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Rufas2000 -> RE: Cable or Satellite - What to Do?!!!!!! (6/11/2008 1:41:48 AM)
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My Mom has cable (Bright House) and I have DirecTV. I prefer DirecTV. The DVR is much better, although Dish Network's is even better. The DirecTV DVR has a couple of minor features I really like though like an on demand weather screen via the "active" channel and being able to set all recordings to default at 2 minutes before the show (or other lengths before and after, DISH just has after). There are other minor features of the program guide and such that I like. Another minor thing that I like is that the broadcast channels are where they are supposed to be. For example local ABC affiliate channel 28 is on channel 28 on my DirecTV whereas on my Mom's cable it is on channel 11. Sometimes its hard to remember. Bright House has a local news station called Bay News 9 (I wish I had it, score one for cable) and its on channel 6.
Another thing about the DVR is that DirecTV can and does update the software for the device via the phone line. I don't believe cable DVRs do that but I'm not sure. My Mom's is not even hooked to a phone line. This means they can add features (though I suppose not major ones) and fix software glitches (which the DirecTV DVR does struggle with). Finally, the DirecTV DVR is a bit slow to respond compared to the BH one.
I only mention it because its a significant difference that I've noticed between DirecTV (or DISH) and cable. Of course cable DVRs tend to differ (as they aren't all the same one) but CNET has said that overall the cable DVRs are not as good. Of course if you don't care about it then this stuff doesn't matter to you but if you're going to get cable or satellite I'd consider it. Usually you can get good deals on this stuff and DVR is just flat out awesome. You can watch everything you want to without being locked in to certain time periods. However, I would not recommend it to anyone trying to limit how much TV they watch. Real life conflicting with the TV schedule is very helpful if you want to watch less TV.
On to other issues: as far as reliability the DirecTV does go out more often but most of the time it fixes itself shortly. Cable rarely goes out (in my experience) but when it does someone has to fix it which takes longer.
Cost increase: when I first got DirecTV I got three months of all the premium stuff for free but I remembered to cancel it, other than that there was no steep increase after three months. They have raised the rates a little but not too bad. Note if I had not cancelled the premium stuff I would have been charged for it after the free period was over, they don't cancel it automatically. My Mom has not experienced a steep price increase after a temporary lower price either.
On a related topic I've never had a billing issue with DirecTV. Note however that I am on auto payment (which has never been a problem) and order no pay per view stuff. I got my first bill very late and I was assessed a late charge that was later fixed. My friends have told me about misfortunes with DirecTV in the area of billing. One friend's bank account had a much greater amount withdrawn than he expected and caused some checks to bounce. I'm not sure whose fault that was but I believe it got fixed. Another friend says he was overcharged but I'm not sure if that is accurate.
The main issue to consider is programming. You mentioned sports, DirecTV is a great choice for sports as they have all those sports packages as well as the NFL Network and the Big Ten Network. Some cable companies have some or all of them and some don't. For me, I like that I have Boomerang and my Mom's cable does not. My Mom has American Life TV and I do not. But VH-1 shares a channel with VH-1. And I get NFL Network and she does not. So in my case the programming advantage for me goes to DirecTV, although I really would like that American Life TV. If you are interested in HD you may want DirecTV as they have the most HD channels (they're actually telling the truth in their ad).
Another bonus: music channels. DirecTV has many of the XM channels, DISH has many of the Sirius channels (and some other ones that fill in the gap). Cable usually has the music choice channels. they aren't bad (the trivia and facts on the screen are fun but no DJs like XM or Sirius) but I prefer the XM (Eddie Trunk Live rocks) and I'm thinking Sirius would be the same way for me.
Cable has a lot of on demand stuff and DirecTV does not. In case you don't know Some channels make some of their programming available on demand or whenever you would like to watch it. Consider those on demand options, they may swing you toward cable.
The package you choose will affect what channels you get as well obviously. I have the Choice Plus package, this is the highest one without premium channels or all the local sports networks.
Of course the programming comparison will be different in your area, I'm just using this as an example, thinking other places may be similar. Keep in mind though that my Mom (and I) live in a fairly small town so that figures into it (although the channel lineups in nearby big city Tampa are not much different). Also, this comparison is much less useful if your area has Comcast or another cable provider instead of or in addition to Bright House.
I hoped this helped. I don't work for DirecTV, trust me. Just calling it like I see it.
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