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Hey!
I read in here for a couple of days before I decided to join up and ask.
Short version:
Long version:
SO
I'd like her to upgrade two / three of her boxes to HD. Maybe even one with a DVR capability.
I'd like someone to do like they do in the cellphone forums and tell me what the best route would be, or if it would just be a lot more money.
She likes her lifetime and hbo/showtime/starz (also babysits, so kids channels) type programming; she never watches sports, so I don't understand what that's about.
The wife or I'll be happy to call on her behalf, but I'm not very good at wheeling and dealing.
What are her options?
What else should I be asking?
Thanks in advance!!!
I read in here for a couple of days before I decided to join up and ask.
Short version:
Think out of contract, long time sub. Want to transition to HD, but do it as inexpensively as possible, and without incurring a contract.
Long version:
Wife's Mom had one of her 5 D11 boxes bite it last week. Clearly, I can go get another at a thrift store and let her continue on, but we bought her a flat screen for Christmas, and the analog box, even with tweaking the tv, just looks blurry and doesn't conform well to the screen size.
She pays $170 / mo. She has a CHOICE XTRA CLASSIC and HBO, STARZ and SHOWTIME package that costs 84 and 43 bucks each. She pays for box rental and 8 bucks for protection plan. She also pays a 'regional sports fee'.
She wants a flat screen for the bedroom, too (she watches a lot of teevee in there when she's sick).
She pays $170 / mo. She has a CHOICE XTRA CLASSIC and HBO, STARZ and SHOWTIME package that costs 84 and 43 bucks each. She pays for box rental and 8 bucks for protection plan. She also pays a 'regional sports fee'.
She wants a flat screen for the bedroom, too (she watches a lot of teevee in there when she's sick).
SO
I'd like her to upgrade two / three of her boxes to HD. Maybe even one with a DVR capability.
I'd like someone to do like they do in the cellphone forums and tell me what the best route would be, or if it would just be a lot more money.
She likes her lifetime and hbo/showtime/starz (also babysits, so kids channels) type programming; she never watches sports, so I don't understand what that's about.
1. If she upgrades, she has no home internet. There is no wifi.
2. There are no terrestrial options for her to negotiate with (No DSL, no cable, no nothing).
3. She doesn't want a technical multibox multi remote solution.
4. She doesn't want to pay more than she is now.
5. She's not married to Direct, if Dish offers her local (SE TN) channels.
6. Doesn't really want a contract, but would do a 2yr at most.
2. There are no terrestrial options for her to negotiate with (No DSL, no cable, no nothing).
3. She doesn't want a technical multibox multi remote solution.
4. She doesn't want to pay more than she is now.
5. She's not married to Direct, if Dish offers her local (SE TN) channels.
6. Doesn't really want a contract, but would do a 2yr at most.
The wife or I'll be happy to call on her behalf, but I'm not very good at wheeling and dealing.
What are her options?
- I already checked, the base SD receiver currently offered doesn't have HDMI out, so that's not going to be any better than what she's got, but if she's renting boxes, and one is broke, seems like she should send it back, else she's wasting money.
- Will they have to come out and rewire her place to do HD with the new dish? (I'm pretty sure the old grey one won't support what I am betting is an extra satellite for HD / 4k programming...)
- Also, how can you tell from the bill if she's in contract?
What else should I be asking?
Thanks in advance!!!
5 Replies
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1454 views
to Satelliteguys high_order1!You can probably get her upgraded to HD for no cost. There are extra monthly costs for HD so she may need to reduce the number of boxes to keep the costs the same. There will be a two year commitment, no way around that. You'll have to call to parse out all of the charges. Good luck!
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
Stumbled across this ... http://www.gaspricewatch.com/USGas_ZipSearch.asp
I found no local prices, although it did show stations at my location...
Added these to this post...
USA National Gas Temperature Map
State By State Gasoline Taxes
Gas Buddy
Ethanol Free Stations
I found no local prices, although it did show stations at my location...
Added these to this post...
USA National Gas Temperature Map
State By State Gasoline Taxes
Gas Buddy
Ethanol Free Stations
5568 Replies
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462413 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/H5w96sy17FM
Direct YouTube Link - Claude Designed a Linux Kernel Exploit in 53 Minutes #shorts
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View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/H5w96sy17FM
Direct YouTube Link - Claude Designed a Linux Kernel Exploit in 53 Minutes #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
0 Replies
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3 views
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
Cutting Edge
Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!
So let the game continue!
The last song was added by Bobby who posted...
One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters
CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!
Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game
Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.
Example:
Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow
Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio
Another example:
Ride the Lightning -- Metallica
Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne
Get it?
An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
So let the game continue!
The last song was added by Bobby who posted...
One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters
CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!
Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game
Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.
Example:
Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow
Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio
Another example:
Ride the Lightning -- Metallica
Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne
Get it?
An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
68769 Replies
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2687138 views
https://www.directv.com/insider/mysports-changes-the-game/
https://streamtv.directv.com/mysports/ (You might have to logout or open a private window to see the details)
As of now this is only available for streaming customers in select markets. Existing streaming customers can switch to it for $69.99, but they are not eligible for the $20 off for 3 months discount. More genre-specific packages will launch during the first half of the year.
https://streamtv.directv.com/mysports/ (You might have to logout or open a private window to see the details)
As of now this is only available for streaming customers in select markets. Existing streaming customers can switch to it for $69.99, but they are not eligible for the $20 off for 3 months discount. More genre-specific packages will launch during the first half of the year.
