Cost to terminate DTV early?

[captain_video]

I'm getting Verizon FIOS installed in a few weeks and would like to know what the penalties are for terminating my DirecTV service before my existing commitment expires. I'm currently in a 2-year extension from activating a HDTivo back in September of 2005 so I've still got about 7-1/2 months to go.

Do they charge you a flat fee for early termination or do they prorate the fee based on the minimum Total Choice package requirement and the number of months you have left to go? I'm trying to determine if it's more cost effective to stay with them for the remainder of the commitment or just to take the loss and dump them now.

I figure I'll give Verizon a go for at least a year and see how it pans out. If DTV lives up to their promise and provides more HD channels then I may consider switching back, but I probably won't want to give up the FIOS PQ once I've had it for a while. I only have mpeg2 hardware with DTV at the moment and I don't want to get stuck with one of their crappy DVRs and another commitment until I'm sure it's the right way to go. The only way I'd sign back up with DTV is if they gave me three HD-DVRs for free to replace the HDTivos I currently have subbed, and even then I'd be extremely hesitant.

I just picked up a series 3 HD Tivo and Verizon is supplying me with two cablecards so I can record all of the digital channels I subscribe to without having to resort to an external box. I already get the local HD channels via OTA antenna and I just set up a HTPC for recording them, so my DVR situation is well in hand for the moment.

The real icing on the cake is that I finally get to sever all ties with Comcast and their overpriced wideband internet service. The service is great when it works, but lately its been down more than up and they're really pissing me off.:mad:

[Chesney09]

I believe you will have to pay $12.50 a month for the remaining time on your 2 year term.

[La Push Commercial Codman]

I think Captain Video will really be pissed, he would have to wait 7 month on DirecTV. I would continue DirecTV for contracted months and monitior FIos tv, before considering thus option. I see no point. Fios tv by Verizon does provide service, but if you have a motorhome, you might be screwed. All, I can say is, why not. I love to have Los Angeles on Fios tv, but it won't happen, since must carry and copy right is issue to Fios TV. If you think you will get a out of market town, NO WAY.. Verizon would get in trouble.. FIOS TV is a nice thing, but you will end up using a off air antennae for local hd stations.. Feb. 17, 2009 will fastly approach..:)

[captain_video]

I don't have a motorhome so that point is irrelevent. I already get my local HD channels in HD so again, that's irrelevent (I had already stated this in my original post but apparently you missed it). Was there an actual point to your post? I'm still trying to get something intelligible from it but I'm not having much luck.

I believe you will have to pay $12.50 a month for the remaining time on your 2 year term.
Sold! That sure beats the heck out of the $44.95 per month I'd end up paying for Total Choice under the new pricing structure.

[La Push Commercial Codman]

:) I believe you have a right to give FIOS tv by Verizon try. I saw there line up, and it's better then cable and satellite tv, by all means. If you live in New York, Houston or other big cities, the locals in sd and hd should be included. Comes in handy, when you need there FIOS DVR to be set up. I did see there FIOS DVR. You have to hope FIOS, didn't violate TIVO patent, like DISH NETWORK did. Enless software is made by TIVO, your screwed, IF software was made by TIVO for FIOS tv, then Verizon would not get sued. I am sorry, I can't help you on this one. I had DirecTV in 1996 and 1997, for one year and canceled DirecTV. I wasn't committing to anything, so left DirecTV, and Switched to Dish Network for R.V.. I came back to DirecTV in November for NFL Football, Got HR20-700 hooked up. I hope DirecTV, doesn't get in trouble by TIVO, for abandoning them temperary, But since Dish May lose and be sued anyway, My RV will not have a DVR... Home will.. I am a football hog..

It will be interesting, what will happen, since millions of DirecTV customers will be switching to FIOS or stay with DirecTV. But, I believe people should have a choice and a right, to have what they want, and if DirecTV so going to blow it, then FIOS TV is the bread winner. We just have to hope consumers have a protection right for DVR, instead of LAWSUIT. Lawsuit is a killer for many and Lawsuit hurts the subs, more then anything else.. I give DirecTV a call and tell them, what left on your commitment. Atleast DirecTV should come and pick up the unit, that your leasing from and not pay one dime to them. It should be satafaction guarantee or your money back.

Fios TV should be popular very soon. Under 200'000 subs at this time.. If they gain 1 or 2 million, that would be good..

