Another Fees Question

[katsfan]

I recently upgraded to two ViP722's. Prior to the upgrade I had DishDVR Advantage with America's Top 250 and locals. When I upgraded, I was told that I would have to pay $10 a month more for the HD programming. Both of my receivers are connected to a phone line and one is also connected to my broadband DSL.

According to Dish's website, here is what my programming currently is:
Current Programming: GoldHD, America's Top 200
Local Channels: Birmingham, AL DMA Package
Premium Channels: N/A

International or
A La Carte or Add-ons: DISH Network DVR Service Fee, Fox Sports South, SportSouth, PROGRAMMING ACCESS FEE, AMERICA'S TOP 250 BONUS PAK, DISH'n It Up 1st HD AO

Also, it shows my current charges as:

2 Premium Package $20.00

DishDVR Advantage, You Saved $5.98! $49.99

Fees $17.98*

Total $87.97

*The fees are DISH Network DVR Service Fee $5.98; DIU HD Receiver Fee 2 $7.00; and Programming Access Fee $5.00.

My questions are these:

1.) Do I have to have the GoldHD just because I have the 722's?
2.) Is the Gold HD the $10.00 charge the CSR told me about when I upgraded?
3.) What is "First HD AO"?
4.) What is "2 Premium Package $20.00"? Is this the $10 fee the CSR told me about X 2? If so, why would I be charged this twice?
5.) Is the "DIU HD Receiver Fee 2 $7.00" the lease fee for the 772, as I assume?
6.) Is the "Programming Access Fee $5.00" for NOT having a receiver connected to either a phone or broadband line? If, so why would I be charged since both of mine are connected to one or both?

Thanks for any thoughts on this matter.

 

[Laddyboy]

I recently upgraded to two ViP722's. Prior to the upgrade I had DishDVR Advantage with America's Top 250 and locals. When I upgraded, I was told that I would have to pay $10 a month more for the HD programming. Both of my receivers are connected to a phone line and one is also connected to my broadband DSL.

According to Dish's website, here is what my programming currently is:
Current Programming: GoldHD, America's Top 200
Local Channels: Birmingham, AL DMA Package
Premium Channels: N/A

International or
A La Carte or Add-ons: DISH Network DVR Service Fee, Fox Sports South, SportSouth, PROGRAMMING ACCESS FEE, AMERICA'S TOP 250 BONUS PAK, DISH'n It Up 1st HD AO

Also, it shows my current charges as:

2 Premium Package $20.00

DishDVR Advantage, You Saved $5.98! $49.99

Fees $17.98*

Total $87.97

*The fees are DISH Network DVR Service Fee $5.98; DIU HD Receiver Fee 2 $7.00; and Programming Access Fee $5.00.

My questions are these:

1.) Do I have to have the GoldHD just because I have the 722's?
2.) Is the Gold HD the $10.00 charge the CSR told me about when I upgraded?
3.) What is "First HD AO"?
4.) What is "2 Premium Package $20.00"? Is this the $10 fee the CSR told me about X 2? If so, why would I be charged this twice?
5.) Is the "DIU HD Receiver Fee 2 $7.00" the lease fee for the 772, as I assume?
6.) Is the "Programming Access Fee $5.00" for NOT having a receiver connected to either a phone or broadband line? If, so why would I be charged since both of mine are connected to one or both?

Thanks for any thoughts on this matter.

You have the 2nd tier hd programming package, termed gold. The first level HD package that corresponds to your AT 200 package is the turbo silver package and is $10 additional. They have you down for gold which is another $10 or $20 in total for your HD. this may be a mistake unless you wanted the extra HD channels. that's likely the $20 for premium packages if you don't have any premiums like HBO, Showtime, etc. If you sign up for the DVR advantage plan you'll only get dinged one HD Receiver Fee. You're currently being jabbed for 2. Since you had DVR Advantage before call E* and tell them to straighten it out. They did the same to me when I added HD and I had to get them to fix it so I didn't get hit for the DVR Receiver Fee. The $5 Programming Access Fee is likely the result of not having one of the 722s connected to a phone line or the internet during the month.

