Does anyone here on the boards have the package that has 70 HD channels along with the HD DVR? I really,really want those HD channels that Direct offers because cable doesn't have even half that number. Will cable offer those same HD channels anytime soon or does DirectTV have them to themselves? Is DirectTV hard to get installed? I read that you had to have it installed into a phone jack, why would this be? Are there lots of unseen charges that come up? Thanks for any help and information.

I will be watching this thread as well.

I have been wondering and wanting to hear about Direct T.V., what all it offers as in the advantage and disadvantages of Direct TV opposed to Digital Cable. We now have Tme Warner and I have been wanting to possibly look at other options. Any comments and/or opinions would be appreciated.

Not sure about the HD channels. I've got Direct TV, but elected not to have it installed in a phone jack. Apparently, if it is you can use your remote to access certain features and order programming, plus for use in troubleshooting. The installer told us that if we wanted to do that we could just run a phone cord from a jack to the box, and uplug it after we finished. Otherwise, we just call them.

 

I do have a friend whose Direct TV is wired and he said once when he called to report trouble, the tech on the phone told him what channel he was watching.:eek:

I have DirecTV but not the HD. I really like it. They are supposed to have 100 HD channels by the end of the year.

 

One of the reasons I like it is that I can get on their website and pretty much do everything I had to call the cable company to do myself.

 

I tried the MLB package this year and really loved it. I got to watch baseball teams and players that I hardly ever got to see.

Does anyone here on the boards have the package that has 70 HD channels along with the HD DVR? I really,really want those HD channels that Direct offers because cable doesn't have even half that number. Will cable offer those same HD channels anytime soon or does DirectTV have them to themselves? Is DirectTV hard to get installed? I read that you had to have it installed into a phone jack, why would this be? Are there lots of unseen charges that come up? Thanks for any help and information.

 

I have it with the HD package. However, the amount of HD channels depend on the packages you get. Cable will not get all the HD channels anytime soon, because of the bandwith. They are working on changing lines and compressing some channels to offer more HD channels, but don't expect anything soon. With satellite, they obviously don't have to worry about this.

 

As for pricing, just go to their website, and it states exactly what you'll pay. There are no hidden costs, and there's just a minimal tax applied now. However, they'll get you with installation. "Free" installation only consists of hooking the satellite up on an outside wall, and connecting it up on the inside of the other wall (basically, no running of wires). If you're already setup for cable, then the installation won't cost you anything as they're usually offerring free installation. However, your DVR will need 2 additional lines ran to it.

 

All your basic and HD receivers do NOT need to be hooked up to a phone line. They say they do, so that they can charge you each month if you rent a movie. If you don't hook into the phone line, then the rental fee will be placed on your card. Eventually that card will fill up, and you won't be able to watch TV until you send it in, they'll read it, charge you, and send you a new card. The DVR has to be hooked up to a phone line to properly record (at least that's what they say). However, it's cool having it hooked up to a phone line, because when the phone rings, the number shows up on the TV screen.

Not sure about the HD channels. I've got Direct TV, but elected not to have it installed in a phone jack. Apparently, if it is you can use your remote to access certain features and order programming, plus for use in troubleshooting. The installer told us that if we wanted to do that we could just run a phone cord from a jack to the box, and uplug it after we finished. Otherwise, we just call them.

 

I do have a friend whose Direct TV is wired and he said once when he called to report trouble, the tech on the phone told him what channel he was watching.:eek:

You are correct. If you have your box hooked to a phone jack you can order pay per view movies and sports packages. If you don't want to do that you can still do the same thing on their web site.

I have the DishNetwork. They have quite a few HD channels, but I hope they add more.

One gripe I have though, is the Lexington channels I have on Dish. They say they are HD, but they don't come in as HD on my TV. So the recent UK football games on CBS said "HD", but they weren't.:irked:

I didn't know I could order from the website, thanks. It would certainly save time and the trouble of negotiating through all of the automated phone options.

 

If you order via phone, they just add it to your next bill. I assume it's the same via website.

