. . . . so, what's AFTER cable?

[Elliot Chalew]

After a long series of service outages, lack of intereST and caring on the cable company's part and always rising coST, I've juST about made up my mind somethings got to change.

DISH Network or DirecTV? Or, are any other Satellite providers out there and accessible to Pasadena, CA?

What monthly range can I reasonably expect Satellite service to coST? Prolly won't access moST of the sports STuff.

Which Satellite provider are YOU using and what are YOUR monthly coST's?


Thanks!

[Blrfl]

You really can't go wrong with either. I've had DISH Network at home since 2001 and have been very happy with them. We have DirecTV at work, and it's not bad either.

One of the things I like about DISH is that some of the packages include the Sirius music channels, so it's like having a couple of extra Sirius receivers in the house at no extra cost.

Cable blows chunks.

--Mark

[STindy05]

I have an antenna and get 8 channels. It does not cost a dime. People at work think I am nuts! But I get 8 channels with junk on them and they get something like 60 channels of junk and pay an arm and a leg for it. I get news and thats enough for me.

[cmguerrero]

You really can't go wrong with either. I've had DISH Network at home since 2001 and have been very happy with them. We have DirecTV at work, and it's not bad either.

One of the things I like about DISH is that some of the packages include the Sirius music channels, so it's like having a couple of extra Sirius receivers in the house at no extra cost.

Cable blows chunks.

--Mark

With DirecTV, you get XMSR music channels too.

[ChipSTer]

Satellite??? The power companies (the ones responsible for bringing electricity to you home) are working on a system that works over the power lines... And the bandwidth is amazingly huge... Of course, it is still in the testing stages, but is should be coming soon..... :D
:cool:

[skyboybry]

I have Dish Network in 4 rooms, 2 of which have DVR. I cancelled HBO when I finally realized that I didn't want to watch Snow Dogs or Big Love ad nauseum, so now it costs about $50/mo. It's good for the money, and the customer service is not bad. Install was free. I really just wanted cable TV/internet, but the stupid cable company didn't want to run their precious cable 3400' up my driveway. Jerks. Now they are 'on notice' along with the phone company (no DSL). Alltel came through with high speed internet through my cell phone. Not too many choices up here on Skyboy Mountain. I had DirecTV in Key West, but I seem to remember that weather effected it way more than Dish.

sbB

[John Anthony]

I've had Dish for 10 years and love the quality. Our home theater room is set up for serious watching/listening and the package of HD channels from Dish is pretty sweet. We're paying about $100/month for leased gear and services. Much better than cable.

John

PS - don't bet on broadband over powerline. Unless you're dealing with a large IOU, they'll be reluctant to get into the game.

[Austin city limits]

Bestest deal???

Flip a coin and get either Dish Network or Direct TV...

Sign up and get 3 months of HBO,,, a package for something like $20 a month for 3 months,,, a bunch of stuff thrown in...

Then,,, after 1 year???

Call and order the other one,,, and get 3 months of stuff for free,,, Movie channels for free for 3 months...

Wash,,, and repeat...

No,,, I never have done it because "TLC" won't let me,,, uuummm,,, even though,,, I am the "King"... :rolleyes:

[richpeabody]

VERIZON came to the local area with Fiber Optic service about a year and a half ago.. Politics being what they are, TV service wasn't available until the State passed a law allowing them full access to vending TV. In the interim, VERIZON partnered with Direct TV, while providing voice/phone service and Internet service. Neat stuff....really FAST.

The Direct TV had the same problems that people complain about: outages during periods of severe weather. Te wife never did figure how to reset the boxes, either...not all that satisfactory.....

Last month we had the FIoS installed and it is very good. I was able to obtain (again) the $99.00 per month special, plus additional $5.00 for HD per set, which should go away when HD is all tat is available....

I would recommend the VERIZON service.....plus, their tech support is SUPER!

[Mean]

FIOS definitely!!! I still have analog cable. :eek: I will jump when HD comes to my favorite channels.

G

[Sink]

We don't have cable available, so I've had Direct TV from the beginning of it. No problems. The small dish does go out during heavy storms, but how bad do we really need TV anyway? It's out for a few minutes, then it's back. I'm sure Dish is the same. They seem to be a wash as far as which one to go with. I know where the channels are that I watch, so I stick with Direct TV. About $50 a month, unless we buy movies.

[BigTom]

Direct TV. $36.00 per month includes music chanels. Everything I want.

[sirepair]

I've had DirecTV for about 10 years. Pretty happy with it. I think the package I have is "Total Choice Plus". Our set spends most time on Disney (I have an 8 yr old) Speed, Discovery, TLC, National Geographic, History channel.

