Direct TV, yay or nay?

dpkimmel2001 said:
My bill is a wash between the two services. Both are great IMO but there are things that I mentioned in an earlier post that pushed me to Dish Network. Are DirecTV DVR's capable of auto skipping commercials yet? I'll probably make the move back to DirecTV when they provide that service. I think they went wireless but I am not sure. That is a plus. I want a receiver that I can move anywhere around my house without it being tethered to more than an AC outlet.
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In the same link it say's they don't have this feature yet

.https://support.directv.com/app/ans...ireless-genie-mini-frequently-asked-questions
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
You will wonder how you did without it once you've had it.
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We've been thinking about switching to Dish for the same reasons you did. Also Dish has HD service with RV antenna's and all Direct TV has is Digital service with an RV antenna.
 
Johali said:
We've been thinking about switching to Dish for the same reasons you did. Also Dish has HD service with RV antenna's and all Direct TV has is Digital service with an RV antenna.
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I thought you could do HD from your RV antenna?

For Dish Network I use the Tailgater system.....

315528-dish-network-tailgater.jpg


Plug and play. Takes about 5 minutes to locate all of the satellites and is Full HD. Just used mine in Martinsvill at my campsite. Sat it out on the ground with a clear view of the southern sky and 5 minutes later I had all the channels that I get from home in HD. When you first power it up it asks for what state you're in to use that as a starting point for its fine tuning. I am guessing that the cube is about 16" high by 16" wide and weighs about 8 lbs. Anywhere ou have power/tv/receiver, you have HD.

If you want to know any more about the Auto Hop commercial feature then let me know. I'll try to explain it better. It is my favorite feature by far.
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
I thought you could do HD from your RV antenna?

For Dish Network I use the Tailgater system.....

315528-dish-network-tailgater.jpg


Plug and play. Takes about 5 minutes to locate all of the satellites and is Full HD. Just used mine in Martinsvill at my campsite. Sat it out on the ground with a clear view of the southern sky and 5 minutes later I had all the channels that I get from home in HD. When you first power it up it asks for what state you're in to use that as a starting point for its fine tuning. I am guessing that the cube is about 16" high by 16" wide and weighs about 8 lbs. Anywhere ou have power/tv/receiver, you have HD.

If you want to know any more about the Auto Hop commercial feature then let me know. I'll try to explain it better. It is my favorite feature by far.
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My Winegard Carryout automatic works with Dish HD and Direct Standard. No portable automatic antenna will pick up Direct TV HD. They say it's because of the way the Direct satellites are set up. Standard is OK with us for the RV but since we want to switch anyway It'll be a welcome change. You know how technically challenged I am so I might need some pointers with the hoppah. :D

• Receives Standard & Hd Programming For Dish Network(Tm) & Bell Tv
• Receives Standard Directv(Tm) Programming

61CusJy8pSL._SX425_.jpg
 
Johali said:
My Winegard Carryout automatic works with Dish HD and Direct Standard. No portable automatic antenna will pick up Direct TV HD. They say it's because of the way the Direct satellites are set up. Standard is OK with us for the RV but since we want to switch anyway It'll be a welcome change. You know how technically challenged I am so I might need some pointers with the hoppah. :D

• Receives Standard & Hd Programming For Dish Network(Tm) & Bell Tv
• Receives Standard Directv(Tm) Programming

61CusJy8pSL._SX425_.jpg
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Probably similar in size form the looks of it.

I also carry a conventional dish setup with a tripod and two interchangeable LNB's. Dish Network has an LNB for what they refer to as the eastern arc of satellites as well as a western one. My Tailgater system only works off of the western ones. If I don't have a clear view to that location I have the option to use the other dish setup. More cumbersome and time consuming to set up but I like having the option. Isn't technology great?
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
Probably similar in size form the looks of it.

I also carry a conventional dish setup with a tripod and two interchangeable LNB's. Dish Network has an LNB for what they refer to as the eastern arc of satellites as well as a western one. My Tailgater system only works off of the western ones. If I don't have a clear view to that location I have the option to use the other dish setup. More cumbersome and time consuming to set up but I like having the option. Isn't technology great?
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I carry the same standby setup for Direct. We had to use it a couple of times this last vacation because of the tree's but it's still just standard Definition.
 
Johali said:
I carry the same standby setup for Direct. We had to use it a couple of times this last vacation because of the tree's but it's still just standard Definition.
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You can pick up another DirecTV dish cheap on eBay that'll give you access to HD. That is, if you have an HD receiver. I used to take my extra dish with me when I had DirecTV.
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
You can pick up another DirecTV dish cheap on eBay that'll give you access to HD. That is, if you have an HD receiver. I used to take my extra dish with me when I had DirecTV.
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Since I couldn't get HD with the automatic antenna I put a standard receiver in the RV because It's smaller and fit into the space for it.. I'll expand the space for it and put a HD one in when I switch to Dish.
 
We switched from TW to Directv earlier this year. We had phone, internet, security, and cable from TW, the cable seemed to work fine, its juts everything else sucked.

It was cheaper for us to split off from TW all together and go to CPI, Directv, and Windstream for all of those services. I don't regret it one bit.

The only compliant i have is that they currently dont have an option for ESPN 3.
 
dreaded (771) on Directv blows, only bad thing i have toward it. i guess lucky we don't get alot rain here
 
Just switched from Direct TV back to Dish. According to my weighted calculations I will average over $50 in savings per month or the next 24 months.
 
Greg said:
Just switched from Direct TV back to Dish. According to my weighted calculations I will average over $50 in savings per month or the next 24 months.
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Curious about a couple things. Did you go with the Hopper/Joey setup? If so, are your Joey(s) wireless?
 
