Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

[quote=mredskins;526113][B]If you have a HD TV with a HD converter built in you can pick up HD channels with bunny ears with no problem[/B]. Agruable maybe the best HD picture you will see.

It will be displayed as a ##-#. for example my NBC is 11 but over bunny ears my HD NBC is 11-1.

If not for the wife this would be my set up at my house also. MPT (Maryland Public TV) has seriously 4 or 5 HD channels that they brodcast and can easily be picked up by bunny ears.

I figured this out becasue the wonderful world of DircTV didn't allow HD local channels in my area. I now have Comcast.[/quote]

Yeah, but all of that goes away this month. There will be no "over the air" Broadcasts.

Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

^^ haha yeah i didnt figure that out (my HDTV has a digital converter built in) till i got home (about an hour before SB kick off) trying frantically to hook up my converter box . . . but not all stations broadcast the digital signal yet, thoo most do so on the weekends.

but most HD channels (11.1 or 13.1 etc) only have audio and no video until the weekends if im lucky. im going to return the converter box and look into those HD bunny ears, thanks cpayne.

go skins!!

Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

[quote=Angry;526118]Yeah, but all of that goes away this month. There will be no "over the air" Broadcasts.[/quote]

Really because isn't the convert box built into the set??? My understanding is that people with non-HD TV with Rabbit ears will now plug the Rabbit Ears into the convert box then the box into the TV, thus they are essential still using the rabbit ears. Most newer HD TV's already have this box built into so all you need are the bunny ears even after it switches over. Correct?

Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

There still will be over-the-air broadcasts, there just will not be any analog over-the-air broadcasts.

You will need a converter box if you receive your television signal from the air AND if you have an older TV without an HD tuner built in. The converter box goes in between your HD rabbit ears and your old non-HD TV. The box converts the digital signal being received by the rabbit ears into an analog signal that your TV can display.

If you have a satellite, cable, etc provider, you do not need a converter box. Those companies will still provide you with an analog signal.

Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

[quote=Angry;526118]Yeah, but all of that goes away this month. There will be no "over the air" Broadcasts.[/quote]


So basically this statement is false. OK.

Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

Yo, a young saleslady for Verizon showed up at my house last night asking if we were satisfied with the FiOS phone and internet service we have, and asking why we hadn't yet made the switch to FiOS TV.

I said, in so many words, BECAUSE I AIN'T MISSIN MY SKINS! I need DirecTV for the Sunday Ticket and won't give it up.

To which she then said that starting in 09 Verizon would be carrying the Sunday Ticket. Has anybody else heard this? I'm going to call Verizon today, because if I can bundle all my services to save some cash, AND still get the Skins, I'm on board. Just wondering if you guys heard about that.

Sorry if this is a dup discussion, I'm between meetings and can't take the time to read thru the thread.

Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

I would be very skeptical Schneed. No way DirectTV sub-licenses NFL Ticket considering that's their fishing rod for their other TV services. I had a Comcast rep tell me that crap before and I quickly realized NFL Network != NFL Ticket. Those reps will say anything to get you in the door. Truth be damned, they get paid for signing you up.

Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

What saden said. The rep, intentionally or unintentionally, was most likely talking about NFL Network or maybe even the MLB package

Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

Schneed -- it seems every company is going for the ticket. Ive heard that every company is going to be bidding hard for it -- what I don't understand is why the NFL doesn't let every cable provider have the ticket, and take a flat fee from each Sunday Ticket sold. Each provider can do different things, as long as they give every NFL game that week.

Edit: Did some quick reading, it looks as if Verizon may be in the process of buying DirectTV -- so perhaps this isn't too far off...

Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

[quote=Schneed10;526274]Yo, a young saleslady for Verizon showed up at my house last night asking if we were satisfied with the FiOS phone and internet service we have, and asking why we hadn't yet made the switch to FiOS TV.

I said, in so many words, BECAUSE I AIN'T MISSIN MY SKINS! I need DirecTV for the Sunday Ticket and won't give it up.

To which she then said that starting in 09 Verizon would be carrying the Sunday Ticket. Has anybody else heard this? I'm going to call Verizon today, because if I can bundle all my services to save some cash, AND still get the Skins, I'm on board. Just wondering if you guys heard about that.

