What's the best HDTV programming deal for the $$$

[gyoung]

What's currently the best HDTV programming solution?  Satellite, cable, or OTA?  What about the cost of each?

Here's what I know.

1.  Cable - You can get TWC and get HBO/Showtime/Discovery in HD.  That will run you about $50 per month.  No equipment to buy just the STB from TWC that they bill you for monthly.

2.  Satellite - You can get DirectTV and the HDTV channels for $??? per month.  Don't know too much about this since I haven't priced it.  But with the standard satellite deals they usually give you a dish and a couple of STB for free if you sign a contract.  How does it work for HDTV?  I know you need a different dish and a different STB.  Do they cost more?  Or can you get the deal on that equipment as well?

3.  OTA - For this you need a STB that can decode OTA broadcasts and possibly an antenna.  Most of these STB run around $500 to $900.

I've got a 36" Sony XBR450 and I'm looking for the most economical HDTV package.  What do you think?

[Matt Heebner]

I think the best bet for the money would be a DirecTv compatible and OTA set top box. OTA is totally free, and you also have the option to upgrade satellite at a later time. Programming from satellite can be as little as $31 all the way to $90. HDNet is a free program with a $31 total choice package. Add HBO-HD for another $12 and you have quite a bit of programming.....NBC, CBS, PBS for OTA and HBO and HDNet from satellite.

Check out all the TWC threads is these forums. I think quite a few outline some of the problems associated with TWC...Even though the box does not cost anything, it also can not pick up any OTA signals either.

Matt

[kjnorman]

It is true that you can not pick up OTA with TWC, but let me put a different spin on your decision?

Do you already have cable (Basic analog?)  If yes, then the cost differential is not that significant.  Also, HDTV technology is still in flux in terms of connectivity: DVI and FireWire is coming along with content and copy protection technology.  There are a bunch of competing standards for this and I would not want to purchase a big ticket item and choose the wrong standard.  This may be moot, as I hope component connections will last a lot longer, but I'll throw that out there for you to consider.  

The thing is, is that HDTV equipment is comming down in price all the time.  At present I would argue that there still is not all that much to watch (though the prime time schedule will be significantly increased this Fall) and in Fall, and lot of new equipment will be out with new connectivity standards.

DirectTV will be limited to how many HDTV channels it can offer.  I have read that it can not offer any more than it has now, due to bandwidth constraint, so you are limited to OTA and 3(?) HD sat channels.

One other concern is the merger with DirectTV and Dish.  If you are buying new equipment to pick up Sat, will the merger have any effect on your equipment?

Right at the moment Sat + OTA will give you more channels but is it the most cost effective long term I am not sure?

I moved into my new house a month ago and upgraded from analog cable to digital cable.  TWC came out and completely re-wired every cable line from outside the house to inside the house.  They even installed new lines into our family and living room, including routing the cable in the wall.  Total cost was $65.  Now bad for 5 hours work.  The HD cable box is free, so I can introduce HDTV to my wife (who would not allow me to buy an OTA box for $500 for 3 channels) whilst saving my money for a HD PVR sometime in 2003.  If we decide there is not that much to watch, or if we thought the service does not warrant the cost, we can cancel and return the equipment at any time.  You can not chose the quality of the cable HDTV box, however, digital cable ready boxes should be available in the first half of next year.


With SAT and OTA you can choose the equipment you want to use but you must buy it now.  I believe Sat will tie you into a one year contract (though others can clarify this) you will have a high upfront equipment and install cost, plus a fixed contract you will be stuck to if you don't like the service.

Pays your money, takes your choice!

Kerry

PS. Sorry for the rambling nature of my post...  

[This message has been edited by kjnorman (edited 06-24-2002).]

[Matt Heebner]

I would totally agree with kjnorman regarding TWC that it is the least expensive solution. Personally I watch more OTA HD than satellite. TWC has not commited (yet?) to carrying CBS...Do they carry NBC? I am not sure. All I know is after watching CSI and most of CBS's Monday night lineup, if I didn't have that channel even though  I have TWC-HD, I'd be pretty ticked. (Kinda like the way I feel about Discovery-HD only being on Dish right now. I hate the fact that there is HD out there and I cant get it....yet)) I have talked to friends who have bought HD TV's but didn't go with HD boxes. Most of them are going with or went with TWC HD boxes mostly for the cost factor.
Really depends on what you want right now. If you want the choice of OTA and satellite right now....It is way worth the money to go with satellite. (I guess Flanners has a pretty good sat. HD deal going on...$499 gets you a Hughes HD STB, oval dish, and installation. I did it all myself and only saved like $50. Live and learn.)
If you don't want to spend the money, but still be able to enjoy HD from TWC like PBS, NBC(?), and HBO, and hopefully TWC will carry the rest of Milw. digital stations soon, go with Time Warner.
Hope this helps

Matt


[This message has been edited by Matt Heebner (edited 06-24-2002).]

