DTV features vs cable

1565 Views 9 Replies 5 Participants Last post by mdavej, Apr 29, 2012

jimates

Discussion Starter · Apr 28, 2012

I would really love to dump Comcast but I need to know if DirecTV can give me comparable usage.

Entertainment Package
Whole Home DVR
1 HD DVR
3 HD Receivers
Advanced Receiver Service

Quoted - $55/mo first 12/mo. $83/mo after. $0 install.

Are there any network programs On Demand (can I watch tonight's episode of Blue Bloods on Sunday)
Comcast = yes
Directv = ?

If yes, what networks.

How many programs can we record and/or watch at one time.
How many programs can we record from each receiver, at one time.
Can we watch any recording from any receiver on an tv.
Can we watch the same recorded show on multiple tvs at the same time.

Can I delete the channels that I do not want from my channel guide so I only scroll the channels I watch.

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spartanstew

· #2 · Apr 28, 2012

jimates said:
Are there any network programs On Demand (can I watch tonight's episode of Blue Bloods on Sunday)
Comcast = yes
Directv = ?

No, that's why you have a DVR.

jimates said:
How many programs can we record and/or watch at one time.

You listed one DVR. You can record two shows and watch something previously recorded on it or record one show and watch something live.

jimates said:
How many programs can we record from each receiver, at one time.

Since you only listed one DVR, you can watch live on any of the HD receivers or see answer above.

jimates said:
Can we watch any recording from any receiver on an tv.

Again, since you only listed one DVR, the answer would be NO since none of your other receivers have the ability to record.

jimates said:
Can we watch the same recorded show on multiple tvs at the same time.

On 2, I believe, but I don't do that so not sure.

jimates said:
Can I delete the channels that I do not want from my channel guide so I only scroll the channels I watch.

Yes, you can have a couple of customized guides.

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dpeters11

· #3 · Apr 28, 2012

Or consider the HR34 which is one DVR that can record 5 things at the same time while three receivers can each watch a recorded program served from it at the same time.

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mdavej

· #4 · Apr 28, 2012

You said "comparable", so how many DVR's do you have now? Sound's like you're looking for more than what you have today. How much are you willing to spend to get the max recording capability? To generalize what Spartan said, the number of things you can record simultaneously equals the total number of tuners in your DVR's. If you get an HR34, that would be 5, an HR24 would be 2, 4 HR24s would be 8, and so on for all the combinations of different models and mixes of receivers and DVRs. Receivers can't record anything, but they can watch live or watch recordings that reside on another DVR.

Before making a decision, also check out THIS list and confirm who has the content you want. The HD lineups can be quite different.

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jimates

Discussion Starter · #5 · Apr 28, 2012

Thanks for the reply.

I don't consider the dvr a replacement for on demand. I have a dvr now, and can record 2 programs at one time, but I still have full on demand for network programming. And we use both daily.

I did not want to get something and then not like it. That single reason has kept me away from dish for many many years. I would either be stuck with it for 2 years or pay up front as a trial period.

Looks like the "in person" info is more misleading as tv ads or online. No wonder my online configuration was so much more $ than quoted in the store. I guess the whole house dvr is only good if half the house is empty.

Guess I will stay with Comcast, darn it.

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mdavej

· #6 · Apr 28, 2012

I hate to say it, but you may want to check out Dish. I find their Prime Time Anytime to be an excellent replacement for network On Demand since it essentially pushes all prime time network content to your DVR so you never have to actively record any of it. It's always there. For older stuff, I just get it from Hulu or the network web sites.

Whatever you end up with, you'll find satellite to be much cheaper than cable in the long run and more reliable. The equipment is also far superior.

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jimates

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 28, 2012

I like the programming. With the entertainment package we would only lose 2 channels that we watch now, and even those not often (HMC & Oxy).

I currently have one 2 tuner dvr on one tv, 2 panasonic replay units on 2 tvs, and a SD set top box on one tv.

Full usage of the comcast dvr with full on demand on one tv.
Limited programming on the 2 tvs with the replay units.
Full programming with on demand (no dvr) on 1 tv.

I think I can still use the replay units with dish receivers but wanted to do away with them for something simpler.

And I am satisfied with SD programming, if the money is right.

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jimates

Discussion Starter · #8 · Apr 28, 2012

mdavej said:
I hate to say it, but you may want to check out Dish. I find their Prime Time Anytime to be an excellent replacement for network On Demand since it essentially pushes all prime time network content to your DVR so you never have to actively record any of it. It's always there. For older stuff, I just get it from Hulu or the network web sites.

We don't watch anything old. And we hardly watch any movies on tv, mostly dvd. We have enough computers to get the few programs from Hulu that are not available on demand.

Oh yea, and we watch no sports, outdoor channels or music channels.

There are 50 channels, including local network, in the Entertainment package that we have watched.

This is all we "need".
ABC
NBC
CBS
FOX
CW

Lifetime
USA
Halmark
TBS
LMN
Disney
ABC Family
HMC

EDIT:
I checked out Dish with Prime Time Anytime. I think it would fit our needs more but it would be $18/mo more for the first year and $9/mo more after. $80.55/$96.45

I would do better getting on another promo and paying another $10 a month for a second dvr.
My Comcast full price is currently $69.23 but will go up to $105.08 this month unless I get them to give me another promo. That is cable and internet. And I will have to keep the internet @ $46 per month.

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MattScahum

· #9 · Apr 29, 2012

Just a bit of info, your pricing would be as follows assuming you have no special promo other than new customer offer.
Entertainment: $29.99
3 Additional tvs: $18 ($6/tv)
ARS:$20
ARS Auto billing discount: -$10...
Total montly bill: $57.99
IF you qualified for the 2nd yr discount, you would be paying $72.99/month and in the 3rd year your bill would increase $20 UNLESS D* extends the free HD credit for auto billing for stop charging for HD all together.

What I personally do since network tv is important to me as well....
I have 5 tvs in my house, with 1 being an HD DVR and 4 HD receivers. I set my local channel recordings as the top priority in my series manager(you can have up to 50 per hd dvr or 100 per HMC) and I set my other "cable" network shows in order of importance behind the locals. If I have a recording conflict, my HD DVR just schedules the next available showing and 9/10 times that fixes ANY issues I would have since I would watch the local shows while others are recording. In the rare situation that this doesn't work out for me, then the DirecTV Cinema which is free with an hd dvr if you have internet works for me. It is set up similar to on demand, but instead of "live streaming" the show you download it to the HD DVR harddrive and can watch it as many times as needed until the time period set by the network expires. Hope that info helps out with your decision on making a change.

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mdavej

· #10 · Apr 29, 2012

What I love about Dish's new system is I never have to set or manage any timers for network stuff. I get everything with zero effort on my part, still have 2 free tuners while simultaneously recording all 4 network feeds, and none of it uses any of my 1TB of user recording space.

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