Charter just got blocked from airing NBC and soon CBS High Def channels. Any drawbacks of going satellite vs Cable? DIRECTV or DISH? I’ve always had either TW, Adelphia or Charter cable. I’ve got DVR, HD with cable modem now. What are the internet options with DIRECTV? Thanks.
Don’t know about internet options with DirecTV. I still use Bellsouth DSL.
However, the biggest difference I’ve found between DirecTV & Dish is …NFL Sunday Ticket is exclusive to DirecTV.
There are rumors that MLB Baseball package may also go to DirecTV only.
Signal quality on satellite is 200% better than cable & I’ve found the signal to be far more reliable
also from what I’ve read online, DirectTV will be launching 2 new satellites sometime this year. That will allow them to add more HD content, supposedly somewere up to 150 HD channels
satellite internet is a joke. The downloads can be fast (almost as fast as cable or DSL), but for uploads you still have to go through a telephone line.
First word of advice: Ignore all the marketing BS you hear from both sides of the equation. Most of the slams against each other are completely false.
I had DirecTV for about 8 years, TW for a few years and we’ve had Dish Network at my workplace for several years. For starters, I’d rule out Dish Network all together. There’s a reason why it’s cheaper. In the 3 years we’ve had it at work, we’ve lost a signal more times than I can count. I also hate how long the delay (black screen) is when switching from channel to channel. The online menus suck as well, as does customer service and their technicians. I recommend DN only if it’s your only satellite option.
DirecTV is great. In the 8 years I had it, I lost a signal just 3 times. 2 of those were due to heavy snow piling up on the dish and blocking the signal. After knocking the snow off, the signal was back at 98%. Other time it went out was during a terrible storm with really heavy cloud cover. Awesome on-screen menu control, great customer service and really easy to use. And yes, you simply cannot beat the NFL Sunday Ticket, exclusive to only DTV.
The downside: You’re gonna pay out the ass for HD/DVR equipment through DirecTV. That’s the sole reason I went back to TW. I just didn’t care to go blow $750 to acquire the equipment required to cover my needs. TW basically gave me everything I needed for free. And the one time my DVR crapped out, I simply swapped it out for a new one, on the spot. And TW credited my account for the time lost. Also, your internet speed won’t be as fast with DTV as it was with TW. It may still be fast enough to suffice but TW is pretty darn fast. When I was with DirecTV, I maintained a “life line” with TW just so I could have cable internet. My biggest gripe with TW is just customer service and crappy hardware. Most of their stuff is refurbished but as long as they’re willing to hand it out, then I can live with that.
In a nutshell, if equipment costs were of no concern, I would by all means
have never left DTV, while just using TW for internet. But you just can’t beat TW when it comes to hardware costs.
I’ve got time warner now, but I have been leaning more and more towards switching to direct tv. jcl covered the benefits of TW pretty well… the HD-DVR for $7/month is great. Internet is fast. If you ever have a probelm with equipment, they replace it for free. I don’t have any complaints about their hardware either. If you get a box you don’t like you can just drop it off and pick up a new one.
On the downside, the customer service is just awful. If you ever have a problem, it might be a month before it gets completely resolved. They came out to my house last summer SIX times before they got everything working right. I had similar issued at the last house. Also, it will probably be a while before TW adds any new HD channels. Until they switch over to all digital (who knows when that will be), their bandwidth is pretty much maxed out in this area. No ESNP2HD, no ESPNU, no NFL Network, with time warner (and plenty of others). TW has used all of their extra bandwidth to add hispanic channels in this area… apparently there are more hispanic subscribers than hd subscribers in this area.
One more negative about direct tv… they really compress the signal of the hd channels so you don’t get true hd… more like hd lite. That is supposed to improve when they switch to mpeg-4 this year though. I will consider switching to direct tv when they get switched over.
[QUOTE=jcl49er;215125]First word of advice: Ignore all the marketing BS you hear from both sides of the equation. Most of the slams against each other are completely false.