As others have stated, reception is great except for during heavy storms.

You can opt to get local channels (in most areas) for about $5 more. We had that for a while but I found that I never watch "network" TV (I hate un-"reality" shows!)

Our package runs about $45/mo. YMMV

[Blrfl]

One bit of advice: If you get a dish, put it somewhere that's easy to reach. I clean up the outdoor connections and peak the pointing once a year, which helps keep the satellites acquired during heavy rain.

--Mark

[Trekker]

I went with DishNetwork when my local cable company kept raising the monthly rates to outrageous levels. I didn't have digital or any premium channels, and already had DSL from the phone company.

When I called the cable co., and explained I wanted a better price they would only offer me All-in-One (RoadRunner, digital cable & VOIP phone). My wife said "NO" to voip, and we did not want to convert to cable modem.

So.... the local phone company offers a similar package with DishNetwork, DSL & all the phone options (unlimited local/LD calling & such). All for a better monthly rate than the cable option. Hasn't ever gone out in the 1-/1/2 years I've had it so far, even in high winds or snowstorms. All this and ONE bill! I love it!

[MileHigh]

I must live in the dark ages. Never had, never will have cable or satellite.

Netflix and, an antenna on the roof with an HD receiver for my local channels in HD and I am set. I already get 12 channels of garbage. Don't feel like spending close to $40.00 a month for 500 channels of garbage.

My latest endeavour is, downloading shows/movies, transferring them over my wireless network to Apple TV http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?nnmm=browse&mco=EC85EA0B&node=home/ipod/apple_tv and, showing through our HD projector. So far, really cool!!

Wish I could get cable/sat channels a la carte. Would take Discovery, History, Speed and maybe a couple others.

Other than that, the library is 2 blocks away. :)

[skidlid1300]

I must live in the dark ages. Never had, never will have cable or satellite. Netflix and, an antenna on the roof with an HD receiver for my local channels in HD and I am set. I already get 12 channels of garbage. Don't feel like spending close to $40.00 a month for 500 channels of garbage. Wish I could get cable/sat channels a la carte. Would take Discovery, History, Speed and maybe a couple others. Other than that, the library is 2 blocks away. :)

Ditto!...

[mshihrer]

I don't watch tv anymore. Nothing good on it. Just DVDs and internet for me.
Of course, I still have to pay the cable company 45 a month for my internet connection. (Yes, you can get cable internet without cable tv)

[zombiebritts]

Whats after cable ? If you are inclined to play on the dark side a bit , try FTA !


I pay for cable anyways.

[gnorts]

I'm in the "none of the above" group too.

I got my degree in broadcasting, worked in the field long enough to get completely disgusted with it. When the cable nazis raised basic cable to $60/mo, I bolted. It took them 2 months to quit sending me bills after I stopped it, and a bunch of threatening phone calls to get them to quit trying to charge me late fees, interest, etc. on the bills they sent me after I quit. What a bunch of lame morons, in all respects. No, I didn't feel like laying out $60/mo. to watch the relentless race to the bottom. Now I have another $720 every year to spend on farkles...

[Highrider]

I've had Direct TV since 1992 and I see no reason to change. The service has been good and I get what I need for about $45 / month.

[skyboybry]

I'm still watching my stereopticon of the Crimeon War. I add the 'ta-POW' & 'DOOOSHH' noises myself.

sbB

[tarfin]

Viewmaster FTW!

[ST1300 Alicia]

I must live in the dark ages. Never had, never will have cable or satellite.
Wish I could get cable/sat channels a la carte. Would take Discovery, History, Speed and maybe a couple others.

Other than that, the library is 2 blocks away. :)


I haven't been to a Library in 35 years. Didn't know they still existed. With the Internet and Amazon.com there's no reason to leave the house except to RIDE.

[Joseph]

I just dropped Dish Network this week and added Direct TV. I'd been a Dish customer for seven years, but my experience with their customer "service" just sucks. We are upgrading to HD, with new TVs, so we thought we'd upgrade the entire system. The supervisor I spoke with (anytime I get a call center in India I immediately ask to a supervisor), and I must have really p*ssed off this woman. Sarcastic, mean-spirited, and of course, no help. I hung up, called again, spoke to another supervisor, who told me the first supervisor had noted my account as a "problem customer."

I told him, no, no problem... canceled my service and signed up for Direct TV. The Dish Network customer service folks simply could not understand why I was leaving.

I don't know about the service yet, but Direct TV has XM radio, which we have in the house and I have on the ST, and the NFL Ticket, so I can watch the Cowboys. They might actually win nine or ten games this year.

Just my $.02 worth...

Joseph