I don't mind being forced to go to a MPEG4 receiver. But they could do that by stopping all shipments of 811s and substituting 211s. And they could state that a number of HD channels would be converted to MPEG4 by July 1, announce their receiver upgrade programs, and then manage the transition. Part of the plan would be that the $200 DVR rebate would only be good during the 4/1 to 6/30 period, so if you wanted it, you would need to upgrade during that period.
They say they will be adding more HD channels during the year. Announce that in order to add those channels, and to be ready for the future, that they have to begin the MPEG4 transition this summer.
In this way, Dish does not create a situation wherein their subs cannot view HD programming, solely due to Dish-imposed artificial reasons.
Their plan has it so that I, a sub to both their HD Pak and VOOM, and who has their top-of-the-line 942 DVR, will be unable to view 7 HD channels, for up to 3 months. And that they have taken steps to make sure that I can't get them, even though the channels are not really in MPEG4. As a person who is in sales, there is no way I would purposefully prevent my best customers from partaking of my top level services. Why on earth would I take a risk of irritating them?