I had DirecTV for about 8 years, TW for a few years and we’ve had Dish Network at my workplace for several years. For starters, I’d rule out Dish Network all together. There’s a reason why it’s cheaper. In the 3 years we’ve had it at work, we’ve lost a signal more times than I can count. I also hate how long the delay (black screen) is when switching from channel to channel. The online menus suck as well, as does customer service and their technicians. I recommend DN only if it’s your only satellite option.
DirecTV is great. In the 8 years I had it, I lost a signal just 3 times. 2 of those were due to heavy snow piling up on the dish and blocking the signal. After knocking the snow off, the signal was back at 98%. Other time it went out was during a terrible storm with really heavy cloud cover. Awesome on-screen menu control, great customer service and really easy to use. And yes, you simply cannot beat the NFL Sunday Ticket, exclusive to only DTV.
The downside: You’re gonna pay out the ass for HD/DVR equipment through DirecTV. That’s the sole reason I went back to TW. I just didn’t care to go blow $750 to acquire the equipment required to cover my needs. TW basically gave me everything I needed for free. And the one time my DVR crapped out, I simply swapped it out for a new one, on the spot. And TW credited my account for the time lost. Also, your internet speed won’t be as fast with DTV as it was with TW. It may still be fast enough to suffice but TW is pretty darn fast. When I was with DirecTV, I maintained a “life line” with TW just so I could have cable internet. My biggest gripe with TW is just customer service and crappy hardware. Most of their stuff is refurbished but as long as they’re willing to hand it out, then I can live with that.
In a nutshell, if equipment costs were of no concern, I would by all means
have never left DTV, while just using TW for internet. But you just can’t beat TW when it comes to hardware costs.[/QUOTE]
I have DISH and I have lost my signal maybe 4 times in 4 years. Not bad considering I live where Time Warner doesn’t even run cable (stops about 2 miles up the road).
[QUOTE]Charter just got blocked from airing NBC and soon CBS High Def channels. Any drawbacks of going satellite vs Cable? DIRECTV or DISH? I’ve always had either TW, Adelphia or Charter cable. I’ve got DVR, HD with cable modem now. What are the internet options with DIRECTV? Thanks.[/QUOTE]
DISH is great if you don’t want to pay out of the pocket for every little thing. My package comes with ESPNU (which is extra with DirecTV), CSTV, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, NFLNetwork, FSN, SPSOUTH, OLN (or whatever they changed to), SPEED, and a bunch of other sports channels which I rarely watch. Of course you can always fork up extra bux and get the packages (except NFL Sunday Ticket (exclusive to Direct).
I have always thought DirecTV is the best for the HD/Sports market but just so you know you better not mind spending some dough.
Also you can always get your local channels w/ Satellite as well its just an extra $5 a month w/ both companies.
[QUOTE=Sideshow;215122]satellite internet is a joke. The downloads can be fast (almost as fast as cable or DSL), but for uploads you still have to go through a telephone line.[/QUOTE]
Satellite internet is a joke, but hardly no one still uses a phone line (about 3-5 years ago they did). I use Wildblue (which I definitely do not recommend) and the ping times suck bad. The Uploads are now done through a two-way signal on almost every provider, HughesNet, Wildblue, etc.
Your ping will be out of this world with the best you will be getting at 800ms. Just so you know Dialup gets about 200ms (so satellite is a killer for online gamers). The download speeds are nice though, but not all that great.
EDIT- Oh I forgot to mention the FAP (Fair Access Policy) which limits the amount of information you can download/upload per 15 days. I think with the most expensive package for Wildblue (79.99/month) its 1.5 GB down and 500 MB up.
I have DISH and I have lost my signal maybe 4 times in 4 years. Not bad considering I live where Time Warner doesn't even run cable (stops about 2 miles up the road).DISH is great if you don’t want to pay out of the pocket for every little thing. My package comes with ESPNU (which is extra with DirecTV), CSTV, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, NFLNetwork, FSN, SPSOUTH, OLN (or whatever they changed to), SPEED, and a bunch of other sports channels which I rarely watch. Of course you can always fork up extra bux and get the packages (except NFL Sunday Ticket (exclusive to Direct).
