Looking to go with DTV from Fios - anyone know the default

ematsui · 2008-09-02

HD/DVR model that DTV offers?... is it the HR21? Thanks!

M

Mertzen

· #2 · Sep 2, 2008

That is the model that currently shipped as new though the HR22 is appearing and there are HR20ss in the refurb flow.

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Grentz

· #3 · Sep 2, 2008

Depends on stock at the installers in your area, could be the HR20, HR21, or HR22 that shows up, most likely the HR21 right now though.

If you want to gaurantee what you get, you can purchase from Best Buy, SolidSignal.com, etc.

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captain_video

· #4 · Sep 2, 2008

Do you still have FIOS available to you? If so, why on earth would you switch to DirecTV? Verizon just announced an increase in their HD channel lineup effective 9/17 in Howard Co. with up to 100 total HD channels available by the end of the year. I received the notice with the new lineup in the mail just last week. Stick with FIOS and get yourself a Tivo HD and forget about the Verizon HD DVR. Take it from someone that switched from DirecTV to FIOS and never regretted it. DirecTV used to have topnotch customer service but it's been deteriorating steadily over the past few years. DirecTV only offers four local HD channels whereas you get at least 12 with FIOS plus many of the subchannels. FIOS is rapidly closing the gap on DirecTV regarding the number of HD channels they offer.

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spartanstew

· #5 · Sep 2, 2008

captain_video said:
Do you still have FIOS available to you? If so, why on earth would you switch to DirecTV? Verizon just announced an increase in their HD channel lineup effective 9/17 in Howard Co. with up to 100 total HD channels available by the end of the year. I received the notice with the new lineup in the mail just last week. Stick with FIOS and get yourself a Tivo HD and forget about the Verizon HD DVR. Take it from someone that switched from DirecTV to FIOS and never regretted it. DirecTV used to have topnotch customer service but it's been deteriorating steadily over the past few years. DirecTV only offers four local HD channels whereas you get at least 12 with FIOS plus many of the subchannels. FIOS is rapidly closing the gap on DirecTV regarding the number of HD channels they offer.

People have different priorities. I've had FIOS available here for almost 4 years and have never even considered it even though most of my neighbors have it. Sure, you could pair it with tivo's, but in my case I'd need at least 3 of them. The upfront cost and the monthly cost to do that would be prohibitive. Their own DVR is too limited and I'd be taking several steps back. Not to mention, I wouldn't be gaining anything. The Mpeg4 channels on D* are just as good (or better) than FIOS and I have all the local HD that I need. I've also never had a problem with customer service, but I don't contact them very often either. At this point, I see no advantage to FIOS. The only benefit you were able to point out is more local HD. Using a third party DVR is not an advantage, nor is "closing the gap in HD".

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captain_video

· #6 · Sep 3, 2008

There are more advantages to FIOS than just having TV. Their wideband internet is the best I've ever used. I also have Verizon Wireless so I'm able to get the TV, landline phone, internet, and wireless phone service included on a single monthly bill. I also get a discount on my TV service for getting phone and internet through Verizon. I did sign up for a 1-year commitment to Verizon but I wasn't forced into it, unlike DirecTV's policies.

I couldn't agree more about the Verizon DVR, which is why I bought two S3 Tivos. I used to have several HD Tivos when I was with DirecTV but the majority of programming I watched was local network TV. I built myself a HTPC with six ATSC tuners so I can record all the local HD channels I want absolutely free. Obvously not everyone has the same viewing habits as me so your channel selection probably varies considerably from mine.

With Verizon adding more HD channels to their lineup, DirecTV no longer has a clearcut advantage in this area. The OP is asking about switching to DirecTV from FIOS, not the other way around. The point you make about switching the other way applies to this situation as well.

Aside from the initial upfront cost of owning a Tivo HD, the monthly cost of operating a Tivo HD or S3 Tivo can actually be less than the Verizon DVR. Unless you have an HD Tivo to upgrade from you'll have to pay an upfront fee to DirecTV for the privilege of leasing their HD DVR. At least with the Tivo you can sell it if you decide you no longer need it and recoup part of your investment. You won't see a penny back from the DirecTV DVR. Unless you lease several HD DVRs from DirecTV you won't see that much of a price break between the HD DVR ($10.98 per month for leasing and DVR fees) and a Tivo HD with a 3-year prepaid commitment and cablecards ($14.31 per month). However, if you have more than one HR20/HR21 then you'll get a pretty good deal. Did I mention that DirecTV charges you extra for HD access whereas Verizon does not? That's at least another $10 per month you pay to DierecTV that Verizion doesn't charge, which sort of wipes out any price advantage for the DVRs.

