[OT] DirecTV questions

[Rubes]

Been thinking about making the dive into DirecTV lately.

 

Got ourselves an HD-ready TV, but right now all we have is your plain-old basic cable. We pay something like $45 per month for that (including all those damn taxes), plus we seem to be getting HBO for free. Of course, now we're hooked on HBO, which makes it tough to switch.

 

Thought about upgrading to Digital cable, but the monthly cost (without all those damn taxes) including HBO goes up to something like $66.

 

DirecTV would cost $52 per month (without all those damn taxes) with HBO, although without the HD package. That would make it $63 per month. Setup for an HD system is pretty expensive, though, and I'd need the extra antenna to get the local HD broadcasts.

 

Question is, does this sound right?

 

What kind of extra taxes per month do people usually see?

 

I'm finding it tough to justify the jump in monthly cost, particularly when the wife is not a fan of any TV, much less cool but expensive TV.

[CJPearl2]

Its totally worth it---get Directv and then for $50 (with a rebate) get the Directv Tivo --it will change your life--and, for your wife, you can tivo-shows and not disrupt family time.

[Guest SFBay_Area_Bills_Fan]

I have a HD-Plasma set up and love it. A few things in response to your question:

 

1. In order to record in HD on your Tivo, you will need an HDTivo/DirecTV unit at a whopping cost of $900. Still, its worth seeing Bills games in HD if you are not watching them live.

 

2. Don't skimp on the local ant. as you need to be able to get a good signal to take advantage of the local programing. I bought a cheap one and could not pick up any of the local HD stations because trees, buildings. I bought a stronger/more expensive one and it worked great. Cost: $250.

 

3. Don't be suprized at the bad reception you get for some non-HD programing. Last weeks Bills' game was not in HD and the picture was grainy. The HD games are great!

 

4. Re TIVO, careful about the programs you have programed and TIVO automatically switches to...I had a house full of people from work and listeningto the a music station when TIVO switched to Howard Stern and he was talking about anal sex with some porn star!

 

 

b

[Rubes]

I have a HD-Plasma set up and love it. A few things in response to your question:

 

1. In order to record in HD on your Tivo, you will need an HDTivo/DirecTV unit at a whopping cost of $900. Still, its worth seeing Bills games in HD if you are not watching them live.

 

2. Don't skimp on the local ant. as you need to be able to get a good signal to take advantage of the local programing. I bought a cheap one and could not pick up any of the local HD stations because trees, buildings. I bought a stronger/more expensive one and it worked great. Cost: $250.

 

3. Don't be suprized at the bad reception you get for some non-HD programing. Last weeks Bills' game was not in HD and the picture was grainy. The HD games are great!

 

4. Re TIVO, careful about the programs you have programed and TIVO automatically switches to...I had a house full of people from work and listeningto the a music station when TIVO switched to Howard Stern and he was talking about anal sex with some porn star!

 

       

 

b

160700[/snapback]

 

Thanks for that...

 

TiVo is not a huge concern for me. I never tape any shows as it is, and there's not much on that I would find the need to record.

 

I'm a little concerned about your comments with respect to the antenna. I was looking at a $50 one. The startup costs overall are pretty high, but adding a $250 antenna on top of that is tough.

 

Bad reception for non-HD programming? That can't be. If that's the case, I wouldn't want it!

[Rubes]

I have no idea how to answer you because I don't pay for my service.

160702[/snapback]

 

That's okay, thanks. I probably wouldn't have listened to you anyway.

[Fezmid]

Its totally worth it---get Directv and then for $50 (with a rebate) get the Directv Tivo --it will change your life--and, for your wife, you can tivo-shows and not disrupt family time.

160685[/snapback]

 

100% correct, especially on the TiVo part -- your wife will love you for it (mine did anyway...)

 

As you noticed, the HD receiver is roughly $250-$300 (the HD-TiVo is roughly $850.... Ouch). I know that DirecTV was giving the HD receiver, installation, triple-LNB dish, installation for $99 last year. You *might* be able to call DirecTV, talk to Customer Retention (ask to be transferred) and see what they say. I'd suggest offering to sign up for 2 years though, or they probably won't give it to you (they were only giving it to people who were customers for 2-3 years last year...) As you also noticed, you'll need an OTA antenna; check out http://www.antennaweb.com.

 

Only you can decide if you want to pay the extra per month. It's definately a better experience (more choices, better customer service, better hardware, etc, etc). But then again, it is more money... And since you're getting HBO for free, that's a tough one to justify....