[RickNeff]

No, TWC doesn't offer any of the local HD channels, except the occational PBS HD show on the "demo" network. (And as previously discussed, it's never shown in the guide when the demo is actually playing vs. a "real" HD show.)  For some reason, TWC's channel listing shows one of the PBS stations (712) as NBC.

As far as the least expensive option, yes, I'd also have to agree that TWC is the cheapest way to get HD.  However, the HD offering is still very new for Milwaukee's TWC, so there is very little HD programming with only the PBS "demo" and the option of HBO HD and/or Showtime HD.  I have HBO HD and think it's well worth the money (for Band of Brothers, Sopranos, and the occational movie.)  Of course, I really don't watch much CBS, so the lack of CBS HD isn't a big concern to me.  But, the lack of Discovery HD is.

So, price wouldn't be the only factor in my decision if I were you.  I'd also look at whether you want local HD programming (CBS & NBC) or Discovery HD.  If you wanted local and Discovery, your only real option is OTA and Dish Network.

------------------
Richard Neff
Proud Toshiba 56x81 owner!

[xdew]

I had my entire home  wired for sat. and I went with directv after owning the dish network for two years. I have  a ota in my attic and it works just fine, I like the sat. because with the  RCA DTC100 it has a built in hdtv receiver. The cost is about $50.00 a month for HBO, Showtime,HDnet all in hi def and with Directv I can order the NFL ticket that was enough to make me go with Directv over TWC or the Dish Network.

[kjnorman]

 

Originally posted by RickNeff:
So, price wouldn't be the only factor in my decision if I were you.  I'd also look at whether you want local HD programming (CBS & NBC) or Discovery HD.  If you wanted local and Discovery, your only real option is OTA and Dish Network.

Totally agree here.  It very much depends on your choice of programming.  Our family does not watch much network tely.  What we do watch tends to be on ABC, and unfortunately WISN has not got digital yet, so regardless of if you go Dish, DirectTV, TWC or just OTA you're not going to get it.

For me, DiscoveryHD would be a big draw but at present it is only available on Dish, Cox and Charter cable systems, of which the last two we do not obviously get here in Milwaukee.  With Dish you will have to pay an extra $8.99 per month to get Discovery in HD.  I find that a bit much for one channel.  I hope that TWC will add it as part of their regular digital package but when/if that might happen - who knows?

In our family we do not like to watch live tv, everything gets TiVoed.  The odd film on HBO in HD is fine for us at the moment.  I will get more excited for HDTV, once we can record it - hopefully by next year.  Hopefully by then WISN will have got their act together.  We would love to see that silly program Alias in HD  

Good luck with deciding your choices.

Kerry


[This message has been edited by kjnorman (edited 06-25-2002).]

[borghe]

Personally, I would go with DirecTV. Their quality on service and signal are far superior to TWC for non-HD channels and monthly pricing seems to be slightly lower. As for HD, right now it seems TWC has HBO, Sho, and occasionally PBS. DTV has HBO, Sho, and HDNet. DTV WILL be picking up Discovery (I can post the email if you'd like). Also, regarding bandwidth limitations, cable has them also, although at this point that really isn't a factor for either company. DTV has 1 almost completely empty orbital slot, and another almost completely empty partial orbital slot. The only advantage TWC has right now is it will probably carry locals quicker than DirecTV, which could carry local HDTV on the spot beam, but would need to replace the standard locals for the market. What I forsee is that eventually the box you get from DTV (most likely if and when they merge with Echostar) will be an HDTV STB with PVR in it, and they will just send the HDTV locals down for a market if available instead of the standards. Like I said, that probably won't happen for around 2-5 years, so cable will do locals quicker. But being that our locals AREN'T EVEN BROADCASTING YET (except the good folks at 4, 10, and 58), that is neither here nor there. Anyway, I have DTV, I love it, and I have my free oval dish on the way with free install. Now all I need is the STB and I will have 3 sat HD channels (hopefully 4 soon), and 2 OTA HD channels.

[gyoung]

Thanks for all the replies!

It looks like I will go with TWC for now.  No contract and at least HDTV HBO for the time being.  Just in time for the new season of Sex and the City and the Sopranos.

It really doesn't have any startup cost associcated with it and no contract.  As more HD channels become available in the next year I may reevaluate the situation.