I have it with the HD package. However, the amount of HD channels depend on the packages you get. Cable will not get all the HD channels anytime soon, because of the bandwith. They are working on changing lines and compressing some channels to offer more HD channels, but don't expect anything soon. With satellite, they obviously don't have to worry about this.

 

As for pricing, just go to their website, and it states exactly what you'll pay. There are no hidden costs, and there's just a minimal tax applied now. However, they'll get you with installation. "Free" installation only consists of hooking the satellite up on an outside wall, and connecting it up on the inside of the other wall (basically, no running of wires). If you're already setup for cable, then the installation won't cost you anything as they're usually offerring free installation. However, your DVR will need 2 additional lines ran to it.

 

All your basic and HD receivers do NOT need to be hooked up to a phone line. They say they do, so that they can charge you each month if you rent a movie. If you don't hook into the phone line, then the rental fee will be placed on your card. Eventually that card will fill up, and you won't be able to watch TV until you send it in, they'll read it, charge you, and send you a new card. The DVR has to be hooked up to a phone line to properly record (at least that's what they say). However, it's cool having it hooked up to a phone line, because when the phone rings, the number shows up on the TV screen.

 

Doesn't cable have to start preparing to offer all channels in HD because isn't everything supposed to be changed over by January 2009? I don't want to commit to Direct if cable will have all of the HD channels,just maybe a few months later.

Doesn't cable have to start preparing to offer all channels in HD because isn't everything supposed to be changed over by January 2009? I don't want to commit to Direct if cable will have all of the HD channels,just maybe a few months later.

 

They don't have to go HD by '09. They have to be all digital by '09, which satellite is already all digital. I just read an article in the local paper about this subject. The bandwith issue is what really hurts the cable companies right now. They are working on changing things, but it's going to be a while, and even then, they don't know if they'll be able to compete with satellite with the number of available HD channels. However, I'm sure they'll come up with something since HD is still fairly new. Cable companies are pulling in customers and retaining customers by bundling with internet and phone.

You are correct. If you have your box hooked to a phone jack you can order pay per view movies and sports packages. If you don't want to do that you can still do the same thing on their web site.

 

Actually, you can still order through the TV, but you won't get charged on your bill. It'll go directly to your card.

I have Direct T.V. I've been hit with a couple of charges and they are a pain on the rebates. I thought I was getting all the HD channels but only get some of them. The HD for the sports are amazing and I've got a great T.V. for it. I've always been a fan of DVR too! We have the HD/DVR box in our family room and it's great but expensive. We have 2 more boxes one with DVR and the other without. Those two don't have HD because the boxes are so expensive. I got the college gameplan and have had the NFL Sunday ticket. I also got the Fox Sports package so I get a lot of college and high school games. I don't get to watch much T.V. right now on Sunday's so I didn't get the NFL Sunday ticket but it's worth it if you have time to watch it. I had a deal worked out with a cousin and friend to split the bill for the Sunday ticket but ended up not doing it. I'm not a huge Nascar fan but it's amazing in HD also. I got the local channels added on which is good and bad. It's nice having them but you can't get the channels like ABC East and ABC West so you miss out on those in HD.

I've had several problems with my bill but some of that is my wife's fault. If it were up to me I'd pay it online. It's easy to do that way.

I have Direct T.V. I've been hit with a couple of charges and they are a pain on the rebates. I thought I was getting all the HD channels but only get some of them.

 

Do you have the 5 LAN dish? If not, it's a free upgrade so that you can get all the HD channels. I just had mine upgraded a couple weeks ago so I could get all the new HD channels that related to my package.

I pay 100.00 for Cinti Bell and Fuse internet.I pay 68.00 for Insight digital with the HBO package.If I packaged they wanted 180.00 after some negotiation.When I called Direct they wanted 160.00 for there top package,dvr,internet and 4 rooms wired.They also charge 4.95 additional per any room over 1 for the remote.That added almost 15.00 more to the bill.You do get alot more channels with Direct but I'm being an idiot about the 15.00 per room and they wont budge.:mad:

We have direct tv just the basic package and we have cable. We are thinking of going to all direct tv. The interent net comes through cable. We don't have a house phone.