Satellite or Cable?

frey · #1 (**permalink**) 02-15-07, 08:57 PM

I had satellite years ago when it first came out, but have had TW cable for the last 6-7 years. The last couple years has been with their HD DVR receiver.

D....tV recently released their HD DVR and I'm hearing they have plans to launch two satellites later this year, specifically to support HD. Rumor is they'll have 100 HD channels by the end of the year. Cable is supposedly going to add to their HD lineup, but won't get anywhere near 100 channels. D also offers the football package and they pickup nascar from cable this year.

Anyone recently changed from cable to satellite? Anyone have opinions of why one is better than the other? I'm ready to pull the trigger, but would be interested in any "watch outs" anyone can offer.

gothicaleigh · #2 (**permalink**) 02-15-07, 09:52 PM

Satellite for television. Cable for internet.
DirecTV is the greatestest. DirecWay sucks.

Murphyg · #3 (**permalink**) 02-15-07, 10:33 PM

When it comes to the Hi-Def, Ive heard Direct TV is not the way to go.

It was a bunch of tech jargon that I was reading but I believe I did get the jist of it.

The number of chanells they offer doesnt really mean anything. Its the actuall quality of the Hi-Def signal that is being sent that matters.
Got to remember. Your not paying for the number of chanells. (those chanells are available on regular) Your supposed to be paying for the higher quality signal.

Basicly it had to do with what was technically classified as Hi-Def..But then added into what was accepted as to how the provider sent/broadcasted the signal to the consumer.

And from what I had read...DTV was crap when it came down to what the subscribers were actually recieving. No where near in par when it came down to what other providers were sending.

If get time will see if I can find that info again.

DILLIGAF · #4 (**permalink**) 02-15-07, 10:36 PM

All cable here,DVR boxes on 2 TV's.We have lots of wind and storms,cable is more reliable here.Costs about the same,120ish a month,ahhhhh cable upload speed sucks,satellite uploads much faster.

Elvis · #5 (**permalink**) 02-16-07, 10:22 AM

The only reason I keep DirecTV is for the NFL package.

When I got it in 1997, it had twice as many channels as my cable company offered, at the same price.

But for the past 5 years cable has had a better deal. I stick with the dish for football.

I don't know nothing about no HD. That would mean buying new TV sets, and I have three sets with 27" or larger screens. All tubes, all functioning perfectly. Until they die, I won't be blowing any money on it.

nikon · #6 (**permalink**) 02-16-07, 11:08 AM

lol hd is free go to www.titantv.com and type in your zip code...they all you need is an HD antenna for about 100$ and your up and running...pair that with a Media Center PC and your set...personally I love it..and it's FREE!!!

P-Funk · #7 (**permalink**) 02-16-07, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gothicaleigh

Satellite for television. Cable for internet.
DirecTV is the greatestest.

I don't know about everyone elses experiences, but I've found that cable tv is less reliable than satellite. Cable was always going out on me. Satellite only goes out during really bad weather.

thebigjimsho · #8 (**permalink**) 02-16-07, 08:53 PM

I've had DirecTV since 1995, originally for the NFL Sunday Ticket. It's gone out maybe 10 times in only THE WORST weather. And the picture is ALWAYS primo. It still has more channels for less money than cable around here. And if you have a generator, you never have to worry about losing TV. Most of the bad weather crap is cable propoganda.

As for HD, I'm not too familiar with. But my friend has HD cable and it doesn't look as good as HD satellite that I've seen. And since satellite has no wires, their technology is only limited by the satellite itself, not by local infrastructure and everything between. Satellite is the roxorz!

lawfive · #9 (**permalink**) 02-16-07, 09:52 PM

I'm seriously thinking about switching from my perfectly good TW cable and my great-working but stupid-interfacey TW Motorola 6412 HD dual tuner DVR cable box, and going to Direct TV.

I want my freaking football games.

frey · #10 (**permalink**) 02-17-07, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gothicaleigh

Satellite for television. Cable for internet.

Definitely keeping Cable for internet (employer pays for it).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Murphyg

Basicly it had to do with what was technically classified as Hi-Def..But then added into what was accepted as to how the provider sent/broadcasted the signal to the consumer.

And from what I had read...DTV was crap when it came down to what the subscribers were actually recieving. No where near in par when it came down to what other providers were sending.

If get time will see if I can find that info again.

I did some poking around the DTV site and couldn't find much about their HD signal. They did advertise Discovery HD as being broadcast in 1080i w/5.1 sound, but nothing about their other channels. I'd be real interested if you could find that info.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elvis

The only reason I keep DirecTV is for the NFL package.

I don't know nothing about no HD.

NFL package.....one of the other big reasons I want to change.

HD is awesome. Standard Def pales in comparison.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikon

lol hd is free go to www.titantv.com and type in your zip code...they all you need is an HD antenna for about 100$ and your up and running...pair that with a Media Center PC and your set...personally I love it..and it's FREE!!!

I looked at adding an HD antenna, but my TV is only HD ready, so I still need a tuner. When you say a Media Center PC, is that basically a PC with a TV card installed? Can you get cable only stations (ESPN, TNT, FX, etc...) that way?

Quote:

Originally Posted by lawfive

I'm seriously thinking about switching from my perfectly good TW cable and my great-working but stupid-interfacey TW Motorola 6412 HD dual tuner DVR cable box, and going to Direct TV.

I want my freaking football games.

A Moto box huh? TW provides us with the Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8000 unit here for HD DVR service. For the most part it's been pretty reliable.

Currently, it looks like DTV's HD lineup is no better than TW's offering. Moving now would keep me from subscribing to the MLB package this summer, although it does look like I could get NESN as part of a DTV sports package (gotta have the Sox games).

Maybe later in the year, once DTV actually expands their HD lineup, it's closer to football season, and baseball is over, it'll make more sense to switch.

Thanks for the great responses!!