Dish vs Direct vs Comcast, etc

[gomoho]

I tried to search for this information 'cause I remember reading threads about these questions, but for the life of me can't find anything.

So bare with me as I request information on Dish and Direct. I currently have Comcast and think their pricing is out of control. Have had Direct in another location and was happy with them, but am leaning towards Dish who I have no experience with. Any input would be appreciated.

I know about the outages with storm, so this isn't really an issue for me.

Thanks for any information you might provide.

[RDLavoie]

i am wondering the same thing. comcast is very expensive

[Markam]

Other than price, we never had a bit of problem with Comcast here. However when AAA advertised a very attractive DirecTV discount, we made the switch. We have had VERY infrequent outages due to storms and certainly not enough to warrant another change - probably less than we had with DirecTV 'up north' with snow/ice on the antenna. I believe the picture quality to be equivalent to Comcast but the big advantages for us are:


A larger library of 'On Demand' content.
2-3 channels of 3D content.
We have music playing a lot and DirecTV has a bigger selection of music channels + access to Pandora.


So far, we are very satisfied with DirecTV and have no reason to change.

Good luck

[Cantwaittoarrive]

Other than price, we never had a bit of problem with Comcast here. However when AAA advertised a very attractive DirecTV discount, we made the switch. We have had VERY infrequent outages due to storms and certainly not enough to warrant another change - probably less than we had with DirecTV 'up north' with snow/ice on the antenna. I believe the picture quality to be equivalent to Comcast but the big advantages for us are:


A larger library of 'On Demand' content.
2-3 channels of 3D content.
We have music playing a lot and DirecTV has a bigger selection of music channels + access to Pandora.


So far, we are very satisfied with DirecTV and have no reason to change.

Good luck

What do you do about your high speed internet access?

[vj1213]

I have Direct-tv & comcast for phone & internet

[rick2071]

Had Comcast, direct tv and dish very happy now with centurylink. Saved almost $70.00 when I switched from Comcast to Century

[rick2071]

Comcast phone service goes through the Internet. You can get magic jack for $20 a year after the purchase of their connected approx 76.00

[LvmyPug2]

We just switched from Direct TV to Comcast. We have had both Comcast and Direct TV in other parts of the country and have alway preferred Direct until we moved here. Although we almost never lost satellite reception "up north" we found we lost it several times each month during the heavy rains that occur in the summer. Reception was typically restored in less than an hour, but it just became frustrating. We also decided that during bad storms, we wanted to be able to watch the weather reports and we often could not do that with Direct TV because of the loss reception. We were able to get a 2 yr deal for TV and Internet with comcast that is about $10/month less than we were paying with Direct TV and Comcast for internet however, the biggest factor in our decision was the periodic lost recption of Direct TV

[Newbeginnings]

I live south of 466A so have Brighhouse cable, internet an phone. I had Direct TV in Alaska, almost no outages and we had bad storms. When I did have an outage I just used my DVR recordings to watch till it came back on. I have to say I preferred Direct TV, I think the channel line up is better, technology on the guide better and app worked. I like to record remotely from my Iphone. Brighthouse has a number of issues with there website - My Services and apps (which they admit to) and I'm tired of calling them to get things to work. So, may switch next year for my TV and keep Brighthouse for phone and internet. Can't say much about Comcast, haven't used it in years, my Mom has it and no problems.

[Villages Kahuna]

I was a very happy DirecTV subscriber up north. For whatever reason, I subscribed to Comcast when we first came here seven years ago. After a couple frustrating years of lousy channels and service, i signed up for DirecTV and Embarq for phone, keeping Comcast only for internet. Since then, I've switched my phone to Comcast, as well.

While I'm pretty sure Comcast has improved both their choice of channels as well as service quality since then, there's no way I would ever get rid of DirecTV. Their channel lineup and HD service is spectacular. And their knowegeable 24/7 service can't be beat. Certainly not by Comcast's frustrating, long wait, automated customer service.

Just a note to any readers here who are considering DirecTV. Send me a private message and I'll give you my account number to use when you sign up. It has to be entered when you first sign up. If you provide my account number, you will get a $10 per month discount on your DirecTV bill forever. And so will I!

