Satellite TV help please

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Old 10-18-2005 | 01:41 AM
wild-mtn-rose's Avatar
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Question Satellite TV help please

I'm getting ready to call for Satellite TV service but I want a few opinions first. Which do y'all think is the better service, Direct TV or Dish Network? Which one has the best programming and customer service? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!
 
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Old 10-18-2005 | 01:49 AM
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my neighbors have dish i HAD direcTV..... The only problem with satelite is if you need repair work on it be ready to wait a full week. i didnt much like customer service of directv, Programming was excellent... WHEN IT WORKED! maybe you'll have better luck than i did with direcTV if you choose it, if i had to choose due to programming i would choose them. Also at this moment new subscribers get a free TIVO upgrade which is very cool i had that for mine.
 
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Old 10-18-2005 | 02:11 AM
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Hi Rose -

Well, I can't speak for Dish Network, but I do have DirecTV.

The service is pretty good. If you just get their standard set-up (regular def NOT high def) they usually have a deal set up where the dish is free and with a rebate the receiver ends up being free. Also, it usually something like the first three months are at a discount and they give you everything (all the movie and sports and premium channels) at a low price in the hope that after three months you won't change the package and then they charge you the regular rate (which on the best package ain't cheap).

I have the high def - dish and receiver. I think their standard package is like 50 bucks a month. they have various movie packages, and then if you do High -Def it's something like 11 dollars extra a month. (The high def receiver isn't cheap at 300 dollars).

Their high def is pretty good. Have not had compression artifact issues like I used to have with Adelphia cable. The HD package gives you the four networks, (ABC,NBC,CBS,FOX) ESPN, ESPN2, Universal HD (movies from Universal studios), DiscoveryHD, HDNet Movies, HDNet. As it stands, if you buy a premium movie package (such as SHowtime or HBO) and if you have the HD package, then you get the premium movie channel in HD too. Note however that this only applies to Showtime or HBO. At this time, Cinemax, any of the STARZ channels, or The Movie Channel are not available on HD (yet).

The packages are OK . . . my guess is that they probably are not any different than Dish (however I would recommend comparing them on their web sites). The customer service is OK too. There were times I've been on hold for a while, but that's pretty much the case with anyone any more these days. The customer service people seem to be pretty knowledgeable.

DirecTV does require you to do the one year agreement BS with a hefty penalty for early termination...not sure about Dish Network.

DirecTV has launched and is in the process of launching a lot more satellites. They are eventually going to bring the local HD channels to their respective markets.

The other thing is the dish needs direct line of sight to the bird. Looks like you've got a lot of tall trees. Just make sure to check if you will have a clear shot at their satellite. (One of their installers can tell you prior to committing to a contract).

Just so you know, I have their biggest package with every premium movie package and all the other crap, as well as HD. All told, it cost 104 a month. However, I find I rarely watch all the crap. I have also discovered that the movie channels that come with the HD package without any extra charge (HDNet Movies and the Universal Movie Package) are pretty OK. I'm thinking of deleting the full package and just go with the basic 49 dollar package plus the 10 for HD. Considerably less than what I'm paying now. It will all depend on how much TV you watch. You can change the package at any time during the first year (just don't close the account).

Whatever you choose, good luck and enjoy.

High Def changes your life, by the way! (or not!).

K-
 
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Old 10-18-2005 | 02:14 AM
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By the way Rose, I could really use a hug right now. Been a bad day. So in your mind, if you could spare one, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks

K-
 
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Old 10-18-2005 | 02:22 AM
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Kobi, do you ever have problems when it rains with your signal going out? With mine everytime it rained my signal would go out, It took a week each time for direcTV to come out to fix it, Each time they failed in fixing it and everytime it rained or got cloudy my singal would completely go out. Thats why in the end i cancled out my DirecTV, plus everytime i had to call in for service i was on hold for over an hour. and got transfered to 39483943984 different customer service reps. i miss the 100% digital channels, but dont miss the fact that half the time i wasnt watching TV due to signal problems
 
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Old 10-18-2005 | 02:24 AM
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Supercab, I need satellite, out in the back of beyond we have no cable!

Thanks Kobi, I am not very familiar with HD so don't laugh at my question!! Do you have to have a special TV for it?

There are lots of tall trees to the south, we're having a logger come in and take some out ASAP.

