Okay guys I finally decided to activate my DVR function on my 211k's..have 2 of them and a 222k on account..Does anyone know if paying the $40 fee still activates both 211's and can you still switch the hard drive between the receiver's? Also having a hard time finding a 2.0usb 2T hard drive.. You do have to use external power drive don't you?
VIP 211K Hard drive type
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This may be because my sister was opening a brand-new Dish account, but when we called to activate the DVR service on her Wally, Dish did not charge her the $40 fee. We just asked for the DVR service to be turned on, and they activated it. Either way (fee or no fee) once the DVR service is activated, it covers every 211 and/or Wally on the account. You can switch the hard drives between like-model receivers (211 to 211, or Wally to Wally). Keep in mind that if you ever want to upgrade to Wally in the future, it will prompt you to reformat the hard drive, so any recordings from the 211's would be non-playable at that point. Portable USB 3.0 hard drives will work. I use a Western Digital 1TB portable drive, and it works with every model of Dish receiver that I have tried. (I have not tried the 2TB version to see if it would work.)
So I just activated my other 211k and asked if they could Also turn on the DVR feature for the $40 fee using dish chat.. First guy who I couldn't even pronounce his name couldn't even activate the receiver and had to connect me with a specialist... This guy had no problem activating the new receiver and also added the DVR service at no charge... couldn't be happier
crodrules & Tvland1...
You guys got lucky, I guess. I called last night to activate my VIP211k & VIP211. The lady at first said it couldn't be done. After waiting a bit she was able to "figure" it out. Was told it would be $40 applied to next bill. Not a big deal but I said that several people have reported getting it activated for free. She said she had to charge me but I could get a "free" upgrade to the hopper with a 2 year commitment. That would also likely involve me having to upgrade my service package since Dish doesn't offer my package anymore. I said no thanks...don't want to commit to 2 years.
Anyway, the DVR functions very well with with my limited testing over one night.
You guys got lucky, I guess. I called last night to activate my VIP211k & VIP211. The lady at first said it couldn't be done. After waiting a bit she was able to "figure" it out. Was told it would be $40 applied to next bill. Not a big deal but I said that several people have reported getting it activated for free. She said she had to charge me but I could get a "free" upgrade to the hopper with a 2 year commitment. That would also likely involve me having to upgrade my service package since Dish doesn't offer my package anymore. I said no thanks...don't want to commit to 2 years.
Anyway, the DVR functions very well with with my limited testing over one night.
Luck had nothing to do with it. As always, I started by calling the Loyalty Department at 1-888-496-1260
Those agents are able to apply special offers and credits that regular CSR's do not have the ability to do.
Beware of that "free" upgrade, though. Regardless of what they tell you to get you to sign the contract, there will likely be some kind of one-time lease upgrade fee on your next bill. By the time you find out about the charge, it is too late to avoid it, and then you are already under contract. Also, she was likely only offering an upgrade to a Hopper Duo, not a better-model Hopper which would cost even more money.
On the other hand, Dish did allow me to sign a new two-year contract for an equipment upgrade without making me upgrade my programming package. My cheap Locals Only core package is below the minimum requirement listed in the contract terms, but they had no problem setting it up on my account anyway.
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