[Villages Kahuna]

What do you do about your high speed internet access?
Be very careful regarding broadband service. Only Comcast has truly fast cable speed. If you aggressively inquire about signal speed from ANY of the other providers, you'll find that at best they get signal speeds of 10 Mbps or less. I get regular speeds fom Comcast that are always in the 24-26 Mbps range. If all you do is e-mail you won't notice a difference. But if you do any serious 'surfing', Comcast is the only way to go.

[umpire1]

I am a snowbird from Mi, at first we had no problems were here in the villages and had them install here also ... was supposed to be free if we just brought our receiver from Mi with us ... they installed it and charged us $100 we fought it and won .... then they decided to drop the AMC channel and did, they often drop channels when ever they like, however I see AMC is back ... this past week they droped the the Big 10 network and now want us to pay and additional $9 month for that ... we are in a two year contract and they said we should have read the fine print that they can drop and change programming any time they want ... we were already paying extra for the big ten ... channels come and go, if it rains no reception, no advance notice of when channels go ... we used to have brighthouse when we rented here and will go back to them when our dish contract is over ... if you sign a contract make sure you have what channels your going to get for the entire contract ... we learned the hard way
good luck

[Bill-n-Brillo]

I am a snowbird from Mi, at first we had no problems were here in the villages and had them install here also ... was supposed to be free if we just brought our receiver from Mi with us ... they installed it and charged us $100 we fought it and won .... then they decided to drop the AMC channel and did, they often drop channels when ever they like, however I see AMC is back ... this past week they droped the the Big 10 network and now want us to pay and additional $9 month for that ... we are in a two year contract and they said we should have read the fine print that they can drop and change programming any time they want ... we were already paying extra for the big ten ... channels come and go, if it rains no reception, no advance notice of when channels go ... we used to have brighthouse when we rented here and will go back to them when our dish contract is over ... if you sign a contract make sure you have what channels your going to get for the entire contract ... we learned the hard way
good luck

Not sure whose service you have - Dish, Direct, or Comcast?

And welcome to TOTV!! :wave:

Thanks -
Bill :)

[njbchbum]

do any snowbirds who have comcast in their northern nest transfer their service from there to the villages when snowbirding? when we return north we increase our subscription to the premiere level we had before and i get the promotional rate for that service for at least 6 mos. tech told me to do it that way so as to get the promo rate upon return - cheaper than putting the account on vacation and not getting the promo rate thru restoration.

we currently put our nj comcast account all the way down to limited basic cable when we leave for the villages. then we activate our less comprehensive fl comcast account for the period of time we are snowbirding. when we fly north we put the fl comcast on vacation/seasonal since we don't return again until the following winter season.

all of that saves us some $$ - but it does limit viewing for hubs when snowbirding. just wondering if it is worth it to forego the savings and increase his snowbirding viewing pleasure if an account transfer can be done.

[CatskillBill]

All my friends with Dish TV are crying and coming to my house because I have Directv and they don't get FOX with Dish TV.

That means no Cotton Bowl, NFL playoff games, and all the normal programs that FOX airs.

Apparently Ruppert Murdoch and NewsCorp are in a pi**ing match with Dish TV over fees.

[Yorio]

We have Dish TV and as far as we know we get FOX unless something new happened recently. We use Comcast for Internet and phone but recently our price went up to $115. Is this a reasonable price? Comcast is O.K for snowbirds as we can put on vacation mode when we leave here.

[gomoho]

Are you paying $115 for phone and internet??? Wow - we pay $140 for internet and cable with all the channels except premium. Hope you meant that included your Dish price as well.

[janmcn]

...

[rodie]

If you have directv, what Internet service do you have and what is the approximate cost? Does anyone have directv and Brighthouse for Internet?

