DirecTV v. Comcast Cable

Justice Hog · Post by **Justice Hog** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 8:27 am

I presently have DirecTV but I've been seriously thinking recently about switching back to digital cable with Comcast.

I just hate it when bad weather rolls in and causes a break in the satelitte signal. The only reason I got DirecTV back in the day was the "NFL Sunday Ticket". Since then I became a season ticket holder for the Redskins so I no longer get the Sunday ticket.

The only requirement I have, really, is the NFL Channel, and comcast has that.

Is there anyone else out there that is either considering this or has made the switch already?

I'm interested in hearing PROS and CONS for making the switch, including cost differences, service issues, etc.

Thanks.

Warmother · Post by **Warmother** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 8:55 am

I have Directv and will never go back to cable. Mostly because of the cost, DTV is cheaper here. Secondly the customer service with DTV is awsome, every cable company I was ever with treated me like crap when I had an issue.
So while bad storms can be a problem the pros outway that problem for me.
Plus I just watch Tivo'd shows during bad storms.

Justice Hog · Post by **Justice Hog** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 11:49 am

Warmother wrote:Plus I just watch Tivo'd shows during bad storms.

I can't do that because I don't have a phone line in my house, just a cell phone. I'm told you need a phone line for digital recording.

REDEEMEDSKIN · Post by **REDEEMEDSKIN** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 12:03 pm

JH - Comcast does give you a credit toward cable service when you turn in your dish. You ought to consider that. Personally, I don't use either. My wife and I are averaging 1 hr. of tv/week, so it makes no sense to have cable or satellite.

However, if I were a TV aficionado, I'd go with digital cable. Growing up, we had satellite at my mom's house, and it stunk to have a little storm interfere with a game on TV!!!

redskinz4ever · Post by **redskinz4ever** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 12:19 pm

your kidding me right :roll:

DIRECTV = NFL SUNDAY TICKET enough said ...now if you just watch tv ......all the same IMO :wink:

Justice Hog · Post by **Justice Hog** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 12:19 pm

I feel ya, redskinz4ever, but as a season ticket holder, I no longer need the Sunday Ticket.

redskinz4ever · Post by **redskinz4ever** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 12:22 pm

Justice Hog wrote:I feel ya, redskinz4ever, but as a season ticket holder, I no longer need the Sunday Ticket.

ouch that hurt !!! rumb it in a bit :wink:

cvillehog · Post by **cvillehog** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 12:41 pm

Cable usually works out to be more expensive (from all the numbers I've looked at), especially for the quality of what you get. With all cable providers that I am aware of, the super-pricey digital cable plans still have a lot of analog channels. Which means, most of your channels are lower-quality than satellite. You may want to check with DirecTV to see if a phone line is still required for DVR service, you may be able to connect to your home network (assuming you have one). Or, if you want NFL Network but not Sunday Ticket, you can check out Dish Network.

Redskins1974 · Post by **Redskins1974** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 12:44 pm

My DTV rarely goes out. It takes a hell of a storm to knock the signal strength... perhaps yours isn't installed in a good location or securely enough?

I hate cable and have been pleased with DTV... not to mention, I can get Nats games on MASN so that's another reason for me to stick with it for a while.

redskinz4ever · Post by **redskinz4ever** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 12:46 pm

Redskins1974 wrote:My DTV rarely goes out. It takes a hell of a storm to knock the signal strength... perhaps yours isn't installed in a good location or securely enough?

I hate cable and have been pleased with DTV... not to mention, I can get Nats games on MASN so that's another reason for me to stick with it for a while.

same here only lost signal once in four years :!:

Justice Hog · Post by **Justice Hog** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 12:50 pm

cvillehog wrote:Cable usually works out to be more expensive (from all the numbers I've looked at), especially for the quality of what you get. With all cable providers that I am aware of, the super-pricey digital cable plans still have a lot of analog channels. Which means, most of your channels are lower-quality than satellite. You may want to check with DirecTV to see if a phone line is still required for DVR service, you may be able to connect to your home network (assuming you have one). Or, if you want NFL Network but not Sunday Ticket, you can check out Dish Network.

I called DirecTV and they did confirm that they now have the ability to offer DVR without a phone line. Comcast is offering a Satelitte Buy-Back program with full digital services, + "On Demand" and DVR + one pay channel (HBO) for about $50.00 for 12 months. After that, I think it'll go up to around $90.00.

Something to think about.

cvillehog · Post by **cvillehog** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 12:54 pm

Justice Hog wrote:
cvillehog wrote:Cable usually works out to be more expensive (from all the numbers I've looked at), especially for the quality of what you get. With all cable providers that I am aware of, the super-pricey digital cable plans still have a lot of analog channels. Which means, most of your channels are lower-quality than satellite. You may want to check with DirecTV to see if a phone line is still required for DVR service, you may be able to connect to your home network (assuming you have one). Or, if you want NFL Network but not Sunday Ticket, you can check out Dish Network.

I called DirecTV and they did confirm that they now have the ability to offer DVR without a phone line. Comcast is offering a Satelitte Buy-Back program with full digital services, + "On Demand" and DVR + one pay channel (HBO) for about $50.00 for 12 months. After that, I think it'll go up to around $90.00.

Something to think about.

Yeah, a friend of my in Colorado was thinking of ditching DirecTV and local phone service for a full package from the cable company, but decided not to at the last minute, in part because it turned out to be more expensive (though with the convenience of "one bill").

frankcal20 · Post by **frankcal20** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 1:52 pm

I will never go back to cable. I need NFL the Ticket out here in Cali.

NC43Hog · Post by **NC43Hog** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 2:09 pm

I have been using TIVO since November - was hooked up to a phone line, but the box was making non local calls even though I had the local number selected. Rather than listening to DirecTV excuses, I just disconnected the phone line (which you really on need when installing the box) and have been using it ever since with no problems.

Check TIVOcommunity.com for good input on DVR questions.

oh and

CABLE SUCKS!!!!

skinsRin · Post by **skinsRin** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 3:00 pm

frankcal20 wrote:I will never go back to cable. I need NFL the Ticket out here in Cali.

yas me too! DirecTV is the way to go.

frankcal20 · Post by **frankcal20** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 5:13 pm

I plug it in only when I want to order pay per views thats it.

patjam77 · Post by **patjam77** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 11:24 pm

I have Directv and i absolutely HATE IT. the only reason i havent switched back is because of the ticket. if i was a rich man i would have both. i would have switched back to comcast a long time ago if i hadnt plunked down do much money for the 250 hour HD DVR.. which doesnt currently accept the new HD that DTV is now broadcasting in...

EA7649 · Post by **EA7649** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 3:25 pm

I hear comcast is better. Directv is Cheaper though