WGN HD & Reciever upgrade question...

[stp24core]

Sorry if this has been asked but for some reason I cant seem to find the answer. I currently have the HR10-250 and I realize that it does not display my local channels (Chicago) in HD. Because of this I want to upgrade my receiver to allow me to display locals in HD and also record in HD. While visiting the DTV site I wasnt able to find a way to upgrade to the HR20-700. It gives me a $99 lease fee but doesnt list the model number for the receiver specifically.

When I upgrade my receiver will I be able to view WGN in HD? I thought that it was not available the last time I had checked but now I see an additional WGN listed in my channel guide. The additional WGN channel seems to run different programming that my original channel 9 does. Will I get to see both of these in HD? My main concern is trying to catch the Chicago Cubs in HD this year without having to mount a huge antenna on my roof.

Any help would be appreciated and I am sorry if this is a newbie question. I just really need my HD baseball this year and will do whatever it takes to get this going...Not to mention I wouldnt mind catching the Super Bowl in HD if they can upgrade my receiver on time.

 

[charper1]

I used 60174 for a Saint Charles, IL zip code:

Locals Info
Local Channels Availability

HD in bold

Yes! Local channels are available in Chicago IL 60174. We've provided a complete list of local stations and channel numbers below.
High-definition (HD) local channels from DIRECTV are also available in your area. To receive them you will need an HD system
Available Channels
Network Affiliate Local Channel #
CBS WBBM 2
NBC WMAQ 5
ABC WLS 7
CW WGN 9
PBS WTTW 11
AZA WOCK 13
PBS WYCC 20
IND WWME 23
IND WCIU 26
FOX WFLD 32
I i 38 255
TMO WSNS 44
MNT WPWR 50
PBS WYIN 56
TFT WXFT 60
IND WJYS 62
UNI WGBO 66


RSN info
The 60174 ZIP Code is in the home team territory for the following pro team(s):

SD: Standard Definition
HD: High Definition

With any TOTAL CHOICE® package:

Comcast SportsNet (Chicago) (Ch. 640)
# Chicago Bulls (HD Available)
# Chicago Cubs (HD Available)
# Chicago Fire (SD Only)
# Chicago White Sox (HD Available)


With any TOTAL CHOICE® Premier package or any TOTAL CHOICE® package plus SPORTS Pack, you also get:

Comcast SportsNet (Chicago) (Ch. 640)
# Chicago Bulls (HD Available)
# Chicago Cubs (HD Available)
# Chicago Fire (SD Only)
# Chicago White Sox (HD Available)

FSN Midwest (Ch. 647)
# Chicago Bulls (SD Only)

 

[stp24core]

That is great! Thanks for the detailed response! Now I just have to see if anyone has any tips on the receiver upgrade?

 

[hdtvtechno]

I was at my local Circuit city store in Elmwood Park and they have the HR20-700 HD DVR for $199

$299 - $100 i think either instant/or mail in rebate

 

[stp24core]

I was at my local Circuit city store in Elmwood Park and they have the HR20-700 HD DVR for $199

$299 - $100 i think either instant/or mail in rebate

Have you heard of DTV doing anything for existing customers that want to upgrade versus purchasing a new unit via retail?

 

[hdtvtechno]

Have you heard of DTV doing anything for existing customers that want to upgrade versus purchasing a new unit via retail?

nothin that i know of at this time...

 

[rad]

Have you heard of DTV doing anything for existing customers that want to upgrade versus purchasing a new unit via retail?

Call D* and ask to be transferred to customer retention (tell them you're thinking about cancelling). Then tell the rep that you want to get Comcast Sportsnet HD feed and Comcast cable has it so you might cancel D*. If you've been a good customer (aka spend a lot of money per month) you should at least get a discount on it, if not free, especially since you have an HR10-250 and spent a lot of month on that box.

 

[stp24core]

Call D* and ask to be transferred to customer retention (tell them you're thinking about cancelling). Then tell the rep that you want to get Comcast Sportsnet HD feed and Comcast cable has it so you might cancel D*. If you've been a good customer (aka spend a lot of money per month) you should at least get a discount on it, if not free, especially since you have an HR10-250 and spent a lot of month on that box.

That is essentially what I did. I sent an email however because I really cant stand talking on the phone with anyone from DTV. I actually wouldnt mind having the Comcast Sports Net because alot of the Cubs home games are in HD on that channel. I will be curious to see where this goes.

The other option will be for me to put the HR10-250 on Ebay and take auction winnings and pick up the HR20-700. It would be a wash at that point I guess.

 

[scotsmanron]

Am I missing something? Why won't the 10-250 display the locals in HD, or does he mean just not with D* (not OTA)?

 

[raoul5788]

Am I missing something? Why won't the 10-250 display the locals in HD, or does he mean just not with D* (not OTA)?

The 10-250 should pick it up ota, but since it's an mpeg4 channel on D*, the 10-250 will not decode it.

 

[dodge]

wgn hd

When I upgrade my receiver will I be able to view WGN in HD? I thought that it was not available the last time I had checked but now I see an additional WGN listed in my channel guide. The additional WGN channel seems to run different programming that my original channel 9 does. Will I get to see both of these in HD? My main concern is trying to catch the Chicago Cubs in HD this year without having to mount a huge antenna on my roof.
QUOTE]


a small uhf antenna such as the channel master 4278 should get all locals ota in hd except wbbm 2 as it is on digital channel 3 vhf

 

[scotsmanron]

I was hoping that was what he meant, but I just wanted to make sure.