[Villages Kahuna]

do any snowbirds who have comcast in their northern nest transfer their service from there to the villages when snowbirding? when we return north we increase our subscription to the premiere level we had before and i get the promotional rate for that service for at least 6 mos. tech told me to do it that way so as to get the promo rate upon return - cheaper than putting the account on vacation and not getting the promo rate thru restoration.

we currently put our nj comcast account all the way down to limited basic cable when we leave for the villages. then we activate our less comprehensive fl comcast account for the period of time we are snowbirding. when we fly north we put the fl comcast on vacation/seasonal since we don't return again until the following winter season.

all of that saves us some $$ - but it does limit viewing for hubs when snowbirding. just wondering if it is worth it to forego the savings and increase his snowbirding viewing pleasure if an account transfer can be done.I did that for a couple of years with Comcast. Their policies and the fact that "up north" seemed to be an altogether different company than Florida Comcast drove me nuts. Then I found that with DirecTV, you can just call and turn it on or off on one days' notice, with no 'maximum periods' like Comcast. Another reason to like DirecTV.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

I did that for a couple of years with Comcast. Their policies and the fact that "up north" seemed to be an altogether different company than Florida Comcast drove me nuts. Then I found that with DirecTV, you can just call and turn it on or off on one days' notice, with no 'maximum periods' like Comcast. Another reason to like DirecTV.

With DirecTV, you can take your receiver(s) with you to TV and use them there. Take them back north with you when you return. DirecTV will install an antenna for you in TV at no charge (for a 'standard installation', that is). You'll need to make a phone call to them each time you switch locations in order to be able to receive the local channels associated with that location. No big deal once you get the hang of it. Nicest thing: All this is done with at additional cost to you!

Call their Movers Connection group for more details 1-888-DTV-MOVE (388-6683).

Bill :)

[umpire1]

Not sure whose service you have - Dish, Direct, or Comcast?

And welcome to TOTV!! :wave:

Thanks -
Bill :)

We have Dish
thanks for the welcome

[billethkid]

is it true that to swith to either dish company they do not or cannot use the existing television cabeling in the house?
I have also heard a separate, additional cable is needed for HD?? I am not interested in having to have a "rewiring" job to switch....if true.

btk

[Bill-n-Brillo]

When we had our antenna installed by DirecTV, they used the existing cabling in the house with no problem.

Bill :)

[ROCKETMAN]

Direct tv has very good customer service but the reason i prefer it is because of the nfl and baseball packages. If you are a loyal customer they will offer you the sports packages free if you ask after your 2 year contract is up.

[billlaur]

Brighthouse is the best>>>>

[billybye]

I started with Comcast for TV and internet - they went to $159.00 after a year, from $100.00. Went to Direct TV for TV and stayed with for Comcast for internet About same price total for both. Then Direct TV went to $109 for TV only from $75.00.
Now with Dish for TV - stayed with Comcast for internet.
Dish did have to run new wiring to DVR connection and add new wire connections for other two tv's. There was no charge for any installation or upgraded wiring.
Their equipment is more sophisticated than Comcast or Direct TV and that is lwhy they needed to change some wiring (at no cost)'
So far I love it - My cost went down to $65.00 and after a year only goes to $82.00 so I won't be forced to change in future.
Called Direct TV 3 times asking to reduce monthly charges - they did everything but laugh at me. Called me 5 times in week after I switched saying they could reduce my cost. Plan on staying with Dish no matter what anyone else offers in future. Tired of changing. Comcast will remain my internet.

[goingtothevillages]

I did a pretty extensive study of the total 2 year cost of everything available including equipment charges, installation costs, etc. I found the least expensive for expanded cable (didn't include premium movie channels), internet, etc. turned out to be DirectTV purchased from Sams Club, then bundled with CentruyLink internet. I had to upgrade my Sams membership but after 1 month returned to the basic Sams membership and got a full refund of the difference. If you'd like, send me your email and I'll forward my spreadsheet. Also, IF ANYONE CONSIDERS DIRECT TV - LET ME KNOW AND I'LL GIVE YOU MY ACCOUNT NUMBER - and we BOTH SAVE $10 a MONTH for several months (I think it's 5 or 6 months)

[rodie]

I did a pretty extensive study of the total 2 year cost of everything available including equipment charges, installation costs, etc. I found the least expensive for expanded cable (didn't include premium movie channels), internet, etc. turned out to be DirectTV purchased from Sams Club, then bundled with CentruyLink internet. I had to upgrade my Sams membership but after 1 month returned to the basic Sams membership and got a full refund of the difference. If you'd like, send me your email and I'll forward my spreadsheet. Also, IF ANYONE CONSIDERS DIRECT TV - LET ME KNOW AND I'LL GIVE YOU MY ACCOUNT NUMBER - and we BOTH SAVE $10 a MONTH for several months (I think it's 5 or 6 months)

If you don't mind, what did Century Link Internet cost you and what level did you get? Did you check out Brighthouse just for Internet?

