[awebber]

I'm setting up HDTV for someone who currently has Bell TV (condo with a dish on the roof).

I figure I can walk into a Bell World store and walk out with an HD receiver or DVR. Not sure what offers they're getting in the mail from Bell to stay.

Does Bell typically offer things like the current $250 off the DVR to upgrading customers or just to existing? And is it better to buy somewhere else, e.g. FS or BB or whatever, or just go to Bell World?

If it were my account, I'd spend lots of time on the phone with Bell, visit a few retailers, etc., but it's not so I want to get to "walking in with a box under my arm" as quickly and painlessly as possible, for me and for them.

Thanks!
=aw

 

[Pinza]

As you say it is a Condo with a "Backbone" system, you can only go to Bell for the receivers and Installation, as you will need downconverters and the cable swinging from the Cable System to the Bell equipment in a closet somewhere in the building. This is something you cannot do yourself.

 

[awebber]

Thanks for the quick answer.

Bell has to come even though they have basic Bell TV already? I assumed we could just disconnect the SD box and connect the DVR (or HD box though I believe they're going with the HD DVR). Then call Bell for any programming changes of course.

They also want to use an outlet in a different room which will require a visit (since there's nothing in the box apparently) but I thought we might just hook up the DVR to the outlet in the other room as temporary thing.

Bell's claiming there's no incentive for upgrading (the current -$250 promo is for new customers only). Is that true? Assuming one isn't willing to spend hours and hours negotiating, that is.

Thanks!
=aw

 

[Pinza]

If the existing box is a single tuner and the replacement is also a single tuner you should be OK, although if the new one is the Dual Tuner, you will need a second Downconverter, the correct splitter and depending on signal strength, the line might need moving to a different port in the cable closet.

As you say, you will need a Tech for the other outlet anyway, so I would just let them do it when they arrive.

As it is a "Backbone" building there is no physical "Upgrade" to be done, so an existing customer pays full price.

 

[awebber]

Okay thanks, the existing receiver is undoubtedly single-tuner, I assume the DVR will be dual because that seems to be standard (but it will be whatever Bell sells these days).

I had hoped we could set up the DVR using the existing working outlet (the two outlets are very close) and then let Bell come (it will be a week or something) to switch it. Sounds like that's not practical.

When I said "upgrade" meant to the box, but I guess the service costs the same (except that one might buy more packages if one has HD).

Guess I should find out what Rogers is offering to switch. Though losing the bundle discount would effectively add another $10 (no bundle discount on Rogers Cable + loss of bundle discount on Bell Phone), and both Rogers and Bell encourage having everything with one supplier (through bundle discounts).

=aw

 

[awebber]

Now I'm confused about the ordering process too. I'd prefer to order online though I'm not sure all the options are there.

I started a new-customer order and was able to order Basic and the PVR. Obviously the prices are off because of no-bundle and also it's giving me a promo but I don't care about that at this point.

What about additional digital theme packs? I found a PDF at http://www.bell.ca/web/tv/en/on/pdfs/channels/channels.pdf that shows the various packs, but not what they cost (assuming you can actually order one at a time). It must be at least $7 because Basic Plus is $20 more for 3 theme packs. Can you in fact order one theme pack at a time?

I also see HD theme packs and the PDF indicates they cost $5 each. But there doesn't seem to be any way to add anything else to the order, beyond the Basic and PVR. Apparently the phone agent said something about waiving the installation fee if they order one "$5 theme pack" (I assume with 24mo commitment, i.e. $120). If they have to pay $75 no matter what, another $45 for 2 years of something seems reasonable. But what's a "$5 theme pack", just the HD ones? And how do I order it?

Am I missing something? I want to be prepared to order online if I can.

Thanks!
=aw

 

[Pinza]

I do not believe you can order on-line for an existing customer in an MDU.

Just make a coffee, sit down and call Bell, make sure you have an hour to spare though.....lol

 

[awebber]

Yeah I guess that's what we'll have to do.

What was strange is I was test-ordering as a non-Bell customer (so $35/mo for Basic, $250 rebate) and it wouldn't let me add a single theme package -- neither the HD ones with prices nor the SD ones without prices in the PDF.

Are the prices of the SD theme packages anywhere? Or are they all $7?

=aw

 

[Dr.Dave]

Basic and 1 theme costs an extra $10. Adding an extra theme to a larger package costs $7 or $5 (I think), depending on the number of themes you have .

 

[Pinza]

Just a thought, your Condo does have the second Dish for HD doesn't it.?

 

[awebber]

Thank you both, I'm surprised those prices aren't posted anywhere.

2nd dish? I dunno, they didn't mention it. Would Bell know? (i.e. would Bell know not to sell them a HD receiver if there's no HD dish?)

=aw

 

[Pinza]

i.e. would Bell know not to sell them a HD receiver if there's no HD dish?

You have to be joking.

Bell TV sell systems to people with NO HYDRO.... Really.

To verify, run a Check Switch, if it shows 91 & 82 you have 2 Dish's. Do not panic if you do not get signal on most transponders on 82 with an SD receiver, those receivers can only see about 4 or 5 transponders. 1 & 32 for sure are visible.

 

[awebber]

Thanks, how do I run a check switch?

In Bell's defense, I'd expect the customer to know if they have hydro, and to know they need it to watch TV. Exotic things like how many and what kind of dishes on the roof, not so much.

Moving from CRT to LCD TV irrespective of HD. Hypothetically if they order a HD DVR, the technician comes to move the outlet, and then says there is no HD service in the building, would they be able to send him/her away with the box? In this case, neither the new TV nor the outlet move are simply a result of going to HD, they want to be done no matter what. I just don't want to see them stuck with a HD DVR without HD (though even then, a simple means of recording SD Bell TV might be worth the $500).

=aw

 

[Pinza]

Menu, 6, 1, 1.

The Tech would not move the outlet, he would just add a splitter and 2 downconverters.

 

[awebber]

Thanks for the code.

Sorry, I'm confused by the last comment, the technician is coming to move the outlet (or to deactivate the current outlet and activate an outlet in a different room [I've been told there's nothing behind the plate, though I don't have a firm definition of "nothing"]).

So they want to move the TV viewing to a different room, and get a flat-screen TV. They also want HD but would want to do the first two things even if only SD were available. Does that make sense?

=aw

 

[Pinza]

Well without seeing the situation it is not easy to guess how the Tech will see it, he might just see it as an activation (in a different Room), or he might see it as an activation and a feed to a different room.

It is a glass half ful, half empty kind of thing.

All I can say is, make sure the area is clear, so he does not have to move anything and hopefully it will be a staright forward activation. Plying him with Coffee or Tea could help too.

 

[awebber]

Thanks everyone for the help. Bell came a couple of days ago, moved the outlet and hooked up the HD PVR. I haven't seen it yet but they're very happy with the result!

Bell's first answer was sorry, you're an existing customer, you don't get the $250 PVR deal. On further consideration (perhaps including waving the Rogers free-PVR offer at them ), Bell gave them the PVR for $250. Still charged for the outlet move and I think didn't get the free movies (both offered free to new customers) but I think they did quite well under the circumstances.

=aw

 

[Pinza]

I think you did very well, give yourself a pat on the back.