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06/14/2006 11:52:26 AM · #1 |
We're trying to decide if we should go with satellite (DirecTV) or cable (Adelphia). We're in North County San Diego area. We want HD channels...but we're not sure how to compare the different providers. On DirecTV's site, you can up grade to HD channels for $9.99/month...but local HD channels are not included in that price. It looks like you need rabbit ears (on top of a dish) to get local HD channels????? That seems kind of ridiculous. However, with cable, it looks like you can get the HD channels with the normal HD package...no extra rabbit ears, etc. DirecTV is a little cheaper though. Any thoughts?
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06/14/2006 12:22:21 PM · #2 |
I used to have DirectTV - now I'm with Comcast. Benefits to me are:
1) Comcast is now my internet provider as well (fast 3mbps downloads - uploads, not so good, but better than what I had).
2) On-demand videos. We don't watch them very often, but sometimes, when none of the channels are offering anything that's any good, it's a nice alternative.
3) They included the DVR free with the package I got. I never would have bought one myself, and was skeptical that I would ever use it, but now that I have it, the DVR has totally changed our way of watching TV. We watch what we want, when we want... and skip the commercials.
Anyway, you can get a DVR for satellite - I have no idea of DirectTV will throw it in for free. But they can't offer you the high speed internet (they do offer internet, but I think you need dial-up too because I don't think you transmit back up to the satellite!). And they definitely don't offer on-demand videos.
None of this has to do with HD ... you're ahead of me in that game. I don't plan to upgrade to HD for another year or so (still hoping for prices to come down).
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06/14/2006 12:34:23 PM · #3 |
| I just purchased a HDTV two weeks ago and I also have Adelphia cable. The cable guys came over last week and installed the HD cable card so now we actualy have HDTV including the local channels and I am so pleased. I have many neighbors who had DirectTV, but most of them have switched back to cable because of the poor reception in stormy weather. |
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06/14/2006 01:13:12 PM · #4 |
we had direct TV until the cable company started offering loacls in HD. We switched to cable and have been happy with it.
i don't know about your area but OTA (antenna) HD service is weak with few few channels receivable here. cable was much more worth it as far as price and service offerings go. |
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06/14/2006 01:29:40 PM · #5 |
DirecTV now offers locals in HD over the satellite (no OTA antenna needed) for some markets, including mine, so your best bet is to call them and see what their plans are for your market.
I've been a DirecTV customer for probably close to 10 years now and I love it. Currently you can get them to come out and install the system in four rooms with one PVR (Tivo) for free, as long as you sign a commitment for 1-2 years.
I would never really consider going back for two major reasons. 1) Adelphia in my area sucks, lots of outages, etc. 2) Sports offerings are 100 times better on DirecTV, especially for out of market games. One of their add on packages (~ $10 a month) is the Sports pack which gives you ALL the regional Fox Sports Network channels, along with Golf, OLN, etc, etc, etc. And of course only DirecTV has the NFL Sunday Ticket package, with every game, everywhere, every weekend.
The new DirecTV HD recievers are decoding MPEG-4 signals, which are supposedly a lot better than the previous encoding methods... I don't know if that's true or not, but it sounds good. Finally, if you can get DSL in your area, DirecTV has partnered with a bunch of providers to give discounted internet access.
My advice would be to give them a call and let them try to sell you a system. See what their answers are for your major concerns. I love my DirecTV system but your needs or requirements might be different than mine.
--A |
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06/14/2006 02:16:52 PM · #6 |
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06/14/2006 03:42:47 PM · #7 |
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