 

If you like footall though, I'd definately recommend Sunday Ticket -- takes football Sunday to an entirely new level!

 

Let me know if you have any questions that I can help with.

CW

[Rubes]

100% correct, especially on the TiVo part -- your wife will love you for it (mine did anyone...)

160708[/snapback]

 

Your wife loved anyone for it? How many did she get through before she had enough?

 

 

As you noticed, the HD receiver is roughly $250-$300 (the HD-TiVo is roughly $850.... Ouch).  I know that DirecTV was giving the HD receiver, installation, triple-LNB dish, installation for $99 last year.  You *might* be able to call DirecTV, talk to Customer Retention (ask to be transferred) and see what they say.  I'd suggest offering to sign up for 2 years though, or they probably won't give it to you (they were only giving it to people who were customers for 2-3 years last year...)  As you also noticed, you'll need an OTA antenna; check out http://www.antennaweb.com.

 

Only you can decide if you want to pay the extra per month.  It's definately a better experience (more choices, better customer service, better hardware, etc, etc).  But then again, it is more money...  And since you're getting HBO for free, that's a tough one to justify....

 

If you like footall though, I'd definately recommend Sunday Ticket -- takes football Sunday to an entirely new level!

 

Let me know if you have any questions that I can help with.

CW

160708[/snapback]

 

Thanks, that was very helpful...I think right now I'll keep my eyes open for another deal like that before proceeding. It's a tough call.

[Fezmid]

Thanks for that...

 

TiVo is not a huge concern for me. I never tape any shows as it is, and there's not much on that I would find the need to record.

 

I'm a little concerned about your comments with respect to the antenna. I was looking at a $50 one. The startup costs overall are pretty high, but adding a $250 antenna on top of that is tough.

 

Bad reception for non-HD programming? That can't be. If that's the case, I wouldn't want it!

160706[/snapback]

 

TiVo -- trust me, you'll want TiVo. You might not tape any shows now (I know I never did), but with TiVo it's a whole new experience. It's hard to explain to people who don't have it, but once you get it you never go back.

 

As an example, my wife and I hardly watched any TV at all. Three (?) years ago, we bought a TiVo for $99 because a coworker had it and said it was really cool. I was like you, thinking it was just a glorified VCR so didn't need it. Well, when we got it, we found that we couldn't live without it. They were in short supply that summer and a new model wasn't supposed to be out until winter (6-9 months later). Because of that, they were selling for $500-$600 on eBay. I asked my wife if we should sell ours, and she said, "No way in hell are you taking that TiVo out of this house!" It's great because you NEVER miss any shows, you NEVER have to eat meals in front of the TV, you never have to worry about coming home late, going out of town, etc. It's all *automatic* -- you say, "I want to watch <insert show here>," and it records all of the episodes automatically, skipping repeats if you want, catching when the show changes day/time, etc. Wonderful.

 

To answer the other questions -- I have an antenna attached to my dish and it works fine. My only word is don't buy a Terk; otherwise, you should be good. I think they're roughly $40-$50

 

Regarding reception -- you don't get bad reception on non-HD channels; however, the TV probably accentuates the bad picture on the non-HD channels. If you already have the TV and think the picture looks fine, then you have nothing to worry about (although you may get spoiled by the good pictures...)

CW

[Fezmid]

Your wife loved anyone for it? How many did she get through before she had enough?

Thanks, that was very helpful...I think right now I'll keep my eyes open for another deal like that before proceeding. It's a tough call.

160713[/snapback]

 

Ooops, typo...

 

Anyway, they only offer deals like that for existing customers so you'll never get anything even remotely that good. You might be able to call them (like I said), but there will never (or at least not for years) be an offer to new customers like that I don't think.

 

CW

[kota]

lol ICE posting as a guest since he is banned.

[Rubes]

Ooops, typo...

 

Anyway, they only offer deals like that for existing customers so you'll never get anything even remotely that good.  You might be able to call them (like I said), but there will never (or at least not for years) be an offer to new customers like that I don't think.

 

CW

160723[/snapback]

 

Thanks again. By the way, what are the montly surcharges/taxes like for you?

 

Can you use a regular TiVo with a HD receiver? I guess TiVo sounds interesting enough but not for the cost of a HD-TiVo.

 

Cable is an interesting option, because there are no extra setup or hardware costs, even for HD. The cost difference is substantial, but what's interesting is that I could have digital cable for 3 full years before the extra cost of the cable equals what it would cost to switch to DirecTV now.

