Bare minimum HD package for someone with no HDTV?

[JCarais]

Hello,

I currently have the Classic Gold 250 package with HBO and Starz, a 522 receiver and a 322 receiver. I recently received a "special reward" postcard from Dish with two options to pick from for a two year commitment. One offer would save me money with my current setup, and one (the one I'm here asking about) is the same as the first but includes an upgrade to an HD DVR.

I don't currently have an HDTV but I imagine I'll be getting one at some point in the future. So I'm wondering if I should take Dish up on the HD offer and if so, how much (bare minimum) would it cost me more per month? My neighbor said he thought I could pay a lesser "HD enabled fee" (or some such thing) and not actually pay for HD programming until I get an HDTV and need the programming.

The offer from Dish says I'll get an HD DVR upgrade "up to $150 value" but doesn't list the model I'd get.

I guess what I'm asking the experts is, would it be worth it to take them up on the HD offer and unnecessarily pay more until I get an HDTV, or should I just take them up on the programming offer that would work with my current setup? If I have to pay (hypothetically) $15 more a month then in 10 months the "up to $150 value" HD DVR will be a wash. But I'd be kicking myself if I don't take them up on the offer, get an HDTV in six months, and then am told the $150 HD DVR is gone and that I'll have to pay several hundred dollars for some other HD receiver.

Thank you for any help or advice you can share.

 

[garys]

Bare minimum would be $10 for HD programing, but you really do not have to subscribe to HD programing to have an HD receiver so the correct answer would be $0.

 

[MikeD-C05]

The minimum programming pack for normal hd cable channels is Classic Bronze pack for 39.99 a month. Now you can have just locals and get your locals in hd (if available in your area), but you will pay a programming access fee of 6.00 if you don't have a programming pack. You can also get the premium movie channels in HD if you subscribe to them if you have an hd receiver; again if no programming pack you pay a 6.00 programming access fee .

 

[garys]

The minimum programming pack for normal hd cable channels is Classic Bronze pack for 39.99 a month. Now you can have just locals and get your locals in hd (if available in your area), but you will pay a programming access fee of 6.00 if you don't have a programming pack. You can also get the premium movie channels in HD if you subscribe to them if you have an hd receiver; again if no programming pack you pay a 6.00 programming access fee .

I thought Dish got rid of the access fee back in Feb? Or am I mistaken, in which case I will make a note of it. Thanks.

 

[joewhite57]

I thought Dish got rid of the access fee back in Feb? Or am I mistaken, in which case I will make a note of it. Thanks.

Thats what I remember, although I've never been willing to test this because I'm another HD junkie. I would suggest to the poster to do the DVR upgrade. As soon as you don't your primary tv will go belly up and HD tv's have become the rule, not the exception on store shelves.

 

[chainblu]

They did get rid of the HD access fee, but I doubt Dish will "give" him a HD receiver without some HD programming.

 

[JCarais]

Thank you for the replies. That HD access fee you guys are talking about sounds like what my neighbor was describing. I think I'd go for that if it was still available, but I guess it's not an option.

The flyer is kind of confusing. Part of it makes it sound like I don't need HD programming and part of it sounds like I do. I'll type the relevant parts here word for word:

"HD DVR Upgrade offer: requires 24-month commitment to a qualifying programming package, including Classic Bronze 100 or higher, Turbo HD Bronze or higher, DishLATINO Clasico or higher or a select International programming package...Receiver is leased and must be returned to DISH Network if qualifying programming is downgraded or terminated. Monthly receiver fees will apply...HD programming requires HD television (sold separately)."

I would think that since I have Classic Gold 250 (which is "Classic Bronze 100 or higher") that I would be fine without upgrading to HD programming.

Then there's a bunch of stuff about the rest of the promotion unrelated to HD, and then later it says this which I think is related to the "Free HD channels for 3 months" part of the offer:

"PlatinumHD: Customer who subscribes to Classic Bronze 100 with Bronze HD, Classic Silver 200 with Silver HD or Classic Gold 250 with Gold HD and adds PlatinumHD will receive a $10 credit for each of the first 3 months. After 3 months, customer must downgrade or then-current price will apply."

Does this mean that people don't really get 3 free months of their HD programming, but rather get three free months of upgraded PlatinumHD? And does it mean since I have Classic Gold 250 that I will have to subscribe to Gold HD?

Sorry to bring my problems here instead of just calling Dish, but I feel like the less I have to deal with their customer service, the better. Thank you.

 

[Jim S.]

That must be an old offer. Starting at the beginning of this month, new HD subscribers get the Platinum package free forever.

But I'm not sure why you're hesitating about paying the $10 per months for HD. You do realize that there are some channels that are HD-only (11 in the Platinum package plus Palladia, HDNet, and HD Theater), and you can still watch them on your SD TV via the SD outputs on the receiver, right?

 

[JCarais]

That must be an old offer. Starting at the beginning of this month, new HD subscribers get the Platinum package free forever.

Hello Jim,

Yeah, I think the flyer came a month or so ago. It has a "Programming Reward" - $10 off a month for 12 months, free HBO and Sho for 3 months, free HD channels for 3 months, and 3 free movies. Or a "HD DVR Reward" which is the same but adds a HD DVR. Is there a better/more current promotion to your knowledge?

You do realize that there are some channels that are HD-only...and you can still watch them on your SD TV via the SD outputs on the receiver, right?

I didn't. I guess I was just assuming HD channels; HDTV. Truthfully I'm not interested in those channels anyway. We're very happy with the current lineup in our package, but we don't want to go for their "Programming Reward" and then somewhere down the line get an HDTV and have to pay several hundred dollars for a receiver we could get for free now.

