gstelmack
05-03-2007, 05:36 PM
Seem to be more and more of these every day.
Time Warner offered me a 2-month free trial alongside my DirecTV service so I could compare and contrast. They had the usual screwups getting it installed (missing one appointment which gave me a $20 credit, and not having the right paperwork at the second that would have meant a $200 check for my "free" preview), but straightened it out without me having to lift a finger (they called me). And so far I like the service better. DVR isn't quite as easy to use, but some things are better (actually quicker to find a show than my DirecTIVO).
Even better, the SD picture quality is as much better than the DirecTV picture as DirecTV was compared to cable when I first switched away. Low contrast scenes don't blur out on me, the colors are brighter (using the EXACT same cable into the TV, I just pop it out of one DVR and into the other). DirecTV can kiss it when they claim fantastic picture quality, as that overcompressed garbage is just getting on my nerves. Channel lineup is close enough for me (no NFL network, but I'll get 4 simultaneous HD games during March Madness and more Hurricanes games in HD).
And most importantly they don't want me to pay $300 to get an MPEG-4 setup after paying $400 four years ago to get an HD receiver and another $400 two years ago to upgrade to an HD-DVR, plus $10/month for the HD "package", all to get the HD service they originally promised four years ago.
I may be switching back to cable after 8 or 9 years with DirecTV and swearing I'd never go back. God help us all.
Time Warner offered me a 2-month free trial alongside my DirecTV service so I could compare and contrast. They had the usual screwups getting it installed (missing one appointment which gave me a $20 credit, and not having the right paperwork at the second that would have meant a $200 check for my "free" preview), but straightened it out without me having to lift a finger (they called me). And so far I like the service better. DVR isn't quite as easy to use, but some things are better (actually quicker to find a show than my DirecTIVO).
Even better, the SD picture quality is as much better than the DirecTV picture as DirecTV was compared to cable when I first switched away. Low contrast scenes don't blur out on me, the colors are brighter (using the EXACT same cable into the TV, I just pop it out of one DVR and into the other). DirecTV can kiss it when they claim fantastic picture quality, as that overcompressed garbage is just getting on my nerves. Channel lineup is close enough for me (no NFL network, but I'll get 4 simultaneous HD games during March Madness and more Hurricanes games in HD).
And most importantly they don't want me to pay $300 to get an MPEG-4 setup after paying $400 four years ago to get an HD receiver and another $400 two years ago to upgrade to an HD-DVR, plus $10/month for the HD "package", all to get the HD service they originally promised four years ago.
I may be switching back to cable after 8 or 9 years with DirecTV and swearing I'd never go back. God help us all.