OT: Direct TV vs Cable in Boston area

[PatsDparty]

Hi everyone,
I'm currently using Comcast HD programming to watch the Pats on channels cbs, nbc, and fox. We're thinking of switching to Direct TV (due to some issues with comcast and the attractiveness of some of the overall dish packages). However, first priority is watching pats games in HD. Has anyone in the local area had any issues with getting those local channels in HD. According to their website, those channel are all available in HD, but I wasn't sure if there are any blackout issues, or anything like that. Thanks.

 

[mtbykr]

I have friends back home regarding Directv...and there is no problem there, there being Portsmouth, NH. Being out of town now, I have directv and all the packages and it's great!

 

[Fixit]

I think I've finally weakened my wife enough to switch to DirectTV, but feel free to post any testimonials to further my cause.

 

[MrTibbs]

Four Tv's hooked up with Direct TV two of which are high def and two are Tivo's along with HBO, high def package comes out to $94 a month. The image quality is better then comcast. There is no contest between the two and throw in my NFL Sunday Package and it's a no brainer. Only thing Comcast has going is "On Demand" but Direct TV is suppose to get that too before years end.

That setup from Comcast would cost you a fortune.

 

[fgssand]

Four Tv's hooked up with Direct TV two of which are high def and two are Tivo's along with HBO, high def package comes out to $94 a month. The image quality is better then comcast. There is no contest between the two and throw in my NFL Sunday Package and it's a no brainer. Only thing Comcast has going is "On Demand" but Direct TV is suppose to get that too before years end.

That setup from Comcast would cost you a fortune.

I have BOTH Comcast and Direct TV, Direct TV is the best, I need both due to occasional "tree" problems - long story there. Direct TV wins for me for the Sunday Ticket. I have three HD TV's all hooked up on Sundays with Direct TV for viewing multiple games - we LOVE it. We also have the large wide screen able to switch back and forth between Direct TV & Comcast boxes, that way, when Pats are on HD on CBS - we get to use our large HD screen for the obvious priority game as Sunday Ticket is blacked out in Boston are for the patriots game shown on a local station. Keep that in mind, although it won't matter now as you get the HD local stations on Direct TV now.

Direct is supposed to now offer local HD over their dish as opposed to off air antennae now. I am still working off of old waivers that enabled me to get HD stations on CBS, FOX & NBC (ABC said no) that was not offered on the dish three years ago. But, now, that should not be a problem as Direct TV offers the locals in HD through the dish.

Direct TV cust. service folks are very good - especially for potential new subscribers - ask a lot of questions, then call back and ask someone else the same questions, to be sure.

 

[JoeinIndy]

The only real benefit you're gaining from Cable is the fact that it's got OnDemand (which if you use it, is awesome - if not useless) however DirecTV gives you several perks... first and foremost much better end user equipment (now I'm in the Indianapolis area - but I'm fairly certain you guys use the same Motorola and Scientific Atlanta boxes we use. They have terrible program guides, the DVR functionality is hokey and gimmicky at best - and "Digital" cable still isn't 100% digital. It's analog on channels under 100.

Satellite TV (in my area) is CONSIDERABLY cheaper than cable, bang for the buck... offers better service reliability (my cable modem goes out in the rain before my dish does) with all of those benefits.

All of my stations on DirecTV are 100% digital quality and quite frankly the fact is - Cable companies have the defacto upperhand - they are the people you call when you need TV. Satellite companies have to EARN your business - that motivates them to innovate and improve their product while the cable company is trying to figure out how to sell you more utilities.

Now - with OnDemand off the table I don't think there is any comparison between cable and satellite. You're getting better quality equipment, better quality signal, better quality picture and sound and usually a less expensive solution. You should get your local channels just fine, with no worry of blackouts - how often does Gillette not sell out? Now I also happen to know that if you were to live, say - in Indianapolis but be a Patriots fan in the days before Sunday Ticket (or me having it) but you told them you lived in a Mass zip code, it was conceivable to receive the Boston locals instead of the Indianapolis locals so you could watch your Patriots games.

Yay DirecTV

 

[bresna]

Direct is supposed to now offer local HD over their dish as opposed to off air antennae now. I am still working off of old waivers that enabled me to get HD stations on CBS, FOX & NBC (ABC said no) that was not offered on the dish three years ago. But, now, that should not be a problem as Direct TV offers the locals in HD through the dish.