I have always thought DirecTV is the best for the HD/Sports market but just so you know you better not mind spending some dough.
Also you can always get your local channels w/ Satellite as well its just an extra $5 a month w/ both companies.
I’m not saying DN is a bad thing but I just find it the least appealing of the satellite options out there, having experience with each of them. If it’s your only option, then it’s not a bad one to have. But they simply cannot compete with DTV on most levels.
My suggestion: Get DirecTV and then maintain a “life line” with TW for your internet. Most people aren’t aware of it but TW does offer it for people who only want to use them for high speed access and it’s cheap. That’s what I was doing when I had DTV because satellite internet speeds just don’t cut it. And Max is right about the true HD with DTV. TW’s HD is superior as of right now but DTV is in the process of improving their feed.
OK…Now for an IMPORTANT question.
Which gets the most GIRLIE stations? Dish or Direct TV?
OK.........Now for an IMPORTANT question.Which gets the most GIRLIE stations? Dish or Direct TV?
Both have ample options but if you get your internet through them, then it may take you a little longer to download porn. 
Thanks for all the info! HD/DVR is very inexpensive with Charter cable too. We don’t have TW here in Lincoln County. The costs of DVR and HD with DirecTV Jcl mentioned concern me. It sounds like I could probably keep my cable modem connection with Charter if I switched to satellite. I’d like to get CSTV (of course) along with ESPNU. I can go without the NFL package.
HD channels is one of the major reasons why I’m thinking about switching since Charter is losing some of the local ones and apparently DirecTV is adding a bunch. [B]The customer service rep at DirecTV said ALL channels will be shown in HD by March of this year.[/B] Sounds like a major hassle to make the switch, though.
Thanks for all the info! HD/DVR is very inexpensive with Charter cable too. We don't have TW here in Lincoln County. The costs of DVR and HD with DirecTV Jcl mentioned concern me. It sounds like I could probably keep my cable modem connection with Charter if I switched to satellite. I'd like to get CSTV (of course) along with ESPNU. I can go without the NFL package.HD channels is one of the major reasons why I’m thinking about switching since Charter is losing some of the local ones and apparently DirecTV is adding a bunch. [B]The customer service rep at DirecTV said ALL channels will be shown in HD by March of this year.[/B] Sounds like a major hassle to make the switch, though.
Your hardware costs likely won’t be as much as the number I mentioned. When I was shopping around a couple years ago, I was pricing hardware that was on the high end (bigger hard drive, more features, etc.) So you could likely get out cheaper than that. But as I mentioned, the downside is that you’re going to be buying the hardware of out pocket. And after the factory warranty expires, you’re SOL if something goes wrong with it. And it’s not uncommon for DVR’s to crap out. The one good thing about going with a cable company is that if that happens, they cover the costs. That’s a big plus for me.
And most cable companies offer a life line package for internet only so I’d guess that Charter does this. Just call and ask about it. And just do your homework when it comes to signing up with DTV. Make sure you are aware of ALL the costs including hardware, activation fees, HD fees, installation (if you can’t handle it yourself), etc. A lot of times, they can hit you pretty hard for the initial setup when going from cable to satellite. Especially if you’re getting a HD package and using DVR.
[QUOTE=LeftyNiner;215187]Thanks for all the info…[/QUOTE]
You’re not fooling me.
I noticed you didn’t say “thanks” until the info about the GIRLIE stations had been posted.
[QUOTE=Over40NINER;215190]You’re not fooling me.
I noticed you didn’t say “thanks” until the info about the GIRLIE stations had been posted.[/QUOTE]
Good thing I didn’t chime in on that one. My wife just came in and read the comments. 
