[rovision]

Trying to move away from cable, the second time, and looked into DTV programming vs TWC cable.

In terms of HD, it appears that cable has around 12 HD channels more when comparing DTV Premier to full cable line-up. And it happens some are channels I would like to have on my fav list. Please tell me I'm wrong!

Or maybe the list printed from the website is not up-to-date? I don't see Universal Sports, which I know is on DTV.

Here's a list of missing HD:
PBS
PLD (Paladium)
U
SMT (Smithsonian)
CI
MGM
FAM
BBC
H2
IFC
E!
Style

Thanks for any feedback.

 

[Davenlr]

Here's a list of missing HD:
PBS
PLD (Paladium)
U
SMT (Smithsonian)
CI
MGM
FAM
BBC
H2
IFC
E!
Style

PBS is a city by city channel depending on your locals. Some have it some dont.
Palladia, smithsonian, MGM CI are available in the HD Extra pak for $5 more a month.
I dont know what channel you are talking about with "U" and "FAM".
The rest on your list are SD only.

 

[sigma1914]

Paladia, CI, MGM, Universal, Smithsonian (from your list) are in the HD Extra pack.

 

[lparsons21]

I think Universal Sports is now called NBC Sports and is in HD

 

[rovision]

U = Universal HD
FAM = ABC Family HD

Some of these channels are part of certain tiers on cable too. In this case, should I expect to add more tiers on top of Premier?

 

[Davenlr]

Universal HD is in the Extra Pak also. ABC Family is in HD.
All the channels you mention are available in Choice Xtra + HD extra pak. All Premier adds are the movie channels and sports pack channels. There is no current package higher than Premier.

 

[rovision]

I think Universal Sports is now called NBC Sports and is in HD

As I know, U Sports is still a separate channel. They broadcast mostly "second tier" sports, such as cycling, skiing, etc. It's not the same with NBC Sports. TWC used to carry it until this year, but when they asked for money, they dropped it.

 

[rovision]

Universal HD is in the Extra Pak also. ABC Family is in HD.
All the channels you mention are available in Choice Xtra + HD extra pak. All Premier adds are the movie channels and sports pack channels. There is no current package higher than Premier.

Correct, I missed the FAM channel in HD in the listing.

Here's the listing I'm comparing > no link

Sorry about the link, forum limitation.

Anyway, looking again, it appears that Premier doesn't include these HD Extra channel, so they need to be added on top of the package.

 

[Davenlr]

Anyway, looking again, it appears that Premier doesn't include these HD Extra channel, so they need to be added on top of the package.

Yes, but you can add them to any package, so unless you actually want all the movie channels, you can select a lesser package and add it.

There is also a Sports pack add on which IS included in Premier. Actually, I have no idea why the HD extra pack isnt included in it also.

Some channels you will get that might not have been on your cable system are HDNet, HDNet Movies, Sony Movie Channel, Audience Network (lots of concerts, music).

 

[n3vino]

Correct, I missed the FAM channel in HD in the listing.

Here's the listing I'm comparing > no link

Sorry about the link, forum limitation.

Anyway, looking again, it appears that Premier doesn't include these HD Extra channel, so they need to be added on top of the package.

In case you didn't know, Time Warner also charges extra for the HD pack that only includes MGM, Universal, Smithsonian, and Maverick. I think the charge is Ten dollars as opposed to 5 dollars for 12 extra HD channels with D*, including the ones listed by Davenir. Not sure about Maverick, but HDNet which is part of most basic packages is much better. Look at your TW bill and you'll find the charge as HD service. But it's too bad that H2 and TCM are not HD with D*. Oh well.

 

[dcowboy7]

TW sux -- no NFL Network or NFL RedZone Channel.

Fios is better than directv though.

 

[lparsons21]

As I know, U Sports is still a separate channel. They broadcast mostly "second tier" sports, such as cycling, skiing, etc. It's not the same with NBC Sports. TWC used to carry it until this year, but when they asked for money, they dropped it.

