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BEST SATELLITE SERVICE
If I can't get my issue with TWC resolved I'm going to be forced to go to
Satellite. I've never used satellite and would like some recommendations on which is the best. Also, I have four T.V's, will I have to pay for a box for each room and how about HD? I only have a HD set in one room, so will I have to buy a box for that room or do the Satellite company's provide like the cable company's do? Thanks |
Jack:
Quality of service (grade of signal quality) is literally magnificent from both DirecTV and Dish Network. Consumer Reports rated DirecTV better on customer service (which can be important). If you need a variety of foreign language stations then look to Dish. If you're looking for better Sports coverage, then hands down, it's DirecTV. Both offer lots of pay-per-view (PPV) movies including several hardcore porn channels. Dish Network even has a Gay & Lesbian channel (DTV does not). Cost-wise, Dish Network's most basic start-up offering is cheaper than DirecTV's, but there's very little included in the Dish Network "basic", so that comparison is unfair. Identically provisioned with approximately the same channels & premium networks the overall long-term costs (after signup incentives expire) is roughly the same. Signup incentives vary from time to time, but usually include such things as free receivers (set top boxes) for up to 4 rooms, free installation, DVR package deals, 6 months free service, etc., etc. These all come in various combinations and bundles from each provider. Many times whatever one offers the other will match or will counter with some similar deal. We initially started out with Dish, but then after a year switched to DirecTV because at the time Dish didn't carry our LOCALS and DirecTV did. Now Dish has 'em too, but requires a second dish or else an oblong one with a second LNB. With DTV you only need ONE antenna (except in certain areas). Be forewarned, "locals" cost extra from both providers. You also have to pay extra (monthly) for each additional STB you want to have connected. Rain fade? Yes, you'll experience rain fade, with either system, but it isn't bad except during heavy downpours. Even then you can tip the odds in your favor by installing a 1-meter (40") dish instead of the little 18" pizza pan. The 1-meter dish drags in 4-times as much signal as the 18" dish resulting in a dramatic improvement in rain fade. We'll still occasionally lose signal but it has to be a literal torrent of rain. As the storm passes over the signal will stay in longer and come back sooner with the 40" dish. In northern climates where you get a lot of snow you will need to sweep the snow off the dish, so install it where you can reach it or get an extension pole for your broom :-) In any case rain fade will clear up when the storm blows over. By contrast to cable, when your neighbor hits the cable line with his roto-tiller you could be out for days until someone gets around to fixing it. For High Definition service you'll generally want an OTA (Over The Air) antenna because presently neither Dish nor DTV carry locals in HD. DirecTV is working on adding them in a few test markets, but they'll of course cost more than standard locals. Both providers DO CARRY some HD programming, but it's additional cost. Programming-wise, the sky's the limit with both services, from as little as $30-$40 a month for a single receiver and no premium channels to as much as $200-300 a month for the whole enchalada, sports, High-def, all the premium networks and some PPVs, etc. We currently pay approx $80 monthly for DirecTV service which includes: 4 receivers Local Channels hBO (several channels) To get *all* the premium networks (HBO + SHOWTIME + CINEMAX + STARZ) my bill would jump to about $110 monthly including tax. HD service would add another $11. PPV movies vary in cost but average $3.99 for an "all-day ticket" - and are only viewable from the specific receiver from which they were ordered. Premium channels (HBO, etc) can be viewed from any STB in the house. I don't know about Dish, but with DTV you may have up to a maximum of 20 receivers (STBs) on the same account. We've been extremely pleased with DirecTV and can recommend them highly. In article "Jack Dotson" writes: If I can't get my issue with TWC resolved I'm going to be forced to go to Satellite. I've never used satellite and would like some recommendations on which is the best. Also, I have four T.V's, will I have to pay for a box for each room and how about HD? I only have a HD set in one room, so will I have to buy a box for that room or do the Satellite company's provide like the cable company's do? Thanks |