When all is said and done, the monthly cost of FIOS vs. DirecTV is pretty close, depending on what services you sign up for. Unless you're a sports fanatic I feel that Verizon has more to offer than DirecTV. Add in the fact that you can use Tivos instead of a provider's DVR and it just sweetens the pot. That's one of the main reasons why I made the switch. I just feel that the switch to FIOS from DirecTV makes far more sense than doing it the other way around. FWIW, I was a loyal DirecTV customer for over 10 years so I didn't make the decision on the spur of the moment. Just my 2 cents.

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NYSmoker

· #7 · Sep 3, 2008

Fios is great for internet and phone, I have them both. However, like I tell the reps that call 3 times a week to try to sell me their tv services I only have two words for you, Sunday Ticket.

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pigskins

· #8 · Sep 3, 2008

NYSmoker said:
Fios is great for internet and phone, I have them both. However, like I tell the reps that call 3 times a week to try to sell me their tv services I only have two words for you, Sunday Ticket.

Amen, brother!

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spartanstew

· #9 · Sep 3, 2008

captain_video said:
There are more advantages to FIOS than just having TV. Their wideband internet is the best I've ever used. I also have Verizon Wireless so I'm able to get the TV, landline phone, internet, and wireless phone service included on a single monthly bill.

Yep, I have FIOS internet and Verizon wireless, and couldn't be happier with them (recently dropped the Verizon landline for Vonage though).

captain_video said:
Aside from the initial upfront cost of owning a Tivo HD, the monthly cost of operating a Tivo HD or S3 Tivo can actually be less than the Verizon DVR. Unless you have an HD Tivo to upgrade from you'll have to pay an upfront fee to DirecTV for the privilege of leasing their HD DVR. At least with the Tivo you can sell it if you decide you no longer need it and recoup part of your investment. You won't see a penny back from the DirecTV DVR. Unless you lease several HD DVRs from DirecTV you won't see that much of a price break between the HD DVR ($10.98 per month for leasing and DVR fees) and a Tivo HD with a 3-year prepaid commitment and cablecards ($14.31 per month). However, if you have more than one HR20/HR21 then you'll get a pretty good deal. Did I mention that DirecTV charges you extra for HD access whereas Verizon does not? That's at least another $10 per month you pay to DierecTV that Verizion doesn't charge, which sort of wipes out any price advantage for the DVRs.

Again, every situation is different. My three HR2X's cost me a total of ZERO. Additionally, I have lifetime DVR service with D*, so that costs me ZERO each month. Shelling out money for 3 Tivo's and the extra $45 per month in tivo fees would have been a bit much. Oh, and for my first 12 months after switching to HD, I don't pay for HD access from D* either (one more month to go).

If I would have switched to FIOS last year, instead of upgrading to D*, the total difference over a two year period (D*'s commitment) with my needs would have been $1800 ($77 more per month with FIOS) just in DVR costs.

captain_video said:
When all is said and done, the monthly cost of FIOS vs. DirecTV is pretty close, depending on what services you sign up for. Unless you're a sports fanatic I feel that Verizon has more to offer than DirecTV. Add in the fact that you can use Tivos instead of a provider's DVR and it just sweetens the pot. That's one of the main reasons why I made the switch. I just feel that the switch to FIOS from DirecTV makes far more sense than doing it the other way around. FWIW, I was a loyal DirecTV customer for over 10 years so I didn't make the decision on the spur of the moment. Just my 2 cents.

We'll have to agree to disagree. In my case, switching to FIOS would have doubled my monthly bill and I see no advantages to FIOS service (PQ is the same, D* has more HD, and more options - sports packs if you ever want them).

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bfncbs1

· #10 · Sep 3, 2008

spartanstew said:
Yep, I have FIOS internet and Verizon wireless, and couldn't be happier with them (recently dropped the Verizon landline for Vonage though).

Again, every situation is different. My three HR2X's cost me a total of ZERO. Additionally, I have lifetime DVR service with D*, so that costs me ZERO each month. Shelling out money for 3 Tivo's and the extra $45 per month in tivo fees would have been a bit much. Oh, and for my first 12 months after switching to HD, I don't pay for HD access from D* either (one more month to go).

