DIRECT TV or CABLE

[liamrock]

With the impending switch from Time Warner to Comcast, I'm considering making the switch to Direct TV. IS there ANY reason not to make the jump? Will I be able to get local channels in HD? IS the picture better/worse? I see that they are running a special where NFL Ticket + all Movie channels are $64/month.

Am I missing something?

Also, does the picture go out when a storm comes in? I've heard from friends in the past about issues with the weather.

Any and all input is appreciated!

[MadMax]

i have dish network. my bill is about $30-40 cheaper a month since i switched from cable. yet, i have more channels and my channels come in far more clearly.

yes...it is affected by storms. not every time, though. but if it's a significant storm, mine goes out.

[liamrock]

What about HD? DO you have HD channels?

[MadMax]

What about HD? DO you have HD channels?

i don't. sorry.

[DrLudicrous]

I have DirecTV and have only had problems with the weather when really bad storms come or the dish wasn't installed properly.

Their website is nice also, you can add/remove programming and it takes effect immediately (not sure how cable is about this).

[KaiSeR SoZe]

I have Dish Network and its awesome! Get yourself a HDDVR reciever and your set. Dish has a ton of HD channels since they bought Voom plus the basic HD programming and the HD local channels

so in the end you'll have a ton of HD programming.


Showtime HD
Starz HDTV
HBO HD
Animania HD
Family Room HD
GamePlay HD
Discovery HD Theater
Equator HD
National Geographic Channel HD
DISH Network PPV in HD
Film Fest HD
HDNet Movies
Kung Fu HD
Monsters HD
World Cinema HD
HDNews
Rave HD
ESPN HD
ESPN2 HD
NFL Network HD
Rush HD
WorldSport HD
Gallery HD
HDNet
HGTV HD
TNT HD
Treasure HD
Ultra HD
Universal HD
Plus Local HD channels

[Smokey]

My problems with satellite are:

1) Contract (at least for the first year)

2) Requires a landline

3) Equipment - When you're done with cable, you return it. What about satellite?

[liamrock]

Does Dish Network offer the NFL Ticket? Or is it DirectTV?

[KaiSeR SoZe]

Does Dish Network offer the NFL Ticket? Or is it DirectTV?
I'm pretty sure ONLY Directv has it. Dish has the NFL channel but no Sunday Ticket

[DrLudicrous]

My problems with satellite are:

1) Contract (at least for the first year)

2) Requires a landline

3) Equipment - When you're done with cable, you return it. What about satellite?

2) They say it's required but I don't have a land line and have never had a problem. You don't get the firmware updates for the hardware without one though.

3) You buy the equipment. Most of the time you can get some deal were it's either cheap or free.

[Fatty FatBastard]

2) They say it's required but I don't have a land line and have never had a problem. You don't get the firmware updates for the hardware without one though.

3) You buy the equipment. Most of the time you can get some deal were it's either cheap or free.

I love satellite, and I don't have a land-line, either.

[Rocket Fan]

I was looking at some dish network packages and they list a ton of fox sports nets (for all the dif cities).. do you actually get all of those or just your local one?

[jgreen91]

DTV rules. I got rid of cable last year. NFL sunday ticket is the best thing ever.

I still have Road Runner, but I got Road Runner lite. It is only $26.95 and still plenty fast. I pay about $65 per month for DTV and $26 for RR. I'm happy with that setup.

[SwoLy-D]

liamrock, I was just about to start the SAME thread. Where did you see $64? I have seen only $69.

No cable, no satellite here.

I have seen the flyers and called DIrectV for their 69.99 plan and you get HBO, STARZ, CINEMAX, SHOWTIME for free for 4 months. You can pay 69.99 x 4 at once or separately. I don't care about signing up for 1 year. The way I see it, I give a service 1 year to try out.

HD upgrade free, HDDVR upgrade free, but you must purchase the DVR service monthly ($5.99?). I won't get HDDVR, but will upgrade at least ONE receiver to HD, so I can see at least the local channels, even though I have an HD receiver without cable/satellite right now.

I am going with DirecTV soon. Do any of you dudes have the satellite inside the ATTIC on the second story of the house at all? Is that even possible?

Smokey, what LANDLINE are you talking about? :confused:

[rrj_gamz]

I've been thinking of doing the same...My special with comcast went out last month and man, its freakin' expensive...It jumped to $110, and I told them to kiss my ass, and then we adj. some stuff and now pay $70...but hell, that's a lot of money, plus there aren't a lot of HD channels...

[lpbman]

No need to worry about loosing your signal in a storm with a 30" dish. For Direct TV or Dish Network (http://www.satellitedish.com/cata0052.htm)

[MadMax]

I was looking at some dish network packages and they list a ton of fox sports nets (for all the dif cities).. do you actually get all of those or just your local one?

you can upgrade to get them all. but in the basic packages, you just get fox sports southwest.

[Rocket Fan]

max.. thanks for the info. I see a lot of ads for equipment for up to 4 rooms etc...

but do you end up having to pay an extra fee for each room beyond 1.. or no if you wait for the right deal?

