View Full Version : After another 4 yrs, time to review Directv
Hello Directv, First Hope YOU & your loved ones have a nice but S A F E Thanksgiving,
Brief history,
Have had Directv since approx 1999,and have seen NOTHING but better & better service,programing,equipment,ect,and great upgrades,now have the BIG Satellite Dish-5 lnb-& H20/600,
=========================================
OK Now we come to 2007/2008 with the HD programing,package's,equipment & ONLY a very simple message to friend who have or are forced to use cable tv..
"'well theres tv,THEN THERES DIRECTV"
and more & more people are finding out & many will never go back to the "other tv"
comparing cable tv to Directv,is like
trying to compare
a hamberger to a T bone steak.
or
like riding in a sub compact car
to a ride in
Rolls Royce
Thanks Directv for the GREAT SERVICE
a happy customer
"clato"
fwlogue
11-20-07, 05:09 AM
Well said I have been with the for 14 years and will never go back to cable. Me and my wife were walking through a local mall and our local cable company Cox Communications has a booth in there. this is a normal location for them they sell they products there as well as swap receivers. THE HAVE TO 42 TO 50" PLASMA TV's hanging on the wall. Here they are promoting there services. I wish could have had a Directv booth right next to them. The picture was very grainy and just poor.
Hello Directv, First Hope YOU & your loved ones have a nice but S A F E Thanksgiving,
Brief history,
Have had Directv since approx 1999,and have seen NOTHING but better & better service,programing,equipment,ect,and great upgrades,now have the BIG Satellite Dish-5 lnb-& H20/600,
=========================================
OK Now we come to 2007/2008 with the HD programing,package's,equipment & ONLY a very simple message to friend who have or are forced to use cable tv..
"'well theres tv,THEN THERES DIRECTV"
and more & more people are finding out & many will never go back to the "other tv"
comparing cable tv to Directv,is like
trying to compare
a hamberger to a T bone steak.
or
like riding in a sub compact car
to a ride in
Rolls Royce
Thanks Directv for the GREAT SERVICE
a happy customer
"clato"Well, as much as I share the sentiment, this seems to be more of a "testimonial" or a "commentary" than a "review" - but it works! :)
comparing cable tv to Directv,is like
trying to compare
a hamberger to a T bone steak.
or
like riding in a sub compact car
to a ride in
Rolls Royce
Thanks Directv for the GREAT SERVICE
a happy customer
"clato"
Amen.
TWC offers 12 HD channels in my area, only 2 of which are broadcast networks, both of which I pick up fine OTA. I waited 2 years for the roll out, but it was well worth it.
ETA: Come next Jan., it will be 10 years with DIRECTV for me.
Well, as much as I share the sentiment, this seems to be more of a "testimonial" or a "commentary" than a "review" - but it works! :)
Nothing like a review of a review! :lol:
I was watching the Eagles game two Sunday's ago at my mother-in-law's. I just kept blinking and blinking thinking I had a problem with my contacts but it was the lousy cable analog SD signal to her TV.
Even with the compression that D* runs on the SD stuff, I have come to expect a picture that's at least as good as theirs and what I see is far better than any analog cable I have seen recently.
Stuart Sweet
11-20-07, 08:15 AM
Personally cable would have to pull something really extraordinary to get me to switch back. I can't even imagine what it would be.
Given that you're going to need a cable Internet connection to take advantage of many services going forward, the camel is going to get his nose in the tent one way or the other.
jfalkingham
11-20-07, 08:34 AM
Given that you're going to need a cable Internet connection to take advantage of many services going forward, the camel is going to get his nose in the tent one way or the other.
Says who? Cable is the only Internet connection? :lol:
I was watching the Eagles game two Sunday's ago at my mother-in-law's. I just kept blinking and blinking thinking I had a problem with my contacts but it was the lousy cable analog SD signal to her TV.
.
mark, not a problem with your contact, the problem WAS you went to see your "mother in law", most of us know thats about as much fun as going to a dentist office,lol !rolling
Radio Enginerd
11-20-07, 04:03 PM
Personally cable would have to pull something really extraordinary to get me to switch back. I can't even imagine what it would be.I read something about long term cable TV goals that would use switched data to bring bandwidth and TV into the home. I'd say they definitely have to do something. Cable Internet is great and all but in large metropolitan areas like mine, many choices exist and cable Internet is slow and costly by comparison.
Canis Lupus
11-20-07, 04:04 PM
OK Stuart - might be time to moderate yourself on this one. :lol: :hurah:
Personally cable would have to pull something really extraordinary to get me to switch back. I can't even imagine what it would be.
Stuart Sweet
11-20-07, 04:38 PM
ha ha...
ThomasM
11-20-07, 10:20 PM
Oh, I don't know about all the testimonials and love for DirecTV in this thread.
I've been with them for 6 1/2 years and yes, a lot of things have definitely improved, and yes there is no comparison between DirecTV and cable (cable is AWFUL in my area), but there are a number of things that changed NOT for the better in my opinion.
1. That $3 base package hike every year that started in 2004 isn't appreciated. Cable generally also has it's yearly price hike, but it's usually lower than $3. And this year's trick of letting subs keep their "old" plan (with the $3 hike) as opposed to getting one of the "new" plans (which were really the "old" plans with new names and a $6 hike) removed the flexibility of changing plans unless you want the "new" plan prices (you can't switch back to your old plan).
2. Even though I don't have HDTV (yet), when I finally buy one I am not relishing paying all kinds of extra fees just for HD. First it was $9.99, now there is an ADDITIONAL tier for $4.99. Despite their penchant for gouging people with various "tiers" my local cable company gives folks their locals in HD for NO extra charge (amazingly). I think DirecTV should offer locals in HD as part of the package price and if subs were interested in all the other package channels in HD, they could have base packages with and without the HD fee to more fairly charge for the HD offerings. (Why would I pay 10 bucks more for HD since I have the FAMILY package now meaning I get almost no additional HD channels?)
3. I liked having a myriad of receivers, dishes, and accessories to choose from-and purchase. Now you pay BIG BUCKS (or play games looking for deals like DVR4U2) to get the priviledge of LEASING a receiver. And you ALWAYS get stuck with a commitment it seems no matter what you do. There were no such things as commitments years ago.
4. DirecTV never played sneaky games in the past, like dropping the "DVR fee included" feature of packages like PREMIER and then keeping quiet about it. I have read threads here from many confused subscribers regarding such surprises.
5. FINALLY, even two years later I MISS MUSIC CHOICE. I think you will get this same opinion from over 90% of DirecTV's customers.
Thankfully, there is DISH Network and cable TV lurking around to keep DirecTV from going ballistic with their rates (and they know it). DirecTV has an extremely good marketing department that seems to be able to smell when someone is thinking of defecting. I was definitely shopping around earlier this year and even changed my DirecTV base package and premiums around a couple times. Suddenly, a SUPER offer arrives in my email with a free DVR upgrade and $5 off the bill per month for a year (making the DVR essentially a 99 cent/month gift). I never got one of these offers before. HMMMM. Well, it worked so they've got me for 1.8 more years.....but in 2009 I'll be shopping again!! :)
ToiletKitty
11-20-07, 10:28 PM
...Well, it worked so they've got me for 1.8 more years.....but in 2009 I'll be shopping again!! :)
Just a friendly reminder: the dvr/hd commitment is for 2 years. If you are talking about a commitment that has already started, I apologize.
Says who? Cable is the only Internet connection? :lol:If you want real-time HD, more than likely.
Personally, I live in an area that has cable as the only way to get TV due to radio shadow from the mountains and hills between us and Mount Wilson where the LA transmitters are. The service has traditionally been crappy at best no matter who owns it, either Adelphia or Time Warner.
But I've had DirecTV since three months or so since they first signed on, and I still haven't found any reason to go back, not that I'm looking for one either. D* just doesn't have all the service fees that cable does and that cable uses to up their prices before upping programming charges. And you still can't beat the picture.
Okay, so this is a testimonial. But the true reviewers are the users of a service. They will give you a far better idea of what a service is like.
hersheytx
11-21-07, 05:30 AM
MUSIC CHOICE - 90% still want it?!?
Please. I have enough friends and family who find XM to be so much better then Music Choice. In fact most have gotten XM in their car because of Directv XM.
As for loving Directv. Been a proud subscriber since Nov 94. I will never go back to the dark side.
I am building a new home and having every room prewired for Sat. My builder thinks I am going crazy. I have some rooms with four cables. I like to have two DVRs in certain rooms. Makes it easier for family members to record shows without bothering others.
