DVRs, Dish Network pushes HD DVRs
By Richard Lawler 
posted Jan 8th 2007 4:15PM
posted Jan 8th 2007 4:15PM
Dish Network's CES press conference earlier yielded several changes for high definition satellite customers. First, that its ViP622 DVR receiver will now be available for free as a part of the Digital Home Advantage Program. According to Dish, it's the first HD DVR in the satellite industry available with no upfront charge. What this means for existing customers who have the 622 is unclear. The company also officially unveiled its DishDVR Advantage package, bundling the DVR with the America's Top 200 with local channels and a standard-def DVR for $49.99. The HD version of the package, including the ViP622 and DishHD programming is a $20 per month upgrade, although with discounts new customers can enjoy the HD programming package for the same price as SD for the first 10 months. Of course, the much more interesting news about the new ViP622-1 DVR with MPEG-4 and VC-1 support, a 500GB HDD and the ability to hook up USB drives for extra storage was also revealed during the press conference, we'll have more pics and information on that later.Update: Dish has updated its press release to state that the program will begin on February 1st.
Read - DISH Network(TM) Launches DishDVR Advantage Package
Read - DISH Network Offers Free High Definition DVR
This is BS!!!!
Why is it that I have to pay $199.99
to get a HDDVR from Dish in my house
and I already have a account with them?
Why must I pay extra but the newbies don't?
They should give the break to the existing
customers not the newbies. If it wasn't for
Voom I'd dump Dish. To top it off the fricking
Series 3 Tivo won't work for Sat, just cable and
over the air.
I don't think there is anything new here. For new customers, Dish is offering $20 off per month for 10 months (that is $200 off). That is exactly equal to the Vip622 upgrade fee. I think they are going to get rid of the $200 rebate and remove the upgrade fee. So, there is nothing gained for the customers. Oh well. I will stay OTA only for now.
Been a retailer for 5 years and my problem with this type of press release is, we as retailers never have any advanced warning. I installed 3 622's last week and now I have to explain to my customers why the shouldnt feel as though they've been screwede. Happy overall with DN's buisness practices but these are an exception.
I recently switched to Dish network mid-January, and heard about this offer when I had already paid $199 to upgrade my system to the DVR. I called and complained and after arguing with two individuals who refused to make any effort at reimbursing me, I asked to be switched to the cancellation department. The individual who was to cancel my account asked me why I was leaving Dish network, to which I explained the wasted $199 that i had to pay but new customers did not. She explained that new customers only get $100 over the course of 10 months vs. my $200 and that they have to pay a $49.99 activation fee that I did not. So basically the difference is $50. She immediately credited my account with $50 and I am still a with Dish network. (I could never leave to be honest, LOL).