DirecTV vs. Cable Quality?

[BPRescue]

Hi, I am new to the forum. I currently have cable with HD. HD quality is good most of the time, but I do see some artifacts/noise on occasion. I see this often with live football, but also on some prime time viewing. It is random, but can be as often as 10 seconds. I have only recognized this on my local channels and not on others such as Discovery, etc.

I can get DirecTV with a HD DVR and HBO for the same price I pay currently without these services. Remaining channel lineup looks comparable. I am concerned of the HD quality of DirecTV. Years ago (8ish); maybe when HD was just coming out, I had DirecTV and the quality was horrid. Moving water, action, all would show quick blips of pixilation. Is this still the case? Do you guys recognize quality issues with HD? We also had the local TV issue where we could not receive, though this is resolved now…

Thanks!

[gameguru1360]

Originally Posted by BPRescue

Hi, I am new to the forum. I currently have cable with HD. HD quality is good most of the time, but I do see some artifacts/noise on occasion. I see this often with live football, but also on some prime time viewing. It is random, but can be as often as 10 seconds. I have only recognized this on my local channels and not on others such as Discovery, etc.

I can get DirecTV with a HD DVR and HBO for the same price I pay currently without these services. Remaining channel lineup looks comparable. I am concerned of the HD quality of DirecTV. Years ago (8ish); maybe when HD was just coming out, I had DirecTV and the quality was horrid. Moving water, action, all would show quick blips of pixilation. Is this still the case? Do you guys recognize quality issues with HD? We also had the local TV issue where we could not receive, though this is resolved now…

Thanks!

I'm a new subscriber with DirecTV. I have noticed a little distortion but nothing like the free OTA hd channels with regular tv. I heard that cable has worse quality than DirecTV, but where cable shines is when it's raining outside. I'm still waiting for it to rain here in Southern Cali to see if it is true that heavy rain causes interference with DirecTV.

As for hd quality, it's very clear on my end and yes I also opted for the free hd dvr upgrade as well.

[RelfF2]

I haven't had any major picture issues like the one you describe...except for in the rain. my experience is that if its light green on the radar everything is good, dark green to yellow it will start breaking up, and heavy yellow to red it will go out completely.

seams to handle snow fine though.

[Loves2Watch]

DirecTV has been having some problems ever since Liberty Media purchased them. I would suggest you look at Dish Network instead.

[IamMrDJ]

Originally Posted by Loves2Watch

DirecTV has been having some problems ever since Liberty Media purchased them. I would suggest you look at Dish Network instead.

What are these problems? I haven't noticed any picture quality issues on DirecTV at my house or my parents house.

[BobLC]

Originally Posted by Loves2Watch

DirecTV has been having some problems ever since Liberty Media purchased them. I would suggest you look at Dish Network instead.

What problems? I think the picture quality is excellent, 'cept during a heavy rain. Customer Service is excellent, as well. So, what are the problems? Just curious as to why you're pushing Dish Network on the DirecTV forum(?).

Bob

[chirshey]

TROLL ALERT !!!!!!!!!
Loves2Watch is in the house.

[Loves2Watch]

Originally Posted by chirshey

TROLL ALERT !!!!!!!!!
Loves2Watch is in the house.

And just what does that mean? Be careful of who you are calling a troll...

[Loves2Watch]

Originally Posted by IamMrDJ

What are these problems? I haven't noticed any picture quality issues on DirecTV at my house or my parents house.

The problems are with many horrible billing errors, poor quality and not adding HD channels as promised. Just search the net and you will find these issues/complaints.

I use both Dish and DirecTV. These days, Dish is the winner although 6 months ago it was reversed.

[BPRescue]

So, I talked to my cable today and told them look; I have been with you 8 years, I have noticed service issues with HD in the past months, and finally that tech support has ignored 3 emails, but also had be perform some remedial troubleshooting. I told them that I was a bit irritated and see massive advertising for DirecTV, so I decided to look. Told them that the normal package price for the same channels I have was the same price, but included and HD-DVR and service included. Also told them that was beyond the $20plus dollars I save for the first year.

