Thinking of ditching TWC for DirecTV via Costco....worth it??

[redgtxdi]

So all seems good on paper but curious for feedback. I'll try to be brief w/ details:

I'm @ $145/mo for TV, internet & phone (I don't use phone as I have Ooma already & use my own modem too)

They tell me TW will charge me $35 for internet + their approximate $75/mo for 4 boxes. (already can't remember if the $6 per box charge is before or after that $75)

Anyway.....most channels the same which is fine w/ me.

I like the idea of WHDVR *if* it works well. I assume 1 box/TV are wired & the rest are wifi? (mini genie mentioned) I have DTC6416 Moto now & it's gettin' long in the tooth + only serves 1 tv.

Also get NFL Prime Ticket which I've never had. (Go Pack Go!)

Should put me around $120 vs $145 TWC when all's said & done +, of course the $200GC & apparently better support via Costco hotline service help??

TIA (I've been loyal to Adelphia/TWC for 20+ years so my bunghole hurts)

 

[The Boston Dangler]

whole home dvr does work well. it is not necessarily a genie, but any modern dtv boxes allow for recording (hr-xx) and remote playback (h/hr-xx). i strongly suggest spending the extra on the genie (hr-44 is great, the hr-34 is defective crap). the genie does 5 tuners, 3 of which can be assigned to a client (mini genie).

I assume 1 box/TV are wired & the rest are wifi?

you assumed wrong. the wired clients work over the existing coax system. wireless clients will cost $100 extra and require an external wireless bridge installed (coax and power) wherever provides coverage to all wireless clients (if you can).

if the locations are already installed, there are only drawbacks to wireless. if they aren't already installed, install coax unless you have some kind of nightmare house.

 

[redgtxdi]

whole home dvr does work well. it is not necessarily a genie, but any modern dtv boxes allow for recording (hr-xx) and remote playback (h/hr-xx). i strongly suggest spending the extra on the genie (hr-44 is great, the hr-34 is defective crap). the genie does 5 tuners, 3 of which can be assigned to a client (mini genie).



you assumed wrong. the wired clients work over the existing coax system. wireless clients will cost $100 extra and require an external wireless bridge installed (coax and power) wherever provides coverage to all wireless clients (if you can).

if the locations are already installed, there are only drawbacks to wireless. if they aren't already installed, install coax unless you have some kind of nightmare house.

Thanks, BD. Ya....no lack of coax in my house.

One thing I found interesting......

Costco/DTV rep said that the billing will be consolidated on a single TWC/DirecTV billing statement. Whoaaaa???

I can't figure how these folks (TWC & DirecTV) could get into bed together, willingly. Even on just a billing statement.

 

[Raizinman]

There are some great deals out there because Google is taking over. Both Time Warner and Direct TV are feeling the pinch. Both have already started with offering better deals to try and lock people into a 2 year contract. We are expecting Google here in about 2 months and the deals from both TWC and Direct have been fantastic.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

So all seems good on paper but curious for feedback. I'll try to be brief w/ details:

I'm @ $145/mo for TV, internet & phone (I don't use phone as I have Ooma already & use my own modem too)

They tell me TW will charge me $35 for internet + their approximate $75/mo for 4 boxes. (already can't remember if the $6 per box charge is before or after that $75)

Anyway.....most channels the same which is fine w/ me.

I like the idea of WHDVR *if* it works well. I assume 1 box/TV are wired & the rest are wifi? (mini genie mentioned) I have DTC6416 Moto now & it's gettin' long in the tooth + only serves 1 tv.

Also get NFL Prime Ticket which I've never had. (Go Pack Go!)

Should put me around $120 vs $145 TWC when all's said & done +, of course the $200GC & apparently better support via Costco hotline service help??

TIA (I've been loyal to Adelphia/TWC for 20+ years so my bunghole hurts)

I'm paying $0/month, not $1740 or $1440 per year. If I need to see a live sports game bad enough, I can go to a friends house or meet-up at a bar. Oh, and most games are on over-the-air channels that are free anyways. Just purchase a $10 over the air antenna.

It just isn't worth it. Get basic cable or a streaming service if you must.

