TWC vs D*TV

[StarvingForHDTV]

Gparris,

Probably a smaller stomach.  I don't spend that much time watching TV.  I probably have a fatter wallet too.  When I was on vacation I had DirecTV at my vacation house.  Honestly I did find a couple of things that were worth watching, but not enough for me to rush out and hire a provider for my regular house.  I have used TWC in the past, but cancelled due to poor analog picture quality, and lack of HD (back then).  When I first bought my HD setup I stupidly thought "digital" cable was HD.  Not.  Times have changed, and it sounds like these providers are adding more HD all of the time.  At some point I may get sucked in to the paying for TV, but until then I'm enjoying OTA HD.

Starving

[sp44again]

Originally posted by StarvingForHDTV
I have used TWC in the past, but cancelled due to poor analog picture quality

Starving

Same here. When you have a big TV it makes analog worse. Anybody with a 30 to 40 something inch TV probably doesn't care.

[Scott]

I left Time Warner for Direct TV in 1998.  I spent years lobbying my wife for a big screen projection TV (53" Sony)  Had to overcome all usual wife obstacles (i.e., "It won't "fit" in our room, it's not "elegant", it "costs too much", "I don't need a screen that big")

I came home from work after the set was delivered, turned it on with my Time Warner cable.  The picture was horrible....and of course my wife really stuck it to me....."how could we spend so much money on a TV for 'that' picture"

Then I put in a VCR tape and the picture was beautiful.....I soon found out the Time Warner analog channels (1-99) were the culprit.   Seems the analog channels combined with too many houses on our line were the problem (low signal strength.)

Went to Direct TV 3 months later.....crystal clear channels....have never looked back.....

With Cable, I had probably had a few more outages than outrages from heavy rain on the Dish.....

If TWC could provide all digital channels,  HD Tivo and also a really elegant channel/screen interface (like my Sony HD-200) I would go back to cable.....

Its a shame neither company can get rid of their individual weaknesses.

[jimbop99]

I have just recently switched to TWC because they made me a deal I couldn't refuse. The reason I switch is because I just purchased a HDTV and didn't feel like spending $300 on a new STB. The HD channels look very nice, the digital channels look OK, and the analog channels look like CRAP! Included in the deal was the HD-DVR, which makes the analog channels look even worse. I split the cable and put it directly into the back of the set, which helps the PQ somewhat, but its a pain having to swap inputs on the TV when wanting to watch an SD signal. I am giving it a few more days, then I'm pretty sure I will be hooking back up the D* equipment and canceling the cable. The HD channels look great but there just isn't enough progaming out there to keep my interest. When Sponge Bob is in HD then I will be happy! lol

[jimbop99]

Well I'm going back to D*. I called them up yesterday to see what they could do for me as far as HD programing/equipment. I ended up with an HD STB and new dish for $99 installed, six months HD package free, two months premier package free, HBO and Showtime for 6 months for $2 per month, and total choice plus with locals for $34.99 per month for 6 months. After my 6 months are up I'll go back to my total choice with locals and the HD package. All in all, it will actually be more expensive than cable but at least I'll be happy with the PQ.

[RainDog]

A few years ago, I owned a duplex and lived in the lower unit.
The tenant moved out and canceled TWC.  They accidentally disconnected our service as well.

It was an understandable error.

However, that it took them 4 days to fix their error is completely unacceptable.

In the 5 years since I've used satellite, I think I have a weather induced cumulative outage time of an hour and a half.

Thanks to TWC, WAF is not an issue as a womens memory is only eclipsed by an elephants.

[gparris]

If that is all you really care about is great PQ on non-HD channels even though more HD is offered by cable, by all means get Directv and play with antennas...that is your choice, as in Total Choice, for that matter.

I used to have both cable and Directv, but since I only watch 6 analogue stations*, if you include WB 18 and UPN 24, my only compliant personally being their PQ since it is analogue, I don't think the additional $39.99 bill for Directv and its Tivo and 2 receivers (one for each of 2 TVs) is justified if I still keep my HD-DVR for recording TWC's 15 HD channels I get
-plus more premium movie channels, delivered digitally (just like Directv):
58 for TWC maximum vs Directv's paltry 31.:cool:
So I wait for the 6 analogue ones to go digital like they do in some TWC regions, like Austin, TX, last time I looked, then there will be no reason to get Directv whatsoever.

