upgrade to HD??

[acker1]

My neighbor in the RV park is getting an HD TV and upgrading to an HD receiver from Direct. (I have DISH and frequent the DISH forum @ Satellite Guys so my Direct info is very limited). I don't know which receiver he has now. The dish is round with one LNB. 2 phone reps said he could receive HD without changing his dish. I thought Direct uses multiple sats for HD and he would need a different dish (Slimline?)
Thanks for any info you can give me.
DICK

 

[charper1]

can you post a photo? based on your description its a Phase I 18" dish so NO; he can't use this.

 

[Mr Tony]

yeah sounds like he has an old 18" dish. The slimline 3 is what they will upgrade him to. (assuming his SD locals are on 101 they will give him a Slimline 3 which gets 99/101/103...99 & 103 are the HD sats)

 

[acker1]

I measured the dish and it's 18 1/2' across & 20" high. I'll try and get a pic if needed.
Thanks
DICK

 

[Mr Tony]

Yeah thats the old 18" dish...most of the D* dishes now are wider (due to more sat spots to have to lock). He will need a new dish

 

[charper1]

how long has your friend been a DirecTV customer? IF he upgrades thru them he will likely be able to do so on the cheap AND have them come install it.

 

[acker1]

I think he's been with them for 5/6 years. He called Direct to upgrade to HD. The first customer rep told him he would not need a new dish. Then he talked to another rep and they said the same thing.

I'll clarify the conversations tomorrow. (Kinda late now)

Thanks
DICK

 

[charper1]

be sure to tell them the exact dish by model as opposed to trying to physically describing it as that causes uncertainty and confusion - like "I have a 6yo Phase I (one) dish that only sees the 101 satellite"

 

[acker1]

Thanks, I'll pass that on.

 

[acker1]

Followup--Direct kept insisting the dish would work. Even when my friends called to set up the receiver. They finally convinced them to send a tech to come out & check. Last friday he arrived. End result is a new dish (oval) with one wide LNB that tech said gets 3 sats. Friends are happy and I'm happy that I was proved right!!!! :>)

Thanks for all the help.
DICK

 

[kjlued]

I am surprised you had to go through 3 CSR's that told you the dish would be fine.
Anyways, glad it is all straight.

 

[Mr Tony]

glad they got it all worked out