 

[NoTine42]

Warning!
Make sure your setup is only HDMI from a DirecTv to a TV (without splitters or older TV's using component and/or composite)

Last week, DirecTv enabled HDCP for all channels so now many non-standard setups are getting error messages instead of shows

 

[redgtxdi]

There are some great deals out there because Google is taking over. Both Time Warner and Direct TV are feeling the pinch. Both have already started with offering better deals to try and lock people into a 2 year contract. We are expecting Google here in about 2 months and the deals from both TWC and Direct have been fantastic.

That definitely makes some sense. I can see how the internet feed streaming stuff could threaten the "tv-only" folks like DirecTV. (or Dish) But with the cable co's having all of the offerings available, I have to assume that DirecTV is the one who bent when it came to a unified agreement, no?

 

[JM Aggie08]

I'm paying $0/month, not $1740 or $1440 per year. If I need to see a live sports game bad enough, I can go to a friends house or meet-up at a bar. Oh, and most games are on over-the-air channels that are free anyways. Just purchase a $10 over the air antenna.

It just isn't worth it. Get basic cable or a streaming service if you must.

Please come take down the 100s of 80ft. pine trees in the surrounding area for me

 

[FerrelGeek]

Got direct TV and ditched it. We had bad reception problems. HD would die in heavy cloud cover or even light rain. Had a tech come out and install a new receiver but that made little difference. Customer service was virtually useless.

 

[Xonim]

If you go with DirecTV, just assume that they're billing you wrong up front. Took me 4 months and lots of phone calls to get it straightened out. Their promotional prices are based on credits -- they charge you full price, then credit you $5 for this and $10 for that and $8 for the other thing, which eventually gets you down to the promotional price. I was missing one credit the first month, so I called. Somehow, I was then missing three the next month, two the following month, then FINALLY it got straightened out.

And then the phone calls started ... we're automatically signing you up for this stupid channel! Do you want HBO / Showtime / Cinemax for only $29.99/mo? How about this sports package for $14.99/mo?

Terminated our contract early because we weren't watching much of anything, now I get "limited time special offers" in the mail pretty much weekly.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Please come take down the 100s of 80ft. pine trees in the surrounding area for me

Tree's shouldn't play that much of an impact assuming you have a DECENT over-the-air antenna, and obviously live in a city that can pick the channels up....

 

[pontifex]

I did the costco switch to Directv from Dish.

1st year is cheaper, 2nd year is a little more but only because I got a 2nd receiver which I didn't have with Dish, although not sure it's worth it as I very rarely use the 2nd receiver. same channels as with Dish.

got the $200 gift card and used that to buy a new and bigger tv.

Cost me $100 for install though since it was non-standard. dude spent many hours here the 1st day trying to get it to work and he said I'd have to cut down a tree to get it to work right. Cut down the tree and he came back the next day and got it set up fairly quickly. That non-standard fee kind of pissed me off.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

I have been with DirecTV since ~2002. I will say that in my case that every deployed piece of hardware that DirecTV has installed in my home has always been two generations older than the current generation of listed hardware that DirecTV markets.

It is depressingly amusing that DirecTV installers will gone on sites like TiVo Community forums and anonymously say that the hardware installed is 2.3-3 years old and full of bugs, but DirecTV doesn't care and will install it anyway.

Furthermore, they will not heed on demands of termination and install new hardware--I know as I tried this when my polite requests were ignored. It is only my inability to cut the wire (I'm married and obviously her b!tch) and only have Comcrap that keeps me put.

My current hardware is what might be identified as first generation MPEG-4 equipment. I really need to go look at the boxes, but its old.

 

[Sonikku]

If you go with DirecTV, just assume that they're billing you wrong up front. Took me 4 months and lots of phone calls to get it straightened out. Their promotional prices are based on credits -- they charge you full price, then credit you $5 for this and $10 for that and $8 for the other thing, which eventually gets you down to the promotional price. I was missing one credit the first month, so I called. Somehow, I was then missing three the next month, two the following month, then FINALLY it got straightened out.