In article "Jack Dotson"
writes: If I can't get my issue with TWC resolved I'm going to be forced to go to Satellite. I've never used satellite and would like some recommendations on which is the best. Also, I have four T.V's, will I have to pay for a box for each room and how about HD? I only have a HD set in one room, so will I have to buy a box for that room or do the Satellite company's provide like the cable company's do? By the way, do not under any circumstances invest in "used" equipment except for the actual antenna. Neither service will resubscribe any previously subscribed equipment, so your money will be wasted. |
-- This site exposes them all! www.unclet.netfirms.com Damn toms! "Mr Fixit" wrote in message ... Jack: Quality of service (grade of signal quality) is literally magnificent from both DirecTV and Dish Network. Consumer Reports rated DirecTV better on customer service (which can be important). If you need a variety of foreign language stations then look to Dish. If you're looking for better Sports coverage, then hands down, it's DirecTV. Both offer lots of pay-per-view (PPV) movies including several hardcore porn channels. Dish Network even has a Gay & Lesbian channel (DTV does not). All the more reason NOT to go with Dish. Who in the hell needs or want a gay channel? You can rent those pornos if you really need to see that stuff. Cost-wise, Dish Network's most basic start-up offering is cheaper than DirecTV's, but there's very little included in the Dish Network "basic", so that comparison is unfair. Identically provisioned with approximately the same channels & premium networks the overall long-term costs (after signup incentives expire) is roughly the same. Signup incentives vary from time to time, but usually include such things as free receivers (set top boxes) for up to 4 rooms, free installation, DVR package deals, 6 months free service, etc., etc. These all come in various combinations and bundles from each provider. Many times whatever one offers the other will match or will counter with some similar deal. We initially started out with Dish, but then after a year switched to DirecTV because at the time Dish didn't carry our LOCALS and DirecTV did. Now Dish has 'em too, but requires a second dish or else an oblong one with a second LNB. With DTV you only need ONE antenna (except in certain areas). Be forewarned, "locals" cost extra from both providers. You also have to pay extra (monthly) for each additional STB you want to have connected. Rain fade? Yes, you'll experience rain fade, with either system, but it isn't bad except during heavy downpours. Even then you can tip the odds in your favor by installing a 1-meter (40") dish instead of the little 18" pizza pan. The 1-meter dish drags in 4-times as much signal as the 18" dish resulting in a dramatic improvement in rain fade. We'll still occasionally lose signal but it has to be a literal torrent of rain. As the storm passes over the signal will stay in longer and come back sooner with the 40" dish. In northern climates where you get a lot of snow you will need to sweep the snow off the dish, so install it where you can reach it or get an extension pole for your broom :-) In any case rain fade will clear up when the storm blows over. By contrast to cable, when your neighbor hits the cable line with his roto-tiller you could be out for days until someone gets around to fixing it. For High Definition service you'll generally want an OTA (Over The Air) antenna because presently neither Dish nor DTV carry locals in HD. DirecTV is working on adding them in a few test markets, but they'll of course cost more than standard locals. Both providers DO CARRY some HD programming, but it's additional cost. Programming-wise, the sky's the limit with both services, from as little as $30-$40 a month for a single receiver and no premium channels to as much as $200-300 a month for the whole enchalada, sports, High-def, all the premium networks and some PPVs, etc. We currently pay approx $80 monthly for DirecTV service which includes: 4 receivers Local Channels hBO (several channels) To get *all* the premium networks (HBO + SHOWTIME + CINEMAX + STARZ) my bill would jump to about $110 monthly including tax. HD service would add another $11. PPV movies vary in cost but average $3.99 for an "all-day ticket" - and are only viewable from the specific receiver from which they were ordered. Premium channels (HBO, etc) can be viewed from any STB in the house. I don't know about Dish, but with DTV you may have up to a maximum of 20 receivers (STBs) on the same account. We've been extremely pleased with DirecTV and can recommend them highly. In article "Jack Dotson" writes: If I can't get my issue with TWC resolved I'm going to be forced to go to Satellite. I've never used satellite and would like some recommendations on which is the best. Also, I have four T.V's, will I have to pay for a box for each room and how about HD? I only have a HD set in one room, so will I have to buy a box for that room or do the Satellite company's provide like the cable company's do? Thanks |
