Wanting to upgrade to HD receivers in rooms.

[NoWhrMn]

I am a recent subscriber, I have four TVs that are hooked up. 2 of them on HR24s and the other 2 are just SD boxes. I have the MRV option and we are getting HDTVs for the other rooms this year for Christmas.

Do I have to go through Directv to upgrade the 2 SD receivers? Or can I purchase them from a retailer and install them myself. I do want them to be able to access the MRV from the newer receivers.

If I can get them from a retail outlet and install them myself what do I need to do to return the SD boxes to Directv?

 

[RandallA]

You could purchase them through Amazon, SolidSignal.com and a retailer that carries Directv receivers. You'll need to return the SD boxes to Directv unless you want to keep paying for those SD boxes. I would buy the H24 receivers.

 

[harshness]

If you buy into leased H[R]24s to replace the D12s, you pretty much just need to hook them the same way your existing HD DVRs are.

As a new subscriber, you get no price breaks so be prepared to pony up full lease entry price for whatever you acquire. You may or may not get a better deal going through a third party. Either way, they will likely ship the receivers to you for a self-install.

Make sure you remove any bandstop filters from the cables that will have their receivers replaced.

Yes, you will be required to return the D12s. Search the forums for the phrase "return box".

Your programming commitment will reset to 24 months when you activate the new equipment.

 

[bbixler]

I would call Direct TV and see if they offer you any price break on the upfront lease fee. HD boxes are $99 each. You might get one free or at least a price break. Doesn't matter how new you are, it never hurts to call and ask. You are unlikely to get any price break from a 3rd party, although you may find their starting lease rate lower than $99.

 

[Mr Tony]

I agree bbixler

I was a customer for 4 months (started in Feb) when D* started doing the "free HD with auto pay" thing. I called to see what it would cost me to upgrade and the receiver was 100 bucks (HD receiver). They were gonna charge me for install (needed a new dish) and $50 because I was too new so it would have been like 250 bucks.

well a week ago I called and got charged just 100 bucks for the receiver. Install is free and getting a new dish

 

[harshness]

well a week ago I called and got charged just 100 bucks for the receiver. Install is free and getting a new dish

I get the feeling that the OP is quite a bit more "recent" than February or even four months ago.

 

[NoWhrMn]

Orignally when I signed up I wanted to have MRV for the entire house. I was unaware that I needed HD boxes in all the rooms to have MRV in there. I will give Directv a call and see what they say. Thanks for all the inputs. I believe its been 3 months+ since I made the switch from Dish.

 

[satjay]

I was a bit bumed out in that Direct tv wont ship directly to me and that they want to send a professional. Bumed becouse they were going to give me a 100.00 credit for the DVR but they wanted to sent out a professional to do it, I really dont have time these days to be home waiting for the tech. Its kind of weird though that they dont want to send out directly becouse they dont want to risk the equipment getting lost (according to CSR) but I can order a DVR online on there site and elect to not have professional instalation?

 

[Mr Tony]

I get the feeling that the OP is quite a bit more "recent" than February or even four months ago.

I was agreeing with bbixler about his comment

Doesn't matter how new you are, it never hurts to call and ask.

and just threw out my story there