I have Charter Digital Cable right now, but am considering trying satellite.

Just wondering if one company is different/better than the others, and what some potential pitfalls/advantages might be.

One thing that I want to make sure is that I am able to get Fox Sports Detroit and the local channel in Grand Rapids (WXSP) that carries the Pistons game that are on MY20 in Detroit.

I have DTV with DVR (TIVO) and love it. I get XSP and FSD, NFL network, SPEED, some fishing channel, VS, ESPN 1, 2, News, and Classic all with the basic program

That sounds pretty good, that's about all I would need.

What do you pay for that/mo.?

The wife would want to make sure that TNT (aka The Law and Order Channel) is included too, but I'm sure it is.

Local channels included?

I have Dish Network. I have the lowest package available (top 100) plus FSD (you have to add on the Fox Sports channel for an extra 5 bucks a month). locals are included. I pay $36 a month for it.

It looks like they've changed the package so that it's 40 bucks a month for locals and the Fox Sports channels. Here's the lineup I have:

http://www.dishnetwork.com/content/whats_on_dish/programming_packages/at_100plus/packages.aspx

The only channel I wish I had was Versus. It's on the higher package, but not mine. It's not a huge deal for me though. It's 10 bucks cheaper than basic cable, more channels, better picture (compared to analog cable anyway). Also, the user interface on the channel guide is a million times better, even then most digital cable I've seen. When you enter the guide, you can still watch the current channel while you are surfing. A lot of them simply go into the guide and you cannot see the channel at all. I like to see what else is on while commercials are going so that's a big plus for me.

As far as reliability, I've had it two years and it's only gone out twice from severe storms (for a few hours). I had Comcast cable (not digital), and it went out about once a month for whatever reason. Some times for a few days. I hated their reliability. I also save on internet because I have DSL and it's 15 bucks a month instead of 35-40 for a cable modem. But DSL is dependant on where you live too.

The only other beef I have is that you really need to shut the box off every night when you go to bed or the programming will not update for the next day. If you leave it on (like putting the TV on a sleep timer), you only get the current programs in the guide the next day. But it only takes 2 minutes for them to download so you can shut it off at any time. If I fall asleep watching a late game, I usually just turn the box off when I wake up and let the dog out. The programming is updated by the time I pour my bowl of cereal.

In terms of quality and service, DirecTV owns the shit out of Dish Network from my experience. It's just the price; you have to decide if it's worth it.

That sounds pretty good, that's about all I would need.

What do you pay for that/mo.?

The wife would want to make sure that TNT (aka The Law and Order Channel) is included too, but I'm sure it is.

Local channels included?


Yes locals. $43 a month + 10 for 2 more TVs. tnt is there.

I have digital cable, but I miss my satellite big time. but i like like my comcast internet better.

In terms of quality and service, DirecTV owns the shit out of Dish Network from my experience.
I agree. Direct tv is the best this out there period if you can afford all the options it offers(i.e. nfl pass and what not).

Yeah, Direct TV has more to offer I have heard. I went with Dish Network because it was 10 bucks cheaper a month. I haven't had any service issues yet, so that's not a factor at this point.

Dishnetwork is far superior if you have HDTV.

Dishnetwork is far superior if you have HDTV.

how so...

Better picture quality (Dish uses mpeg 4 compression), better HD-Dvr, and way more HD channels.

The only thing directv has on dishnetwork is nfl ticket and the baseball package.

http://www.dishnetwork.com/content/our_products/dish_hd/programming/index.shtml

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/packProg/channelChart2.jsp?assetId=1100084

Better picture quality (Dish uses mpeg 4 compression), better HD-Dvr, and way more HD channels.

The only thing directv has on dishnetwork is nfl ticket and the baseball package.

http://www.dishnetwork.com/content/our_products/dish_hd/programming/index.shtml

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/packProg/channelChart2.jsp?assetId=1100084

Quoted for Truth.

Nothing is better than Comcast quality though. We just need the rights to the NFL contract.

Quoted for Truth.

Nothing is better than Comcast quality though. We just need the rights to the NFL contract.
Yep, only to get all of what he said you gotta pay severely more. Not to mention if you dont apply for their HD setup instead of basic cable, you dont get NFL Network, espn news, and a couple other channels.

Quality with no limit on what you can afford per month=Comcast.

Better quality at the lower price=Directv.

so unless you're spending High end with no budget in mind, Comcast isn't a first choice. In fact I nabbed the triple play and I'm about to nix the cable part of my triple play in favor of directv. Absolutely no excuse for nfl network and espn news not being provided in the basic package.

