Any advice on Satellite internet?

[zinfamous]

So, I've heard bad things about Direct TV's internet service, but not yet from the likes of the knowledgeble people here at AT.

I currently have crappy Comcast basic analog TV and their very decent broadband internet. I'm thinking of keeping the internet with Comcast and switching the TV to DirectTV.

I've also read some horror stories here and there about DTV's service, and that their HDTV service is extremely lacking compared to everyone else. Any thoughts regarding any part of DTV service is much appreciated.

...I wasn't sure where to post this, so I just went to OT.

 

[vi edit]

Satellite internet is horrible. I don't care who the provider is...you are still dealing with 1000+ ms latency because you have to shoot a signal into freaking outerspace and back.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/mercenaryforhire/donotwant.jpg

- M4H

 

[erub]

My parents have DirecTV HD with TiVo. They seem to really love it. Hated the Comcast while they had it. Customer service is excellent, gives them random credits/new promotions all the time (my dad calls up every few months to ask for the latest deal). HD picture looks pretty good to me as well, can't tell the difference between the local HD channels (which come OTA) and the HD channels from DirecTV..in fact channels like HDNet and Discovery HD look better thru the satellite then the supposably uncompressed HD.

Only thing bad is that DirecTV is currently lacking in HD channel offerings, at least compared to Dish, but they plan to increase that many-fold in 2007..and it has a lot of channels that we like already, TNT, ESPN, ESPN2, etc..

 

[erub]

Oh yeah, and avoid the satellite internet at all costs!! stick with comcast or DSL

 

[jfall]

DirectTV is all right for TV, but you do not want to use their internet or any other satellite internet for that matter

 

[waggy]

I had Satalite internet for years. IT FVCKIGN SUCKS.

not to mention teh FAP sucks. if you use the connection to much they will lock you down to dialup speeds or worse.

 

[spidey07]

Imagine visiting a web page, except you have to go around the world a few times first with each and every transaction.

yeah...avoid it at all costs.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: spidey07
Imagine visiting a web page, except you have to go around the world a few times first with each and every transaction.

yeah...avoid it at all costs.

actualy for web browsing it was not that bad when it was working good. trouble is unless you have great weather you are not going to get a good signal.

if there are to many clouds, to much wind etc it sucks. but on those rare days when everything was perfect it was pretty good.

 

[coaster831]

I have essentially what you're thinking about- DirecTV for TV (not HD though) and cable internet. Definitely stick with cable internet, satellite internet service is terrible.

As far as DirecTV goes, I don't have any problem with them- but unless you want NFL Sunday Ticket I would just upgrade your cable to digital/HD service.

 

[KMc]

I've been a DirecTV customer for 7 years and have been quite happy with it. I do use the Tivo service, but don't have any experience with HD service. I use DSL for my internet and would not recommend satellite internet mainly because of the cost alone.

 

[Queasy]

DirecTV is planning on adding over 100 HD channels over the next year. At this moment, they are lacking HD programming beyond HD locals, ESPN, NFL, Universal and HDNet. But, they currently have the most ambitious HD plans (IMO) of any of the other carriers.

The latest HD DVR is a nice upgrade to MPEG4 but still buggy. I've got the HD DirecTivo and don't feel compelled to upgrade until they come out with their 100plus new HD channels and I can get a HD DVR for free.

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Satellite internet is horrible. I don't care who the provider is...you are still dealing with 1000+ ms latency because you have to shoot a signal into freaking outerspace and back.

my thoughts exactly

 

[CraKaJaX]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Satellite internet is horrible. I don't care who the provider is...you are still dealing with 1000+ ms latency because you have to shoot a signal into freaking outerspace and back.

You may also want to add: When it rains, it goes out. When there's clouds in the sky, it goes out. And you're also paying ~$60/mo. for it.

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: coaster831
I have essentially what you're thinking about- DirecTV for TV (not HD though) and cable internet. Definitely stick with cable internet, satellite internet service is terrible.

As far as DirecTV goes, I don't have any problem with them- but unless you want NFL Sunday Ticket I would just upgrade your cable to digital/HD service.

for me to go from my current cable service to digital/HD cable, it would be going from $26 per month to ~$70. I can get a good DTV package for either $39 or $49 a month. Plus, I really, really, really, hate Comcast.

