Hi Def Explosion or am I Dreaming ?

Darrylhifi · 03-24-2005, 08:29 AM

As a Comcast HD subscriber , I have seen a few Direct TV television ads , on how they are launching satellites , and will be providing a wide variety of HD programing toward the end of the year.
Now over the past few years it seems Comcast had done everything possible in terms of High speed internet, Digital and HD television, to give me no reason to look elsewhere {ie Direct TV} for my entertainment . I dont believe Comcast really saw Voom as a threat, but with Direct TV getting "aggressive" , does anyone feel this will put pressure on Comcast to step up to the plate with More HD content ?. I may be be guilty of wishful thinking, but it sounds like a win-win situation for Direct TV and Comcast customers ... Your thoughts....

Lanny · 03-24-2005, 09:01 AM

IMHO:

The DirectTV ads are mostly hype. Most of the HD stations that they're going to add are local HD TV stations so that they can offer the HD/ digital channel version of their local TV stations to their customers.

And when you consider that DirectTV and Voom have been accused of offering only HD Lite, instead of full HDTV, cable is facing no dire competition.

dman1092 · 03-24-2005, 10:20 AM

I disagree. Comcrap will have the same amount depending on what market you live in. At least with directv ALL your channels are digital unlike cabel who still has analog. I definatley think that Directv will give cable a run for thier money like last time they lost alot of customers. I recently switched to cable and had it for 2 days and then remembered why I got rid of it in the first place. In my area i will have the same amount of hd with either Comcrap or Directv.

Lanny · 03-24-2005, 11:32 AM

Comcast is scheduled to go all digital by the end of the year; and their HD channels are actually HD instead of HD Lite.

Their issues for going all digital are not bandwidth related, they may even free up some bandwidth. There main issue will be forcing everyone to get a cable box.

Satellite folks are having bandwidth issues, that's why they're giving you HD Lite (no plans to improve it) and are planning on putting up more satellites so that they can offer local stations to local customers.

However, we all don't have the luxury of sticking dishes on the outside of our buildings, living in places with unobstructed views of the satellites, or experiencing rain related blackouts during live broadcasts.

dman1092 · 03-24-2005, 06:58 PM

It will be good is Comcast goes all digital although the tech that came to my house said it would be about 2 years before that happens. They may not have bandwith issues but they may want to get a better quality STB and fix some problems with channels dropping when using their STB's.

As far a satellite and rain blackouts and other interuptions during live broadcasts, I have had a satellite for three years and have NEVER had a interuption of any kind at all. I think I had more problems with my cable going out during thunderstorms/snowstorms and for long periods of time. I know this is a selling point for cable and sadly people fall for it...........

Darrylhifi · 03-24-2005, 09:23 PM

I did not intend for the thread to get into the advantages or disadvantages of Comcast Vs Direct TV. What I was trying to say is if Direct TV really follows through and pulls ahead of Comcast in high def content, then Comcast will speed up, and try to match or surpass them, thus we all would come out winners. I know for some Direct TV is the only option, for others Comcast is the only option, but in my neck of the woods we have a choice. So locally Comcast runs commercials on the disadvantages of Dirtect TV. Meanwhile Direct TV is runnings ads on how they are launching satellites in outerspace, so what I am hoping for is that the competition between the two will make us all winners in terms of added HD content.

dman1092 · 03-25-2005, 01:24 PM

I to also have the choice of using either Comcast or Directv. When Directv launches the new satellites it will bring local hd to alot of markets. Depending on what market that you live in you may or may not have the same amount or same hd programming as cable. I agree is it a war between the 2 and it will speed them both to bring more hd content. The only problem that I see is that they will rush into it and try to better than each other to offer hd content and we as customers will suffer.

HughScot · 03-25-2005, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dman1092

I to also have the choice of using either Comcast or Directv. When Directv launches the new satellites it will bring local hd to alot of markets. Depending on what market that you live in you may or may not have the same amount or same hd programming as cable. I agree is it a war between the 2 and it will speed them both to bring more hd content. The only problem that I see is that they will rush into it and try to better than each other to offer hd content and we as customers will suffer.

