Hi. I'm a longtime Starchoice customer... thinking of switching to Bell because I want a 9200 HDPVR and not a poopy DSR530.

Anyway, I'm a bit confused.

Would like to purchase the 9200 since there is a $300 credit right now for new customers.

BUT...

I need 2 SD basic receivers as well.

I understand that if I rent them for $3/receiver per month that Bell will change me some kind of $79/receiver rental/install fee. What a joke. Is this true? THat's almost the cost to buy the darn receivers...

So, my other option is to buy them at $99 per receiver.

Can I just walk into FS and buy these things and then go home and install them myself? Or, is Bell going to try to charge me some kind of activation fee for each receiver?

I was thinking of buying all 3 reveivers at the same time but I'm guessing that the Bell install technician will then charge me $50 for each of the SD receivers to install them.

If anyone can help me pick the most cost efficient choice, I'd greatly appreciate it!

Thanks.

Darren

If you sign a contract with Bell for 2 years, you won't have to pay for any installation for up to 4 receivers I believe (3 if you count the 9200 since it takes 2 feeds).

For me, I signed up with a 9220 kit, and two 4100s. None of which cost me a cent for the installation since I signed up with a contract. I later purchased a 6100. There was no activation fees for any of these receivers. I even got the installer to feed 1 more line into another room (which the 6100 resides in now) but I didn't get charaged for it. Not sure why, but it's all good!

I am in the same boat, want a PVR, want satellite, currently on StarChoice, not sure what to do. I need the signal in 3 rooms. What are the pros and cons of both Sat Companies, HD pvr is my main goal here.
Any thoughts.....

If you sign a contract with Bell for 2 years, you won't have to pay for any installation for up to 4 receivers I believe (3 if you count the 9200 since it takes 2 feeds).

For me, I signed up with a 9220 kit, and two 4100s. None of which cost me a cent for the installation since I signed up with a contract. I later purchased a 6100. There was no activation fees for any of these receivers. I even got the installer to feed 1 more line into another room (which the 6100 resides in now) but I didn't get charaged for it. Not sure why, but it's all good!

They don't seem to be doing this anymore, even with a 24 month contract. When I try to "purchase" the HDPVR + 2 additional SD receivers, the installation fees are as follows:
- HDPVR - free install with 24 mth contract
- Additional SD receivers - $50 install fee per receiver even with 24 mth contract.

This is why I was inquiring about buying the SD receivers afterwards, from FS... and then "installing them" (what a joke) myself. Can I do this? Or will Bell still charge me $50 extra /receiver anyway, to activate them or something?

Ideally, I'd like to rent the SD receivers for $3/month/receiver but I'm certainly not going to pay $79/receiver up front for "rental choice + install".

I'll say one thing about Starchoice, they sure don't try to hide all these extra fees everywhere. Bell is making it pretty hard for me to justify switching.

If you're switching to Bell, are you in an area (Toronto-Buffalo, Montreal-Burlington) where you can get the U.S. nets over-the-air? If not, I'd stay with Starchoice, because you'll find yourself swearing at all the simsubs Bell performs compared with Starchoice (which in many cases is none).

So, does anyone know? After buying the 9200 and having it installed, can I (later) go to FS and purchase the basic SD receivers for $99.ea? And, if so, will I be charged anything else by Bell when I try to activate them?

Please help. Trying to decide what to do.
Thx.

So, does anyone know? After buying the 9200 and having it installed, can I (later) go to FS and purchase the basic SD receivers for $99.ea? And, if so, will I be charged anything else by Bell when I try to activate them?

Please help. Trying to decide what to do.
Thx.

That's what I did. I purchased the 9200 which included installation. I then purchased three 4100's and installed them myself.

-Mike

if you buy the 9200 and sign a 2 year term, you won't be charged for the install. you will also get the discount on the promotion.

if you buy the two 4100 afterwards and sinstall them yourself there is only the purchase cost. if you want BEV to install them then there is an install charge for each reciever.

if you rent and have installed all 4 recievers and sign a two year term, there is no installation charge for any of them and you get the 4 way splitter for free.

nem, who is clearing the air in here

EV just FUBARed their 9200s with a bad firmware update. You might want to wait until it is fixed.

if you rent and have installed all 4 recievers and sign a two year term, there is no installation charge for any of them and you get the 4 way splitter for free.

nem, who is clearing the air in here

Thanks for the clarification Nemnoch.