And then the phone calls started ... we're automatically signing you up for this stupid channel! Do you want HBO / Showtime / Cinemax for only $29.99/mo? How about this sports package for $14.99/mo?

Terminated our contract early because we weren't watching much of anything, now I get "limited time special offers" in the mail pretty much weekly.

I find these kinds of "mistakes" happen all the time. But it's curious how they never seem to make a mistake when it comes to under charging you. I guess either the former is a much lower priority to get right consistently in their system than the latter, or they figure they have nothing to lose by not fully crediting you what they promise. If you don't cross check every digit, they make more money and if you do, no skin off their back. They only have to offer what they promised you to begin with.

Nothing to lose, everything to gain.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

I find these kinds of "mistakes" happen all the time. But it's curious how they never seem to make a mistake when it comes to under charging you. I guess either the former is a much lower priority to get right consistently in their system than the latter, or they figure they have nothing to lose by not fully crediting you what they promise. If you don't cross check every digit, they make more money and if you do, no skin off their back. They only have to offer what they promised you to begin with.

Nothing to lose, everything to gain.

Stupid people on computers. Probably well setup to prevent undercharging, not protective on overcharging.

Statistics are probably something high like 70% of people don't realize and pay the bill through things like autopay service.

 

[FerrelGeek]

Stupid people on computers. Probably well setup to prevent undercharging, not protective on overcharging.

Statistics are probably something high like 70% of people don't realize and pay the bill through things like autopay service.

And that's exactly why I'd never autopay bills like that. TWC, Comcast, DirrctTV, Dish - they all suck in their own way.

 

[Schfifty Five]

I did the costco switch to Directv from Dish.

1st year is cheaper, 2nd year is a little more but only because I got a 2nd receiver which I didn't have with Dish, although not sure it's worth it as I very rarely use the 2nd receiver. same channels as with Dish.

got the $200 gift card and used that to buy a new and bigger tv.

Cost me $100 for install though since it was non-standard. dude spent many hours here the 1st day trying to get it to work and he said I'd have to cut down a tree to get it to work right. Cut down the tree and he came back the next day and got it set up fairly quickly. That non-standard fee kind of pissed me off.

You should have tried calling Dish customer service and complain about that. I'm with TWC, never had dish, but my experience with TWC for these setup/installation fees to be waived has always worked out in my favor.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

And that's exactly why I'd never autopay bills like that. TWC, Comcast, DirrctTV, Dish - they all suck in their own way.

I have everything set to autopay, as dumb as the concept may be..... I always get the bill via email the moment it is sent - and I open up the bill, save it via pdf to my files, and review them in full to make sure the price hasn't changed - and that there isn't some stupid clause/change in the contract terms. The autopay is always scheduled for the very last day that it is due to give me time to review. I'm ridiculous about managing my bills/paperwork.

 

[JM Aggie08]

I have everything set to autopay, as dumb as the concept may be..... I always get the bill via email the moment it is sent - and I open up the bill, save it via pdf to my files, and review them in full to make sure the price hasn't changed - and that there isn't some stupid clause/change in the contract terms. The autopay is always scheduled for the very last day that it is due to give me time to review. I'm ridiculous about managing my bills/paperwork.

This. Blindly paying for things is just plain irresponsible.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Usually around Xmas, they bump up the $200 gift card to $300, might want to look then.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

Got direct TV and ditched it. We had bad reception problems. HD would die in heavy cloud cover or even light rain. Had a tech come out and install a new receiver but that made little difference. Customer service was virtually useless.

it's all about the circumstances and the skill/effort of the installing technician.

imo, customer service is terrible from any provider. cable cos will make every attempt to pathetically troubleshoot over the phone to avoid rolling a truck, while sat cos roll a truck and bill you for it immediately.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I have the wired genie mini(3)...they work great over coax. Occasionally, the audio gets out of sync and a reboot of the mini is required.

If Green Bay is in your market area, it makes no sense to pay for NFL Sunday Ticket unless you don't get the games on local TV. If the games are on your locals, you'll be blacked out and will have to watch them locally anyhow (for advertising rights).

