Comcast vs DIRECTV

Serious Business Backup 37 replies 622 views
password's avatar
password
Posts: 2,360
Feb 11, 2012 11:59pm
We have comcast at the present time and we are thinking of changing to DIRECTV. Comcast seems to be getting a little expensive and we really only watch about 10 different channels, so we seen a DIRECTV offer for $39.00 which includes 205 channels and 50 HD channels. Anyone have any experience with DIRECTV?
killer_ewok's avatar
killer_ewok
Posts: 11,379
Feb 12, 2012 12:01am
DirecTV and it's not close.
password's avatar
password
Posts: 2,360
Feb 12, 2012 12:04am
You have any reception problems, such as losing the signal during storms?
W
WebFire
Posts: 14,779
Feb 12, 2012 12:07am
I have DirecTV HD and the reception is awful during any disturbance. Light rain, high wind etc. And a dusting of snow forces me up to brush off the dish.

I didn't have the problem with their standard service, but the HD is real touchy. It's a much narrower signal.
password's avatar
password
Posts: 2,360
Feb 12, 2012 12:12am
So the weather only effects the HD channels?
W
WebFire
Posts: 14,779
Feb 12, 2012 12:17am
password;1083430 wrote:So the weather only effects the HD channels?
Most of the time. My standard box upstairs will work while the HD is all scrambled.
password's avatar
password
Posts: 2,360
Feb 12, 2012 12:23am
I thinking that DIRECTV may not be a good choice, all the rooms have HD.
Tiger2003's avatar
Tiger2003
Posts: 15,421
Feb 12, 2012 12:31am
I have DirectTv and I have 5 rooms with HD. I have not ever lost signal or had bad reception. I don't know if I have a stronger signal or what. Was pretty surprised as well with living in North Dakota.
M
MontyBrunswick
Feb 12, 2012 12:53am
Comcast is terrible.
Tiger2003's avatar
Tiger2003
Posts: 15,421
Feb 12, 2012 12:59am
dlazz;1083458 wrote:Comcast is terrible.

I agree with this. Had them in DC and I hated it.
GoChiefs's avatar
GoChiefs
Posts: 16,754
Feb 12, 2012 1:27am
Tiger2003;1083445 wrote:I have DirectTv and I have 5 rooms with HD. I have not ever lost signal or had bad reception.

This. Lost signal once when we got a shitload of ice, but that was it.
ts1227's avatar
ts1227
Posts: 12,319
Feb 12, 2012 2:08am
Comcast and TWC are always the wrong choice.
said_aouita's avatar
said_aouita
Posts: 8,532
Feb 12, 2012 6:39am
killer_ewok;1083421 wrote:DirecTV and it's not close.
This. DirectTv is way out in front.

The lone problem that comes up is during the winter months. Get ice on the dish and you lose reception.


GoChiefs;1083482 wrote:This. Lost signal once when we got a ****load of ice, but that was it.

Yea, wut he said.
ManO'War's avatar
ManO'War
Posts: 1,420
Feb 12, 2012 8:19am
I have them both (I keep Comcast for the internet)...and DirecTv is much better. All of the channels, HD and regular are much clearer than Comcast.
mcburg93's avatar
mcburg93
Posts: 3,167
Feb 12, 2012 8:59am
ive had issues with both direct and twc. i pay for something it needs to work with no interuptions so ive gone back to twc. direct tv will always have the higher chance of going out during bad weather then cable. i also know if your bill is getting to high just call em and raise hell and threaten to switch providers. works everytime mines been raised ive got it lowered but it works with all provders just raise some hell.
killer_ewok's avatar
killer_ewok
Posts: 11,379
Feb 12, 2012 9:22am
password;1083422 wrote:You have any reception problems, such as losing the signal during storms?

Very rarely. If it's a torrential downpour I sometimes lost reception for a bit. And if ice builds up on the dish. Anyways, these rarely happen. MAYBE 4 times a year but only for several minutes at a time. Most times if it's pouring the signal is unaffected. Customer service has been fantastic too.
W
WebFire
Posts: 14,779
Feb 12, 2012 9:29am
Mine used to be that way. For some reason my HD is terrible about it. And my HD guide is so damn slow it's annoying. I'm switching to TWC in March when my contract is up.

I don't know if one's signal can really be stronger than anothers. Maybe my dish isn't aligned quite right? Although the test numbers on the receiver seem to be fine.
said_aouita's avatar
said_aouita
Posts: 8,532
Feb 12, 2012 10:16am
killer_ewok;1083568 wrote:Very rarely. If it's a torrential downpour I sometimes lost reception for a bit. And if ice builds up on the dish. Anyways, these rarely happen. MAYBE 4 times a year but only for several minutes at a time. Most times if it's pouring the signal is unaffected. Customer service has been fantastic too.
My brother came up with a brilliant idea to get the ice off the dish. An old round hair drier fits perfectly in pvc tubing.
killer_ewok's avatar
killer_ewok
Posts: 11,379
Feb 12, 2012 12:54pm
said_aouita;1083593 wrote:My brother came up with a brilliant idea to get the ice off the dish. An old round hair drier fits perfectly in pvc tubing.

Nice. Fortunately for me, my dish was installed in my yard so I can just go out and brush it off or get the ice off the best I can. Haven't had to do that in a year and it would bring the signal right back.
hangonsloopy's avatar
hangonsloopy
Posts: 1,291
Feb 12, 2012 1:30pm
WebFire;1083572 wrote:Mine used to be that way. For some reason my HD is terrible about it. And my HD guide is so damn slow it's annoying. I'm switching to TWC in March when my contract is up.

I don't know if one's signal can really be stronger than anothers. Maybe my dish isn't aligned quite right? Although the test numbers on the receiver seem to be fine.

Do you have the new guide? Mine was super slow too but the new one is awesome.
Tiger2003's avatar
Tiger2003
Posts: 15,421
Feb 12, 2012 1:40pm
hangonsloopy;1083674 wrote:Do you have the new guide? Mine was super slow too but the new one is awesome.

He should that was an automatic update. Also if your guide or anything is running slow try resetting your device.
W
WebFire
Posts: 14,779
Feb 12, 2012 3:46pm
hangonsloopy;1083674 wrote:Do you have the new guide? Mine was super slow too but the new one is awesome.
Yeah got the new guide. Some of it is faster, but some is still annoyingly slow. The device has been reset many times.
GoJPM!'s avatar
GoJPM!
Posts: 799
Feb 12, 2012 5:02pm
DirecTV over any cable provider, any day, hands down!

Their HD package, DVR, and Whole Home deal is the shit!
GoJPM!'s avatar
GoJPM!
Posts: 799
Feb 12, 2012 5:07pm
I agree that snow on the dish can sometimes cause reception problems but I climb up on a ladder with a broom and brush it off. With the latest HD gear, a rain storm of monsoon proportions is about what it takes to knock reception out. I would say my service is interrupted maybe 5% of the time during the course of the year.
GoJPM!'s avatar
GoJPM!
Posts: 799
Feb 12, 2012 5:10pm
killer_ewok;1083568 wrote:Very rarely. If it's a torrential downpour I sometimes lost reception for a bit. And if ice builds up on the dish. Anyways, these rarely happen. MAYBE 4 times a year but only for several minutes at a time. Most times if it's pouring the signal is unaffected. Customer service has been fantastic too.
This!