 

[rad]

When I upgrade my receiver will I be able to view WGN in HD? I thought that it was not available the last time I had checked but now I see an additional WGN listed in my channel guide. The additional WGN channel seems to run different programming that my original channel 9 does. Will I get to see both of these in HD? My main concern is trying to catch the Chicago Cubs in HD this year without having to mount a huge antenna on my roof.
QUOTE]


a small uhf antenna such as the channel master 4278 should get all locals ota in hd except wbbm 2 as it is on digital channel 3 vhf

It's the local WGN HD feed, not the Superstation feed that's now available.

 

[riggscm]

Personally I'd like to see D* carry WTTW as well.

 

[stp24core]

Well after emailing D* and then having to call customer service I was given the great special customer upgrade of $299? I can go to Circuit City and get it for $299! I dont understand what they are doing over there sometimes.

It looks like I will be selling the HR10-250 on the old Ebay. If it sells for $300 I will go into Circuit City and get my special customer purchase price there and avoid having to wait for shipping.

Its nice to know that new subscribers can get it for $100 less than existing subscribers. Im supposed to be an "A" list customer and I can think of a three letter word that starts with an "A" and describes how I feel when it comes to being a D* subscriber sometimes.

(Thanks for letting me vent...)

 

[rad]

Well after emailing D* and then having to call customer service I was given the great special customer upgrade of $299? I can go to Circuit City and get it for $299! I dont understand what they are doing over there sometimes.

It looks like I will be selling the HR10-250 on the old Ebay. If it sells for $300 I will go into Circuit City and get my special customer purchase price there and avoid having to wait for shipping.

Its nice to know that new subscribers can get it for $100 less than existing subscribers. Im supposed to be an "A" list customer and I can think of a three letter word that starts with an "A" and describes how I feel when it comes to being a D* subscriber sometimes.

(Thanks for letting me vent...)

Call and ask to speak to customer retention, they have a lot more power to make deals with customers. If you spent $1K on your HR10-250, like when it first came out, make sure to mention that, since you've already paid that much you feel you shouldn't pay list to get the upgrade so you can receive the new MPEG4 channels. Don't give up.

 

[wneilson82]

Call and ask to speak to customer retention, they have a lot more power to make deals with customers. If you spent $1K on your HR10-250, like when it first came out, make sure to mention that, since you've already paid that much you feel you shouldn't pay list to get the upgrade so you can receive the new MPEG4 channels. Don't give up.

Agreed. I am a new customer thus I didnt feel like I had much bargaining power when I signed up a few months ago.

Now that I have signed up for some services, have had D* for months now, and have bought and upgraded some things....I would expect a little back-scratching from them....and if they don't...so be it and I will still be happy....:up

 

[ilikepiehole]

That is great! Thanks for the detailed response! Now I just have to see if anyone has any tips on the receiver upgrade?

I have been a loyal customer at DTV for many years & had the H10, I wanted to upgrade to the H20 so I called CS and asked what they had to offer. They told me
since I was on the "A" list (Hmmm) that I could upgrade for free to the H20, I just needed to commit to a 2 yr contract + pay for the shipping cost......I think somewhere in the neighborhood of 20.00, so i took it. They also said I can upgrade every six months (free + shipping + commitment)) on my other receivers if i choose.

 

[rad]

I have been a loyal customer at DTV for many years & had the H10, I wanted to upgrade to the H20 so I called CS and asked what they had to offer. They told me
since I was on the "A" list (Hmmm) that I could upgrade for free to the H20, I just needed to commit to a 2 yr contract + pay for the shipping cost......I think somewhere in the neighborhood of 20.00, so i took it. They also said I can upgrade every six months (free + shipping + commitment)) on my other receivers if i choose.

IMHO, you should have done some arm twisting and gotten the HR20 (the H20 is not a DVR) since you already have paid for a H10. You ought to call them back and say you're thinking of cable and please transfer you to customer retention. While the HR20 isn't perfect, it's getting good, at least D*'s working on fixing it and adding new features. The H20's been out for over a year and D* has yet to add the 'active' feature to the box and no idea when they will add it.

 

[cybok0]

Well after emailing D* and then having to call customer service I was given the great special customer upgrade of $299? I can go to Circuit City and get it for $299! I dont understand what they are doing over there sometimes.

It looks like I will be selling the HR10-250 on the old Ebay. If it sells for $300 I will go into Circuit City and get my special customer purchase price there and avoid having to wait for shipping.

Its nice to know that new subscribers can get it for $100 less than existing subscribers. Im supposed to be an "A" list customer and I can think of a three letter word that starts with an "A" and describes how I feel when it comes to being a D* subscriber sometimes.

(Thanks for letting me vent...)

Keep bugging them and remind them you are an "A" list customer,
They have and can give you an HR20 for free plus free installation, they might give you discounts on other services also, IE... free HD for a year Free HBO for a year.

Just depends one which rep you get, keep trying till you get the deal you like.