DirecTV

[tonybell_57]

OK, as some of you know, I just bought a HDTV. Unfortunately, my current cable company (BellSouth Entertainment) does not have any HD channels. As a result, I'm seriously looking into DirecTV as an alternative.

For those of you who have it, what do you like about it? What do you hate (or intensely dislike) about it?

[LagunaBlue]

Like: Great TV picture and sound quality, Channell packages are pretty good

Dislike: Fewer HD channels than DishNetwork

[Cyclon36]

Like: Customer service is top notch

Dislike: They’re doing contracts again for new customers

Like: The integrated Tivo units that they USE to have

Dislike: Hughes doesn’t make their boxes anymore and the DirecTV PVR is nowhere near as good as Tivo. If you can get a used HD Tivo DirecTV box on eBay, do it.

Like: The picture quality is way better than cable. Even digital cable only has a few channels that are truly digital.

Like: I can change my plan instantly online and effects are immediate

Overall, I think it’s a way better option than cable. Although some people prefer cable only b/c of the on-demand stuff.

[silverfoxs2k]

I have Directv HD - love the picture quality, their service has been good, our installer advised waiting on new HD DVR technology due out soon and not to buy (see Joe's comment) the current generation of HD DVR from them. So I wish I had HD TIVO now but am willing to wait.

We also have the local channel option and the HD is great on them as well as the cable, movie, sports and dedicated HD channels.

We actually have two different dish feeds for the non HD and HD sets. I don't know if that was just how our building works or if you can feed your non HD sets from the same dish. It is interesting to watch the time delay. The HD is several seconds behind the non HD. So sneak off to another room watch the play then go into to HD room and make a bet.

[LagunaBlue]

...

Dislike: Hughes doesn’t make their boxes anymore and the DirecTV PVR is nowhere near as good as Tivo. If you can get a used HD Tivo DirecTV box on eBay, do it.

Dont forget I have one to sell if you want it...

[S2KJD]

have and like but like Joe said the "old" tivo box was much better. I had some problems with my box in the beginning but going on about 9 months now and after them sending me a new one it has been trouble free so all in all its been great quality...

[S2k Dude]

I have Dish Network, certainly worth considering the Pro/Cons of Dish versus Direct.

Like: The clear HD picture, so much better than cable

Like: Lots of HD channels including Local HD

Dislike: IMO about 10% of the HD programming is worthwhile

Like: Tivo (like) PVR - The Dish 622 works great! I've played with TIVO and I think the Dish 622 PVR does everything I need and just as easy to operate.

Dislike: Added cost over cable, I pay probably about $20-$30 extra per month over cable but given the better equipment and picture quality at least I'm getting something for my money.

Like: No complaints with customer service but billing had to get a few things corrected in order for my bill to be right.

[tonybell_57]

I have Dish Network, certainly worth considering the Pro/Cons of Dish versus Direct.

Like: The clear HD picture, so much better than cable

Like: Lots of HD channels including Local HD

Dislike: IMO about 10% of the HD programming is worthwhile

Like: Tivo (like) PVR - The Dish 622 works great! I've played with TIVO and I think the Dish 622 PVR does everything I need and just as easy to operate.

Dislike: Added cost over cable, I pay probably about $20-$30 extra per month over cable but given the better equipment and picture quality at least I'm getting something for my money.

Like: No complaints with customer service but billing had to get a few things corrected in order for my bill to be right.
How's your reception on rainy/stormy days? Both of my next door neighbors had DishNetwork and got rid of it for cable. They both said they got tired of losing the signal every time it rained. I certainly don't want to experience that.

[Welery]

I have DirecTV, without HD, and I can't remember the last time my satellite went out. The power has gone out in storms before the DirecTV did. I think it all depends on how good your install is.

[1QUICK1]

I think it all depends on how good your install is.http://www.s2ki.com/forums/html/emoticons/iagree.gif
I had Dish (installed it myself with a satelite finder) and only lost signal when it was really severe weather.

[MKS2k]

If you use a dish, you can't use a Windows Media Center...or equivalent. I use mine like crazy & use some software similiar to a "sling box" so I can watch cable over wifi when I travel.

I refuse to use a cable box of any kind.

[tonybell_57]

If you use a dish, you can't use a Windows Media Center...or equivalent. I use mine like crazy & use some software similiar to a "sling box" so I can watch cable over wifi when I travel.

I refuse to use a cable box of any kind.

Thanks for the info, but that's not important to me. I don't have a computer or anything connected to my tv. I just want to watch tv programs and movies.

[Cyclon36]

I've never had any problems with my signal going out. As mentioned before, as long as it's installed properly, it takes a major storm to kick the signal out. I would definitely be willing to wager that cable goes out more often for no reason at all than direcTV does for bad weather.

[tonybell_57]

I've never had any problems with my signal going out. As mentioned before, as long as it's installed properly, it takes a major storm to kick the signal out. I would definitely be willing to wager that cable goes out more often for no reason at all than direcTV does for bad weather.
I was actually referring to DishNetwork specifically. I have not heard of any issues with DirecTV, but I've heard a lot from neighbors, friends and co-workers.

