Direct TV? Cable? What to get?

[Tenbatsuzen]

In a few months, I'll be preparing to move. With that comes the idea of getting new TV's, and new service.

So, I want to know this:

I like having cable internet. It's usually very reliable.

Should I get directTV and just pay extra for cable internet? Should I just stick with cable? What are the pros and cons of either?

EDUCATE ME.

[underdog]

If you want HD channels, you cannot beat DirecTV.

I also miss DirecTV every single day since I'm forced into cable now.

[NickyL0885]

I say stick with cable. DirecTV is good, but when bad weather happens, it fucks with your reception. The screen goes blank an tells you to wait. Sure, i mean if your someone who needs a channel like NFL Network and/or NFL Sunday Ticket, then go with DirecTV. But If you want fast internet, go with cable. Besides, cable has that Phone/TV/Internet deal.

[Tenbatsuzen]

If you want HD channels, you cannot beat DirecTV.

I also miss DirecTV every single day since I'm forced into cable now.

Yeah, I just realized that Comcast's HD offerings are less than great, but then again, I want to see HD sports, so I'm OK with HD Yes, ESPN, etc.

[badorties]

a digital cable/modem combo is the most solid way to go

if you're a diehard NFL fan, the direct TV package seems to be their huge selling point ... i had dishnetwork for a few years and the weather outtages really bite hard ... plus, cable has the on-demand feature which is great ... although, the direct TV DVR is tivo with cooler search functions and their music station are XM

although, i think satellite might have cheaper/flexible packages

going forward, i'll probably keep with cable ... just for NY1 alone (pat kiernan in the morning rocks)

as a related aside, my in-laws just got fios and it really doesn't seem any faster than my roadrunner connection

is fios that amazing ...?

[MobCounty]

Cable if you like the internets.

[Bossanova]

I am moving soon and I have decided to do away with directv. It has been great, but the weather thing is a pain sometimes and I am not the biggest fan of paying 10 bucks a month for HD when cable gives it for free. I also feel that the movie package tiers are bullshit. You do get NFL package, but since you already get your Jet games and another game of the week you should be set. Cable can obviously give the package deal and it will be cheaper. Another thing with Directv is that there is no on demand. Like I said I do like DTV and HD is great, but most companies offer the HD for what you really want it for.

[underdog]

I never realized people had so much trouble with the reception thing with directv. I lost my signal three times in 2 years, none for a very long time.

Before my current setup, I had worse luck with cable.

Also, Directv is good for golf, too (http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/20/directv-offering-interactive-multi-screen-hd-coverage-of-master/) now.

Oh, and directv has started experimenting with an On Demand service. (http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/13/directv-on-demand-becoming-active-for-hr21-users/)

Also, NASCAR Hotpass in HD (http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/14/directvs-nascar-hotpass-now-in-hd/)

[TheGameHHH]

I'm way too lazy to list the myriad of reasons why DirecTv is superior to cable, you're just going to have to trust me. I've lived with both services for an extended period of time and DirecTv is so much better then cable it's not even close in comparison. I can't say enough great things about DirecTv. Put it this way, I could give a shit what service you chose. But I'm passionate enough about DirecTV that I chose to post in here to try and sway you. That should say something.

[Earlshog]

I never realized people had so much trouble with the reception thing with directv. I lost my signal three times in 2 years, none for a very long time.

Before my current setup, I had worse luck with cable.

Also, Directv is good for golf, too (http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/20/directv-offering-interactive-multi-screen-hd-coverage-of-master/) now.

Oh, and directv has started experimenting with an On Demand service. (http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/13/directv-on-demand-becoming-active-for-hr21-users/)

Also, NASCAR Hotpass in HD (http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/14/directvs-nascar-hotpass-now-in-hd/)

Had direct TV when I lived in Wyckoff 2001 - 2004 and it was the same thing as above, maybe two times in the three years I lost service.

When I moved to Jersey City 2005 - 2006 it was terrible, forget rain, if it was very cloudy the signal would suck and all you would get is channel 9

Then Hoboken 2007 to present I am back to the same service as Wyckoff I have really not had any trouble.

I love the NFL package. If that is something that you would enjoy its not really even a question. If you are not a big football fan and can live without. I don't think it makes much of difference.

[angrymissy]

No On Demand? Blasphemy!

[Randy Mfn Moss]

I never realized people had so much trouble with the reception thing with directv. I lost my signal three times in 2 years, none for a very long time.

Before my current setup, I had worse luck with cable.

Also, Directv is good for golf, too (http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/20/directv-offering-interactive-multi-screen-hd-coverage-of-master/) now.

Oh, and directv has started experimenting with an On Demand service. (http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/13/directv-on-demand-becoming-active-for-hr21-users/)

Also, NASCAR Hotpass in HD (http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/14/directvs-nascar-hotpass-now-in-hd/)

You gotta helluva modquote young man....