Johali said:
Another tip is when your special rate runs out you can change your package to a lesser one to reduce cost.
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I always call and cancel after my 2 year contract runs out, and they offer me the 1 year deal again to keep me. So I pay the new customer rate every other year. Plus they throw in the NFL Sunday Ticket.
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
Curious about a couple things. Did you go with the Hopper/Joey setup? If so, are your Joey(s) wireless?
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Yes we got the hopper and it will be wireless..

I am not sure what the Joey thing is, I would appreciate any info.
The installation is this morning..

Edit to add: I goggled Joey, i know we will have DVR and the hopper for both sets or rooms.
 
Greg said:
Yes we got the hopper and it will be wireless..

I am not sure what the Joey thing is, I would appreciate any info.
The installation is this morning..
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A Joey is just an extension of the Hopper. It is a smaller receiver that gets its signal from the Hopper. The Hopper is normally connected to the main tv and the Joey is connected to to a tv in another room. If you are having the install done in more than one room then you are probably getting a Joey. The wireless Joeys are great because you can carry it to any area in and around you house. You need nothing more than a place to plug in for power and a tv and you would then have your service available in that room.

We have two wireless Joey's. We take one of them out on to the rear deck to watch sporting events outside. It is a sweet setup.
 
breatheoflife said:
I always call and cancel after my 2 year contract runs out, and they offer me the 1 year deal again to keep me. So I pay the new customer rate every other year. Plus they throw in the NFL Sunday Ticket.
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Direct TV offered me a $20 discount plus free movie channels for four(?) for months.

But I still saved with the switch and I wasn't happy with seeing all the free perks only going to new customers. I called them around August and told them I would be pursuing other services if they didn't reduce the price. They offered a few crumbs, all the stuff I wasn't interested in. I don't want tons of movie channels or even the NFL Sunday ticket, I just want to watch my racing a DVR and the standard stuff like History, AMC, discovery etc at a reasonable cost.
I didn't carry through with the change until yesterday.

I really don't like having to haggle, as a long term customer for prices that new customers are being swamped with. If that's their model I will just keeping flipping providers every two years, unti I find one with integrity. Calling and actually cancelling is a lot more pleasurable than having to appeal for a decent deal imo. Negotiating for a fair price is not part of the entertainment package imo.
 
Greg said:
But I still saved with the switch and I wasn't happy with seeing all the free perks only going to new customers. I called them around August and told them I would be pursuing other services if they didn't reduce the price. They offered a few crumbs, all the stuff I wasn't interested in.
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Pretty much sums up their MO. They always give the newbie the world. At the same time, don't expect anything different from Dish Network in your future. I'm not sure what they told you on the phone and what your installer will tell you today when he/she's done but that signature of yours will sign you in to a two year commitment. You're agreeing to lease their equipment for the next two years from the date of install. Keep this in mind if you decide to upgrade hardware in the future. I have been burned by this myself. Both DirecTV and Dish Network have an early termination clause. If you upgrade your leased equipment, you're agreeing to a new two-year lease. Now, this isn't a big deal if you are happy with your service. Right now, I don't anticipate leaving Dish Network. You will soon find out that the Hopper is the best thing since sliced bread. And I'm not talking Logano here. You'll understand what I mean when you view Prime Time Anytime on your new setup.
 
dpkimmel2001 said:
Pretty much sums up their MO. They always give the newbie the world. At the same time, don't expect anything different from Dish Network in your future. I'm not sure what they told you on the phone and what your installer will tell you today when he/she's done but that signature of yours will sign you in to a two year commitment. You're agreeing to lease their equipment for the next two years from the date of install. Keep this in mind if you decide to upgrade hardware in the future. I have been burned by this myself. Both DirecTV and Dish Network have an early termination clause. If you upgrade your leased equipment, you're agreeing to a new two-year lease. Now, this isn't a big deal if you are happy with your service. Right now, I don't anticipate leaving Dish Network. You will soon find out that the Hopper is the best thing since sliced bread. And I'm not talking Logano here. You'll understand what I mean when you view Prime Time Anytime on your new setup.
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I understand the two years and agree. The first year is new sign up perks. The 2nd year is paying standards rates.
I plan on sticking with the Hardware installed today for the next two years. Any upgrades will only be upgraded afterwards when I am a free agent to pursue the best deals from all providers. I don't care for the approach and would rather sign on long term than play the musical chairs, but that is the way the market works.

No sense of loyalty, just be a mercenary and grab what's being offered at the time.
 
Greg said:
I understand the two years and agree. The first year is new sign up perks. The 2nd year is paying standards rates.
I plan on sticking with the Hardware installed today for the next two years. Any upgrades will only be upgraded afterwards when I am a free agent to pursue the best deals from all providers. I don't care for the approach and would rather sign on long term than play the musical chairs, but that is the way the market works.

No sense of loyalty, just be a mercenary and grab what's being offered at the time.
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If you're half as happy with your service as I am you'll be just fine for a couple years. New things are on the horizon for satellite television. 4K is just around the corner as a commonplace means of viewing television. Unlike 3D television, I think that the 4K will take off. 4K televisions seem to be selling rather well right now. DirecTV has already launched satellites for 4K signal distribution. I don't believe that Dish has as of yet. At least not hat I've read. Anyhow, what I am getting at is that like HD was to SD, 4K will be to HD. Equipment will have to be swapped out in the future to accommodate the 4K signal.
 
Thanks, i think it will be awhile before venturing to that. My satellite provider, (Shaw Direct ) won't be there for awhile, we just got a HD
TV guide. :sad:.
 
I am happy with my change to Dish.
 
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