Excellent deal on DTV

[skottey]

Hello folks,

I am a current subscriber to FIOS and DirecTV and moving. I was pretty upset when I found out that FIOS would not be available in my new neighborhood until January.

So I will be moving my DirecTV. The good news is that the move is free and I DO NOT have to renew my 2 year contract. The bad news is if I wanted to add HD receivers I would have to renew my contract (I wanted to add 2 non-DVR HD receivers for a total of 4 with the HD-DVRs I have).

So, I am stuck hooking up only two of the 4 HDTVs to DirecTV, but the good news is the deal I got in on that is available to new subscribers or movers.

2 HD-DVRs (existing hardware) and monthly service
All Choice Extra HD channels
HD extra pack for 3 months free (six channels)
all premium channels free for five months
sports package free for five months
NFL Sunday Ticket free
Access magazine
the protection plan ($6 value)

All this for like $85 plus taxes... slightly more than I paid for no sports or movie channels (I had the premiums with FIOS)

FIOS will be available to me just about the time this five month deal for free premiums comes to an end. So I am happy about that. Then I'll switch back to the choice xtra without the premiums and extra HD pack of six channels like HD NET until my contract runs out.

Good deal for anybody out there that cannot get FIOS! Beats BHN, that is for sure. Although I still will be using BHN for RR biz with a static IP.

[runningnak3d]

I just moved 2 weeks ago and the rep I spoke to didn't mention anything about a deal. Do you know if it is too late to call them up and try and get in on it?

Thanks,

-- Brian

[skottey]

I just moved 2 weeks ago and the rep I spoke to didn't mention anything about a deal. Do you know if it is too late to call them up and try and get in on it?

Thanks,

-- Brian

She said that it was a new promotion that JUST started when I asked if the deal would be there in three weeks when I call back. I am not moving for three weeks and I get all premiums with FIOS so I didn't want to schedule the move now since it would kick in all premiums immediately for the promo deal. I don't need them yet. She gave me a reference number so I wouldn't have to waste time when I call to schedule the move. She specifically said it just started so she was sure it would be good still in a couple weeks.

I know they do a deal every year pushing the Sunday Ticket. I remember shelling out $300 upfront in like May or June of 2008 for two HD-DVRs and then they started the free HD-DVR promo with additional units for $99 like right after I had it installed. That too was a Sunday Ticket promo.

This time around the lady said it was a specific deal for new customers but that movers get offered the same promotions. You should call back and try to get in on that promotion. I couldn't believe all the stuff you get in it. All I did was complain that I couldn't add hardware without signing a new contract and she started rattling off the promotion details. So I took it and did not have to sign up for 2 more years.

Like I said, my only downside is that I have four HDTVs and I will only be able to hook up two. But I can wait for FIOS for the other two rooms.

[HDOrlando]

That is a good deal.

Question: Down the line I'm considering Direct TV for a second provider.

Once the deals run out, how much do they usually customers who have been there like a year?

Let's say I wanted the main package, all the added HD except that pak with NBC Universal and HBO?

Would it eventually cost me over $100 a month?

[skottey]

That is a good deal.

Question: Down the line I'm considering Direct TV for a second provider.

Once the deals run out, how much do they usually customers who have been there like a year?

Let's say I wanted the main package, all the added HD except that pak with NBC Universal and HBO?

Would it eventually cost me over $100 a month?

I got FIOS in November of last year and I have had the following as my second provider since....

DirecTV w/ 2 HD-DVRs, Choice Extra HD (see their website), the magazine, the service plan.... about$75 a month once the dust settled.

The big thing right now is that the DVR is huge. It stores so much more HD than FIOS or BHN. I will keep them around in this form until I can have FIOS again and FIOS also has bigger DVRs or external storage (unless I go Tivo)

[HDOrlando]

The price does sound pretty good. Not as much as I had thought.

I might eventually get a 2nd provider to take advantage of the enhancements for the sports packages and have channels like GSN and Boomerang.

Thanks, Skottey!

[skottey]

The price does sound pretty good. Not as much as I had thought.

I might eventually get a 2nd provider to take advantage of the enhancements for the sports packages and have channels like GSN and Boomerang.

Thanks, Skottey!

BTW folks... not that I personally care about the channel. But when I asked DirecTV about new HD channels coming soon she said MSNBC HD was coming very soon.