[goingtothevillages]

I'm paying $123.55 for all services, taxes, fees, rentals, etc - and I get:

- several hundred channels (don't get premium HBO, Showtime, etc or special channels)

- Total of 3 TVs with a DVR on the main TV

- Internet @ 10 Mg

- Home phone - free long distance (if I signed up for this I got a 5 yr price guarantee - was only a few $ more)

[courtyard]

I switched from Comcast to Century Link over a year ago because Comcast was too expensive.

This past Christmas Eve Comcast "slammed" us and canceled our TV, phone, and internet and switched them back over to them without a third party verification. So we had no TV on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!

Centurylink got our services back up and running on the day after Christmas :-)

[Steve & Deanna]

I usually call Comcast for 'a deal' here in The Villages and up north in VT. You have to do it every year but I think it pays off. By the way, I understand that Brighthouse Communication (a top rated cable company according to Consumer Reports) is in parts of TV. Wouldn't it be great to see Brighthouse vs Comcast in all of TV. Competition is ALWAYS good.

[scrapple]

We've had Dish network for years, brought the DVR with us when we moved, so we kept all the recordings that were done before.
Their DVR system was one of the deciding factors for me. Other companies did not allow you to record on TV2 and then watch the show on TV1
This allows us to have 2 recordings happening at the same time, while watching a third. If or when ATT Uverse becomes available I will look carefully at them.
A relatively new feature with our package is "Blockbuster at home"; sorta like netflix, you create a queue of movies and get DVD's mailed to you. We used that to catch up on Downton Abbey seasons 1 & 2 prior to the start of S3.

[wendyquat]

We started with Centurylink Prism in 2011 but it never would work right so we switched to Direct TV. We have 4 Tvs and can record on either and watch from either room! I think it's called, Whole house DVR! We rarely lose a signal due to storms and have been very happy with everything but the price. We honestly don't watch TV enough to justify the price (almost never watch movies so we don't subscribe to any movie services) but our bill (with all the various taxes, etc) runs well over $130 per month. We find we only use TV in 2 rooms so well probably ditch a couple of the DVRs when our contract is up!

[aljetmet]

When designing our house I requested a line in our 2nd bedroom for cable and another line for Directv. Designer told me no problem so I didn't give it a second thought. But of course now (3 weeks from closing) I am thinking about it especially reading through this thread.

For those who have both, do you know how each company set it up? Any extra charges? I want the internet installed the day after closing....

Directv will be installed when we become permanent later on in the spring....

Do they allow the dish on the house of does it go on a pole on teh side of the house....

[Bavarian]

When designing our house I requested a line in our 2nd bedroom for cable and another line for Directv. Designer told me no problem so I didn't give it a second thought. But of course now (3 weeks from closing) I am thinking about it especially reading through this thread.

For those who have both, do you know how each company set it up? Any extra charges? I want the internet installed the day after closing....

Directv will be installed when we become permanent later on in the spring....

Do they allow the dish on the house of does it go on a pole on teh side of the house....

Have had house built but not yet down to live. I had an extra line run from panel in garage to bedroom I will use as office. This I will use for HISPEED INTERNET cable. Rest will be connected to DirecTv.

FCC said no HOA rules can limit where a satelite receive only dish can be placed. Came out when new. What we have now in MD is dish on top of roof to clear trees. Third dish, each one higher. Added due to more satelites and to receive HD. HOA in Villages says that it can be placed where needed, but prefer on a pole. I hope to put dish on a pole if it can be done. Looks better and easier to maintain.

[rubicon]

I probably have it all wrong but when I find a service, an insurance company or a repairman that responds relatively well then i see no sense in switching.
I have been with comcast since I arrived. They have served me well. And yes I understand that loyalty went the way of chivlary but then my chosen username is instructive.

[Jullie]

I tried to search for this information 'cause I remember reading threads about these questions, but for the life of me can't find anything.

