DirecTV

[TurboDan]

Fellow Baggers,

My cable company sucks balls. Whew, that felt good. Anywho, after getting a $160 bill for cable, Internet, HBO and one lousy DVR, I've been looking at other options. Talked to Verizon today, and they offer a $125 "triple play" deal that includes unlimited local/long distance, DirecTV Total Choice Plus, and DSL. It includes receivers, dish, modems, etc. Sounds good to me - and I'll get O&A on my TV.

Now, here's my concern: HDTV. I know DirecTV offers all of what I want in HD, but I've heard they scale back the resolution a bit in what's known as "HDLite." I've heard some people say they don't notice it, and others go nuts complaining about it.

So, if anyone here has any experience with DirecTV's HD feeds, I'd appreciate the input. Thanks!

[roche]

Fellow Baggers,

My cable company sucks balls. Whew, that felt good. Anywho, after getting a $160 bill for cable, Internet, HBO and one lousy DVR, I've been looking at other options. Talked to Verizon today, and they offer a $125 "triple play" deal that includes unlimited local/long distance, DirecTV Total Choice Plus, and DSL. It includes receivers, dish, modems, etc. Sounds good to me - and I'll get O&A on my TV.

Now, here's my concern: HDTV. I know DirecTV offers all of what I want in HD, but I've heard they scale back the resolution a bit in what's known as "HDLite." I've heard some people say they don't notice it, and others go nuts complaining about it.

So, if anyone here has any experience with DirecTV's HD feeds, I'd appreciate the input. Thanks!

I can tell the diffference. I really wish they wouldn't have taken this route because my only other option is Comcast. Basically they have taken thw resolution and have lowered it to save bandwith.

Here is a helpful thread where people are discussing it and bitching about it.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=671445

[Grace]

Since we went from regular directv to HD, I never noticed this problem with the resolution. The only hidef channels I watch off the satellite is hbo and some times HDnet since all the local channels come in on an antenna. I don't really notice an overwhelming difference between the two feeds. I also barely noticed the XM bandwith issues of a few months ago... maybe I should pay attention more. Unfortunately everything on the local channels right now is the news, so I'll compare the two tonight to see how big the difference is.

Grace

[blee]

Holy shit! You pay $165 for cable(basic,digital,HBO, and Internet)????
I have all of that plus Starz, Cinemax, Showtime, and HD channels and only pay $130. You are definatly getting FUCKED. Also, for $10 more I can add their phone service. What cable company are you using?

[robinquivers]

I have comcast and pay $140 for internet and cable with just hbo and the digital package. I tried to get direct tv but when they came to install it, the only place they could put the dish was in a corner of my yard because of all the trees.

[Bill]

DirecTV is in the process of rolling out MPEG-4 Compression for all of thier High Definition channels which will utilize an additional 2 satellites shooting spot beams all over the country. Once this conversion is complete, DirecTV will no longer have any bandwidth issues.

It seems that the biggest problem with this rollout is that DirecTV doesn't have a MPEG-4 HD DVR ready yet. Until they do, they won't be able to complete this conversion.

[TurboDan]

Holy shit! You pay $165 for cable(basic,digital,HBO, and Internet)????
I have all of that plus Starz, Cinemax, Showtime, and HD channels and only pay $130. You are definatly getting FUCKED. Also, for $10 more I can add their phone service. What cable company are you using?

Well, that's what monopolies do. I have Comcast in NJ. I had literally the same setup with Time Warner in NYC and my bill was $90 and change. Go figure.

[Sinn Fein]

I am considering a similar package from Verizon. Until they get the FIOS TV in place here, they are offering a similar bundle but with FIOS internet instead of DSL.

[TurboDan]

DirecTV is in the process of rolling out MPEG-4 Compression for all of thier High Definition channels which will utilize an additional 2 satellites shooting spot beams all over the country. Once this conversion is complete, DirecTV will no longer have any bandwidth issues.

It seems that the biggest problem with this rollout is that DirecTV doesn't have a MPEG-4 HD DVR ready yet. Until they do, they won't be able to complete this conversion.

Yup, I heard about this. I inquired and made sure they could give me an MPEG4 receiver with the AT9 "oval-ish" dish. I figured I could buy an MPEG4 DVR when it comes out.

