And what if those paying for the HD Package but do not have an MPEG4-capable STB? For instance, I have a Samsung SIR-TS160, which predates anything MPEG-4 DirecTV had in orbit. Also, I do not have the latest dish, but rather mine is a simple 3-LNB unit.
And while I have been a DirecTV HDlite subscriber for about three years now, they haven't done anything to get me to upgrade the hardware. Probably because of their ailing attitudes toward out of contract accounts.
They're hoping you'll call them, if they were to call you, you'd expect everything for free. This way they can charge you a minimal fee and get you to renew for two more years. Not sure when they are going to start calling people to upgrade, but I'd bet another year or two.
I hate to break it to you but you won't be able to view anything HD on your Samsung SIR-TS160 once they migrate to MPEG-4. I'm not 100% sure that the current channels are migrating to B-Band but from the info DTV sent out by email regarding the new BBC & 5-LNB Sat requirements, I'm fairly sure its at least likely they will be.
I also had this Samsung receiver and a 3-LNB sat but I went ahead and upgraded when I moved earlier this year. I was told at that time that I would still be able to receive the current HD programming with my Samsung but that I couldn't get any of our locals in HD or upcoming channels as they were added. I wrangled with them for a couple of weeks before I got an acceptable deal and didn't have to pay for my new equipment upgrades. It may take you a few phone calls (it took me four different calls over about two to three weeks) but in the end DTV really came thru for me and I've been completely happy with my service. I'm a lot happier with my newer receivers and I'm even getting used to using a non-Tivo DVR. The fact that everything in my house is now HD makes it worth every minute I had to go thru to get it taken care of. Plus, the new boxes are HDMI and your Samsung is only DVI capable. Oh, and the remote is a billion times better than that weak ass Samsung remote. I can change the channels from anywhere in my room now.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ghostdoggy @ Aug 12th 2007 2:20PM
And what if those paying for the HD Package but do not have an MPEG4-capable STB? For instance, I have a Samsung SIR-TS160, which predates anything MPEG-4 DirecTV had in orbit. Also, I do not have the latest dish, but rather mine is a simple 3-LNB unit.
And while I have been a DirecTV HDlite subscriber for about three years now, they haven't done anything to get me to upgrade the hardware. Probably because of their ailing attitudes toward out of contract accounts.
PeterB @ Aug 12th 2007 4:55PM
Call them up and at the very least you can get a new slimline 5-lnb and a H20 reciever for $15 "shipping" cost.
I was able to haggle them into a HR-20 and the new dish installed for $99.
Ben Drawbaugh @ Aug 12th 2007 2:22PM
They're hoping you'll call them, if they were to call you, you'd expect everything for free. This way they can charge you a minimal fee and get you to renew for two more years. Not sure when they are going to start calling people to upgrade, but I'd bet another year or two.
Michael @ Aug 12th 2007 11:13PM
I hate to break it to you but you won't be able to view anything HD on your Samsung SIR-TS160 once they migrate to MPEG-4. I'm not 100% sure that the current channels are migrating to B-Band but from the info DTV sent out by email regarding the new BBC & 5-LNB Sat requirements, I'm fairly sure its at least likely they will be.
I also had this Samsung receiver and a 3-LNB sat but I went ahead and upgraded when I moved earlier this year. I was told at that time that I would still be able to receive the current HD programming with my Samsung but that I couldn't get any of our locals in HD or upcoming channels as they were added. I wrangled with them for a couple of weeks before I got an acceptable deal and didn't have to pay for my new equipment upgrades. It may take you a few phone calls (it took me four different calls over about two to three weeks) but in the end DTV really came thru for me and I've been completely happy with my service. I'm a lot happier with my newer receivers and I'm even getting used to using a non-Tivo DVR. The fact that everything in my house is now HD makes it worth every minute I had to go thru to get it taken care of. Plus, the new boxes are HDMI and your Samsung is only DVI capable. Oh, and the remote is a billion times better than that weak ass Samsung remote. I can change the channels from anywhere in my room now.
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