Comcast cabel TV vs. Satelite dish

[not_nuf_time]

Hi all, maybe you can help me out a bit in trying to figure out which is a better deal. My wife is always howling about our Comcast bill being ridiculously high, now they are adding an adapter charge of $2.00 per tv for the digital reception. Just pi$$in me off more how they keep raising their rates. So I was thinking about switching to satelite. So what are the normal monthly rates after the promos of a year are done on satelite? And do they have to totally re-wire each tv or just run through the existing cable and just install boxes at the tv?

[Dusty]

I have Dish tv and it isn't cheap either. It depends on how many channels you want and how many tv's you want hooked up. I have HD over 250 channels and 3 tv's hooked up and no premium channels for $92 a month. I stick with them because I take a receiver to the lake for the summer.

[CJH]

None of it is cheap, it really depends on what you want. Then compare the most like packages. That's about the best you can do. Just not that many options.

We have the triple play through Comcast, so our bill is much bigger than yours!! (that includes phone and internet at well)

[merkman]

I made the switch from satelite to cable.

I still miss my satelite DVR, the cable DVR just don't compare.

[LightningBG]

I have dish and love it. Have had it for 5-6 years at a couple different houses. I think our rate is like $40 for the first year, $60 after that. Thats for 3 tvs, HD, DVR on all, and the 150 channel package.

[harvey lee]

I have Direct TV and have 2 TV's hooked up.

I believe our monthly bill is $55.00 monthly. I do pay extra which is included for some sportsman channels and a few others. Thats every channel I need and don't need.

I just recieved a deal from Dish and the first year was less and then about the same. I though about changing for a year and then switching back to Direct TV but I had to sign a 2 year contract.

I would call them and see who would give you the best deal.

[harvey lee]

I have Direct TV and have 2 TV's hooked up.

I believe our monthly bill is $55.00 monthly. I do pay extra which is included for some sportsman channels and a few others. Thats every channel I need and don't need.

I just received a deal from Dish and the first year was less and then about the same. I though about changing for a year and then switching back to Direct TV but I had to sign a 2 year contract.

I would call them and see who would give you the best deal.

[delcecchi]

I don't know about the wiring but the prices are available on their web sites. You just have to snoop around a little to find the non promo price.

For example, the dish network "everything pack" is non promo 99 dollars, plus 10 dollars for HD stuff and maybe 20 extra for the receivers for another couple tvs. Sort of hard to tell. But I think you can get everything (starz, showtime, hbo, sports, local, 250 channels, HD and dvrs on 3 sets) for well under 150 per month. Call them and directtv up and see what they say. Or play on their web sites.

[PierBridge]

Just a quick FYI on Dishnetwork they recently lost their DVR "tivo" infringement case and may have to shut off ALL of their DVR's. At a minimum they will have to pay Tivo an astronomical fee which of course will be passed on to the customer.

[LakeDocktor]

Just a quick FYI on Dishnetwork they recently lost their DVR "tivo" infringement case and may have to shut off ALL of their DVR's. At a minimum they will have to pay Tivo an astronomical fee which of course will be passed on to the customer.

I haven't heard that one yet and most would consider me "in the loop"! As far as cabling is concerned, more than likely the existing cabling can be used depending on cable quality. Now if the house is 30 years old and the same RG59 cable is running through the house, you will need it replaced.

When it comes to pricing, there are different scenarios and packages available to choose from. I don't know what you have with Comcast, so it is difficult to compare the prices. There are always promotions running to benefit the customer. The current one would discount your package price of $15 a month for the first year and guarantee that rate.

If there is anything else you need to know or would like some pricing information or want to make the switch, let me know.

Rhino0018 at yahoo dot com

[DTro]

Call up Comcast, tell them you are canceling and switching to Dish (be prepared to do that in case they call your bluff). They will most likely transfer your call to another person who will offer you a discount to stay. Ask for the promo price for 6 months.

I did that for both my cable and internet. I saved a bunch of $.

[Fishinguy40]

How is everybody's reception with Satellite?

We switched a couple years ago from Comcast to Qwest and Direct TV. We couldn't get out of that contract fast enough. Remember the old Comcast commercials...when it rains the satellite TV goes out, when the wind blows the TV goes out...how true! And we live in the metro.

They convinced us again a year or so later to switch from Comcast to Direct TV again and promised new install of satellite dish that would improve reception. Wrong! Every time the wind blew, rained, snowed, whatever...the reception stunk. And they supposedly went through all the wiring, satellite dish install, etc.

So we're kind of stuck with cable if we want to watch TV anytime the weather is anything other than sunny or partly cloudy.