The minis cost $5/each/month...so you can multiple out about $5-6 per tv in your house....add the whole home dvr fee, $10 for HD, etc...they nickel and dime you way past that $50-60-70/month package... Call them back every year or two to make sure you're getting the best promotional rate you can.

I think all TV companies use deceptive practices...DirecTv is probably the least deceptive because they don't hide their REAL rates like the others do. I couldn't get Charter or Comcast to tell me how much their packages cost because they kept telling me what the promo rate was for 3-12 months (depending on the deal).

 

[SunnyD]

DirecTV, where the price is great.*

*Excellent pricing limited to first year only. Continued pricing after first year is only marginally competitive with your local cable company and requires additional commitments along with frequent calls to customer care in order to "haggle" for pricing, package and discounts, often more expensive than similar service. Haggling effectiveness varies and is subject to customer service representative moodiness, results are not guaranteed. Additional commitment period signups often necessary for best results, but are not required. Fondness of AT&T may be required. Installation fees not included.

 

[redgtxdi]

Usually around Xmas, they bump up the $200 gift card to $300, might want to look then.

To be honest, I don't even care about the little perks. No such thing as a free lunch & $100 over the span of 2 years ain't gonna sway me if the service or product sucks!!

My hopes are precisely this:

1.) As good or better quality than I have with TWC now (up for debate)

2.) As good or better TV service than I have with TWC now (arguably WHDVR makes that a significantly better value with DirecTV?)

3.) All at a price less than I pay now, though I might even still do it if it were a wash

My concerns are these:

1.) Service may get interrupted.....(I don't live by any trees, but weather could still be an issue?) And/or may not look as good as my current cable picture (probably a wash, right?)

2.) I might regret having not just paid the extra to get a TWC WHDVR and have quick, reliable service if anything went wrong.

3.) That I might wish I'd offered to pay TWC $100 extra per month to make DirecTV go away once I realize the mistake I made which would have easily paid for damn near every channel, perk & option I could have ever wanted with TWC, I just got stuck.

*****CAVEAT****** The one thing I *think* a lot of folks here might not be taking into account is how much Costco plays a role in all this? According to the rep (and I could be naive), Costco makes a lot of stuff go away. Installation, extra boxes, setups, etc. Anybody know if that's bullsh!t?? Or does Costco really bring a lot to the table in this regard??

 

[The Boston Dangler]

Installation fees not included.

standard installation with 4 tv's should be no charge/waived

To be honest, I don't even care about the little perks. No such thing as a free lunch & $100 over the span of 2 years ain't gonna sway me if the service or product sucks!!

My hopes are precisely this:

1.) As good or better quality than I have with TWC now (up for debate)
dtv has the best picture quality in north america

2.) As good or better TV service than I have with TWC now (arguably WHDVR makes that a significantly better value with DirecTV?)
dtv has the best boxes, remotes and dvr system i've seen

3.) All at a price less than I pay now, though I might even still do it if it were a wash
the intro prices are sweet, after the intro period they are generally a bit less than cable

My concerns are these:

1.) Service may get interrupted.....(I don't live by any trees, but weather could still be an issue?) And/or may not look as good as my current cable picture (probably a wash, right?)
service is dependent on line-of-sight to the southern sky. it takes massive weather to knock out service on a properly installed dtv system

2.) I might regret having not just paid the extra to get a TWC WHDVR and have quick, reliable service if anything went wrong.
if something is wrong call the service provider and have them send a tech to fix it, just like any service

3.) That I might wish I'd offered to pay TWC $100 extra per month to make DirecTV go away once I realize the mistake I made which would have easily paid for damn near every channel, perk & option I could have ever wanted with TWC, I just got stuck.
i cannot predict the future

*****CAVEAT****** The one thing I *think* a lot of folks here might not be taking into account is how much Costco plays a role in all this? According to the rep (and I could be naive), Costco makes a lot of stuff go away. Installation, extra boxes, setups, etc. Anybody know if that's bullsh!t?? Or does Costco really bring a lot to the table in this regard??

afaik, costco is just the middleman. you'll have to compare exactly what dtv offers to what costco offers. they might be boasting a free installation that's already free, or they might have a deal on mini genies...compare apples to apples.