On Direct TV you can watch Randy catch TD after TD

[midwestjeff]

She was a level-headed dancer on the road to alcohol
I was just a soldier on my way to Montreal
Well, she pressed her chest against me
About the time the jukebox broke
She give me a peck on the back of the neck
And these are the words she spoke

Blow Up Your TV, throw away your paper
Go to the country, build you a home
Plant a little garden, eat a lot of peaches
Try and find Jesus on your own

I sat there at the table and I acted real naive
Cause I knew that topless lady, she had something up her sleeve
She danced around the room awhile and she did the hoochy cooch
Yea sing a song all night long tellin' me what to do

Blow Up Your TV, throw away your paper
Go to the country, build you a home
Plant a little garden, eat a lot of peaches
Try and find Jesus on your own

But I was young and hungry and about to leave that place
Just as I was going she looked me in the face
I said "You must know the answer"
She said "No, but I'll give it a try"
And to this day we've been livin' our way
Here is the reason why

We blew up the TV, threw away the paper
Went to the country, built us a home
Had a lotta children, fed 'em on peaches
They all found Jesus on their own

[Tenbatsuzen]

I don't realize utilize on demand. I like sports. The NASCAR hotpass is really, really attractive to me.

I just roll around my apartment complex and see dish after dish, but I also realize that DirecTV offers a lot of Indian programming and I have a lot of indians here.

Am I stuck in a contract if I get direcTV?

[underdog]

Am I stuck in a contract if I get direcTV?

Supposedly, regular receivers are one year contract, HD and DVRs are 2 year contracts.

However, you can bring it with you if you move.

[Bossanova]

I don't realize utilize on demand. I like sports. The NASCAR hotpass is really, really attractive to me.

I just roll around my apartment complex and see dish after dish, but I also realize that DirecTV offers a lot of Indian programming and I have a lot of indians here.

Am I stuck in a contract if I get direcTV?

Yeah there are contracts like Underdog said. The one huge thing for me is (and I am not aware if cable co's do this) that you can alter your programming options online in seconds. Add, remove, update packages without dealing with anyone.

[Tenbatsuzen]

Yeah there are contracts like Underdog said. The one huge thing for me is (and I am not aware if cable co's do this) that you can alter your programming options online in seconds. Add, remove, update packages without dealing with anyone.

OOOOH, that I like - can I downgrade if I want to without extending the contract?

[TheGameHHH]

No On Demand? Blasphemy!

Truthfully, once you get through everything On Demand sucks ass. We got Comcast in August and by the end of September I had seen everything on it that I wanted, including television shows and movies. Maybe once a month they put up a new movie that I'm interested in, other then that its a fairly useless feature.

[Bossanova]

OOOOH, that I like - can I downgrade if I want to without extending the contract?

I think you can, but its like a $10 fee to do so

[CaptClown]

Do you have FIOS in your area?

[scottinnj]

OOOOH, that I like - can I downgrade if I want to without extending the contract?

Yes, except for sports packages. For instance, if you get the NASCAR Hotpass package, and you don't like it (you will love it, I GAR YUN TEE!!!) you don't get a refund on the package. You can opt out for the next season, and not be billed for that on autopay, but once a sports package is bought, its bought.

Directv demands a one year contract, but movie channel upgrades and downgrades won't extend your contract, unless you had signed up for a movie channel package as a new subscriber.

Pretty much, once your first year contract is up, and you are month to month with Directv, you can change programming (once a month) without worry.

I don't like the NASCAR package.....




























I LOOOOOVE IT!

[scottinnj]

Should I get directTV and just pay extra for cable internet? Should I just stick with cable? What are the pros and cons of either?

EDUCATE ME.

I have Directv and a Verizon DSL line. Those two wonderpowers combined kicks Comcast's ass.

[underdog]

Yeah there are contracts like Underdog said. The one huge thing for me is (and I am not aware if cable co's do this) that you can alter your programming options online in seconds. Add, remove, update packages without dealing with anyone.

It's literally seconds, too.

Our directv got shut off because we missed a bill, so I went online to pay it and immediately after clicking the ok button or whatever for the payment, the tv clicked back on.

Their online system kicks so much ass.

[scottinnj]

Our directv got shut off because we missed a bill....


From your unfortunate story brings a good point. Directv bills one month in advance. For example, the money deducted from your account on January 31rst pays for service in February, and any extra fees such as pay per views for the month of January. So if you want to terminate service, just not pay, make sure you didn't have any ppv purchases, and Directv just shuts you off. No hassles or threatening phone calls.

[MobCounty]

On demand FTFW.
I never watch commercials. Its like having box sets of DVD's for free.

[murfee]

time warner sux i just got a 42 in lcd 1080i lcd went and picked up a hd box it was used alredy and they cant come to replace it till next week .. the funny thing is I work for twc

[Freakshow]

People really need to read posts.

DirecTV has on-demand.
It has the channel all set up, I was fooling around with it this weekend.

It has sports out the ass. I've had the NFL network for 3 years. When the Big Ten network debuted at the beginning of the football season, there were 4 or 5 games on at the same time.

[Fallon]

I think I have 40-something HD channels with Comcast. How many does DirecTV have?

[underdog]

From your unfortunate story brings a good point.

Not unfortunate, just lazy/

People really need to read posts.

DirecTV has on-demand.

Yeah, I think everyone missed my post about that.

I think I have 40-something HD channels with Comcast. How many does DirecTV have?

63. If you count the Sports Channels, like 100. Plus the 20 or so PPV channels. And I think they're Sea Launching a satellite in April that will probably add about another 50 - 100 HD channels.

