"Free" TV tuner that now costs $130?

I am all set to buy a HPdv9000t. For the last few weeks they have offered a free TV tuner.... this morning they still do but suddenly it costs $130. Here is the way it reads:

Check out these options to enhance your Microsoft(R) Windows(R) XP Media Center Edition experience

No TV Tuner w/remote control Included in price

FREE Upgrade to HP ExpressCard Analog TV Tuner!! +$130.00


A call to HP and they said if I ordered it over the phone they would talk to their supervisor about taking off the $130.... but I was hoping to order it thru Costco to take advantage of the 6 month return since the price is identical...Costco also has the same "confusion" on their website when yesterday it showed "00.00" next to the TV tuner.

any thoughts?

Thanks.

 

LMAO!

Looks like they are trying to end the free offer, but they didn't get it all at once. I'd take advantage of it while it lasts, since it's clearly gonna go away soon.

 

I noticed that too, I was hoping it was going to be offered free when Vista hits the market as a configurable os on a lappy from Costco but now those chances are slim. I'm also noticed other things went up too becuse the same configuration I have done before is already $150 more then I had it configured last month. Those prices always bounce around but never for the better just as your ready to order.

 

I actually just ordered a dv6000t about 2 weeks ago and they didn't have the free tv tuner but I actually bought it. So after I saw it was free I called and they honored it. Call them and work that out after, talk to customer service NOT TECH HELP. Very friendly and they even gave me a 70$ credit so i could buy the extra 6 cell batt after I already did the configuration.

 

Why would you want a ANALOG TV tuner, it will be useless by the end of this year. Get yourself a digital TV tuner.

 

I never thought of that......

 

I just got my dv9000t this morning and noticed this thread, so checked out their site again. Currently it's showing free TV turner and free upgrade to lightscribe drives, so called them up and got credit for the upgraded drive. Anyone know what the original lightscribe drive upgrade was before? I couldn't remember, so told them it was probably $75 and that's the credit I got. I think I just may have gotten a hell of a deal.

 

I believe Congress changed the date to April, 2009, and you are right, it will be useless.

 

Your right no more broadcasting analog after early 2009. Thing is most local stations are broadcasting digital already and the picture is awesome, so why mess with analog now.

 

because it's free?

 

- When I built a notebook about three days ago, it was $75.

 

So I ended up with this analog tuner, it was free but to be honest I have no idea how to use it. Can any of you tell me how to get a signal. It came with no driver so I am assuming that its a type of plug and play express card. So if I plug my cable for the "internet" in and I don't get a signal, does that mean there is no "free" cable TV? Also, the tuner isn't even picked up in Media Center.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike

 

Your going to have to plug your cable TV coax into it to get a signal. They sell over the air indoor antennas but they suck IMO

 

yey they finally fixed the free tv tuner problem!

 

Speaking of deals on the dv9000t, I noticed that the one thing swaying me away from purchasing it at costco over HP is the fact that they don't make any mention on a free upgrade to vista whereas HP does. Anyone know if they'll send a free upgrade? I know You can swap out the computer but still, I'd prefer not having to replace my PC.

On that note, we had a thread the other day at work at how crazy their return policy is - people returning projection televisions years later to get a better one with no questions asked. Wonder if that meant being able to return it 5 months from now to get better hardware for the same price. That'd be nuts.

 

yeah they should also send the free upgrade, but u have to make sure to order it here:

https://upgradeweb.moduslink.com/Vi...jwqfufr))/GlobalLandingPage.aspx?oem=HP&Lang=

and i recomend getting it from hp.com cuz its cheaper with the student discount

 

You mention getting it from hp.com cause it's cheaper with the student discount. Well, correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn't I have to be a student? I'm not a student. So I don't see how I can get that good a discount.

I do have an EPP with HP, and even then, it's only 50 bucks less than costco's price, and for the extra 50 bucks i'd almost prefer costco so I could return it if i had issues.

 

you could return it if u get it from hp.com also!

and to get the student discount, all you have to do is fill out a form, you dont necessarily have to be a student...