what is the difference between HD vs. HD premium?

happy hopping

SatelliteGuys Family
Original poster
Jun 8, 2009
103
0
North America
On the upgrade path, they have $10 to upgrade to HD, then there is another $10 to upgrade to HD Premium or was it HD Platinum (I can't remember the exact name)

What's this 2nd $10 for? And what is the difference between HD vs. HD premium?

As I go thru their web site, they didn't mention what the difference is

Also, when paying $10 to upgrade to HD, does that mean ALL existing packages will then be HD?
 
I though Dish had started including HD in all their packages. If not, the $10 upgrade to HD adds HD channels to the different packages. Platinum for an additional $10 is some additional premium HD channels.
 
Upgrade to HD channels are ones with sd versions, you get in HD what in in sd in your subscribed sd package. Not all sd channels have HD versions yet, but would hope to some day. You can also sign up for HD for Life and get these channels for no extra charge (saving the initial $10). The higher tier HD package is for HD channels that do not have sd counterparts. You cannot get this package without paying the extra $10.
 
HD for Life (or $10/mo. if not participating in the promotion or option) covers mainly the HD simulcasts of SD counterparts. The only channel I can think of offhand that does not have an SD counterpart with HD for Life (or $10/mo. if not participating in the promotion or option) is HDNet.

HD Platinum contains different channels. Here are the channels in HD Platinum: HD Platinum - Dish Network
Most of the channels are exclusive to the package. I think that MoviePlex SD and Pixl HD are not listed as they were added recently.

However, there are recently added channels that are not exclusive to just this package.
Encore Mystery (SD) is also in the Encore Movie Pack ($5.00/mo. if not subbing to America's Top 250 or the "Everything" Pak--otherwise, these packages would only get Encore SD).

Starz Cinema (SD) is also in the premium package of Starz.

MoviePlex (SD) is in Encore Movie Pack or/and America's Top 250.

I hope that helps.
 
Mojo, thanks for the clarification. I have 2 questions:

1) I upgraded to the HD channels, i.e., I just pay the $10, NOT the HD Platinum (as I don't watch movies), so what about my local channels like NBC, CBS, etc., do I get HD now or is there something else extra that I have to pay?

2) Do I have to sign up for that HD for Life? I know it's free, what do I gain from it if I sign up?
 
with HD upgrade if your locals are carrier in HD you will get those included. You will get pretty much everything in your core package in HD if its available. This doesnt include the premium movie channels, platinum HD channels, and sports channels (unless you subscribe to the sports package).
 
1) I upgraded to the HD channels, i.e., I just pay the $10, NOT the HD Platinum (as I don't watch movies), so what about my local channels like NBC, CBS, etc., do I get HD now or is there something else extra that I have to pay?
That depends on whether your local channels are available. Your location in your profile is grossly non-specific.
2) Do I have to sign up for that HD for Life? I know it's free, what do I gain from it if I sign up?
Yes, you have to sign up. What you gain is a monthly savings of $10.
 
This is what Dish says:
HD For Life is a DISH Network exclusive HD programming upgrade offer! You will receive our HD add-on package at no monthly cost for the life of your DISH Network account. All you have to do is subscribe to a qualifying programming package and choose one of the two options below to get signed up.

Qualifying Package HD Add-On Package America's Top 120 HD 120 America's Top 120 Plus HD 120 America's Top 200 HD 200 America's Top 250 HD 250 America's Everything Pak HD 250 DishLATINO Dos HD Dos DishLATINO Max HD Max

How Can I Get HD For Life?

Option 1: 24-Month Commitment with AutoPay and Paperless Billing Agree to a 24-month commitment. If you disconnect your DISH Network service prior to completing your commitment, a cancellation fee of $10 per remaining month of your commitment will be applied. Sign up for and maintain AutoPay on your account. Simplify your life with AutoPay - no checks to write, no late fees, no hassles. To allow a smooth transaction to AutoPay, you will have to zero out any balance on your account when you first sign up.* Sign up for an maintain Paperless Billing on your account With Paperless Billing, you can still view your exact statement online at dish.com/mybill. You will also receive an email reminder each month when your new statement is available.* * Not applicable for One-Time Payment option or customers billed by AT&T, Centurylink, Frontier, lowa Telcom, PACE, TDS, or Windstream.

