Comcast or DirecTV?

vikingdaddy1 · 07-13-2005, 05:04 PM

I to thought about going with directv but i just cant fork over 300.00 for a HD box!!! So I went with cable,Mediacom in my area. But I have ran into a problem. My cable company does not offer fox in HD. So when football season comes. What am I to do can I get an HD box used from ebay and run it through an out side anntena so I get fox in HD????????? Someone give me some good news on what i can do!!!! A cheap solution is what im looking for

Emsurfer · 07-13-2005, 06:24 PM

In my area, San Jose, CA, Dishnetwork with HDTV is much cheaper than Comcast. I am paying $30 more a month with Comcast for 60 channels vs. 120 channels when I had DISH. I have 2 HDTV boxes and one digital box. Comcast is in process of finetuning their picture quality which is noticably improved compared with 4 months ago, but the local channels from 2-14 are still very poor. I use a DVI to HDMI interface.

RSawdey · 07-14-2005, 10:18 AM

Only 60 channels on Comcast digital cable? We've got 100 analog, and a couple hundred SD digital, and more than a dozen HD...

VikingDaddy, first thing you need to do is check on www.antennaweb.org to see what stations are available, type of antenna needed, and direction to the transmitters.

Emsurfer · 07-14-2005, 10:33 AM

In San Jose, Digital Classic. 72 analogue + 22 (so Comcast claims) digital channels. 4 HDTV and 6 local HDTV channels.

vikingdaddy1 · 07-14-2005, 04:31 PM

I know what anntena I need For the Station I want. But where can I get A cheap HD box and what knid do I need?????

RSawdey · 07-14-2005, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emsurfer

In San Jose, Digital Classic. 72 analogue + 22 (so Comcast claims) digital channels. 4 HDTV and 6 local HDTV channels.

You should upgrade to 'Digital Plus'... it's only a few bucks more & includes the Discovery Channels, Disney & Nick, Encore Channels & Sundances... check it out.

Flipsonic · 12-20-2006, 03:52 PM

I am in the East Bay area, north of San Jose and have Comcast Digital Plus and HD. I have noticed that the low channels are snowy. Looks like weak signal. Is that what you guys see in San Jo? Is splitting the signal all I can do to improve this?

davecramer74 · 12-21-2006, 10:57 AM

Quote:

I am in the East Bay area, north of San Jose and have Comcast Digital Plus and HD. I have noticed that the low channels are snowy. Looks like weak signal. Is that what you guys see in San Jo? Is splitting the signal all I can do to improve this?

where in the east bay are you. Sounds like your low channels are still analogue. whats the model of your box? if its a moto 64XX then you can pretty much guarantee you've still got analogue. If you have a 34XX box, then your all digital. If thats the case, it could be your wiring. My analogue channels looked like shit too until they went all digital earlier in the year here. Now they look great.

Flipsonic · 12-21-2006, 01:01 PM

Yes, I spoke to Comcast and they said I have analog for the first 100 channels. They will let me know when my area will be available for 100% digital. I live in Antioch, CA. I don't know what model # my HD box is but I'm sure it has analog. I guess all I can do to improve it is by splitting? Anyway, I'll try to hit up the tech when he comes out to my house tomorrow.

etchasketch · 12-30-2006, 06:28 AM

I have posted numerous places in this consumer content playground, and feel inclined to share my experience here as well. Please forgive the length of my tale:

<rant>

I became a D* sat customer in 1997 (I own the dish and box, did my own install). In order to have reliable local channels I retained Ccast basic cable. A few years ago I changed my internet to Ccast Bband. I have always felt this changed my cable signal quality, whether due to new wiring or that this required running digital to my home?

Late November I decided to join the HD revolution. I purchased a 37" LG LCD, and made arrangements to upgrade my D* service. D* CSR matched an E* offer (the $31/month package) via monthly credit and upgraded my box and dish to deliver HD, including (4) months of HD programming to "kick the tires" on their package.

No one called to set up an install. On 12/12/06 I received hate mail suggesting I had agreed not only to a contract extension, but to pay $X for the hardware, and that I should call to RESCHEDULE my installation date. I phoned D* and they said to disregard the letter (something I am hesitant to do, take phone over written word).

The CSR apologized, then gave me a $50 credit and (6) months of Showtime as apology for their error. He reviewed the other items agreed to on 11/25/06 to my satisfaction. My install date was set for 12/22/06. I then arranged the TV install (paid for with purchase) to be later the same day and took time off work to be on site.

