New sign up questions

[Dovetails]

If you are a new customer to D and sign up for the Plus HD DVR package, will you get the latest HD DVR receiver from them, or could you get an earlier model if they still have some in stock. I guess I'm asking if a person specifically wants, lets say, a HR22, can you request it and will it still be free as a new customer? How about when you get a second HD (non DVR) receiver, due you get a choice or do they send you whatever they want and have in stock.

Also, are all the receivers from Direct now only digital? I still have a mix of analog sets in my home and currently as a Dish customer that is no problem with their current receivers with modulators built in. If I go with Direct, I would assume I would have to use some kind of external modulator with the Direct receivers to cover my analog sets for now?

Thanks,

 

[Ronnie-]

You can request a specific model, but D* will tell you that they can not specify what you will get. Basically what ever in is the installers wharehouse. Most likely you will get the HR-21, 22, or 23. Not much difference in them at all. You could always go to Best buy, ect and pick one up if you want a specific model (assuming they have it in stock)
If OTA is important to you, tell them that you want the AM21 also.

The D* boxes will work the same as your E* boxes do for your older sets, wont be any need for an external adaptor

 

[joed32]

No coax out if that is what you are asking, you would need to add a modulator for that.

 

[Ronnie-]

No coax out if that is what you are asking, you would need to add a modulator for that.

Ahh, yeah I did not think of that. You do however have composite and S-Video outputs. For Coax you would need an adaptor

 

[Dovetails]

Ahh, yeah I did not think of that. You do however have composite and S-Video outputs. For Coax you would need an adaptor

Thanks for the reply guys, but I'm still a little confused ... isn't the signal coming out of the composite & s-vid a 'digital' signal only, which my analog sets will not be able to use?

 

[Ronnie-]

Thanks for the reply guys, but I'm still a little confused ... isn't the signal coming out of the composite & s-vid a 'digital' signal only, which my analog sets will not be able to use?

If you have a composite or S-video input on your tv you will be fine

 

[Dovetails]

If you have a composite or S-video input on your tv you will be fine

Thanks for the answers msmith, I was told by a local dealer that the new HDDVR receivers like the 22 would not output an analog signal any longer. I'm going to have to use my older analog set for a couple weeks until my new HD set is in place, so you are telling me that the HR22 will output the sat signal in analog via the composite or s-video connections, and will work with my old tube set, correct?

Thanks again.

 

[Zynergi]

yes or use a RF Modulator that will convert the Composite output to a Coax if need be.. can be had for less than $20

If you want a specific Model you can acquire it on your own but keep in mind that it doesnt come with free installation, and you wont get the free HDDVR promo. You will get what ever the tech has at the time and still can be any of the following HR20, HR21, HR22 or HR23. You can ask and complain until your blue in the face and the D* csr may even note the account but its not guaranteed which model you will get. If you go the Best Buy Route expect to pay $150-$199 for it, then the tech will have to add it to he work order to install it which can be from $50 to $100 to install, so its not always advantageous to get it on your own unless you plan to install it yourself. I am sure some will chime in and say they got it from XXX and installed for free etc yada yada.. but that is so few and far between and a huge crapshoot and there is a ton more to teh store than they are willing to give.. lies to a CSR .. 10 hour phone calls.. actually installed themselves.

 

[Dovetails]

yes or use a RF Modulator that will convert the Composite output to a Coax if need be.. can be had for less than $20

If you want a specific Model you can acquire it on your own but keep in mind that it doesnt come with free installation, and you wont get the free HDDVR promo. You will get what ever the tech has at the time and still can be any of the following HR20, HR21, HR22 or HR23. You can ask and complain until your blue in the face and the D* csr may even note the account but its not guaranteed which model you will get. If you go the Best Buy Route expect to pay $150-$199 for it, then the tech will have to add it to he work order to install it which can be from $50 to $100 to install, so its not always advantageous to get it on your own unless you plan to install it yourself. I am sure some will chime in and say they got it from XXX and installed for free etc yada yada.. but that is so few and far between and a huge crapshoot and there is a ton more to teh store than they are willing to give.. lies to a CSR .. 10 hour phone calls.. actually installed themselves.

Thanks for the info, very helpfull

 

[Ronnie-]

Thanks for the answers msmith, I was told by a local dealer that the new HDDVR receivers like the 22 would not output an analog signal any longer. I'm going to have to use my older analog set for a couple weeks until my new HD set is in place, so you are telling me that the HR22 will output the sat signal in analog via the composite or s-video connections, and will work with my old tube set, correct?

Thanks again.

That is correct. As long as you have those inputs, you are good to go. Hook it up and enjoy:up

 

[AntDogg65]

I signed up two weeks ago, got installed last week and they gave me the HR23 for my HD DVR and the H23 for my HD receiver. I'm on the same plan as you so I guess they will do the same for you.

 

[Neilkn]

Separate Video, more commonly known as S-Video, and sometimes incorrectly referred to as "Super Video" and also known as Y/C, is an [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analog_signal"]Analog signal - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame] video signal that carries the video data as two separate signals, luma (luminance) and chroma (colour). This differs from [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Composite_video"]Composite video - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/File:Composite.jpg" class="image"><img alt="Composite.jpg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1c/Composite.jpg/300px-Composite.jpg"@@AMEPARAM@@commons/thumb/1/1c/Composite.jpg/300px-Composite.jpg[/ame] which carries picture information as a single lower-quality signal, and [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Component_video"]Component video - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/File:Question_book-new.svg" class="image"><img alt="Question book-new.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/99/Question_book-new.svg/50px-Question_book-new.svg.png"@@AMEPARAM@@en/thumb/9/99/Question_book-new.svg/50px-Question_book-new.svg.png[/ame] which carries picture information as three separate higher-quality signals. S-Video carries [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_definition"]Standard-definition television - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/File:Question_book-new.svg" class="image"><img alt="Question book-new.svg" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/99/Question_book-new.svg/50px-Question_book-new.svg.png"@@AMEPARAM@@en/thumb/9/99/Question_book-new.svg/50px-Question_book-new.svg.png[/ame] video (typically at [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/480i"]480i - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/File:Television_icon.png" class="image"><img alt="Television icon.png" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bb/Television_icon.png"@@AMEPARAM@@commons/b/bb/Television_icon.png[/ame] or [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/576i"]576i - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia@@AMEPARAM@@/wiki/Fileal_channel.svg" class="image"><img alt="" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/57/Pal_channel.svg/400px-Pal_channel.svg.png"@@AMEPARAM@@commons/thumb/5/57/Pal_channel.svg/400px-Pal_channel.svg.png[/ame] resolution), but does not carry audio on the same cable.

S-Video is analog. The digital part is to the box. The signal out of the box to the TV IS analog. In fact, Component is also an analog signal. DVI and HDMI are digital signals.

 

[peterl1365]

Going back to the OP's original question:

Once upon a time, D* used to let you go out and purchase your desired equipment from a local retailer. D* would then credit your account for whatever was agreed upon.

Does D* still do this? I'd also like to pick up a couple of HR22/23's for my upcoming upgrade. I'm actually considering delaying for an extra month or so until I'm reasonably certain that D* has exhausted all their inventory of HR21's.

 

[jdspencer]

You can still buy your equipment elsewhere. But, it is still heavily discounted, so the equipment is considered leased. Consider the purchase price as an upfront lease fee. When activated, you'll pay an additional monthly lease fee (for owned equipment, this is the additional receiver fee).