Its not even fucking close. And the biggest problem with cable is that SD channels take up as much bandwidth as HD channels, so they cannot just continually add HD channels, as most cable companies are getting close to their bandwidth max. A lot of cable companies will soon switch (some already have) to a system where certain HD channels are on an A/B system like the old cable systems. Which is fine, unless you have certain DVRs like a TiVO series 3 (like me) that can't do switching.

[FUNKMAN]

http://images.jupiterimages.com/common/detail/20/71/22187120.jpg

[CrapEater]

Hey,
What's Up?
I have one for you.What should I get H.D L.C.D T.V or should I go with Blue Ray I hear blue ray is all the rage.
What's the difference between Blue Ray & High Def?
I hear your problems with Direct T.V & Cable I always dug Cable.I pay for a Cable Internet connection your right seems like that the best for computer's.I had tried Verison connect to internet & could not get it to work.
later Player
Crapeater:wallbash:

[danner1515]

I currently have cable through Charter Communications, and I'm starting to get really fed up with it. Several of my HD channels are really prone to freezing and sometimes, depending on the time of day, won't even work. I asked a couple of my other friends with cable if they've had this problem, and it's apparently fairly common with Charter. My friends with DirecTV have had nothing but nice things to say about satellite. According to them, reception issues are pretty rare. If it weren't for concerns the about internet, I would have hopped on the DirecTV bandwagon months ago.

[Tenbatsuzen]

Hey,
What's Up?
I have one for you.What should I get H.D L.C.D T.V or should I go with Blue Ray I hear blue ray is all the rage.
What's the difference between Blue Ray & High Def?
I hear your problems with Direct T.V & Cable I always dug Cable.I pay for a Cable Internet connection your right seems like that the best for computer's.I had tried Verison connect to internet & could not get it to work.
later Player
Crapeater:wallbash:

...an LCD HDTV and a BluRay are two different things.

If you mean HD-DVD and BluRay, then you want to pick BluRay. HD-DVD = Betamax, BluRay = VHS.

[Thebazile78]

What about needing to have multiple receivers for multiple TV sets when you have DirecTV?

EXAMPLE: I don't watch sports like a religious nut.
Matty does.
If Matty is watching sports, he hates having me in the room.

If we had DirecTV, or any satellite service, would we need to get 2 dish/receiver box combos in order to watch different channels on different TV's?

I would be unwelcome in my own home the entire year without different channels on different TV's, so if this has changed, I need to know. (If it hasn't, we are NOT getting satellite!)

[Freakshow]

All you have to do is have them run multiple lines from the single dish inside the house. We got a 4-room package when we signed up that included the receivers for the upstairs rooms for free (non dvr ones). It's a little additional per month for the extra rooms, but only like 3 or 5 or something (I don't pay that bill, my roommate does). We even had them run 2 lines in downstairs when we went hi-def, so we can be recording something with the DVR and watching something else at the same time.

[walking joint]

i have DirecTV and love it. with the packages for Verizon/Optimum it is a little more pricey, but I don't care. I've had it for about 7 years now and have only had the weather problems about 7 times and it never last long. i mainly have it for the Sunday Ticket. You do have to get a one year contract, but usually they hook you up with a sweet deal for the first 6 months anyway. and as a new customer you can probaby get the HD DVR for free to. i'm in the process of calling everyday to get mine free. i think its $199 now and i have them down to $99, but i'll keep going to its free. works everytime. if you get the Sunday Ticket don't get the Superfan...just threaten to quit and they give you that free and $80 rebate every year. its great.

so i have them for TV service and got the Double Play package on FIOS internet and Phone...think its like $80 or so for the two.

[walking joint]

What about needing to have multiple receivers for multiple TV sets when you have DirecTV?

EXAMPLE: I don't watch sports like a religious nut.
Matty does.
If Matty is watching sports, he hates having me in the room.

If we had DirecTV, or any satellite service, would we need to get 2 dish/receiver box combos in order to watch different channels on different TV's?

I would be unwelcome in my own home the entire year without different channels on different TV's, so if this has changed, I need to know. (If it hasn't, we are NOT getting satellite!)

you just need a box for each room...when its installed the will just run a line from the multi switch to the box in each room. so you don't need to have a dish for each one, just the extra boxes which are $5 each every month.

[Tenbatsuzen]

Relax, Liz. I have it under control. If you want to watch you goddamn Charmed or Rachael Ray, you can watch. And at that point, you'll have the 32" HDTV all yourself.

Besides, Liz hearts Joba.

[Tenbatsuzen]

Do you have FIOS in your area?

Incidentally, we do where we live right now, but I am not sure where we are moving to. Becuase we don't know where we're moving to.

[King Hippos Bandaid]

I enjoy Direct TV with the DVR

the sports package gives you out of market sports net and fox sports which is cool to see their perspective

also get the NHL Network NFL Network, the NBA Network

One thing that sucks, is that they dont have "on demand"

also they give you west coast HBO SHOWTIME and Starzz as a "bonus" fuck that its the same shit just a 3 hour difference

time warner gives you HBO Comedy Adult and so many more different choices I assume most cables companies do the same

[Tenbatsuzen]

One thing that sucks, is that they dont have "on demand"



Pepperjack and Underdog to start yelling at you in 3...2...1...