[harvey lee]

I have DTV and have no issue with reception. I do from time to time adjust my dish so I am receiving the strongest signal.

Before that, when it would rain cats and dogs, I might lose my signa.

l.

[PierBridge]

Fishguy40 it sounds like you need your Dish realigned or installed correctly.

I can't remember the last time my signal dropped out.

[BoxMN]

What do you guys without cable use for internet? I have Comcast, and while I hate the price (continnuing to rise for same level of service) it still comes in the best that I can find if you need phone/cable/internet. I think I pay $160 per month (ouch!) but that is for supa fast internet connection (uploading at 2+ Mb and downloading up to 20 Mb, which I need for work as well). I do have DVR (which I love, it costs $5 per month) and HD channels, and I think Showtime, which I never watch. If I got to basic cable with phone and internet, the price pretty much stays the same as the package I have now... but now add $2 per month per "extra" tv and that will add $6 per month. Closes in on close to $200 and that is rediculus to me, but still the best going if you "need" all three services.

Would be nice to hear if anybody found good deals other than that. BTW - I do call about every 6 months and ask about what deals going on, and usually can tweak it to at least stay about $150-$160 though they still will do the raising it to $200 unless you complain. I hate that the most....

[LakeDocktor]

How is everybody's reception with Satellite?

We switched a couple years ago from Comcast to Qwest and Direct TV. We couldn't get out of that contract fast enough. Remember the old Comcast commercials...when it rains the satellite TV goes out, when the wind blows the TV goes out...how true! And we live in the metro.

They convinced us again a year or so later to switch from Comcast to Direct TV again and promised new install of satellite dish that would improve reception. Wrong! Every time the wind blew, rained, snowed, whatever...the reception stunk. And they supposedly went through all the wiring, satellite dish install, etc.

So we're kind of stuck with cable if we want to watch TV anytime the weather is anything other than sunny or partly cloudy.

Your satellite system is only as good as the person that installs it! There could be numerous factors involved with your install. Dish could be out of alignment. It sounds like it may be pointed into the trees based on you losing your signal when the wind blows. Your footplate on the mast could be loose cause the dish to move with the wind. Your cabling could be bad and dropping the signal. The barrels in the wall plates could be bad. If you get the right person out, it actually would be pretty easy to determine and fix the problem.

As far as internet providers with satellite. I use my local cable company for my ISP. I am in a promotion that it is cheaper for me to have basic cable and wireless internet than it would if I had internet seperately. I have never lost my satellite signal, but the way I wired my house, I have the easy option of using my cable signal if that were ever to happen.

[delcecchi]

Just a quick FYI on Dishnetwork they recently lost their DVR "tivo" infringement case and may have to shut off ALL of their DVR's. At a minimum they will have to pay Tivo an astronomical fee which of course will be passed on to the customer.

Not totally determined yet...

"On Friday shares of TiVo plummeted 41.6%, or $7.23, to close at $10.16 after a federal appeals court said DISH and Echostar would be given a full-court review of a ruling that would have forced the companies to disable their digital recording services. "

[Slob_Samurai]

My opinion of comcast vs directv

I was a directv user the for 4 years and was forced to make the switch to

comcast due to the rising costs of quest's internet prices. For the cost I was paying for mediocre dsl, I could get comcast's blazing internet speeds. Comcast also offered a nearly half price promotion on their programming charges and free hbo for 2yrs if I agreed to a 2 yr agreement. Directv refused to make me a good deal when my contract ran out so I walked away.

The comparison: (Directv's programming is superior)

Directv pros

-hd picture, sd picture, channel setup (hd channels next to reg channel)

# of hd channls, dvr (far superior in size, and ease of use)

comcast pros:

-internet

Basically each provider has the ability to suck you in with their cheaper promotional offers for the 1st year. Once the regular rates kick in you will be grow tired of your large bills and start looking at the competitors.

The only reason I'm with comcast is because I got locked in at a good price for 2yrs. In my opinion directv blows comcast away with their picture quality and their dvr. Once my contract runs out I will go back to directv without hesitation.

[tomfromblaine]

sure would be nice to be able to have comcast internet and direct tv programming

[theoilman]

Comcast will sell you internet only, for about $15 per month higher than bundled with TV.

[LakeDocktor]

I have Dish Network and internet from the local cable company. It is actually cheaper to have basic cable and internet than just internet as a standout service. tomfromblaine, shoot me an email if you have any questions.

rhino0018 at yahoo dot com

[tomfromblaine]

Hi Lakedockter, tried your email but it came back,is it still good?

Tom

[LakeDocktor]

It should be good. [email protected]