I have about had it with Time Warner...

[leeland]

In light of the recent F up where the WLUK fox channel stopped being broadcast due to the contract expiration between LIN TV and Time Warner...no Time Warner customers are getting the fox channel now...

I had put up with crappy prices and even worse customer service for awhile now because of the head ache of switching everything to a different carrier...ect...

This is the last nail in the coffin and I figure it is time for a change...


In regards to price, HD channels and service which do you prefer?

Dish Network

or

Direct TV?



Thanks for reading and for any recommendations.


Lee

 

[tfinch2]

So it's the Fox channel for you? Here in Austin, Texas it's NBC... :roll:

 

[SpunkyJones]

Lineups are fairly compatible, I wouldn't worry about the number of HD channels overall, each service keeps adding more. The only significant thing that pushed me to Direct TV was the football package, which was a must have for me.

 

[murphy55d]

I never had DirecTV so I can't comment but I'm very happy with Dish.

 

[Crusty]

Originally posted by: tfinch2
So it's the Fox channel for you? Here in Austin, Texas it's NBC... :roll:

Yeah, I've fucking had it with TW here. My bills are so screwed up through them too, one month I'll get a bill for $0 and the next I'll get a double bill. I think I'm going to switch to AT&T for my tv+phone+isp, after looking at the prices I can get pretty comparable services + movie channels for the same price I'm paying now.

 

[leeland]

Originally posted by: Crusty

Originally posted by: tfinch2
So it's the Fox channel for you? Here in Austin, Texas it's NBC... :roll:

Yeah, I've fucking had it with TW here. My bills are so screwed up through them too, one month I'll get a bill for $0 and the next I'll get a double bill. I think I'm going to switch to AT&T for my tv+phone+isp, after looking at the prices I can get pretty comparable services + movie channels for the same price I'm paying now.

I feel the same way...

I just noticed on our last bill I am getting an additional charge for a remote...I kind of laugh but am pissed at the same time...

It is for .31 cents



Does Direct TV have the RF remotes or is that just for Dish?

 

[Genx87]

Cable would really have to fuck things up for me to go to DirectTV. Anytime there is weather you can forget about watching TV. Which is the worst because when you have weather you want to watch TV.

That and I havent met a person yet who is satisfied with DirecTV. Their CS sucks, half the time the installers screw it up, and of course the weather situation.

 

[rivan]

Originally posted by: leeland

Originally posted by: Crusty

Originally posted by: tfinch2
So it's the Fox channel for you? Here in Austin, Texas it's NBC... :roll:

Yeah, I've fucking had it with TW here. My bills are so screwed up through them too, one month I'll get a bill for $0 and the next I'll get a double bill. I think I'm going to switch to AT&T for my tv+phone+isp, after looking at the prices I can get pretty comparable services + movie channels for the same price I'm paying now.

I feel the same way...

I just noticed on our last bill I am getting an additional charge for a remote...I kind of laugh but am pissed at the same time...

It is for .31 cents



Does Direct TV have the RF remotes or is that just for Dish?

I've got DirecTV; never had Dish.

DirecTV doesn't have RF receivers, Dish does (my mom switched last year over that point).

 

[rivan]

Originally posted by: Genx87
Cable would really have to fuck things up for me to go to DirectTV. Anytime we have the weather you can forget about watching TV. Which is the worst because when you have weather you want to watch TV.

That and I havent met a person yet who is satisfied with DirecTV. Their CS sucks, half the time the installers screw it up, and of course the weather situation.

I'm very satisfied with DirecTV. I lose reception about once or twice a year, usually for about 5 minutes, in the worst part of bad storms.

CS has been decent to us, their installers have screwed up (and CS made it right).

My only beef with them (though it's no different with any other monthly service company) is that they refuse to reward consumer loyalty - sweet deals are only for new subscribers. I want to "upgrade" our bedroom to a DVR - they want to charge us for installation. I'm sure if I call and threaten to switch to Dish, they'll do it free, but I hate having to threaten to get results like that.

 

[spacejamz]

from a price standpoint, comparing similar packages with the same equipement, aren't cable and the direct/dish pretty much the same???

 

[SirStev0]

I got a really good coupon (at least I think) for DirectTV and I was considering changing over. I am currently cable-less because it seemed silly to have both cable internet and cable tv (since together it would have been 90 bucks). I am on complete football withdrawal and it is driving me crazy. The lady is also starting to complain about the lack of TV.

Anyone have any opinions on it. When I go home today, I can post the deal I found and see what you all think.

 

[Pepsei]

ok, if i remember correctly, dish and dtv about the same.
the differences are that i believe dtv have exclusive nfl packages, dish gets hockey
oh and dish have very large selection of international channels ( i watch lots of french, italian, and asian stuff)

 

[Pantoot]

Originally posted by: rivan

DirecTV doesn't have RF receivers, Dish does (my mom switched last year over that point).

DirecTV does offer RF remotes with at least their HR2x series HD-DVRs.

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: rivan

Originally posted by: Genx87
Cable would really have to fuck things up for me to go to DirectTV. Anytime we have the weather you can forget about watching TV. Which is the worst because when you have weather you want to watch TV.

