Hey folks:
I'm sick of paying almost $50/mo for basic Time Warner Cable, and I called, and scheduled a Dish Network install for this upcoming Friday. The representative has explained the basic packages and programs, and I have a day or two, to decide what to pick.
Here's my quandry. I have a 13" TV in the living room, which I want to replace in the very near future with a 20" LCD, and a old 27" upstairs, which I'd like to replace with an HDTV (or possibly a Panasonic EDTV plasma), of some sort.
If I choose the "regular" package -- I think it comes with both these rooms installed, and a DVR (maybe 2?) STB/Tuner -- for $29/mo + $5 for the 2nd receiver...How much work will it be to get OTA HD? I guess I'd need either a TV with internal ATSC tuner, *or* purchase a second HD-STB? Then I'd need an A/B splitter, in almost either case? What about integrating a rooftop OTA feed with the exisiting Dish feed? I'd need diplexers(sp?)? Is this a simple cut-and-splice job?? I don't know about y'all's spouses, but my Doe will certainly not go for a tangle of coax, *3* remotes, physical A/B switches...<shudder> I'm imagining perpetual "blue screens," if I'm not around.
However. I like the low price, and I like the idea of a DVR, which I've never had.
Second option, is to go with the HD package, in which I get, I think, two HD-capable STB's, but *no* DVR, for $10/mo more, since I have to subscribe to that package. The advantage here, is I can at least I don't have to worry about A/B switches, right? I assume the Dish HD STB can integrate the OTA signal, assuming i put up an antenna, with the regular satellite feed? What if I wanted to incorporate a 3rd party DVR, like a Tivo? Not having had a DVR, it's hard to say how desireable that might be.
What would y'all recommend? Start simply with the basic plan? Or go right to the HD-capable STB's?
Thx -- confused.
I'm sick of paying almost $50/mo for basic Time Warner Cable, and I called, and scheduled a Dish Network install for this upcoming Friday. The representative has explained the basic packages and programs, and I have a day or two, to decide what to pick.
Here's my quandry. I have a 13" TV in the living room, which I want to replace in the very near future with a 20" LCD, and a old 27" upstairs, which I'd like to replace with an HDTV (or possibly a Panasonic EDTV plasma), of some sort.
If I choose the "regular" package -- I think it comes with both these rooms installed, and a DVR (maybe 2?) STB/Tuner -- for $29/mo + $5 for the 2nd receiver...How much work will it be to get OTA HD? I guess I'd need either a TV with internal ATSC tuner, *or* purchase a second HD-STB? Then I'd need an A/B splitter, in almost either case? What about integrating a rooftop OTA feed with the exisiting Dish feed? I'd need diplexers(sp?)? Is this a simple cut-and-splice job?? I don't know about y'all's spouses, but my Doe will certainly not go for a tangle of coax, *3* remotes, physical A/B switches...<shudder> I'm imagining perpetual "blue screens," if I'm not around.
However. I like the low price, and I like the idea of a DVR, which I've never had.
Second option, is to go with the HD package, in which I get, I think, two HD-capable STB's, but *no* DVR, for $10/mo more, since I have to subscribe to that package. The advantage here, is I can at least I don't have to worry about A/B switches, right? I assume the Dish HD STB can integrate the OTA signal, assuming i put up an antenna, with the regular satellite feed? What if I wanted to incorporate a 3rd party DVR, like a Tivo? Not having had a DVR, it's hard to say how desireable that might be.
What would y'all recommend? Start simply with the basic plan? Or go right to the HD-capable STB's?
Thx -- confused.
