As a charter member, here are what I think are my options. Please let me know if anything is missing or wrong.
Option 1
Do not switch to lease, choose HBO as free plus pack
Cost: $40/month
2004 Total cost: $40*9 - $300 = $60
2005 Total cost: $40*12 = $480
Total cost thru 2005: $540
Receive:
2 HD Premium movie channels
7 SD Premium movie channels
21 HD Exclusives
50 SD channels
18 music
23 HD, 50 SD, 18 Music
Option 2
Switch to lease, choose HBO as plus pack
Cost: $65/month
2004: $65*9 - $800 = -$245
2005: $65*12 = $780
Total: $535
Receive:
2 HD Premium movie channels
7 SD Premium movie channels
3 HD Marquee Bonus pack (DiscHD, BravoHD, NFLHD)
21 HD Exclusives
50 SD channels
18 music
26 HD, 50 SD, 18 Music
Option 3
Do not switch to lease, choose VaVaVoom
Cost: $80/month
2004: $80*9 - $300 = $420
2005: $80*12 = $960
Total: $1380
Receive:
10 HD Premium movie channels
26 SD Premium movie channels
3 HD Marquee Bonus pack (DiscHD, BravoHD, NFLHD)
21 HD Exclusives
50 SD channels
18 music
34 HD, 76 SD, 18 Music
Option 4
Switch to lease, choose VaVaVoom
Cost: $90/month
2004: $90*9 - $800 = $10
2005: $90*12 = $1080
Total: $1090
Receive:
10 HD Premium movie channels
26 SD Premium movie channels
3 HD Marquee Bonus pack (DiscHD, BravoHD, NFLHD)
21 HD Exclusives
50 SD channels
18 music
34 HD, 76 SD, 18 Music
Option 5
Drop Voom and keep Cable
Cost: $73/month
2004: $73*9 - $800 = -$143
2005: $73*12 = $876
Total: $733
Receive:
1 HD Premium movie channel
11 SD Premium movie channels
3 HD other channels (InHD, InHD2, ESPNHD)
153 SD channels
45 music
On-Demand
4 HD, 164 SD, 45 Music
Notes:
I hope that is accurate, and if so, it helps someone else decide. I know I'm sure having a tough time deciding.
Option 1
Do not switch to lease, choose HBO as free plus pack
Cost: $40/month
2004 Total cost: $40*9 - $300 = $60
2005 Total cost: $40*12 = $480
Total cost thru 2005: $540
Receive:
2 HD Premium movie channels
7 SD Premium movie channels
21 HD Exclusives
50 SD channels
18 music
23 HD, 50 SD, 18 Music
Option 2
Switch to lease, choose HBO as plus pack
Cost: $65/month
2004: $65*9 - $800 = -$245
2005: $65*12 = $780
Total: $535
Receive:
2 HD Premium movie channels
7 SD Premium movie channels
3 HD Marquee Bonus pack (DiscHD, BravoHD, NFLHD)
21 HD Exclusives
50 SD channels
18 music
26 HD, 50 SD, 18 Music
Option 3
Do not switch to lease, choose VaVaVoom
Cost: $80/month
2004: $80*9 - $300 = $420
2005: $80*12 = $960
Total: $1380
Receive:
10 HD Premium movie channels
26 SD Premium movie channels
3 HD Marquee Bonus pack (DiscHD, BravoHD, NFLHD)
21 HD Exclusives
50 SD channels
18 music
34 HD, 76 SD, 18 Music
Option 4
Switch to lease, choose VaVaVoom
Cost: $90/month
2004: $90*9 - $800 = $10
2005: $90*12 = $1080
Total: $1090
Receive:
10 HD Premium movie channels
26 SD Premium movie channels
3 HD Marquee Bonus pack (DiscHD, BravoHD, NFLHD)
21 HD Exclusives
50 SD channels
18 music
34 HD, 76 SD, 18 Music
Option 5
Drop Voom and keep Cable
Cost: $73/month
2004: $73*9 - $800 = -$143
2005: $73*12 = $876
Total: $733
Receive:
1 HD Premium movie channel
11 SD Premium movie channels
3 HD other channels (InHD, InHD2, ESPNHD)
153 SD channels
45 music
On-Demand
4 HD, 164 SD, 45 Music
Notes:
- If keeping Voom and choosing VaVaVoom, its better to switch to lease. If not, its a toss up, but probably better to switch in case you decide on VaVaVoom later.
- Options 1-4 would also include whatever digital locals you can get.
- Option 5 includes channels I would really like to have (FoodTv, FoxNews, BBC, ESPN Family, TechTV, Turner South (Braves games), InHD (HD Baseball))
- Option 5 only includes CBS, NBC, and Fox local digital channels
I hope that is accurate, and if so, it helps someone else decide. I know I'm sure having a tough time deciding.