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DirecTV - Get a free upgrade to HR20 HD DVR + Extras in: Services › Other Services › Satellite Television

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   posted: Sep. 5, 2007 @ 9:10a
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Ripped from this post at DBSTalk.com

Notes:
You should be able to keep your old receiver and get an HR20 for no more than $199. Many are getting their new HR20's for just the shipping cost of $19.

The deal you will get depends on your your "Hearts" rating that factors in payment history, automatic payments, protection plan, tenure, current hardware, when your commitment renews, sports packages, etc. There is no such thing as an "A List," just 1, 3, or 5 Hearts. If you are 5 Hearts, you have the winning hand.

Upgrading to the HR20:
1. Check out the competition. Print out the offers from Comcast, DISH, etc.
2. Call DIRECTV at 800-531-5000. At the voice prompt say "Cancel" to go directly to Retention.
3. Be polite. Tell them you want to stay with DIRECTV. Repeat their name & write it down. Ask them how many "Hearts" you are.
4. Ask if you can upgrade to the HR20 for the $19 shipping? Tell the competing offers if needed.
5. See if you can get any months of free HD and Showtime. You may have to call more than once.
6. Make sure you get a morning installation for timeliness and to have extra equipment on hand.
7. Before you hang up, confirm that your work order is for:
DIRECTV HD DVR (Expanded HD Prog. Capable)
Standard Professional Install that will include:
- New RG6 cabling and connectors (up to 125' x 4 as needed)
- Zinwell 6x8 Multiswitch (if needed)
DIRECTV 5-LNB Multi-Satellite Dish (if dish upgrade needed)
Your date and price
- Craig

I called and got:
- 2 HR20s to replace my current HR10-250s for free + shipping
- Free Dish
- Free Installation
- 6 months of HBO and Showtime for free
- 1 year of HD channels for free
- No extension of my current contract

Awesome.

I told a co-worker about this and he got the following deal. He's been with DirecTV for a while but he only has one non-DVR old receiver and subscribes to the base package only.

- 1 HR20 HD DVR for free
- 6 Months of HD channels for free
- 6 Months of HBO & Showtime for free
- Free dish upgrade
- Free installation

Here is a list of some of the upcoming HD channels for DirecTV. Everyone is anticipating for them to be turned on sometime around the 15th of September or soon thereafter. Found at the Satellite Guys.

Current HD Channels:
ESPN HD
ESPN2 HD
HB HD
Showtime HD
Discovery HD Theater
TNT HD
Universal HD
HDNet
HDNet Movie
+ HD Locals

Upcoming Regular HD Channels:
A&E HD
ABC Family HD
Animal Planet HD
Bravo HD
ESPNews HD
Food Network HD
Fuel TV HD
FX HD
HGTV-HD
Cartoon Network
Chiller HD
CNBC HD
CNN HD
History Channel HD
MHD
USA HD
National Geographic HD
Discovery Channel HD
Disney Channel HD
TBS HD
The 101 HD
TLC HD
Toon Disney HD
Weather Channel HD
Big Ten Network HD
NFL Network HD
Versus HD/Golf Channel HD
Sci-Fi Network HD
Science Channel HD
Speed Channel HD
Tennis Channel HD

Upcoming HD Premium Channels:
HBO HD West
HBO2 HD East
HBO2 HD West
HBO Family
HBO Family West
HBO Latino
HBO Signature
Showtime HD West
Cinemax HD East
Cinemax HD West
MoreMax
The Movie Channel HD East
Starz HD East
Starz HD West
Starz Edge HD
Starz Comedy HD
Starz Kids & Family HD

DirecTV should be starting out with most if not all of these with 100 total HD channels by the end of the year.

Message edited by: Queasy on 2007-09-05 09:14:43 CDT
Cash Back is available from FatWallet!DIRECTV, Inc.: $35.00 Cash Back » See offers, coupons, ratings, and applicable restrictions. (see conditions)
   posted: Sep. 5, 2007 @ 9:10a

Undocumented HR20 Tips & Tricks from DBSTalk.com
HR20 FAQ from DBSTalk.com
TiVo to HR20 Survival Guide from DBSTalk.com
Official HR20 User Manual

Verify your order - DirecTV.com
See if you can move up your installation date here - DirecTV.com
Verify Changes to yuor bill - DirecTV.com
HR20 Installation & Setup Tips from DBSTalk.com

Anyone looking for an earlier install date, just try going to the rescheduling page and canceling until more dates appear. I did so and went from nothing open til Oct 6 to getting 9/8. Might take a while, took me about 15 minutes spread throughout the day, but worth it for me.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Make sure you read the complaints about DirecTV before you order. They arbitrarily send you to collection no matter what. BE AWARE! They are very annoying. It's not a single case.

