DirecTV vs. Dish vs. Digital Cable

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: dieselstation
can't decide which way i want to go. DirecTV has better programming, Dish is cheaper, and Digital Cable + existing internet would be easier. How would you go? i need HD programming also.

If you like Directv now, you should love them in the few months as they add more HD programming. They are in the middle of their MPEG4 rollout, and when it is done, they should be near the top for HD programming.

The one to wait for is the HR20 HD DVR. The current HR10 HD DVR isn't mpeg4 compatible (although the HR20 receiver is).

There is no need for him to wait though, because new subs lease the equipment now. I think their new practice could kill DTV, at least for attracting new subs.

Agree.

DirecTV - "Hey new customer! Pay $399 after $100 rebate for this nifty HD-DVR for the privilege of leasing it from us for $5 a month!"

Bah. Glad I already have my DirecTivos. I'm hoping that they'll have a better deal for HR20 HD-DVR.

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: dieselstation
can't decide which way i want to go. DirecTV has better programming, Dish is cheaper, and Digital Cable + existing internet would be easier. How would you go? i need HD programming also.

If you like Directv now, you should love them in the few months as they add more HD programming. They are in the middle of their MPEG4 rollout, and when it is done, they should be near the top for HD programming.

The one to wait for is the HR20 HD DVR. The current HR10 HD DVR isn't mpeg4 compatible (although the HR20 receiver is).

There is no need for him to wait though, because new subs lease the equipment now. I think their new practice could kill DTV, at least for attracting new subs.

Yeah, I've been bitching to them about that. I'm not ready to HD just yet but when I am they'll be hearing from me.


<--6 year DTV customer.

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: dieselstation
can't decide which way i want to go. DirecTV has better programming, Dish is cheaper, and Digital Cable + existing internet would be easier. How would you go? i need HD programming also.

If you like Directv now, you should love them in the few months as they add more HD programming. They are in the middle of their MPEG4 rollout, and when it is done, they should be near the top for HD programming.

The one to wait for is the HR20 HD DVR. The current HR10 HD DVR isn't mpeg4 compatible (although the HR20 receiver is).

There is no need for him to wait though, because new subs lease the equipment now. I think their new practice could kill DTV, at least for attracting new subs.

Agree.

DirecTV - "Hey new customer! Pay $399 after $100 rebate for this nifty HD-DVR for the privilege of leasing it from us for $5 a month!"

Bah. Glad I already have my DirecTivos. I'm hoping that they'll have a better deal for HR20 HD-DVR.

DTV have gone on record saying they will replace the existing HR10-250 HDDVR with the new model free of charge. I have no reason to doubt them, as I recently had my dish upgraded to the 5 LNB model for free, and had my old Samsung HD receiver replaced by the H20 model.

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: Muadib
Bah. Glad I already have my DirecTivos. I'm hoping that they'll have a better deal for HR20 HD-DVR.

DTV have gone on record saying they will replace the existing HR10-250 HDDVR with the new model free of charge. I have no reason to doubt them, as I recently had my dish upgraded to the 5 LNB model for free, and had my old Samsung HD receiver replaced by the H20 model.
[/quote]
Honestly, I'll believe that when I see it. Until then, I'm just gonna stick with my non-HD DVR. Anyone here used the new non-Tivo DVRs yet?

 

[Mayfriday0529]

Directv here

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: dieselstation
can't decide which way i want to go. DirecTV has better programming, Dish is cheaper, and Digital Cable + existing internet would be easier. How would you go? i need HD programming also.

If you like Directv now, you should love them in the few months as they add more HD programming. They are in the middle of their MPEG4 rollout, and when it is done, they should be near the top for HD programming.

The one to wait for is the HR20 HD DVR. The current HR10 HD DVR isn't mpeg4 compatible (although the HR20 receiver is).

There is no need for him to wait though, because new subs lease the equipment now. I think their new practice could kill DTV, at least for attracting new subs.

Yeah, I've been bitching to them about that. I'm not ready to HD just yet but when I am they'll be hearing from me.


<--6 year DTV customer.