 

That's probably the main reason to try to get some kind of deal, if possible.

[eSJayDee]

FYI, Best I can figure, there's no extra taxes or anything on Directv.

I can't imagine how your township or whoever can manage to tack on a franchise fees or anything similar.

[stevestojan]

once you get TiVo, expect to have one more thing to thank god for everynight in your prayers..

 

[Fezmid]

Thanks again. By the way, what are the montly surcharges/taxes like for you?

 

Can you use a regular TiVo with a HD receiver? I guess TiVo sounds interesting enough but not for the cost of a HD-TiVo.

 

Cable is an interesting option, because there are no extra setup or hardware costs, even for HD. The cost difference is substantial, but what's interesting is that I could have digital cable for 3 full years before the extra cost of the cable equals what it would cost to switch to DirecTV now.

 

That's probably the main reason to try to get some kind of deal, if possible.

160760[/snapback]

 

I'd suggest just getting a regular DirecTV/TiVo unit and then a regular HD receiver. You won't be able to record HD content, but 95% of stuff out there isn't HD anyway... Don't buy a standalone TiVo (if that's what you were asking) as the monthly fee is $13, and it's not integrated. The DirecTV/TiVo (non-HD one) costs $50 and can record everything but HD.

 

As for taxes, let me dig up my bill.... Taxes are $2.40 for sales tax. That's it.

 

My bill is as follows:

Total Choice Plus with Locals - $39.99

DirecTV DVR (ie: TiVo) - $4.99

Additional Receiver - $4.99

Sales Tax - $2.40.

Total: $52.37

 

With my setup, I have two DirecTV/TiVos (one in the bedroom, one in the living room). No HBO or HD for me (although I will be getting HD in the near future I think).

 

Regarding your "cable for 3 year" comment.. I've had DirecTV for 6-7 years... Never looked back. If I were you, I'd either stick with my current cable setup (since you get HBO for free), or switch to DirecTV. I wouldn't go digitle cable. The customer service of DirecTV alone is worth it. For example, two hockey seasons ago, they accidentally blacked out the first period of the Minnesota Wild/Anaheim Ducks game to everyone in Minnesota. I called DirecTV the next day, talked to a Customer Retention rep, and she asked what they could do to make things better. I told her that I'd like a $50 credit on my bill and, without batting an eyelash, said, "No problem, that credit will appear on your next statement." Ever seen the cable company give you a break? I was without internet access (because of problems on their end with new customers) for a MONTH, and was on the phone with them for 3-5 hours a DAY, EVERY DAY for that month, trying to get my broadband setup. You know what they gave me? They said, "You don't have to pay for the month that you were without service." That's *IT*. No discount, no free month, no nothing. And that's after spending nearly 100 hours on the phone with them (and rebooting my computer god knows how many times because they wouldn't believe me that I knew more about computers than they did...). Frustrating.

 

Hope that helps.

CW

[Rubes]

I'd suggest just getting a regular DirecTV/TiVo unit and then a regular HD receiver.  You won't be able to record HD content, but 95% of stuff out there isn't HD anyway...  Don't buy a standalone TiVo (if that's what you were asking) as the monthly fee is $13, and it's not integrated.  The DirecTV/TiVo (non-HD one) costs $50 and can record everything but HD.

160772[/snapback]

 

This sounds good, but I'm still a little confused as to what equipment to get from whom.

 

I guess what I need is a dish, a DirecTV DVR, and an HD receiver. The dish, I presume, is free, as is installation. The DVR is $50 with a rebate right now. The HD receiver is $299 or so. Plus an extra antenna.

 

I'm a little confused because DirecTV says to get the HD receiver you also need to sign up for a year of HD programming, which is $11/month. Could I just get the HD receiver from anywhere and not deal with this?

 

I tell you, I'm a real techno-geek and this stuff is confusing as hell.

[jarthur31]

lol ICE posting as a guest since he is banned.

160748[/snapback]

 

 

He is?

 

Hehehehe......finally.

 

[kota]

Oh i think so. He mysteriously disappears from here then he moves over to BB.com to start his bledsoe crusade over there. Some of their threads got heated over there and the mods created a new thread restating the rules of the board. He hasn't posted there since.

 

He was warned by alot of people to shut it or he will get banned but you know ICE he said would only listen to himself.

[Fezmid]

This sounds good, but I'm still a little confused as to what equipment to get from whom.

 

I guess what I need is a dish, a DirecTV DVR, and an HD receiver. The dish, I presume, is free, as is installation. The DVR is $50 with a rebate right now. The HD receiver is $299 or so. Plus an extra antenna.

