Howz it Over Here?

[Quantum]

For the past month I have been doggedly trying to sign up with Dish Network, but they have repeatedly and mercilessly fscked up my account and I have now finally had enough.

How are things with DirecTV? If you own a receiver, how much danger is it that they'll mark it Leased, or cause any of a thousand other ways to make life miserable? Can you get things done with Customer Service? Billing problems? What to look out for?

Please no fanboys, just give it to me straight.

Is anyone using the HD-PVR with HD? Recommendations for software, etc? Does it work with MythTV? Recommendations for non-DVR, HD receivers?

 

[Kevin1514]

I really like my DirecTV. I switched from Comcast 4 years ago and couldn't be happier. I have since referred my neighbor and grandparents and they like it as well. All receivers are leased unless you pay a ton to buy them at a retail store, but I think its easier just to take the free receivers and lease them. Customer service has always been good to me. The only billing issue I had was them not giving me a referral credit, so I emailed them and a billing specialist called me back and added the credit to my account.

DirecTV customer service is based in the US, so it's a little easier to understand them. As with any company keep an eye on the installer to make sure they are doing a good job and speak up if you don't like what you see.

 

[Ronnie-]

I have both D* and E*. While I have had no serious problem with dish network over the many years, I prefer D*. Small things mainly.

The customer service, in my experience, is better. They seem more willing to help you fix things (most of them anyway). The picture quality is slightly better (although some may not agree), and over the time that I have had them, I havent had to worry whether or not they will take a channel away while negotiating for the "customers"

The DVR has been rock solid for me, I have two HR--20s, and aside from the day that EVERYONE had problems, I havent had any bad experience with them. Some have not been so lucky, but hey thats the nature of software and hardware. All in all its a decent box, and getting better with each software update.

I wouldnt recomend buying the receivers. I own my Dish boxes, and lease the Directv units. No difference from a customers perspective that I can see, except for the price. These units would cost several hundred dollars to own (around $600 if I am not mistaken)

If I can help anymore, just ask

 

[Quantum]

My gosh. I hope you're for real Kevin. Hard to believe, after the misery I've been through with Dish.

Looking on eBay, I find lots of H23's for under $50, which beats all Hell out of Dish's HD receivers. Maybe this would be cheeper than leasing? Although, how prone would Direct be to marking my owned receiver as leased? (stealing it, like Dish)

I guess I could get an HTPC card for OTA, and slave the H23 to an HD-PVR on component. But what software?

 

[Quantum]

msmith, not going with a DVR, since I'll be recording on HTPC. Already all set up, so all I need is a couple cheep HD receivers for multiple tuners.

 

[bhamster]

I think your better off with cable............

 

[Rey]

I have both D* and E*. While I have had no serious problem with dish network over the many years, I prefer D*. Small things mainly.

The customer service, in my experience, is better. They seem more willing to help you fix things (most of them anyway). The picture quality is slightly better (although some may not agree), and over the time that I have had them, I havent had to worry whether or not they will take a channel away while negotiating for the "customers"

The DVR has been rock solid for me, I have two HR--20s, and aside from the day that EVERYONE had problems, I havent had any bad experience with them. Some have not been so lucky, but hey thats the nature of software and hardware. All in all its a decent box, and getting better with each software update.

I wouldnt recomend buying the receivers. I own my Dish boxes, and lease the Directv units. No difference from a customers perspective that I can see, except for the price. These units would cost several hundred dollars to own (around $600 if I am not mistaken)

If I can help anymore, just ask

i echo what msmith said. great experience so far for me! the only difference is that i have the HR21-100 which i've been happy with so far.

 

[Rey]

msmith, not going with a DVR, since I'll be recording on HTPC. Already all set up, so all I need is a couple cheep HD receivers for multiple tuners.

the hd receivers are cheap and since you're a new customer you'll probably get them free too. hope it goes well :up

 

[Hemi 6.1]

My gosh. I hope you're for real Kevin. Hard to believe, after the misery I've been through with Dish.

Looking on eBay, I find lots of H23's for under $50, which beats all Hell out of Dish's HD receivers. Maybe this would be cheeper than leasing? Although, how prone would Direct be to marking my owned receiver as leased? (stealing it, like Dish)

I guess I could get an HTPC card for OTA, and slave the H23 to an HD-PVR on component. But what software?