[MadMax]

max.. thanks for the info. I see a lot of ads for equipment for up to 4 rooms etc...

but do you end up having to pay an extra fee for each room beyond 1.. or no if you wait for the right deal?

i don't think i paid a fee. i have it in 3 rooms. i went through SBC to do DSL/phone/Dish in one bill. i had Time Warner's 3-in-1 deal before, too. literally, i'm saving $60/month total on those 3 services.

[Rocket Fan]

max.. thanks for the info.. I'm going to check into that.

[SwoLy-D]

F*CK. *:mad:* I am so p'd off. :(

I just called DirecTV and asked if I could watch regular channels (FOX, CBS, ABC, PBS) on HD without the HD package... they said NO. Why would I need to request the HD package? SHouldn't those come in HD already without needing a "package" and just with the regular digital receiver? Time Warner said that I didn't need to order the HD package, but that with the regular HD receiver (their highest available), I could watch regular HD channels. This sucks.

Basically, I am trying to get sh*t for free (HD channels). I can understand if I can't get ESPN HD, but I could get ABC13 HD programming for free with my HD receiver already. Go figure. I guess I will watch the 1 game from FOX in HD on my receiver already, and switch to NFL Sunday ticket on DirecTV when I want to watch something else.

Anyone know how to go around this with DirecTV's cards? Nothing illegal... just a little "reprogramming" ? ;)

[Harrisment]

F*CK. *:mad:* I am so p'd off. :(

I just called DirecTV and asked if I could watch regular channels (FOX, CBS, ABC, PBS) on HD without the HD package... they said NO. Why would I need to request the HD package? SHouldn't those come in HD already without needing a "package" and just with the regular digital receiver? Time Warner said that I didn't need to order the HD package, but that with the regular HD receiver (their highest available), I could watch regular HD channels. This sucks.

Basically, I am trying to get sh*t for free (HD channels). I can understand if I can't get ESPN HD, but I could get ABC13 HD programming for free with my HD receiver already. Go figure. I guess I will watch the 1 game from FOX in HD on my receiver already, and switch to NFL Sunday ticket on DirecTV when I want to watch something else.

Anyone know how to go around this with DirecTV's cards? Nothing illegal... just a little "reprogramming" ? ;)

You can still get your local HD's through the off air antenna....they just won't be integrated with your reciever and show up in your guide. I have an HD receiver that picks up all the sattelite HD channels, and an off air antenna plugged into the receiver that picks up my local HD. They have a new dish/receiver that will pickup local HD without the OTA antenna, but they don't have a DVR version of it yet. It's not an issue with reprogramming a card, it's that the non HD receivers dont support OTA antennas (I think.) I have an HR10-250 receiver, which is the HD box w/Tivo . It also lets me record and watch two different programs at the same time, which kicks ass!

NFL Sunday Ticket is the greatest thing ever. Note that to get all of the games in HD though, you have to buy the Superfan package as well, which is an additional $99. I called and complained and they quickly gave me Superfan for free though.

If you are an NFL fan there really is no competition, as long as you dont mind paying for it. I've been a DirecTV customer for 5 years now. I love it.

[SwoLy-D]

Hold on. Before anything, thanks for that Harrisment. Those are good tips.

Also, I was wondering what happened with their regular broadcasts through the FOX stations on Satellite... will I be able to see those on the receiver in standard, or HD?

You can still get your local HD's through the off air antenna....they just won't be integrated with your reciever and show up in your guide.I am already getting those with a HiSense HD receiver and an amplified antenna alone. You mean I could plug that into their receiver? I didn't understand that off-air antenna you explained. I am not sure if you're saying I can receive the Satellite's HD channels or not.I have an HD receiver that picks up all the sattelite HD channels, and an off air antenna plugged into the receiver that picks up my local HD.did you have to buy their HD package for this?They have a new dish/receiver that will pickup local HD without the OTA antenna, but they don't have a DVR version of it yet.on their ordering site, there is a REBATE (not free upgrade) for the HD DVR. Are you sure about that? It's not an issue with reprogramming a card, it's that the non HD receivers dont support OTA antennas (I think.) I have an HR10-250 receiver, which is the HD box w/Tivo . It also lets me record and watch two different programs at the same time, which kicks ass!

NFL Sunday Ticket is the greatest thing ever. Note that to get all of the games in HD though, you have to buy the Superfan package as well, which is an additional $99. I called and complained and they quickly gave me Superfan for free though. The package they're selling right now, I think, has the HD stuff... man, I need to ask SO MANY QUESTIONS... :(

Sorry about that, mate, I know you're NOT their salesman. :D

[WhoMikeJames]

is NFL Ticket or w/e like NBA League pass for the NFL

[WhoMikeJames]

found this on wikipedia

"DirecTV also broadcasts some of the NFL Sunday Ticket in HD for an additional fee. This service is only available to customers that purchase the NFL Sunday Ticket Super Fan for an additional $99.