[King Hippos Bandaid]

Pepperjack and Underdog to start yelling at you in 3...2...1...

well I guess I didn't try hard enough I must call direct TV asap

[Thebazile78]

Relax, Liz. I have it under control. If you want to watch you goddamn Charmed or Rachael Ray, you can watch. And at that point, you'll have the 32" HDTV all yourself.

Besides, Liz hearts Joba.

Fuck Charmed. There's only so many times I can watch a MOTW show without feeling physically ill.

[Snacks]

What about needing to have multiple receivers for multiple TV sets when you have DirecTV?

EXAMPLE: I don't watch sports like a religious nut.
Matty does.
If Matty is watching sports, he hates having me in the room.

If we had DirecTV, or any satellite service, would we need to get 2 dish/receiver box combos in order to watch different channels on different TV's?

I would be unwelcome in my own home the entire year without different channels on different TV's, so if this has changed, I need to know. (If it hasn't, we are NOT getting satellite!)

all you need is a box for each room, just like you will need with cable. soon you will have to have a cable box on every tv and you wont be able to hook your tv with just the cable wire.

[Thebazile78]

All you have to do is have them run multiple lines from the single dish inside the house. We got a 4-room package when we signed up that included the receivers for the upstairs rooms for free (non dvr ones). It's a little additional per month for the extra rooms, but only like 3 or 5 or something (I don't pay that bill, my roommate does). We even had them run 2 lines in downstairs when we went hi-def, so we can be recording something with the DVR and watching something else at the same time.

you just need a box for each room...when its installed the will just run a line from the multi switch to the box in each room. so you don't need to have a dish for each one, just the extra boxes which are $5 each every month.

all you need is a box for each room, just like you will need with cable. soon you will have to have a cable box on every tv and you wont be able to hook your tv with just the cable wire.

Thank you to Pepperjack, walking joint & Snacks for definitively proving that you do have to pay for extra boxes, but you don't have to get extra satellite dishes.

You've saved me from suicide and Matty from finding my corpse.

[underdog]

well I guess I didn't try hard enough I must call direct TV asap

You need a specific DVR to get it.

[Tenbatsuzen]

Matty from HIDING my corpse.

Fixed that for you.

[Thebazile78]

Fixed that for you.

Fuck you.

You really should know better.

[Grendel_Kahn]

Ok in the interest of full disclosure, I was a service tech for Time Warner and am now a system engineer.

With that being said, I also have DirecTV. But that is because I get cable for free and want to watch football.

The weather is not as big an issue as they make it out to be. Cable has it's own issues with what is called "tiling and freezing.". Tiling and freezing is usually caused by something, not just because "cable sucks". Which leads me to my next point. You do pay more for cable because there is a "built in" service. If you want someone to come to your house to fix ANYTHING, or just to change to equipment because you think it gives you the willies....then someone will come. And it's free. With the dish, that simply does not exist. In the rare cases you can get someone to come to your house, you have to pay for a service call, and it can be very expensive, depending on the sub-contractors they use. DirecTV does indeed have ON DEMAND, just not as wide a channel line up as cable.
Verizon, has launched FIOS and it is impressively fast. What they do not tell you is that after you get past all the bells and whistles, you still are a part of shared bandwidth. Which in a nutshell means the more people that sign up the less bandwidth you have to play with. As it is as people drift away from Roadrunner, the faster it has gotten ( depending on your area. Verizon has their own service issues as that they have MANY MANY installers, but again , no true service techs. When shit breaks down, they simply re-install the whole operation. This does not appear to be changing anytime soon, as at a recent board meeting with shareholders, Verizon announced it was slashing it's workforce by 1/3, once FIOS is up and running fully.

When you break it down TV is TV. Hd is free on cable but might look slightly better with the dish. I don't see it but my wife says NIP/TUCK looks better on that side, so I take her word for it. But at the end of the day, CBS, NBC, HBO, USA still show the same shit whichever service you decide on. But what you want to keep in mind is not how things are when they are going well, but how will things be handled when they don't. Remember DELL is a good computer, but I would never buy another one due to such shitty customer service in the past. My MAC was more expensive, but the cult that is MAC can't do enough to make sure I'm happy with tm and answer all my questions in English.


If you want a more detailed explanation on any of this stuff pm me and I'll give you a more thorough breakdown.



Oh and for everyone else..........Blu Ray is the way as WALL MART decided not to carry HD DVD, and Warner Brothers and Paramount decided to go exclusive with Blu Ray

[Bossanova]

Matty, to answer your question about contracts and cancellation fees. There are many! I just sold my house and where I am moving I can not get a clear signal, so I have to get a new service. I just called and cancelled and and they said I still had 18 months left on my DVR contract and I will be billed $237.50 because I did not fulfill my 2 year cntract. I pay 5.99 a month for dvr yet I will be charged 12.99 a month for each unfulfilled month of service. This mind you, was never said to me when I got my dvr. The non script following csr told me that they always tell people about their contracts. Now I read a few people saying how there were none. Such fucking bullshit

[furie]

is fios that amazing ...?

yes.

[Fez4PrezN2008]

Bumping this thread because I need some advice...