I already have AT&T internet service and landline service, so it looks like there is some real cost savings of bundling in the Dish Network and maybe even adding the Cingular Wireless too.

I can get all four of those services from one vendor, get it on one bill, all while realizing some decent cost savings. Of course, it remains to be seen if that savings will remain in a few years after they run all of their competition out of business.

^I had all of those too, except the wireless. SBC Yahoo DSL/At&T/Dish Network. Where I moved they don't have the SBC DSL and I had to get Verizon (which is my wireless service. Don't know if it's any good yet since they just turned it on yesterday and I haven't been able to set up my office yet.

I was very happy with the internet and the Dish as well. My only complaint with Dish Network is that Versus is only on the top package. In another few weeks that won't mean anything though since the playoffs will be over.

I was all set to go with Dish Network but then found out that they don't carry the local channel that broadcasts the non-FSD Pistons games on the West side of the state (WXSP).

Looks like Direct TV wins.

Oh, you don't get UPN/CW/MyTV 20 or whatever they are called. Bummer.

Oh, you don't get UPN/CW/MyTV 20 or whatever they are called. Bummer.
I don't get it either, but I live in fucking Toledo. I'm not even that far away dammit. Give me my Pistons fix! (Too late now)

I finally got sick of paying $82 to the cable company every month and just switched to Direct TV.

95 HD channels vs. the 15 or so that I get with cable and less money to boot.

I got so caught up in it that I called AT&T and dropped the land line too. We have like 1200 minutes of cell time a month and you only use those when you talk outside your 10 number circle.

I don't even want to talk on the phone at all, so this is more incentive.

I finally got sick of paying $82 to the cable company every month and just switched to Direct TV.

95 HD channels vs. the 15 or so that I get with cable and less money to boot.

I got so caught up in it that I called AT&T and dropped the land line too. We have like 1200 minutes of cell time a month and you only use those when you talk outside your 10 number circle.

I don't even want to talk on the phone at all, so this is more incentive.

same shit my wife and i do. Only way to go IMO.

I finally got sick of paying $82 to the cable company every month and just switched to Direct TV.

95 HD channels vs. the 15 or so that I get with cable and less money to boot.

I got so caught up in it that I called AT&T and dropped the land line too. We have like 1200 minutes of cell time a month and you only use those when you talk outside your 10 number circle.

I don't even want to talk on the phone at all, so this is more incentive. Comcast's is 99 bucks a month, so you could even bump your package up to 200-250 channels and still be in that price range.
Good man. How did you drop the land line entirely? Usually they require it for the Dish. I know they require it for DSL (unless you have a cable modem). The best I could do with the Dish/DSL was drop it to a $10/month line that allowed 15 outgoing calls a month (which we never used). It was still a lot cheaper than cable (even the triple play):

Dish with top 150: $35 bucks a month
DSL: $15/month (i think it was $25 after 1 year)
Phone: $10/month

That's 70 bucks a month after the discount period. It's another $10-20 a month for HD depending on which Dish company.

Even so, it's 80-90 bucks for the whole package and you get a lot more HD channels (and more reliability despite what the commercials say).

Good man. How did you drop the land line entirely? Usually they require it for the Dish. I know they require it for DSL (unless you have a cable modem). The best I could do with the Dish/DSL was drop it to a $10/month line that allowed 15 outgoing calls a month (which we never used). It was still a lot cheaper than cable (even the triple play):

Dish with top 150: $35 bucks a month
DSL: $15/month (i think it was $25 after 1 year)
Phone: $10/month

That's 70 bucks a month after the discount period. It's another $10-20 a month for HD depending on which Dish company.

Even so, it's 80-90 bucks for the whole package and you get a lot more HD channels (and more reliability despite what the commercials say).

Looks like I better look into that, quick.

I keep my Yahoo DSL through ATT and they are setting up a new "internet only " line for us.

It may be different with Direct TV. Dish Network bounces a signal back once a month to check that the line is still active (or so they say). There is no real reason to have it (they say it's required to order pay per views). I'm not sure if it's just talk or not. I doubt they would have hooked up your dish without it if it was required (unless you cancelled it after the install on the dish).

This forum says you don't need it to operate (which is what I had heard):

http://www.techimo.com/forum/general-tech-discussion/173054-do-i-need-phone-line-dish-network-box.html

Worst case you might get hit with 5 bucks a month, which is cheaper than any phone plan.

You need the land line for the install, that's it Glenn.

