Comcast vs DirectTV vs. Dishnetwork

[Jman]

If you don't have a problem with the service, I'm sure it's great. I had to tell their techs how to troubleshoot. For almost a year I told them it is the wiring in the house and outside. They didn't listen. Finally I got the repair guy (like the 7th one or something) to replace the wires, and how about that? It worked!

[rbryan]

If you want NFL Ticket, Direct TV is your only option. Living in Atlanta I have to have it if I want the Stillers. I didn't know there was any other reason to own a TV. lol

BTW, Direct TV has been promising more HD channels for over a year now. WTF???

[Hammer67]

Here is my take on this. I have had Comcast, Charter Cable and currently DirecTV.

If you don't have High Def, then I don't think it matters much…go for the cheapest package that has the channels you want. If you have High Def, then you have all types of other problems to consider. The number 1 issue is HDLite (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD_Lite). This is most apparent from the satellite companies, Dish Network especially. Because the HD channels take up so much more bandwidth then regular, these companies have gotten away with compressing or shrinking the resolution so that you are technically lower then High Def. Cable companies can do this but I don't think any do other then Time Warner. They are more guilty of compression (Charter).

First off, support. It sucks across the board for all cable and satellite companies.

So, assuming you have a High Def television, here are my pros and cons for each:

DirecTV (and Dish):

Pros:
-more channels for cheaper
-NFL Sunday Ticket
-better overall picture
-more HD channels
-Post install support friendly and helpful if you know the right number to call

Cons:
-HD Lite on some HD channels
-Installation setup and support is atrocious (missed appointments, no call backs, etc)
-Dish is unsightly (HD dish is huge)
-No On Demand service!
-No direct Internet offering

Charter Cable (Michigan):

Pros:
-On Demand service is decent
-Support is ok
-5mb Cable Internet service

Cons:
-TV picture highly compressed (looks terrible in HD)
-Price
-No NFL Network

Comcast (Michigan and Pittsburgh)

Pros:
-Great HD picture (little or no compression)
-pricing ok if you get a deal and combine with Internet
-On Demand service is fantastic

Cons:
-Support is lousy
-Limited HD channel bandwidth
-not available in all areas


SO...it all depends on where you are.

I can only get Charter Cable where I live because of the monopolistic cable laws. So, I think DirecTV is the obvious choice for NFL fans and the HD picture is better.

The AVS forum is a great source of info on services in your area and quality. www.avsforum.com

[X-Terminator]

Verizon is going to be offering FiOS TV over their new fiber optic network in several communities in the Pittsburgh area soon and will be a direct competitor with Comcast primarily. It's only available in the Philly area right now, but it's cheaper, they offer more than 200 channels, a good HD channel lineup and On Demand. I can't wait for it just because it's cheaper - I'm getting raped by Comcast every month.

[Hammer67]

Originally Posted by X-Terminator

Verizon is going to be offering FiOS TV over their new fiber optic network in several communities in the Pittsburgh area soon and will be a direct competitor with Comcast primarily. It's only available in the Philly area right now, but it's cheaper, they offer more than 200 channels, a good HD channel lineup and On Demand. I can't wait for it just because it's cheaper - I'm getting raped by Comcast every month.

It's coming to the Detroit area soon, as well. I may dump the dish if Verizon can provide a decent HD signal.

[Hammer67]

Originally Posted by Preacher

Are you sure about that?

They will be digital... as well the over the air broadcasts... but not HD. Least, that is what I have understood.

You are correct. By 2008, all providers must be sending digital signals. This will only affect people that:

A) Do not have a digital cable box

and

B) Do not have a digital tuner built into their TV

What this means, is you will either have to upgrade your basic cable and get their box or buy a TV with a digital tuner.

They are pushing for more HD broadcasts but the cost of the equipment and upgrades will make it unrealistic to set such an early date for total conversion.

[MACH1]

Originally Posted by Hammer67

Here is my take on this. I have had Comcast, Charter Cable and currently DirecTV.