F4P is FINALLY going to upgrade from old school 27" tube tv to a 42" LCD, prolly 1080i. As I only have basic cable w/ comcast now (no converter box), I might as well look at new service options which seem to be:
-Direct TV
-Dish Network
-ATT U-verse (I have land line + cells w/ ATT)
-Stay w/ Comcast (have my internet + current cable TV)

Furthermore, it would be nice to do a phone/internet bundle. ATT look best for that. Comcast has bundle deals but the only good one are only for NEW customers. Existing customer get hosed.

Matty - What did you wind up doing from last yr? I trust your judgement.

What's combination of options? Anybody have good/bad experience w/ ATT uverse TV service? THANKS

[Tenbatsuzen]

Fez4Prez -

We are currently in a non-binding comcast deal, which means I can leave at any time. The reason we are doing this is because where we moved, Comcast is carrying Philly, not New York, local channels. So I don't get New York HD channels, which means I don't get Jets games in HD.

This problem is going to be solved when the digital conversion happens, because I will be able to receive a digital signal from New York cleanly and then have that feed in.

So long story short - I will be converting to DirecTV once the digital change happens.

Some other suggestions.

1) If you're going to a 42 inch, you definitely want 1080.

2) www.frys.com - best website I've been to for good TV deals. We got ours there (46" Samsung 630) and saved about 800 dollars over Best Buy when you figure in tax and shipping.

3) www.slickdeals.net - monitor their forums for good TV deals. I hear Matty Fridays posts there.

Here's the difference in hype between Comcast HD and DirecTV HD.

Comcast says they offer more HD CHOICES than DirecTV. That's a very telling word. Choices, NOT channels.

The HD "choices" comcasts offers is HD movies on demand. That's how they can get away with it.

DirecTV has more HD CHANNELS than Comcast, far and away.

[Fez4PrezN2008]

Fez4Prez -

We are currently in a non-binding comcast deal, which means I can leave at any time. The reason we are doing this is because where we moved, Comcast is carrying Philly, not New York, local channels. So I don't get New York HD channels, which means I don't get Jets games in HD.

This problem is going to be solved when the digital conversion happens, because I will be able to receive a digital signal from New York cleanly and then have that feed in.

So long story short - I will be converting to DirecTV once the digital change happens.

Some other suggestions.

1) If you're going to a 42 inch, you definitely want 1080.

2) www.frys.com (http://www.frys.com) - best website I've been to for good TV deals. We got ours there (46" Samsung 630) and saved about 800 dollars over Best Buy when you figure in tax and shipping.

3) www.slickdeals.net (http://www.slickdeals.net) - monitor their forums for good TV deals. I hear Matty Fridays posts there.

Here's the difference in hype between Comcast HD and DirecTV HD.

Comcast says they offer more HD CHOICES than DirecTV. That's a very telling word. Choices, NOT channels.

The HD "choices" comcasts offers is HD movies on demand. That's how they can get away with it.

DirecTV has more HD CHANNELS than Comcast, far and away.
Thanks man, good tips.

Would love to hear if anyone has tried ATT U-verse and how it stacks up to cable/direct tv options too...

[walking joint]

if you are looking for a bundle type deal DirecTV probably isn't the way to go. its easily the most expensive....but I love it. There are so many HD channels and the sports packages rule. doesn't really help with your question, but anytime I can promote DirecTV I will do so.

[ANC]

Just cancelled comcast to go back to DishNetwork, ton of HD channels, Multi-Room DVR, cheaper price.. Ya can't go wrong.. I did keep comcast for phone and internet though.

[Edwin]

Bumping this thread because I need some advice...

F4P is FINALLY going to upgrade from old school 27" tube tv to a 42" LCD, prolly 1080i. As I only have basic cable w/ comcast now (no converter box), I might as well look at new service options which seem to be:
-Direct TV
-Dish Network
-ATT U-verse (I have land line + cells w/ ATT)
-Stay w/ Comcast (have my internet + current cable TV)

Furthermore, it would be nice to do a phone/internet bundle. ATT look best for that. Comcast has bundle deals but the only good one are only for NEW customers. Existing customer get hosed.

Matty - What did you wind up doing from last yr? I trust your judgement.

What's combination of options? Anybody have good/bad experience w/ ATT uverse TV service? THANKS


At that TV size, 1080p is the norm now. You'll want that if you ever want to go to Bluray. Also, keep in mind that if you do go with DirecTV or DISH Network they have a few 1080p movies in their On Demand libraries.

As far as cable, depending on where you live, Comcast has been expanding the HD content pretty much monthly at this point. For example, here in my neighborhood, we're getting 19 new HD channels on Wednesday taking us to 70+ HD channels. Also, we recently got the better internet speed tiers. We can get up to 50MB download speeds now.

So look at all the options and take the best value where you live.

[Tenbatsuzen]

OK, here's a question.

When you order directv, do they send you access cards to put into the converter separately or does the installer brings them?

[Fallon]

OK, here's a question.

When you order directv, do they send you access cards to put into the converter separately or does the installer brings them?

The dude who installed my shit took care of it on the spot.

[Tenbatsuzen]

The dude who installed my shit took care of it on the spot.

Fuck. That creates an issue as I'm right on the borderline of the New York and Philly TV markets.

[biggestmexi]

blech.

Alls i gots is internets.

Can get whatever show you want. In HD or not.

Can get movies in bluray with out having the pricey player.

you can "rent" any movie for free.