So bare with me as I request information on Dish and Direct. I currently have Comcast and think their pricing is out of control. Have had Direct in another location and was happy with them, but am leaning towards Dish who I have no experience with. Any input would be appreciated.

I know about the outages with storm, so this isn't really an issue for me.

Thanks for any information you might provide.


We've had DISH for 3 or so years. Before that COMCAST. We switched because of the pricing difference. Very happy with Dish for now. Good luck!

[Villages Kahuna]

I had a knock on the door the other day by a woman peddling Centurylink's digital services--I think they call it Prism. My initial reaction was to "say goodbye" and let her get on with her door-to-door marketing. But I invited her in and went into my den.

I told her that any interest I might have would be totally dependent on how fast their internet broadband service was. She brightly, quickly and enthusiastically told me, "...our speed is terrific--we get up to 10 mbps." I laughed and turned to my computer where I ran a speed test on my Comcast broadband service. Actually, I ran it twice and got the same results both times...download speeds in excess of 25 mbps, 2-1/2 times as fast as Prism.

The sales rep quickly and wisely got up, thanked me for my time, and said that there was no way they could match that speed.

Just something to consider for those of you considering DSL broadband service.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

I thought there was a "no solicitors" policy in TV.

Bill :)

[UpNorth]

We've had Dish network for years, brought the DVR with us when we moved, so we kept all the recordings that were done before.
Their DVR system was one of the deciding factors for me. Other companies did not allow you to record on TV2 and then watch the show on TV1
This allows us to have 2 recordings happening at the same time, while watching a third. If or when ATT Uverse becomes available I will look carefully at them.
A relatively new feature with our package is "Blockbuster at home"; sorta like netflix, you create a queue of movies and get DVD's mailed to you. We used that to catch up on Downton Abbey seasons 1 & 2 prior to the start of S3.


Unfortunately, ATT U-Verse will probably never come to the Villages because it requires rather large V-Rad distribution boxes. These are installed on existing telephone poles around 30,000 feet apart in neighboorhoods. No poles in TV, so no U-Verse. Too bad, since U-verse makes Comcast, Dish, Direct TV, Centurylink and Brighthouse look primitive by comparison.

[dlh352]

I tried to search for this information 'cause I remember reading threads about these questions, but for the life of me can't find anything.

So bare with me as I request information on Dish and Direct. I currently have Comcast and think their pricing is out of control. Have had Direct in another location and was happy with them, but am leaning towards Dish who I have no experience with. Any input would be appreciated.

I know about the outages with storm, so this isn't really an issue for me.

Thanks for any information you might provide.

I have been a Direct TV customer since 1997 and say they are the best of all sources for complete TV watching. They do have the most HD programing no matter what their competition says. Dish, Bright House , Comcast can't hold a candle to Direct in my opinion.

[PennBF]

I truly dislike Comcast and will at some time change. I understand they are
currently concerned about Apple future entry into the market. The other evening my TV had some problems and needed "reset" . I made 7 calls to get
help and each time they either said (after 5-10 minutes) they could not take
any calls and/or the line just went dead as happens when someone hangs up.
I finally got through when on one of their meaningless prompts I said I wanted to talk regarding cancelling their service. Within 5 minutes I had someone on the line. THey are by far the least "Customer Service" company in the country and don't deserve to have customers.
We will change over shortly..:(

[Villages Kahuna]

I thought there was a "no solicitors" policy in TV.

Bill :)She said she was next door doing an interview on why my neighbor discontinued Prism after two weeks of problems in favor of DirecTV and thought she'd "just stop by". Seems like a dumb cold call when my neighbor just cancelled their service.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

She said she was next door doing an interview on why my neighbor discontinued Prism after two weeks of problems in favor of DirecTV and thought she'd "just stop by". Seems like a dumb cold call when my neighbor just cancelled their service.

I think she was giving you the "light bulb test" - checking to see how bright you were! Glad you caught on to her tactic.

I can't believe a CenturyLink company rep (or somebody from ANY type of similar company) would actually take the time to get in their car, drive who knows how far to a now-former customer's home, and hope to interview them about why they dropped the service. Such a personal touch is logical......but I have a hard time imagining her story is legit. Or maybe it IS for real but it's to give them the excuse to go knocking on doors.

JMHO

Bill :)

[rubicon]

I think she was giving you the "light bulb test" - checking to see how bright you were! Glad you caught on to her tactic.

I can't believe a CenturyLink company rep (or somebody from ANY type of similar company) would actually take the time to get in their car, drive who knows how far to a now-former customer's home, and hope to interview them about why they dropped the service. Such a personal touch is logical......but I have a hard time imagining her story is legit. Or maybe it IS for real but it's to give them the excuse to go knocking on doors.

JMHO

Bill :)

Bill: When we first move hear we had Century Link (Embarq the) for our internet and phone because my wife was working from our home. When see retired last year we moved our internet and phone to comcast so we could bundle.

About five months after that move a Century Link rep rang my door bell and wanted some tome to determine why we left them. I explained the circumstance and told him that if comcast didn't work out I would return.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Rubicon, thanks for the explanation and setting the record straight.

Bill :)

[billethkid]

I have been trying to get to a Comcast customer service rep for 3 days including today. I opt for their auto call back and initially it took my request but no call ever came.

When I tried to do,it again it would tell me the length of time I could expect a return call. But now it would not go to the next step to activate the request.

Today's efforts were even more laughable....the call volume was so high they were no longer accepting call backs or waits on the line.

I am sure glad I did not or do not have to report an outage.

Monday I start my campaign march to see how far up the management chain I can get. At some level there must be some one who cares even if they have to lie about it.

I will most likely begin discussions with Direct and have them come to look at how my home is wired. I understand for HD they have to run new cable which seems odd given the existing cable in the hose carries Comcast HD.
We have a cement block built home and I am not too keen on someone cruising the attic space figuring out how to get the new cable to where it needs to be.

Btk

[billethkid]

Has anyone has both Dish Network and now Direct TV?

Why did you change from Dish to Direct?

Btk

[ariel]

I just got off the phone with them. We are in Hadley and no reception on TV this afternoon. No TV cable hookup is working. Is anyone else having trouble with their TV only (Comcast) today? I still get phone and internet and I'm bundled with Comcast. They're sending a tech out tomorrow aftenoon; so I did finally get to talk to a live person - took a while.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Has anyone has both Dish Network and now Direct TV?

Why did you change from Dish to Direct?

Btk

We had Dish for probably 5-6 years and switched to DirecTV 4+ years ago. Had zero issues/problems with Dish. Our main reason for switching: We were going to get HD service and the Dish package at the time didn't have a couple of channels available in HD that, for us, were show-stoppers. The DirecTV package which included those channels had more SD and HD channels than the comparable Dish package - - and I believe the pricing was just a bit better as well. So we went with DirecTV and have had overall good experiences with them since switching.

All those kinds of things are moving targets - what the situation was at that point in time has undoubtedly changed in the meantime.

Bill :)

[TunaFish]

Does anyone know if or when Brighthouse will offer service north of 466a?

[Mack184]

While it's very reasonable to think that you are comparing apples with apples when it comes to Direct, Dish & ComCast, you are not. All cable companies are treated under federal & state laws as public utilities much in the same way the electric or gas companies are treated. Direct & Dish are in essence broadcasters and different rules, regulations and fees apply. A cable company whether it's ComCast, Cox, TimeWarner and so on, have to bid to your local municipality for a contract. They cannot operate in areas where they do not have a contract with the local government. That's why you can get ComCast in some communities and not in others.

The cable companies must set rates and service agreements and have them made available through governmental public records. Most people don't know this and they have no idea where to locate such records. Agreements are for a fixed amount of time and then have to be rebid. Local citizens are allowed public comment, but again, most people don't know where to find out this information. ComCast MUST tell you if you inquire what government entity they are contracted with. You have the right to make inquiries and attend public meetings when these contracts are voted on.

Dish companies are much like over-the-air TV stations except that they charge for their programming. Rates are more on the market with some input via the FCC and other like entities. They are NOT restricted to what areas that they serve.

[LynnDeb]

Reading all the posts, I am curious about which cable service will work best for HD TV's, dvr and internet service...we will be in the Springdale/Village of Woodbury area which is North of 466...thanks, Lynn