My folks are thinking of changing from cable to DirecTV, or Dish Network, or somesuch thing. There's basic cable through the house, and one TV has the premium package. To get that package on the other TV's would be pricey. I've looked into DTV some, but not into Dish Network. DTV at least seems like it will be cheaper to get for all the TVs than the premium cable would be.
Anyway, I'm hoping for some comments on the quality, prime, etc. of these two (or any others you might know of). I know 'erkishhorde' just posted a thread ranting about his hate for DTV, so I guess I know where he stands. [laugh]
What's the experience been like. Good/bad/indifferent? Getting my parents to decide on a course of action usually requires enough research to write a master's thesis. [roll]
DirectTV has been good. I've had it since '01. Got a great deal that year too. 2 DVR boxes, free installation, 1 free movie/week from Blockbuster for a year and a $75 gift certificate at Blockbuster (which I bought a DVD player with).
The only problem I have with it. That commercial they have where the guy is in a hurricane but still has his DirectTV still working is a load of shit!! I've had their service in AZ, FL, WA, TX and everytime there's a storm..I lost service!! If you're taping something at that time..you'll lose it. [bang] Those are the times though that I watched whatever I had on the DVR.
You should get it. Both of them, just in case.
My company builds the satellites for 'em.
Or you could send me money directly-it doesn't have to trickle down. :D
BTW..if you want extra outlets installed, slip the installation guy a few extra bucks.
We scheduled 4 rooms (living room and the bdrms) and the kitchen & patio for an extra $30 under the table. [thumbsup]
Quote from: IZ on September 24, 2009, 07:58:57 PM
BTW..if you want extra outlets installed, slip the installation guy a few extra bucks.
We scheduled 4 rooms (living room and the bdrms) and the kitchen & patio for an extra $30 under the table. [thumbsup]
That would be dishonest.
Quote from: hbliam on September 24, 2009, 11:43:41 PM
That would be dishonest.
Doesn't matter.
He wasted his money since he knew he wouldn't be living there for more than a couple days anyway.
;D
Quote from: hbliam on September 24, 2009, 11:43:41 PM
That would be dishonest.
Not necessarily. Most of the installers are independent contractors. If they are already at the house, $30 might be about right to run another 20' of coax and add 2 0.50$ plates?
mitt
Quote from: mitt on September 25, 2009, 05:20:43 AM
Not necessarily. Most of the installers are independent contractors. If they are already at the house, $30 might be about right to run another 20' of coax and add 2 0.50$ plates?
mitt
thats what i was thinking...a better way is to get the 2 room deal and go under the table for the rest.
and the best thing is IZ can go under the table without ducking.
My brother and I are thinking about getting Dish Network.
He lives in Dayton, I live in Columbus.
Split the cost each month and retain separate dishes ;D
Quote from: lwszabo on September 25, 2009, 05:31:31 AM
thats what i was thinking...a better way is to get the 2 room deal and go under the table for the rest.
people think that running coax cable is complicated and expensive, but its not.
1000' of good coax cable is $65
50 count bag of great compression connectors is $10
wall plates are $0.50
Compression tool is $10
Cutting strip tool is $10.
Splitters are $1.
mitt
Or you could just go with time warner (if available in your area) and keep me employed... hehe..
Since I'm a twc tech you may think I'm baised.. our system is good our service is good.. usualy people have problems due to lazyness.. I'm not one of them, I knw my job.. I rank 1 to 3 every quarter.. if you have the option of getting twc or fios over dish, I say get it.. might not be as cheap but u get what you pay for...
Here is the alternative I do:
Decent over air antenna, I get 10 channels, all HD.
For time shifting programs, I use a laptop and Hulu connected to my TV.
No cable for me until someone comes up with an a la carte menu option. I personally think that cable will die off or change dramatically due to the advent of Hulu and Hulu type sites.
