OT: Direct TV / DVR / DVD/ Home Theater Thread

[MizzouRah]

My sense is that it's for connecting to the Internet, but not for streaming between boxes.

But Direct TV and the installers should confirm.

I believe the wireless mini genie's connect via DIRECTV Wireless Video Bridge, which does not need an internet connection. The H44 also has wireless built in to connect to your home network for on demand playback, but is not necessary for the mini genies.

[MizzouRah]

Yep.. all hooked up.

The mini genie's connect via the wireless bridge. The H44 also has built in wireless that connects to our network to stream on demand stuff.

Wife is happy.. I don't watch TV nearly as much as she does.

[TheTruth]

Fellas, need some advice. I have been on cable my whole life, so I do not know too much about satellite service. Other than hearing the stories of losing service during rain storms, etc.

I have Cox cable (whole home DVR and internet), and I recently fell off a two year promo plan so now I am paying a little over $200 a month after equipment fees and taxes. Spent a while yesterday on the phone with Cox and the best they could do was $15 off and lock me in for 2 years. Obviously time to look at options. I will keep Cox internet as there really is no better option and I am very pleased.

Which satellite service is best? Internet reviews I see say Dish. But I see a lot of you guys have Direct. I will order the sports package either way I go so that is $11-13 extra. How much per month will equipment fees, etc be? How much will my bill go up, will it go up after 3 months or 12 months? I built a house last year, will I have to have any extra wires installed besides for the dish outside?

Basically trying to see if I will be seeing significant savings on Satellite TV as my internet will come in at $70. So can I get a good satellite tv package, that includes sports, for less than $100 after fees, taxes etc.?

[pk500]

I'm sailing in the same ship as TheTruth. Tired of Time Warner's lousy connections, crap picture quality, refurbished equipment and exorbitant fees. Looking forward to learning from this thread.

[dbdynsty25]

You WILL NOT save money if you go to DirecTV...that's a fact. Ridiculously expensive, but you get what you pay for with content. I am actually looking to just switch over to FIOS TV (I have internet and phone) and I'll save roughly 100 bucks per month. I have to wait until football season is over however.

Dish is crap...at least it was when both my parents and sister had it a few years ago. They have both switched to DirecTV...and while it is more expensive, it's much more reliable.

[pk500]

How much in extra fees do you pay per month over the advertised price with DirecTV?

[Jimmydeicide]

I had dish for years it was an awesome service no problems at all with it may have lost service twice in 10 yrs.
Only switched to Uverse to save money.(bundled)
I wouldnt hesitate to go back to Dish.

[greggsand]

DTV is great. All the sports package stuff (of course) and they are constantly adding features to their DVR os are big +++'s for me. I couldn't tell you what the 'base price is for the service because I have so many extras added on (I actually refuse to look at the bill).

[dbdynsty25]

How much in extra fees do you pay per month over the advertised price with DirecTV?

Probably about 30 bucks. Receiver fees and HD fees. It's a racket.

[pk500]

How much in extra fees do you pay per month over the advertised price with DirecTV?

Probably about 30 bucks. Receiver fees and HD fees. It's a racket.

Jesus H, that's steep. I think I pay an additional $7.99 per month for my TimeWarner HD DVR and nothing extra for HD. Thanks for the intel.

[dbdynsty25]

How much in extra fees do you pay per month over the advertised price with DirecTV?

Probably about 30 bucks. Receiver fees and HD fees. It's a racket.

Jesus H, that's steep. I think I pay an additional $7.99 per month for my TimeWarner HD DVR and nothing extra for HD. Thanks for the intel.

If you want to pay the same or less...DirecTV will not get you there.

[MizzouRah]

I've had them all.. Direct, then Dish then cable, we are back to Direct with the genie system and absolutely love it.

[pk500]

I've had them all.. Direct, then Dish then cable, we are back to Direct with the genie system and absolutely love it.

Question: How much do you pay a month over the advertised price in fees for HD, the Genie box, DVR, etc.?

[dbdynsty25]

Here ya go PK. 20 bucks for HD/DVR fees, then 12 for my two extra TVs, 3 for whole home and 2 for regional sports (thank you Dodgers), grand total of 37 over list of 71. Sweet. Obviously I like sports too much with all the sports packages. Thankfully I like the Kings (kinda) so I don't need the NHL package.

[TheTruth]

Thanks for the responses guys. Looks like I could save about $40-50 a month the first 12 months with either Dish or Direct. But after 12 months I would only see about $10 in savings, and that is all if the rate doesn't increase.

Dish is offering a free ipad2 and hopper system. Looks to have all the same channels pretty much as Direct for a little cheaper, w/ the sports pack added on. Hopper vs. Genie, which is better?

Decisions, decisions...

[MizzouRah]

I've had them all.. Direct, then Dish then cable, we are back to Direct with the genie system and absolutely love it.

Question: How much do you pay a month over the advertised price in fees for HD, the Genie box, DVR, etc.?

We are still on that 3 month introductory plan.. so right now we pay $70 for every channel and 3 wireless genie receivers in addition to the main genie box.

