Should I get HD Absolute or wait for HD Turbo?

[EscapeVelocity]

Wow, thanks for all the great info.


I think Im ordering HD Absolute today.

I like the Channels offered in the Absolute package.....there are a few that I would like otherwise, but its a good mix, of Docos, News, Sports, and Movies. HD is a bonus.

I can pick Locals OTA in HD and record from them.

The Dual Room 722 DVR seems like a real winner, having only one box to manage to access from the Bedroom Vizio 32" Plasma and the Main Room Vizio 42" LCD. Plus its a free upgrade.

1 cent Cinemax for a year

Price is great.

No commitment.

Negatives....

Multiple Dishes required.

Id like to get Fox SportsSouth, Fox News Channel, AMC, TCM, Speed Channel, Outdoor Channel, MSNBC, CSPAN 1 & 2, Military Channel. But Fox News, AMC, and TCM are slated for HD additions. :thumbsup

 

[Jim5506]

Go with HD Absolute unless you REALLY need your local RSN or have an SD channel they is not already or very soon an HD channel.

It IS the BEST deal in Satellite TV for the next26 hours. That is why Dish is trying to get rid of it. It was a mistake, too much for too little.

If you make ANY change to your account you lose the grandfather on Absolute after tomorrow, so set your feet where you want them now and go for it.

 

[Hall]

People mentioned that you'd lose the RSN but I didn't realize that in my case, it would include, or more accurately, not include, the Big 10 Network. That is, I'd no longer get B10N. And according to other reports, I can't even add the multi-sports package.

My wife hasn't looked at the list too closely yet....

 

[EscapeVelocity]

I dont want to pay for Sirius Radio, Premium Channels, Extra Sports Packages, or PPV.

If that is your thing, fine.

I just want a good assortment of US mainstays at a good price.

 

[Jim5506]

You are right Hall, no RSN's no multi-sports pack, but I decided to suffer without the Rangers for another summer.

We enjoy Dog Whisperer much more than almost anything else.

 

[EscapeVelocity]

I think I could live with Turbo Bronze, but maybe with FoxNews, FX, AMC, and TCM added.

 

[Hall]

In an e-mail from a Dish executive office contact, they said this:

If you have the Absolute HD package added on without a basic package like the “America’s Top 100, 200, or 250” then you would only receive the HD versions of the channels.

All indications are that you do in fact still get the SD channels contrary to this statement. Or, do they plan to shut off the SD channels eventually ?

 

[kerronis]

So I'm taking it that there's not an option to get the Sirius channels added on to the Absolute? Hmmm..what to do ...what to do???

 

[KAB]

So I'm taking it that there's not an option to get the Sirius channels added on to the Absolute? Hmmm..what to do ...what to do???

That's what is keeping me from doing it. It was suggested to me getting Sirius itself, but the cost would be about the same.

 

[jwfgeol]

That's what is keeping me from doing it. It was suggested to me getting Sirius itself, but the cost would be about the same.

To add another wrinkle, if you wait and buy a next generation Sirius receiver, you can subscribe to a la carte programming for $6.99 a month for 50 channels from Sirius (or XM for that matter).

 

[KAB]

To add another wrinkle, if you wait and buy a next generation Sirius receiver, you can subscribe to a la carte programming for $6.99 a month for 50 channels from Sirius (or XM for that matter).

Do you have a link for related info? Just checked Sirius site, nothing there. Thanks.

 

[jwfgeol]

Do you have a link for related info? Just checked Sirius site, nothing there. Thanks.

Sure, let me find something.

SIRIUSMerger.com | A La Carte

The first link is a pdf file containing the press release after the Sirius-XM merger.

A La Carte – 50 Channels ($6.99) – Currently the only standard package offered by
either company is $12.95 a month. Under this new option, for only $6.99 per month
– a savings of 46 percent – consumers will be able to choose either 50 SIRIUS
channels from approximately 100 SIRIUS channels or 50 XM channels from
approximately 100 XM channels. Additional channels can be added for 25 cents
each, with premium packages priced at additional cost. However, no one choosing
this option will pay more than $12.95 a month.

The only caveat is that you have to have a next gen receiver which hasn't been released yet. I've heard they will be out in a couple of months, but that is complete speculation.

 

[KAB]

The only caveat is that you have to have a next gen receiver which hasn't been released yet. I've heard they will be out in a couple of months, but that is complete speculation.

Well, I'll not be going Absolute then. Sirius is on every night here during "cocktail" hour(s). Nice to be able to access from two TVs, both input into A/V receivers.

 

[Hall]

You are right Hall, no RSN's no multi-sports pack, but I decided to suffer without the Rangers for another summer.

It is nice to be able to point out to the local Time Warner customers that "I get the Big 10 Network on Dish" when they pull their sh*t with putting a "good" game on their obscure network vs having it on ABC or ESPN.

My wife did say the channel selection is okay and to switch. She's more pleased with the cost reduction, not to mention it will keep us from watching more TV vs doing more meaningful things.

Not sure how the kids will react when Nick disappears ! That does mean no more Spongebob though, eh ? Hah ! It's a done deal !

 

[kerronis]

I am thinking I am going to pull the trigger and get Absolute. I'm not too terribly upset about losing Fox Sports b/c nothing really is in HD ever. Although when CFB starts in a month I will miss some Sooners games. Losing Sirius is whats going to suck. I guess I'll do w/o Sirius for 3 months and see if the new receivers are out by then...

One more thing...I'll still have programming show up on my 311 receiver, but it will be in SD (obviously), right??

 

[Hall]

According to the e-mail I rec'd from the executive office, you won't, but I think that's incorrect information. Without that, anyone with non-dual-tuner receivers are out of luck.

 

[kerronis]

According to the e-mail I rec'd from the executive office, you won't, but I think that's incorrect information. Without that, anyone with non-dual-tuner receivers are out of luck.

It is incorrect, I asked a CSR and they said I would still get the SD counterparts of the HD channels on my 311 (ESPN, TWC, A&E, etc...). I just upgraded and I'm getting all the HD's on my 622, but still getting AT200 on my 311. I'm guessing it might take a bit b/f my 311 shows only the SD counterparts?

 

[jwfgeol]

It is incorrect, I asked a CSR and they said I would still get the SD counterparts of the HD channels on my 311 (ESPN, TWC, A&E, etc...). I just upgraded and I'm getting all the HD's on my 622, but still getting AT200 on my 311. I'm guessing it might take a bit b/f my 311 shows only the SD counterparts?

Keep in mind that you won't get all the SD counterparts of the HD channels, several are "missing".

 

[Hall]

Will find out details shortly.... I just used the online chat and downgraded. $40/month total... Damn ! Haven't had a cable or satellite bill that low in a LONG TIME !

 

[Hall]

In my case, we've only got (1) 622 receiver and (2) TVs, so I won't be "missing" any channels. I understand that's not the case for everyone though.