She listed off like five or six other channels like Afrika Channel HD but no mention of the promised HBO channels or staples like Travel Channel HD that everybody else has.

I can deal with just DirecTV until January. Then I will reduce my package to a lower package, "move" to a second set of locals, and get my FIOS back and all my premiums. I'll miss my FIOS for six months but I'll survive.

[HDOrlando]

Were two of those channels Sleuth and Chiller? I'd love to have those in HD.

When you take out the premium channels and regional sports nets, the difference between cable and direct tv hd is not that huge and will be tighten by the end of the year.

I must say though MSNBC is penetrating systems very fast though.

As for Travel HD, it is outstanding. Most of the shows (some have thin black bars on the sides), bridget in HD, man vs. food, the pigouts, the works man. It is one of my favorites.

[skottey]

As for Travel HD, it is outstanding. Most of the shows (some have thin black bars on the sides), bridget in HD, man vs. food, the pigouts, the works man. It is one of my favorites.

I know... don't forget that I have had FIOS since November. They have just about everything. They are oddly missing Crime and Investigation in HD and NBA TV HD, which were both announced but I had FIOS.

I have been watching Travel HD on FIOS. It is just missing from DirecTV, while they have less popular channels in HD like Planet Green HD.

I called FIOS today and realizing tomorrow was the end of my billing cycle, decided to close my account (a couple weeks before moving). I called and upped my DirecTV package to this one and allowed the premiums to go into effect now (back to 4 HD HBO/MAX channels instead of 26 with FIOS). The install date for the move is all set with them. I didn't add any more boxes like I said because they'd make me renew my contract for two years.

When I dropped off my FIOS equipment I told the CSR how bummed out I am and that it would be available in my new home in January. He told me that right now they are doing NO cable laying anywhere in St Petersburg. I told him how the engineer said there was a work order for January for that neighborhood. He said they would be picking up expanding later in the year but they are doing nothing right now.

It is just really annoying that 75 yards away the houses have service and I cannot get it. Additionally, I am being nailed with a $99 early termination fee with FIOS that I have been instructed to keep disputing until I can get service again. My account has been notated to remove it once I sign up again. Then I have to take whatever deal is available at that time. I may not get the same special with FIOS.

So here I am, with DirecTV only until January or so. Even my Roadrunner static IP account is going up by $25. I had a discount for being a reseller, which they took away for residential accounts. It was either that or sign a 3 year contract with RR. Yeah right. In three years we will probably see 50/20 static IPs offered from FIOS. I am not going to be locked into a 20/2 service with RR just to save $25 a month now. That is one major thing I hate about BHN. Every time you make the slightest change to your account they force you to redo the whole thing. For example, When RR speeds were first increased and you could pay $10 for 10 or 15 down instead of 7, I tried to do that but it would have taken me out of the $10 HBO/MAX special I had. So I'd have ended up paying $22 more a month to go from 7 to 10 Mbps down. Bunch of crap, that is what that is BHN.

[HDOrlando]

That really blows about FIOS' fee when you can't get the service again for a while.

The service areas for FIOS and U-Verse are confusing and mindboggling.

On the channels, FIOS has like every SD channel there is except NBA TV which would be a dealbreaker for me.

I definitely wish FIOS was here in Orlando rather than U-Verse but I'd prob still stick with BHN and when I have more money, get DTV as a seperate provider.

Your info is a lot of help though man. Thanks!

[skottey]

That really blows about FIOS' fee when you can't get the service again for a while.

The service areas for FIOS and U-Verse are confusing and mindboggling.

On the channels, FIOS has like every SD channel there is except NBA TV which would be a dealbreaker for me.

I definitely wish FIOS was here in Orlando rather than U-Verse but I'd prob still stick with BHN and when I have more money, get DTV as a seperate provider.

Your info is a lot of help though man. Thanks!

Yeah, the NBA TV thing on FIOS is odd.... they announced a bunch of new channels in November and have delivered on most by now. They have the rights to Crime and Investigation HD and announced it, yet they only have the SD feed... also, a lot of people are angry that they still do not have NBA TV. I am not a basketball fan so I personally didn't care, other than the fact that they didn't deliver on something they said they would.

