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Had a fight with Dish - should I go Comcast or DirecTV?

R

radhak

Senior member
Today I realized that Dish had given me a 'free' DVR last week (replacing the one stolen from my home), but sneakily extended my contract to another 2 years. I was pissed that they are not above board when they do this, and even blamed me ('you could have asked, Sir!'). And of course, they don't have AMC any longer, the only channel I watch - makes it meaningless to stay with them.

So if I cancel Dish, what are the alternatives? Comcast beckons because I already have their internet, and would save a ton of money by bundling Cable-TV with them, particularly with their teaser rates for the first two years.

DirecTV too has great prices for the first 2 years (and of course it would be higher after that; but maybe there'd be better choices by then).

For anybody who has done a comparative, how do you rank these three for (a) price (b) available programming (c) HD content and clarity in general?

I am in South Florida, so these are my only options. Have considered Roku and stuff, but I understand they don't have live sports?
 
I just switched from Dish to DirecTV and so far, I like DirecTV more. The HD quality does seem to be slightly higher and the price for the first year is awesome. The second year is still pretty good. I also got free Sunday Ticket, all the premiums free for 3 months, extra money off for being referred, and a $120 Costco gift card. I think they actually just increased the promo discounts as well (after I had my install). The HR34/whole home DVR is pretty awesome. I love being able to search and browse through movies really easily and download stuff on demand or schedule recordings up to 2 weeks out. Their iPhone app is pretty awesome as well.

If you decide to go with DirecTV, send me a message. You and I can both get $10/month off for 10 months, with a referral.
 
radhak said:
Comcast beckons because I already have their internet, and would save a ton of money by bundling Cable-TV with them, particularly with their teaser rates for the first two years.
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Seems like a no brainer to me. You already have Comcast in place and you'd save money. One thing make sure whatever company you choose doesn't try and charge you a monthly rental rate for your DVR or whatever you get. That really can make a deal not a deal. I know with ATT Uverse they tease you with rates and then add all these hidden fees on for rental of equipment after the fact so it's actually more expensive.
 
donfm said:
Seems like a no brainer to me. You already have Comcast in place and you'd save money. One thing make sure whatever company you choose doesn't try and charge you a monthly rental rate for your DVR or whatever you get. That really can make a deal not a deal. I know with ATT Uverse they tease you with rates and then add all these hidden fees on for rental of equipment after the fact so it's actually more expensive.
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UVerse is great espeacially if you have a xbox 360 because you can use it as a STB and won't have to pay receiver fees ? I have UVerse and only pay $87 a month 1 DVR and 2 xbox 360s ?
 
Durvelle27 said:
UVerse is great espeacially if you have a xbox 360 because you can use it as a STB and won't have to pay receiver fees ? I have UVerse and only pay $87 a month 1 DVR and 2 xbox 360s ?
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I have ATT phone service and I'd avoid ATT like the plague if I had any other choice.

If you have Uverse you pay $6 a month High Speed Internet Connection Fee in addition to your regular internet fees so I assume you are paying that. Then I think they charge you $100 for a modem. All I know is when I started reading about all the addon fees I declined to sign up for Uverse. The other reason is their teaser rates were only for 6 months then the price dramatically increased. So I can't argue specifics with you it just wasn't for me.
 
Durvelle27 said:
http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/enterta...lion-customers-heads-into-uncharted-territory


this is a list of all the networks/channels they recently lost
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_assets_owned_by_Viacom
Click to expand...

Hmmph - just like I got POed when Dish yanked AMC...! So everybody has their own troubles.

Yes, Comcast seems to be the first option - I can readily believe I'd save a ton of money. I used to have Comcast till two years ago, but when I acquired a HD TV and asked for HD content they quoted a pretty high differential just for HD, which made me turn to Dish. Now, I think their regular offering includes HD; hav'ta confirm. Also, I used to have TiVO separately then; now it'd seem like extra money if they don't have a DVR included.

DirecTV does have HD and DVR included; even at their cheapest packages, I'd pay at least $20 more than a Comcast bundle; but I'd go for it if Comcast's customer-service is as prickly as it used to be.

How about quality of reception - is Comcast better than Direct?
 
I have direct t.v and I love it! they have all kinds of cool gadgets to work with and you can take it anywhere 🙂 The deal with the channels they do not have is true sadly. I just checked direct tvs website and they still offer does channels on their packages. so you can sign up and ask why you dont have does channels and get a discount or they will trow a few free months of hbo or some other movie channel. I totally recommend it!😀
 
Yeah, InfiniTV has been on my agenda for some time; just have to take the plunge.

