DirecTV > you

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

DirecTV rules.  Everyone should be like me and get it now.

[Susquehanna Birder]

From the Consumer Reports (my bold):

Note that by early next year, both Dish Network and DirecTV will switch to a new signal-compression format, MPEG-4, so that they can transmit more high-definition channels. Current HD set-top boxes and dishes might have to be replaced. DirecTV told us it will upgrade current HD customers at no cost if they commit to one year of service. Dish Network has not stated its plans. Non-HD subscribers of either shouldn't be immediately affected, but eventually more channels might use MPEG-4, requiring new equipment. So hold off buying any HD hardware for at least a few months.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

It would still make sense for me to wait at least until the local HD channels are available in my area.

Also, it's kind of annoying that they want you to keep it hooked into a land-based phone line.  I know that it's not absolutely necessary to do so unless you're ordering PPV, but not allowing for other methods of update (like wireless internet, for example) is a bit archaic.

[rjs246]

Nerds.

[Phanatic]

These are the little things I put up with for Sunday ticket...

[MadMarchHare]

Precisely.  That being said, with DirecTV I get twice as many channels for half the price of cable.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Precisely.  That being said, with DirecTV I get twice as many channels for half the price of cable.

"Twice" as many channels for "half" the price?  You must have had really crappy cable service.



FYI, you just agreed with a guy that has Dhani Jones is his avatar and hbionic & Sarge in his sig pic.

[Geowhizzer]

Am I the only one here that still doesn't have a HD television? 

[ice grillin you]

i own one but i dont have one


i dont understand why direct tv cant just open up all their local network channels...i remember the good ole days when i had the illegal card and was able to get the philly network channels on my dish

[Seabiscuit36]

FF in late spring you will have access to local hd for raleigh,nc.  As was mentioned earlier you need a special 5lnb dish to recieve those local broadcasts.  If your close enough you can just use an old school antenna on your roof to get locals for free in HD if they're offerd. One thing to think about its rumored that in march Direct Tv will no longer be selling units but rather renting them like cable boxes.  Less money upfront but more in the long run. 

[MadMarchHare]

But it's really not less money up front.  When I bought mine, the dish and receiver were rebated for the total cost.  I only paid to have the dish installed, and the service.

Having to rent the box would suck.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Yeah, I wouldn't mind owning or renting.  I just want the best TV for my money.

Once DirecTV launches the local channels in my area, I'll figure things out, but I refuse to shell out for an antenna and have to worry about another piece of equipment, just to get the same local HD channels I already get so easily with cable.  It just doesn't make sense to go to all that hassle in February.  If things go to plan, I can switch during the summer, and be ready to go with NFL Sunday Ticket by September.

[MadMarchHare]

And to answer your question, FF, we've got Comcast in N. Illinois.  Even without HD, to get 1/2 to 2/3 the channels on cable as I get on DTV, without the music channels to boot, is almost $90.  DTV is $45.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Well, that's come kind of ownage.

DirecTV monthly costs for me would be $45.99 for programming + $10.99 for the HD tier/channels + $5-$7/month for DVR service.  Plus, my cable modem would go up from $39.99 to $44.99.  This is without any of the local channels in HD, of course, none of the premiums and assumes zero cost up front for equipment, which we both know is unlikely if I'm going to get equipment that supports MPEG-4 compression.  So, total monthly cost before taxes would be $107-$110 or so, depending on what kind of DVR service I get.

Cable currently costs me almost exactly $20 more per month than I would expect to pay for DirecTV, but that's with HBO and Showtime, all the OnDemand channels, and local channels in HD.  I'm currently getting $15/month off on HBO and Showtime because when I tried to cancel them (to save $18/month), they offered it to me.  So, I'm paying $3/month for HBO and Showtime for another 6 months.  When they go away, I'll be paying $17/month more than I would for a comparable DirecTV package.

Depending on the price of equipment and installation...

Well, you get my drift.  Not even close to double.

[MadMarchHare]

Yeah, we get our high speed internet through the phone company, not cable.  So that doesn't figure in.  Plus, cable doesn't offer NFLN, SciFi, Comedy, Disney, Cartoon, and several other channels that get a lot of play in my house.  fargers.