AbMagFab said:
They don't currently have an option for people who want HD and can't get HD OTA. You really should go to your cable company (or FIOS TV).
I know this is obvious, but a friend was asking for advice, and the main decision was this simple - If you can't get HD OTA, don't go with DirecTV.
DirecTV is really screwing the high-end consumers. No HD MPEG-4 DVR for 6-18 months (and no baseline to set expectations, except the questionable R15).
Your comments are not correct. Obviously you should go with the company that offers you the most in your area. Part of what made DBS successful was the fact that they could bring 'big city' services to rural areas. They've now branched out to compete head to head with cable. But the first selling point still holds true.
1) I can't get most of my channels OTA. I only get FOX and WB.
2) My cable company does not offer HD at all.
3) My cable company does not offer a DVR at all let alone a HD-DVR.
4) My cable company is extremely expensive and has crappy service.
5) I hate cable anyway! They have always sucked, and they are only halfway decent today thanks to DBS.
With DirecTV I currently HAVE and HD-DVR with CBS-HD, HBO-HD, and ESPN-HD that I watch regularly. It records my FOX and WB OTA, and works great. They will have an HD-DVR with HD-LIL in Denver by summer. My cable company says maybe next year at the earliest.
So who is screwing who? DirecTV's HD offerings will be welcome in my home where I wouldn't otherwise be cable to get HD. Trust me, there will be a LOT of rural customers subcribing to DirecTV to get HD-LIL.