Direct TV offers way more than Suddenlink and is cheaper. Is there a reason why not everybody uses Direct TV instead of cable? Am I missing something?

I have HD Basic Tier with DVR from Suddenlink and pay about 75 month. With Direct TV according to the site, I get way more HD channels and other channels Suddenlink doesn't provide for 5 bucks less. Free installation and receiver. I also get 3 months free of HBO Starz and Showtime and first 3 months bill is $49.99. Is this too good to be true?

contract, upfront cost for additional receivers



[This message has been edited by m-walker (edited 2/20/2009 4:37p).]

contract is better than suddenlink's suckage which is alomst as legendary as OU's suckage

I bet cable internet has a bit to do with it. I have Directv and Verizon DSL, but I could see some people keeping cable just for the internet. Last time I checked, if you don't use them for TV, they charge a lot more for internet.

I would only need one reveiver and my apartment complex provides internet. I'll look into the type of contracts I would have to agree with. Besides that it sounds like Direct TV for me is the way to go.

I agree...I have no idea why anyone would choose Suddenlink over satellite. But I would choose Dish over Direct if you're going for value!

I just recently switched, and the prices can't be beat!

Thanks for the tip. I'll look into Dish Network too.

yeah but your house looks like a space ship and the signal goes out every time it rains..and you dont get any rene pick commercials..

suddenlink is worth the extra $25 a month...

I have cable on 6 tvs. Two have DVRs. I think that cable is the cheapest way to go for me.

I've looked into satellite several times, and seem to be doing it more and more lately, since suddencrap keeps jacking up their prices. With the cost of extra receivers though, it comes out the same. I don't feel like going throught the hassle of switching just to pay the same each month.

Cha-ching

1876 wins the prize!

If you are willing to sign a two year contract and have 2 or less tv's then satellite is for you.

I've priced them all extensively and satellite would cost us more than cable. TV just isn't worth that much to us.

Also, beware, introductory pricing is just that. All services are continually raising rates to make up for lost revenue.

We had DirecTV about four years ago.

1. The salesman swore that even though we're in Bryan we could get Houston local channels with no problem. False. If we ever do DirecTV again (doubtful) we'll use our daughter's address in Houston as the billing address.

2. We were assured that the problem with losing the signal during rain had been solved. False. Just as bad as before.

What I did like was that DirecTV didn't give us a hard time about canceling early because we had been lied to.

Satellite sure does some great marketing.

Everyone has promotions.

Satellite is most usually the same price or more expensive than cable. Unless you have Basic and your complex pays your Internet bill.

I've had satellite for 4 years now. Direct and Dish. Dish is WAAAAY cheaper than cable if you have two TVs or less. Dish DVRs can work on two TVs with only 1 receiver, so you don't have the extra receiver fees. Dish is running some amazing six month specials right now that are definitely worth checking out.

The only time I've had a problem with satellite in the rain was during hurricane Ike (I live in B/CS). And even then, the signal only went away for about 10 minutes.

My Dish worked during Ike, I was amazed. The only time it doesn't work for me is when I'm going to turn the TV off (to protect it) anyway due to bad weather. It has to be pretty bad then.

I made the move to dish. Right now I pay 88.19 per month with Suddenlink Basic HD and DVR. On dish my first 12 months will be 57.99 with 1 year HBO Showtime Starz free and I added the sports package. After 1 year it goes to 80.99

I had to agree to a two year contract but I don't plan on moving anytime soon and I don't get local channels anymore but I never watch the local news anyways. Guy comes out tomorrow. I'm excited!!

Switched from Suddenstink to DirecTV 3 years ago. 2 HD Tv's and receivers..... My payment went from a little over $100 with cable to a little over $70 with DirecTV and I have A LOT more channels now than I did with cable. In 3 years, I have lost my signal twice with DirecTV...once for about 5 minutes and the other time for about 15 minutes during Ike.

I'll take 20 minutes of inconvenience over 3 years with a smile, knowing that I saved over $1000 during this time by making the change.

My big issue with Suddenlink is it's terrible HD lineup. I went and spent a lot on a HD TV and I want to use it too it's fullest. Dish offers way more HD channels.

Its amazing how the people at directv sucker people into going with them.We had directv for 2 years and it sucked for two years.we will never go back to any dish type cable system again.The customer service was horrible,when ever it rained we lost the signal.When there was problems with the dish that was there fault,They wanted to charge us for it.The list goes on and on.....We now have suddenlink for everything. ie:phone internet and cable and we are paying about $50.00 less a month then what we were paying for the same services by using verizon,diretv and suddenlink(we don't have dsl out where we live).And we have never had the problems whith suddenlink that we had with erectv

quote:

---

My big issue with Suddenlink is it's terrible HD lineup.

---

I agree there are SOME channels I'd like to have.

IIRC, cable has technical limitations to channels/bandwidth that don't apply to satellite (I may have this wrong -- feel free to correct.)