In my opinion, DirecTV is definitely second place to FIOS as far as providers go. The DVR, pricing, and channel selection aside from the HBO/MAX channels is good with DirecTV. Not as good as FIOS, but it is better than anything else in my opinion. I will get FIOS again as soon as I can but they are not without their flaws. Firstly, you are dealing with Verizon. I have always hated dealing with Verizon since I had to deal with GTE. Once FIOS is up and running and you pay your bill, they are fine to deal with, but dealing with their customer service and support feels horrible. I dread calling them for anything. I am the pushy type, so I would hate to see how they push people around that just take it in the you know what. I know people that will go along with anything a company says. "Sorry sir, your HD DVR is supposed to shut off randomly and miss recordings, your box is fine." "Oh, ok, thanks." And then they just deal with it. Not me, I get things done and therefore I clash with Verizon. So, if you don't have to talk to them, the service is great. My suggestion to anybody is to aggressively get what you need done and don't let them mindf*** you beyond that. Just leave it alone.

For me to actually have a supervisor tell me how to get around the early termination fee because my new house isn't serviceable yet is foreign to me. Even he has to find ways to work the system. He cannot just take it off and notate my account, "customer was crying on the phone that he can't get FIOS TV and Internet at his new address, says he will sign up as soon as it is possible at new location, termination fee waived." Nope, he has to tell me to keep disputing a fee that will sit on my account and probably collections. I may end up paying it and having them take it off but they may never take it off. They might delete his notes. FIOS is also the only company that has ever charged me for wiring in the house. I have always had new wiring run when I get a new provider. I've had DirecTV, Knology, Dish, BHN, Paragon, TW, Amerisomething in Michigan, Cablevision in Michigan, and never been charged for cable runs. But FIOS bucks the trend and charges you if they cannot use existing wiring. SO, FIOS is not without its flaws, but I will go back to them for the best channel selection and that never goes down Internet as soon as I can.

[HDOrlando]

It seems customer service people are hit and miss.

Half the time you get good ones who try to get you info and other times it is the robot and who knows something but ain't spilling the beans. That's BH for me and I think I'll try them now to see if were getting more HD this month. Maybe one will spit it out.

On FIOS, isn't the internet DSL? Please tell me about that and if you ever have trouble dialing up.

[skottey]

It seems customer service people are hit and miss.

Half the time you get good ones who try to get you info and other times it is the robot and who knows something but ain't spilling the beans. That's BH for me and I think I'll try them now to see if were getting more HD this month. Maybe one will spit it out.

On FIOS, isn't the internet DSL? Please tell me about that and if you ever have trouble dialing up.

No, FIOS Internet is not DSL. FIOS is new fiber run right to your house to an ONT box on the outside of your house. Inside you have a device sort of like a cable modem/router that feeds VOD and guide data to the TVs and Internet. You can remove the internal router and go right to the ONT, but some techs will tell you that you cannot. If they put it into configuration, it is best to disable as much of it as you can and you use your own equipment. I had installs that refused to bypass the actiontec (modem/router device) and run Ethernet right to the ONT but I've since talked to techs and they can and will do it for new installs.

But again, nope, it is not ol' copper DSL. The reason FIOS is so slow to roll out is because they are literally digging up every neighborhood to provide service. That is why it is going to be months for a house that is 75 yards away from service and I cannot get it until Jan. They have to dig dig dig, like they did where I live now last fall. So I get to wait for all that again.

I do residential computer support and it never ceases to amaze me the areas they cover and the areas they don't. People were worried they would cherry pick the rich areas but it really isn't just that. I see very wealthy areas without it and some pretty ghetto areas that can. But they know what they are doing better than I. It probably has a lot to do with permitting and how long it takes for a permit to come in. But when you see them working, they lay cable like you wouldn't believe. They are fast.

[HDOrlando]

OMG!

This FIOS thing sounds great. I thought it would be another phone line.

Too bad we have U-Verse here in Orlando.

I'd be very tempted to give it a shot if I was in Tampa.

[skottey]

OK... so this is stupid... I figured since I have a complete HDTV package and pay the HD access fee, etc, that the Sunday Ticket Special I took when moving would just be a given that it would include those Sunday Ticket games in HD. Nope.

Not that I really care because I took the deal for the overall good deal that it was. Everything plus Sunday Ticket for a low price for five months. I watch the Bucs and that is about it and I get them in HD locally anyway.