If I would have switched to FIOS last year, instead of upgrading to D*, the total difference over a two year period (D*'s commitment) with my needs would have been $1800 ($77 more per month with FIOS) just in DVR costs.

We'll have to agree to disagree. In my case, switching to FIOS would have doubled my monthly bill and I see no advantages to FIOS service (PQ is the same, D* has more HD, and more options - sports packs if you ever want them).

*

PQ the same? Not even close. I love my D* and I wouldn't trade it for the world but when it comes to FiOS they are superior in the PQ department to any other provider.

Granted to most eyes you wouldn't notice. But any HD guru will tell you FiOS is the best in the biz when it comes to PQ.

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I

Igor

· #11 · Sep 3, 2008

bfncbs1 said:
*

PQ the same? Not even close. I love my D* and I wouldn't trade it for the world but when it comes to FiOS they are superior in the PQ department to any other provider.

Granted to most eyes you wouldn't notice. But any HD guru will tell you FiOS is the best in the biz when it comes to PQ.

The HD guru that informed you must be a FiOS sales man. I have been watching FiOS HD at a friend's home and comparing with what I get from DIRECTV. The picture quality of DIRECTV HD is much better than FiOS.

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Athlon646464

· #12 · Sep 3, 2008

Vitor said:
The HD guru that informed you must be a FiOS sales man. I have been watching FiOS HD at a friend's home and comparing with what I get from DIRECTV. The picture quality of DIRECTV HD is much better than FiOS.

With all due respect, there is no way to gauge picture quality with such a test. Unless you and your friend have exactly the same model TV, and they are both properly set up, and the viewing rooms are very similar there is no way to know just by looking at two different TV's which signal is better.

The only valid test would be a side by side comparison with identical set-ups. My guess is that most people would not be able to detect a difference unless you had two very high end TV's next to each other. Technically, FIOS may look better under those circumstances - but even then for only some programming. It would be so close that the source material could make a difference.

:HappyGree

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captain_video

· #13 · Sep 3, 2008

Athlon646464 said:
With all due respect, there is no way to gauge picture quality with such a test. Unless you and your friend have exactly the same model TV, and they are both properly set up, and the viewing rooms are very similar there is no way to know just by looking at two different TV's which signal is better.

The only valid test would be a side by side comparison with identical set-ups. My guess is that most people would not be able to detect a difference unless you had two very high end TV's next to each other. Technically, FIOS may look better under those circumstances - but even then for only some programming. It would be so close that the source material could make a difference.

:HappyGree

Absolutely correct. I haven't seen DirecTV's new mpeg4 channels so I can't make any comparison or offer an opinion. I suspect they look as good as FIOS. I have seen Comcast in HD and I can't see any difference between their HD quality and FIOS. Since all three sources are broadcast digitally there should be no discernible difference in PQ between them as long as they all start with the same quality of source material.

spartanstew said:
Again, every situation is different. My three HR2X's cost me a total of ZERO. Additionally, I have lifetime DVR service with D*, so that costs me ZERO each month. Shelling out money for 3 Tivo's and the extra $45 per month in tivo fees would have been a bit much. Oh, and for my first 12 months after switching to HD, I don't pay for HD access from D* either (one more month to go).

Your situation is more of an exception than the rule. The number of DTV subscribers that have lifetime DVR service is in the vast minority. There are also lots of people that paid anywhere from $99 to $299 for their HRXX HD DVR. Monthly Tivo fees vary widely depending on which service agreement you go with.

If I would have switched to FIOS last year, instead of upgrading to D*, the total difference over a two year period (D*'s commitment) with my needs would have been $1800 ($77 more per month with FIOS) just in DVR costs.

Again, that's just you. It would be much less of a difference for most people.

We'll have to agree to disagree. In my case, switching to FIOS would have doubled my monthly bill and I see no advantages to FIOS service (PQ is the same, D* has more HD, and more options - sports packs if you ever want them).

You're comparing apples and oranges. I already said that DTV has the edge with sports packages but not everyone has a jock mentality. I like sports but my life doesn't revolve around it so none of the sports packages hold any interest for me. I already get to see just about every game for free for every sports team I follow so my annual savings probably trumps yours in that regard.