Also since the HDTV from TWC isn't any more expensive than the digital cable package I can get the wife on the bandwagon for HDTV and maybe get the approval for satellite in the future.

This site is great.  Since I'm new to the area I'll be here for awhile.  

Thanks for all the info.  This is the best site for HDTV information that I've found and it happens to be in the town that I'm moving to!!

[Todd Wiedemann]

 

DTV WILL be picking up Discovery (I can post the email if you'd like).

I'd *really* like to see that. From reading other boards, I got the impression that DTV was focusing on the expansion of HDNet.

------------------
Todd.
-------
Mitsubishi 55819
Panasonic TU-HDS20
Apex AD-600A

[borghe]

Here is the email. You will notice Discovery is not in the blanket section "we won't be carrying these":

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Date: Tue, 25 Jun 2002 00:12:23 -0400
To: Heidi McKenzie
Subject: Re: Future channels  (KMM1124548C0KM)
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Dear Ms. McKenzie,

Thank you for your inquiry. Currently, we have no plans to offer Nick
Toons or G4 to our programming lineup. We are always looking for ways to enhance our services. Your suggestions are valuable and we use them to
judge interest in various programming sources. In fact, we have added
channels as a result of viewer feedback.  
     
We have forwarded your comments about these channels to our programming
department. Please continue to visit our web site at DIRECTV.com for the
latest news and information about our services.  

We also hope to be able to offer Discovery Channel programming in high
definition. However, as it is DIRECTV policy not to disclose information about upcoming programming until it is officially announced, we do not
have a date when we can expect it at this time. Please continue to visit our web site at DIRECTV.com for the latest news and updates about our
service.


Kate
DIRECTV Customer Service

[borghe]

Oh, one last disadvantage with TWC, no integrated Tivo. I can't believe I forgot that!!! The hype is true, it changes the way you watch TV, and with dual tuners and perfect bit dumps of the satellite signal (including recording DD5.1), until cable comes out with an identical product, I would never even consider going over.

[kjnorman]

   

Originally posted by borghe:
Oh, one last disadvantage with TWC, no integrated Tivo. I can't believe I forgot that!!! The hype is true, it changes the way you watch TV, and with dual tuners and perfect bit dumps of the satellite signal (including recording DD5.1), until cable comes out with an identical product, I would never even consider going over.

This much is true.  Having already a stand alone TiVo upgraded to 35 hours at best quality with a life time subscription, changing it for a DirectTiVo is out of the question for me.  

Currently I have to survive with two digital cable boxes.  One standard definition box dedicated (hidden behind the equipment rack) to feeding the TiVo S-video and analog sound, and another HD (the SA 3100HD) digi box for listing to AC3 and HD.

It is a pain in the neck with digital (it was a lot simpler with just analog) but we can't live with out the TiVo now.  And this is my issue.  My wife will not let me (and I kind of agree with her) buy any hidef receiving equipment unless we can timeshift it.  

So I will be viewing the limited TW Hidef offerings for now, hoping that they expand their channels, while waiting for the next generation HD PVRs to come out, which currently seamed to be aiming for Christmas.

If DirectTV and Dish merge and they come out with the their HD PVR, then I would happily drop TW and go to Sat.  For now, I'm spending my money fixing up this decreped house we bought    

Kerry


[This message has been edited by kjnorman (edited 06-25-2002).]

[kjnorman]

 

Originally posted by borghe:
We also hope to be able to offer Discovery Channel programming in high
definition. However, as it is DIRECTV policy not to disclose information about upcoming programming until it is officially announced

Alas this is the standard response you'll get from any cable/satelite provider.  No one wants to tell you that they will not be adding a channel, as that may lose a potential subcriber.  They like to keep you subscribing in your hope that they'll add a channel that you requested.

For what it is worth, I have also been verbally told my Time Warner that they will be adding the Discovery HD channel, it is juct that they don't know when    

I'll expect to see it in summer of 2003 then....

Kerry


[This message has been edited by kjnorman (edited 06-25-2002).]

[Gregg Lengling]

At this time I had have to say an OTA/Sat reciever is the way to go (prejudiced I guess).  You have PBS, NBC, and CBS OTA and on Direct you have HBO, Showtime and HDNET so far.  Of course you can't record the HDTV unless you did what I did.  I now have received my Hi-Pix card for the PC but haven't had time to install it yet.  But when I do I'll be able to record OTA programs. Now if I can find a way to record HighDef off the dish.


------------------
Gregg R. Lengling
RCA P61310 61" 16x9
gregg@camelcomm.com