[ruggedo]

I don't realize utilize on demand. I like sports. The NASCAR hotpass is really, really attractive to me.

I just roll around my apartment complex and see dish after dish, but I also realize that DirecTV offers a lot of Indian programming and I have a lot of indians here.

Am I stuck in a contract if I get direcTV?

There is a direcTV package that gives you the sports nets from all around the country,more then half of them are in HD. The Baseball package comes with HD extras too.
YOU only get stuck in a contract if you want one. The offer incentives to get stuck in a contract too.
DirecTV is really the only way to go for a sports fan, I have had it over ten years. I have roadrunner for internet so I use a combination.

[underdog]

blech.

Alls i gots is internets.

Can get whatever show you want. In HD or not.

Can get movies in bluray with out having the pricey player.

you can "rent" any movie for free.

But you have to wait for everything.

[Tenbatsuzen]

There is a direcTV package that gives you the sports nets from all around the country,more then half of them are in HD. The Baseball package comes with HD extras too.
YOU only get stuck in a contract if you want one. The offer incentives to get stuck in a contract too.
DirecTV is really the only way to go for a sports fan, I have had it over ten years. I have roadrunner for internet so I use a combination.

The problem is getting local channels. I'm fucking sick of watching Philly High-Def channels. I cannot begin to tell you how much I hate John Bolaris and Hurricane Schwartz' guts. Don't fucking get me started on Dawn Stensland.

I WANT KAITY TONG AND ERNIE ANASTOS AND SUE SIMMONS GODDAMN IT.

[ruggedo]

The problem is getting local channels. I'm fucking sick of watching Philly High-Def channels. I cannot begin to tell you how much I hate John Bolaris and Hurricane Schwartz' guts. Don't fucking get me started on Dawn Stensland.

I WANT KAITY TONG AND ERNIE ANASTOS AND SUE SIMMONS GODDAMN IT.

You might see if you can get the east coast west coast package. I have it grandfathered in,but sometimes your installer can do it for you. It gives you the New York and the LA networks ABC,NBC, CBS and Fox no WB or PBS in NY. I first got it before the locals were allowed and they have let me keep it since. The reason I say talk to installers they can sometimes help you get stuff that isnt always offered "officially"
By the way the east/west package is channels 380-389.

[NickyL0885]

I love DirecTV but when it rains and/or snows, your fucked. Right now we have IO cable. The rate just went up another $30 I believe. I have a 32' HD tv in my room. its only 720 but i love it. FiOS is looking more like a option now. I only watch HD channels, unless there is a show I want to watch on regular channels.

[Fallon]

I love DirecTV but when it rains and/or snows, your fucked. Right now we have IO cable. The rate just went up another $30 I believe. I have a 32' HD tv in my room. its only 720 but i love it. FiOS is looking more like a option now. I only watch HD channels, unless there is a show I want to watch on regular channels.

This winter I only had a couple times when snow screwed up my dish. Not bad for a snowy winter.

[underdog]

I love DirecTV but when it rains and/or snows, your fucked. Right now we have IO cable. The rate just went up another $30 I believe. I have a 32' HD tv in my room. its only 720 but i love it. FiOS is looking more like a option now. I only watch HD channels, unless there is a show I want to watch on regular channels.

In 5 years of living in Boston with directv, I lost my DirecTV twice. It got choppy sometimes during really heavy storms, but I lost it twice. I lose my cable more.

[biggestmexi]

But you have to wait for everything.

some shows an extra 15 min after it airs.

longer for others. but if your that impatiant why DVR or tivo?

and pay extra?:wink:

[Dave's Cackle]

DirecTV, no question. Higher quality HD, more HD offerings, and their HD-DVR is superior to Comcast. Comcast just fucking sucks shit when it comes to HD. Comcast VOD doesn't offer much HD content anyway.

[biggestmexi]

DirecTV, no question. Higher quality HD, more HD offerings, and their HD-DVR is superior to Comcast. Comcast just fucking sucks shit when it comes to HD. Comcast VOD doesn't offer much HD content anyway.

higher quality hd?

[Dave's Cackle]

higher quality hd?

MPEG-4. Comcast routinely limits the bitrate of their HD broadcasts since they don't have the bandwidth to show everything in their intended state.

[Tenbatsuzen]

I definitely want to get DirecTV... I just am concerned about the local channels. We'll see.

[Dan 'Hampton]

Living in an apartment I'm forced to use Charter cable. Which sucks, royally. So being fed up with it I called and told them I was going to switch to Direct TV, because I could get a cheaper plan with more channels and a DVR. They came back offered me 10 a month less, with the HD DVR and the sports package. Not too bad.

[biggestmexi]

MPEG-4. Comcast routinely limits the bitrate of their HD broadcasts since they don't have the bandwidth to show everything in their intended state.

In many Comcast markets, new HD channels such as Sci Fi Channel, USA Network and Animal Planet were added in early 2008. Comcast has started transmitting three HD channels per Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) carrier, rather than two per QAM like other HD channels. Though more cost effective, this method has been known to greatly limit the quality of the broadcasts. Comcast claims to have more HD than DIRECTV; however that includes Comcast's On Demand and Pay-per-view. Each HD On Demand program is counted as an HD Channel by Comcast. For example, if an HD episode of CSI is showing on the On Demand menu, this would be counted as an HD channel. The reference shows this as true, If you listen carefully you will see that the words being thrown around are; HD Programming and HD Channels. Comcast has more HD programming. Competitors have more HD Channels.

that is the reason. Although Direct TV does use Mpeg-4. Direct tv themselves is RE-enencodes the local broadcast that way so that they can get more channels off one satellite. So whatever the station uses is what the max is.

