Giving up Directv...anyone miss it?

[wshupnastar]

We have been thinking long and hard on giving up our Directv service all together. We have streaming through Netflix and Hulu Plus. Also we have Amazon Prime, however I haven't set it up through our Roku yet.

It just seems like such a jump for me. We have had Directv for over 10 years, but saving over $100 a month sounds really nice!

Anyone make the jump and miss it?

 

[DawnM]

Here is what we did and what I would recommend. DirecTV allows you to put your account on hold for up to 6 months. It is all automated. Call and put your account on hold for several months.

Go without and see how you do. If you hate it, start back up with DTV and you won't lose your boxes, etc....

We have gone for about 4 months without and don't miss it nearly as much as I thought we would. I do miss the DVR, but we are fine.

I will be canceling completely in Dec.

Dawn

 

[Nayan]

Make a list of all you're "must-see" shows that you watch to make sure you can find them on the web or through streaming. Many things I watch I can't find online and I am a huge sports nut so I need cable for my fix .

 

[wlg2007]

We gave our direct tv up about 3 weeks ago , we also have netflix. that it is all at the time . Just recently heard about the roku. Can you give me some more info on it??


We are doing great with out it. we miss it a tad bit, but its worth it. I love the extra 100$ a month!

 

[Muushka]

We don't miss the $93 a month bill or DirecTv

 

[starbird]

I like the "hold" option. I didn't know/think of that. A few months ago I called to cancel (was going with a cheaper bundle option with our cable company). They immediately took $5/month off because they didn't have any bundle deals with my phone/internet company (no shock there, they are my cable company). This is for 2 years. They also offered me a deal with an "unadvertised" package. You loose some things (Disney XD, Nick Jr, Sprout, the Hub, ESPNews, MLB Network, NFL Network), but it was much cheaper, (like $40/month + tax)

An option to ween off.

 

[DawnM]

For $40 a month, how many TVs are connected to DTV?

Does it include HDTV?

Dawn

I like the "hold" option. I didn't know/think of that. A few months ago I called to cancel (was going with a cheaper bundle option with our cable company). They immediately took $5/month off because they didn't have any bundle deals with my phone/internet company (no shock there, they are my cable company). This is for 2 years. They also offered me a deal with an "unadvertised" package. You loose some things (Disney XD, Nick Jr, Sprout, the Hub, ESPNews, MLB Network, NFL Network), but it was much cheaper, (like $40/month + tax)

An option to ween off.

 

[DawnM]

Roku is a streaming device that will stream HuluPlus or Netflix that you subscribe to.

Dawn

 

[Tinknalli]

We have Dish Network and I called to cancel earlier this year and they gave me an unadvertised package that gives me a basic family pack with networks on 2 TVs with DVR for about $30/mo. Works for me.

 

[starbird]

For $40 a month, how many TVs are connected to DTV?

Does it include HDTV?

Dawn

Here is my current bill. Total with tax for 1 HD DVR and 2 standard boxes is $46.34


Click for large view - Uploaded with Skitch

 

[starbird]

Roku is a streaming device that will stream HuluPlus or Netflix that you subscribe to.

Dawn

We gave our direct tv up about 3 weeks ago , we also have netflix. that it is all at the time . Just recently heard about the roku. Can you give me some more info on it??


We are doing great with out it. we miss it a tad bit, but its worth it. I love the extra 100$ a month!

Another option to the Roku if you already have an iPad/iPhone/iPod touch, and have movies/TV Shows in iTunes, is the AppleTV. Content from iTunes (purchase movies/TV, rent movies), Netflix, Vimeo, YouTube, WSJ TV, NHL, MLB, NBA (the 3 sports need a subscription for full games) - Plus allows AirPlay mirroring from iPhone 4S and iPad 2 - Anything on that device is mirrored to your HDTV.

I got one when it came out last year (the new second generation one) and we LOVE it.

 

[DawnM]

Just know that Apple TV does not stream HuluPlus and it is broadcast in 780p and not 1080p quality. The quality may not make a huge difference to you and most shows are broadcast in 780p anyway, but just a heads up if you like movies in 1080p.

Dawn

Another option to the Roku if you already have an iPad/iPhone/iPod touch, and have movies/TV Shows in iTunes, is the AppleTV. Content from iTunes (purchase movies/TV, rent movies), Netflix, Vimeo, YouTube, WSJ TV, NHL, MLB, NBA (the 3 sports need a subscription for full games) - Plus allows AirPlay mirroring from iPhone 4S and iPad 2 - Anything on that device is mirrored to your HDTV.

I got one when it came out last year (the new second generation one) and we LOVE it.

 

[DawnM]

Hmmmm.....well, if I could get that, I might keep DTV.

Just so you know (you probably do, but just in case), you don't pay more for more DVRs. The $7 DVR service covers every DVR in your house and DVR receivers are the same monthly price ($6) as regular receivers.

Dawn

Here is my current bill. Total with tax for 1 HD DVR and 2 standard boxes is $46.34


Click for large view - Uploaded with Skitch

 

[starbird]

Just know that Apple TV does not stream HuluPlus and it is broadcast in 780p and not 1080p quality. The quality may not make a huge difference to you and most shows are broadcast in 780p anyway, but just a heads up if you like movies in 1080p.

Dawn

Correct, although there is a Hulu plus iPad app, so that may work on the mirroring. Not as convenient as its own app, but could get the job done.

Hmmmm.....well, if I could get that, I might keep DTV.

Just so you know (you probably do, but just in case), you don't pay more for more DVRs. The $7 DVR service covers every DVR in your house and DVR receivers are the same monthly price ($6) as regular receivers.

Dawn

Right, just the initial "purchase". I put that in quotes because even if you buy one, when you cancel you have to return it.

It is a bunch of smoke and mirrors to get the price, but another way to try and ween off it. There are other channels you lose, but I listed the ones that we used. Aside from that, amc is another one.

 

[DawnM]

Oh, somehow I missed what channels you get. Going back to look.

We still have 2 DVRs here. I am still "on hold" as I know if I send them back I have to re-order if we get DTV again!

But I do need to make a decision.

Dawn

Correct, although there is a Hulu plus iPad app, so that may work on the mirroring. Not as convenient as its own app, but could get the job done.



Right, just the initial "purchase". I put that in quotes because even if you buy one, when you cancel you have to return it.

It is a bunch of smoke and mirrors to get the price, but another way to try and ween off it. There are other channels you lose, but I listed the ones that we used. Aside from that, amc is another one.

 

[dfchelbay]

Ugh...why is my cable bill so high. You all have satellite dish and pay 1/2 what we pay and probably get twice as many channels. I'm in the midst of deciding to get rid of cable all together. That $200 a month for cable/internet/phone is getting ridiculous. Don't use the phone, watch tv from 7-11ish p.m., same with internet...so it's kind of a waste of money, especially when so much is online for free. Trying to decide to go internet only. I am apprehensive too.