Cable vs Satellite TV

8824 · Posted: Apr 24, 2006 7:16 am Post subject: Cable vs Satellite TV

What would you pick and why?

wkebrd3 · Posted: Apr 24, 2006 7:18 am Post subject:

Neither, I use good 'ol rabbit ears

E.J. · Ladies Man Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 7597 City: Mogadishu

DirectTV....is what I did choose.

Why.....because I thought Comcast was a rip off and had MANY issues with them. I could not be happier with my decision.

K-dub · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 14760

ditto on the same things E.J. said.

and, I have a hell of alot more channels with the DirecTV service.

BigRed · Posted: Apr 24, 2006 7:38 am Post subject:

I have dish network. I chose it because they have more HD content than anyone else and their hardware gave me everything I wanted. DVR + HD. I also have a 8bay channel master antenna in my attic for OTA HD.

I don't know if I can recommend them though. They seem to value new customers over those who they have already signed up. In addtion their customer service is crap and the experience some major flaws with their DVRs.

But really, I don't have much faith in any of the Providers.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

muckmeister, here is the decider IMO:

HD or not?

IF you can receive OTA HDTV (no geographic limitations), then almost no brainer get Dish or Direct.

IF you cannot, then I would just get cable.

Other factors I would weigh in are internet service and overall price. Comcast actually was much cheaper than my Dish Network service, after all applicable discounts. I am landlocked into a different cable provider now, otherwise I would still be with Comcast.

BigRed, which DVR do you have? I have the 625 and it works great - best one I have had next to Tivo (but still nowhere as good as Tivo). I really want the 622 but no f**king way am I giving them $299 to "lease upgrade".

BigRed · Posted: Apr 24, 2006 8:39 am Post subject:

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

BigRed, I hear you man.

I have a 211 stacked on my 625, so I can have both DVR (SD) and HD without having to pay $$$ out of pocket to lease their equipment.

8824 · Posted: Apr 24, 2006 9:53 am Post subject:

what is the real deal with bad weather and dish?

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

muckmeister, once in 10 years have I seen a dish go out due to bad weather. It was literally momentary and it was a cloudburst/bad thunderstorm.

8824 · Posted: Apr 24, 2006 9:56 am Post subject:

chavez,
I am not running HD yet, so that is not a concern.

The comcast digital, I must say is pretty solid and a great picture. I have been hounded to get a dish and just not sure it's worth it yet.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

muckmeister, well, the difference between SAT and cable is pretty obvious when you set it up. All digital vs some digital some analog - all digital wins every time.

Channels 2-99 actually look pretty crappy on an HDTV on cable because they are analog.

Chales · Guest

muckmeister,

When we get bad weather, satellite goes out. I'm talking thunderstorm. So maybe once per month average.

But in my apartment we have cable, and we get "one moment please" messages a lot more often, with no reason whatsoever.

I'm not sure on the costs of both... but if they are equal I'd do satellite. The TV Guide is a lot easier to handle too.

Mariognarly · Addict Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Posts: 853

Do you guys know anything about Free To Air satellite?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free-To-Air

http://www.ftasatellite.com/

Basically its free satellite TV, one time purchase of a receiver and a motor that moves your dish between satellites as often times the signals are broadcast amongst several. There are sites that have info on where these things are located in the sky....but Im thinking if its broadcast for free...the programming cant be that good can it? Even though there are FTA versions of channels like HBO and Fox?

I have never tried this out, but am curious to see what its like. Do you guys know anything about it?

Dpierce37 · Ladies Man Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 7659 City: Austin