[silks]

Dish Network gives me TVG AND HRTV. Combined with Embarq DSL, my living room is a horse player's paradise.

Oh, the selection of HD channels is nice, too...

[zildjian361]

Direct TV iis the way to go, they have pay per view and what i enjoy the most is the tivo box. great :thumbup:

[Tenbatsuzen]

Does DirecTV need to be hooked up to the internet to get PPV or is that just ondemand?

[PapaBear]

Does DirecTV need to be hooked up to the internet to get PPV or is that just ondemand?
I believe it's hooked to a phone line. It was at my mother's house.

[Fallon]

Does DirecTV need to be hooked up to the internet to get PPV or is that just ondemand?

Just for ondemand.

[SP1!]

Just for ondemand.

Yeah on demand, never hook up direc TV to a phone line, they just use it to make sure its at the right address anyways, what fun is that when you add a receiver for just $5/month and put it in your friends house or the families mountain house?

Also to get ethernet to the box use these (http://www.netgear.com/Products/PowerlineNetworking/PowerlineEthernetAdapters/XE102G.aspx)wireless adapters, they work great.

[A.J.]

I hope to be moving shortly and will most likely go back to Comcast from shitty Cox. I'm just going to get the basic cable package. However, I'd LOVE to be able to get NESN for Sox games.

Is there a way to do this off of Comcast or would I have to get DirectTV?

[IMSlacker]

I hope to be moving shortly and will most likely go back to Comcast from shitty Cox. I'm just going to get the basic cable package. However, I'd LOVE to be able to get NESN for Sox games.

Is there a way to do this off of Comcast or would I have to get DirectTV?

The MLB Extra Innings package is available on Comcast.

[A.J.]

The MLB Extra Innings package is available on Comcast.

Fucking A!! Thanks Slacker!

[Hottub]

I hope to be moving shortly

Back to CT?

[A.J.]

Back to CT?

I wish.

No, moving from McLean back to Arlington.

[hanso]

The game channel . You can play by just useing a thumb on the remote. While laying in bed.

[brettmojo]

Anyone have the Premier package? If so how much are ya' paying a month?

They're running a deal right now where you don't pay for Sunday ticket, which is ideal since I'm a Cowboys fan living in upstate NY. Plus you pay zero for equipment.

[Gutter]

I got Direct TV....the Choice Xtra package. Pretty much has everything minus the extra sports channels. I don't watch baseball or much basketball and I'm usually at the bar for football season which has all the games, but I really only care about the giants. I added the HBO package for $15 extra and my bill is 80 a month. I prefer the DTV guide to the Verizon Fios guide, but if you don't have either Fios or DTV you're missing out.

[Gutter]

Anyone have the Premier package? If so how much are ya' paying a month?

They're running a deal right now where you don't pay for Sunday ticket, which is ideal since I'm a Cowboys fan living in upstate NY. Plus you pay zero for equipment.

Thats the most amazing deal ever.....i'd sign up for that if i didn't have DTV already. you really only need the Choice Xtra package unless you're really dying to have all the movie channels.

[brettmojo]

Thats the most amazing deal ever.....i'd sign up for that if i didn't have DTV already. you really only need the Choice Xtra package unless you're really dying to have all the movie channels.
I only care about showtime. But I checked the pricing and even in the 2nd year with the movie channels and Sunday ticket it's still only $115 a month. Seems to good to be true.

A buddy of mine has it and I asked him about interference and he says hard thunderstorms and snow storms will interfere with the signal but it only happens three or four times a year.

[Gutter]

I only care about showtime. But I checked the pricing and even in the 2nd year with the movie channels and Sunday ticket it's still only $115 a month. Seems to good to be true.

A buddy of mine has it and I asked him about interference and he says hard thunderstorms and snow storms will interfere with the signal but it only happens three or four times a year.

same with me. It'll blip out a bit just before a storm but very infrequently. When it does come back on, it stays on too. I went through the entire Jersey winter (which was bad last season) without it blinking out even for a second. Their customer service can help with re-calibrating your satellite over the phone too and there is always a person available 24/7. incredible customer service from them.

I had UFC ordered one weekend and right as the event started the weather caused it to go out. I tried resetting the system, but it was still fucked up. I called them up, got someone on the phone right away. She told me to go through some menus that has the satellite info and relay it back to her......she put me on hold for about 2 mins and by the time she came back the signal was working again.

Seriously, i could talk about how awesome DTV is for hours. I absolutely love it, from the picture, to the channel availability, the options and ease of use on the remote.....just everything is fantastic.

[brettmojo]

same with me. It'll blip out a bit just before a storm but very infrequently. When it does come back on, it stays on too. I went through the entire Jersey winter (which was bad last season) without it blinking out even for a second. Their customer service can help with re-calibrating your satellite over the phone too and there is always a person available 24/7. incredible customer service from them.