75 Replies
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8251 views
Pub Member / Supporter
America’s Fastest-Growing EV State Isn’t California—Not by a Long Shot
New data shows electric vehicle adoption is increasingly driven by state policies, electricity prices and charging access—not federal incentives
www.autoweek.com
The number-one US state for EV growth, according to the June 22 Yardi report?
Oklahoma.
It has no ZEV mandates and "minimal" incentives, Yardi says, but also has cheap electricity, high multi-car household rates (so, for example, a non-Lightning Ford F-150 pulls their trailers), and a consumer base willing to switch.
121 Replies
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1316 views
The Tesla Cybertruck Is Dead, The Ford F-150 Lives - The Autopian
The Cybertruck was supposed to make the F-150 obsolete. It wasn’t supposed to be boring, like a Ford or a Chevy. It was supposed to be “more truck than truck.” It turns out, people just wanted trucks that were trucks, and CEO Elon Musk announced on X earlier this morning is that the Cybertruck...
www.theautopian.com
The Cybertruck was supposed to make the F-150 obsolete. It wasn't supposed to be boring, like a Ford or a Chevy. It was supposed to be "more truck than truck." It turns out, people just wanted trucks that were trucks, and CEO Elon Musk announced on X earlier this morning is that the Cybertruck is dying.
Ending production in middle of next year at gigatexas for cybercab production.
Supporting Founder
Does anyone here use Apple Home/HomeKit with HomePods or Apple TV to automate smart devices in their house? We have had Amazon's Alexa set up in our house for the last 10+ years and I have been waiting to switch them out to Apple for a few reasons; We are already in the Apple ecosystem with our phones, tablets, and computers. I have never liked Amazon's stance on privacy and I really like that Apple has pushed for privacy for a long time.
I bought 4 of the new HomePod Mini 2 speakers to go in various rooms in our house and we have one of the new Apple TVs on preorder that will be the start of me replacing our Rokus. I have the HomePod Mini 2s set up and have an RPi that is running HomeBridge for our legacy smart devices that worked natively with Alexa but don't work with Apple Home natively. I had trouble with the older smart bulbs not keeping the brightness or light color consistent with what our routines were with Alexa despite trying every setting in HomeBridge with the bulbs just not shining very bright. I ended up replacing them with updated versions that are Matter compatible so they work in Apple Home natively. That in and of itself has been interesting to set up because I have my home network segretated with the IoT devices on their own vlan and wifi and pretty locked down. Matter requires IPv6 and due to how my home network is designed I had to do some digging with AI to figure out how to make it all work correctly.
Apple Home definitely has some shortcomings that Alexa does much better with but I am hoping Apple will continue to improve their Home products and introduce features that will bring it closer to the functionality of Alexa.
I bought 4 of the new HomePod Mini 2 speakers to go in various rooms in our house and we have one of the new Apple TVs on preorder that will be the start of me replacing our Rokus. I have the HomePod Mini 2s set up and have an RPi that is running HomeBridge for our legacy smart devices that worked natively with Alexa but don't work with Apple Home natively. I had trouble with the older smart bulbs not keeping the brightness or light color consistent with what our routines were with Alexa despite trying every setting in HomeBridge with the bulbs just not shining very bright. I ended up replacing them with updated versions that are Matter compatible so they work in Apple Home natively. That in and of itself has been interesting to set up because I have my home network segretated with the IoT devices on their own vlan and wifi and pretty locked down. Matter requires IPv6 and due to how my home network is designed I had to do some digging with AI to figure out how to make it all work correctly.
Apple Home definitely has some shortcomings that Alexa does much better with but I am hoping Apple will continue to improve their Home products and introduce features that will bring it closer to the functionality of Alexa.
5 Replies
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82 views
Pub Member / Supporter
Cutting Edge
11 Replies
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304 views
I have the Roku's, 2 or 3, I just rarely use them ... I prefer the Google/Android Sony set up.
People tell me that the Apps on the TV will end thier usefulness as they age ... They are doing ok for me so far ... I also have the TV take the App Updates whenever possible ... then again, I don't know how often App updates come to it.
So, so far, I'm doing ok, but if they start to get sluggish, I'll eventually change to a Roku ... I don't want to, but eventually ... (Or buy another new TV
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifSf_eHb6Qg
Direct YouTube Link - Club TWiT: Media Club #4 - Project Hail Mary
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifSf_eHb6Qg
Direct YouTube Link - Club TWiT: Media Club #4 - Project Hail Mary
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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11 views
After a strange reboot last night in the middle of viewing, this morning several more reboots and about a half an hour download.
0 Replies
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24 views
Supporting Founder
Pub Member / Supporter
Apple Fall Hardware Event takes place today, September 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET. It marks the debut of new CEO John Ternus and the expected reveal of Apple's first foldable phone.
141 Replies
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2458 views
S
when was the last time they innovated something
I'd probably say when they came up with their M-series of processors with integrated memory. That allowed Apple to get away from the inefficient Intel CPUs that were limiting their notebook computers.when was the last time they innovated something
S
samsung made the screen apple designed the hinge for the duo. this has got to be the best advertising campaign for samsung 