Should I Get a New D* Model H20

[bubbaridesfast]

With D* getting set to launch locals in HD here soon and the requirement to get the new MPEG4 box, it got me to thinking. I do not need a new box because I get all the locals fine OTA, BUT, I have 1 HD TV and 2 SD TV's now. It's just a matter of time before one of the SD sets goes belly up (one is a 20 yr. old Mits). I will definitely replace either with an HD set when the time comes.

I'm convinced that I will need to buy another HD set top box for any new TV (unless I switch to cable). D* will probably extend their current rebate for the H20 when they launch the locals in HD here. Why not buy a new H20 box and get the rebate and then mothball my current MPEG2 box for the time being. As long as we can still get non-locals in HD via MPEG2 in the future, I could still use the box I have now later down the road(was that redundant?)

I have been running this through my head the last few days and can't think of any real negative factors. Any thoughts?

I checked out the H20 and it does have OTA inputs and an RF remote, so the features seem copacetic for my needs. I know in order to get the rebate I will have to activate it so I would just de-activate one of my current SD boxes. As long as I wouldn't have to pay for the new sat dish and installation, otherwise that itself would be a deal killer.

So far, I really haven't seen D* offer anything for customers with needs for more than one HD box in their household. The only multi-viewing deals they seem to offer are for 1 HD and 2 SD setups.

What do you think are the chances that some time late on they will address this with a deal to upgrade SD boxes to HD boxes?

[mitsfan]

I know that D* is going to start leasing their satellite recievers in the near future.  So it is very possible that in the future they will be addressing this issue.  I know that you can use the old HD dish with the new recever however when you do install the new dish it requires 5 coax cables to be brought into the home instead of the three the old dish requires.  Starting in March all the systems sold will be using the new product according to D* latest updates.  I have a few clients that are inquiring about the new receivers and there is a lot of interest.

[bimmer_immer]

No one can predict what D* may do with respect to replacing existing boxes. Don't count on them replacing SD boxes with HD boxes any time soon though

The new channels it will be providing are all apparently HD locals. These will use the new satellites which require a new 5 LNB dish. They will also be using MPEG4 compression which requires a new receiver (H20)

The only reason I see to get a new box is if you don't get OTA HD locals well or just need a new HD receiver.  There is apparently a $200 rebate on the H20  (making it free!) if you buy by 2/28 and commit to 24 months of total choice.

BTW -- A misunderstanding about the number of cables, I think. Most existing 3 LNB dishes have a built in multiswitch with -4- outputs. The new AT-9 5 LNB dish also has -4- outputs. The extra LNB's are shifted into the UHF spectrum -- which means anyone using a diplexer will have a problem.