Changing from TW to Dircet TV. Help!

[neomaxi]

Hi guys,
I'm looking at changing from Time Warner to Direct TV. In looking at my cable bill, I noticed I am paying $64.39 for Digital Cable in Two rooms.  

I went to Best Buy yesterday and found that I can get a 2 room Direct TV setup with 1 HDTV box, 1 regular box for around $725 up front  and
$37.99 a month.  I have a a few questions that Best Buy and Direct TV could not seem to answer and I thought maybe someone here could.  Here are the questions.  

1.  How much Can I "actually" Plan on paying a month for the $37.99 package??(All charges considered, FCC, multiple room, taxes)

2.  Should I get the UHF attenna that Best Buy and Circuit City sell for OTA HDTV?, or should I get the Radio Shack Rabbit ear ones that everyone talks about?
 
3.  Is Direct TV local Channels much clearer than TW local channels (Will Packer games look better :-), )

4.  I live in New Berlin, would OTA HDTV signals come in pretty good for me?

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[neomaxi]

I forgot,

Does Direct TV offer Fox Sports Net with it's standard package.  AKA  BUCKS GAMES?

[neomaxi]

I forgot,

Does Direct TV offer Fox Sports Net with it's standard package.  AKA  BUCKS GAMES?

[StarvingForHDTV]

Neomaxi,

It does not appear as though you get Fox Sports Net in DirecTV's Total Choice (standard $31.99 per month) package:
 http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/learn/Packages_TotalChoice.jsp

I can say this.  I have Time Warner Cable's local channels.  I see ghosts in some of the signals, in addition audio quality is very poor.  When I purchased the infamous Radio Shack Double Bow Tie, in combination with rabbit ears, I pick up local stations that are sometimes clearer visually, and always have better audio.  When watching locals through TWC, there is rarely stereo imaging, and surround sound is muted at best.  OTA analog, the sound is much better, and if I adjust my antenna, I can usually get better picture quality than TWC's locals.  I have done extensive testing between the two.  All I have to do is press the "antenna" button on my TV remote, and I can see which signal is better.  TWC is coming to pull out the cable this Friday.  I called them to get it out as soon as I got my antenna...

In my opinion TWC's best product is their Road Runner internet service.  It's super fast and very reliable (it used to not be as reliable).  But, why pay them so much when you can get the exact same service, over the exact same cable lines, for less?  EarthLink offers high speed cable internet access over TWC's lines for less money.  TWC refuses to price match LOL.

TWC's "Digital" cable is perhaps the biggest scam since New Coke.  The good channels, that everyone knows and loves are ANALOG.  No sound or picture improvement.  At least that's how it was when I tried it.  You had to go to the higher numbered channels to get the Digital stations from TWC.  I didn't like the higher numbered stations, all of my favorite channels were in lower numbers and hence analog.  Maybe that has changed.

As far as local HDTV from TWC, I have read that you only get PBS and NBC.  The main local HDTV networks are ABC and CBS (by amount of prime time programming).  Go figure.

I don't know the quality of DirecTV's local stations, as I have never tried.  I haven't heard anything good about them from other sources though.  Your best bet, in my opinion, is to try and get the Over the Air digital stations with an antenna.  If you can do that, I'm sure you will have better quality signals than TWC locals.

Good luck,

Starving

[Gregg Lengling]

_

In my opinion TWC's best product is their Road Runner internet service.  It's super fast and very reliable (it used to not be as reliable).  
If it's so reliable why do I have to use an alternate email address for Tom S. so often....I think they hassle users who don't have their cable package in addtion to RoadRunner...I looked into getting RR but they wanted too much for the service...plus installation, plus, plus, plus....so I went with Ameritech SpeedPath DSL for 29.95 a month for the first 6 months and then 49.95 after that...free modem, free setup, free installation...free everything.....I've done many tests and I've always got 780k Plus all the time.


I hate TWC>>>>>>
The opinions stated above are those of myself and in no way constitute an opinion of this Formum or it's membership.

End of Rant.


------------------
Gregg R. Lengling
RCA P61310 61" 16x9
glengling@ameritech.net

[StarvingForHDTV]

Gregg,

I have had Road Runner for quite some time.  When I first got it, there were reliability issues.  For many months I have not had a single problem.  Maybe it's different in each location as they roll it out or whatever.  I'm not saying it's the best product for Internet access, just saying that it's TWC's best product they offer.  In my opinion of course.  Better than buying cable tv service through them at least.  Last time I checked Earthlink was $41.99 a month.  Free everything.  Maybe even the first month free.  TWC charges me $49.99 a month for the exact same service.  I have to switch away soon.  I want the SBC/Yahoo DSL for $29.99 a month, but it's not available to me yet.  I might get Earthlink in the meantime.

I don't like TWC either.

Starving

[AndrewP]

Eartlink RR, billed $41.95/month, everything is free when open account.
Speed is blasting - up to 2300.
But cable TV from TWC is BAD. HDTV, DTV signals were so bad om my Hitachi 61" widescreen HDTV that I switched to Dish.