Local stations (CBS, ABC, NBC, and FOX) broadcasts transcoded in MPEG-4 are currently being rolled out in major markets. Where not available through satellite, local HD channels can be received over the air using an antenna for free of charge with an over the air HD tuner."

Sucks

[SwoLy-D]

The last part is misleading, WhoMikeJames. "where not available through satellite..." is saying that you can get the HD channels only where you can't get them through satellite, but the truth is you can get HD channels without cable or satellite in places where there is a satellite reception.

Which part sucks, WMJ?

[WhoMikeJames]

The last part is misleading, WhoMikeJames. "where not available through satellite..." is saying that you can get the HD channels only where you can't get them through satellite, but the truth is you can get HD channels without cable or satellite in places where there is a satellite reception.

Which part sucks, WMJ?

Oooo Thanks

[SwoLy-D]

Oooo ThanksSo which part of that WikiPedia article sucks?

[BenignDMD]

Any ideas if my apartment may not face the right direction for satellite? My apartment does not allow me to put a dish on the building. I am stuck with Phonoscope cable!!!! It is horrible. I only get the local channels in HD, and I have a 62" TV!!!!!!!! Anyone have any ideas on how to get out of this dilemma?!?

[WhoMikeJames]

So which part of that WikiPedia article sucks?

Eh I read it wrong i really don't know why i said it sucked. :)

[SwoLy-D]

WMJ, I thought you were an insider of DirecTV and were about to tell us some dirt... :D

BenignDMD, take a look at http://www.directv.com/learn/pdf/12429_00_AntennaManual_1D.pdf#5 (PDF). You may want to do a long pole with the satellite. A funny story: http://69.57.134.83/~lotd/blog.php (June 29 entry)

[BenignDMD]

WMJ, I thought you were an insider of DirecTV and were about to tell us some dirt... :D

BenignDMD, take a look at http://www.directv.com/learn/pdf/12429_00_AntennaManual_1D.pdf#5 (PDF). You may want to do a long pole with the satellite. A funny story: http://69.57.134.83/~lotd/blog.php (June 29 entry)


Interesting, thanks man...I will look into it in the morning

[Harrisment]

Hold on. Before anything, thanks for that Harrisment. Those are good tips.

Also, I was wondering what happened with their regular broadcasts through the FOX stations on Satellite... will I be able to see those on the receiver in standard, or HD?

I am already getting those with a HiSense HD receiver and an amplified antenna alone. You mean I could plug that into their receiver? I didn't understand that off-air antenna you explained. I am not sure if you're saying I can receive the Satellite's HD channels or not.did you have to buy their HD package for this?on their ordering site, there is a REBATE (not free upgrade) for the HD DVR. Are you sure about that?The package they're selling right now, I think, has the HD stuff... man, I need to ask SO MANY QUESTIONS... :(

Sorry about that, mate, I know you're NOT their salesman. :D


Ok, I'll try to answer these. Right now you have two real options if you get HD through DirecTV. You can get the HR10-250 receiver which is what I have. It is an HD MPEG-2 receiver w/Tivo (DVR.) The newest receiver is the H20, which is an HD MPEG-4 receiver (but no DVR.) The difference between MPEG-4 and MPEG-2, is that with MPEG-4 you can receive the local HD channels through your sattelite dish, without the need for an addtional antenna. Currently I have the MPEG-2 receiver, with an indoor antenna plugged into that sits on top of my tv, mainly because I can't live with not having DVR capabilities. I'm almost positive that the HD DVR they are offering a deal on right now is the HR10-250, because the MPEG-4 HD DVR have not been released yet. Word is though that once those are released DirecTV will upgrade the HR10-250 owners for little or no cost.

I purchased the HD package so I don't know about your other question. Basically I think if you just want local HD through the off air antenna you wont need to purchase the HD package. If you want any HD channels directly through your sattelite, you will have to purchase the HD package. BUT you should be able to negotiate with them and get the HD package for free, at least for 6 months. When I originally signed up for HD back in December I got HD package free for 6 months, Showtime HD free for 6 months, and half off my HBO for 6 months. I hope that helps!

[DonnyMost]

Just curious.. but you satellite guys.. what service do you use for internet?

[MadMax]

Just curious.. but you satellite guys.. what service do you use for internet?

SBC DSL.

[BenignDMD]

A funny story: http://69.57.134.83/~lotd/blog.php (June 29 entry)

That is hilarious!

[Harrisment]

Just curious.. but you satellite guys.. what service do you use for internet?

I use roadrunner (earthlink). DirecTV for tv, Timewarner for internet, and SBC for phone. I've got all the bases covered. :D

[SwoLy-D]

Harrisment, that is some RICH info. Thank you much, sir. I will try to ramble about how much Cable is so appealing because I could watch HDTV without an extra package. I could, however (but I won't tell them) , watch prime time local channels with my receive, so even if I can't get their HD stuff for the 6 months you mention, I will not cry about it. Sweet stuff. Thank you.Just curious.. but you satellite guys.. what service do you use for internet?SBC DSL (the $26 one, not the fastest...)