[gb33]

I think Captain Video will really be pissed, he would have to wait 7 month on DirecTV. I would continue DirecTV for contracted months and monitior FIos tv, before considering thus option. I see no point. Fios tv by Verizon does provide service, but if you have a motorhome, you might be screwed. All, I can say is, why not. I love to have Los Angeles on Fios tv, but it won't happen, since must carry and copy right is issue to Fios TV. If you think you will get a out of market town, NO WAY.. Verizon would get in trouble.. FIOS TV is a nice thing, but you will end up using a off air antennae for local hd stations.. Feb. 17, 2009 will fastly approach..:)

???!!!??? What in the world ????!!! Motorhome? Carry and copy right? Out of market town? I repeat. What in the world???!!!

[gb33]

I too am very interested in getting out of Directv. I have loved them for years, but this crappy HR20, and increase in the rate of the already crappy HD package really stinks. For those that can or want to pay more for television, good for you. But I think I am done pending a major change.

[captain_video]

???!!!??? What in the world ????!!! Motorhome? Carry and copy right? Out of market town? I repeat. What in the world???!!!
I have no idea what he's trying to say but it's obvious he's on a roll so just go with it.:rolleyes:

FWIW, Verizon and Comcast both carry HD locals from both Baltimore and DC in my area, as do all cable providers here, unlike DirecTV.

[bonscott87]

For those that can or want to pay more for television, good for you. But I think I am done pending a major change.

Cable and Dish go up every year as well. Changing providers to get away from price increases will get you nowhere. About your only choice is to drop pay TV alltogether and go OTA only.

[gb33]

Cable and Dish go up every year as well. Changing providers to get away from price increases will get you nowhere. About your only choice is to drop pay TV alltogether and go OTA only.

At this point in time, I would love to. Biggest thing is not being able to record in HD. The cost of a Tivo Series 3 is just in sane. And PC's only offer 1 tuner. Darn disney channel for the kid (19 months) would be a bummer, but thats what DVD's are for.

[bidger]

Cable and Dish go up every year as well. Changing providers to get away from price increases will get you nowhere.

How true.

When I first got D* back in early 98, they were able to offer more channels at a lower rate, but that's almost 10 years ago. Cable was blindsided then, but they've adjusted. FIOS is in a similar situation now as D* was back then, but given the broadband capability, they're in a better situation to compete with cable's Triple Play.

For me it's a matter of choosing the provider that can offer me the most services/features/channels that I want right now. As captain_video mentions, with the cost of the S3, the puny 160GB HdD in the TWC DVR, the fact that they can't provide CBS or FOX in HD (I have waivers for distants on those two), and with FIOS not an option yet, D* still offers more of what matters to me.

Bottomline is, if the house is still standing and my heart's still pumping @ 6:25PM EST Sunday, I'll be watching the Super Bowl in HD and none of the TWC subs in my area will be doing the same

[La Push Commercial Codman]

Fios only provide local goods. local tv. If you in a unserved area, there's advantages with satellite tv. If you guys want to ditch satellite tv bye-bye..:wave:

All the others who are sticking with satellite. Fine. Get a life and be prepared to pay more. Cell phone prices are going up. Cable tv is going up. Landline is going up. satellite tv is going up.. Heck, things are going up..will never see life again. And if you have that old anolog cell phone, it's history. Cell phones. I have the same plan. mine is $39.95 per mo.-450 anytime peak minutes. The other person got the same plan, but there paying $49.95 per mo. 450 anytime peak minutes. Thing about is the country wants to raise there prices. The cost of living adjustment. What the heck, fed up with high prices, then stop complaining and just live up to it.:) :sunsmile: :yesman:

[JLucPicard]

I'm getting Verizon FIOS installed in a few weeks and would like to know what the penalties are for terminating my DirecTV service before my existing commitment expires. I'm currently in a 2-year extension from activating a HDTivo back in September of 2005 so I've still got about 7-1/2 months to go.

Do they charge you a flat fee for early termination or do they prorate the fee based on the minimum Total Choice package requirement and the number of months you have left to go? I'm trying to determine if it's more cost effective to stay with them for the remainder of the commitment or just to take the loss and dump them now.
Captain - wait! Don't make that phone call yet!

Did I catch you in time? :D

Since there is a chance you might be switching back, couldn't you just - ummm - get sent to San Diego for an eight-month work assignment? OK, in order to make a little more sense than La Push (no offense :)), couldn't you just suspend your D* service for, oh I don't know, eight months while you're "on assignment" in San Diego and see what does and doesn't pan out? At the end of that period, your commitment should be up and I don't think there are any charges to your D* account during that time? Unless something has changed that I don't recall at the moment. Plus you'd save the $100 it would cost you to terminate early.

Just a thought.