Well, I finally have a HD set, and I've been enjoying SDTV on it via DirecTV that I have had for two years or so now. However, I want to finally get on the HD/DVR bandwagon. I've been researching for a bit now, and the general consensus I came up with was that the HD quality is the best with cable, but the HD/DVR boxes are generally better through DTV.
Also, I've read a lot about the satellite vendors sending all the HD out compressed, while the cable companies do not. Now, I called and spoke to both Comcast, who is taking Adelphia over in my town, as well as DTV retentions and they both gave me good deals. Comcast will be cheaper by a bit becaue I will no longer pay a premium for just having them for internet.
Now, when I spoke to the DTV retention lady, she mentioned that their MPEG4 rollout was complete, and that they have some deals in place where they plan to have over 100 HD channels within the next couple years. That last claim seems overly optimistic to me. I've also started seeing these DTV commercials with Jessica Simpson claiming all their HD content is broadcast in 1080i, but I think they may just be referring to HD movies on PPV.
I've also heard that Comcast's DVR boxes are a bit buggy, and I imagine you can't do any HD upgrades on them because Comcast owns them right? Right now, I'm leaning toward Comcast because if I get them and don't like them, I can always dump them and go back to DTV, but if I stay with DTV, I'm stuck on a 2 year contract. My one worry is the SDTV quality with Comcast. It sucked when it was Adelphia, and most of the stations were not digital, while all my stations with DTV now are nice, clean digital...which I assume is why SDTV looks so good on my new TV even when stretched to fill the screen. Another plus for Comcast though is I'd get all my Bruin's home games in HD...so I can see them lose even clearer!
So, Comcast or DTV?
Also, I've read a lot about the satellite vendors sending all the HD out compressed, while the cable companies do not. Now, I called and spoke to both Comcast, who is taking Adelphia over in my town, as well as DTV retentions and they both gave me good deals. Comcast will be cheaper by a bit becaue I will no longer pay a premium for just having them for internet.
Now, when I spoke to the DTV retention lady, she mentioned that their MPEG4 rollout was complete, and that they have some deals in place where they plan to have over 100 HD channels within the next couple years. That last claim seems overly optimistic to me. I've also started seeing these DTV commercials with Jessica Simpson claiming all their HD content is broadcast in 1080i, but I think they may just be referring to HD movies on PPV.
I've also heard that Comcast's DVR boxes are a bit buggy, and I imagine you can't do any HD upgrades on them because Comcast owns them right? Right now, I'm leaning toward Comcast because if I get them and don't like them, I can always dump them and go back to DTV, but if I stay with DTV, I'm stuck on a 2 year contract. My one worry is the SDTV quality with Comcast. It sucked when it was Adelphia, and most of the stations were not digital, while all my stations with DTV now are nice, clean digital...which I assume is why SDTV looks so good on my new TV even when stretched to fill the screen. Another plus for Comcast though is I'd get all my Bruin's home games in HD...so I can see them lose even clearer!
So, Comcast or DTV?
