Possibly cancelling my Directv..please help

antneye · 02-14-2006, 08:19 AM

MY HD receiver fried on SuperBowl Sunday and I am not about to drop any more cash for eqpt. so I am considering going back to the evil empire.....Cablevision.

I considered the Directv HDDVR but heres my problem with it.

1) Too costly
2) Only has optical out and all i have left on my audio is digital coax
3) HD lite
4) 10.99 for minimal HD content
5) dont want to buy a system that will be obsolete within 18 months

Assuming I pull the plug and switch to CV, will I be able to view the stored content on my Directv TIVO after I deactivate the receiver? I do not want to have to schedule a power session, and it would take me forever to copy to VCR, so I would like to be able to connect it to my front jacks on my TV in until I catch up.

Thats pretty much it. I know that Cablevisions HDDVR is no TIVO, but when you consider that the eqpt is free, and theres no charge for hd package, I end up with the same monthly bill (even with there ridiculous 9.95 per DVR cost).

This decision is killing me. I love my TIVO, but Directv is driving me away with there high acquisition costs, and low hd content.

DavidS · 02-14-2006, 08:38 AM

Yes, you can continue to play stored content without satellite hook-up.

dswallow · 02-14-2006, 08:44 AM

1) $499 after $200 rebate from DirecTV; lower from other sources -- some eBay dealers are offering it around $200-$300.

2) There are simple inexpensive converters to go from optical to coaxial; even Radio Shack has them.

3) OTA will be full resolution; unless you have a projector and large screen, you probably won't even notice the difference on HD DirecTV channels since very few direct-view HD displays are higher resolution than 1366x768.

4) $9.99 as of 3/1 and TNT-HD gets added 2/17.

5) "Obsolete" doesn't mean totally unusable; it'll still work for OTA and DirecTV SD channels, and as long as any HD channels are delivered in MPEG2 on the Ku-band satellites, they'll be receivable too. Plus DirecTV will offer an equipment swap at no or miniumal charge to the MPEG4 HD DVR when you need it for your programming.

Guindalf · 02-14-2006, 08:58 AM

How big is your TV? This, for me is a critical factor. Remember that most extended basic channels from a cableco are NOT digital, even if they are offering you a digital package, and this looks like crap on a big screen. My local cableco is like this and apart from three out of the four networks plus WB and UPN, everything else apart from those received from the digital box were not even stereo.

Bottom line is - it's your choice, but make sure you make the right decision. You can probably get a replacement SD DVR for little or no cost.

Oh, and I'd certainly talk to retention and see what they offer before you decide to leave for definite.

dagap · 02-14-2006, 09:21 AM

BEFORE you pull the plug, call Directv retention and tell them your thoughts. Don't bother with the regular CSRs, call the direct line to retention that has been posted on these forums.

Be polite, just explain your situation and the Cablevision option you're considering.

There's a good chance they'll work with you to come up with a deal that's makes it attractive to stay. Be at least a little flexible. They have to work within certain parameters. Maybe they can't give you a new HD receiver, but can offer a monthly discount for the next 12 months.

Be polite.

dishrich · 02-14-2006, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guindalf

Remember that most extended basic channels from a cableco are NOT digital, even if they are offering you a digital package, and this looks like crap on a big screen.

Uh, well DBS is ALL digital as well & it TOO looks like crap these days (at least as far as SD is concerned) so what is your point??? Are you also aware that many cable co are now offering ALL basic channels in digital as well (digital simulcast) so this is pretty much a moot point in those cases. And just in case you're interested, I'll repeat what many of us videophiles keep telling some of you guys...

-just because something is analog does NOT mean it's automatically BAD
-just because something is digital does NOT mean it's going to look GOOD (I rest my case w/SD DBS)

While I understand not all cable providers have cleaned up their act, the fact of the matter is, many HAVE. And many of those same providers can & do give DBS a run for it's money on many fronts.
Quite frankly, my analog cable from Insight looks much better overall than either DBS provider. (I have all 3 in my house, so I can compare instantly)

Bottom line - the OP should probably go to a neighbor's house & see what their reception looks like & get an idea what his cable provider is offering.

Quote:

You can probably get a replacement SD DVR for little or no cost.

How does THIS help him get a replacement HD DVR???

Guindalf · 02-14-2006, 10:04 AM

Dishrich.

First, why the hostility? Most people speak from experience and the experiences reported by others. I actually quantified my statement (which you are taking out of context) by saying that this is what MY cableco offers.

Second, we're not ALL "videophiles" and stuck so far up our own rear ends that we can't see it for what it is - television! And by "many", you mean "a few in the larger populated areas of the country where it is commercially viable", then yes, I agree. But the majority of the country does not fall in this category. Most rural areas have cablecos that think HD means Heavy Duty!

Finally, you're right on the last point. I misread the OPs first line - oops, beat me with a large stick!

I still think a call to retention will probably yield a replacement HD TiVO for little or no cost.

antneye · 02-14-2006, 12:04 PM

$599
$200 rebate
$300 credit.

had to pay for tax, handling and $99 instal (what a joke)

translated to $774 on credit card..........$300 credit to acount and waiting for the rebate which will inevitably get lost in the mail and ultimately end up as another $200 credit.

They also through in $15/month off of my monthly package for 6 mos. and free hd package for 3 mos.

Now I get to ask all of you a million questions about the DIRECTV HDDVR.

Going to look up the thread now!

Thanks all!

dishrich · 02-14-2006, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guindalf

First, why the hostility?

First, I didn't realize was being SO hostile - maybe you're a tad sensitive, but I'm sorry nonetheless.

Quote:

Most people speak from experience and the experiences reported by others. I actually quantified my statement (which you are taking out of context) by saying that this is what MY cableco offers.