As for service, I recently called 3 times for questions to Directv and found their customer service was no better, actually worse, than TWC...
and all it was about was getting my brother an upgrade to a DirecTivo from his present setup...talk about irony!:mad:

*USA, Sci-Fi, F/X and The Weather Channel are the other 4.

[smack]

So I wait for the 6 analogue ones to go digital like they do in some TWC regions, like Austin, TX, last time I looked, then there will be no reason to get Directv whatsoever.

Check out what D* is doing with their next two satellites in the news section.  TWC better be ready to handle that.

I would hardly say more hd is offered by cable as well.  Equal maybe, but more??? Not unless you count the locals that most D* subscribers in this area can pick up OTA anyway,  and you also forget to add the D* HD NFL ST into your total as well.  100+ games in HD for the season.  Not even an option on TWC.  

I don't think TWC is bad, infact I had thought about switching to it this year to get the pack in HD on fox 6, but fox got their signal moved in time and I couldnt do without NFL ST in HD and picking up fox 6 OTA.

They both have their places in the market and if you like HD sports then D* is the way to go IMHO.

smack

smack

[gparris]

Originally posted by smack
Check out what D* is doing with their next two satellites in the news section.  TWC better be ready to handle that.

gparris : Yes, I guess I can't wait for 2006 to come, but that is the future.

I would hardly say more hd is offered by cable as well.  Equal maybe, but more???
 
gparris: More for less, see my post...do the math!

Not unless you count the locals that most D* subscribers in this area can pick up OTA anyway,  and you also forget to add the D* HD NFL ST into your total as well.  100+ games in HD for the season.  Not even an option on TWC.  

gparris: If you want to have your HD locals and not record them, that is your preference, too...but I do and not spend $800,either.
As for HD NFL ST, if that is all they can offer from TWC, and it doesn't last all year long, I fail to see the reason to switch.

I don't think TWC is bad, infact I had thought about switching to it this year to get the pack in HD on fox 6, but fox got their signal moved in time and I couldnt do without NFL ST in HD and picking up fox 6 OTA.


gparris: Yes, that fun and excitement with OTA (especially the lack of pause and rewind) is particularily appealing to me.

They both have their places in the market and if you like HD sports then D* is the way to go IMHO.

smack

smack

But thanks for being "fair and unbalanced"...unlike some other posters on this topic...thanks again!

[smack]

gparris,

Your right, I am canceling D*.  :bow: (sarcasm)

I guess we know never to question you now with all that TWC insight. :bow:

Take TWC if you want many do, I myself am happy with D* and what they offer.

smack

BTW - I've seen many of your posts over at HDTVvoice regarding D* and TWC,  and how much better TWC is, but thanks for calling me the "fair & unbalanced" one.  I love it when people make things personal.

[Bebop]

I had DirecTV on and off since launch. This has to be the worst year for rain fades in Milwaukee. If you happened to be a new D*TV customer.  Those anti DBS commercials from cable companies might actually told the truth .

[gparris]

Yes, as far a rain fade, May was a bad time for hookups.
Some of my neighbours from Illinois took their dishes down and got cable, especially when they found they could get the basic stations from Chicago they were used to getting.
Many do what I used to do before it got a little pricey:
Use Directv for the channels they get analogue (if there are enough of them to make a difference) and include that Tivo and keep the HD box (several exchanged it for the HD DVR recently) with cable's assortment of HD channels. So far, because of our position with the terrain and all, no one has used an outside antenna, anyway since they tried this combination...it works.
All they do is switch out the audio feed on their A/V boxes, one for Directv (S-Video), the other 2 being HD (or HD DVR) and DVD.
Three simple connections for the best possible picture on all channels.
Now that I think about it, if I got rid of my Starz/Encore and moved to DigiPic 2000 instead of 4000, I could energize my 2 old Tivo boxes and do battle with Directv one more time if I can find a CSR with an IQ higher than 60, and break even. It all depends on if the spouse lets me put up that dish again to rid ourselves of those ugly analogue channels, the few we like to watch on cable.  But first, I have to see if my brother's service got better with them, the install occurs on time, etc. before I come back,too.

smack: I do not take anything on this board personnally, just like summerfun, appreciate the facts and not the distortions...thank you.:bow:

[borghe]

well, now that this is turning into another TWC vs. DirecTV thread..

