Question about DirecTV and Comcast Cable

[Kodiak33]

I recently purchased my first ever home (condo) and I'm looking to get either Comcast Cable, DirecTV or Dish. Which do you think would be the best option for me since I'm sure a great deal of you have had this dilemma before. I want HD channels, and HBO with a basic package, maybe a DVR I'm not sure yet. I had Comcast cable at my old rental house and hated Comcast since they are raising their rates around my area. I think I might also go with DSL instead of cable this time because its about half of what cable is. What do you guys think?

[Holic]

Re: Question about DirecTV and Comcast Cable

I was with cable TV service and cable internet service for about 7 years or so. I finally got tired of the cable bill going up every March. So I switched to Bellsouth (Now AT&T) DSL 6.0, which doubles my speed, and saves me about $8-$10 a month.

Then I called Dish, and got a 4 room set up, with 2 HD boxes/one a DVR, got local HD channels, HBO, Showtime, Starz HD, plus about another 30 HD channels, and again I saved myself a good $15-$20 going that route.

Thats my story, and with my experience between the two, DSL and Satelite is superior to my cable experience. The last year or so with cable, my internet would go on and off throughout the day. Probably had 6 service calls, and it was always "fine". With DSL, I've never had a down time so far.

If I were you, I'd check out Dish and DirecTV, and see whats for you. Each offer different packages, if I could of gotten DirecTV here, I would of had it with the NFL package. But I got a lazy installer who wouldn't get his equipment out to check for a signal, and just said there wasn't a way to get a signal. Dish came out, and found a signal strength of just over 100.

Good luck!

[daflyboys]

Re: Question about DirecTV and Comcast Cable

DTV did do a recent price hike....a few bucks.

[p_rushing]

Re: Question about DirecTV and Comcast Cable

DTV did do a recent price hike....a few bucks.

I have Directv and will always have it until the NFL goes some where else. I like it and it is cheaper than cable. Dish is usually the cheapest for the basic packages.

For internet, I have BellSouth 6.0 ultra, its fast and cheaper than cable, but you also have to have a phone line, so that adds to the cost

[MassNole]

Re: Question about DirecTV and Comcast Cable

Go with Verizon, you can get Satellite, Phone, and DSL in a combination deal. In my area it is $120/month.

[Heelfan71]

Re: Question about DirecTV and Comcast Cable

If you like HD, get Direct TV. They are going to have a ton of HD stuff this year.

[mjb2124]

Re: Question about DirecTV and Comcast Cable

I've also considered the switch to Direct TV.

My only concern is the HD quality. I've heard that they compress the signal so much that the HD quality is pretty poor compared to that being offered by cable companies. Would it be correct to believe that this will only get worse the more HD channels that Direct TV starts to offer?

Part of me is concerned about the quality while the other part would love to have the quantity.

[Heelfan71]

Re: Question about DirecTV and Comcast Cable

I've also considered the switch to Direct TV.

My only concern is the HD quality. I've heard that they compress the signal so much that the HD quality is pretty poor compared to that being offered by cable companies. Would it be correct to believe that this will only get worse the more HD channels that Direct TV starts to offer?

Part of me is concerned about the quality while the other part would love to have the quantity.

I think that if you put an HD picture from Satellite and Cable side by side, they would look the same. As far as it getting worse with more channels being added, I know they are launching or already launched a new satellite to handle the channels they are adding.

[mjb2124]

Re: Question about DirecTV and Comcast Cable

I think that if you put an HD picture from Satellite and Cable side by side, they would look the same. As far as it getting worse with more channels being added, I know they are launching or already launched a new satellite to handle the channels they are adding.

Sounds good. Thanks for the info Heel. I've been considering switching for a while and might do it this summer.

[Scottdau]

Re: Question about DirecTV and Comcast Cable

Yeah I agree my DirTV looks great in HD, I love my DirTV. I have had great customer service and it put out a nice pic. plus Center Ice, baseball and football package it was a no brain-er for me.

[aholbert32]

Re: Question about DirecTV and Comcast Cable

Had both and I prefer Comcast. You cant beat On Demand, music channels and the HD channels in my area.

[p_rushing]

Re: Question about DirecTV and Comcast Cable

Directv is launching 2 new satellites. The new format is MPEG4, which compresses the data a lot better, allowing them to send more data for an even better picture. You will not be able to get the same quality as OTA, but it is usually the same as cable.

Driectv has Sirius in their packagaes.

[Heelfan71]

Re: Question about DirecTV and Comcast Cable

Sounds good. Thanks for the info Heel. I've been considering switching for a while and might do it this summer.

yeah, just keep your eye out on a sweet deal. You should be able to get everything and not pay a penny. They give new customers better deals than the current customers.

[Kodiak33]

Re: Question about DirecTV and Comcast Cable

I don't really use the music channels, but I do love OnDemand. Thanks for the help guys!

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: Question about DirecTV and Comcast Cable

Directv is launching 2 new satellites. The new format is MPEG4, which compresses the data a lot better, allowing them to send more data for an even better picture. You will not be able to get the same quality as OTA, but it is usually the same as cable.

Driectv has Sirius in their packagaes.

Direct TV has XM, Dish has Sirius.