[Ren5150]

Comcast here. $150 for phone, TV (full ride, 2 tivos and HD) and 8meg speed internet.

Also had a DTV box added for free, tapped onto my pops account in NYC.

NICE!

[Bill]

Yup, I heard about this. I inquired and made sure they could give me an MPEG4 receiver with the AT9 "oval-ish" dish. I figured I could buy an MPEG4 DVR when it comes out.

The problem is that HD-Lite will continue to exist until they can get those MPEG-4 HD DVR's distributed. Right now, all of the national HD channels as well as the NYC and LA network channels are still on the original 3 birds and MPEG-2 encoded (and therefore are subject to bandwidth limitations). The only channels currently on the two new satellites are the network feeds for the top 10 or 15 markets behind NYC & LA.

[MyMomsBox]

I have DirecTV but not their HDTV package, so I can't comment on that. Think about the downgrading of your internet service though. To sum up DSL, it sucks ass. You should consider switching to DirecTV, keep your cable modem with the company you have and get Vonage for your phone if that adds up to a slightly better deal than the one you currently pay 160 for.

[NORTONnFRIENDS]

Fellow Baggers,

My cable company sucks balls. Whew, that felt good. Anywho, after getting a $160 bill for cable, Internet, HBO and one lousy DVR, I've been looking at other options. Talked to Verizon today, and they offer a $125 "triple play" deal that includes unlimited local/long distance, DirecTV Total Choice Plus, and DSL. It includes receivers, dish, modems, etc. Sounds good to me - and I'll get O&A on my TV.

Now, here's my concern: HDTV. I know DirecTV offers all of what I want in HD, but I've heard they scale back the resolution a bit in what's known as "HDLite." I've heard some people say they don't notice it, and others go nuts complaining about it.

So, if anyone here has any experience with DirecTV's HD feeds, I'd appreciate the input. Thanks!


Enjoy the rain fade and sun spot loss of signal. OOoo, dont forget the wind, It stinks, not to mention DSL service. Man if i had to have those id pay the extra cash for the cable. Just the internet speed itself would have me cutting a check to the ole cable company.

[sshea]

Think about the downgrading of your internet service though. To sum up DSL, it sucks ass. You should consider switching to DirecTV, keep your cable modem with the company you have and get Vonage for your phone if that adds up to a slightly better deal than the one you currently pay 160 for.

That's kinda what I do. Internet /cable from Cable company. Phone through Vonage about $95 total (75 cable bundle & 20 Vonage)

I also have a Sprint PCS card (I drive a truck, and want internet on the road) that's another $50

all that is still less than what he was/is paying. I cant stand dsl. My Sprint PCS card has faster service than DSL.

Definitely shop around. a lot of times you can beat the so called "bundle savings" offered by these companies. But people do it for the convenience.

[flyerfan116]

Just be careful if you are a sports fan....i don't know how it is where you live but here comcast is king...if you get direct tv it means you don't get the comcast sports channel which also means you get no flyers, no sixers, and no phillies..my brother found that out the hard way..even playoff games that were on OLN were blocked they don't fuck around in the Philly area

[Grace]

Enjoy the rain fade and sun spot loss of signal. OOoo, dont forget the wind, It stinks.

I think that depends on our area.. my friend lives in the middle of nowhere, and had the wind problem... I live in suburbia, and have had dtv for almost 2 years, and the satellite has gone out like twice, and only during horrendous rain storms. We have a bigger problem with the antenna for the local feeds fizzing out during heavy rains.

[usadingo]

DirecTV is in the process of rolling out MPEG-4 Compression for all of thier High Definition channels which will utilize an additional 2 satellites shooting spot beams all over the country. Once this conversion is complete, DirecTV will no longer have any bandwidth issues.

It seems that the biggest problem with this rollout is that DirecTV doesn't have a MPEG-4 HD DVR ready yet. Until they do, they won't be able to complete this conversion.
You are correct sir.
Either wait for this technology to come out, or go with Dish Network. Problem with Dish though is that they don't really package deal with anyone like DirecTV does.

And you rarely lose your satellite feed as long as it's installed by someone who's moderately concerned with doing their job right. The only people who complain about satellite are cable salesmen, and that's just until they go home where it's hooked up because cable blows.

