Anyone with directv here?

[CanalStalkin]

We are probably going to switch to Directv tomorrow from Comcast. They just keep jacking up the price on us while keeping their mediocre features. I am confused about Directv's "on demand" someone told me you have to plug it into your internet? :-? We are getting the DVR HD box, so I am assuming it comes with the kit to set this on demand internet jazz up myself? I forgot to ask this, and wanted your guys opinions before I call in the AM.

[Grey Wolf]

I have Directv , I don't have to plug anything into the Internet. Almost 100.00 and don't have any movie packages. Will try something else after contract is up with them. Really cannot recommend them but that's me.

[reelnmn]

I have had DirecTv for about 2 months now.  I'm not overly impressed, but I'm not disappointed either.  I have the DVR as well (I think it's an extra $7 a month) and its definitely worth it.  The installer should get everything working for you (dvr, on demand, hd channels, and whatever else you ordered).  The only knock I have on the OnDemand feature is there isn't a "free" search feature.  Meaning OnDemand has thousands of movies and shows you can watch, but about 75% of them are pay to watch.  You have to scroll through all those pay-to-view movies to find the freebies.  And of course the movies you want to watch more than likely cost money.

For outdoor type shows I have Sportsman Channel, Pursuit, and Versus.  I would like to add the Outdoor channel but I haven't called to see how much extra that would be.  Let me know if you have any other questions.

[Redlinerobert]

I've had DirecTV for about 7 years now.  Prior to them I had that service that was all HD that went belly up. 

I've been very happy with their service.  I have a DVR in the living room and one in the bar, as well as an HD receiver in the bedroom and one in the garage.  I've not had any significat issues with them at all.

I think my package runs $160 or so, but I litereally have every channel they offer.  The price has never gone up that I can remember.

The only issue I've had is that their HD DVR doesnt really hold a whole too many shows.  It would be great if you could add an additional hard drive for more storage.  Who knows, maybe you can?

Also when the weather is really bad, you can lose your image.  It happens once or twice a year.   

[GTrombly]

I don't think either one is way ahead of the other. My parents switched to directv and then switched back to comcast when the contract was up. Every tv service changes their prices constantly. If you have a lot of inclement weather i would stay away from satellite. Make sure the installer knows what they are doing, I had to fix my parents because the installers connected a whole bunch of wires they didn't need.

[SharkHat]

RLR - you can connect an external Hard Drive to your DVR, as long as it uses an eSATA connector. It takes the place of the internal hard drive and doesn't act as though you have two separate places to store your recordings.

Details here

DirecTV On Demand does require internet connectivity, and is not instant streaming. It takes a while to download the content, and you usually have to wait for at least 15% to be completed before you can watch, depending on the length of the program.  I don't think wireless is available.

[Root beer]

My parents have it and when weather is bad we do lose image. I guess that same way with all satellite, but what do I know. My dad said he was switching when contract is up. We have DVR and I like the feature, but heck many other companies are carrying it too. lol.

[bilgerat]

I had a similar thread on this a few weeks back. I ended up staying with Comcast as they have exclusive rights to the Phillies and Flyers in my area and won't share the signal with satellite providers.

All of my research into the different service providers and options available lead me to one conclusion - It's like being asked if you'd like being hit in the face with a shovel or kicked in the groin with heavy boots.

I would love to dump Comcast, but it's just not an option now.

[Grey Wolf]

I had a similar thread on this a few weeks back. I ended up staying with Comcast as they have exclusive rights to the Phillies and Flyers in my area and won't share the signal with satellite providers.

All of my research into the different service providers and options available lead me to one conclusion - It's like being asked if you'd like being hit in the face with a shovel or kicked in the groin with heavy boots.

I would love to dump Comcast, but it's just not an option now.

Couldn't have said it anybetter !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[CanalStalkin]

lol bilge I hear that man! We get about 200 channels with comcast right now, regular HD box and only encore for a movie channel and its over 100 bucks with their internet. DTV is offering 225+ channels,more HD,HD DVR box and a few better channels. If we keep our comcast net and get DTV I think it would all come up to a dollar more than our current comcast bundle...Just tryin to get the best bang for our buck here.  Ive never had satellite before so its all new to me. Will just normal FOG knock this sucker out lol?

[bilgerat]

The whole "200+ channels" thing never appealed to me. Often theres a lot of crap in there just to take up space like the cat channel, the knitting channel, etc.

I never understood why they couldn't offer a basic package for an agreed upon price and offer additional channels (the ones you would actually watch) on an ala cart basis. You would obviously pay for the additional channels, but they would be of your choosing.

oops, there I go using logic and common sense again. I'll shut up now :-X

[B-Dozer]

The whole "200+ channels" thing never appealed to me. Often theres a lot of crap in there just to take up space like the cat channel, the knitting channel, etc.

