Satelite TV...what to get/do

[thealmighty]

I have direct TV but it is several years old so no contract obligations and we want to add another room and upgrade, maybe to TIVO, with newer, better equipment.

Question for everyone is: Which is better/ do you prefer, if you have any knowledge at all- DirectTV, DishDirect, or any other that I can't think of now?

[Philliesfan980]

I currently have comcast digital cable and am moving TO directv for whatever its worth.

[Ksyrup]

My in-laws are just now getting dish, so I don't know much about it yet. I've had DirecTV and love it. The only thing I know about the two of them is that Dish does not have the Sunday Ticket. That ends my inquiry.

However, I do know that Dish is offering a 3-room satellite and receivers (including one that will do either HD or TiVo, I can't remember) as part of a promo package. Since you'd be "new" to Dish but not to DirecTV, you'd probably get a better deal with Dish. If I was you, I'd call DirecTV and tell them you plan to switch and see what kind of a deal they might be able to swing to keep you. It works sometimes with credit cards, maybe it will work with satellite TV.

[FBPro]

I was with Dish for 2 or 3 years, it was OK. This past fall moved to Directv(got Sunday Ticket and NFL Network), would never go back to Dish now.

[SirFozzie]

DirecTV with Tivo: Nectar of the Gods.

Only thing better would be one of those HUGE dishes

[panerd]

Originally posted by Ksyrup

If I was you, I'd call DirecTV and tell them you plan to switch and see what kind of a deal they might be able to swing to keep you. It works sometimes with credit cards, maybe it will work with satellite TV.

It definitely works with Directv. I have a cable modem, so I legitmately have a reason to want to switch to all cable. The past two times I have called Directv to inquire about switching to cable I have received...

1. Three free months local channels & STARZ.

2. Six free months local channels & Showtime.

Both save me about $20 a month. I don't know if they keep a log and if my luck will soon run out, but I am always prepared to actually switch if they try and call my bluff.

[Tekneek]

Originally posted by SirFozzie
Only thing better would be one of those HUGE dishes

Yeah, as long as you only want to watch on one TV. I admit, though, I would love to be able to pick up a whole C-band/ku-band setup on the cheap from somebody who is just trying to dump it. My wife hates those things, so I'm not sure where I would install it yet, though. :) I'd love it just for the free stuff you can find.

[Tekneek]

Originally posted by panerd
I don't know if they keep a log and if my luck will soon run out, but I am always prepared to actually switch if they try and call my bluff.

This might change with the change in ownership from GM to News Corp. Then again, maybe not.

Despite that, does cable really offer the same sports programming as DirecTV? Perhaps you are in an area where the cable system is actually good. Mine is horrible, and I'd have to pay them more than I pay DirecTV for a very inferior product.

[Tekneek]

Changes are coming down the pipeline (eventually) with News Corp getting control of Hughes/DirecTV. They've already said they intend to come up with an all-new encryption scheme, which will require a complete change-out of ALL boxes. A News Corp subsidiary will handle it, at least it seems that way right now. They've also said things that indicate they intend to make all boxes into DVRs, even the most basic box. So, unless you want to get one w/ Tivo, or an HD box, I'd take a free one that DirecTV would probably send you in return for a "one year programming committment."

[fjvieane]

Hmm, I'm looking to add a 3rd room myself and at the Tivo type system.

I just cannot figure out how to add the 3rd room,

anyone have any info on that??

Thanks in advance.....

:)

[Peregrine]

I switched to DirecTV with the DirecTivo before this NFL season and have never looked back. Have had zero problems with it, and I got the Tivo for 50 bucks off.

[Tekneek]

Originally posted by fjvieane
Hmm, I'm looking to add a 3rd room myself and at the Tivo type system.

I just cannot figure out how to add the 3rd room

You will have to get a multi-switch.

[sterlingice]

I have a silly question and I'm wondering if anyone knows- does Dish Network have an exclusivity agreement with the NFL? I know a lot of people have gone over to satellite *just* to get NFL Sunday Ticket and I was wondering if there is any way that, say, a Time Warner, would get this for their digital cable subscribers.

I guess it's a moot point to me since my apartment pays for my cable and I'd rather not really pay extra. Plus, it's one of the few local providers left in the USA so this wouldn't affect them (and, on top of that, I would never switch and pay significantly more buck just for NFL games). But I am curious.

SI

[Pumpy Tudors]

sterlingice:

It's DirecTV that has the contract with the NFL. Essentially, to get NFL Sunday Ticket at your home, you need DirectTV. In the United States, neither Dish Network nor digital cable will have it. In Canada, however, it IS available on digital cable, as such monopolistic agreements are against Canadian law. Go figure.

[sterlingice]

Originally posted by Pumpy Tudors
sterlingice:

It's DirecTV that has the contract with the NFL. Essentially, to get NFL Sunday Ticket at your home, you need DirectTV. In the United States, neither Dish Network nor digital cable will have it. In Canada, however, it IS available on digital cable, as such monopolistic agreements are against Canadian law. Go figure.

Oops, sorry for the mistake. But, so the long and short of it is that DirecTV has an exclusivity contract so that a Time Warner or Dish Network can't work a similar style of deal?

SI

[biglou]

If you still hadn't made up your mind...

I was going to throw in my two cents and say that right now you can get a 4-Room, 4-Reciever--DirecTV completely free. You only have to pay like 22 bucks. They even come out themselves and install the thing for you. I know this cause I just bought one myself.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Originally posted by sterlingice
Oops, sorry for the mistake. But, so the long and short of it is that DirecTV has an exclusivity contract so that a Time Warner or Dish Network can't work a similar style of deal?

Absoultely correct, my man. I don't know when DirecTV's contract expires, but whenever it does, I would expect a very high-stakes bidding war.

[panerd]

I believe they just renewed the contract this year for at least several more years. Directv knows that this is the only thing that really keeps them in business in major cities.

[Tasan]

DirectTV contract ends in 2 years I believe.