Thanks for all the info! HD/DVR is very inexpensive with Charter cable too. We don't have TW here in Lincoln County. The costs of DVR and HD with DirecTV Jcl mentioned concern me. It sounds like I could probably keep my cable modem connection with Charter if I switched to satellite. I'd like to get CSTV (of course) along with ESPNU. I can go without the NFL package.HD channels is one of the major reasons why I’m thinking about switching since Charter is losing some of the local ones and apparently DirecTV is adding a bunch. [B]The customer service rep at DirecTV said ALL channels will be shown in HD by March of this year.[/B] Sounds like a major hassle to make the switch, though.
I have Direct TV and wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’ve had dish network and I lost my signal all the time. Haven’t lost it one single time since having DTV and that’s been over 3 or 4 years. Also, I’d look for Dish Network to fold or be bought pretty soon by DTV so you’d end up with then anyway eventually.
I got my HD box for free, but I was an existing customer and was allowed to upgrade for free. I believe they are running a special right now for free equipment and installation in up to 4 rooms as long as you commit to 12 months of programming.
The programming is terrific as well. Sunday Ticket is the greatest and they’ve added a Nascar package that will allow you to actually have a view of riding with the drivers in their cars.
I don’t do the satellite internet because as most have said it’s a waste and ridiculous expensive.
Do me a favor though lefty, if you get DTV mention my name, I get a $50 credit if you do. :lol:
[QUOTE=LeftyNiner;215187][B]The customer service rep at DirecTV said ALL channels will be shown in HD by March of this year.[/B] [/QUOTE]
I don’t think that is completely true. If a channel or show isn’t shot in HD, DirecTV can’t broadcast it in HD. They will be adding a lot of HD channels, but I doubt it will be all of them. They are all digital though… which means the non-HD channels will look much better on your tv than TW’s analog channels.
Mk may be onto to something…
DirecTV appears to be offering some good deals now, including bundled with BellSouth broadband for about $20 more per month.
[URL=http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/discover/broadbandBundle.jsp]http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/discover/broadbandBundle.jsp[/URL]
For the Total Choice Plus Plus ($59.99), the Rep I talked to said suggested selecting the HD option when you place your order and then get the free DVR receiver upgrade by calling back after the initial order. Intaller would bring out combinaton DVR/HD receiver. Sounds tricky with the timing of it but would save $199 for the cost of the DVR receiver.
She also said you could get HBO instead of Starz and CSTV and ESPNU is included in the Plus Plus ($59.99) package. It’s good for 12 months.
Bundled is with Broadband is either $80 or $85. I’m paying about $116 now comparable services (minus the CSTV, ESPU, all Digital channels).
Of those that have DirecTV, are there any other hidden costs even though it says install and equipment for 4 rooms is free? How much does it go up after the initial 12 months?
No hidden cost on the install lefty. They paper you sign afterwards has $0.
Also, the price doesn’t go up after 12 months. A 12 month commitment is required to get the install and equipment for free. If you cancel before the EOY they charge you for both.
No hidden costs, just remember that you’re leasing the equipment so there’s a monthly cost for that. $4.99 to be exact for each reciever.
If you’re big into HD then you can’t do better than DTV IMO. The Sunday Ticket is worth every penny.
Oh, one more thing, make sure you understand which one is free. The DVR box is different from the HD box. For me the HD box was free but the DVR would have cost me, so just be sure you’re getting what you think you are.
[QUOTE=MKNiner;215230]No hidden cost on the install lefty. They paper you sign afterwards has $0.
Also, the price doesn’t go up after 12 months. A 12 month commitment is required to get the install and equipment for free. If you cancel before the EOY they charge you for both.
No hidden costs, just remember that you’re leasing the equipment so there’s a monthly cost for that. $4.99 to be exact for each reciever.
If you’re big into HD then you can’t do better than DTV IMO. The Sunday Ticket is worth every penny.[/QUOTE]
Agreed Sunday Ticket is awesome, especially if your favorite team isn’t the panthers. And I see with their Current Offer (which ends in 3 days the locals are included).