[Sinn Fein]

Just be careful if you are a sports fan....i don't know how it is where you live but here comcast is king...if you get direct tv it means you don't get the comcast sports channel which also means you get no flyers, no sixers, and no phillies..my brother found that out the hard way..even playoff games that were on OLN were blocked they don't fuck around in the Philly area

You speak the truth. That is the only reason I didn't get satellite 10 years ago. But, I am so disgusted with the state of professional sports around here that I just don't give a shit anymore and won't miss it if I do go with satellite. The good news is that Comcast is required to allow Verizon to carry Comcast SportsNet on their FIOS TV service.

[Grace]

The good news is that Comcast is required to allow Verizon to carry Comcast SportsNet on their FIOS TV service.

RCN carries it too, not sure if you have them up in Bucks...

[TurboDan]

Heh. Even though I don't live in the Philly area, I was happy to see Verizon rub Comcast's face in that one. They got away with not providing the channel to satellite because they use no satellite transmission to deliver the signal - hard wired transmission only. Since VZW is a wired system, they're required to.

Comcast provides Philly SportsNet to most of their Central NJ systems even though the extremely vast majority of fans root for NY teams in those areas. But they DON'T provide the HD feed of SportsNet NY - which they co-own with Time Warner. Hell, they even give gameday HD feeds of YES Network but don't give gameday Mets feeds of SNY. There are rumors that they'll start June 16th, but I'm not holding my breath.

[WMB]

I only pay 80.00 a month for Directv with 4 receivers, two of which are Tivo, HBO and Digital choice plus package.

If you have the HD receiver you don't need to subscribe for the $10.00 a month HD package UNLESS you want discovery HD and a few others I never watch. Major network HD, HBO HD, etc are NO Charge.

Also, when you sign up, barter with them on the phone. They want your business and will give away discounts pretty easily.

When I bought my HDTivo, I spent the 700.00 on it, called the customer retention number and got them to issue me a lot of credits to offset the cost of the receiver, plus the HD package I mentioned free for 6 months.

The HD is great. If you don't live in NY, you can request the NY HD feeds for locals, if your major market approves, which most do. I live outside Philly and watch the NY networks for all the HD shows.

[Bill]

The HD is great. If you don't live in NY, you can request the NY HD feeds for locals, if your major market approves, which most do. I live outside Philly and watch the NY networks for all the HD shows.

The "which most do" part about this is incorrect. Actually, what has happened is that the major networks have given DirecTV a blanket waiver in every city in which the network owns the local station.

There's a page on DirecTV's website (http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/imagine/HDTV_localchannels.jsp)that will tell you what HD network channels are available to you based on your zip code

[patbattlefield]

i heart directv

[MyMomsBox]

...if you get direct tv it means you don't get the comcast sports channel which also means you get no flyers, no sixers, and no phillies..

And that's a bad thing? :action-sm

[Sinn Fein]

RCN carries it too, not sure if you have them up in Bucks...

RCN tried coming in here. They got approvals from a few townships but ended up renigging (?) on the deal.

[flyerfan116]

You speak the truth. That is the only reason I didn't get satellite 10 years ago. But, I am so disgusted with the state of professional sports around here that I just don't give a shit anymore and won't miss it if I do go with satellite. The good news is that Comcast is required to allow Verizon to carry Comcast SportsNet on their FIOS TV service.
Well i'm not really into the sixers but as much as they kill me i need my FLyers & Phillies, plus i like comcast sports net....I heard the same thing about FIOS...can't wait for it to come around here. a Buddy of mine works for Verizon & was telling me all about it..sounds awesome especially since from the sounds of it they are gonna way undercut comcasts prices (ie internet is going to be 3 times faster and cost about half as much)

[Sinn Fein]

Well i'm not really into the sixers but as much as they kill me i need my FLyers & Phillies, plus i like comcast sports net....I heard the same thing about FIOS...can't wait for it to come around here. a Buddy of mine works for Verizon & was telling me all about it..sounds awesome especially since from the sounds of it they are gonna way undercut comcasts prices (ie internet is going to be 3 times faster and cost about half as much)


There's no hearing. I have FIOS. Comcast can't touch my 15/2 speed which is about to get bumped to 20/5. Problem is they have to cut alot of red tape with each town in order to offer the television service. For now, Comcast is the only option outside of satellite. And honestly, I think to get a dish working here I'd have to get a bunch of trees cut down that block the southern exposure where the dish has to face.