Digital Cable vs. Direct TV????? HD for NFL/NBA???

If you want the Sunday Ticket, you have to go with DirecTV.

 

Not that I know of. I believe the NFL has an exclusive agreement with DirecTV.

 

Also, Time Warner has yet to even get ESPN HD on their digital schedule.

If you want the option to get everything (NFL Sunday Ticket included), you have to go with Direct TV.

 

Yep, DirecTV is the only provider that carries NFL Sunday Ticket. Every game on Sunday ticket is broadcast in HD.

As for the Monday Night NFL Games, you should be able to get those, but you will need to buy an additional piece of equipment called an Off-Air Antenna. This is needed to pick up any local broadcast that offer HD. Last time I check with DirecTV about a month ago, that piece cost an additional $50. If you want to save a little cash, I would reccomend buying the HD receiver on ebay. But they may be offering a good special to new customers, so check on that first.

 

I've had both....the only benefit you get with Directv is the NFL package...otherwise, its probably better to have dig cable. The weather can knock your Directv into a tizzy if its really windy/rainy etc. Not to mention that if your dish is pointing at trees, you get interference.

 

Rain knocks out my cable all the time. Actually, my cable goes out regularly without any weather interference.

My satellite went out twice the entire time I had it, and both were during massive rainstorms and lasted less than a minute each.

 

You should be able to get a good receiver for around $200 on ebay. Just call DirecTV and ask them which model is included in their packages. Then just go to ebay and see if you can find that same model for cheaper. You can probably save about $50 going this route.

I'm not sure about the protection plan. I've had them for 3 years and never had any problems that they had to fix for me. If your tv is capable of hd, then all you will need is the hd reciever (box). I didn't know they made converters for non-hd ready sets.

 

Ah...I was actually confused on this at first too. There are some sets that come with the hd box built in. I checked into these, but RCA is the only manufacurer that has a built in box that will work with DirecTV. All of the others will work with cable only, at least thats what I was told by a DirecTV technician. Since I wanted a Sony TV that made the decision easy for me. If you get the hd receiver and the correct dish, you should be all set.

 

OK, I've been doing a LOT of research about HDTV Receivers this weekend.

All I've come up with is that they all suck and have problems.

My cable company doesn't offer HD programming, so I have to buy a receiver for the OTA free HD broadcasts (FOX, CBS, NBC, ABC, PBS, etc.)

I was considering the Samsung T165 Tuner b/c it has the DVI output, but I've heard nothing but problems with dolby digital audio from it.

Anyone have any advice?

 

Yes.

But my cable company doesn't offer HD programming, so I simply want an OTA receiver. I need to get it by Saturday, b/c that's when my TV arrives!

I was thinking of going to the Home Theater Store and asking for some advice, since my head was spinning from all the different problems I've heard with each receiver.

 

Well, they are making HD Receivers now that have Tivo built in. From what I understand they will record in HD. The only problem....they cost around $1,000. My plan is to have an HD reciever and my current receiver which has Tivo built in both hooked up. That way I can switch to that receiver to Tivo non-Hd broadcasts. I'm not sure how well that will work, but I'll let you know once I get around to it.

 

In my setup, since my TIVO doesn't record in HDTV and since Time Warner doesn't offer ESPN in HD (meaning there's not likely to be anything I want to preserve in HD), I have two separate video inputs for my TV. One comes component-in from the HD box, so that I can watch the meager 12-14 HD channels I get as they're meant to be seen, and the other goes S-video out from the HD box to the TIVO and then S-video to the TV, so I can use TIVO.

I just didn't want to spend money for a HD DVR. Time Warner offers that service free, but TIVO's software is 1000 times better. And, I don't want to own an HD DVR since I think eventually TIVO will simply license its software in response to cable providers offering free DVRs.

 

I'm looking into buying the LG 3510a HDTV receiver b/c it fills my two main needs:

1. DVI output
2. DVD player integrated.

The only reason I want the DVD player is so that I can watch DVDs through the DVI interface, rather than component.

Unfortunately, my current Sony audio receiver cannot handle this new box, so I'm gonna have to upgrade that as well.

Who knew buying a new TV would cause me to upgrade my entire freakin' home theater system???

At least my TiVO can stay put and just keep on recording.

Anyone know much about indoor HD antennas? I'm about 12 miles away from the closest broadcast towers, but since I live in an apartment, I can't roof mount an outdoor antenna.

Hopeufully this will all work, or come Saturday I will be on pissed off individual.