I believe it's going to go to about $125 after next month, so we will probably move down to the next channel package and get close to $100 or so a month.

[dbdynsty25]

I believe it's going to go to about $125 after next month, so we will probably move down to the next channel package and get close to $100 or so a month.

That's about what mine is after all of the pricing shenanigans.

If I add Fios TV to my internet and phone I'll be paying $110 for all three. Yeah, I'm an idiot.

[pk500]

So I'm looking at an extra $32 over advertised price if I get HD, DVR and sports pack ($12 per month). Not such a smokin' deal, after all.

Thanks for the detailed receipt, DB. Very much appreciated.

[Brando70]

Have been a DTV guy since 2004. DB is right, they are not cheap, but I love the picture quality (and sound quality, too, if you have surround hooked up), and my wife likes that they don't have the HD channels separate from the SD ones in the guide. (Seriously, this was her biggest concern when I talked about switching.)

I had issues with the Genie for a bit, where the smaller slave receiver would need to be rebooted. However, that has been resolved and I haven't seen that in months. I do have an audio handshake issue but that could have more to do with my Marantz receiver than DTV itself. Sometimes the sound won't come in, but a quick flip of the channel usually fixes it.

I have rarely had weather issues. I have had DTV in Iowa, Michigan's UP, and now Chicago, and I can probably count on one hand the number of times per year I lose a signal, and that's usually for 30 minutes or less. The thickness of cloud cover is the real issue, so rain tends to cause more problems than snow.

I do plan to explore my options once my current contract expires in another year, but in terms of the quality of the service, I do like DTV a lot. Not the option if you're looking to save money, however.

[dbdynsty25]

I have rarely had weather issues. I have had DTV in Iowa, Michigan's UP, and now Chicago, and I can probably count on one hand the number of times per year I lose a signal, and that's usually for 30 minutes or less. The thickness of cloud cover is the real issue, so rain tends to cause more problems than snow.

I guess being in Cali has another advantage. I've seen the picture get slightly pixellated a few times during torrential down pours, but I've never lost service at all since I started with them in 2001. Weak ass Cali weather.

[DChaps]

I really don't know if this is the best thread to post this question, so apologies in advance. I am looking to upgrade my 32in tube Toshiba in our main living area. We would really like to be able to view our pictures and movies (all on one PC external storage), as well as watch Netflix, YouTube, Vudu, Amazon Prime, etc. While I know the Xbox 360 can do most of this (currently in the basement and that is where it will stay), I never had much luck with the media PC connection for movies, pictures, music, etc. I have looked at the Samsung Smart TVs, as well as several BluRay players that come with many of these apps built-in. I was also looking at the Roku 3 and Google Chromecast. My wife and I both have Samsung Galaxy S III's. The kids both have iTouch 4th generation. I am definitely trying to go the cheapest route to a 40in. (or so), 1080p LED, 120hz refresh. Then get a setup going that will allow us to look at pictures/movies on our PC, as well as steam Netflix, Youtube, Hulu, Amazon, Vudu, etc. This TV will most likely not be connected to cable/satellite. While the Smart TV's initially seemed intriguing, it seems more likely that using my Galaxy S III with Chromecast, and/or getting the Roku 3 would be a cheaper, more flexible, more upgradeable solution. Anyone have preference or good/bad experiences for best solution for viewing your home pictures, movies, and streaming? Thanks!

[dbdynsty25]

I'll just attack the chromecast issue since that's what I'm using currently w/ my 55" LCD. They are an-add on device, not a be all end all. Limited to Netflix and Youtube currently as far as streaming goes and a few new apps are being added all the time, but nothing with regards to pictures. The best option is really an AppleTV right now as far as being able to do everything. Set up a library of your favorite pictures in iTunes on your home PC and as long as it's on the same network you can stream it to the TV. Plus, add in all of the streaming video services and it really does everything it sounds like you need.

All of the TVs with stuff built in also are limited in terms of their scope...so really, as much as I don't like AppleTV because of the walled iTunes garden...if you want to use just one device that can do everything YOU particularly are asking for, it's probably the way to go.

[Brando70]

I have enjoyed my Chromecast, but I primarily was looking for a way to stream Netflix and also my music collection.

It works very well for Netflix, as I didn't have any issues with surround sound encoding. And once I uploaded my music to Google Play Music -- it only took 5 days to get 18,000 songs! -- I starting using that a lot too. If they keep developing apps for it, I do think it will be a real bargain for the price.

[wco81]

The thing about the Smart TVs and the apps in those Blu Ray players is that they're using really weak processors, so I've heard Netflix app isn't responsive.

Plus,the Smart TVs often cost more than a comparable TV and something like an Apple TV and Roku would cost.

I've been playing around with playing MKVs on my HDTV and the best results is to use Air Video app. on my iPad, with the videos actually hosted on my iMac.

If you have a recent iOS device, Apple TV would be a no brainer. But I imagine there's something equivalent for Android devices.

[dbdynsty25]

If you have a recent iOS device, Apple TV would be a no brainer. But I imagine there's something equivalent for Android devices.

Negative. Chromecast is the Android "answer" but not. As I explained above.