So we’ve been DirecTV subscribers for 6 years now if not longer. Back in VA we had mixed experiences with our cable providers - one was really bad, the second was better but expensive, and the third was just ok. So when we got our house (and a good deal on installation) we moved to DirecTV, which had the benefit of being cheaper than the cable that was offered AND gave us a DVR (Microsoft’s UltimateTV). For the entire time we were in VA we were happy with DirecTV but once we moved the relationship started to go downhill…
From the very beginning we had issues - like with the installer who activated one box but not the other, and left the location set for Washington DC which meant that none of our local channels worked. Then there was the overall confusion regarding local channels in HD - something we could get in Washington with an antenna - an antenna that DirecTV was willing to provide, but not install because we were in a “dead zone.”
Oh and then there was the Tivo debacle. DirecTV used to have a partnership with Tivo and offered recievers with Tivo - the trouble is that the features that Tivo was putting in their stand alone units wasn’t getting put into the DirecTV Tivos. Eventually DirecTV dropped the Tivos and came out with their own DVR, which is barely acceptible. It’s a feature poor device with an interface that isn’t very intuitive.
However, what really pushed us over the edge is nature. Our overgrown backyard has finally grown to the point where tree branches are interfering with the DirecTV signal. Sadly it’s not just a matter of trimming it back. Both The Wife and I have climbed up the 40+ degree incline to hack down trees in an attempt to make things better. Unfortunately it now appears that the offending trees are too high up for us to get to in order to take down. Which leaves us with either praying for calm days with no wind or dumping DirecTV.
Despite all the horror stories, we’ve decided to call in Comcast. We’re minimizing our exposure to them and only getting TV, no phone or internet though. Their internet service is faster, but I’m concerned about a few things - first is that we have a static IP for the business and “business class” DSL from AT&T. Comcast wants a two year contract for their business class connections and we can’t give them that. Since we share our internet connection with the business and the business has to have an internet connection I’m hesitant to play around with it and Comcast. Combine that with Comcast’s latest bandwidth games plus our VOIP usage, bittorret usage (for legal stuff of course) and I’m not willing to run my data through Comcast.
On the plus side - we can get a Tivo again! Even more on the plus side, a refurb HD Tivo is $179! In the years that we’ve been Tivoless Tivo has rolled out some pretty cool services too… so I’m pretty excited about that.
Saturday’s the big day… In theory we should have interference free TV and a Tivo by 2 pm on Saturday - either that or a new disrespect for Comcast…
on 23 Jul 2008 at 9:23 am # db
I was a comcast customer up until the day FiOS became available to me. Granted, it was before the nastiness that is going on now and has been for the past year, but I never once I had a problem with my internet or TV.
One thing I can say for sure is that HD TV on FiOS is quite a lot better than it ever was on cable. In fact, picture and sound quality on all channels is much better. I wonder if that’s the case between sat and cable as well?
At least you’ll get a picture. And Tivo. Very very cool! And keeps that lovely wife of yours from having to try to cut down any more trees.