But I got an email tonight from DirecTV trying to sell me the Super Fan that includes HD games for $20/month. What??? I thought it was just a given that a regular fan would want their games in HD, having an HD DVR, HD access, and an HDTV and all. But nope. I guess you have to be a Super Fan to want your Sunday Ticket in HD.

Amazing.

[HDOrlando]

Skottey,

The Sunday Ticket deal is wrong and even screws over the fans with access to it.

Right now, it costs like $300 and another $89 for HD and watching it over comp.

In two years, their are estimates it will be about $450 with HD.

Compared to $179 for NBA League Pass and $229 for MLB Extra innings where your getting games every night of the week, it is a complete ripoff to pay such a huge sum for 6-7 hours of action for 17 Sundays even though MLB EI and League Pass only have limited HD at this time.

The NFL does have less dates to make money but the price should be lower and they could probably make more money if they let it be available on other systems via their tv screens and not just broadband.

A problem is the networks not wanting local affiliates hit. One thing they could do is let affiliates have commercials for other games that their network has and maybe work a consolated rating between those games.

At least everyone can get the redzone but that still blows for you Skottey.

[skottey]

Skottey,

The Sunday Ticket deal is wrong and even screws over the fans with access to it.

Right now, it costs like $300 and another $89 for HD and watching it over comp.

In two years, their are estimates it will be about $450 with HD.

Compared to $179 for NBA League Pass and $229 for MLB Extra innings where your getting games every night of the week, it is a complete ripoff to pay such a huge sum for 6-7 hours of action for 17 Sundays even though MLB EI and League Pass only have limited HD at this time.

The NFL does have less dates to make money but the price should be lower and they could probably make more money if they let it be available on other systems via their tv screens and not just broadband.

A problem is the networks not wanting local affiliates hit. One thing they could do is let affiliates have commercials for other games that their network has and maybe work a consolated rating between those games.

At least everyone can get the redzone but that still blows for you Skottey.

The way they are packaging it I am getting Sunday Ticket for $59 a month for five months. That is how it looks on my bill. But what they are doing is giving me choice extra and all the premiums free along with that. Kind of an odd way of packaging it but whatever. Even if I never watch the Sunday Ticket it is a good deal to get all the channels for $59 for five months. So even the most non-football fan should be encouraged to take that package for the deal it offers. Now, you have to call before five months and turn off Sunday Ticket and turn back on everything normal to save the $59 a month.

I just assumed that if they are charging anybody $59 a month, you'd get HD included.

I am really sick of HD being at a premium. It is pretty much a given if you are already paying for HD access and equipment that you want the programming (if available) in HD. I don't order PPV but I hate how they have a higher price for the HD version. Obviously the viewer with HD equipment wants the HD version.

In time I think we will get out of this HD costs so much more mentality. As far as HD cable channels, I see HD being the norm with an SD version as the exception in a few years, the opposite of what it is today.

[Harry]

The way they are packaging it I am getting Sunday Ticket for $59 a month for five months. That is how it looks on my bill. But what they are doing is giving me choice extra and all the premiums free along with that. Kind of an odd way of packaging it but whatever. Even if I never watch the Sunday Ticket it is a good deal to get all the channels for $59 for five months. So even the most non-football fan should be encouraged to take that package for the deal it offers. Now, you have to call before five months and turn off Sunday Ticket and turn back on everything normal to save the $59 a month.

I just assumed that if they are charging anybody $59 a month, you'd get HD included.

I am really sick of HD being at a premium. It is pretty much a given if you are already paying for HD access and equipment that you want the programming (if available) in HD. I don't order PPV but I hate how they have a higher price for the HD version. Obviously the viewer with HD equipment wants the HD version.

In time I think we will get out of this HD costs so much more mentality. As far as HD cable channels, I see HD being the norm with an SD version as the exception in a few years, the opposite of what it is today.

Well, as bad as that is, it is no worse than what Dish is doing. I ordered the Turbo HD set of options, got the platinum version with the premiums. I really only want to watch HD so... Well after I got it, they added some more HD channels but did not make them part of the Turbo HD package but part of the regular packages if you order the HD add on! How much sense does that make? All it does is really piss off customers like me who don't want a whole bunch of SD channels they will never watch, but do want the HD channels. The stupidity of marketing departments is just incredible.

Harry