Option 2: One-Time Non-Refundable $99 HD Upgrade Payment Pay a one-time non-refundable $99 HD upgrade fee to receive HD For Life.

Terms and Conditions

You will receive "HD For Life", which means that the normal $10 monthly HD add-on fee (which permits a DISH subscriber to receive an HD simulcast of standard-definition programming in qualified packages) will be waived until cancellation or disconnection of your DISH service for any reason. In order to get HD for Life, you agree to a 24-month commitment and you agree to maintain AutoPay with Paperless Billing.* If AutoPay with Paperless Billing is removed from your account, you may be charged the full price for HD programming.* The add-on packages provide with HD For Life do not include Paladia and HD Theater. These and other additional HD Channels are available in our HD Platinum package which is not part of this offer. This offer does not include our HD Platinum package. If you disconnect your DISH account and later activate a new account, your HD For Life benefit will not carry over to your new account. * Not applicable for One-Time Payment option or customers billed by AT&T, Centurylink, Frontier, lowa Telcom, PACE, TDS, or Windstream.
 
with HD upgrade if your locals are carrier in HD you will get those included. You will get pretty much everything in your core package in HD if its available. This doesnt include the premium movie channels, platinum HD channels, and sports channels (unless you subscribe to the sports package).

thanks everyone. I am going to un-subscribe on the HD next month. I have American 120. And Dish only have 2 channels that is in real HD. USA 105 and Sci Fi.

The rest of the channels, take CNN for e.g., when I switch to it, it says "HD Partial Zoom, SD normal", and none of the remaining channels has a spell out separate channel as HD, for e.g, with Sci Fi, they have:

122 Sci Fi HD
122 Sci Fi

with the other channels, using CNN as an e.g., it is the way it was before:

200 CNN

==============

when I switch to 122, it says

HD: Stretch
SD: Full Zoom

so I assume that means a real HD channel

with all the other channels, it doesn't look like HD at all, and the word HD does NOT appear at the top right corner like the way that Sci Fi HD is shown.

In the end, I'm not going to pay 2 to 3 channels for an extra $10
 
I have American 120. And Dish only have 2 channels that is in real HD. USA 105 and Sci Fi.
Have you confirmed that you're not using zoom formatting on any of the other 20 or so HD channels? You don't see Discovery or ESPN in HD ever? No Travel, Food, Cooking or Weather channels either?

I'd hate to think that you're missing a bunch of HD channels because you're not paying attention to your remote control format button.
 
Have you confirmed that you're not using zoom formatting on any of the other 20 or so HD channels? You don't see Discovery or ESPN in HD ever? No Travel, Food, Cooking or Weather channels either?

I'd hate to think that you're missing a bunch of HD channels because you're not paying attention to your remote control format button.

The * button has no relationship to the Guide. the Guide is not showing any channel that has the letter HD on it, except
101
122
105
 
The * button has no relationship to the Guide. the Guide is not showing any channel that has the letter HD on it...
Oh, good. The guide is obviously the definitive tool to tell if a channel or program is HD or not. :no

Which guide list are you using? How many channels do you see if you select the All HD version of the guide (the one that says "List: All HD" on the top text line of the guide display)?
 
The * button has no relationship to the Guide. the Guide is not showing any channel that has the letter HD on it, except
101
122
105
What dish setup do you have? It sounds like you are not pointed at the right sat. The channels that you are now getting in HD (101, 105, 122) are on sat 110. That would explain getting only those if say you had a Dish 500.
 
+1

AT120 has at least 30 HD channels. If a channel is HD it has a huge "HD" watermark in the guide and the banner.

If you do get everything straightened out, you may as well keep HD since it's free (if you use autopay).