Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: flakbait on April 05, 2006, 06:35:26 PM
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Awright, Comcast has collected their last dime from me. $61 a month for Basic cable (60-odd channels) is really reaching, and I'm through with 'em. They're pretty good about phone service, and I've heard ugly rumors broadband access isn't too bad. But this cable TV stuff is crud. So, ta hell wit 'em! :furious I'm going satellite. Only question is, who to choose? I've heard decent things about both DirecTV and Dish. I don't need 50 channels of ESPN reruns from 30 years ago, nor do I need all 79 channels of HBO. Just a basic package with a company that won't buttrape me on prices and has above par customer service. I've done the usual research (packages n' such) but I'd like some personal opinions about which to sign up with.
Thanks fellas!
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Flakbait [Delta6]
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what are your first three picks... and what are you gonna do for broadband access?
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I've been happy with DirecTV.
Whether you choose Dish or DTV, be sure to get a DVR.
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I was happy enough with DirecTV when I had sat. You do need to consider your internet access options though. While DirecTV does offer a "broadband" internet connection, its not suitable for gaming (and really it pretty much sucks for basic internet surfing too). Its also expensive because you have to pay up front for the equipment to get it hooked up. Unless you can get DSL where you are, you'd be stuck with dialup.
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Got Dish. Great so far, but you gotta get the DVR. Best to get the dual tuner DVR so you can watch one and record another. You can even record 2 and watch a 3rd channel you've recorded previously.
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I've had both Dish and Direct. I'll NEVER go back to Direct. I have America's Top 180 (I think it's still 180 plus channels, maybe more) and locals. I pay about $50 a month. I do not have HBO, Showtime, or Cinemax. I do have everything else such as Encore and TMC, and all of the music channels. I am really happy with it. They have some other packages that include stuff like Verizon, and I think Earthlink (I have Earthlink DSL and Verizon cell phones already).
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We have Directv. It's been good for us while traveling around.Dish and durect are pretty much the same as far as I am concerned. look over the basic and extended packages each offers and go with the one that has the most chanels you want.
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I've had direct tv for going on 10 years now. My bill is pretty steep at 142 a month but that is with absolutely every channel minus the sports channels.
I've had to call them several times over the past years, mainly activating new access cards etc., But every time i've called them, they have been very nice, quick and helpful. Like sandman mentioned, you will definately want a DVR receiver.
Where I am at, Direct tv doesnt offer local channels. Which doesn't bother me since I have an HDtv and a set of HD rabbit ears. Either way you choose I imagine they are close to the same as maverick mentioned just look at what both offer and find one that matches your needs.
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I had Dish Network since Primestar went out of business. Their customer service has steadily gone downhill to the point where I just switched to DirecTv. I like Dish's on screen interface better, but so far the customer service has been 100% better with DirecTv.
Definitely go with the DVR.
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Originally posted by rpm
I had Dish Network since Primestar went out of business. Their customer service has steadily gone downhill to the point where I just switched to DirecTv. I like Dish's on screen interface better, but so far the customer service has been 100% better with DirecTv.
Definitely go with the DVR.
What he said
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Originally posted by rpm
I had Dish Network since Primestar went out of business. Their customer service has steadily gone downhill to the point where I just switched to DirecTv. I like Dish's on screen interface better, but so far the customer service has been 100% better with DirecTv.
Definitely go with the DVR.
Hmmm... I had Primestar as well. DirecTV bought them out and I've been with them ever since. I have no complaints. I have never had to deal with customer service.
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After getting my account number their automated system allways says "congratulations, you've been recognized as one of directv's best customers."
It's the little things that impress me.
I'm on DSL from SBC who also offers my phone. If I was smart I could get cell and sat service from them as well. Can't say much for their customer service. They've allways helped me out real well but sometimes the indian accents get unbearable or downright funny.
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Originally posted by Sandman
Hmmm... I had Primestar as well. DirecTV bought them out and I've been with them ever since. I have no complaints. I have never had to deal with customer service.
The installer that picked up my Primestar gave me a choice. I went with Dish because of the programing package. I'd kill to get on a Charlie Chat and talk about customer service over the last 2 years.
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Originally posted by Estes
Where I am at, Direct tv doesnt offer local channels. Which doesn't bother me since I have an HDtv and a set of HD rabbit ears. Either way you choose I imagine they are close to the same as maverick mentioned just look at what both offer and find one that matches your needs.
