Directv locals MPEG4?? Look as good as OTA?

[mholtz2323]

Ok, I have made many posts on here regarding a switch from TWC to Directv. I want to make the switch, but one thing i dont want to do is over complicate things. Meaning, I know TWC offers locals in HD and directv does not offer CBS HD. I dont want to deal with an antenna in the house or anything I have to fix or mess with.
Can u explain to me what I can do to un-complicate things?
Also, the main channels I watch or TNT (for NBA), NBA League Pass, ESPN and ESPN2 HD, and my local HD stations....knowing that these channels are MPEG2, how do they look on directv compared to OTA and TWC HD?
Also, are the locals MPEG4?
See, i wanna make the switch but 3 things are holding me back.
1) Bad weather/signal loss....I hear some people say its bad some say they get more outage with cable.
2)Loss of PQ quality. I know that the main channels i watch or still MPEG2 and TWC HD looks really good. The only comparison i've seen is in bestbuy or CC where they have a crappy DIRECTV HD signal. I would like to know for sure I am not taking a dip in PQ?
3) Hassle. I dont want to have to rely on a OTA signal during an important game or something like that. Now, forgive me if this statement makes anyone mad, but ive never used an OTA antenna.

By the way, my setup is a Samsung 4671 120hz LCD w TWC HD.

I am also a little afraid that TWC will soon switch over to switched digital video and launch some new channels and then I will regret doing it? Argghhh  I hate twc. WISH they would just give us some new channels.
HELP ME OUT GUYS!!!!
Also, what deal can i get from directv for hd dvr, hd, dvr boxes

[Talos4]

I don't want to seem crabby but....

What are you waiting for?

The last time you asked this question the thread went 38 replies with some excellent information.

http://www.milwaukeehdtv.org/forums/showthread.php?t=7352

Your questions have been answered.

Call!

[mhz40]

1) Bad weather/signal loss....I hear some people say its bad some say they get more outage with cable.
2)Loss of PQ quality. I know that the main channels i watch or still MPEG2 and TWC HD looks really good. The only comparison i've seen is in bestbuy or CC where they have a crappy DIRECTV HD signal. I would like to know for sure I am not taking a dip in PQ?
3) Hassle. I dont want to have to rely on a OTA signal during an important game or something like that. Now, forgive me if this statement makes anyone mad, but ive never used an OTA antenna.

1- Not an issue. Pick your poison.
2- PQ has nothing to do with the mpeg format and everything to do with allotted bandwidth and mpeg encoder settings.  mpeg4 is simply more bandwidth efficient, hence the channels requiring the most bandwidth (HD) are being migrated to mpeg4 first.
3- More people rely on OTA than any other type of reception.  Yes, mpeg OTA will react differently than analog in thunderstorms, but as the countdown clock shows on the home page here, no one here has much of a choice...

"Crappy DIRECTV HD..."  "don't want to rely on an OTA signal..." Sounds to me like you have made your decision.

[Talos4]

3) Hassle. I dont want to have to rely on a OTA signal during an important game or something like that. Now, forgive me if this statement makes anyone mad, but ive never used an OTA antenna.

Actually I depend on my OTA signals during storms.  The OTA signal will be there if you are experiencing SAT rain/snow fade. I just change the channel to the OTA and watch TV.

Also here's something else to consider, with the high winds we are experiencing What could happen to your cable when the wind blows like this?

From past experience it seems the cable lines are not as robust as the power lines in the wind.

Of course if the power goes out ... :bang: