tok said:
Hello, I am currently a cable customer (with Cablevision) and now, as an old customer, I am paying full prices for their analog "family cable" package ($47.09 / month). I am looking at alternatives, and Dish seems a very good choice. I never had satellite, so I am still new on how it works. I have 3 standard TVs (but we use at most 2 at a time), directly connected to catv wiring, and one is connected also to a ReplayTV DVR. Here are the questions:
1) What is the best deal for new customers? I know I qualify for the $19.99/month offer as I am in NY. Is this the best I can get? Do new customers always have to commit to 12/24 months to get good offers?
2) What is the best equipment that I should get? Is the DISH 625 the best choice for me, as I would only use 2 tvs at a time at most? Or should I get a single unit for each TV (increasing the monthly cost)?
3) How would the equipment connect to my TVs? Do they use the cable wiring?
4) Are there any hidden fees or costs I should be aware of, other than the advertised monthy fee?
Thanks!!!
1) The $19.95 sounds like a good deal but compare the channels you have now to the channels you'll get.
2) If the 625 suits your needs then go with that. There are even better units if you're planning on going HD but of course that will cost more.
3) No they will not use your existing cables for connecting the dish antenna to the receiver but you might be able to use your inside cables to connect to the other TVs. Also for the third TV you can use a coupler so that TV2 and TV3 are the same source. But if you want each TV to be independant you'll need another receiver and a special switch (example DP34) so that you'll have more outputs. Make sure you specify that which the origianl install to aviod additional cost later.
4) They may state the install is free or $49 but whatever is quoted should be the final price with the possibility of sales tax. If the offer is for a limited time then make sure you know what the normal rates will be. Cable does the same thing to get you hooked. As a general rule satellite has lower rates on a channel to channel basis compared to cable. Also future price increases are lower and less frequent than cable. Always find out if there are any commitments or penalties before subscribing. Ask about the following:
Sometimes there's a $5 penalty if you later reduce your programming.
The 625 has dual user mode with (hard drive) DVR so here are the fees:
You can own the receiver or they may offer you a lease plan at $5 per month.
Also the dual user mode receivers require a phone line to avoid a $5 monthly fee. The reason is it considered two receivers even though it's only one box.
Units with hard drives may have a $5/mo DVR fee but sometimes that's waived if you order certain packages (example the Everything Pak).
Five bucks more per month for each additional receiver you own and want to be activate. You may not need any additional receivers if TV2 and TV3 view the same channel.
All of these possible fees would be explained before you order but always ask just to be safe.
Personally I avoid all these fees because I have the Everything Pak and more.
Just in case this deal doesn't include locals. You can order local TV though dishnetwork at an additional cost but you may be able to get it free with your own TV antenna. Something to consider if you live anywhere near by.
One last thing you can further
save money by paying annually rather than monthly. Typically for the price of 11 months you get one month free. Plus a savings of over $4 in postage stamps because you're not billed each month.