Is this in effect? I was not happy with DirecTV's HD package at my sister-in-law's house because they only offered local network HD over the air. If they truly offer local networks in HD, I will look into them again. I live in southern NH and OTA HD would be nearly impossible.

 

[PatsDparty]

Thanks guys,
More replies are welcomed as well. The biggest priority to me is making sure I still get the Pats in local HD. So I'm guessing from what I read that these local channels that are now in HD, are offered through the dish, and not through OTA, which means a much better picture. I don't want my picture to be inferior to the HD that I'm getting with Comcast.

While on demand is good, I don't really use it that much it seems. I never look for movies on it, and I only use it for a couple HBO shows. However, I would be getting the dvr, and would be able to record these.

 

[fgssand]

Is this in effect? I was not happy with DirecTV's HD package at my sister-in-law's house because they only offered local network HD over the air. If they truly offer local networks in HD, I will look into them again. I live in southern NH and OTA HD would be nearly impossible.

Yes, they are supposed to be coming out with a new huge HD promotion talking about the local channels on dish as well as 165 HD package or something like that. Requires "Free upgrade" to new dish and boxes.

 

[JoeinIndy]

in boston directv locals are absolutely carried -

Available locals in HD for the Boston area are
CBS, ABC, NBC, and FOX.

http://directv.com/DTVAPP/packProg/channelChart2.jsp?assetId=1100086

 

[PatsDparty]

In the boston area, does NESN come in HD?

 

[MrTibbs]

Thanks guys,
More replies are welcomed as well. The biggest priority to me is making sure I still get the Pats in local HD. So I'm guessing from what I read that these local channels that are now in HD, are offered through the dish, and not through OTA, which means a much better picture. I don't want my picture to be inferior to the HD that I'm getting with Comcast.

While on demand is good, I don't really use it that much it seems. I never look for movies on it, and I only use it for a couple HBO shows. However, I would be getting the dvr, and would be able to record these.

Remember Direct TV and "Dish Network" ARE FAR FROM THE SAME! Dish Network blows and they don't offer NFL SUnday ticket so don't get it confused. Go with Direct TV.

 

[MrTibbs]

In the boston area, does NESN come in HD?

Yes it does on Direct TV. The newer dishes enable you to get locak stations and NESN in HD. Be advised though that you will need to upgrade your dish and reciever to get the local channels and NESN. Most likely it won't cost you anything but a 1 year commitment.

 

[PatsDparty]

Yeah, I'm talking about Direct TV. Not interested in Dish network. I'm switching from comcast, so whatever stuff they have to put on my roof, I would assume would be the most updated. Thanks for all the replies.

 

[patriotspride]

im in the process of switching from comcast to dish network.they seem to have a better pkg compared to direct t.v. anybody have any exp with dish network?I've had it with cable.you cant get nfl network unless you upgrade and now you cant get espn classic unless you upgrade .so it less channels for the same price .f-ck them.

 

[patriotspride]

Remember Direct TV and "Dish Network" ARE FAR FROM THE SAME! Dish Network blows and they don't offer NFL SUnday ticket so don't get it confused. Go with Direct TV.

why does the dish network blow other than not having sunday ticket something i dont want anyway .i pay 100 a month between cable and my computer .im not paying anymore .i compared d network and d tv and you get more channels with d network they carry the locals .200 channels for a total of 46 bucks and you get the nfl network espn classic something you cant get with cable unless you upgrade .

 

[Coog548]

does Direct Tv get ESPNU?

 

[mtbykr]

does Direct Tv get ESPNU?

Yes channel 609...i believe you have to have the sports package (12 extra per month) but you get all the channels like YES, MASN, ect....for me this included nesn and fsn new england since i'm out of town now

 

[mtbykr]

As far as dish network goes i hated it...when i was finishing school i rented a room from a family and they had dish and i hated it. It may be different now, but from what i remember it just wasn't for me. (not user friendly) I have had zero problems with directv, and will be a loyal customer for some time (especially being out of town and needing sunday ticket and extra innings)

 

[patriotspride]

As far as dish network goes i hated it...when i was finishing school i rented a room from a family and they had dish and i hated it. It may be different now, but from what i remember it just wasn't for me. (not user friendly) I have had zero problems with directv, and will be a loyal customer for some time (especially being out of town and needing sunday ticket and extra innings)

why did you hate it ?you didnt give any reasons .not user friendly ?what does that mean?is it hard to operate ?