Andrew

[tenth_t2]

My 2 cents:

1. I do the Total Choice (31.99)and add the local channels (5.00).  Total bill is 38.90 with taxes, etc.

2. I would start with the bow tie, others here seem to have good luck.  Depending on where in New Berlin you are could change your results.  I live just a hair west of New Berlin, and went with a Channel Master 4228 (UHF) on a mast on the roof.  I started with a small Radio Shack VU-75 in the attic, went to a VU-190-- which worked well, but the 4228 is much less obnoxious with respect to appearance.

3. Haven't seen the TWC locals, but I had a ghost on ch 12 that I just could not get rid of, so that is resolved, and accessing the stations is easier for my wife (less switching of stuff).  Regarding Packers looking better, well, I guess that depends on them  

4. Depends on terrain and your home.  If you have a clear shot to the east, that will help until the stations increase power.  If you're not against doing a rooftop antenna, I have to believe you'll be fine.

Greg O.

[mrpogo]

AndrewP> So are you happy with your Dish?  

[Tom Snyder]

On my 40 inch Toshiba 16:9, the difference in picture quality between DirecTV and TW is amazing... I don't have Digital cable, but even when I did the differnce was so pronounced that even my wife noticed, and we both agreed that TW picture quality was unwatchable.

After seeing a bunch of college games in HD, Packer football picture quality on WITI just sucks.. DirecTV just sucks the least. OTA is only a little better. TW is like watching it through a screen door through coke-bottle botooms. The high point of the season will be the upconverted Bills game on 12/22 on CBS (unless they make it to the Super Bowl which will be in HD, provided WISN gets their act together by then)...

[veyj]

I checked my Directv bill online:

Total choice w/locals - $37.99
Tax                   -  $1.99
                        $39.89  
 
Additional Receiver   -  $4.99
Tax                   -  $0.25
                         $5.24

Total                 - $45.13

That's about the same price I was paying for analog TWC.

I made the switch from TWC to Directv back in June and haven't regretted it one bit.  I was having terrible ghosting issues with TWC on many of the analog channels(<100) and they referred to it as ?Ingress.  They would correct the problem, but it would come back in a weeks time.  Couldn't take it anymore after the 5th/6th occurrence, so I mistakenly took their advice and upgraded to Digital cable and the HDTV box (SA 3100?) for approximately $16 more.  Sure the High Def was nice, PBS & HBO, but the analog stations looked even worse.  I dumped TWC a week later.

After a month with Directv, I thought about dumping the locals after getting good OTA  results on my Hughes E86 STB.  The E86 combines both the Satellite and OTA programs into one program guide which makes things simpler.  However, the 2nd Directv receiver, entry level Hughes, requires the switching of inputs which adds another level of complexity for the wife and kids (Same as Greg O).  So I stuck with keeping the locals from Directv.  IMO the locals on Directv have a noticeable improved PQ compared to TWC.

Another great Directv perk for me was the NFL Sunday Ticket(I don't think my wife is of the same opinion. LOL).  I split the cost with 4 buddies and we now watch 4 early games simultaneously and 3 late games.  It's hard to take a break from all the non-stop action.  If a commercial comes on, look at a different game, unless of course it's the Coor's Light Twins.  

I know that Directv has a sports package you can subscribe to, but I'm not sure if that would include the local Fox Sports channel you're looking for.  From their web site, "With our SPORTS Pack premium service, you'll get all the sports action of 20 regional sports networks. And with everything from auto racing to fly fishing, you'll get your fill of action and adventure with our selection of specialty sports networks. DIRECTV brings you the games, heroes, champions and traditions that define sports passion.

For the most comprehensive DIRECTV SPORTS® coverage available — including the Game of the Night, customizable season schedules and game highlights — link to DIRECTVSPORTS.com."

See also http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/see/SportsPack.jsp

If you make the switch, check out Flanners.  They had a deal for a two room set up (1 HDTV) for about $450 installed.  And the installer is top notch according to other members.  Do an archive search for Jeff Burback? or Jeff B and Flanners and you should find lots of useful info.

Hope this helps,

John

[This message has been edited by veyj (edited 10-15-2002).]

[Todd Wiedemann]

... and if you make the switch, check out the Hughes GCEB0 (Executive Director's pack) receiver for your *non* HD programming.

Great box. I've been really happy with it !

[AndrewP]

Yes, I am happy with the Dish.
I have America's top 100 package : 31.99
HBO, ShowTime, Stars :             29.99
Montly discount for 2002         : -23.15
Total:                             38.83

In 2003 it will be more expensive, but I will drop Stars, so my total will be about 50/month.
That includes HBO, Showtime in HDTV.
I don't need locals from Dish, because they do not have them and because, anyway, you need OTA antenna for local HDTV reception.
What I don't like: they offer Discover HD for 7.99/month. I find this a troubling trend for extra charge for the HDTV content.
BTW, Dish receiver 6000 accepts OTA HDTV signals.

Andrew