From here... http://www.dishtvtips.com/satellite-tv-faq.html


Directv® FAQ's
Why do I have to connect my satellite tv receiver to my telephone line?
The phone connection allows DIRECTV customers to be authorized so that they can order Pay Per View movies and events with their remote control and get popular sports subscriptions. Please keep in mind that you cannot connect with a cell phone. It has to be a land-based phone line.


Dish Network FAQ's
Do I really need to have a phone line connected to my receiver?
In order to pay for and receive pay-per-view services you need to have a phone line connected to your receiver. However, Dish Network has several options for subscribers who don't happen to have access to a phone jack in their home. 1) You can order online (This is assuming that you have internet access that is not dependent upon a phone jack.) 2) Use the automated telephone system with a pay phone or your cellular sevice. Just call (1-877-DISH-PPV or 1-877-347-4778)

I just called and they said there is no reason that you need a land line as long as you don't want to order pay per view programming via the remote.

You can order anything you want on the web, though, just not through the remote.

Looks like only Dish Network charges you the 5 bucks per reciever not hooked in. That's something to consider since Dish was slightly cheaper last time I priced it VS Direct TV.

I went went Direct TV almost completely because Dish doesn't offer WXSP (West Mi My20 equivalent) and Direct TV does.

I just couldn't miss the 25 or so Pistons games that don't air on FSD.

You need the land line for the install, that's it Glenn.

I would have hoped that they would have just mentioned that, but they didn't.

Well, no Direct TV for me.

Installer showed up at the house and told my wife that we don't have good place to put the dish, there's no clear shot to the satellite in the SW (we have a lot of trees).

The guy gets paid by the install, so he's got no motivation to not want to do it.

I guess it's good that I didn't cancel the cable yet, but I'm back to spending $80/mo. again.

I could strip the channels way down, but that would save me a whopping $10/mo.

Fuq.

Have you guys ever seen or heard of this:
https://uverse1.att.com/un/launchAMSS.do

Ironically, my bro in-law is getting this installed tomorrow at his house.

Have you guys ever seen or heard of this:
https://uverse1.att.com/un/launchAMSS.do

Ironically, my bro in-law is getting this installed tomorrow at his house.
I actually ordered it earlier this week. I'll let you know what it's like. Here's hoping...

Yeah, let me know how it works out.

My bro lives in Kzoo and the service is available there, but it hasn't yet made it up to the northern suburbs, where I am.

I'm stuck with Charter, for now.

Looks like Verizon has a smilar service (fiber optic tv):
http://www22.verizon.com/Content/FiOSTV/About+FiOS+TV/About+FiOS+TV.htm

Of course, it's also not available in my area.

Yeah, let me know how it works out.

My bro lives in Kzoo and the service is available there, but it hasn't yet made it up to the northern suburbs, where I am.

I'm stuck with Charter, for now.

Just got it installed a couple hours ago, and it's awesome so far. Comes with a free DVR and service, plus I got back $300 to sign up. Internet seems to be really quick too. So far, so good.

Well, no Direct TV for me.

Installer showed up at the house and told my wife that we don't have good place to put the dish, there's no clear shot to the satellite in the SW (we have a lot of trees).

The guy gets paid by the install, so he's got no motivation to not want to do it.

I guess it's good that I didn't cancel the cable yet, but I'm back to spending $80/mo. again.

I could strip the channels way down, but that would save me a whopping $10/mo.

Fuq.

Solution = Chain saw
Get a wood burner and save on your gas bills

here's a deal to get just HD channels for about $30/mo

http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?t=801384

if they had FSN Detroit, i'd be all over this.

Solution = Chain saw
Get a wood burner and save on your gas bills
The chain saw only works if the trees in the way are your own.

Otherwise, you may have some pissed off neighbors on your hands.

First-hand experience is a bitch.

Looking at U-Verse again. Anybody have it?

I'm sick of paying $100/mo. for a box that nobody really watches, except for basketball and Law & Order.

^ PAYING HIS OWN WAY, NOT A LIB

Looking at U-Verse again. Anybody have it?

I'm sick of paying $100/mo. for a box that nobody really watches, except for basketball and Law & Order.

lil known fact. Glen has seen one of my brothers.

Just did online chat with Charter retention dept. and got them down to $70, inclusive of all taxes and fees.

They would only do it for 1 year, so I'll BRB to this thread in 12 mos.

Saved $360 just for aksing, lol.

^ Its amazing isn't it? I did that with Direct TV, cell phone, just about every biz wants to retain peeps right now. I saved quite a bit.

lil known fact. Glen has seen one of my brothers.

And one of my cousin-in-laws.

And me naked.

All horrifying.