Sorry if this is a dup discussion, I'm between meetings and can't take the time to read thru the thread.[/quote]

DirecTV has exclusive rights through the 2010 season.

[url=http://www.twice.com/article/CA482174.html]DirecTV Extends NFL Contract - 11/22/2004 - TWICE[/url]

Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

[quote=Daseal;526284]Schneed -- it seems every company is going for the ticket. Ive heard that every company is going to be bidding hard for it -- what I don't understand is why the NFL doesn't let every cable provider have the ticket, and take a flat fee from each Sunday Ticket sold. Each provider can do different things, as long as they give every NFL game that week.

Edit: [B]Did some quick reading, it looks as if Verizon may be in the process of buying DirectTV[/B] -- so perhaps this isn't too far off...[/quote]

That's interesting, where did you see that?

Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

Daseal,

Where did you see Verizon is in the process of buying DirecTV?

Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

You guys were right, my wife just called Verizon and was told that they carry the NFL Network but not the Sunday Ticket.

Consider that idea squashed!

Don't tell the NFL or the networks, but I'd pay almost any price to be able to get the Skins on Sundays. They could charge $1000 for the ticket and I'd pay it. Seriously.

I told my wife when we got married, I'm capable of living very humbly and would prefer to do so in most aspects, I just need two things: the freedom to buy steaks and beer when I choose and the Redskins on Sundays. If I have those things I'm good.

Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

Just to reiterate, I am freaking dieing right now with no NFLN. That's always my go to channel when nothing else is on. Now I'm going to miss the combine coverage too. Ugh I'm pissed.

Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

[quote=Mattyk72;526300]Just to reiterate, I am freaking dieing right now with no NFLN. That's always my go to channel when nothing else is on. Now I'm going to miss the combine coverage too. Ugh I'm pissed.[/quote]

Perhaps we could start a "Combine" game day thread for you?

Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

[quote=mredskins;526251]So basically this statement is false. OK.[/quote]

Yes I was incorrect. I forgot that you could send a Digital signal through an over the air broadcast. It is a practice that has not used in the private sector until recently. That's part of the reason why they had to push the shutoff date.



You guys were granted an extra half year according to this link. Read "Analog Shutoff"
[URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-definition_television_in_the_United_States"]High-definition television in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/URL]

Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

There are some oddities about Verizon/DTV -- [url=http://www22.verizon.com/residentialhelp/generic/directv/123626.htm]Verizon | - About DIRECTV[/url] for instance.

This guy does a good rundown of DTV vs FIoS -- he has both in his house. [url=http://www.satelliteguys.us/directv-forum/93300-directv-vs-verizon-fios.html]DirecTV vs. Verizon FIOS - SatelliteGuys.US[/url]

It's weird -- they seem to have some sort of alliance, I'm not sure how the laws work -- could DTV share Sunday Ticket with Verizon without opening it up to all other cable providers? Or in order to keep the contract has to stay exclusive to DTV?

Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

Daseal, you may be confusing Verizon FiOS with the whole Verizon company. This is saying that if you get Verizon phone and internet you could bundle it with DirecTV. I had something similar with AT&T, where I had their phone and internet service and DirecTV. But if I had gotten AT&T U-Verse as my tv service instead of DirecTV then I wouldn't get Sunday Ticket.

Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

[quote=Mattyk72;526300]Just to reiterate, I am freaking dieing right now with no NFLN. That's always my go to channel when nothing else is on. Now I'm going to miss the combine coverage too. Ugh I'm pissed.[/quote]


Actualy I just canceled it. Other then the reg season games they broadcast in season I have no use for it. I sometimes watch it at the gym but rarely.

Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

[quote=SmootSmack;526320]Daseal, you may be confusing Verizon FiOS with the whole Verizon company. [B]This is saying that if you get Verizon phone and internet you could bundle it with DirecTV[/B]. I had something similar with AT&T, where I had their phone and internet service and DirecTV. But if I had gotten AT&T U-Verse as my tv service instead of DirecTV then I wouldn't get Sunday Ticket.[/quote]

Yeah that's what it is. They just bundle their services.

Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

so i have had directv for about 6 years and it has been great i'd say it's 10 times better than cable. however the directv on demand is a huge let down it's pretty awful and it seems like directv is getting more and more expensive,and the programing has gotten worse.

i will be buying a new house soon and am thinking of switching to fios, since i can bundle tv, internet,and cell phones. just wondering if anyone has any first hand knowlegde about fios and what they thought of their service and how much they were paying.

i pay about $165 a month on average for directv since i have 3 dvr's two of them hd, another non hd box and i get every movie channel. any help would be great, just from looking at verizon's website looks like i can get all three for around $320 a month.

plus it will be nice not to have to throw snowballs at my dish to knock snow off so i get my hd channels, already had to to it twice during this storm, i even sprayed the damn thing with pam, since a directv tech told me that would help

Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

You could always try bargaining with DTV. Bitch enough and threaten to leave and they will work with you. Just don't be a prick, just be firm with what you want. Just a suggestion.

Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

[quote=mlmdub130;660906]so i have had directv for about 6 years and it has been great i'd say it's 10 times better than cable. however the directv on demand is a huge let down it's pretty awful and it seems like directv is getting more and more expensive,and the programing has gotten worse.

i will be buying a new house soon and am thinking of switching to fios, since i can bundle tv, internet,and cell phones. just wondering if anyone has any first hand knowlegde about fios and what they thought of their service and how much they were paying.

i pay about $165 a month on average for directv since i have 3 dvr's two of them hd, another non hd box and i get every movie channel. any help would be great, just from looking at verizon's website looks like i can get all three for around $320 a month.

plus it will be nice not to have to throw snowballs at my dish to knock snow off so i get my hd channels, already had to to it twice during this storm,[B] i even sprayed the damn thing with pam, since a directv tech told me that would help[/B][/quote]

I wonder how well Rain-ex would work?

Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

[quote=Mattyk;660907]You could always try bargaining with DTV. Bitch enough and threaten to leave and they will work with you. Just don't be a prick, just be firm with what you want. Just a suggestion.[/quote]

trust me i know that routine, that how i got espn college game plan for a 1/4 of the price, and i plan on doing that i was gonna do it last week i was just busy and too tired to do it after work.

i love directv it just seems like they are charging more and more and the prgraming is getting worse and worse, and the on demand feature is a joke they charge you $3 for movies like die hard

Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

To anyone who's had FiOS internet for awhile, are the dl/ul speeds what they say they are? I'm looking at the pricing and it seems like a no-brainer to switch from TWC's Standard 7 Mbps/512k to FiOS' listed 15/5 Mbps "Fast" plan.

I also hear it's a bit weird if you want your own router if you add a hi-def package... something about having to use the Verizon router (which seems to cause issues for people that use their computers in conjuction with their TVs wirelessly). You actually have to call to activate ethernet and then connect the Verizon router into an open port on your personal router, in order to keep using your own for everything.

Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

I still have Comcast and for the most part I can not bitch too hard. their DVR sucks but Ihave been thinking about giving them back their DVR and just getting HD boxes then add TIVO. I so heart TIVO.

Lately my go to for TV watching is PS3. I have Play On Media and Netflix Streaming, basically can see everything I want but no LIVE sporting events.

I have sid this before but go with wah tis best for your area and needs. When I lived in DC DIRCTV was best for me now that I am in B-more Comcast is best for me.

Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

[quote=mlmdub130;660906]so i have had directv for about 6 years and it has been great i'd say it's 10 times better than cable. however the directv on demand is a huge let down it's pretty awful and it seems like directv is getting more and more expensive,and the programing has gotten worse.

i will be buying a new house soon and am thinking of switching to fios, since i can bundle tv, internet,and cell phones. just wondering if anyone has any first hand knowlegde about fios and what they thought of their service and how much they were paying.

i pay about $165 a month on average for directv since i have 3 dvr's two of them hd, another non hd box and i get every movie channel. any help would be great, just from looking at verizon's website looks like i can get all three for around $320 a month.

plus it will be nice not to have to throw snowballs at my dish to knock snow off so i get my hd channels, already had to to it twice during this storm, i even sprayed the damn thing with pam, since a directv tech told me that would help[/quote]
Verizon is twice as much. I can throw alot of now balls for $165. I think our Direct Tv runs around $65 per month and we get show time free and have no other movie ch. If anything I think DT has added more stuff then its removed. if your a sport fane their basic package get you the NFL, Basball, hockey, tennis, and golf ch.

Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

Anyone thinking about getting DirecTV anytime soon? If so I have a referral code that will give you a $100 Visa Rewards card for signing up. Hit me up on PM if interested.

Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

I tried to get it. No dice with the trees in my back yard. I have FiOS and all is good.

Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

I live in a listed building with no Southeast facing windows. I guess I'll spend a fortune at Yard House again this season.

<shakes_fist_at_no_one_in_particular>

Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

Like Direct TV as it has the NFL Sunday Ticket. My dad nearly went back to ATT.Net but Direct TV came out and fixed the On Demand which we did not have at the time. But now we now have. As it is less than Cable to pay as Cable was costing us a fortune.

Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

In regards to compressed TV signals that all Satellite and Cable companies have in order to fit more "HD" channels on their packages, DirecTV seems to have the best picture quality. When I lived in Virginia, I had Comcast for a little bit. The HD picture quality was good, but when I switched to DirecTV (same HD TV) it just seemed like the picture quality was so much better. Of course, it remains true that having over-the-air TV signals coming into your TV is the best quality picture, because the signals are uncompressed.

Anyways, the other thing I really like about DirecTV is that I feel like I can negotiate with them much easier than Comcast.

Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

I'm starting to get closer than ever to stereotypical modern white guy in regards to my TV habits. I remember back in college there was a girl in my class who told me about how she hardly if ever watched TV any more and I couldn't fathom the idea.

These days, granted I'm spending a significant amount of time looking at a screen of some sort, but its rarely that of a traditional TV broadcast. Heck a year or two ago I switched from NHL Center Ice (NHL cable package) to Hockey Streams Online (which at least compared to the streaming NHL Gamecenter service was cheaper and better quality [60 fps vs 30 fps]).

For NFL games I'm usually "pirating" streams, mainly for Skins games. For almost any other sport streaming would be unbearable due to the usually no better than 240p quality and 30 fps but for the most part, as long as you're not 'breaking down film', football is more then bearable at lower qualities due to the fact that its not too hard to follow and slow moving enough while being accompanied by numerous replays and commentary.

Also as of last year I got the Mohu leaf HD TV antenna on Amazon for $40 where I couldn't believe the difference in quality over my Comcast HD. Granted I only had the traditional rabbit ear channels but for NFL football you're usually fine as you have Fox, CBS, and NBC.

Heck even with ESPN Monday Night Football I started using the X-Box 360 app instead of my cable box. Granted theres a few games on NFL Network where I turn to my cable box but even the Draft is streamed directly from NFL.com these days.

Anyway the point is times are a changing. Lets just hope that the cable lobbyist don't mess it up for the rest of us.

Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

[quote=Dirtbag59;1068637]I'm starting to get closer than ever to stereotypical modern white guy in regards to my TV habits. I remember back in college there was a girl in my class who told me about how she hardly if ever watched TV any more and I couldn't fathom the idea.

These days, granted I'm spending a significant amount of time looking at a screen of some sort, but its rarely that of a traditional TV broadcast. Heck a year or two ago I switched from NHL Center Ice (NHL cable package) to Hockey Streams Online (which at least compared to the streaming NHL Gamecenter service was cheaper and better quality [60 fps vs 30 fps]).

For NFL games I'm usually "pirating" streams, mainly for Skins games. For almost any other sport streaming would be unbearable due to the usually no better than 240p quality and 30 fps but for the most part, as long as you're not 'breaking down film', football is more then bearable at lower qualities due to the fact that its not too hard to follow and slow moving enough while being accompanied by numerous replays and commentary.

Also as of last year I got the Mohu leaf HD TV antenna on Amazon for $40 where I couldn't believe the difference in quality over my Comcast HD. Granted I only had the traditional rabbit ear channels but for NFL football you're usually fine as you have Fox, CBS, and NBC.

Heck even with ESPN Monday Night Football I started using the X-Box 360 app instead of my cable box. Granted theres a few games on NFL Network where I turn to my cable box but even the Draft is streamed directly from NFL.com these days.