Ah, I stand corrected.

I did a google on it and there were articles showing it was going into the Sports Pack, but it isn't there according to D*'s site. And according to one article, I don't think it is in HD yet.

 

[trh]

Not sure what package Universal Sports falls in, but it is on DirecTV channel 625 and it is currently available to everyone as part of a Free Preview (3/23 - 4/2). Not HD though.

 

[bidger]

TW sux -- no NFL Network or NFL RedZone Channel.

Fios is better than directv though.

I switched from TWC to DirecTV in early 1998 because the NFL was a priority. Fast Forward to today and now it's High Speed Internet, something TWC offers and neither DirecTV or DISH Network can. It would be great if Verizon offered FIOS in my area, but they don't. Crummy 1.5 Mbps DSL is it. Verizon is nothing more than Cable's b*tch IMO.

Yeah, it would be nice if TWC and the NFL Network could strike a deal, but I have to believe that would be more of a priority for the NFL Network than it is for TWC since they have nearly 12 million video subscribers. Meanwhile TWC in my area has done a stellar job of adding HD channels at a steady pace. DirecTV, not so much. When TWC knocked on my door asking me to switch six years ago there was enough HD that I would miss I couldn't consider it. Last year that was no longer the case.

I haven't cancelled DirecTV yet, just suspended it from late July to late Jan. and again from late Feb. until late Aug. Received the HD Interface upgrade the month it was active. Pretty, but still slow to respond to commands. they did roll out locals in my area, but I already had an outdoor antenna to pick up stations I couldn't get waivers for, so I haven't called about them.

To sum up, eight month into a promo with TWC and I'm pleased overall. It's not perfect, but neither is DirecTV. TWC would have to screw up pretty bad for me to cancel entirely, but then they've proven to be capable of that in the past.

 

[Hoosier205]

Not sure what package Universal Sports falls in, but it is on DirecTV channel 625 and it is currently available to everyone as part of a Free Preview (3/23 - 4/2). Not HD though.

No one has it in HD. An HD version of the channel does not exist.

 

[Paul Secic]

No one has it in HD. An HD version of the channel does not exist.

It will be in HD in late May I read..

 

[rovision]

In case you didn't know, Time Warner also charges extra for the HD pack that only includes MGM, Universal, Smithsonian, and Maverick. I think the charge is Ten dollars as opposed to 5 dollars for 12 extra HD channels with D*, including the ones listed by Davenir. Not sure about Maverick, but HDNet which is part of most basic packages is much better. Look at your TW bill and you'll find the charge as HD service. But it's too bad that H2 and TCM are not HD with D*. Oh well.

I didn't factor in the cost yet. I'm on a two year contract with TWC that bundles my TV and Internet with some savings. If I decide to switch, I'll do a price comparison. So far, I want to have a clear picture on what channels are available and if I can get the ones I like.

 

[ejbvt]

I had a two-year with Time Warner cable, but they didn't charge me anything when I switched only 10 months into it, but I did keep their Internet. If you add the HD Extra Pack online with Directv, it's free for 3 months. Cancel the day before the 3 months is up. It will immediately re-appear online "free for 3 months." Add it again for free. You can do this for years, according to some people. I have never paid for it and have always had it. Switch to Directv. You'll see REAL HD, not TWC's crappy HD.

 

[rovision]

I remember one of the best things about DTV was the ability to switch your premium channels online, from your account, in real time. For ex. if you subscribed only to HBO, you could switch to another premium, and then switch back to the original package. Is this still available?

 

[Boston_bill]

TW sux -- no NFL Network or NFL RedZone Channel.

Fios is better than directv though.

Strongly disagree. My parents have Fios and I think it's awful. The only thing I like is they can get the local community channels.
That being said DirecTV is starting to get too expensive for me and every time I try to cut back they just offer me discounts or free HD pack.