They responded telling me that the quality is poor (expected that), but also indicated that if the DVR fails, or any component fails, you add service be in HBO, or another TV, whatever that they extend the contract for the standard 24 months. Apparently when hardware fails, they will replace, but renew the 2 year term? Typically I would place this under the BS category, but I have heard this elsewhere. Is this the cable companies bringing these questions out?

[IamMrDJ]

Originally Posted by BPRescue

So, I talked to my cable today and told them look; I have been with you 8 years, I have noticed service issues with HD in the past months, and finally that tech support has ignored 3 emails, but also had be perform some remedial troubleshooting. I told them that I was a bit irritated and see massive advertising for DirecTV, so I decided to look. Told them that the normal package price for the same channels I have was the same price, but included and HD-DVR and service included. Also told them that was beyond the $20plus dollars I save for the first year.

They responded telling me that the quality is poor (expected that), but also indicated that if the DVR fails, or any component fails, you add service be in HBO, or another TV, whatever that they extend the contract for the standard 24 months. Apparently when hardware fails, they will replace, but renew the 2 year term? Typically I would place this under the BS category, but I have heard this elsewhere. Is this the cable companies bringing these questions out?

If you get the service plan which is $5 a month and your DVR fails they will replace it and not restart your 2 years of service. But if you do not have the service plan it will be $20 to replace it and an addition 2 years. But if you are not planning to leave DirecTV anytime soon the 2 years is not a big deal. If you change TV Packages or Premiums they will not change your service contract. It is only for equipment that your service contract would be extended.

[WestDC]

If you have the protection plan or not-I suggest you call in and find out when your commitment date is (that's the only way to know for sure) before you change anything.

You might be surprised to find out that the date you think your clear is not the same date they have to begin with.

Now-Change your programing-Call in again and see if you have a new date (bet you do)

Now -Change Harware either swap a box on the PPL or Not- Call in and (I bet you have a new date)


The only way to besure is know what your date is to begin with and only the CSR knows for sure (or whats on the data base)

[BobLC]

Originally Posted by Loves2Watch

The problems are with many horrible billing errors, poor quality and not adding HD channels as promised. Just search the net and you will find these issues/complaints.

I use both Dish and DirecTV. These days, Dish is the winner although 6 months ago it was reversed.

If you have "horrible billing errors" and can verify them, DirecTV will handle them!! As for "poor quality", picture quality is excellent, CS is excellent, don't know what's left, but, it sounds kinda vague and not adding HD channels, well, they just don't take them "off the shelf" and install them!

If DirecTV is as bad as you say it is, why don't you just terminate your account and go with a competitor, as you already have and stop complaining and go about your way(?). And stop pushing Dish Network on DirecTV forum. It almost sounds as if you're trying to drum up referrals for your Dish Network. Tacky.

[DIRECTVMAN]

Originally Posted by WestDC

Now-Change your programing-Call in again and see if you have a new date (bet you do)

(bet you don't)

Your contract doesn't get extended when you turn on or off HBO, SHOWTIME, etc.. Never has... If you call to change premium channels within 30 days of the last time you did it they charge you $10. That's so someone can't order HBO, watch a certain movie a day or so later, than call the next day to cancel it.

[DIRECTVMAN]

Originally Posted by Loves2Watch

The problems are with many horrible billing errors, poor quality and not adding HD channels as promised. Just search the net and you will find these issues/complaints.

I use both Dish and DirecTV. These days, Dish is the winner although 6 months ago it was reversed.

I've never had any horrible billing errors, poor quality issues and I don't have any problems with not adding HD channels fast enough.

What HD channels did they promise you that you haven't gotten yet ?

Seems kinda dumb to have DIRECTV and DISHNETWORK in the same household at the same time. Oh well. To each his own.