I will speak to both today and know what exactly I'll get, for how much.
 
So, Comcast proved to be a joke. At the outset, it looked like I'd just pay $20 more to get TV added to my internet, but all the bits and pieces keep adding up like DVR fees and equipment fee, and that I'd need to pay more to get Digital Preferred, and also that I don't get all the discounts being not a new customer, and even then the discounts are only for 6 months... and boy do they make it difficult to find all this out!

DirecTV was much simpler : their website gave me all the info I needed, and even gave me added discount for purchasing online, and almost everything is free or discounted (ie, the DVR, the installation, additional receivers if I needed them, content on multiple gadgets). And their discounts are all the way for 24 months, the duration of my contract. So effectively, by the time all the higher prices hit me, I'd be a free-agent, able to move elsewhere if I wanted. By my calculation I am saving around 50% of my Dish bill each month, and and even more than that compared to Comcast the 7th month onwards. This almost feels like I earned some extra cash now!

The only hitch was when their 'schedule installation' calendar showed me first available dates in September 😱! I called, and got shunted to three different operators before the last one told me that the installation was already scheduled for today. Not too bad.

But of course, my daughter is sulking now, as Nick (part of Viacom) will be blacked out at least for now; I'm hoping that resolves soon; if not, it's a learning moment for her - be adaptable :sneaky:!
 
radhak said:
So, Comcast proved to be a joke. At the outset, it looked like I'd just pay $20 more to get TV added to my internet, but all the bits and pieces keep adding up like DVR fees and equipment fee, and that I'd need to pay more to get Digital Preferred, and also that I don't get all the discounts being not a new customer, and even then the discounts are only for 6 months... and boy do they make it difficult to find all this out!

DirecTV was much simpler : their website gave me all the info I needed, and even gave me added discount for purchasing online, and almost everything is free or discounted (ie, the DVR, the installation, additional receivers if I needed them, content on multiple gadgets). And their discounts are all the way for 24 months, the duration of my contract. So effectively, by the time all the higher prices hit me, I'd be a free-agent, able to move elsewhere if I wanted. By my calculation I am saving around 50% of my Dish bill each month, and and even more than that compared to Comcast the 7th month onwards. This almost feels like I earned some extra cash now!

The only hitch was when their 'schedule installation' calendar showed me first available dates in September 😱! I called, and got shunted to three different operators before the last one told me that the installation was already scheduled for today. Not too bad.

But of course, my daughter is sulking now, as Nick (part of Viacom) will be blacked out at least for now; I'm hoping that resolves soon; if not, it's a learning moment for her - be adaptable :sneaky:!
Click to expand...

I really hate that when all the extra fees are hidden until you sign up and they all seem to be doing it now. Those teaser rates the companies give you are nothing like what you will pay when you actually get the bill. You're right what good is a 6 month rate? Well good luck to you I hope you are happy with your choice....🙂
 
radhak said:
What's that?
Click to expand...

You are in S. Florida and haven't heard the story spun as DirecTV blocked BET because it was a 'black channel'?

There are radio stations hinting that as well.

Viacom wants higher royalties for it's stations (Nick, BET, and others). DirecTV claims it will cause a 30% increase in their service fees.

So they pulled the stations.
 
radhak said:
So, Comcast proved to be a joke. At the outset, it looked like I'd just pay $20 more to get TV added to my internet, but all the bits and pieces keep adding up like DVR fees and equipment fee, and that I'd need to pay more to get Digital Preferred, and also that I don't get all the discounts being not a new customer, and even then the discounts are only for 6 months... and boy do they make it difficult to find all this out!

DirecTV was much simpler : their website gave me all the info I needed, and even gave me added discount for purchasing online, and almost everything is free or discounted (ie, the DVR, the installation, additional receivers if I needed them, content on multiple gadgets). And their discounts are all the way for 24 months, the duration of my contract. So effectively, by the time all the higher prices hit me, I'd be a free-agent, able to move elsewhere if I wanted. By my calculation I am saving around 50% of my Dish bill each month, and and even more than that compared to Comcast the 7th month onwards. This almost feels like I earned some extra cash now!

The only hitch was when their 'schedule installation' calendar showed me first available dates in September 😱! I called, and got shunted to three different operators before the last one told me that the installation was already scheduled for today. Not too bad.

But of course, my daughter is sulking now, as Nick (part of Viacom) will be blacked out at least for now; I'm hoping that resolves soon; if not, it's a learning moment for her - be adaptable :sneaky:!
Click to expand...