If you don't have High Def, then I don't think it matters much?go for the cheapest package that has the channels you want. If you have High Def, then you have all types of other problems to consider. The number 1 issue is HDLite (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD_Lite). This is most apparent from the satellite companies, Dish Network especially. Because the HD channels take up so much more bandwidth then regular, these companies have gotten away with compressing or shrinking the resolution so that you are technically lower then High Def. Cable companies can do this but I don't think any do other then Time Warner. They are more guilty of compression (Charter).

First off, support. It sucks across the board for all cable and satellite companies.
So, assuming you have a High Def television, here are my pros and cons for each:

DirecTV (and Dish):

Pros:
-more channels for cheaper
-NFL Sunday Ticket
-better overall picture
-more HD channels
-Post install support friendly and helpful if you know the right number to call

Cons:
-HD Lite on some HD channels
-Installation setup and support is atrocious (missed appointments, no call backs, etc)
-Dish is unsightly (HD dish is huge)
-No On Demand service!
-No direct Internet offering

Charter Cable (Michigan):

Pros:
-On Demand service is decent
-Support is ok
-5mb Cable Internet service

Cons:
-TV picture highly compressed (looks terrible in HD)
-Price
-No NFL Network

Comcast (Michigan and Pittsburgh)

Pros:
-Great HD picture (little or no compression)
-pricing ok if you get a deal and combine with Internet
-On Demand service is fantastic

Cons:
-Support is lousy
-Limited HD channel bandwidth
-not available in all areas


SO...it all depends on where you are.

I can only get Charter Cable where I live because of the monopolistic cable laws. So, I think DirecTV is the obvious choice for NFL fans and the HD picture is better.

The AVS forum is a great source of info on services in your area and quality. www.avsforum.com

Yep right now Direct has some HD lite, But they launched a new sat. last month and launching another in Dec. The new sat. thats up right now is in the final testing and should be good to go in sept. where all the new hd channels will be so there will no longer be a bandwidth issue. They will be switching to MPEG-4.

MPEG-4 is a newer encoding used currently on local HD channels & for the future HD channels.
It doesn't have anything to do with other channels.
The "goal" is to not have to compress the signal as they are doing now.

[Hammer67]

Originally Posted by MACH1

Yep right now Direct has some HD lite, But they launched a new sat. last month and launching another in Dec. The new sat. thats up right now is in the final testing and should be good to go in sept. where all the new hd channels will be so there will no longer be a bandwidth issue. They will be switching to MPEG-4.

MPEG-4 is a newer encoding used currently on local HD channels & for the future HD channels.
It doesn't have anything to do with other channels.
The "goal" is to not have to compress the signal as they are doing now.

I'll believe it when I see it! I did hear about the new birds. I also know you have to make sure you get the little cable converter to be able to pass the new MPEG4 signal. I have two on order.

[MACH1]

Originally Posted by Hammer67

You are correct. By 2008, all providers must be sending digital signals. This will only affect people that:

A) Do not have a digital cable box

and

B) Do not have a digital tuner built into their TV

What this means, is you will either have to upgrade your basic cable and get their box or buy a TV with a digital tuner.

They are pushing for more HD broadcasts but the cost of the equipment and upgrades will make it unrealistic to set such an early date for total conversion.

This is what I found about that.

http://news.com.com/Digital+TV+switc...3-6004429.html

Starting Feb. 18, 2009

(Part of the article)

In short, only those who continue to rely solely on over-the-air broadcast stations should have to make adjustments. Short of buying a new digital-ready television, they can opt for a digital-to-analog converter box, which manufacturers estimate will cost about $50 by 2009.

The approved Senate package would dispense up to $1.5 billion in government subsidies to households, which may request up to two $40 vouchers to use toward purchasing set-top boxes.

That I'll belive when I see it ^^

Your receivers should have come with the B Band Converters if you have the newer ones. hr-20 or h-20.

[Hammer67]

Mine did, but it was bad. Plus, as they aren't being used yet, I didn't have to worry about getting a replacement till now...