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bfncbs1

· #14 · Sep 3, 2008

Vitor said:
The HD guru that informed you must be a FiOS sales man. I have been watching FiOS HD at a friend's home and comparing with what I get from DIRECTV. The picture quality of DIRECTV HD is much better than FiOS.

Not a valid comparison. 2 different TV's.....Different setup, calibration, etc.....

FiOS is uncompressed HD. The only provider who sends exactly what it gets from the source.

Like I said most people would never notice the difference's, but to say D* has the better PQ is ridiculous. Look at the specs (bitrate,resolution,etc) between the 2 providers.

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Athlon646464

· #15 · Sep 3, 2008

bfncbs1 said:
FiOS is uncompressed HD. The only provider who sends exactly what it gets from the source.

Like I said most people would never notice the difference's, but to say D* has the better PQ is ridiculous. Look at the specs (bitrate,resolution,etc) between the 2 providers.

Uh oh..........

:nono:

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spartanstew

· #16 · Sep 4, 2008

bfncbs1 said:
PQ the same? Not even close. I love my D* and I wouldn't trade it for the world but when it comes to FiOS they are superior in the PQ department to any other provider.

Granted to most eyes you wouldn't notice. But any HD guru will tell you FiOS is the best in the biz when it comes to PQ.

Vitor said:
The HD guru that informed you must be a FiOS sales man. I have been watching FiOS HD at a friend's home and comparing with what I get from DIRECTV. The picture quality of DIRECTV HD is much better than FiOS.

Athlon646464 said:
With all due respect, there is no way to gauge picture quality with such a test. Unless you and your friend have exactly the same model TV, and they are both properly set up, and the viewing rooms are very similar there is no way to know just by looking at two different TV's which signal is better.

I can tell you that I've been watching FIOS and D* for almost 4 years. As I mentioned, most of my neighbors have FIOS and I've calibrated most of their sets for them. Last summer, FIOS had the advantage. With the Mpeg4 channels, there is no longer an advantage. At a minimum they are the same and in some cases I'd give the nod to D*.

captain_video said:
Absolutely correct. I haven't seen DirecTV's new mpeg4 channels so I can't make any comparison or offer an opinion. I suspect they look as good as FIOS. I have seen Comcast in HD and I can't see any difference between their HD quality and FIOS. Since all three sources are broadcast digitally there should be no discernible difference in PQ between them as long as they all start with the same quality of source material.

I haven't seen Comcast in a long time, but I think you're probably be correct.

captain_video said:
Your situation is more of an exception than the rule..........

Again, that's just you.

Yep, that's why I stated multiple times, that every situation is different.

captain_video said:
You're comparing apples and oranges. I already said that DTV has the edge with sports packages but not everyone has a jock mentality. I like sports but my life doesn't revolve around it so none of the sports packages hold any interest for me. I already get to see just about every game for free for every sports team I follow so my annual savings probably trumps yours in that regard.

Obviously you missed my point. I am not comparing apples to oranges. I don't subscribe to any sports packages either, but I do think that one of D*'s advantages is having more OPTIONS. Sports packages are just one example of an option (along with more HD channels currently).

bfncbs1 said:
Not a valid comparison. 2 different TV's.....Different setup, calibration, etc.....

All I can tell you is that my comparisons over the last several years have given me a very good impression of the quality of each providers HD. They're valid.

bfncbs1 said:
FiOS is uncompressed HD. The only provider who sends exactly what it gets from the source.

LOL. You've been watching too many commercials. There's no such thing as uncompressed HD from any TV provider. The content owners all compress their video before it ever even gets sent to the provider. Did you ever wonder why some channels look better than others via the same provider???

bfncbs1 said:
Like I said most people would never notice the difference's, but to say D* has the better PQ is ridiculous. Look at the specs (bitrate,resolution,etc) between the 2 providers.

I'm not most people. I can assure you I know more about PQ than you (just based on your last statement). I also know that bitrate is just one factor in PQ and resolution isn't a factor at all (both providers distribute HD in 720p or 1080i).

What's ridiculous is the fact that you think FIOS delivers uncompressed HD at resolutions that are superior to D* (or anyone else).

FIOS PQ is excellent. It almost caused me to switch away from D* last year. I'm glad I didn't though, because D* caught up with Mpeg4. And "most of the people" watching D* HD on my 126" display would agree with me.

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