I am still stuck with a provider for high speed internet, and don't see a way around that.
mitt
Quote from: mitt on September 25, 2009, 07:17:14 AM
people think that running coax cable is complicated and expensive, but its not.
Agreed, I found it pretty simple to do. [thumbsup]
i also had a similar bad experience with DTV.
currently have Cable One cable for internet and TV.
more expensive, but their service is excellent.
my next TV provider is going to be Hulu ;)
or you could just not have cable like Mitt suggested.
Books are good too [thumbsup]
Quote from: cyrus buelton on September 25, 2009, 10:31:25 AM
or you could just not have cable like Mitt suggested.
Books are good too [thumbsup]
Reading? Don't be pushing your book learning 'round these parts.
Quote from: hbliam on September 24, 2009, 11:43:41 PM
That would be dishonest.
:-* :-* :-*
Quote from: Rameses on September 25, 2009, 12:20:03 AM
Doesn't matter.
He wasted his money since he knew he wouldn't be living there for more than a couple days anyway.
;D
[laugh]
No, that was my second house. I think we were in that <100 days?
Quote from: lethe on September 25, 2009, 05:37:44 AM
and the best thing is IZ can go under the table without ducking.
[cheeky]
Quote from: mitt on September 25, 2009, 05:20:43 AM
Not necessarily. Most of the installers are independent contractors. If they are already at the house, $30 might be about right to run another 20' of coax and add 2 0.50$ plates?
mitt
Most of the installers are employees working for independent contractors. So it is dishonest for him to take cash under the table when he should be either charging you his boss's rate or going on to the next job.
I won't sell my integrity for $30 worth of cable guy labor.
Quote from: hbliam on September 25, 2009, 11:14:30 PM
I won't sell my integrity for $30 worth of cable guy labor.
That's easy to say when you're making..what was it..$115K/year?
I think you two should get a room. [roll]
Quote from: hbliam on September 25, 2009, 11:14:30 PM
I won't sell my integrity for $30 worth of cable guy labor.
I aspire to be like you [thumbsup]
Quote from: IZ on September 25, 2009, 11:40:20 PM
That's easy to say when you're making..what was it..$115K/year?
Actually with my wifes salary I'm sure we make 4-5 times as much as you, but thanks for asking Adam.
Don't you have:
-a move to plan?
-a nail to pull out of your tire?
-an accident to pick your wife up from?
-another interview to nail?
-pictures to return to Costco because they "developed them all IZ_?"
-a thread to post in about how many pushups you can do?
-a installer to bribe?
-a fight result to post prematurely?
:) :) I'm screwing with you Adam, lighten up. :) :) [laugh]
Quote from: cyrus buelton on September 26, 2009, 07:20:35 AM
I aspire to be like you [thumbsup]
I get the impression that you pay your way in life. I'd be surpised to find out otherwise.
[popcorn]
Quote from: cyrus buelton on September 25, 2009, 05:42:10 AM
My brother and I are thinking about getting Dish Network.
He lives in Dayton, I live in Columbus.
Split the cost each month and retain separate dishes ;D
A couple of years ago there were 4 of us on 1 account with separate dishes. Just send the money Paypal to the person that actually pays the bill. I paid someting like $30 a month for my share and we had everything.
Quote from: hbliam on September 26, 2009, 10:11:02 AM
Actually with my wifes salary I'm sure we make 4-5 times as much as you, but thanks for asking Adam.
Impressed..since all I'm about is $, material things and being superficial [bow_down] [bow_down] [bow_down] [leo]
Don't you have:
-a move to plan? Not for a few weeks but it is nice having the freedom to move at a moment's notice. [thumbsup]
-a nail to pull out of your tire? Knocking on wood..hasn't happened since my first week in Seattle. If you'll recall..the last sharp object that punctured my tire was a damn Ducati Owner's Club pin! [roll]
-an accident to pick your wife up from? *says prayer everytime she takes keys while continuing to knock on wood* :-\
-another interview to nail? ??? Could you please link thread & specific page number to comments you are referring to?