Now I am just trying to make sure I can get the Hot Tub wired for Sat. I think I may need another dish.
Blitz68
11-21-07, 07:46 AM
I agree. I have been with D* for over 12 of there 13 year existance and would NEVER change to cable or the satellite eqivalent of cable Dish.
Love DirecTV ;)
Oh, I don't know about all the testimonials and love for DirecTV in this thread.
1. That $3 base package hike every year that started in 2004 isn't appreciated. Cable generally also has it's yearly price hike, but it's usually lower than $3. And this year's trick of letting subs keep their "old" plan (with the $3 hike) as opposed to getting one of the "new" plans (which were really the "old" plans with new names and a $6 hike) removed the flexibility of changing plans unless you want the "new" plan prices (you can't switch back to your old plan).
2. Even though I don't have HDTV (yet), when I finally buy one I am not relishing paying all kinds of extra fees just for HD. First it was $9.99, now there is an ADDITIONAL tier for $4.99. Despite their penchant for gouging people with various "tiers" my local cable company gives folks their locals in HD for NO extra charge (amazingly). I think DirecTV should offer locals in HD as part of the package price and if subs were interested in all the other package channels in HD, they could have base packages with and without the HD fee to more fairly charge for the HD offerings. (Why would I pay 10 bucks more for HD since I have the FAMILY package now meaning I get almost no additional HD channels?)
3. I liked having a myriad of receivers, dishes, and accessories to choose from-and purchase. Now you pay BIG BUCKS (or play games looking for deals like DVR4U2) to get the priviledge of LEASING a receiver. And you ALWAYS get stuck with a commitment it seems no matter what you do. There were no such things as commitments years ago.
4. DirecTV never played sneaky games in the past, like dropping the "DVR fee included" feature of packages like PREMIER and then keeping quiet about it. I have read threads here from many confused subscribers regarding such surprises.
5. FINALLY, even two years later I MISS MUSIC CHOICE. I think you will get this same opinion from over 90% of DirecTV's customers.
Thankfully, there is DISH Network and cable TV lurking around to keep DirecTV from going ballistic with their rates (and they know it). DirecTV has an extremely good marketing department that seems to be able to smell when someone is thinking of defecting. I was definitely shopping around earlier this year and even changed my DirecTV base package and premiums around a couple times. Suddenly, a SUPER offer arrives in my email with a free DVR upgrade and $5 off the bill per month for a year (making the DVR essentially a 99 cent/month gift). I never got one of these offers before. HMMMM. Well, it worked so they've got me for 1.8 more years.....but in 2009 I'll be shopping again!! :)
Thomas, EVERYTHING mentioned is UNFOUNDED, lets desect your post shall we?
your 1st & 2nd statements .
Directv ( as well as any company) is in the business to MAKE $$$, IF you want a product or service your going to have to pay for that service, Does or will the company you work for offer its product or services for FREE?
************************************************** *
3rd item, UNFOUNDED, I am NOW (as many are & have been in the past)
WHAT commitment ? I was yes to purchase my euipment in 11/2005, befor DTV changed it rules & services, but YOUR NOT - i don't believe under any commitment, if you don't want DTV.
************************************************** ***
4th,I HAVE NEVER had DIRECTV play their sneaky games or hide anything, as a consumer, (YOU,me,everyone else) need to KNOW what you want to buy or rent or recieve & ask for it, B 4 you make a purchase,9the seller of a product or service CANNOT read your mind as to what you want..
lastly #5, i cannot comment on since I listen only to the music programing NOW & THEN, but as mention in the orignal posting ,
Theres tv, then theres Directv:) :) (Thankfully, there is DISH Network and cable TV lurking around to keep DirecTV from going ballistic with their rates (and they know it).
In conclusion, from your total post, it sound like your unhappy, because you have to pay for something.:( :( or expect something to be given to you FREE.
what about the freebies that DTV gives away every year, the filters, the free service's, the converters,
Upstream
11-21-07, 08:25 AM
Thomas -- The price increases certainly impact the value of DTV versus cable in my area. DTV has raised the price of the Total Choice / Choice package by 47% in the past 4 years; so they have essentially caught up with my local cable company for similar channel lineups.
In looking to upgrade to HD with an HD DVR, I discovered cable would be less expensive for me. (Although the monthly service fee with DTV is a few bucks less, DTV requires an upfront fee for the equipment, so my out of pocket expense over 4 years is less with my local cable company than DTV.)