We all benefit by competition but in this case DirecTV is simply trying to play catch up to what is already being offered by several of the large cable companies. I have Time Warner Cable and they are doing a great job here in Charlotte. I used to have both DirecTV and cable and after trying them out side by side for about six months I ditched DirecTV due to programming, not near the number of HD channels, no local stations in HD and a poor picture due to compression. Now we are seeing DirecTV trying to be competitive.

03-24-2005, 08:29 AM	#1
Darrylhifi Sammy DLP Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: North Arlington, New Jersey Age: 52 Posts: 305	Hi Def Explosion or am I Dreaming ? As a Comcast HD subscriber , I have seen a few Direct TV television ads , on how they are launching satellites , and will be providing a wide variety of HD programing toward the end of the year. Now over the past few years it seems Comcast had done everything possible in terms of High speed internet, Digital and HD television, to give me no reason to look elsewhere {ie Direct TV} for my entertainment . I dont believe Comcast really saw Voom as a threat, but with Direct TV getting "aggressive" , does anyone feel this will put pressure on Comcast to step up to the plate with More HD content ?. I may be be guilty of wishful thinking, but it sounds like a win-win situation for Direct TV and Comcast customers ... Your thoughts....

03-24-2005, 09:01 AM	#2
Lanny High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Winthrop, MA Posts: 421	IMHO: The DirectTV ads are mostly hype. Most of the HD stations that they're going to add are local HD TV stations so that they can offer the HD/ digital channel version of their local TV stations to their customers. And when you consider that DirectTV and Voom have been accused of offering only HD Lite, instead of full HDTV, cable is facing no dire competition. Last edited by Lanny; 03-24-2005 at 09:05 AM.

03-24-2005, 09:23 PM	#6
Darrylhifi Sammy DLP Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: North Arlington, New Jersey Age: 52 Posts: 305	To Clarify I did not intend for the thread to get into the advantages or disadvantages of Comcast Vs Direct TV. What I was trying to say is if Direct TV really follows through and pulls ahead of Comcast in high def content, then Comcast will speed up, and try to match or surpass them, thus we all would come out winners. I know for some Direct TV is the only option, for others Comcast is the only option, but in my neck of the woods we have a choice. So locally Comcast runs commercials on the disadvantages of Dirtect TV. Meanwhile Direct TV is runnings ads on how they are launching satellites in outerspace, so what I am hoping for is that the competition between the two will make us all winners in terms of added HD content.

03-24-2005, 10:20 AM	#3
dman1092 How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 29	I disagree. Comcrap will have the same amount depending on what market you live in. At least with directv ALL your channels are digital unlike cabel who still has analog. I definatley think that Directv will give cable a run for thier money like last time they lost alot of customers. I recently switched to cable and had it for 2 days and then remembered why I got rid of it in the first place. In my area i will have the same amount of hd with either Comcrap or Directv.

03-24-2005, 11:32 AM	#4
Lanny High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Winthrop, MA Posts: 421	Comcast is scheduled to go all digital by the end of the year; and their HD channels are actually HD instead of HD Lite. Their issues for going all digital are not bandwidth related, they may even free up some bandwidth. There main issue will be forcing everyone to get a cable box. Satellite folks are having bandwidth issues, that's why they're giving you HD Lite (no plans to improve it) and are planning on putting up more satellites so that they can offer local stations to local customers. However, we all don't have the luxury of sticking dishes on the outside of our buildings, living in places with unobstructed views of the satellites, or experiencing rain related blackouts during live broadcasts.

03-24-2005, 06:58 PM	#5
dman1092 How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 29	It will be good is Comcast goes all digital although the tech that came to my house said it would be about 2 years before that happens. They may not have bandwith issues but they may want to get a better quality STB and fix some problems with channels dropping when using their STB's. As far a satellite and rain blackouts and other interuptions during live broadcasts, I have had a satellite for three years and have NEVER had a interuption of any kind at all. I think I had more problems with my cable going out during thunderstorms/snowstorms and for long periods of time. I know this is a selling point for cable and sadly people fall for it...........

03-25-2005, 01:24 PM	#7
dman1092 How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 29	I to also have the choice of using either Comcast or Directv. When Directv launches the new satellites it will bring local hd to alot of markets. Depending on what market that you live in you may or may not have the same amount or same hd programming as cable. I agree is it a war between the 2 and it will speed them both to bring more hd content. The only problem that I see is that they will rush into it and try to better than each other to offer hd content and we as customers will suffer.