Quote From Charlie on MPEG4 Upgrading For Existing Customers

[Lucky]

Company officials also emphasized the importance of making the technological transition to MPEG 4 to maximize current bandwidth, expand the HD market and make the addition of the new HD networks a successful one. Ergen said that DISH network would make it "very attractive" for current customers with MPEG 2 set-top boxes to upgrade to one with MPEG 4. "Probably the cost of a service call," he said.
http://www.skyreport.com/?HDPictures.com

 

[Poke]

Well sounds like it's going to happen so I guess they will be swaping folks out with 411's and Dish 1000's. How much do service call's run these days??

 

[philhu]

Now this is GOOD news!


The only question is WHEN?

 

[bryan92]

The last service call I paid for was around $50, but I'd pay a hundred to upgrade.

 

[Poke]

Yeah that would not bad so we will see if someone calls in on the next chat. Heck I will try to get in on the next chat to ask some questions about all of this.

 

[tawhite]

The last service call I paid for was around $50, but I'd pay a hundred to upgrade.

Now, let's not be offering more!

 

[bryan92]

You're right. I've paid them enough extra money!

 

[jhump]

frustrated

Now what are they going to do with all the people that have 811's are we all going to have to fork out 600 bucks and are we all going to have to get another dish installed? If this is the case I will go back to cable. Hell there rates keep going up but you don't have to purchase all this extra dam equimpment. Its acually cheaper to have cable.

 

[gpflepsen]

Send me the new receiver and I'll ship the old one back. I'm not into paying for a service call when one isn't warranted.

 

[SummitAdvantageRetailer]

Standard service calls - $99
DHPP service calls - $29

 

[Juan]

Standard service calls - $99
DHPP service calls - $29

DHA (not availble any more) $0

 

[dimi1963]

This is horsecrap, I am a customer of almost ten years, and I pay a lot of money on a monthly basis, (AEP, HD+Voom, RAI International), I have four receivers in my hous three of which are HD (6000 owned; 942 leased; 811 leased; 301 owned). If I am not getting the upgrade for free I am jumping ship. I am sorry but since '97 *E costed me a lot of money.

 

[tjwgrr]

Upgrade should be FREE
Holy crap- this stuff changes so fast- we'll probably all need MPEG 6 receivers in 16 months. !protest

 

[T. Perinne]

Well that's good info but still not even close to the whole story we're really waiting to hear...

1) Will existing subs be able to pay the "cost of a service call" and get a VIP622 IN TIME for the launch of new MPEG4 programming?

I want to start watching new HD channels - especially HD locals - as soon as any other Dish customer can. I DON'T want to miss out on 'xx' months of HD programming just because I'm not a new sub.

2) If #1 above is addressed correctly, WHEN will the new HD channels REALLY come on line? Can we really trust that right on Feb. 1st new MPEG4 HD channels will be on our screens?

I don't think I'm owed anything for free, but I did pay Dish Network the full asking price for my 942 (6 months ago) plus an additional dish for Voom totaling $1,000.00. Not to mention the $100+ a month I send them... For that I think I'm entitled to having Dish keep any promises made (i.e. Feb 1st MPEG4 release date) plus be given the opportunity to upgrade my equipment - in time - and at a fair price.

I know I'm just repeating what's already been said over and over recently on these boards, but I'll say it a million times if Dish is watching and it does any shred of good.

 

[kevcar0603]

Does anyone know if they will require some sort of commitment to upgrade if you lease?

 

[mwgiii]

Scott just posted. He said we will know all on Monday and that he is happy with the upgrade path.

http://www.satelliteguys.us/showpost.php?p=440939&postcount=1

 

[luckycat]

Scott just posted. He said we will know all on Monday and that he is happy with the upgrade path.

http://www.satelliteguys.us/showpost.php?p=440939&postcount=1

If Scott is happy, I will likely be happy. Can't wait till Monday!

 

[SpenceJT]

I was one of the excited "early adopters" who had shelled out $1,000 for a 921 (months before they reduced the price). I own the 921 (which has never, per their original product description) been "fully functional" and has been far from bug free.

I also own an 811, which I am reasonably pleased with.

My biggest hurdle will be the WAF. She's not at all pleased with the 921 and will be the biggest thing standing in the way of my plan to upgrade to both receivers to 2 622s.

Monday's announcement best be "nearly free" or I'll be joining the many others who are looking at D* or returning to Charter Cable.

 

[Cyclone]

I just don't wany anything longer than a 1 year commitment.

Plus I don't like the idea of swapping out my 921, I'd rather sell it on eBay.

 

[Purogamer]

I'd like to hear from the installer front as to what they're hearing about unit availability, and relating it to feb. 1st...Will they come in early, doesn't look good, etc...