Direct TV subscribers chime in (or previous users)

[DSL_PWR]

I currently have Comcast for all my services (Cable, Internet, and Security). My security and internet are great, but I feel like the cable tv is 'lacking' and the cost is just continuing to rise with still 'lacking' service. Not sure what DTV has to offer but after reading about packages, the prices, and some other features I think I might want to switch so just looking for opinions.

So considering switching to Direct TV, so if you have, have had, know someone that has/had DTV let me know what you think.

Also if in the Houston area (League City) and you know an installer please feel free to pass on the info..

Thanks..

[rab3rd]

Direct tv user for many (like 12) years. I moved and decided to try comcast. three months in I dumped crapcast and went back to DTV. I still have to use crapcast for internet as it is the only option right now in my hood.

[brad]

I have been a DirecTV subscriber for almost as long as they've been around (almost 15 years, I think). I have never, ever, ever had a problem with them that they didn't fix to my 100% satisfaction.

They get a lot of heat for (supposed) high prices and shoddy service, but I have never seen either one in my personal dealings.

If you decide to go with them, let me know and I'll give you my account number... its worth $100 off your initial service stuff... and makes me $100 too. :)

[srwatters]

Right now my only gripe is that they choose not to broadcast Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Soccer Plus in HD. I've been a subscriber for around 10 years dating back to when I lived in California. Know that you will lose signal during heavy storms and twice I've had to hose off the dish to get the snow off. Snow is hardly a concern in Houston, but thunderstorms are more likely a problem. Other than that, I'm a happy customer. Of course YMMV.

[HotHolly]

Weve had them for a really long time. No complaints really. Cant get better for cheaper. Once in a while, majorly bad rain will mess with the signal, but that has only been a couple of times in 10+ years. I hear lots of issues with Dish around here. We were just looking at cable again the other day. DTV is still better, more channels, and cheaper. And I like TiVo! Wahoo! TiVo!

[Dobick]

I've got it -- and I like it -- seems priced pretty high, but I continue to pay it, so it seems worth it I guess.

[revjvegas]

I've had them for over 15 years and I'm gonna drop them like a bad seed and switch to ATT Uverse as soon as I can.

For being a long standing loyal customer, they thank me by replacing my broken DVR with a new one with less features and an additional two year binding contract for service.

Frankly, I'm tired of loosing signal every time we have a heavy rain too.

[danchez]

love it, love the DVR, love all the HD channels, love love love love the NFL Sunday Ticket. My only nit is losing signal during bad/tornado type weather but NOAA radio is always at hand.

[brad]

Originally Posted by revjvegas

I've had them for over 15 years and I'm gonna drop them like a bad seed and switch to ATT Uverse as soon as I can.

For being a long standing loyal customer, they thank me by replacing my broken DVR with a new one with less features and an additional two year binding contract for service.

Frankly, I'm tired of loosing signal every time we have a heavy rain too.

Ummmm.. ATT Uverse is also satellite... and is provided by DTV.

Loosing your signal in heavy rain is a function of the technology, not DTV.

[shamrock]

We always used TW cable, then used Dish Network for a year. Hated it, went back to TW. Customer service was always bad, but continued to decline. After a particularly egregious billing error that took them months to correct, we decided to try Directv. Been with them for 2 years now, and i love them. Signal is good, prices are much less than we were paying TW, and the service has been awesome.

[ka5txl]

I have had it all. I had cable, had the old 10 foot c/ku band system, dish and direct tv. I really liked that c'ku system as there were many providers, so you could pick and choose. you could buy only what you wanted ala carte. The downside was every heavy rain, every heavy wind you would lose the signal for a while. I have been both a dish and a direct tv. I will not go into the detail but I WILL NEVER EVER GO BACK TO DISH!!! I've been a direct tv customer for 18 months and over all have been pleased with them, But I recently had the system installed at an elderly relative's house, Because the age of the house (1929) and a lack of updated wiring I had an electrican install the coax and where I wanted it. During the set up the installer kept asking where the phone line was. It was on the other side of the house. He said he had to connect the tv to the phone line. This was either going to create an unsafe trip hazard or wires running up and down walls. I told him that wasn't happening. I ended up talking to two different supervisors and was about to threaten to cancel my service when they relented. Other than that I'm happy. If Brad can't find his account number I'll give you mine for the discount.

"Frankly, I'm tired of loosing signal every time we have a heavy rain too." John as Brad said it doesn't matter who provides the satellite signal. if there is a thunderstorm in the line of sight of the satellite reciever you will lose the signal.

[Kalrog]

Originally Posted by brad

Ummmm.. ATT Uverse is also satellite... and is provided by DTV.

That statement is not correct. AT&T has 2 offerings when it comes to TV service. The one you are thinking of is where they partner with DTV (and then you have DSL for internet and regular POTS phone service). I've had that one and yeah, it wasn't bad at all. I have since moved and UVerse is available in my area and I have it. On this one it is much closer to a cable installation where everything comes through the wire. Internet speeds are faster than DSL and the TV offerings are different (not better or worse, different) than DTV. Phone service is actually VOIP.

Overall I much prefer the UVerse - mainly because I am on the computer more than I am on the TV and the total price is better.

[KJ Smith]

If you want HD service make sure you don't have tree's in the way.

I had DTV forever. When I tried to switch to HD the trees interfere with the HD signal.
The DTV contractor sucked. I put the original dish up myself. Once in Dallas and then when we moved here. They guy they sent out just didn't care.

I went with U-Verse over copper. The service is great. The installers were good.

If I were you and U-Verse was available over copper or fiber (even better)
that is what I would get.

[Westx]

I had DTV for many years and dropped for money reasons and lived with over the air broadcast for many years. Just got back on SAT with Dish this year. I would have went with direct but they don't offer Versus which carries most of the NHL games and other shows I perfer to watch. I haven't had any problems with them at all. Have only lost signal once and that was during the big snow storm and all I had to do was sweep off the dish.

[DSL_PWR]

Well u-verse (at&t) is out for me, I refuse to do business with them at all. (long story, bad service and several lawsuits in the past)...

So I will either stay with cable and downgrade to save some coin since I don't watch that much tv or switch.. Having a DTV guy come out on Friday to give me the lowdown..

Thanks all...