Thankfully they do have local channels in my area. It's also good to hear their customer service doesn't totally blow chunks. Comcast I've got phone and TV through, though the TV service will be killed off as of next week. Based on what they offer (155 channels, plus locals, $44.99) and what you guys have said, I think I'll go DirecTv. Local stuff for free, and an extra receiver is $5 a month. I can live with that. DVR I might do later; can't afford it right now.
Hang,
I'm on dial-up. Yeah it stinks, but it's cheap! I just wish my employer wasn't.
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Flakbait [Delta6]
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Originally posted by flakbait
Thankfully they do have local channels in my area. It's also good to hear their customer service doesn't totally blow chunks. Comcast I've got phone and TV through, though the TV service will be killed off as of next week. Based on what they offer (155 channels, plus locals, $44.99) and what you guys have said, I think I'll go DirecTv. Local stuff for free, and an extra receiver is $5 a month. I can live with that. DVR I might do later; can't afford it right now.
Hang,
I'm on dial-up. Yeah it stinks, but it's cheap! I just wish my employer wasn't.
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Flakbait [Delta6]
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Thats not a bad deal, one thing you might want to look out for. Take a look at the brand of reciver they give you. They first gave me a Hughes receiver. I ended up having nothing but trouble with the stupid thing. Then, they ended up giving me a better samsung receiver. So, if at all possible you might want to talk them into giving you something different than a Hughes receiver.
This was a long time ago, so they may not use them at all anymore. And if they do they may be better now. Just speaking from the experience I have had with that particular brand receiver.
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See Rule #2
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Hi ya Flak....
I have been useing Direct TV for years , service is good and programing changes are fast and easy .
Useing any of the satellite services, for internet service sucks.
Regards,
Bob/CHECKERS
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Originally posted by midnight Target
Got Dish. Great so far, but you gotta get the DVR. Best to get the dual tuner DVR so you can watch one and record another. You can even record 2 and watch a 3rd channel you've recorded previously.
One channel DTV has that Dishnet lacks is OLN, a huge bummer for any NHL fans since the OLN games are not on the NHL package.
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OLN has Cyclism Sundays too.
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I've had DirectTV until about a year ago without any problems...I now have Dish, which isn't bad either, it cost a little less for about the same type of programming.
Dish has it's issues, such as you can add programming on their website, or upgrade to another package, but you still have to call India to get them to remove the old package. Nothing like seeing a bill for top120 plus and top180 plus when you only use one service.
Since clearing up the programming stuff, Dish has been fine.
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Directv here. Have had no problems with them, but the only reason I chose them over Dish was the NFL package. Every game, every sunday!!
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I had direct TV but dropped it because they kept giving my box a virus and wanted me to keep paying to have it replaced. They kept trying to tell me it was my fault even though they couldn't tell me HOW it was my fault. I finally agreed with them and told them it WAS my fault for going with a crappy company like them. Luckily I knew how to solve that problem.
Been with Dish for about 3 years and love it. (Support sucks but I don't need it often.)
For the first year I didn't have a DVR but soon switched to a HD duel channel DVR and it's great. I pay $75 for 2 regular and 1 Duel DVR receivers, local channels and Top 180. The $10 a month I pay extra for HD is probably not worth it since there are only about 7-8 channels but it looks cool as hell.
The thing to remember is that it is better to get the duel channel dvr first because they won't let you upgrade later. They will let you upgrade to a dvr but if you want the duel channel you will have to buy it yourself. And they won't let you buy the cheaper duel channel. It's a rip off but if you ask for one in the beginning they will give it to you for free. You can always lower your service later and they will exchange receivers normally for free.
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Mighty, what did this Virus do to your boxes??
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Until they lose the exclusive rights agreement for NFL Sunday Ticket, I have to go with DirecTV. Having had both, DirecTV and Dish network... I didn't notice any real overall difference. So DirecTV wins me over on football alone.
-Sik
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The virus screwed up the card so it couldn't be read and it also made channels stop working. They couldn't reprogram the box so they wanted me to buy a new one and pay $75 for a new card. Even after they said the virus came from them.
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wow, that's wierd. I currently have three receivers and two of them reset themselves erratically. Sometimes twice an hour, sometimes twice a month. Nobody seems to know why they would do this, but Directv offered replace them for $25 each. I'm holding out for the HD receivers, but they won't do that, yet!
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Originally posted by tce2506
wow, that's wierd. I currently have three receivers and two of them reset themselves erratically. Sometimes twice an hour, sometimes twice a month. Nobody seems to know why they would do this, but Directv offered replace them for $25 each. I'm holding out for the HD receivers, but they won't do that, yet!
That was one of the things my receiver would do.