Meanwhile my friends who have cable have told me that our local cable company has improved in terms of customer service and reliability. DTV has gotten worse in terms of customer service.
When I first subscribed to DTV about 10 years ago, DTV was far superior to my local cable company in terms of content, reliability, customer service, and price. Those advantages have mostly disappeared.
The only areas that I see that DTV has a clear advantage is in the number of national HD channels and sports programming. My local cable company has an advantage in local HD channels and local programming.
dodge boy
11-21-07, 08:34 AM
like riding in a sub compact car
to a ride in
Rolls Royce
I didn't quite get that part, but if you woulda' said "driving a junk car or driving a MOPAR" I think I would have got you a little better.....:lol:
MUSIC CHOICE - 90% still want it?!?
Please. I have enough friends and family who find XM to be so much better then Music Choice. In fact most have gotten XM in their car because of Directv XM.
Agreed. Don't miss Music Choice one little bit. X-M playlists are much more varied on the channels I frequent.
Ed Campbell
11-22-07, 07:37 AM
Well said I have been with the for 14 years and will never go back to cable. Me and my wife were walking through a local mall and our local cable company Cox Communications has a booth in there. this is a normal location for them they sell they products there as well as swap receivers. THE HAVE TO 42 TO 50" PLASMA TV's hanging on the wall. Here they are promoting there services. I wish could have had a Directv booth right next to them. The picture was very grainy and just poor.
Do I ever second that.
I gave up on getting info over the phone about HD and some sports programming available from the local Comcast. So, I dropped in at their office/showroom.
They had a decent Philips plasma TV on the wall next to their csr's - showing current content. It was crap!
I left without asking my questions.
In looking to upgrade to HD with an HD DVR, I discovered cable would be less expensive for me. (Although the monthly service fee with DTV is a few bucks less, DTV requires an upfront fee for the equipment, so my out of pocket expense over 4 years is less with my local cable company than DTV.)
Yes the cable upfront costs are less (and at least here best of all NO COMMITMENT) but here Charter charges $15 month for a HD DVR that can not record any where near as much as a HR20, and $8 for a HD receiver and $5 for a reg digital receiver.
In 2 years with cable the HD DVR will have cost you $360, with DirecTV anywhere from free to $299 depending on which CSR you get a hold of. I just upgraded to 2 HD DVR and 2 HD Rec. and installed the dish myself for a total cost of $105 after all is said and done.
I am on the old Premier plan and do not get charged the $5.99 DVR fee each month.
ThomasM
11-22-07, 12:01 PM
Well, nobody said participants of this forum aren't opinionated!!:D
To the folks who replied to my post, THANKS!! It makes for very interesting reading....
The one thing I really WILL stand by though is the number of DirecTV subscribers who would rather have Music Choice as opposed to XM. I should talk, though, I have 3 XM receivers and am a stockholder. :rolleyes:
I don't know how to do it, but if someone does it would be VERY interesting to set up one of those "poll" messages here in this forum and then see how the readers vote-either for Music Choice or XM.
As for cable, I keep DirecTV for two reasons:
1. I suffered with the local cable co. for 9 years, and believe me dealing with them is AWFUL compared to dealing with DirecTV. They still operate like the old Ma Bell: "We're the phone company and we don't care".
2. The picture quality on cable is still miserable in my area which is a long distance from the head end. Most of their basic channels are still analog, and they even advertise this as a "plus" saying "no converter required" and "hook up multiple rooms at no extra charge".
However, like a previous poster indicated, cable has wised up in the pricing department. They are VERY competitive with DirecTV on their basic package and have a LOT more premium channels per service (not 3 channels like DirecTV's Cinemax ripoff).
They are so agressive that someone actually came to my door after spotting my dish with a flyer offering a special only to satellite TV subscribers with a TWO YEAR PRICE GUARANTEE. Isn't that a hoot? DirecTV gives you a two year commitment so you can't cancel when they raise the price and cable gives you a two year price guarantee!! Now wouldn't that cause a few heart attacks if DirecTV ever offered a price guarantee? DISH network does to new subs. I was actually considering switching to DISH when the great offer from DirecTV for a free DVR came in my email. Like they say "timing is everything".
So love it or hate it, at least everyone is entitled to their opinion.... :sure:
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