 

I'm a little confused because DirecTV says to get the HD receiver you also need to sign up for a year of HD programming, which is $11/month. Could I just get the HD receiver from anywhere and not deal with this?

 

I tell you, I'm a real techno-geek and this stuff is confusing as hell.

160800[/snapback]

 

Well, all hardware is subsidized by DirecTV, so they very well may force you to stay with HD programming for a year. I know they force you to stay with their service for a year (although you can get around that by saying you're moving to someplace where you can't get DirecTV.... They usually waive the early termination fee then from what I hear).

 

Why wouldn't you want it for a year? You have an HDTV, why not get service for it?

 

I've actually purchased all of my DirecTV stuff from Circuit City amazingly enough (I rarely shop at B&M stores).

 

Here's a link to an online deal:

http://www.devsdeals.com/modules.php?op=mo...cf7fef4623117b4

 

Never ordered from them, but I've read lots of people who have. Check out http://www.tivocommunity.com (click on the DirecTV link) and do a search to see how their reputation is.

 

CW

[plenzmd1]

This sounds good, but I'm still a little confused as to what equipment to get from whom.

 

I guess what I need is a dish, a DirecTV DVR, and an HD receiver. The dish, I presume, is free, as is installation. The DVR is $50 with a rebate right now. The HD receiver is $299 or so. Plus an extra antenna.

 

I'm a little confused because DirecTV says to get the HD receiver you also need to sign up for a year of HD programming, which is $11/month. Could I just get the HD receiver from anywhere and not deal with this?

 

I tell you, I'm a real techno-geek and this stuff is confusing as hell.

160800[/snapback]

Rubes,

 

This stuff is confusing. Couple of comments here.

 

#1) If you have an HD TV, you need to get some type of HD programming into it. It is just awesome.The comment made earlier about non-HD programming not looking good is in comparison to HD programming. A big reason for this is most people try to stretch a 4:3 picture(SD) to a 16:9 tv to fill up the whole screen. IMHO, this makes the picture look like poop. If however, you watch the SD in its OAR (original Aspect Ratio) it will look just as good on your HD tv as it does on your Standard TV. You will just have black bars on the sides of the screen.

 

#2) I have repeatedly said that if NFL Sunday Ticket is not important, I would most likely go with cable a the upfront costs are extremely cheap compared to Directv. I have been a Directv customer for 10 tyrs, and love them, but would have seriosly considered going to cable if not for the fottbal when I purchased my HD tv this spring. If you have Comcast in your area, they have begun to offer a dual tuner HD DVR that is very similiar to the HD TIVO, just has about half the Hard Drive sspace. They will rent this to you for a think 5.99 a month. However do your resaerch first, as your local HD stations may not be carried on cable. For instance, if one of your locals id owned by Sinclair Broadcasting, they will not let the local cable company have their digital signal. Here in Richmond, both the Fox and CBS HD feed are not on cable.

 

3) As mentioned earlier, go to http://www.antennaweb.org to understand what type of antenna you would need to get your locals OTA. I have never seen an antenna that costs $100, let alone $250. However, if the towers where the Digital signals are eminating from several differant compass points and are guite a bit away, a rotar and amplifier may be needed. As well, and this sounds crazy, if the towers are close you may need to also buy an attenuater that can turn down the signal, as too strong a digital signal is just as bad as too weak a signal. I live about 12 miles from our towers, have a Zenith Silver Sensor ($29.00 at Sears)antenna indoors and get my stations great.

 

4) There are a ton of deals on Directv set ups. Common one now is 4 room set up, one tivo, 4 months programming , all for $50.00. Most would throw in a HD Reciever for $99 if you serach. There is also a deal on www.minidishes.com where the HD TIVO set up and installed is $699. This guy is reputable, but is very rude and arrogant with his customers.

 

Again, feel free to PM me as I see many unhappy people with expensive TV sets as they do not understand all of their options.

[Fezmid]

If you have Comcast in your area, they have begun to offer a dual tuner HD DVR that is very similiar to the HD TIVO, just has about half the Hard Drive sspace. They will rent this to you for a think 5.99 a month.

 

The one thing to keep in mind here is that with cable, you don't own the box. With DirecTV, you own the hardware and can do anything you want with it. For example, you can increase the recording capability by adding an extra harddrive (ie: I have two DirecTV/TiVo units, one has roughly 170 hours of recording, the other 120 hours), add network connectivity, etc. Can't do tha with cable.

 

CW