Anyway the point is times are a changing. Lets just hope that the cable lobbyist don't mess it up for the rest of us.[/quote]

I long for the day when we can sit back and laugh about the times when we had to go through a cable or satellite company to watch all of our favorite programming - especially football games. I'll admit that I absolutely LOVE watching football in HD - but like you, if I had to go the stream route, I could handle it. The only thing is, I often don't get home in time to watch the early game, so I have it recording on the DVR. If there could be a delayed stream on live games where you could start from the beginning (and maybe there is?) then I'd be OK with that!

Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

i have been without cable for the past 2 months (until we pick and settle in to a new place in baltimore) and i have watched very little TV.

to be honest, i miss it. cable tv adds a quality to life bc after my daughter goes down, me and my lady would normally watch something together snuggled up in bed and now maybe we read next to each other or watch a seinfeld dvd but the bonding act of flipping through the channels and jointly picking what to watch is gone and it is different.

fighting over the remote, making concessions to let her watch what she wants etc is good fodder for couples to have light talk that isnt about bills or feelings or anything heavy and head-achy.

cant wait to get me some cable

rant off

Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

[quote=over the mountain;1068672]i have been without cable for the past 2 months (until we pick and settle in to a new place in baltimore) and i have watched very little TV.

to be honest, i miss it. cable tv adds a quality to life bc after my daughter goes down, me and my lady would normally watch something together snuggled up in bed and now maybe we read next to each other or watch a seinfeld dvd but the bonding act of flipping through the channels and jointly picking what to watch is gone and it is different.

fighting over the remote, making concessions to let her watch what she wants etc is good fodder for couples to have light talk that isnt about bills or feelings or anything heavy and head-achy.

cant wait to get me some cable

rant off[/quote]

I'm definitely not in the same place as you, divorced, no one else sharing anything etc etc. That said, I got a Roku box, and PS3 (which I NEVER use) and still sometimes like putting a cable channel on and just letting it run.

I also have a Netflix, Amazon instant prime account, and an Aereo account, which lets me dvr the latest and greatest over the air episodes. So I could see just not using the cable box, but somehow, cable takes away a level of thinking about what to watch that is kind of nice after a long day.

Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

I just got hooked up with the Genie whole home DVR. So now I'm totally blown away with all the new features and on demand stuff. It's almost too much to choose from.

Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

[quote=Mattyk;1068679]I just got hooked up with the Genie whole home DVR. So now I'm totally blown away with all the new features and on demand stuff. It's almost too much to choose from.[/quote]


I have Comcast and their On Demand stuff with HBO ,Showtime and Stars ,I have over 600 stations .I might watch 3 .

Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

just signed up for cable and internet w comcast.

$129.98 a month for their double play preferred package (hbo plus 220 channels, 2 HD boxes 1 of which is dvr as well, im supplying my own modem).

normally i can negotiate a discretionary discount but this time it was tough, the sales people literally wouldnt budge on anything. i was able to get them to reduce the professional installation fee from 69.95 to 39.95 but that was it (new building, never had cable set up, the guy will probably have to install boxes and wires etc in the basement = pain in ass).

my last hope is to call them in 29 days and say i am unhappy with the service and see if i cant get a discount or at least free showtime or something.

[B]direct tv really isnt an option since Comcast is the only internet provider for Baltimore = how is that not a monopoly? how is the govt' allowing ppl to get bent over the barrel?[/B] this is ridiculous and getting out of hand.

Re: DirecTV vs. cable
 

Honestly, I would rather assume have a roof top TV antenna than to pay for cable or satellite. While there are a couple of TV shows that my wife and I like to watch on cable TV - you can catch most of those shows on that station's website.

My only reason for having DirecTV is having access to NFL Sunday Ticket. I can't watch all of the Redskins games down here - and good or bad - watching each game is very important to me. I don't subscribe to any premium channels. I do have a couple TV shows that I like to watch on cable, but you can honestly watch just about anything you want to on that stations' website.

I have considered going the route of unhooking from DirecTV altogether, just having the TV antenna, and buying the NFL recap games on iTunes or that NFL replay thing for $50 a season (I believe that's what it is.) But I don't know if I could stand not being able to watch the game as it's played out live.