And plus they'll have us locked in with that (Draconian) 2 year commitment so we won't even have any leverage later. What's with the 2 years anyway? Comcast, who I hate, is offering HD, phone, and internet for $99 a month - and they're tossing in a free laptop (!!!). And even they, the evil Comcast, are only asking for a 1 year commitment. I mean who the hell knows what technology or the world is going to be like in 2 years?

 

[chipinoh]

They did get rid of the HD access fee, but I doubt Dish will "give" him a HD receiver without some HD programming.

That's what they're doing for me. I told them I planned on getting a HDTV for Christmas, so they're giving me a 722K (which is a HD receiver) even though I'm not going to subscribe to HD for a few months.

 

[MikeD-C05]

There is a programming access fee if you don't have ANY programming pack. It is charged regardless if hd or sd receivers. My aunt has the welcome pack- 9.99 +locals-5.00 and it comes to 14.99 a month and has about 17 random channels from the different programming packs. You have to ask for it to get it. If you don't have any programming at all except locals or just premium movie pack , you will have to pay a programming access fee of 6.00 a month. What was eliminated was the HD enabling fee that was first 5.00 , then went up to 7.00 , back down to 5.00 and now is gone.

 

[JCarais]

I told them I planned on getting a HDTV for Christmas, so they're giving me a 722K (which is a HD receiver) even though I'm not going to subscribe to HD for a few months.

chipinoh,

That's exactly what I want to do, not get the HD channels, but get the HD receiver being offered under the promotion until I get an HDTV. Can you please tell me what promotion you got? Was it the "HD DVR Reward" that I described in an earlier post? Thanks!

MikeD-C05,

So if I understand correctly now, it's like chipinoh just said. I don't need to subsrcibe to an HD package, my SD Classic Gold 250 package will be enough to get the HD DVR? Thanks.

 

[chipinoh]

chipinoh,

That's exactly what I want to do, not get the HD channels, but get the HD receiver being offered under the promotion until I get an HDTV. Can you please tell me what promotion you got? Was it the "HD DVR Reward" that I described in an earlier post? Thanks!

I don't know exactly, but my install is tomorrow. I'll let you know when I have my paperwork. I do know I'm getting HBO & Showtime free for three months, and I get Cinemax for a year for a penny because I'm on autopay & paperless billing. I'm getting nine months of some service protection plan for free as well.

 

[MikeD-C05]

chipinoh,

That's exactly what I want to do, not get the HD channels, but get the HD receiver being offered under the promotion until I get an HDTV. Can you please tell me what promotion you got? Was it the "HD DVR Reward" that I described in an earlier post? Thanks!

MikeD-C05,

So if I understand correctly now, it's like chipinoh just said. I don't need to subsrcibe to an HD package, my SD Classic Gold 250 package will be enough to get the HD DVR? Thanks.

I am not sure but if they offered you the option to upgrade to an hd dvr , and there is no minimum requirement on the flyer itself -like hd pack; bronze/sliver or gold- you should be okay with just classic gold 250 pack. But I would definitely ask the csr before you do it.

 

[whatchel1]

And plus they'll have us locked in with that (Draconian) 2 year commitment so we won't even have any leverage later. What's with the 2 years anyway? Comcast, who I hate, is offering HD, phone, and internet for $99 a month - and they're tossing in a free laptop (!!!). And even they, the evil Comcast, are only asking for a 1 year commitment. I mean who the hell knows what technology or the world is going to be like in 2 years?

Yeah and Comcrap's DVR is a POS. Thing is if you get the 722k E8 is investing a seriously expense HD DVR in you house and the 2 yr commit is to cover their assest basically. The 722k will record 2 sat channels and add an OTA module w/out door antenna will give you 2 more thing you can record. So it will record 4 things at once and play back all at the same time. Now try to get that out of the POS Comcrap stuff.

 

[aquaman67]

That must be an old offer. Starting at the beginning of this month, new HD subscribers get the Platinum package free forever.

What does this mean? Could someone explain this?

I currently don't have HD but I do have an HD tv.

 

[Jim S.]

OK, I think I see what you're asking. You don't get HD for free, that costs $10 same as before. But you get the channels that were in the Platinum add-on package included, rather than having to pay an ADDITIONAL $10 (total $20) as you used to have to do. The Platinum channels are NBA, NHL, Universal, MGM, Fashion TV, Logo, BET J, HDNet Movies, World Fishing Network, Crime & Investigation, and MavTV. Without the Platinum package, an HD subscription gets you the HD counterparts of your standard channels (the ones that Dish carries anyway) plus HDNet, HD Theater, and Palladia.

 

[whatchel1]

HDTV w/no HD?

I don't understand why anyone would have an HDTV and not go HD. Since I've had an HDTV for close to 8 yrs (on my 2nd one) and w/o a source like E*HD it just doesn't make sense anymore. You already have E* in SD you must be getting tired of pillar bars or strecth-o-vision on it. IMO

 

[CELDER]

My free three months for PlatinumHD ran out this week. They had a note on my statement that if wanted to cancel I should do it before Aug 14 or I would be charges$10.00 a month. I canceled out online. Now what should I do to receive it for free like everyone else.

GOCCUBS!!!

 

[Jim S.]

Unless they've changed it, you should be able to go to your programming packages on the website, de-select your existing HD package, hit "review" (not reload, but the review button at the bottom of the page), and select the new HD+Platinum package that should appear instead of the old packages. No human involvement, and no downgrade fee since you don't finalize the order until you've selected the new package.