 

[katsfan]

I do not have any of the premium movie services (HBO, etc.). Under "Current Programming" it does say GoldHD.

 

[WiCkeDuDe]

You have the 2nd tier hd programming package, termed gold. The first level HD package that corresponds to your AT 200 package is the turbo silver package and is $10 additional. They have you down for gold which is another $10 or $20 in total for your HD. this may be a mistake unless you wanted the extra HD channels. that's likely the $20 for premium packages if you don't have any premiums like HBO, Showtime, etc. If you sign up for the DVR advantage plan you'll only get dinged one HD Receiver Fee. You're currently being jabbed for 2. Since you had DVR Advantage before call E* and tell them to straighten it out. They did the same to me when I added HD and I had to get them to fix it so I didn't get hit for the DVR Receiver Fee. The $5 Programming Access Fee is likely the result of not having one of the 722s connected to a phone line or the internet during the month.

Dont know quite how you figured that one out. The OPis on the DVR advantage 250 plan with HD. The way they do this is to charge 49.99 for the DVR advantage 200 plan. Then they charge $10 to bump it to the 250 DVR advantage. Then they charge $10 more for the HD so thats where your getting the $20 "premium" charge.

The DVR advantage has one DVR fee built in for the 49.99. Since you have 2 722's you get a second DVR fee. Yes that is correct. You also get to pay the $7 lease fee for the second 722. The programming access fee should not be there however it both are hooked to phone lines or broadband. Double check that they are connected and dial out ok. If you have trouble still call tech support and tell them its connected. They can then modify the charge if you verify its connected.

 

[katsfan]

Thanks. That makes sense. It's the way I understood it was supposed to be. The way it is stated on the website is just VERY confusing! I'll check the phone connection on the 2nd receiver to make sure. It's plugged into a phone jack through a DSL filter (like the other receiver). I'll make sure that the jack is hot and that the connection on the back of the receiver is tight.

Thanks again.

 

[katsfan]

I'm not going to complain too much. I went from two 510's and a 625 to two ViP722's. I still have four tuners and now get HD programming. It only costs me $1.02 a month more.

 

[Laddyboy]

Dont know quite how you figured that one out. The OPis on the DVR advantage 250 plan with HD. The way they do this is to charge 49.99 for the DVR advantage 200 plan. Then they charge $10 to bump it to the 250 DVR advantage. Then they charge $10 more for the HD so thats where your getting the $20 "premium" charge.

The DVR advantage has one DVR fee built in for the 49.99. Since you have 2 722's you get a second DVR fee. Yes that is correct. You also get to pay the $7 lease fee for the second 722. The programming access fee should not be there however it both are hooked to phone lines or broadband. Double check that they are connected and dial out ok. If you have trouble still call tech support and tell them its connected. They can then modify the charge if you verify its connected.

My bad. I just quickly glanced at the fees that were listed and didn't put 2+2 together and use my brain.

 

[WiCkeDuDe]

Thanks. That makes sense. It's the way I understood it was supposed to be. The way it is stated on the website is just VERY confusing! I'll check the phone connection on the 2nd receiver to make sure. It's plugged into a phone jack through a DSL filter (like the other receiver). I'll make sure that the jack is hot and that the connection on the back of the receiver is tight.

Thanks again.

Go into the system setup menu and run the diagnostic. Ive had a receiver that would not connect but was on a active jack. I ended up having to reset the receiver to make it work. You can also test the broadband connection in the menu system. I forgot exactly where its at.

 

[katsfan]

I checked the connection at the back of the receiver and it was fine. I then checked the connection at the phone jack (actually the DSL filter), and the connection was fine. Luckily, I looked more closely, and to my surprise I realized that my DSL line, instead of the phone cord, was plugged into the phone jack. Unplugged the one and plugged in the other, and, PRESTO, I now have a phone connection to the receiver. The diagnostics tests confirmed it. I had experimented over the weekend with connecting a spare DSL modem to test the DishOnline feature. Unfortunately, I forgot to plug the phone line back in after I concluded my experiment.

Thanks for leading me to check my connection. You (Satellite)guys are great.