-pictures to return to Costco because they "developed them all IZ_?" I'm not a Costco member.
-a thread to post in about how many pushups you can do? Is there a new workout thread?
-a installer to bribe? No, but I tipped Stephanie for a great back massage after my haircut today. :D
-a fight result to post prematurely? If we weren't in the same time zone right now..I'd be sure to just for you! ;D
:) :) I'm screwing with you Adam, lighten up. :) :) [laugh]
Since you know me so well Scott, you should have also known that I was screwing with the newb. [roll]
http://gizmodo.com/5366161/life-without-cable-or-satellite-tv-is-easier-than-you-think (http://gizmodo.com/5366161/life-without-cable-or-satellite-tv-is-easier-than-you-think)
I bought a Tivo HD & subscribe to netflix. $500 one time fee for the box & tivo lifetime service. $9 monthly for Netflix for 1 dvd at a time and as many on demand movies/tv I want. That means I'm out ~$608 this year for tv. Next year it's $108. That was one month of cable. I get FiOS internet for $45. Tivo gets all my local stations in HD. If I don't record something I hit up Hulu. They have movies too. I miss BBC America, Speed, SciFi and CNBC but honestly my life isn't going to change because of those few stations. I prefer to save $1100 a year.
SciFi (now SyFy) and BBC would be really hard to give up...
There's a bunch of SciFi* channel shows on Hulu, mostly the new stuff. No luck with BBC America.
*I refused to use the new name. The f*cktard that came up with that name should be shot.
Quote from: Mad Duc on October 07, 2009, 11:14:41 AM
There's a bunch of SciFi* channel shows on Hulu, mostly the new stuff. No luck with BBC America.
*I refused to use the new name. The f*cktard that came up with that name should be shot.
Twice! Then killed... [laugh]
Yeah, I thought it was stupid too...
Quote from: hbliam on September 25, 2009, 11:14:30 PM
Most of the installers are employees working for independent contractors. So it is dishonest for him to take cash under the table when he should be either charging you his boss's rate or going on to the next job.
Not around here. A lot of small operators installing dishes, like 1 or 2 guys. All you need is a car and about $100 worth of tools and $100 worth of hardware to get started.
And, I know what is honest or not, you don't need to explain [thumbsup] I am just stating the way things are here, and it is probably different from the land paved in gold.
mitt
I miss the good ole days when my Brother was an installer and also did drops for a subcontractor .
He could climb up the pole and take out the filters and we had HBO, Show Time and the Speed Channel for the cost of basic cable.
Now it is all controlled from the Cable office.
Dolph
yea i hate the new stuff.. i can't make that side money anymore
Quote from: Mr. Exact on October 07, 2009, 06:28:30 AM
SciFi (now SyFy) and BBC would be really hard to give up...
I'm really disappointed with BBC-A (aka "Top Gear Network" ;D). When are they gonna show the latest Top Gear episodes? I'm tired of watching the "Season 5 finale" and other episodes from 3-4 years ago. I've seen 'em already. [roll]
To see the latest stuff, I look for it on YouTube. :-\
Just got AT&T U-Verse hooked up several days ago.
A ton of really good channels I didn't have with Time Warner, a ton of on-demand content, fast internet connection, good price...
The only negative I've noticed so far is some very slight A/V synching issues occasionally with on-demand playback.
A minor issue really, that isn't all that noticeable most times.
Thus far I'm really happy with it. [thumbsup]
Quote from: bluemoco on October 12, 2009, 06:04:42 PM
I'm really disappointed with BBC-A (aka "Top Gear Network" ;D). When are they gonna show the latest Top Gear episodes? I'm tired of watching the "Season 5 finale" and other episodes from 3-4 years ago. I've seen 'em already. [roll]
To see the latest stuff, I look for it on YouTube. :-\
the damn top gear series is too damn short..