I hope you got a referral from somebody ($10/month for 10 months) and the Costco promotion ($120 gift card if you're a member).
 
I had dish for a long time. Gave up on it because pretty much the only time I would watch would be when I was 'stormed' in and during these times the signal was crappy or even non-existant.

My Cable with internet and phone runs $166.99 a month. One DVR, one basic cable adapter (2-99). I get all premiums and it covers my modem rental (can't BYOD a modem when you are doing voice).

My service always works. The worst thing I have to do is once a year or so reboot my Scientific Atlantla (or Motorola I forget) cable box for On-Demand items...with the newest Cisco box I have not had to do this.
 
alkemyst said:
I had dish for a long time. Gave up on it because pretty much the only time I would watch would be when I was 'stormed' in and during these times the signal was crappy or even non-existant.

My Cable with internet and phone runs $166.99 a month. One DVR, one basic cable adapter (2-99). I get all premiums and it covers my modem rental (can't BYOD a modem when you are doing voice).

My service always works. The worst thing I have to do is once a year or so reboot my Scientific Atlantla (or Motorola I forget) cable box for On-Demand items...with the newest Cisco box I have not had to do this.
Click to expand...

The issue with cable providers (at least around here) is that they are behind the curve on features (ex. whole home DVR, advanced scheduling, huge storage space, easy search interface, etc.) and they charge quite a bit for extra boxes. I considered my cable provider for TV, until I saw that I'd be paying an extra $50-$60/month just for rental/lease fees on the boxes. With DirecTV I have the whole home DVR, so I only need 1 DVR and HD receivers at other locations. Still paying fees, but not as much as my cable provider.
 
In all honesty I am sure those that are DVRing more than one box are in a minority.

I can schedule from a webpage.

I guess if you want to collect GB's of old shows you are outside the target customer already.
 
alkemyst said:
In all honesty I am sure those that are DVRing more than one box are in a minority.

I can schedule from a webpage.

I guess if you want to collect GB's of old shows you are outside the target customer already.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I know most people don't have more than one DVR. Probably because it's expensive. The nice thing about the whole home DVR is that I just have 1 and I can watch recorded shows in every room. My old setup included 3 DVRs, mostly just so I could watch the same recorded shows in my living room, master bedroom, or basement. Now it's great to not have to schedule stuff in 3 separate places. If we're tired and want to watch a show in bed, it's always available there - in the past I may have forgotten to record it on that DVR.

A lot of people only have 1 TV or maybe a 2nd one in the bedroom for watching the morning/evening news. The stuff cable companies around here offer is great for them. For the advanced stuff, you have to go with satellite in my area.
 
joshsquall said:
Yeah, I know most people don't have more than one DVR. Probably because it's expensive. The nice thing about the whole home DVR is that I just have 1 and I can watch recorded shows in every room. My old setup included 3 DVRs, mostly just so I could watch the same recorded shows in my living room, master bedroom, or basement. Now it's great to not have to schedule stuff in 3 separate places. If we're tired and want to watch a show in bed, it's always available there - in the past I may have forgotten to record it on that DVR.

A lot of people only have 1 TV or maybe a 2nd one in the bedroom for watching the morning/evening news. The stuff cable companies around here offer is great for them. For the advanced stuff, you have to go with satellite in my area.
Click to expand...

This is not the case...most of the folks I know have boxes that will record to the DVR. They are $9.95 a month, hardly 'expensive'. I finally cancelled mine and went with the new adapters they sell because I simply have never needed to use the advanced features in my bedroom. Many of the people I know have 3+ TV's and are not in some kind of communal living nonsense with a half dozen adults all living together.
 
alkemyst said:
This is not the case...most of the folks I know have boxes that will record to the DVR. They are $9.95 a month, hardly 'expensive'. I finally cancelled mine and went with the new adapters they sell because I simply have never needed to use the advanced features in my bedroom. Many of the people I know have 3+ TV's and are not in some kind of communal living nonsense with a half dozen adults all living together.
Click to expand...

I think my local cable company charges $17/month per HDDVR. I don't know what your last sentence is referring to.
 
a lot of the demand today for high bandwidths and multiple 'box' type deals is due to the economy and people over occupying rentals.
 
I'm loving my Dish Network service, sorry to hear about your problem but I wouldn't have a problem with a 2 year extension. Of course, I never watch AMC so that certainly helps...lol

Good luck with your new service. Comcast will price-rape you once your intro deal runs out so keep an eye on that. DirecTV never did anything for me honestly.
 
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