Moving to Milwaukee: Cable or DirecTV for HD?

[Movin2Milwaukee]

I will be moving to Milwaukee soon and would like to know what is considered the better option for HD programming, the local cable provider or DirecTV? I, of course, want my locals in HD and don't want to pay an arm and a leg for the 'total packages.'

[Bluto]

I will be moving to Milwaukee soon and would like to know what is considered the better option for HD programming, the local cable provider or DirecTV? I, of course, want my locals in HD and don't want to pay an arm and a leg for the 'total packages.'

I think it depends where in the Milwaukee area you are moving.  The ABC, CBS, FOX, PBS and NBC affiliates all have fairly strong OTA signal.  The WB and UPN affilaites will be at full power this summer.

Most of the area here is covered by Time Warner cable, although some areas have Charter.

I think the area you live will have some bearing on what you choose as your provider.

[AndrewP]

May I suggest: Dish Network. Here are my reasons:
1. 25 HD channels
2. MPEG4 HD DVR 622, which allows you to connect two tvs and watch two seperate programs (save money on extra receiver charge). Will allow to record 3 HD (two from the satellite and one OTA) programs and watch one of the program being recorded or another pre-recorded program, all at the same time.
3. HD locals announced for Milwaukee area this year, probably when E*10 satellite will finish testing.

[Movin2Milwaukee]

Thanks for the responses. Dish Network, interesting. I hear DirecTV is launching tons of new HD channels next year, but right now...kinda bare of selection. I wonder if Time Warner rips you off like most cable providers do, with the outrageous pricing. If so, will probably opt for satellite.

As to what part of town, not sure yet...but it likely be near Downtown or up North.

[AndrewP]

Thanks for the responses. Dish Network, interesting. I hear DirecTV is launching tons of new HD channels next year, but right now...kinda bare of selection. I wonder if Time Warner rips you off like most cable providers do, with the outrageous pricing. If so, will probably opt for satellite.

As to what part of town, not sure yet...but it likely be near Downtown or up North.

Yeah, tons...
When they will lunch tons HD channels and surpass Dish and TWC with PQ and number of HD channels they will make it easy for me to switch and be treated well as a new customer. But as of now, Dish is the leader in HD, and I recommende you to be treated as a new Dish customer now and save new customer status for D* when and if it will be necessary.

[kevbeck122]

DirecTV uses HD-Lite (1280x1080i) for most (maybe all?) of their HD channels also..

[Movin2Milwaukee]

DirecTV uses HD-Lite (1280x1080i) for most (maybe all?) of their HD channels also..

And Dish Network does not? I am not very knowledgable about DN.

I would hate to lose out on the NFL Sunday Ticket as well, but that would happen regardless of whether I went with cable or Dish.

How do Time Warner's HD channels look?

[AndrewP]

And Dish Network does not? I am not very knowledgable about DN.

I would hate to lose out on the NFL Sunday Ticket as well, but that would happen regardless of whether I went with cable or Dish.

How do Time Warner's HD channels look?

Dish Network does HD-Lite only for Voom channels. They have fiber line problem and when it will be corrected it is expected to be in full HD too.

The only key point for D* is NFL Sunday ticket. I am not intersted in that package, because I have all NFL I need from local OTA FoxHD (Milwaukee & Chicago), local OTA CbsHD. EspnHD and next season local OTA NbcHD and NFLHD channel. PackersHD is enough for me

But D* really has all HD in HD-Lite so far. And now they talk about PPVHD for $25 after 60 days from theatrical release. :rolleyes:  So I am not impressed so far.

Again in you NFL team is not Packers then you will probably need D* with all their HD-Lite (it is better then SD, anyway).

[Movin2Milwaukee]

Thanks Andrew....good info there.

How do TWC's HD channels look in Milwaukee, like the hi-def HBO? Do you know if DISH offers local channels in HD in Milwaukee?

[AndrewP]

Thanks Andrew....good info there.

How do TWC's HD channels look in Milwaukee, like the hi-def HBO? Do you know if DISH offers local channels in HD in Milwaukee?

Don't know about current TWC HD PQ. When I had cable 4 years ago it was good, but they had only 3 channels then. They don't have in HD two local stations (WB and UPN) because of ongoing dispute with Sinclair, owner of these channels. BTW, today was mentioned that UPN station will become new Fox MyNetworkTV affiliate.
Dish will start HD locals later this year. It was already announced. But they will offer only NBC, FOX, ABC and CBS, like D*.
Fortunately, there is no problem now in our area with OTA HD. You can get PBS, WB, UPN in addition to big 4.

[kevbeck122]

TWC HD PQ is good.. though I can't compare it to the satellite companies since it's been a long time since I've seen them (before I owned an HD set).

[Movin2Milwaukee]

TWC HD PQ is good.. though I can't compare it to the satellite companies since it's been a long time since I've seen them (before I owned an HD set).

Wondering if the TWC HD signal is compressed or not.

Also wondering how many hours their HD DVR can hold. The TWC website for Milwaukee does not list the specs on that.

[vegasvic]

Here's one vote against Time Warner.  I have never experienced as bad of service  with any other company as I did with them. Ever.   HORRIBLE.  Their phone support employs morons and when you do get someone out on a service call they are completely inept.  Uneducated and rude from top to bottom.  The day I dumped them was joy.  I wouldn't let them clean my toilets.

Yes the above may be over the top but the aggravation they caused me still grates. :bang:

[kevbeck122]

Wondering if the TWC HD signal is compressed or not.

Also wondering how many hours their HD DVR can hold. The TWC website for Milwaukee does not list the specs on that.

All HD signals are compressed.. TWC's signal isn't compressed as much as other sources though (other than locals maybe).

The HD DVR can hold around 20 hours of HD.. 90 hours SD.  Here is the info page: http://www.scientificatlanta.com/consumers_new/CableBoxes/8300hd.htm

[Movin2Milwaukee]

Here's one vote against Time Warner.  I have never experienced as bad of service  with any other company as I did with them. Ever.   HORRIBLE.  Their phone support employs morons and when you do get someone out on a service call they are completely inept.  Uneducated and rude from top to bottom.  The day I dumped them was joy.  I wouldn't let them clean my toilets.

Yes the above may be over the top but the aggravation they caused me still grates. :bang:

That definitely is an eye-opener! I know cable (in general) has a very poor reputation, not only for their high and unfair prices, but for their terrible customer service. A few years back I had cable installed in Indiana, and they not only didn't show up for their installation but were incredibly rude to me on the phone when I called to ask what happened. No apology...nothing.