I need to go into the Bell World Store again and discuss this with them. They had told me that if I rent the 2 4100's, they would charge me some kind of $79/receiver "receiver rental tax"... and then the $3/month/receiver.

Maybe this extra $79/receiver fee applies because I want to buy the 9200 but rent the SD receivers? Not sure.

Oh well, back into the store I go!

D

I'm a longtime Starchoice customer... thinking of switching to Bell....Would like to purchase the 9200 since there is a $300 credit right now

....Hmm...Why not keep the StarChoice receiver(s) & get the $250 credit on the DSR530??

....Hmm...Why not keep the StarChoice receiver(s) & get the $250 credit on the DSR530??

Ummm, because the Bell HDPVR is quite a bit better than the 530...

Ummm, because the Bell HDPVR is quite a bit better than the 530...

Why is it that the latest Bell software is a step backwards, whereas at least each SC version is better than the last? Also notice that you have NO programming price protection when signing Expressvu contracts.

I was with Star Choice for 5 years. (DSR 500)

I just switched to Bell and got the 9200 on the promotion plus the $50 Friends of Bell discount.

One of the reasons I switched to Bell was that the DSR 500 froze a lot - especially on HD. The Bell 9200 freeezes just as often (requriring rebooting) and I find that the PVR freezes or pixillates every few minutes when recording HD.

Star Choice's Customer Service is faster and better. Bell has not been that helpful on my technical problems. They've basically told me that they can replace the 9200 but don't bet on the replacement being any better - that my experiences are fairly normal.

Bell's programing is superior - NHL Centre Ice is great, there are more HD channels and the package I have with Bell gives me more HD programing and a better value.

Over all?

If I were starting from scratch, I would likely choose Bell.

Given that I had already invested a lot in Star Choice receivers (DSR 500, DSR 401 and two DSR 301's) and had to pay $249 plus tax (on $600) for the 9200 system, I'm not as sure.

Thanks for your feedback Richard. This is very helpful.

Ok. Here is what you do to get the best bang for your buck:

Go ONLINE and buy the 9200 receiver for $600, you get a $300 credit + a online $25 credit.

Now if you take a quick look on there site: http://www.bell.ca/shopping/62128.details

2 refurbished 4100's for $150.

Now here is the thing, for me personally, I got the all in one- HD extra.

I got a rental 9200 and rental 4100 with a free install. They charged me a $100 at the beginning a type of safety depoisit and credit it back to me.

Now, also, I think the way this rental thing works is, its free install on the rental, if your getting a purchased 9200 free install anyways.

I think they only charge for rental receiver installs if they have to make a special trip, just for that.

Please, correct me if I am wrong :)

I think we can figure out what needs to be done here:

Your looking for 1 9200 and 2 more basic recievers. So, go to the Bell world and buy the HD All in one start up kit. It's basically a box with a contract. Have the store register, or call from the store to set up a appt.

Your install cost is zero as you are a new BEV sub. The 100.00 kit cost will be reimburst to you, and 6 mnths 1/2 price package.

If your rent a 9200 rental receiver, and BUY 2 more basics, then you will get charged for the install on the 2 feeds to the basic boxes. Get what you need now on rental. If you need anymore equipment down the road you will pay for install weather rented or not.

Hope this helps

Mike

Or.... you could wait a few months till a new 530 update comes out. Possibly. The 317 came out with the D0 update which ARR says is suppose to have something to do with the 530 update.... refer to the *C boards and their should be something more on there. It could be worth it anyways for *hopefully* a stable software and (my opinion) superior customer service with a virtual smile.

I'm going back to Star Choice as soon as they have a next generation PVR that's a true dual tuner like the 9200. The 530 is too flakey and is more of a 1 and a half tuner PVR. I need two separate tuners to watch independantly. I've had enough of BEV's simsubs.

You'll be waiting a long, long time.

-Mike