722 upgrade - 500 ant. - Mpls MN

[goofy_american]

Greetings,
I am located in the Minneapolis, Mn area.
I've been a Dish subscriber for about 9 years now.
I have an old 510 and 4900 receiver (owned) which I want to change into 722 models as I am looking for dual tv signals and DVR's.
I currently have the AEP package. I'm not sure that I want to add HD service right now but may be interested in the future.
Can I continue using my Dish 500 antenna (feed horn says "Digital LNB" and it has 2 horns where the coax cable can screw in)?
Does Minneapolis service require a new antenna, like the 1000.2 or 1000.4?
Does Dish have any promotions for long subscribers where I can get 2 discounted 722 receivers? Should I be looking for a 722 or a 722K?
Thanks for any & all assistance!

 

[Mr Tony]

welcome from another Twin Citian

Your existing setup would work for everything but HD. But since you mentioned getting it down the line that may not be an issue. But if you do get the 722 Dish charges a 6 or 7 dollar fee for no HD programming (if I remember right....someone will correct me if I'm wrong)

Since you can add HD for only 10 bucks more it would be wise to add it at that time. Then Dish will upgrade your Dish and receiver. They probably would put a D1000.2 up which sees 110/119 (what you currently have) and 129 which has the HD programming, Mpls HD locals and FSN North HD (for games)

But I wonder since you are going to a MPEG4 only setup they may give you an Eastern Arc dish. That sees 61.5/72/77. Advantage to EA is all the channels are MPEG4 (the stuff on 110/119 is MPEG2)