Rain fade: Some it seems to affect drastically, others not so drastically.. I lose my signal maybe twice a year tops for less than an hour total..*

HD Choices: Ok, I am taking care of this once and for all.. Locals don't matter.. If you are on cable you don't get 18 and 24.. if you are OTA you might not get fox or 58. Locals are a wash as fair as I am concerned. So what it then comes down to is TWC: inHD1 & 2, Discovery, ESPN, HDN, HDNM, HBO, Sho. DirecTV: ESPN, Discovery, HDN, HDNM, Bravo, PPV, HBO, and Sho. I left some channels out (NFL ST, Fox Sports World, NBC national, CBS national, and Fox national) because they are either part time or not available to everyone. As far as I can tell that is 8 channels vs. 8 channels. Now yes TWC only costs $6.99 vs. $10.99, but in most cases DirecTV's packages are cheaper than TWC thus offsetting the $4 difference. Also we'll see how long TWC stays at $6.99 with other semi-premium HD providers beginning to throw channels up.

Customer serivce: While it is possible that you had a bad experience with DirecTV, JD Power's Customer Service Award for like 5 years in a row now is hard fact. DirecTV has the best customer service in the undustry.

Premium channel selection: Umm.. yeah.. where the hell are those extra channels DirecTV.. :mad:

Overall, and being completely unbiased, it comes down to ONE and ONLY ONE distinct advantage that TWC has right now.. the free HD DVR. Now that is a HUGE advantage, and something you can't get on satellite without dropping $1K. but if money is no object, or as prices on the unit(s) drop, it will eventually become a non-issue.

Again though, it is a case by case determination. IMHO the original poster would be better off staying with satellite. The money was already spent, and the reason for switching (temporary loss of service) occurs with cable as well. If it were any other reasons that recommendation mighty change, as it would change for any one else based on different circumstances. The point is that while both services have their flaws, both have their advantages. Cable is not clearly better than DirecTV nor vice versa. It depends.

Yeah, surprising coming from me.. Don't get me wrong, except for obvious situations I will recommend DirecTV every time... but yes, there are some situations where cable is the obvious no-brainer... I just don't think this is one of those...

* the installer did a somewhat poor job on my install.. while I get 101 and 119 in the 90's and virtually enver lose them to rain fade, I only get 110 in the 70's and will lose that a few more times a year due to rain.. if I wasn't so lazy I would fix my dish or have DirecTV come out and do it...

[sp44again]

Originally posted by borghe


Rain fade: Some it seems to affect drastically, others not so drastically.. I lose my signal maybe twice a year tops for less than an hour total..*

sp44again- Rain fade is a non-issue. If you have problems adjust your dish. Otherwise deal with the 2 outtages a year. I just turn on the Tivo!

 Now yes TWC only costs $6.99 vs. $10.99, but in most cases DirecTV's packages are cheaper than TWC thus offsetting the $4 difference. Also we'll see how long TWC stays at $6.99 with other semi-premium HD providers beginning to throw channels up.

sp44again- exactly

Customer serivce: While it is possible that you had a bad experience with DirecTV, JD Power's Customer Service Award for like 5 years in a row now is hard fact. DirecTV has the best customer service in the undustry.

sp44again- correcto mundo!

 

gpharris- you bring up the OTA issue all the time cause you live in Kenosha. I think I brought this up before, your in the minority, so don't make it an issue.

[borghe]

well, not to pick nits, but rain fade is a fact and it will likely affect everyone at some point and time.. my only point was that it isn't any worse than losing cable service which happens as well.. but you have torrential rains gusting by at 30-40mph, you will probably lose your signal (and maybe a small tree or two as well). you will also probably lose your cable..