Well, I'm sorry but I'm going by this statement of yours:

Remember that most extended basic channels from a cableco are NOT digital, even if they are offering you a digital package, and this looks like crap on a big screen.

Sorry, but you are flat out saying that since most extended basic channels are NOT digital, that it will always look like crap on a big screen. And, I am telling you that is just NOT true. Did I not just quote your post verbatim?

I'll say it again one last time - ANALOG DOES NOT ALWAYS EQUAL CRAP! That is a mindset that many people have been brainwashed into. Again, I have BOTH in my house & I'm telling you that our analog cable lineup blows away the overcompressed, digital DBS signal you keep boasting about, at least as far as SD viewing goes.

And if you want to talk about "from experience and the experiences reported by others", well since I go into MANY homes doing satellite & video work, how MANY more experiences would you like? I see this everyday & I'm telling you, that cable has come a LONG way since DBS first started, at least in my neighborhood. There are many others on all the other boards that have posted the same thing & they are NOT all in the big cities - actually, some of the better cable operators are some of the independents in the sticks.

But as many of us ALWAYS say - YMMV. You ARE correct, some cable co. will ALWAYS "suck" All am saying is, not ALL of them suck & it doesn't always have to do with how rural an area is.

Quote:

Second, we're not ALL "videophiles" and stuck so far up our own rear ends that we can't see it for what it is - television! And by "many", you mean "a few in the larger populated areas of the country where it is commercially viable", then yes, I agree. But the majority of the country does not fall in this category. Most rural areas have cablecos that think HD means Heavy Duty!

Well, my area sure is NOT one of the most populated areas of the country & we do not have one of the more major cable operators here (Insight), but even in my "rural" area, right now DBS is NOT competing that well against cable, at least since they did all their upgrades 5 years ago.

Right now, our system offers dual tuner HD DVR's, installed for FREE.
ALL local channels that are currently broadcasting in HD are on the cable system & you get them FREE as part of taking a dual tuner HD DVR.

As far as your "we're not ALL "videophiles" and stuck so far up our own rear ends that we can't see it for what it is - television" comment, that is EXACTLY my point -
Some of you guys seem to get SO upset when someone mentions going back to cable - it's almost as if they insulted your mother or something. Unfortunately, DBS is starting to become just another cable operator, & in some instances, not even a good one at that.

Many customers just want good TV reception & don't want to spend a lot of money to get it. Right now, many of my former DBS customers are saying exactly that, just as the OP stated. Why should they spend $$$ on equipment that's becoming outdated so fast, when they can get it installed totally for FREE from someone else, with NO committments. That someone else is becoming the cable co.

(There's numerous other reason's why they're churning to cable, but I'll save that for another post...)

CsrLiz344 · 02-14-2006, 01:14 PM

I've got the cable guy here now hooking me to cable. I really never thought I would go back to cable, but after talking to the powers that be at D*, and not getting a real good incentive to stay after the price hike was announced, I decided to leave. $5 off my bill a month isn't good enough to warrant it,when it's still way cheaper with the "dish buy back" program, from TW. And I don't have to give them my equipment, not that I would anyway. Here they have improved their service, and their DVR's, so why not? I'm not locked into a contract, so if I decide it's not worth it, I can always leave. Would I go back to D*? I don't know.

dswallow · 02-14-2006, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by antneye

$599
$200 rebate
$300 credit.

had to pay for tax, handling and $99 instal (what a joke)

translated to $774 on credit card..........$300 credit to acount and waiting for the rebate which will inevitably get lost in the mail and ultimately end up as another $200 credit.

They also through in $15/month off of my monthly package for 6 mos. and free hd package for 3 mos.

Now I get to ask all of you a million questions about the DIRECTV HDDVR.

Going to look up the thread now!

Thanks all!

Congratulations, and have fun with it!

antneye · 02-14-2006, 01:21 PM

OK...now the fear sets in.........I read a review (a bit dated) where the guy claimed to have 2 units die in 1 yr.....any reliability issues that I should worry about? $274 total out of pocket is no that much, but I would hate to have this thing die...they are only offering 90 day guarantee.

dswallow · 02-14-2006, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by antneye

but I would hate to have this thing die...they are only offering 90 day guarantee.

The HR10-250 has a 1 year warranty.

Guindalf · 02-14-2006, 01:34 PM

Dishrich. I'm sorry, but I refuse to hijack someone else's thread to argue semantics with you. I'm not even going to respond to your points (some of which are even valid!). I have far more important things to do than write a 500 word essay on the subject.

I will just say that I don't CARE what system someone uses - whether it's D*, E*, cable or a piece of wet string held in the air - as long as they are happy with it. And if they are, then it's the best system in the world. Just the same as I won't get involved in the TiVo/NDS argument that some feel will end their lives if it doesn't go their way.

To the OP and other readers of this thread - apologies, and I hope you're happy with your choice.

antneye · 02-14-2006, 01:51 PM

Guindalf...no appolgy needed. I understand your points more so than i ever have (considering that I almost went back). I think cablecos improving and debatedly passing the DBS providers is part of the natural cycle of competition that we were all hoping for when DBS came on the horizon. now you add in Verizon FIOS, and I think the future is very bright for improved service/pricing all around.

The only reason I renegged and shelled out the $274 total was because I could envision my wife bitching about the interface on the cable dvr.....I dont need that. As much as I hate Cablevision I was willing to give them a chance to save a few bucks.....now as long as Directv doesnt screw me when MPEG 4 is fully functional Ill be happy for a while.

Edit: One funny note. I had order CV service and insisted that they give me a saturday install. when i called to cancel I learned they had booked me for a friday......this sealed there fate...customer service still blows....lol