OT - Off-Topic - Re: HDTV signal options.

[daz]

Ted Gould wrote:
> On Wed, 1 Nov 2006, Josef Lowder wrote:
>> I have called both Qwest-DirecTV and Dish Network to see
>> what they might offer, but now the mass of confusion from
>> both of them is simply incredible.
>>
>> They all advertise all great come-on deals, but then they
>> want to add on $10 for this and another $10 for that and
>> it just goes from bad to worse.  Every time I call Qwest,
>> I get a different story ...
> 

Sadly, I kinda prefer this.  I dont use callerID on my land line.  Why 
should I have to pay for it?   Same with my cable/sat vendor.


> This seems to be the business model of choice today, in TV, but also cell 
> phones, land lines, etc.  I hate it too, but I think it's here to stay.
> 
> Full Disclosure: I work for DirecTV, so I'm not unbias about this, but I 
> don't represent the position of the company in any way (and I don't care 
> what their opinion is).
> 
> In my experience, the cable guys still really haven't figured out HD. 
> They have a few channels, but they really need to upgrade their networks 

I have to disagree here.  I can get (rent) an HD DVR for a few extra 
bucks a month.  I can record one show while at the same time record 
another show.  Sure, it has a few issues, but its affordable, I dont 
have to worry about it breaking (it's rented, remember?  It breaks, I 
swap it out.  No sweat), and it works.

Most sat. companies?  They want mucho money for the same thing.  I'm not 
going to shell out $500+ for an HD DVR.  period.  So, the cable 
companies might not have the bandwidth to do it correctly, but they're 
doing it good enough for me.

Disclosure.  I absolutely hate Cox.  Not for the customer service 
(although its in there too) but more for political reasons (I wont go 
into).  If Dish or DirecTV offered to rent a HD dvr box like Cox does, 
I'd jump on it in a heartbeat.  They dont.  They lose.



> If you want local channels, stick up an antenna.  You'll get full digital 
> quality HD signal by just watching ATSC broadcasts.  It's actually 
> probably better than the local signal you'll get from the cable/sat guys 
> because the local broadcasters aren't bandwidth constrained, so they have 

I agree here.  I've seen HD through straight antenna.  Breathtaking.  I 
have yet to set it up for myself, though.


> The satellite guys have upgraded their network, the HD boxes are a true 
> second generation from the other boxes.  Not really an HD bolt on like the 
> cable boxes.  I like DirecTV's solution better, but as a consumer you 
> probably can't tell the difference.  The downside of sat is the dishes, 
> and for HD they're large as your connecting to up to five satellites to 
> get the job done.  They're getting much, much better -- but still larger 
> than the original dishes.


Still too expensive for me (and most people I know).  Make it a rentable 
unit, its a done deal.

So, to answer the original question:

It depends on if you want to pay out the ying-yang up front(Satellite), 
or are more comfortable with smaller monthly payments(cable).  I went 
the latter.  I've been very pleased.

David