Thinking of DirecTV

[Cant_Be_Faded]

So my family is tired of Time Warner and the price, but it seems to be the best we can get right now (digital cable, HDTV and Road Runner).

U-verse and Grande are not available in our area, so that's out. I was thinking about DirecTV.

I can't tell you what we're paying for TWC right now since I don't have it in front of me, but I'm going to start looking tomorrow at some places in town. Any particular places I should try for either good start-up deals, etc?

Any particularly good pieces of equipment we should look for?

We don't need a whole bunch of stuff: TV and HDTV (I saw on DirecTV's Web site that you can buy an Over-The-Air HDTV antenna for about $50 to get local HD (would that include the local FOX?), so I'd be down to get that right away.

Would like DVR, too, but not necessary.

Any thoughts or ideas?

NEW ADD: I also see that they may offer high-speed internet service, too. Anybody tried that?

Also, is it true you need a landline phone to have satellite? We got rid of our landline years ago since it's just a lot easier and cheaper with cell phones.

[SequSpur]

During some events, the delay is 8 seconds, I have personally timed it myself.

Dude, if you want the hookup, just let me know, you don't have to pay for and they come next day to hook that mofo up with everything you need.

Keep on listening to the amateurs in here like Cheryl and you are going to be lost.

Yes, the rain has an effect on your system but dude, you can watch fukkin Caliente in digital... try that on the piece of time warner programs.

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

The HDTiVo runs around $300 and is well worth it. With HD, TiVo service, HBO, Showtime and the Sports Pak I pay roughly $90/month.

There has been talk from DirecTV that when HD Locals become available via MPEG4, you will get a voucher forthe new HD equipment you already have. So if HD locals aren't available in MPEG4 in your area, you need to get the antenna until it is.

And the rain and snow argument is weak. Every once in a while during a heavy storm, I lose the signal for a few minutes max.

[cherylsteele]

We have both TW and DirecTV. We had a slight problem with our DirecTV dish this year and they came out and re-set it, other than that -- no problems in five or six years. It doesn't go out when it rains. With TW, ours goes out every month or so.

Just goes to show you how different two people's opinions are on the same thing.

We also have DTV in the breakroom where I work and it goes out everytime it rains....I have not had this trouble with TW.

[KEDA]

Hey Johnny I know its out, and I dont know EXACTLY how it works.

BUt the new MPEG4 recievers that just came out, I mean they arent cheap but heres the deal, I think you can get LOCAL OTA channels in HD, with this reciever, without a OTA antenna.

So like you get the triple LNB dish, and you get all the HD, PLUS OTA HD on the new MPEG4 satellite reciever.

Don't hold me to that, my dad is the expert in how itall works, but thats what I've been hearing since last winter is holding outfor theMPEG4 HD reciever.

my parents are on the test program for that reciever

the satellite has 5 LNBs and weighs about 75 pounds, they had to bolt the dish, which is much larger too, to the frame of the roof at their house.

the only thing that sucks with the mpeg4 unit is that they have had to replace the box 5 times. The box will re-boot for no reason at a random time.

Directv actually gave my dad 2 boxes so if it started re-booting again they can just change them out without having to reorder another unit.

so far they like it, but they still dont get ALL the OTA HD channels, I think that ABC is the one giving them trouble.

[baseline bum]

How many channels are actually broadcast in HD? Also, how many are true HD, and how many are upsampled 480i (with the bars on the side)? Is ESPNHD 1080i, 720p, or 720i? How about the other channels? I'll pay extra for 1080i, but no freaking way if the majority of what I'm getting while paying for HD is 480i.

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

HD Channel Lineup on all providers:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=419472

Resolution and Shows shot in HD:

http://www.cnet.com/4520-7874_1-5119938-1.html

[SequSpur]

all of the locals are now hd, damn near every sporting event is hd also, except for the fox sports bs.