And I can't remember a time when my cable ever went out in 8 years.

[Cyclon36]

And I can't remember a time when my cable ever went out in 8 years.

Charter Cable is in my area. That might explain it :D

[tonybell_57]

Charter Cable is in my area. That might explain it :DYou mean Charter String?:D It could be worse...you could have Adelphia, which is the other cable company out here.

[tonybell_57]

OK, decision made. I just ordered DirecTV. It will be installed on Friday:goodjob:

[S2k Dude]

Looks to me that both Direct and Dish are similar but there are some small differences.

Dish has several more HD channels but I'd say only a couple of them are worth having, my wife likes HGTV HD and I like RAVE HD (live concerts). Those are the only two HD channels that I'd miss.

It appears that the DirectTV HD DVR isn't readily available, you need to be on a waiting list. The HD DVR is one of the reasons I switched from cable to Dish Network.

Can't tell if you need to have an OTA antenna to get local HD with Direct or if you get it off the dish with the rest of the HD channels.

With Dish I only loose the signal in heavy rainstorms. It's been at least three or four months since I remember having an outage and even then it only lasted about 5 minutes or so, only when it was pouring heavily.

Anyway, let us know how it goes, when we move six months from now I'll probably re-evaluate my provider and see which one offers the better deal.

[tonybell_57]

Looks to me that both Direct and Dish are similar but there are some small differences.

Dish has several more HD channels but I'd say only a couple of them are worth having, my wife likes HGTV HD and I like RAVE HD (live concerts). Those are the only two HD channels that I'd miss.

It appears that the DirectTV HD DVR isn't readily available, you need to be on a waiting list. The HD DVR is one of the reasons I switched from cable to Dish Network.

Can't tell if you need to have an OTA antenna to get local HD with Direct or if you get it off the dish with the rest of the HD channels.

With Dish I only loose the signal in heavy rainstorms. It's been at least three or four months since I remember having an outage and even then it only lasted about 5-10 minutes or so, only when it was pouring heavily.

Anyway, let us know how it goes, when we move six months from now I'll probably re-evaluate my provider and see which one offers the better deal.

We're getting the HD DVR with our package and they told us that all of the equipment is in stock and would be installed on Friday. Apparently no OTA is needed - the local HD channels come in off the dish.

We'll see how it goes Friday. I'll keep you posted.

[Aaron]

would like to do this but the $$ don't make sense to me.....overall much more expensive for me to go satellite vs my charter cable

[silverfoxs2k]

http://www.s2ki.com/forums/html/emoticons/iagree.gif
I had Dish (installed it myself with a satelite finder) and only lost signal when it was really severe weather.

Same here - we might get a frozen image for a few seconds during a bad storm but never have lost a connection for more than a minute. I used to lose it all the time with cable, even in great weather.

[S2KJD]

it has to be pooring cats and dogs for my directv to go out. Like Walter, I can't remember the last time it has gone out due to weather...

[Showstopper1969]

With Direct-tv's dvr, are you able to record more than 1 program at the time?

[wpriller7]

Tony, I been with Direct going on 10 years and the service has been good. I have 3 HDTV in my household using Direct TV HD20 receiver, and the picture quality is outstanding, but you have to use quality cables to really enjoy the signal feed. The best picture among Direct TV channel is the HD Discovery channel, the picture is outstanding. Naturally the quality of the tv, if it's LCD, Plasma, DLP or Rear Projection plays a part. I have a 40 inch Samsung LCD in one room which my wife prefers watching over my 55 inch HD Rear Projection Mitsubishi. Back to your question about Direct TV, its a good company, but they charge for everything, including the HD channels. I have the NFL Package, and to get the games in HD there was an additional charge, so they will tax you. Enjoy your HDTV;:drive:

[S2KJD]

With Direct-tv's dvr, are you able to record more than 1 program at the time?

yes

[S2KJD]

get the damn satellite :D

this has now transformed from peruading to demanding :D :D :D

[LagunaBlue]

:repost: He already ordered it on page 1. :D

[S2KJD]

^you must not know my history with this club :D

[tonybell_57]

^you must not know my history with this club :D
:rolf: :rolf: :rolf: :rolf: :rolf:

[tonybell_57]

Weeeeeellll, the DirecTV guy just came and told me that we don't have line of sight to the satellite(s), which means that I'm stuck with BellSouth Entertainment's :devil: NON HD:devil: programming:devil: :devil: :devil: :devil: :devil:

[LagunaBlue]

That SUCKS for you Tony...sorry to hear that.

Time to consider chopping down some trees?? :D

[tonybell_57]

That SUCKS for you Tony...sorry to hear that.

Time to consider chopping down some trees?? :D
I wish. Unfortunately they actually serve a purpose, like provide privacy from the neighbors on the hill behind us. Not to mention it'd cost a fortune for us to cut them down.

[S2k Dude]

Weeeeeellll, the DirecTV guy just came and told me that we don't have line of sight to the satellite(s), which means that I'm stuck with BellSouth Entertainment's :devil: NON HD:devil: programming:devil: :devil: :devil: :devil: :devil:

What about Dish Network, maybe the satellite is at a different location.