You may want to consider also the DirecTV/HD/DVR (TiVO) unit.It combines
the Tivo service and high definition capability along with dual tuner capability and a DVR all integrated into one unit.I have heard it is a bit on the expensive side though.Anywhere from $799-$999. As a side note,DirecTV has announced that they will be launching 2 Spaceway satellites capable of providing LOCAL channels in high definition.They are Ka-Band birds,so it will mean either a different or add-on receiver to what you already have.This is supposed to happen in 2 years according to press releases.So,you may want to wait depending on your needs or desires. |
In article k.net
"Deborah Proctor" writes: I say VOOM. It has the most to offer in HD programming. Today, perhaps, but not for long. We also don't all watch HD at every waking moment. A lot of people enjoy the more mainstream channels, like USA Network, Women's Entertainment, Lifetime, The History Channel, CNN, etc., etc., ad. nauseum. DirecTV (and Dish) also carry regional locals, which VOOM does not. If you want locals w/VOOM you are forced to put up an additional outside antenna and then deal with OTA reception issues. We don't all want an "HD" service provider as our only source of satellite TV. Given the available choices I personally would place VOOM dead last among viable options. |
Deborah Proctor wrote:
----"I say VOOM.It has the most to offer in HD programming."---- Reply: You are kidding right? They may offer more HD programming NOW,but in a couple of years DirecTV will leave them in the dust.....Do you read DirecTV press releases at all? And what they are planning? As far as VOOM goes,they only have about 40,000 customers nationwide and only EFFECTIVELY cover half the country. At an orbital location of 61.5=B0 W,it is difficult for a lot of people on the west coast to pick them up.And Wall Street and other financial gurus are blasting why they continue to even exist....Rainbow DBS has been leaking money BIG TIME since it was launched.I don't see VOOM as being a viable FUTURE long term option. |
Only my opinion here, but at the present rate of financial hemorrhaging,
and without a major cash infusion, I predict VOOM will be out of business in just a matter of months. Read the financials. In article (SAC 441) writes: Deborah Proctor wrote: ----"I say VOOM.It has the most to offer in HD programming."---- Reply: You are kidding right? They may offer more HD programming NOW,but in a couple of years DirecTV will leave them in the dust.....Do you read DirecTV press releases at all? And what they are planning? As far as VOOM goes,they only have about 40,000 customers nationwide and only EFFECTIVELY cover half the country. At an orbital location of 61.5° W,it is difficult for a lot of people on the west coast to pick them up.And Wall Street and other financial gurus are blasting why they continue to even exist....Rainbow DBS has been leaking money BIG TIME since it was launched.I don't see VOOM as being a viable FUTURE long term option. |
"Mr Fixit" wrote in message ... In article k.net "Deborah Proctor" writes: I say VOOM. It has the most to offer in HD programming. Today, perhaps, but not for long. We also don't all watch HD at every waking moment. A lot of people enjoy the more mainstream channels, like USA Network, Women's Entertainment, Lifetime, The History Channel, CNN, etc., etc., ad. nauseum. DirecTV (and Dish) also carry regional locals, which VOOM does not. If you want locals w/VOOM you are forced to put up an additional outside antenna and then deal with OTA reception issues. We don't all want an "HD" service provider as our only source of satellite TV. VOOM provided me with an antenna and installed it for me so I could receive local channels. This is a HD newsgroup. For the best in HD programming... VOOM is the answer. Given the available choices I personally would place VOOM dead last among viable options. That's because you are a retailer and don't offer VOOM. I subscribe to VOOM and say it beats both DirecTV and DishNetwork. Deborah Proctor |
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