Mostly what I require for TV viewing are the networks, and the channels like Discovery, History, Animal Planet...those types and the hubby has to have Fox News Network. Don't want any of the Movie channels and don't care about the sports channels (don't hurt me!) I'll check out their web-sites for programming.
 
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Old 10-18-2005 | 02:27 AM
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Originally Posted by kobiashi
By the way Rose, I could really use a hug right now. Been a bad day. So in your mind, if you could spare one, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks

K-
No problem Kobi, consider yourself hugged!

Sorry you had a bad day, anything you want to talk about? I hope tomorrow is better.
 
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Old 10-18-2005 | 02:28 AM
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Well go with DirecTV for sure then, for HD you need a High definition TV. the picture is stunning on it. And also this may sound stupid BUT. if you have a tree thats big enough you could probably chop some limbs up at the top and install the satelite lol. just run cables down the tree and to the house, First high tech tree ever!
 
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Old 10-18-2005 | 02:30 AM
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Originally Posted by wild-mtn-rose
Thanks Kobi, I am not very familiar with HD so don't laugh at my question!! Do you have to have a special TV for it?
Yes. You need a TV capable of displaying HD. If you're asking, chances are you don't have it.

Originally Posted by wild-mtn-rose
Mostly what I require for TV viewing are the networks, and the channels like Discovery, History, Animal Planet...those types and the hubby has to have Fox News Network. Don't want any of the Movie channels and don't care about the sports channels (don't hurt me!) I'll check out their web-sites for programming.
Don't worry about that not watching sports thing . . . I don't either. Can't stand sports. Like IRL racing and some golf, so having it is meaningless to me. I'm pretty sure that all the channels you mentioned are on the basic package. On their website they list each of their packages and what channels are on each. Sounds like you'll get away for about 50 or so a month.
 
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Old 10-18-2005 | 02:33 AM
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Originally Posted by SuperCab V8
Well go with DirecTV for sure then, for HD you need a High definition TV. the picture is stunning on it. And also this may sound stupid BUT. if you have a tree thats big enough you could probably chop some limbs up at the top and install the satelite lol. just run cables down the tree and to the house, First high tech tree ever!
We have a Sony Wega TV. I don't think it's HD, I don't remember seeing anything saying it was. We'll probably have the dish mounted on the house, 3 story house ought to be tall enough!! There are some big trees out there though, but the ones close to the house are coming out, to tall and to close to the house for comfort when the wind blows!
 
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Old 10-18-2005 | 02:41 AM
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Originally Posted by wild-mtn-rose
No problem Kobi, consider yourself hugged! Sorry you had a bad day, anything you want to talk about? I hope tomorrow is better.
Originally Posted by wild-mtn-rose
We have a Sony Wega TV. I don't think it's HD, I don't remember seeing anything saying it was.
Thanks for the hug Rose. Would love to talk but can't here on a public forum.

Let me know the model number of your tv and I'll tell you if it's HD or not (my bet is not).

k-
 
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Old 10-18-2005 | 02:41 AM
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Originally Posted by kobiashi
Yes. You need a TV capable of displaying HD. If you're asking, chances are you don't have it.
Mmmk, scratch HD programming, I just bought this TV and I ain't buying another one till it's dead!!

But what about what Supercab said about the rain and clouds, do you have problems like that?? I can't see clouds causing a problem with the signal but hey, I'm technically challenged so I know nothing!!
 
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Old 10-18-2005 | 02:43 AM
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Originally Posted by kobiashi
Thanks for the hug Rose. Would love to talk but can't here on a public forum.
I don't have AIM

Originally Posted by kobiashi
Let me know the model number of your tv and I'll tell you if it's HD or not (my bet is not).

k-
KV-32FS100
 
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Old 10-18-2005 | 02:45 AM
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KV-32FS100 - Not an HD, but a VERY good tv
 
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Old 10-18-2005 | 02:46 AM
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Rose -

I've never had problems with rain or clouds (clouds? never heard that one before . . . clouds would not block transmission) We had the most rain ever in the history of L.A. this year and never lost signal. I hear the cable commercials using that "argument" and it's more hype than anything.

However, I can't speak with regard to snow. If snow accumulates on the dish (I'd imagine it would be hard depending on the angle of the dish) i guess it could cause interference. People with sat. tv who live in snow areas can answer that better than I.
 


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