Hate to burst your bubble, but an H23 for $50 is most likly a retailer, Thats a lease! I doubt your going to find a H23 for $50, that doesn't involve a lease. Maybe an older H20.

 

[Ronnie-]

Hate to burst your bubble, but an H23 for $50 is most likly a retailer, Thats a lease! I doubt your going to find a H23 for $50, that doesn't involve a lease. Maybe an older H20.

+1
Nearly ALL D* boxes offered on ebay are leases. Alot of times the seller wont tell you, but that is what it will be. This also applies to getting them at best buy, ect.

 

[Quantum]

No busted bubbles here...
DIRECTV HIGH DEFINITION H23 - eBay (item 280285417896 end time Nov-16-08 13:13:57 PST)
*NEW* DIRECTV HD SATELLITE RECEIVER HDTV H23NC-600 H23 - eBay (item 180306686928 end time Nov-15-08 19:26:20 PST)
DIRECTV HIGH DEFINITION H23 - eBay (item 280286293611 end time Nov-19-08 13:32:11 PST)

 

[Ronnie-]

Quantum, looking at those, I still say its a lease. I may be wrong, but I didnt see anything in those listings that indicated that they would be owned.

 

[Hemi 6.1]

Quantum, looking at those, I still say its a lease. I may be wrong, but I didnt see anything in those listings that indicated that they would be owned.

They are not going to be owned. H23 are way to new to be sold for $50 , Not only that my Guess is no customer would even be able to sell these ,because Commitments are for 2 years and I don't even think H23 have been out for 2 years yet. Anyone that has a H23 is most likly still under contract. Thats my thoughts

 

[Quantum]

I've asked the sellers. The fact that it says no term extension surely means owned.

 

[Hemi 6.1]

Upon activation of this unit you may be required to have a contract with DirecTv.

Thats right from the add.

 

[Hemi 6.1]

I'll ask the sellers. The fact that it says no lease extension surely means owned.

These are all ended auctions anyway.

 

[Quantum]

Sure they're ended; I was proving final price. But there are lots of comparable active auctions.

And contract may be required? Sure, but that's a separate issue from leased.

I'll see what the sellers say.

Frankly I don't see any improvement in the H23 over the H21. And the H20 has an OTA tuner, whereas the H23 does not. Only benefit would be if the H23 can do the new DVB-S2 and the others couldn't? Anyone know?

If the H23 could take the R5000-HD, I'd pay a couple hundred for it.

Uh oh, just got a response from sweetbabyabe that it's Leased. Exactly what does this mean?

 

[Ronnie-]

I've asked the sellers. The fact that it says no term extension surely means owned.

One of them does say that, one of the others says that a contract may be required. In any case, I wouldnt COUNT on them being owned, for one reason that Hemi posted, and too many cases of people thinking these are owned, and they turned out to be leased. Not sure what threads I have seen this in before, but try a search for it on here. Many sellers will say anything to get you to buy it, then claim ignorance as to what you wanted to know after the fact.

If they are owned, its a great deal, I personally wouldnt buy one and count on it like that though.

In any case, just trying to make sure you are informed. Thats all

 

[Hemi 6.1]

Sure they're ended; I was proving final price. But there are lots of comparable active auctions.

And contract may be required? Sure, but that's a separate issue from leased.

I'll see what the sellers say.

Frankly I don't see any improvement in the H23 over the H21. And the H20 has an OTA tuner, whereas the H23 does not. Only benefit would be if the H23 can do the new DVB-S2 and the others couldn't? Anyone know?

If the H23 could take the R5000-HD, I'd pay a couple hundred for it.

Uh oh, just got a response from sweetbabyabe that it's Leased. Exactly what does this mean?

They only way a contract is required is when a receiver is leased. Owned receivers don't require a contract. Sorry but I highly doubt your going to own H23 for $50 maybe , if it broken, $400 is more like it.

 

[Rey]

well if you can still pay a smaller lease fee on ebay like i did for my hr21-100 it's still a good deal. i paid $80 shipped for a hr21-100 compared to the new customer deal at the time which was $199 for the hd dvr. saved$$$$