Google DirecTV collection calls

Message edited by: vcarter on 2007-12-20 12:45:46 CST
rated:
   posted: Sep. 5, 2007 @ 9:17a
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Ask them how many "Hearts" you are? Whats that? scoring system on how loyal customer?

rated:
   posted: Sep. 5, 2007 @ 9:22a
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kamic said:Ask them how many "Hearts" you are? Whats that? scoring system on how loyal customer?

Basically. I'm not even sure that matters right now. I didn't even ask how many Hearts I have. Just said I understand that there are new HD channels coming out that aren't compatible with my receivers and asked for a free upgrade.

I'm pretty sure that my co-worker is ranked as a 1 Heart. He has only one non-HD receiver and subscribes to the base package. You get hearts for subscribing to sports packages, premium movie packages, etc.

Message edited by: Queasy on 2007-09-05 09:35:11 CDT
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   posted: Sep. 5, 2007 @ 9:49a
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DirecTV is dropping all the stereo off there SD channels and music. Is this to make more room for the HD channels... Are we to say "Wow, this sounds so much better than the service I used to have." This just because they resumed stereo broadcasting with HD. The games afoot.

This is bad news for me. The sound quality on any satellite service is getting so bad I'm going back to CD's and DVD's.

rated:
   posted: Sep. 5, 2007 @ 9:59a
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I'm doubtful that when they roll out the 100+ HD channels, that their HD package will stay at 9.99/month.
Don't forget everyone, DVR service is 5.99/month/home.

Seems like a good deal to get a free HD/DVR, but these retention things never work for us MDU subscribers.

Message edited by: hellyea81 on 2007-09-05 09:59:41 CDT
rated:
   posted: Sep. 5, 2007 @ 10:15a
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greenlaser said:DirecTV is dropping all the stereo off there SD channels and music. Is this to make more room for the HD channels... Are we to say "Wow, this sounds so much better than the service I used to have." This just because they resumed stereo broadcasting with HD. The games afoot.

This is bad news for me. The sound quality on any satellite service is getting so bad I'm going back to CD's and DVD's.

Link? I haven't heard of this and it sounds doubtful to me. The new HD channels are going on the two new satellites that they launched this year. I don't see why they would need to drop stereo on existing channels on different satellites.

Message edited by: Queasy on 2007-09-05 10:16:29 CDT
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   posted: Sep. 5, 2007 @ 10:19a
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They won't drop MPEG-2 streams for a few years.

And you'll only get this deal via Retentions. So just keep saying you want to cancel when you call until you get to retentions.

Message edited by: aus on 2007-09-05 10:20:00 CDT
rated:
   posted: Sep. 5, 2007 @ 10:19a
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I told Direct TV after 4 years I had an appointment with Dish to switch to HD...(I really did have an appointment on the following saturday)...and they decided to give me the HD receiver/DVR instead of losing me.

Plus Direct HD is only 10 per month- Dish is 20 AND Direct will have a hugely larger number of HD channels.

rated:
   posted: Sep. 5, 2007 @ 10:20a
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My case is that the XM radio channels that DTV is using has lost almost all of it's stereo seperation. Other SD channels have lost this too. I have no link, just my ear since the start of the year.

rated:
   posted: Sep. 5, 2007 @ 10:21a
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aus said:And you'll only get this deal via Retentions. So just keep saying you want to cancel when you call until you get to retentions.

That is mentioned in the instructions that I quoted from DBSTalk.com.

rated:
   posted: Sep. 5, 2007 @ 10:21a
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lemme ask you this.. i currently piggyback on a directv account that is not located at my house...i dont even know if this is against their rules or not, but it works just fine. whenever ive gotten a new receiver before, ive had them come and install it in the other house, then ive moved it to my place afterwards.

my issue is that the other house already has an HD dish, but i need one at my place. So if I have them install it there, they won't put the dish in because theres one already there.

My question is, can I just have them deliver it and not install it? I have no problem installing it myself. Will the Directv CSR see that I have a dish already and refuse? Im not experienced in these matters but I'd really like a HD box and dish for $17

rated:
   posted: Sep. 5, 2007 @ 10:26a
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greenlaser said:My case is that the XM radio channels that DTV is using has lost almost all of it's stereo seperation. Other SD channels have lost this too. I have no link, just my ear since the start of the year.

Well, then you don't have much to prove you assertion that this is done for the new HD channels. As I mentioned, the new HD channels are going on new satellites which won't affect existing channels.

Now, they may have removed stereo on channels because of the existing HD channels. It wasn't uncommon last year for some HD channels like TNT HD to be turned off during the football season to make room for NFL Sunday Ticket in HD.

Again, this shouldn't be an issue going forward as they have new satellites up to handle the extra bandwidth and at least one more coming.

