"free upgrade"

[CasaDelGato]

So, how do you arrange a free upgrade?
I currently have a DirecTivo, and would like to go HD with a HR21.
So far, it looks like I'll have to pay $200 + $15/month to do so.

[Vlad-The-Impald]

We got a call from DirecTV regarding this 'free' upgrade as well. Its not free. Its a way for them to extend the 2 yr committment that just expired another 2 yrs. That's ok, as I'm happy with DirecTV, but I just don't like being forced into this.

What I'm yet to understand is the downside risk of not accepting this 'free' upgrade from them. Anyone have an answer to that?

Vlad

[stevel]

The downside is that you'll lose access to all HD content and miss out on all the HD that DirecTV has added over the past year and will add in the future.

[splitsec]

Has anyone gotten them to upgrade you without sending someone to your house to do the install? I can't get them to ship me the unit at my billing address w/ the 5lnb dish, they say that is not possible, but I find that hard to believe.

Anyone have it done?

[PlainBill]

Has anyone gotten them to upgrade you without sending someone to your house to do the install? I can't get them to ship me the unit at my billing address w/ the 5lnb dish, they say that is not possible, but I find that hard to believe.

Anyone have it done?

I've never heard of anyone arranging a self-install. Compared to the earlier 1 and 3 lnb dishes, the 5 lnb dish is a monster. The alignment is critical if you are going to get the satellites at 99 and 103. I do know of one guy who purchased a 5 lnb dish and HR20 and set it up himself.

PlainBill

[jwciv]

<SNIP> I do know of one guy who purchased a 5 lnb dish and HR20 and set it up himself.

PlainBill

make that two
It is indeed a monster compared to the old round dish, but using the receiver as a meter, or if you can get your hands on a real meter all the better, it can be done.
Order of operation, ie what you adjust first, second, third, etc, it very critical to proper alignment. Standard sats are easy, HDs are the hard part.
splitsec - - PM me for an install guide that'll walk you though the aligment

[PlainBill]

I would say that unless you have a work schedule that does not permit waiting for an installer, or have something you don't want the installer to see (messy living room), buying a dish and receiver doesn't make any sense.

Many of the installers take short cuts, do sloppy work, etc. It's still easier to ride herd on them and make them do it right than it is to do it yourself.

PlainBill

[splitsec]

The equipment is at a vacation home that is quite remote. All past experiences with installers in the area have been attrocious to say the least, and difficult to schedule (we are about 45 minutes from the nearest center).

Add on top of that the fact that there is nobody there to receive the units (when you can get someone to deliver to the area) makes it twice as difficult.

I have installed my dish (3lnb) and others no problem in the past, I have access to a birddog sat. meter so I don't anticipate any difficulty in the install.

What I really need is for them to ship the receiver and dish to my billing address, and I will take care of the rest. I may end up telling them that I already have the correct dish installed, and just need the receiver.

[PlainBill]

Or you could schedule the installation for a day when you are going to be at the vacation home....

PlainBill

[vurbano]

So, how do you arrange a free upgrade?
I currently have a DirecTivo, and would like to go HD with a HR21.
So far, it looks like I'll have to pay $200 + $15/month to do so.

FYI, I upgraded FREE twice with one HR10-250. They dont take it with them when they leave, its still yours. I simply moved it and reactivated it a month later and after a few months upgraded again for free.