Direct TV vs Comcast

[Lorix2]

Please tell me if you have had Comcast and switched to D.TV and liked it.

People are warning me not to switch, that service will not be there when it rains, shady practices, etc..

please share your experience. I'm supposed to have D.Tv installed on 7/13.

thank you!

 

[rcraw45425]

Im not a COmcast subscriber but I do have our local cable along with DirecTV. Yes, when the weather gets really bad you do lose signal, but I've never experienced "shady practices" . I will say that our DirecTV picture is a lot sharper than our cable one. The only reason we have cable is because we are internet customers, the only reason we use it it for our local channels.

 

[Renesmee]

We switched from Comcast to D.tv 4 years ago and couldn't be happier. I can count on one hand how many times in all these years we have lost the signal due to weather. With comcast, if we lost the digital signal for a split second, it would take 20 minutes to boot back up. The signal would go out all the time, and usually during one of my favorite shows!!!

Shady practices?? I don't know what they mean when they say that. We have not had any problems.

The only thing we miss is the on demand that comcast offered. We can get it through Direct TV, but we need the full HD package to get it, and we don't want to spend that kind of money.

 

[MJMouse]

I had Comcast in my last apartment... one year and will never ever ever ever use Comcast again. I was not impressed... bad customer service, loss of signal, and faulty equipment were only the tip of the iceberg.

When we moved into the town house my bf suggested DirecTV (they have NFL Sunday Ticket you know...) over cable (not Comcast). Told him to figure out the best deal (but to keep in mind that I'm a Ravens fan and Ravens games aren't often broadcast in the DC area... so I wouldn't be adverse to the Sunday Ticket... think he fell in love a little bit more that day, but I digress).

DirecTV customer service has been top notch and we've only lost the signal twice. Both instances were really, really bad wind/thunderstorms (when we probably shouldn't have had the TV on) and both were <10 minutes in duration.

Love DirecTV...

 

[ilovefh]

DH works for the local cable company and our cable is free so there is no comparison for us. But DH came home with a funny story the other day. He installed cable for a Direct TV installer. The DTV installer said he preferred cable!

 

[FireDancer]

I have had cable (not Comcast) and DirecTv and prefer DTV. I have had it for a total of 5 years (2 in FL and 3 in OH) and have had it cut out a total of twice. One of those two times was during a hurricane, so what do you expect?

I have never been misbilled or had any issues with DirecTv. The one time I needed a remote replaced it was shipped out no problem.

I would recommend DTV to anyone that is looking for television.

 

[rcraw45425]

I cannot say enough good things about their customer service. We have the protection plan ($5 a month and so worth it), and came home from Disney once to three fried satellite boxes. I called the special customer service number we have with the service plan that evening, my boxes were at my house by the next evening. To pt it into perspective I've been trying to get my modem replaced, cable company says that for their location I can't just walk in and swap it, they have to schedule a service call, a minimum of 5 days till someone can come out!

 

[luvmyfam444]

I don't have comcast in our area - another cable provider - but I love Direct TV - I've had both @ 2 different houses & YUP! YOu'll love service when it gets windy out & rains - but it is usually only for a few minutes - though those few minutes could be precious if it's during the middle of a reality show finale...LOL

So I'm absolutely not much help. I like D.TV for the on screen menu - but I know my bro has that with digitil cable thru a cable co. When our contract is up we'll be dropping it all 'cause we just don't watch it enough -that's another point - our DTV is a 2 yr contract - so you're stuck if you don't like it...our cable service didn't have us in a contract

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

Has anyone gotten Direct TV without a 2 year contract? I am thinking of switching from Comcast. Lots of good offers in the mail, etc., but what is DTV's hidden costs like DVR service?

 

[Golf4food]

but what is DTV's hidden costs like DVR service?

First, I wouldn't order DTV from anyone of those little tiny companies offering you coupons in the mail. Stick with the main website/phone number or AT&T if you have them for phone or internet (partnership with DTV).

Second, the "hidden costs" are the same as with cable - you pay a little extra per month for the DVR or the HD, etc.

We had Comcrap for two years because we had no option in our old house and hated them - bad service, bad installation, fixed the wrong things when we had problems (took three different people over a few different trips to figure out the first person had installed a splitter backwards!). Things like that.

We've had DTV for four months now and like them so far - no problems to speak of. We lose signal sometimes in very bad storms, but they have to get pretty bad (like the most severe Florida summer thunderstorms that we get, not just a normal storm or a little rain).

On-Demand is nice, but you can get that with DTV now, too, just takes a little longer to load (internet based vs. straight through the cable). DTV signals are also less compressed because they are satellite vs. cable, which condenses the signal to fit more on the wires (so your HD isn't full HD). I like the DTV menu guides better, too.

 

[dakcp2001]

I think ALL tv/cable providers are shady, but FWIW I miss my DTV quite a bit! We had DTV for years and probably had it go out due to weather once or twice and it was hail. When DTV comes out to install they check to see how strong the signal is at your home, before they install the dish ask the installer how strong it is, and be aware if you have any trees in the way that might get bushier when the seasons change. You want the signal to be as close to 100% as possible they want it to be 70% or higher. Obviously the higher the better!

We really liked their DVR and we also really liked their music channels. They had WAY more high def channels than the other two companies, which is why we will be switching back as soon as our Fios is up. We like the FIOS but we LOVED the DTV. We will keept he fios internet though.

We have had all the providers we hop around at the end of each contract and so far DTV has been our favorite by far. Fios we like almost as much as DTV, but we have had to have them come out a few times we got a bad box. We did not care for comcast TV at all, but we liked their internet.