Message edited by: Queasy on 2007-09-05 10:27:33 CDT
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   posted: Sep. 5, 2007 @ 10:28a
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Greygooser said:lemme ask you this.. i currently piggyback on a directv account that is not located at my house...i dont even know if this is against their rules or not, but it works just fine. whenever ive gotten a new receiver before, ive had them come and install it in the other house, then ive moved it to my place afterwards.

my issue is that the other house already has an HD dish, but i need one at my place. So if I have them install it there, they won't put the dish in because theres one already there.

My question is, can I just have them deliver it and not install it? I have no problem installing it myself. Will the Directv CSR see that I have a dish already and refuse? Im not experienced in these matters but I'd really like a HD box and dish for $17

I really couldn't answer that. You may be better off getting the 5-LNB dish from elsewhere.

rated:
   posted: Sep. 5, 2007 @ 10:28a
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I've been with DTV for 1yr and 3mo. I have an HR10-250, I got the free upgrade with an install 9/12. I didn't get a free year of HD but I don't know if I necessarily 'deserve' it yet! That's OK though. I'm happy to have the new HR20 coming next week!

rated:
   posted: Sep. 5, 2007 @ 10:42a
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7 year customer, I called up retenetion and got the free HR20, dish, 6 mos free HD upon first request...$20 delivery fee. The install was yesterday and it went very smooth. I'm a long-time TiVo user and was reluctant to change, but I gotta say my first impression of the HR20 is very positive!!

Positives...
+HD looks GREAT!
+The basic scheduling functions are similar to TiVo, and resorting priorities is instant (no "please wait")
+You get a live PIP when on DVR screens
+You can add an esata drive for expanded storage (have not tried)
+You can apparently (per dbstalk) browse/play your windows media via the HR20 when ethernet is enabled
+still has the 30 second skip button (no remote hack required like TiVo)
+RF remote

Negative...
-Though it has dual tuners, it only has one live buffer. On my dtivos, you can flip between live buffered channels. Not on the HR20. Probably not a huge deal, as most ppl don't even seem to know what this is.

All in all, I think I will love the HR20.

Message edited by: lintballll on 2007-09-05 10:43:12 CDT
rated:
   posted: Sep. 5, 2007 @ 10:46a
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- No extension of my current contract

I would call and re-confirm this as this is unheard of, you obligated yourself for 2 more years as they won't do this without a new commitment. I am a TOP Rated customer and spend $130 a month with them plus subscribe to Sunday Ticket and NHL Center Ice and had o do a new 2-year so you got an extension of your current contract you just don't know it.

rated:
   posted: Sep. 5, 2007 @ 10:49a
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longshot94 said:- No extension of my current contract

I would call and re-confirm this as this is unheard of, you obligated yourself for 2 more years as they won't do this without a new commitment. I am a TOP Rated customer and spend $130 a month with them plus subscribe to Sunday Ticket and NHL Center Ice and had o do a new 2-year so you got an extension of your current contract you just don't know it.

The CSR said that since this is an equipment swap due to a technology upgrade, my contract would not be extended. I am already under a 2-year contract for my HD Tivos.

I didn't hear from my co-worker on whether or not he had to agree to an extended contract.

Message edited by: Queasy on 2007-09-05 10:50:34 CDT
rated:
   posted: Sep. 5, 2007 @ 10:51a
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greenlaser said:My case is that the XM radio channels that DTV is using has lost almost all of it's stereo seperation. Other SD channels have lost this too. I have no link, just my ear since the start of the year.

That is the XM sound. They compress the hell out of the channels so they can have about 50 stupid talk radio channels. I'm sure they don't generate a separate feed for Dtv.

rated:
   posted: Sep. 5, 2007 @ 11:05a
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lintballll said:7 year customer, I called up retenetion and got the free HR20, dish, 6 mos free HD upon first request...$20 delivery fee. The install was yesterday and it went very smooth. I'm a long-time TiVo user and was reluctant to change, but I gotta say my first impression of the HR20 is very positive!!

Positives...
+HD looks GREAT!
+The basic scheduling functions are similar to TiVo, and resorting priorities is instant (no "please wait")
+You get a live PIP when on DVR screens
+You can add an esata drive for expanded storage (have not tried)
+You can apparently (per dbstalk) browse/play your windows media via the HR20 when ethernet is enabled
+still has the 30 second skip button (no remote hack required like TiVo)
+RF remote

Negative...
-Though it has dual tuners, it only has one live buffer. On my dtivos, you can flip between live buffered channels. Not on the HR20. Probably not a huge deal, as most ppl don't even seem to know what this is.

All in all, I think I will love the HR20.

Thanks for posting that. With my hacked DTivo, I have two 2hr buffers (one per input), and only having a single (30m?) buffer is probably a deal breaker for me.

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