ADN

I'm considering getting rid of our cable and getting DirecTV as a replacement, and I was looking for some opinions on
DirecTV. I know DirecTV offers all their programing in digital, unlike our cable, where many of the non-digital channels look pretty bad.
The price seems reasonable. My only concern is loosing signal. I've known several people who have gotten rid of it in the past because
they would lose their signal during any rainstorm or bad conditions.
I'm just looking for some opinions from people that have it or used to have it to see if this is going to be a problem, or if this has improved.

Thanks

What you describes sounds like an OK setup, but whats the difference between it and TiVO..?

I have a DirecTV with TIVO setup at home and enjoy it. Your concerns regarding "rain-fade" are warrented and it is something I notice occassionally during extreme weather conditions. By extreme I mean torrential downpour type thunderstorms, icestorms, or large amounts of snowfall. Basically anything that obfuscates the reflection of the signal from the dish to the LNB receiver at the end of the arm positioned in front of it. Proper installation of your dish can help to minimize the occurances of this problem and if you live in an area that does not see very much in the way of extreme weather patterns you should be fine. If you go with the Tivo/DirecTV combo unit you would have the option of watching a previously recorded program until the storm passes.

does this answer your questions?
-emanon

gator, I had DirecTV for about a year here in NE FL and couldn't wait to get rid of it. I was constantly losing signal (we DO get a bit of rain here in FL usually) and I had MAJOR problems with their billing. I had had them take out a draft from my checking account once and after I didn't renew the contract, they CONTINUED to take unauthorized drafts from my checking account totally fucking up my finances for the period of several months. It took several calls from my lawyer to get the money replaced and my checking account straightened out. I don't know if this is normal practice for DirecTV or just a fluke here in NE FL but it certainly soured me against them forever.

You could always hook yourself with a PVR for timeshifting and EPGs, then go get a digital signal..
But, then I guess you don't get all the channels, do you.. lol

I've had Directv for years and would describe it as a very good and reliable product.
Digital cable is as good as Directv but each has it's strength's and weaknesses.
Tivo or PVR is a must have product if we are discussing television; with that said
here are my pros and cons.

Directv
Pro
sports packages
ability to hack Tivo unit

Cons
must buy equipment
no picture in picture

If you want the NFL package you must have Directv.
Since you own the Direct Tivo unit you can remove the cover and upgrade it's recording capacity and network it into your computer to transfer recordings and control it from a PC.

Since you own the equipment if it goes bad you have to replace it, also the price of Hi Def units is rather expensive compared to cables monthly rate.
If you own or want to buy a picture in picture television Directv will not work with it.

Cable company's have come a long way and rival satellite in picture quality and reliability making either one a good choice.

When I lived in the woods, we had DirecTV...And surprisingly, it rarely went out...I guess it depends on the guy that installs it...My suggestion would be to try it, and make sure you can get some help and support for it, at least on a trial basis...

DirecWAY internet, now that shit blows like 18 wheeler tires...But the cable service is pretty good in my experience....

You have to get the Industrial grade Dish, it rarely ever goes out. When I lived in Dallas, it never went out and Dallas is a rain whore.

I had Directv for two years and only once during a heavy storm I lost the signal for a while. Overall I was happy with it.

QUOTE(who.am.i)What you describes sounds like an OK setup, but whats the difference between it and TiVO..?

And what the hell IS Tivo? :?: