Direct TV Question

[crques]

I've had the Dish for a little over a year but I'm considering switching to Direct TV for the NFL package and deal they are currently running. I've already checked and my local channels are not available through Direct but they told me that I could send in waivers and receive the NY and LA affiliates for the networks such as NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX....etc. They said that it could take up to 45 days to be able to get these though but that she would almost guarantee I could receive all of them.

The thing that worries me is that through the Dish I wasn't able to get local channels either, however they gave me a # for All American Direct and told me to call and see about getting my network stations. The only thing that I was eligible for through them was a couple of Fox stations and the CW. I couldn't get ABC, CBS, or NBC. Now I'm wondering which, if any through Direct TV that I would be able to get once the waivers have been sent in and how long they actually take? 45 days seems a bit long for that. Thanks.

[daflyboys]

Re: Direct TV Question

I know there are a lot of DTV supporters around here, but take my word for it.... get EVERYTHING in writing from them, even if it is an e-mail. DO NOT accept verbal agreements with reps, techs, sups, etc. as the final word. For any service you have with them beyond the basic, ask them what the terms are and get it in writing/e-mail (e.g., the DVR is a minimum 2-year contract, though they fail to indicate that when you sign up and there's a separate and obscure place on their web site where you hunt for this stuff). There are tons of ugly stories throughout the net and there have been and are many class action lawsuits against them. Very good luck to you.

[wwharton]

Re: Direct TV Question

you could get rabbit ears if necessary... or you could get a basic cable package if you want to spend the extra money. it'd be the price of the basic cable package vs a directv/dish package of local channels (i know you can't get them but you can compare the price to see if it would make sense to take that option)

[aukevin]

Re: Direct TV Question

I've been going back and forth for two years now trying to decide to drop cable and subscribe to DirecTV. I've got a big post full of questions I am waiting to post at dbstalk.com's forums, but my account hasn't been activated yet. So how about I piggyback this thread and ask them here as well if crques doesn't mind. Maybe some of you guys can help out.

Here's what I am going to post at dbstalk's forums:




I am considering switching to DirecTV. I've never ever had satellite TV service before, so a lot of this is pretty confusing to me.

I guess let me first tell you why I’m considering switching to DirecTV. It’s for two reasons, the price and HD quality. I’m currently subscribed to Mediacom cable and they offer me plenty of HD channels for what I watch, but the after the HD access and the DVR, I pay $90 a month without any premium channels. Secondly, I just am not happy with the quality of the HD channels through the cable company. I get audio dropouts and picture distortions all the time. I’ve had them out to my house many many times and there’s nothing to show of it. They say my problem is that there is a Ham radio operator somewhere in the neighborhood messing things up. So I’m hoping DirecTV can improve those situations for me. The money isn’t really the biggest problem, but I don’t want to spend more with DirecTV and not get more of content that I’ll watch. It’s mainly the quality I’m looking for.

First off, let's talk packages. I want all the non-premium HD channels. I don't care about the HBOs, STARZs, etc, but I want to get all the other type channels offered in HD. Can I just get the PLUS HD DVR package to get them all (yes I have to have a DVR as well). I thought this package would do it, but when I look at the HD Channels for the package (according to DirecTV's website) there are some HD channels not listed for the PLUS HD DVR package that are listed for the PREMIER package. An example of this is The Disney Channel shows up as an HD channel for Premier but not in the Plus HD DVR package. I have no idea what Fuel TV is, but it is another one that is in the Premier package and not the Plus HD DVR. These channels are not considered Premium channels, but it looks like I have to order the Premier package with all the premiums to get these channels. That's a bummer. Is there a package I can order to get all the HD channels minus the HBOs, STARZs, etc?


Second question relates sports. I’m kind of interested in getting the NFL Sunday Ticket service, but unless I get Superfan the games will be in SD right? That’s a bummer too. I’ve seen where people have been scoring a free Superfan, so maybe I can do that. Related to this, I am a big Atlanta Braves fan and I’m afraid I’m going to lose their games when I switch. Where I live I get all their games broadcasted on Peachtree TV, Sports South, FSN South, and whenever they come on TBS, ESPN, or FOX. I know I’ll continue to get the TBS, ESPN, and FOX national broadcasts, but will I lose these other more local channels that the games come on?

Third issue for me, local channels (which my area does get them)! I don’t really get the fuss about this, so maybe I’m missing something. I don’t watch my local news, but I do understand in emergency situation the local news is important. Is that why local channels are important? Basically the only time I watch the local channels on cable are for the primetime ABC, FOX, CBS, and NBC shows, but I watch A LOT of these type shows.. Through DirecTV don’t you get a national feed of these stations (here again I am a satellite TV newb)? Are the added benefit of local stations the local news, the syndicated programming (like afternoon episodes of Seinfeld and stuff), and local commercials? Now once again, let’s talk HD. I’ve noticed news on the web about local channels in HD being rolled out in different locations but not in my area. I don’t see what the importance of this is either? My local stations don’t broadcast the news in HD and the syndicated shows aren’t in HD either. If my area doesn’t get local channels in HD, if I want to watch a something like Lost in HD, I just go to the national ABC HD broadcast supplied by DirecTV to everyone on the HD package right?

This question is a bit more of a general question, but what is the advantage of getting this AM21 for the OTA stuff? Why do I need the OTA stuff if I’m getting locals from DirecTV? Is it just for local HD channels since my area does not receive those? If so, then that goes back to my third question where I wonder why those are that important if I get the national broadcasts of the primetime shows like Lost. Is switching to the OTA broadcast like a backup for when maybe the DirecTV signal is poor (this leads into my next question)?

Last thing (for now!), like I said, I’ve never had DirecTV before or any kind of satellite service, I’ve always had cable. I’m really really nervous about getting poor reception because quality is the main reason I am considering the switch. My father-in-law has DirecTV and he has lots and lots of tall trees and his reception is not good at all. I would not be happy with that one bit, but I have no real big trees or anything like that and neither do my neighbors. Rain scares me too. Basically my big fear is having no TV on days when there is a one time event like a ballgame. TV shows I can always watch online or something if I miss one, but if I were to miss an Auburn football game because of poor reception, I would not be happy. I’m hoping that these fears aren’t warranted. My house faces west with neighbors on the north and south sides. But I don’t think the neighbor to the south (that’s the way that needs to be clear right?) is in the way. This is the best pic I have of the view to the south of my house: http://home.mchsi.com/~aukevin/house28.jpg

Oh yeah, one other thing. Going about ordering this stuff seems like a big task as well because I hear all these things about people getting stuff for free. Basically I will want a package like I described in question 1 as well as two of those HD DVRs. The model number for those are HR21 right? That’s the one that works with this AM21 device? What’s the best way of ordering DirecTV? Through the website, over the phone, Best Buy, etc? What can of deal could I expect to get with wanting two HD DVRs? Should one be free? I realize I might have to call over and over to get a good CSR, but what could I realistically ask for?

Alright I think those are all my questions and fears right now.

[p_rushing]

Re: Direct TV Question

1. check http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global...39413414170124 I think you get all the HD channels with the Plus HD DVR + $4.99 if you want the 4-5 extra HD channels.

2. I've never paid for SuperFan since its been available. I have called and said I will not pay for it as I already pay for HD Access which gives me the HD channel for any SD channel in my package that is available.

For the Braves, they created a Peachtree channel to only show the Braves games. I don't know if you will be get Peachtree, but you should be getting the Braves games. The other FOX Sports will be on there as long as you are in the area. Just confirm online that your zip code will give you access to them.

3. You will not have any network show in HD unless you can get a waiver to get the national feed from DTV. You will have to have an OTA HD antenna to get HD network shows. DTV will be adding more markets in HD now that the new satellite is up, but I don't know what market # you are in.

4. Again see 3. You need it based on the HD DVR you get. **You will still need a OTA antenna to get the local signal though.

5. Shouldn't be an issue, but look at this post. It will tell you when the sun or moon is near the satellite location. Just make sure before the installer leaves you have 90s on all the signals.

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=63277

6. Look online for the offers. If you have a offer from Dish in the mail you can call and see if they will match it, should if you get a good CSR. Dish usually has no cost for 1 HD DVR, so I would try to get that. DTV will probably make you pay for the 2nd HD DVR, but you can see what they will do.

[aukevin]

Re: Direct TV Question

Thanks p. That's pretty scary that I wouldn't get the national feeds of the major networks. That's where 90% of my TV viewing is at and I have to keep HD. I've never received HD OTA before, is it really reliable and do you get a good signal? My area is not slated for local HD's yet but I imagine it will be within a year or so.

[The Chef]

Re: Direct TV Question

Thanks p. That's pretty scary that I wouldn't get the national feeds of the major networks. That's where 90% of my TV viewing is at and I have to keep HD. I've never received HD OTA before, is it really reliable and do you get a good signal? My area is not slated for local HD's yet but I imagine it will be within a year or so.

I used to get my locals over the air in HD and the quality was fine. In terms of getting your locals in HD, thats tricky, here in Oregon I can get ABC/NBC/CW/Fox in HD but CBS I cant touch in HD because there is some sort of BS agreement here between Comcast and Koin (the local CBS feed) so I dont get anything on CBS in HD even though I did back when I had Comcast. Its not too bad but it sucks when I want to watch a game of football on CBS and its in SD because of it.

[p_rushing]

Re: Direct TV Question

Check http://www.antennaweb.org/ out. It will tell you what type of antenna you would need. Depending on how close you are to the towers, you might be able to use a small indoor one from Walmart, BestBuy, RadioShack, etc. If you are far away, you would need a bigger outdoor one. OTA is better than any HD source and unless the tower/station goes out, it will never go out.

[aukevin]

Re: Direct TV Question

Check http://www.antennaweb.org/ out. It will tell you what type of antenna you would need. Depending on how close you are to the towers, you might be able to use a small indoor one from Walmart, BestBuy, RadioShack, etc. If you are far away, you would need a bigger outdoor one. OTA is better than any HD source and unless the tower/station goes out, it will never go out.

I went there and this is the chart they gave me. Thanks.

So this must be telling me what kind of antenna to get? Could I get a medium one too and try to pick up those red stations or can you only have one antenna? I guess it is up to how many inputs you have to your TV.

[p_rushing]

Re: Direct TV Question

You should be fine with any antenna from a electronic store. The only ones you probably won't be able to pickup are the CW because of the distance. You just get a compass and point it in the direction of the readings and adjust it until you get a signal. I would try Walmart first because of the lax return policy.