I never understood why they couldn't offer a basic package for an agreed upon price and offer additional channels (the ones you would actually watch) on an ala cart basis. You would obviously pay for the additional channels, but they would be of your choosing.

oops, there I go using logic and common sense again. I'll shut up now :-X

I'm with you on that. Why pay for Spanish and Chinese news channels if you can't speak the language? Same thing for golf and 100 religious channels.  :-?

[GTrombly]

I know comcast does have different packages available but I found out it is cheaper to get all the channels and services than to split it up.

[1inStripes]

I've had DirecTV for about 7 years now. Prior to them I had that service that was all HD that went belly up.

I've been very happy with their service. I have a DVR in the living room and one in the bar, as well as an HD receiver in the bedroom and one in the garage. I've not had any significat issues with them at all.

I think my package runs $160 or so, but I litereally have every channel they offer. The price has never gone up that I can remember.

The only issue I've had is that their HD DVR doesnt really hold a whole too many shows. It would be great if you could add an additional hard drive for more storage. Who knows, maybe you can?

Also when the weather is really bad, you can lose your image. It happens once or twice a year.

I assume you had Voom then.  I had a nice little travel mug they gave me.  I wish they were back up and running so they would give me another one after a training.

Look in the very near future for Directv's DVR to go back as a true Tivo unit like it was a few years ago.  If it is just as the new Tivo is for cable and OTA, its going to be very nice.  The Tivo rep I spoke with when demoing their new cable/OTA DVRs said this new unit should be out sometime after the first of the year, so hopefully anyday.  It may even be the one I have seen them advertising, but I haven't noticed a Tivo logo on it yet.  It is supposed to allow you to pause and go into another room and pick up the what you were watching, and also be able to download movies and etc.

[Redlinerobert]

I've had DirecTV for about 7 years now. Prior to them I had that service that was all HD that went belly up.

I've been very happy with their service. I have a DVR in the living room and one in the bar, as well as an HD receiver in the bedroom and one in the garage. I've not had any significat issues with them at all.

I think my package runs $160 or so, but I litereally have every channel they offer. The price has never gone up that I can remember.

The only issue I've had is that their HD DVR doesnt really hold a whole too many shows. It would be great if you could add an additional hard drive for more storage. Who knows, maybe you can?

Also when the weather is really bad, you can lose your image. It happens once or twice a year.

I assume you had Voom then. I had a nice little travel mug they gave me. I wish they were back up and running so they would give me another one after a training.

Look in the very near future for Directv's DVR to go back as a true Tivo unit like it was a few years ago. If it is just as the new Tivo is for cable and OTA, its going to be very nice. The Tivo rep I spoke with when demoing their new cable/OTA DVRs said this new unit should be out sometime after the first of the year, so hopefully anyday. It may even be the one I have seen them advertising, but I haven't noticed a Tivo logo on it yet. It is supposed to allow you to pause and go into another room and pick up the what you were watching, and also be able to download movies and etc.

It was Voom!  For the time it was awesome, all HD movies including some that were classics. 

[Redlinerobert]

RLR - you can connect an external Hard Drive to your DVR, as long as it uses an eSATA connector. It takes the place of the internal hard drive and doesn't act as though you have two separate places to store your recordings.

Details here

DirecTV On Demand does require internet connectivity, and is not instant streaming. It takes a while to download the content, and you usually have to wait for at least 15% to be completed before you can watch, depending on the length of the program. I don't think wireless is available.

Cool, thanks!  1 TB on its way.

[1inStripes]

I've had DirecTV for about 7 years now. Prior to them I had that service that was all HD that went belly up.

I've been very happy with their service. I have a DVR in the living room and one in the bar, as well as an HD receiver in the bedroom and one in the garage. I've not had any significat issues with them at all.

I think my package runs $160 or so, but I litereally have every channel they offer. The price has never gone up that I can remember.

The only issue I've had is that their HD DVR doesnt really hold a whole too many shows. It would be great if you could add an additional hard drive for more storage. Who knows, maybe you can?

Also when the weather is really bad, you can lose your image. It happens once or twice a year.

I assume you had Voom then. I had a nice little travel mug they gave me. I wish they were back up and running so they would give me another one after a training.

Look in the very near future for Directv's DVR to go back as a true Tivo unit like it was a few years ago. If it is just as the new Tivo is for cable and OTA, its going to be very nice. The Tivo rep I spoke with when demoing their new cable/OTA DVRs said this new unit should be out sometime after the first of the year, so hopefully anyday. It may even be the one I have seen them advertising, but I haven't noticed a Tivo logo on it yet. It is supposed to allow you to pause and go into another room and pick up the what you were watching, and also be able to download movies and etc.

It was Voom! For the time it was awesome, all HD movies including some that were classics.

DishNetwork bought them out, but didn't support all of the content they were acquiring if I am not mistaken.  The first time I saw it, the Voom trainer had a Beyonce concert in HD.  Made it a little more difficult to pay attention to what he was saying.