For the most part, you're being sold tons of other bloat-channels with satellite, including digital music channels and "HD" channels that have little actual HD programming (or TONS of repeat programming). Satellite basically spams you.

wheelsoff, I can only imagine you never have used Direct TV. you sound like a cable commercial lol. I'm on year 3 with DTV and have lost my signal in a storm ONCE in Chattanooga. Didnt skip a beat during ike. I have had my cable go out more times in a year than I have had my dish go out. Plus, you cant even see my dish's from any angle other than the back yard. I will NEVER EVER EVER EVER go back to cable and it feels great. I never did like cable.

Well I'm stuck with cable. My apartment complex only allows the dish to be on the patio and if that's the case, one of the dishes wouldn't be able to get into the the right position to get a clear picture.

phantom commenter I am not sure where you live or how long ago you had Direct TV but I have had DT for the last four years and have had no problems with the signal. I watched every bit of Ike as the storm rolled though the area. I do agree about the customer service. I have never had Suddenlink but with Cox it was no better.

Hey Dan, if you are a sports fan you might want to try and get a bigger patio!

quote:

---

Direct TV offers way more than Suddenlink and is cheaper. Is there a reason why not everybody uses Direct TV instead of cable? Am I missing something?

---

my landlord doesn't allow satellite dishes to be attached to my townhome. that is the sole reason I have not already switched to DirectTV/Verizon DSL.

I've had DirecTV for almost 3 years and lost signal during a heavy heavy rainstorm once (it might have gone out during Ike, but I didn't have the TV on anyways so I don't know).

Suddenlink internet goes out approximately once a month.

I've also never had any trouble with customer service (not that I've had to call them often - I think twice) and they were friendly, quick, and solved the problem - at no charge.

I also only had to sign a year contract.

The only thing I don't like is the raising of the prices after the one year introductory pricing. You'd think they'd want to keep existing, happy customers and would encourage them to stay. But, I'm willing to deal with it just os I don't have to put up with the crapstink that is SL.

Dan Scott - how did you get that deal??? I've called them daily and they'll only offer what's available online (six months intro pricing, three months HBO and Starz). Did you order it through a local company?

Cheer & Dan, I think landlords are REQUIRED to allow satellites now. You might want to look into that, because I think congress passed a law recently.

[This message has been edited by BCSBlues97 (edited 2/22/2009 5:58p).]

This was through DirecTV. I was going to order online because I saw some deals on their site that said only available through online orders but when I called, he told me that phone orders were better. It was introductory pricing for 1 full year, the sports package for free the first 3 months, and all the movie channels free for one year.

My big issue was the two year contract I had to sign because I have only about 17 months left on my lease. He then added HBO for free one full year instead of only Starz. He told me if I cancelled early it would cost 20 per month left on my contract but when I added everything up, it was still cheaper than staying with cable. Unfortunately my patio doesn't face directly towards the South and would only fit one of the satellites in the right direction.

Landlords can't deny satellites unless they are put on any part of the building. My apartment complex only allows them to be on a tripod on my patio.

Oh, OK. I've been trying to get that from Dishnetwork...

BCSBlues, you have a link or any idea where I could find that? I wouldn't even know where to begin looking for that kind of law. and yea, it probably would have to be attached to my townhome. it's pretty wooded in my backyard, so to have access to the sky, the dish would have to be in my front yard or on the roof. the front yard is a no-no for aesthetic purposes.

[This message has been edited by cheer (edited 2/22/2009 6:44p).]

When is suddenlink going to upgrade the picture quality on there SD programming? It lookes like I'm watchin a VHS tape when its on Encore. HD's aren't to bad, but its not on par with satellites picture.

---------------------------
Sic Vis Pacem, Para Bellum
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html The link is fairly easy to read for a govt document.

If you have 'exclusive use or exclusive control' of an area, you cannot be restricted from installing a dish/antenna (eg your own front yard or your own patio/balcony). If you are renting, you still have exclusive use even though your landlord has access - the document is clear on this. You can be restricted from installing a dish/antenna in common areas (common lawn, roof of a apt complex, etc).

There are certain exceptions for safety and aesthetics (if you can receive a signal in your backyard, but choose to put the dish/antenna in your front yard, you can be asked to move it).

Many HOAs have stricter policies, but they are illegal as per these laws and you can contact the FCC directly.

Quote:
Q: Who do I call if my town, community association or landlord is enforcing an invalid restriction?
A: Call the Federal Communications Commission at (888) CALLFCC (888-225-5322), which is a toll-free number, or 202-418-7096, which is not toll-free. Some assistance may also be available from the direct broadcast satellite company, broadband radio service provider, television broadcast station, or fixed wireless company whose service is desired.

I have had Direct TV for 7 years now !! For sports fans it's the only way to go!

Direct TV is the only one that offers SUNDAY TICKET during NFL Season.

We did have signal during IKE, and truly takes a really bad storm to lose signal, maybe twice a year for a few minutes. Storms here usually push through rapidly.

For those with satellite signal-loss issues, check the placement and aim of your dish. If it is located well (no trees or other obstructions partly blocking the signal), aimed carefully (adjusted until you get a very strong signal, not just a clear picture in clear weather), and secured well (so wind won't move the mounting bracket or aiming adjustments), you should get reliable reception except during very heavy precipitation.