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: CraKaJaX

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Satellite internet is horrible. I don't care who the provider is...you are still dealing with 1000+ ms latency because you have to shoot a signal into freaking outerspace and back.

You may also want to add: When it rains, it goes out. When there's clouds in the sky, it goes out. And you're also paying ~$60/mo. for it.

I had Dish Network ~200-2001. I had this problem with our TV signal. Split screen, no signal...lots of sh1t. I hear that this isn't a problem anymore with satellite providers?

 

[Pantoot]

Originally posted by: Queasy
DirecTV is planning on adding over 100 HD channels over the next year. At this moment, they are lacking HD programming beyond HD locals, ESPN, NFL, Universal and HDNet. But, they currently have the most ambitious HD plans (IMO) of any of the other carriers.

The latest HD DVR is a nice upgrade to MPEG4 but still buggy. I've got the HD DirecTivo and don't feel compelled to upgrade until they come out with their 100plus new HD channels and I can get a HD DVR for free.

Just remember, many of those 100 channels they are going to add are the local network feeds for FOX, ABC, CBS and NBC, which are only going to be available to people in that local area.

So, when you see the commercials for the ambitious HD plans, remember that it really means four channels that you can likely already get over the air.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: Pantoot

Originally posted by: Queasy
DirecTV is planning on adding over 100 HD channels over the next year. At this moment, they are lacking HD programming beyond HD locals, ESPN, NFL, Universal and HDNet. But, they currently have the most ambitious HD plans (IMO) of any of the other carriers.

The latest HD DVR is a nice upgrade to MPEG4 but still buggy. I've got the HD DirecTivo and don't feel compelled to upgrade until they come out with their 100plus new HD channels and I can get a HD DVR for free.

Just remember, many of those 100 channels they are going to add are the local network feeds for FOX, ABC, CBS and NBC, which are only going to be available to people in that local area.

So, when you see the commercials for the ambitious HD plans, remember that it really means four channels that you can likely already get over the air.

DirecTV is already broadcasting HD locals in MPEG4 in many markets. The 100 channels are "national" channels. Link

DirecTV claimed it would have 100 national channels by the end of this year and we collectively said... "There are 100 national HD channels?!?!" Multichannel News took a look at some of those names on DirecTV's list and found that they are actually planning on putting at least some HD programming out in the next year. A few channels, like CNN and Sci Fi already have HD programming, even if it's not aired that way. CNN Worldwide president confirmed an HDTV version of the 24 hour news channel will launch in September around the same time as Cartoon Network HD and TBS HD. A spokesman for Fox indicated that although FX and Speed don't have any announced plans for high definition, now that national distribution is assured they can ramp up aggressively. Assuming other channels follow their lead, 2007 should see a veritable explosion of high-def channels, the only question remaining is how will other companies match them (without resorting to HDLite?)... and how in the world will we keep up with the listings?

More

While we've already heard DirecTV's claim to carry 100 HD channels in 2007 (or something like that), we've just found that one of those hundred will be dedicated entirely to the horror genre. NBC Universal has just announced that its first 24/ 7 horror channel, to be dubbed Chiller, will launch in both SD and HD formats on DirecTV. Additionally, NBC plans on offering up Chiller content through video-on-demand, although we don't know if HD VOD plans are in the pipeline. Although long-term programming goals haven't quite been nailed down, users can expect a solid lineup of classic horror content when it launches on March 1st, including Friday the 13th, Twin Peaks, The Shining, Psycho, The Birds, Sphere, The Crew, and quite a bit more.

DirecTV also entered into talks with Cablevision this month to pick up Voom.

 

[TheRyuu]

Yea.

Avoid it?

 

[BillyBatson]

avoid like the plague!

 

[xSauronx]

screw it.

i work for a wireless internet provider and when we switch someone from the satellite internet to our service, all they have is complaints about it.

 

[olds]

I have Wild Blue and it sucks. But, it's that or dial up.

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
I have Wild Blue and it sucks. But, it's that or dial up.

we do sell wild blue if we cant get a good signal with our stuff, however