 

[FireDancer]

Has anyone gotten Direct TV without a 2 year contract? I am thinking of switching from Comcast. Lots of good offers in the mail, etc., but what is DTV's hidden costs like DVR service?

There aren't any hidden charges (there are taxes and gov't fees but those will be there with anyone) but there are some that may be unexpected if you are unfamiliar with satellite tv.

You will be paying an additional $4.99 per TV so if you have 10 TVs it might get cost prohibitive. You may also be charged for the DVR if you don't go with the proper service. When I signed up for mine in 2007 there were two packages that had the same channels, one included DVR service and one didn't. If you accidentally get the wrong one or add the DVR later withough upgrading the package (it isn't more money but is an upgrade) you had to pay a monthly fee for the DVR. I still show that fee each month but there is a matching credit per bill.

The satellite partnership AT&T had, at least in my area, was with Dish and not DirecTv. This may have changed or be different in your area so check it out. If you have AT&T for cellular or home telephone service and internet you may be able to get a $5 monthly credit, but in my area it was Dish.

The AT&T discount may also be going away since they are offering their own television service through U-verse now.

 

[Pakey]

I have both (long story) Comcast and Direct TV in my home.

Much happier with the quality and service of Direct TV.

 

[rcraw45425]

Gotta share my latest DTV story. Had to buy a new TV, bedroom one bit the dust. GOt an awesome deal on a 37 inch LG full HD. I called and had them send out my HD receiver, we already have HD service at the house. WHen it arrived and I hooked it up it wouldn't work, needed new line ran. THe guy vame out two days later and ran it, box worked fine. He then says I'm going to change out some connections for you that look corroded. Okay, that 's nice. WHen he finished, "here's my cell number in case something goes wrong". Okay, that's nice. Not 15 minutes later the dogs are going nuts. I go to the front door and there stands another guy in a DirecTV shirt. WTH???? HE explains that he's a customer service supervisor and wants to check the other guy's work. Okay, he checks signals, then goes out and changes more connectors, then climbs up on the roof and changes all the ones on the dish. Says that they are committed to having their customers happy and want to get us the best picture possible. I wish everyone was that way.

 

[FireDancer]

Not 15 minutes later the dogs are going nuts. I go to the front door and there stands another guy in a DirecTV shirt. WTH???? HE explains that he's a customer service supervisor and wants to check the other guy's work. Okay, he checks signals, then goes out and changes more connectors, then climbs up on the roof and changes all the ones on the dish. Says that they are committed to having their customers happy and want to get us the best picture possible. I wish everyone was that way.

I also had a supervisor come out and check all the work the installation tech did. Often these are contracted third parties and if they want to keep their contracts they have to maintain a level of service that is very high. One of my friends did DirecTv installations for a bit in Florida and said they were like the gestapo when it came to installing everything not only correctly but cleanly. No hanging wires, not bad grounds, always the shortest path for cabling on the exterior.

I also had a remote break while it was under warranty and one was over nighted to me. Great customer service, and no I do not nor have I ever worked for or owned stock in the company.

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

Thanks for all the great responses. Has anyone heard of such a thing where the HD pic on DirectTV isn't as good because it is compressed??

Also, I think we would have to pair with Qwest to bundle internet and telephone. Any opinions on Qwest internet?

 

[FireDancer]

Thanks for all the great responses. Has anyone heard of such a thing where the HD pic on DirectTV isn't as good because it is compressed??

That is a much more complex question than you might think. All HD television is compressed and both cable and satellite use the MPEG-4 codec to do so. If you really want to research this I would suggest putting on your propeller hat and spending some time on Google and cNet.

The bottom line is that unless you are looking at two different providers right next to each other you will not notice a difference unless you are a complete videophile.

 

[Melrosgirl]

I have Comcast Digital Cable at home and have Direct TV at our vacation home. We've had the Direct TV there for 3 months. We've lost the signal twice already (during major rainstorms...no lightning). Two times in three months is a lot if you ask me.

I prefer Comcast. Probably because it's what I'm used to, to be honest. There are parts of Direct TV I do like.

Comcast is more reliable though.

Direct TV is cheaper at first, but after their introductory rates (a year in my case), they'll shoot up also. I'll then just get their basic package. Right now we have the choice package I believe.

 

[Tee it Up]

I've had DTV for 5 years now and am generally pleased with the service. However I guess I must be the exception to the rule because I've lost my service 5-6 times already this summer because of weather. It's the one thing that would cause me to make a change because it's quite aggravating. We had a power failure last spring and it wiped out the DVR. When the power came back on the DVR reformatted itself and I lost everything on it

 

[Tina]

I've been on Directv since 1996. I did have a short period where I had Cox cable at an apartment, but for the most part, I've been with Directv and I've always been happy. When I moved into my new townhouse 2 years ago, I initially did not have it installed. My HOA includes cable and internet. I soon learned that it was horrible and called "old faithful' (yes, I'm paying for cable in my HOA and Directv out of pocket!). My only regret is having used a small local company to install it. I know they are all partnered with Directv, but I didnt like the installer. Only hours after my installation, I noticed my HOA cable was not working. I realized that instead of running a new line into the house, he disconnected my cable line and used that for the Directv. I don't watch the cable much, but its handy in rooms where I want basic tv without a Directv reciever. I called the installer and he, reluctantly, came back out and corrected it - or so I thought. Fast forward about 10 months later when I had the cable dude out to upgrade something on my panel for the internet service. He started complaining that I had put a powered splitter on his cable line and if it fails, it will cost me a minimum of $375 for the service call. Well, hopefully nothing will go wrong because its still on there. Like I said, I rarely watch that cable any way.