Moving - Stick with D* or go to Comcast

[patg25]

Hi Folks

I have been a D* subscriber for 4 years not. I have the HD DVR (2 years now), 2 SD DVRs, one HD and one SD receiver in my houses. Receive all OTA channels via rooftop antenna. Love the setup, even though I have had problems with the HD DVR (pixelations, stuttering, etc), but it has been working O.K. since I been doing the "Clear and Delete All" every 6 months.

I will be moving to another town in about 2 months, not too far from my current place. The biggest problem is OTA reception; I won't be able to place a OTA antenna on the new house (restrictions). Most of the families (and mine) viewing habits is OTA HD Locals, timeshifted on the HR10-250, so this is my biggest concern. I would not be happy about missing football games in HD this fall.

These seem to be options:

Ditch D* and move to Comcast. Not sure if I can do that since my 2 year commitment was just re-upped as they replaced on of my defective DVRs a few months ago. Also checked the price on comcast website; my setup would cost me about $130 / month with Comcast. I could loose one receiver and regular DVRs, but my kids would not be happy about that.

Stick with D*, move, and have them install the 5 LBN dish. Wait for the HR20 to come out; HD locals are available here in Hartford already. Possible install a cheap attic attenna and run the wire right to the HR10-250. The house is on a hill, so I think receiption won't be problem. Probably could even pull in a couple of stations with rabbit ears.

Right now I am leaning toward the second options. Any opinions would be appreciated.

[majones]

I would lean toward option #2 also. In my subdivision we can't have a roof-mounted OTA antenna either. I have a good-size Radio Shack antenna in the attic and pull in all the digital locals just fine.

During your move D* may not give you the 5-LNB antenna to go with your HR10-250; they wouldn't give me one when I got that unit a couple of months ago.

Bottom line, if you're happy with your current setup with D* I'd suggest you stick with it after the move.

[tbb1226]

During your move D* may not give you the 5-LNB antenna to go with your HR10-250;Still, it won't hurt to ask, and if you don't get one during the move, they will definitely give you one whenever you get one of the receivers that needs it.

[generalpatton71]

Well you have the right to an antenna and it overrides any HOA. Do some searches on google and you will find all the wording of what your entitled to. Oh and to the op you could just try a Silver Sensor when you move in and see what you get.

[Jim Sanchez]

You are ALWAYS allowed to put an antenna on your own roof regardless of what the homeowners association says. The FCC has ruled on this and you are free to install an antenna IF it is your roof not a common roof (such as a condo).

[Adam1115]

Right but some people just don't want to hassle with their HOA> I put a huge radioshack antenna in my attic, works great.

[jfh3]

I won't be able to place a OTA antenna on the new house (restrictions).

The FCC regulations on OTA antennas override anything your HOA has in place.

No reason you can't use an antenna for your HR10-250.

[DVRaholic]

Choose #3 :)

Call Comcast and take their offer to install at your new home, then Call 1-800-Directv and make a appointment to tranfer your service to your new home.

After you have Comcast installed And After Directv installs (make sure you verify after a few days that everything is working good ) Call up Directv and put you account on Hold for 9 months "suspended account"

Directv will allow customers to put your account under suspension for up to 9 months No questions asked. This way you wont have to cancell and it takes seconds to reactivate Directv, and you can Reactivate at Any time

When you want to reactivate your account just acll 1-800-directv, its automated and takes about 30 seconds to do. Then cancel your Comcast service :)

The best thing about this is even if the New HD-DVR is released in september, you can wait 8 more months if you wanted to let the new DVR shake out the glitches if any :)

I think this would be the best choice for you.

Good Luck

[tbb1226]

Choose #3 :)

Call Comcast and take their offer to install at your new home, then Call 1-800-Directv and make a appointment to tranfer your service to your new home. :confused: :confused: :confused:

What "problem" are you solving with this brilliant scheme?

The guy says he doesn't want to pay $130 or more a month for Comcast, but he's worried he won't be able to record local HD channels with DirecTV. The best solution for him, especially if he's recently re-upped for two years, is to move the DirecTV system and try to get the OTA working, either with an indoor or attic-mounted antenna.

If those solutions don't work, then he can think about adding a limited cable package to supplement DirecTV with the HD locals and DVR, or maybe the HR20 (which will almost certainly have a superior OTA tuner to the HR10) will be only a short wait.

[patg25]

Thanks for the opinions. At this time I am going with option 2. The move isn't going to happen for a couple of months, and who knows, maybe the HR20 will be out. I will also try the attic antenna.

[Jim Sanchez]

One thing you might want to factor in is the reliability (or lack thereof) of the two services. I have both Comcast and D* - for Internet and local HD - and Comcast has been VERY unreliable. In the past six months, Comcast has been down at least eight times while D* has been down exactly once in more than five years.

You pays your money and makes your choice.
Jim

[tivoreno]

Put the antenna wherever you need to. It's quite true, the FCC was directed by congress to specifically override HOA restrictions on rooftop antennas (along with satelite dishes) and they have done so. They have even directed the courts not to accept cases from HOAs trying to enforce their (antenna) restrictions. What this means to you is, if you own your roof, you can put any size antenna you want on it, up to 12 feet above the roofline. You can even go higher if you need to, but the rules allow the HOA to have some input then. When I moved I didn't take my antenna with me and now I regret it, since now I have to buy a new one.