- Package Comparison. Need outstanding value in your next entertainment package? Elevate your viewing experience with the latest offers from DISH, featuring first-rate value, advanced technology, and service that’s unmatched by the competition.
- How To Hack Smart Cards for satellite TVs. He uses acetone to strip the chips. He also uses hydrochloric acid to reveal the chip. He burns a hole through the second layer of metal on the smart card. He then uses a micropositioner and a sewing needle to open the data bus and access the control line.
(Updated 11/08/16) Welcome to the first post in my new Frugal Hacks series. Frugal life tips which take very little time to implement, but could conceivably save you a ton of money every year.
Are you a current Dish Network customer and tired of paying $50 or more for a bunch of channels you don’t watch? I recently discover a “secret” programming package that gets my family all local channels in HD plus popular channels like TBS, History, TLC, MSNBC, Hallmark, Hub, HGTV, Food Network, Oxygen, CMT, and Boomerang for a whopping 65 cents a day .
The package is called the ‘Welcome Pack’ and most people don’t know that it’s available to ALL Dish Network customers, new and old. Why it’s called the ‘Welcome Pack’ is a mystery to me. If you log into your online account you’ll notice that this package is NOT an available option. Currently, the only way you can get the welcome pack is to call them at 1-800-333-DISH and ask for it.
We get 60 channels in all, plus one HD-DVR receiver, for a grand total of $26.99 a month. (If you don’t want the DVR service you only pay $19.99/mo.)
The package is called the ‘Welcome Pack’ and most people don’t know that it’s available to ALL Dish Network customers, new and old. Why it’s called the ‘Welcome Pack’ is a mystery to me.
If you log into your online account you’ll notice that this package is NOT an available option. Currently, the only way you can get the welcome pack is to call them at 1-800-333-DISH and ask for it. Took me 5 minutes to call and get our programming changed.
Below is a screenshot of what your account will look like once you have the ‘Welcome Pack’. Your account will actually say ‘Package No Longer Available’ – WRONG! The secret is you just gotta call and ask for it!
The Pro’s
Obviously the price is a biggie. I have never seen a better price (for what you get) with any cable or satellite supplier. Also, you still get a lot of kids programming like PBS, HUB, Boomerang, and Baby First.
The bottom-line is this package is great for those who want to cut back on expenses but still have the ability to get local channels and local news.
The Con’s
Sports. While you’ll still get all the major network sports programming, you’re not going to get ESPN, or ESPN2 or ESPN News, or ESPN3, how many are there these days? This may be a deal breaker for some of you.
But keep in mind that you can still stream ESPNU from your computer or tablet and your TV is still going to be non-stop sports every Saturday and Sunday. Like anything in life, there is a trade-off. A break from non-stop sports to save some serious cash may be a good thing.
Keep an eye out for Frugal Hack #2 coming next week!
I’m not a fan of television.
It’s not because I’m cheap.
It’s not because I’m some anti-television nut.
It’s actually much simpler:
I don’t care for the programming.
Too many “reality” shows.
Too many “competition” shows.
Too many shows with the same premise.
And then the remakes–talk about unoriginal!
Most of it’s fake or interchangeable in my mind.
That’s why I cut the cord on cable many years ago.
And I’m not alone!
With cable and satellite television programming costing more than some car payments these days, people are looking for ways to watch their favorite shows without blowing a majority of their discretionary funds.
I can completely understand, as I laugh when I hear what some people pay for something that, for the most part, I find absolutely dreadful.
Heck, I hear what my parents say they pay and even then they occasionally complain about “nothing be on”.
But I’m going to let you in on a little secret:
You *MAY* Be Able To Get HD Television Totally Free!
Yes, I said it, it is completely true in some cases.
It’s not guaranteed to work in all cases, but this is what worked (and still does) for me.
That’s why I starred AND underlined may in the heading!
There are no strings attached.
