D* vs TWC

[smack]

First let me start by saying I am a long time D* subscriber.

I was at my My inlaws house who was getting hooked up with TWC / HD DVR.  

My question is this.  Am I foolish for thinking about going back to TWC?  I don't have a HD DVR with D* as I was waiting for them to enable OTA on the new HR20.  Then I started reading all of the bugs with the HR20 so I was having 2nd thoughts.  Then there is the whole need for a bigger dish etc....

I know with TWC I will not be getting ESPN2 HD or NFL network and the sunday ticket, but I believe I will get more bucks/brewers games with TWC.  and I was thinking about dropping NFL ST next year anyway. (no time to watch w/kids) but now there are games on NFL network....

I believe D* is in the process of going w/ more HD in 2007, but how much more.  Both companies seem to make promises about HD programming but fail to deliver.

The DVR that was installed by TWC was nice as I have never had one before.

I don't want this to turn into a flame war between D* and TWC.  I am just looking for the + and - of each.  I am not really concerned with price 5$ -15$/month is no big deal either way.  Channels and choices are what I am most concerned with as well as a HD DVR or possibly 2.

Thanks,

[Bebop]

If your contract is up with DirecTV. Why not switch to TW for a few months? You can always switch back. The cost is minimum.

[jimbop99]

I tried Time Warner about a year ago after getting a great deal for cable and Internet service. I had it a whole 5 days before returning the box. Luckily I never cancelled my D* service. I originally when to satellite service because the analog channels on cable were/are terrible. I really think cable picture quality depends where you are located. I happen to be on the outer edge of the service and I think that may be the problem. Give cable a shot for a while, it can't hurt.

[psubill78]

In every home I've ever been in, Time Warners SD picture is garbage compared to D*'s SD picture.

As for HD current content, and future capability, I think D* is the way to go...

BTW - don't get too afraid of the HR20 units.... I got one 2 weeks ago, and not a single issue...  from what I've been reading - seems to be the people who have gone through alot of software updates are the ones having issues.  Those going from the original code to recent code seem to have better luck.

I also have inside word that OTA on that box will be live this week.....

[bradsmainsite]

Any reason you haven't looked at dish?

[psubill78]

I also have inside word that OTA on that box will be live this week.....

Per my source, he was correct, it started rolling out West Coast 2 days ago...

[qawsed]

In every home I've ever been in, Time Warners SD picture is garbage compared to D*'s SD picture.

As for HD current content, and future capability, I think D* is the way to go...

QUOTE]

It wasn't that way in my home.  I think the SD picture is garbage on both systems.  It's just that D*'s is digitized garbage while TWC's is analog garbage.   After a few days you get used to the analog picture.  There are pluses and minuses to both.  Plus, the D* HD picture is garbage compared to TWC HD.  I do miss NFL Network and ESPN2HD though.

I'd recommend trying TWC.  You can always cancel it after a few weeks, something you can't do with D* without a hefty charge.  I hate TWC as much as anyone, but right now I think they're the better service.

[picopir8]

I went to TWC about 2-3 years ago because D* wanted to charge me an arm and a leg for a HD DVR in addition to signing a contract.  Even after the box rental fee, TWC came out to be less than D*.  I always maintained that if D* lowered their prices to offer significant savings over cable (like they were about 8-10 years ago) or if they improved their HD offerings and signal then I would switch back.  But now much of my standard def viewing is via the on-demand channels and it would be VERY difficult to give those up.