that will get it done for free

 

[patrickandsarah]

In fact, the installer is supposed to be here sometime this afternoon.

Well, the installer did come yesterday, but he couldn't get line of sight to 61.5 so no HD locals for me except through OTA. Not too surprising really, as we live in a heavily treed part of south Austin.

On a happier note, though, the installer was great and volunteered to see if he could change the work order and move our dish to a spot with clearer LOS for 110/119/129. Instead of 10 minutes on a 61.5 install, he spent nearly an hour getting authorization, moving the dish, and then tweaking for a better signal.

I'd spent parts of the last two weekends trying to re-peak and fight off the spring leaves to stop the 129 signal loss. Now the meter is reading much, much higher. As my wife noted when the installer left, she had no idea the tone on the Point Dish signal meter could be so high-pitched.

 

[jimw]

I am in the same area as the OP and use the Austin and San Antonio locals. My question is , if the SA locals are in HD why can't the Austin locals be also without using another dish? What am I missing here.

Jim

 

[patrickandsarah]

I am in the same area as the OP and use the Austin and San Antonio locals. My question is , if the SA locals are in HD why can't the Austin locals be also without using another dish? What am I missing here.

Jim

Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston are all among the cities with HD locals on 110. But now Dish is adding most if not all new HD locals to 61.5, presumably due to capacity constraints. Dallas and Houston locals are uplinked at 61.5 too, though not yet available on that sat.

Having to add a second dish is a pain, no doubt.

 

[jimw]

Thanks Patrick,

Guess I'll just keep on keepin' on as I have been. Sure not going to give them folks any more money that I have to. I receive the Austin channels fine as is, I usually watch them as their weather reports are more in line with my area. Again , thanks.

Jim

 

[destrada]

I "moved" back from San Antonio when Austin HD locals became available. A second dish was added at the 61.5 position at no extra cost to me. I didn't have to haggle or anything. And unlike San Antonio, NBC is available as well. As for the picture quality, I'm very impressed. I have a hard time distinguishing between satellite and OTA. I've more than satisfied with the free upgrade.

 

[gadgtfreek]

Here's a question:

When Norfolk goes live and I need a 61.5, will they come out and install a larger diameter pole to hold both dishes, install a second pole or just install the 61.5 dish on the same pole as the current 1000.2?

 

[mmorlino]

How are you Austin folks getting San Antonio?

I've asked Dish before if they could point me to SA stations... they said that they couldn't.

 

[jesch3]

by "moving"

 

[mmorlino]

by "moving"

I've never really understood how to do that?

Is this as simple as clicking "Point Dish" and changing the satellite that you're on (from 129 to 110)? If so, I tried that... doesn't seem to stick to 110, but instead goes back to 129... Not sure if I'm doing it right. (probably not)

 

[patrickandsarah]

To "move" you'd need to call Dish and ask to update your service address but keep your billing address the same. The new service address must be a realistic address in a target city of your choice. They CS rep may ask a couple simple yes/no questions, then once the "move" is secured you'll need to ask to activate the new locals. A few minutes later, the updates should be available in your guide.

Once "moved," if you ever need to schedule a service appointment through Dish you'll need to first change your service address back to your billing address. You can even do that through online chat.

 

[mmorlino]

To "move" you'd need to call Dish and ask to update your service address but keep your billing address the same. The new service address must be a realistic address in a target city of your choice. They CS rep may ask a couple simple yes/no questions, then once the "move" is secured you'll need to ask to activate the new locals. A few minutes later, the updates should be available in your guide.

Once "moved," if you ever need to schedule a service appointment through Dish you'll need to first change your service address back to your billing address. You can even do that through online chat.

Rats, I just tried this... I thought that all was going smoothly until I asked them to activate the new locals, and they said I needed a new dish to do that. They are not sure which one I need, though. They said that the system prompted it?

(with the online chat now)

 

[patrickandsarah]

Which city did you "move" to?