You don’t need to buy one of those black box cable descramblers or whatever they may be called these days (if those are still a thing–I’m probably dating myself a bit here too).
You don’t need to buy any fancy tv antenna.
You don’t need to tap into your neighbor’s service (which is illegal by the way).
You don’t even have to go to any of those life hacking or cheap living sites to learn how to build your own antenna.
You have all you need right at home already.
I will warn you that you do need a little free time and some patience, but that’s all.
Sometimes it takes up to an hour to process, but in the end, it could be worth it!
Dish Network Hacks Cards 2016
What Cable Channels Do I Get Free?
I am currently getting:
- CBS
- NBC
- ABC
- FOX
- ION
- PBS
- The Weather Channel
- WLRN (the educational station with the concerts and such)
Plus a few other networks in crystal clear high-definition, and I didn’t have any of the things I just mentioned.
It’s especially good having the weather channel here in South Florida since the hurricane season covers a majority of the year and getting up-to-date info is always beneficial.
In addition to that, I’m getting a bunch of SD stations as well:
- FXM (Fox Movie Network)
- BET
- COZI
- Antenna
- Bounce
- MEtv
- Decades
- ION Life
- Qubo
- H&I (Heroes & Icons–formerly Movies! I think)
There are some other obscure Spanish, shopping & local stations too but those are pretty irrelevant to me.
What Equipment Do I Use To Get Free HD TV?
Again, this isn’t a trick–I’m not using a black box cable descrambler or any other kind of illegal or hacked tech.
All I have is my television which had a built-in HD tuner, and a cable connected to the wall jack.
This is the best part!
Nothing at all!
As you can see above, there isn’t a cable box.
And I swear that I didn’t conveniently remove the antenna just for this article!
So how did I get this extra, premium programming?
Oh, you’re going to love this:
It’s so simple it’s disgusting.
I scanned for it!
Yes, that’s all I did to get all of those networks free of charge.
All I had to do was go to my television’s setup, and tell it to scan for available stations.
When it finished after an hour, it had found all of the standard stations which is included with the basic cable package my HOA dues cover, plus about 32 or so “digital stations”.
The best part was the tv’s built-in tuner also pulled in those in-between HD versions!
After the scanning was done, all I had to do was go through the channels one at a time and when I came across one that was in standard def, I simply removed it from my available channels.
Now, I know what you are thinking…this must be some sort of fluke, like when you were a kid and set the tv to channel 2 and the cable box to the porn channel and you could see it semi-clearly.
I’ll be honest, I was skeptical too.
So I went to my parents’ house and conducted a little experiment.
You see, they have a completely different cable provider than I have, and they have newer television sets.
The results were the same as mine, except better.
On their television, the digital music stations came in with the sound and picture, where I only get the sound (making it difficult to know what the heck is even on that station).
So that told me all I needed to know–this wasn’t something relegated to only my television or my cable provider.
You can try it for yourself one evening or weekend when you have a little spare time.
Who knows, maybe you will even have better results.
Either way, if you feel like cable service is too expensive already, now you can really get your money’s worth!
I get it, this trick won’t work for everyone. Or you may want/need more variety than what you can get. In case you aren’t able to match my results, go check out Amazon’s selection where you can get over-the-air HD TV antennas for great prices and still save a bundle over cable!
Dish Network Hacks And Cracks
If you prefer something else, try out Hulu which has a large selection of broadcast-type television shows, as well as originals.
If that doesn’t work for you, then maybe Amazon Prime will be more to your liking. Not only do you get the free 2-day delivery on eligible purchases, but you get the Prime Video included which I’ve actually been loving lately (more for the movies than tv shows).
Or, if you want cable networks without the high cost, you can get 7 days of Sling for Free to try. Then if you like it pay as little as $20/mo with other plans available to add even more channels.
Your Turn
Have you tried this simple technique? What have been your results? Let us know and please include your city/state too. Even though this will vary based on televisions and cable companies maybe someone from your area can get it to work narrowing the problem down to your TV!