On 12/20/06, less than (48) hours before the install appt, a D* install agent called with bad news. He explained there was inadequate equipment available to fulfill their order flow, asked to reschedule, and offered a credit. I said no to the credit ... that I wanted them to keep the appointment, and asked him to call back the next evening.

Having slept on it, my decision was to pursue a solution, instead of just take a later install date. If the problem was equipment, I though maybe I could buy the hardware at a local box store and they could find a way to credit / debit to come out even.

I phoned D* who urged me to call install services directly. I called them, and they said I needed to contact the install contractor. I called the contractor, who said I needed to talk to the Chicago regional offices. I called the regional center and was stuck in a auto-phone-loop which required choosing one of (5) sub-centers. I picked one and held ... until the call was dropped.

I called D* install service again, and asked for a supervisor. Eventually I was able to talk to someone, but no joy. He said there was nothing that could be done. He was not helpful IRT my idea about buying hardware, though it was the H20 receiver that was unavailable. He further admitted they KNEW there was inadequate supply when my appointment was made on 12/12/06.

Later that evening I called D* to lodge a complaint. As always, the CSR agent was apologetic, but there was little she could do. She offered a substantial credit for my inconvenience. For the second time I said no to the credit. My thought was accepting a trifle diminished my complaint.

In summary: the TV install did not set up for sat HD, instead, wiring, tuning, and calibrating to std sat., cable and OTA signal. I took the afternoon off for no purpose. My new install date is 01/12/07, but, I am considering canceling it. Last, but not least, our family Christmas present of HDTV (fed a HD signal) failed.

My New Years resolution is to write the Office of the President at DirecTV. This may not bring satisfaction, but, will make me feel better. I will probably copy the FCC just for fun.

</rant>

So, all options back on the table. What to do for HD? All the services seem to be up-pricing, so I will probably take my time, especially since some require a (2) year contract. Here's my take:

Dish seems to have the best HD lineup (for now). They have (or had) a $31 package that met our viewing needs. It sounds as if most D* HD additions in 2007 will be local, not national.

I intend to remain with Ccast for Bband, and the basic package is an inexpensive reliable addition. I may upgrade to their HD package, or more. Lack of a contract is very appealing.

As to DirecTV? I may keep existing service through summer. I want to watch the Louis Vuitton Cup and America's Cup, which air on Versus (the former OLN). After that I am inclined to remove my dish and box.

All things being equal, I am very dissatisfied, doubt the frustration will fade, and believe in voting with my checkbook.

Happy New Year all,
etchasketch

ps - meant Good Topic for the header, but can't edit it? Freudian?

07-13-2005, 06:24 PM	#22
Emsurfer High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 661	Comcast vs. Satellite In my area, San Jose, CA, Dishnetwork with HDTV is much cheaper than Comcast. I am paying $30 more a month with Comcast for 60 channels vs. 120 channels when I had DISH. I have 2 HDTV boxes and one digital box. Comcast is in process of finetuning their picture quality which is noticably improved compared with 4 months ago, but the local channels from 2-14 are still very poor. I use a DVI to HDMI interface.