That and I havent met a person yet who is satisfied with DirecTV. Their CS sucks, half the time the installers screw it up, and of course the weather situation.

I'm very satisfied with DirecTV. I lose reception about once or twice a year, usually for about 5 minutes, in the worst part of bad storms.

CS has been decent to us, their installers have screwed up (and CS made it right).

My only beef with them (though it's no different with any other monthly service company) is that they refuse to reward consumer loyalty - sweet deals are only for new subscribers. I want to "upgrade" our bedroom to a DVR - they want to charge us for installation. I'm sure if I call and threaten to switch to Dish, they'll do it free, but I hate having to threaten to get results like that.

My wife had DirecTV before we got married. When it was windy forget watching tv. They finally sent out a repairman and he was in awe at how bad the installers put the dish in. He supposedly fixes it and it goes out the next time the wind picks up. They couldnt wait to get rid of it.

Friend of mine had the same issue and eventually went back to comcast. Any kind of weather caused the thing to cease functioning.

Another friend who got DirecTV had about 10 days from the beginning of his contract where it didnt work and they couldnt get a guy out there. The initial installer got it setup but then we had rain and wind storm and it never worked after until they finally got the installer back out 10 days later. He is pissed he signed up for a 24 month contract.

I am sure they have good experiences because they have about 8 million subscribers. But my friends experience and my limited experience first hand with them has been atrocious.

Also 2 weekends ago we went up to the North Shore for a vacation. At dinner they had the Twins game on via DirecTV. Storm rolls through, game is out the entire time hehe. No surprise for us hehe.

 

[Hoober]

Originally posted by: Genx87
Cable would really have to fuck things up for me to go to DirectTV. Anytime there is weather you can forget about watching TV. Which is the worst because when you have weather you want to watch TV.

That and I havent met a person yet who is satisfied with DirecTV. Their CS sucks, half the time the installers screw it up, and of course the weather situation.

I'm very satisfied with DirecTV. I switched from Comcast almost a year ago and haven't had a single issue -- weather or with CS.

 

[sswingle]

I've never had a problem with TW. Cannot complain with 15mb internet.

 

[Homerboy]

I have not a single complaint with TW

 

[kt]

I recently had to cancel my DirecTV service and let me tell you it's a big clusterf*ck. A few months ago, one of the receiver just died for no good reason. I have the protection plan that supposedly allow me to replace it without any charge. That was great.. until I see a charge of $250 on my next billing statement. I called and asked them what's up with the charge since the CS I talked to said I wouldn't have to pay for anything with the protection plan. They said I didn't return the dead receiver. I stopped them right there and pulled up the Fedex tracking number and promptly showed them the return packaged was signed for 2 weeks ago! It took them a full 3 weeks to credit me back.

Fast forward to 3 weeks ago when I called to cancel my service. I was hit with another surprise, apparently I am getting hit with a $220 early termination fee. That is weird because I've fulfilled my 24 months obligation and I told them that. The CS promptly corrected me that I have 2 years to go. Apparently, when I replace the receiver they automatically signed me up for another 2 years. I asked the CS why? She responded that I had the receiver replaced without the protection plan. I told her to look up when the receiver was replaced and when the protection plan started. She checked and all she could say was, "Huh".

I had to explain the same story to 2 different supervisors before they were willing to take off that $220 early termination fee. As of today, I am still waiting for that $220 to disappear from the final billing statement. I refuse to pay the final statement until they get their act together and make it right. They tried to charge my credit card for the full amount on the final billing statement, but I was way ahead of them and canceled the credit card number that they have on file.

 

[JujuFish]

Originally posted by: tfinch2
So it's the Fox channel for you? Here in Austin, Texas it's NBC... :roll:

In Buffalo, it's CBS and CW. TW customers had to purchase an antenna or go somewhere to watch the Bills game.

 

[skace]

Originally posted by: Genx87
Cable would really have to fuck things up for me to go to DirectTV. Anytime there is weather you can forget about watching TV. Which is the worst because when you have weather you want to watch TV.

That and I havent met a person yet who is satisfied with DirecTV. Their CS sucks, half the time the installers screw it up, and of course the weather situation.

Very Happy with DirecTV. Lose reception probably 3 times a year tops. (blizzards, hurricanes)

 

[Blayze]

Had Dish for awhile, and the service was fine. The installers they sent were horrible.

 

[woodie1]

Originally posted by: JujuFish

Originally posted by: tfinch2
So it's the Fox channel for you? Here in Austin, Texas it's NBC... :roll:

In Buffalo, it's CBS and CW. TW customers had to purchase an antenna or go somewhere to watch the Bills game.

The ABC station in San Antonio is now saying they are going to be removed from TW sometime this month. What the hell is going on?

 

[2canSAM]

I had DirecTV for about 5 years and just recently switched to Dish. I never had any issues with DirecTV going out during heavy rains and winds (southeast) but have noticed with Dish i get alot of pauses or glitches, plus I am not real impressed with their RF remotes.

 

[Turin39789]

OTA

 

[Oyeve]

Originally posted by: sswingle
I've never had a problem with TW. Cannot complain with 15mb internet.

Same here. The only thing I hate is their cheap remotes, but I use my Sony RC 2100 for everything. And TWs HD looks pretty damn good, at least in NY.