I had UFC ordered one weekend and right as the event started the weather caused it to go out. I tried resetting the system, but it was still fucked up. I called them up, got someone on the phone right away. She told me to go through some menus that has the satellite info and relay it back to her......she put me on hold for about 2 mins and by the time she came back the signal was working again.

Seriously, i could talk about how awesome DTV is for hours. I absolutely love it, from the picture, to the channel availability, the options and ease of use on the remote.....just everything is fantastic.
I have neighbors who have it. I'll talk with them about it. If they haven't had any problems with it I'm seriously considering it. I have Time Warner and I'm paying about $120 for cable and internet. The internet is fine but there's weird shit with the cable. Sometimes channels just freeze up or don't work at all. Very randomly. Not a lot of the time but often enough to bug me.

[Gutter]

cool. lemme know what you decide on.

[Jujubees2]

I have neighbors who have it. I'll talk with them about it. If they haven't had any problems with it I'm seriously considering it. I have Time Warner and I'm paying about $120 for cable and internet. The internet is fine but there's weird shit with the cable. Sometimes channels just freeze up or don't work at all. Very randomly. Not a lot of the time but often enough to bug me.

I have the same problem with Time Warner. It only seems to happen on the Discovery HD channel and one or two others where the picture will freeze for a few seconds before resuming.

[brettmojo]

I have the same problem with Time Warner. It only seems to happen on the Discovery HD channel and one or two others where the picture will freeze for a few seconds before resuming.
Yeah it's not a frequent problem but it's annoying. Some HD channels just won't load at all but then if you turn to the non-HD regular channel it's fine. Really gay.

[hanso]

If they throw in something for free. Makes it a good deal. I got dvr that way with upper tier ATT Uverse. Got like 30 movie channels I don't watch. Same with the 6-8 "music video" channels.

[brettmojo]

Order complete.

Just have to schedule the installation! :clap:

GOODBYE TIME WARNER!!! :bye:





cept' I still have to keep RR...

[Gutter]

Order complete.

Just have to schedule the installation! :clap:

GOODBYE TIME WARNER!!! :bye:





cept' I still have to keep RR...

NIIIIICE......what ahhh...."package"....did you get?

I wish I could re-phrase that knowing how we all are here.

[brettmojo]

NIIIIICE......what ahhh...."package"....did you get?

I wish I could re-phrase that knowing how we all are here.
Choice ultimate. $61.98 the first year.
Free sunday ticket.
Free sunday ticket to-go.
Free HD DVR and HD receiver.
Free HBO, Max, Show and Starz for three months.

Fuck you Time Warner.

[Gutter]

Choice ultimate. $61.98 the first year.
Free sunday ticket.
Free sunday ticket to-go.
Free HD DVR and HD receiver.
Free HBO, Max, Show and Starz for three months.

Fuck you Time Warner.

SWEEET......you won't miss much pulling back to Choice Extra when the price jumps after the first year....i think the only thing is the sports channels and I'm not much of a baseball or basketball fan, so that works out fine for me.

I recently got a sales call from someone at Cablevision asking me if I would think about switching and totally shut her down. She's like, "well, we just updated our systems with a great search feature" Is that all you got lady? hahahaha I flat out told her they can't compete with DTV or Fios.....She asked what those were and I just started rattling things off for about 5 min straight.....she was like, "well, we're going to be introducing things like that soon" hahahahaha what a joke....I legitimately felt bad for her....that shit is un-sellable.

hit me up if you have any ?'s about the remote or anything. I'm a fucking surgeon with that thing.

[brettmojo]

SWEEET......you won't miss much pulling back to Choice Extra when the price jumps after the first year....i think the only thing is the sports channels and I'm not much of a baseball or basketball fan, so that works out fine for me.

I recently got a sales call from someone at Cablevision asking me if I would think about switching and totally shut her down. She's like, "well, we just updated our systems with a great search feature" Is that all you got lady? hahahaha I flat out told her they can't compete with DTV or Fios.....She asked what those were and I just started rattling things off for about 5 min straight.....she was like, "well, we're going to be introducing things like that soon" hahahahaha what a joke....I legitimately felt bad for her....that shit is un-sellable.

hit me up if you have any ?'s about the remote or anything. I'm a fucking surgeon with that thing.
2nd year it only goes up bout $30 a month not including the increase for Sunday Ticket if I keep it. That all depends on the Cowboys.
Yeah watching some the things time warner advertises as "features" since I decided to get DTV are just laughable.

[Gutter]

2nd year it only goes up bout $30 a month not including the increase for Sunday Ticket if I keep it. That all depends on the Cowboys.
Yeah watching some the things time warner advertises as "features" since I decided to get DTV are just laughable.

it becomes baffling as to why any one still has Time Warner once you get an actual cable/sat company delivering your tv enjoyment.

[Tenbatsuzen]

I've had comcast. With Red Zone, NFL Network, and live streaming of games online, I haven't had a need for DirecTV. I'm sure it would be nice, and now they have the PS3 option it's something I'd think about if I moved out of Jersey, but not necessary.

[sailor]

Cablevision's fine.

[Gutter]

Cablevision's fine.

there's a shinning endorsement.

[Fallon]

I love DirecTV, but I'm sure my signal is gonna be shit this weekend.

[hanso]

I did to at first. Then tried the other one that comes in from phone lines. Not all fios but still better.