Be sure and post back when you do make to move to HD, as I'm curious on how they will handle customers like you. Both my mom and sister are in the same boat, and if DTV makes them pay to lease, I know they will wave bye-bye.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: dieselstation
can't decide which way i want to go. DirecTV has better programming, Dish is cheaper, and Digital Cable + existing internet would be easier. How would you go? i need HD programming also.

If you like Directv now, you should love them in the few months as they add more HD programming. They are in the middle of their MPEG4 rollout, and when it is done, they should be near the top for HD programming.

The one to wait for is the HR20 HD DVR. The current HR10 HD DVR isn't mpeg4 compatible (although the HR20 receiver is).

There is no need for him to wait though, because new subs lease the equipment now. I think their new practice could kill DTV, at least for attracting new subs.

Agree.

DirecTV - "Hey new customer! Pay $399 after $100 rebate for this nifty HD-DVR for the privilege of leasing it from us for $5 a month!"

Bah. Glad I already have my DirecTivos. I'm hoping that they'll have a better deal for HR20 HD-DVR.

DTV have gone on record saying they will replace the existing HR10-250 HDDVR with the new model free of charge. I have no reason to doubt them, as I recently had my dish upgraded to the 5 LNB model for free, and had my old Samsung HD receiver replaced by the H20 model.

What does any of that have to do with the fact that you now have to pay DirecTV $400-$500 upfront for the privilege of leasing a HD-DVR receiver from them?

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: dieselstation
can't decide which way i want to go. DirecTV has better programming, Dish is cheaper, and Digital Cable + existing internet would be easier. How would you go? i need HD programming also.

If you like Directv now, you should love them in the few months as they add more HD programming. They are in the middle of their MPEG4 rollout, and when it is done, they should be near the top for HD programming.

The one to wait for is the HR20 HD DVR. The current HR10 HD DVR isn't mpeg4 compatible (although the HR20 receiver is).

There is no need for him to wait though, because new subs lease the equipment now. I think their new practice could kill DTV, at least for attracting new subs.

Agree.

DirecTV - "Hey new customer! Pay $399 after $100 rebate for this nifty HD-DVR for the privilege of leasing it from us for $5 a month!"

Bah. Glad I already have my DirecTivos. I'm hoping that they'll have a better deal for HR20 HD-DVR.

DTV have gone on record saying they will replace the existing HR10-250 HDDVR with the new model free of charge. I have no reason to doubt them, as I recently had my dish upgraded to the 5 LNB model for free, and had my old Samsung HD receiver replaced by the H20 model.

What does any of that have to do with the fact that you now have to pay DirecTV $400-$500 upfront for the privilege of leasing a HD-DVR receiver from them?

He already has his DirecTivos, so he shouldn't have to pay.
EDIT: I thought he meant he had the HD DirecTivos, if he has the SD version, then that's a different story.

 

[NutBucket]

The only thing is, he owns the HR10-250, not lease. I doubt the non-lease customers will get a "free" upgrade. Just a hunch.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Comcast >*

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: NutBucket
The only thing is, he owns the HR10-250, not lease. I doubt the non-lease customers will get a "free" upgrade. Just a hunch.

I was told I would by the rep I spoke with. I own all my stuff.

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: NutBucket
The only thing is, he owns the HR10-250, not lease. I doubt the non-lease customers will get a "free" upgrade. Just a hunch.

I was told I would by the rep I spoke with. I own all my stuff.

Did you get the reps name and ID? Seriously, I would if I was made that offer. I hope they honor that.

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: NutBucket
The only thing is, he owns the HR10-250, not lease. I doubt the non-lease customers will get a "free" upgrade. Just a hunch.

I was told I would by the rep I spoke with. I own all my stuff.

Did you get the reps name and ID? Seriously, I would if I was made that offer. I hope they honor that.

OK, let me check their site. I know I'm not special.

 

[isekii]

My only issue with Dish Network is no YES Network!!!!!!

 

[Zee]

cable. hd channels, dvr and ondemand for the win.

 

[MBrown]

DirectTV

 

[Scarpozzi]

The cheapest one in your local area FTW.

 

[Suture]

I've been a Dish customer for about 6 months now in Springfield, VA. I also get the HD package, however I could not get the VOOM channels because the trees in my backyard directly block that signal.