12-30-2006, 06:28 AM	#30
etchasketch headed to a bar for HD Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 68	Goog Topic ... I have posted numerous places in this consumer content playground, and feel inclined to share my experience here as well. Please forgive the length of my tale: <rant> I became a D* sat customer in 1997 (I own the dish and box, did my own install). In order to have reliable local channels I retained Ccast basic cable. A few years ago I changed my internet to Ccast Bband. I have always felt this changed my cable signal quality, whether due to new wiring or that this required running digital to my home? Late November I decided to join the HD revolution. I purchased a 37" LG LCD, and made arrangements to upgrade my D* service. D* CSR matched an E* offer (the $31/month package) via monthly credit and upgraded my box and dish to deliver HD, including (4) months of HD programming to "kick the tires" on their package. No one called to set up an install. On 12/12/06 I received hate mail suggesting I had agreed not only to a contract extension, but to pay $X for the hardware, and that I should call to RESCHEDULE my installation date. I phoned D* and they said to disregard the letter (something I am hesitant to do, take phone over written word). The CSR apologized, then gave me a $50 credit and (6) months of Showtime as apology for their error. He reviewed the other items agreed to on 11/25/06 to my satisfaction. My install date was set for 12/22/06. I then arranged the TV install (paid for with purchase) to be later the same day and took time off work to be on site. On 12/20/06, less than (48) hours before the install appt, a D* install agent called with bad news. He explained there was inadequate equipment available to fulfill their order flow, asked to reschedule, and offered a credit. I said no to the credit ... that I wanted them to keep the appointment, and asked him to call back the next evening. Having slept on it, my decision was to pursue a solution, instead of just take a later install date. If the problem was equipment, I though maybe I could buy the hardware at a local box store and they could find a way to credit / debit to come out even. I phoned D* who urged me to call install services directly. I called them, and they said I needed to contact the install contractor. I called the contractor, who said I needed to talk to the Chicago regional offices. I called the regional center and was stuck in a auto-phone-loop which required choosing one of (5) sub-centers. I picked one and held ... until the call was dropped. I called D* install service again, and asked for a supervisor. Eventually I was able to talk to someone, but no joy. He said there was nothing that could be done. He was not helpful IRT my idea about buying hardware, though it was the H20 receiver that was unavailable. He further admitted they KNEW there was inadequate supply when my appointment was made on 12/12/06. Later that evening I called D* to lodge a complaint. As always, the CSR agent was apologetic, but there was little she could do. She offered a substantial credit for my inconvenience. For the second time I said no to the credit. My thought was accepting a trifle diminished my complaint. In summary: the TV install did not set up for sat HD, instead, wiring, tuning, and calibrating to std sat., cable and OTA signal. I took the afternoon off for no purpose. My new install date is 01/12/07, but, I am considering canceling it. Last, but not least, our family Christmas present of HDTV (fed a HD signal) failed. My New Years resolution is to write the Office of the President at DirecTV. This may not bring satisfaction, but, will make me feel better. I will probably copy the FCC just for fun. </rant> So, all options back on the table. What to do for HD? All the services seem to be up-pricing, so I will probably take my time, especially since some require a (2) year contract. Here's my take: Dish seems to have the best HD lineup (for now). They have (or had) a $31 package that met our viewing needs. It sounds as if most D* HD additions in 2007 will be local, not national. I intend to remain with Ccast for Bband, and the basic package is an inexpensive reliable addition. I may upgrade to their HD package, or more. Lack of a contract is very appealing. As to DirecTV? I may keep existing service through summer. I want to watch the Louis Vuitton Cup and America's Cup, which air on Versus (the former OLN). After that I am inclined to remove my dish and box. All things being equal, I am very dissatisfied, doubt the frustration will fade, and believe in voting with my checkbook. Happy New Year all, etchasketch ps - meant Good Topic for the header, but can't edit it? Freudian? Last edited by etchasketch; 12-30-2006 at 06:51 AM.

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07-13-2005, 05:04 PM	#21
vikingdaddy1 A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 13	I to thought about going with directv but i just cant fork over 300.00 for a HD box!!! So I went with cable,Mediacom in my area. But I have ran into a problem. My cable company does not offer fox in HD. So when football season comes. What am I to do can I get an HD box used from ebay and run it through an out side anntena so I get fox in HD????????? Someone give me some good news on what i can do!!!! A cheap solution is what im looking for

07-14-2005, 10:18 AM	#23
RSawdey Mr. Wizard Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ferndale, Michigan Age: 62 Posts: 5,981	Only 60 channels on Comcast digital cable? We've got 100 analog, and a couple hundred SD digital, and more than a dozen HD... VikingDaddy, first thing you need to do is check on www.antennaweb.org to see what stations are available, type of antenna needed, and direction to the transmitters.

07-14-2005, 10:33 AM	#24
Emsurfer High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 661	In San Jose, Digital Classic. 72 analogue + 22 (so Comcast claims) digital channels. 4 HDTV and 6 local HDTV channels.

07-14-2005, 04:31 PM	#25
vikingdaddy1 A couch and an HDTV to go please. Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 13	I know what anntena I need For the Station I want. But where can I get A cheap HD box and what knid do I need?????

12-20-2006, 03:52 PM	#27
Flipsonic Got HDTV? Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Bay Area California Posts: 162	I am in the East Bay area, north of San Jose and have Comcast Digital Plus and HD. I have noticed that the low channels are snowy. Looks like weak signal. Is that what you guys see in San Jo? Is splitting the signal all I can do to improve this?

12-21-2006, 01:01 PM	#29
Flipsonic Got HDTV? Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Bay Area California Posts: 162	Yes, I spoke to Comcast and they said I have analog for the first 100 channels. They will let me know when my area will be available for 100% digital. I live in Antioch, CA. I don't know what model # my HD box is but I'm sure it has analog. I guess all I can do to improve it is by splitting? Anyway, I'll try to hit up the tech when he comes out to my house tomorrow.