Customer Service is great. I called to change my package one day and within 5 minutes it was complete and I had access to the new channels. Dish is cheap, which is why I like it. I don't watch much TV, but I like that I didn't have to pay for installation, equipment, nor did I have to sign an agreement.

Verizon's FIOS TV is now in my area and I will probably switch to that since I already have FIOS for internet.

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: Zee
cable. hd channels, dvr and ondemand for the win.

Our local cable company has no DVRs. I hate cable companies anyway so they just shot themselves in the foot with that one.

 

[geckojohn]

I'm in the same boat - seems like i would save about $10/month by getting directV than going through TimeWarner.

What do you recommend?

 

[Paulson]

We love direcTV. We have 2 direcTV tivos (both are hacked & networked running 6.2 software)...

I hate cable companies plus our local cable company is horrible.

 

[Xyclone]

I have dish.

 

[DanTMWTMP]

I've seen dish in action, and It's probably the worse ever. DirecTV is absolutely the best of the Satellite providers. as for DigiCable, it depends on your local provider. If it's Time Warner, then go for it. COX blows monkey balls, and so does Adelphia. I donno about the others. (Adelphia is provided in my hometown, while Cox and Timewarner provides for San Diego. COX blows hard. Time Warner is by and far has superior service and a better product overall.

So I suppose it really comes down to what your local provider is.

 

[charrison]

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
I've seen dish in action, and It's probably the worse ever. DirecTV is absolutely the best of the Satellite providers. as for DigiCable, it depends on your local provider. If it's Time Warner, then go for it. COX blows monkey balls, and so does Adelphia. I donno about the others. (Adelphia is provided in my hometown, while Cox and Timewarner provides for San Diego. COX blows hard. Time Warner is by and far has superior service and a better product overall.

So I suppose it really comes down to what your local provider is.

Time warner has its own problems. When it works, they are quite good. However when there is a problem, good luck getting it solved.

 

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: Linflas
If I was starting out today I would go with digital cable. No upfront equipment costs and no long term commitment. If DirecTV delivers on their promises then you can always switch over to them once it is no longer just marketing talk. As it stands right now the only true HD programming I can get on DirecTV is the 4 local broadcast networks.

Why is that? Along with the CBS, FOX, NBC, & ABC, I get HBO, Showtime, Discovery HD, HDnet, Universal HD, TNT, YES for my Yanks, and the Sunday Ticket. I'm pretty sure the other sport packages are in HD too. There are also PPV channels in HD.

Until they do the switchover to MPEG4 anything other than the locals are still HD-Lite. See below from Wiki.

High-definition television (HDTV)

DIRECTV's 5-LNB satellite dishLike its competitors, DirecTV also offers high-definition television (HDTV) and interactive services. Its self-branded digital video recorders (DVRs) originally were based upon technology licensed from TiVo in an agreement that has been largely supplanted by a new partnership with News Corporation-owned NDS.

To handle the proliferation of bandwidth-intensive HDTV broadcasting, DirecTV is now broadcasting local HD content using the MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 codec while employing a newer transmission protocol (DVB-S2) over their new SPACEWAY-1 satellite and SPACEWAY-2 satellite. This allows DirecTV to squeeze much more HD programming over its satellite signal than was previously feasible using the older MPEG-2 compression and DSS protocol it has been using.

It is speculated (and many say testable) that both DirecTV and their competitor Dish Network have also reduced the quality of their Standard Definition Broadcasts in order to clear more bandwidth for HDTV.

Subscribers must acquire a new set-top box (the H20 receiver) and a 5-LNB dish (referred to as a "Ka/Ku" dish) in order to receive the new programming encoded with MPEG-4. DirecTV has contracted with Korea's LG Electronics to manufacture these new boxes. LG Electronics manufactured Directv H20 boxes are only with the Model # H20-600

The Following HD channels are broadcasted by Directv in the HD Lite Format

The HD channels offered by DirecTV are:

70 - HBO HD
71 - Showtime HD
72 - ESPN2 HD
73 - ESPN HD
74 - Universal HD
75 - TNT HD
76 - Discovery HD Theater
78 - HDNet Movies
79 - HDNet
101 - CD USA
DirecTV also broadcasts some of the NFL Sunday Ticket in HD for an additional fee.

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.