[LittleDog]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl

Well - we had Comcast for over 4 years in The Villages - while we mostly had tenants - just moved down for our first season 3 weeks ago and because Comcast does not have our Ohio sports channels that we feel are necessary to quality living, we switched to Direct TV. Told we could get Big 10, Sports Time Ohio and Fox Sports Ohio by both Dish and Direct TV but Direct TV had a couple of extra things we thought were better.

Got it installed a week ago Monday. You no longer have to have approval from The Villages arch. committee, as long as it's in your backyard, even on your roof. Installation was fine, but couldn't tune in STO or Fox Sports OH when the installer was here - of course, they know nothing, tell you to call customer service, which we did that evening.

Reached someone in Oregon, who passed me off to a supervisor after telling me not sure why we couldn't get it (even though we were promised it by at least 2 sales people when were calling around). Supervisor told me those channels were only available regionally and just too bad someone told me we could get them in Florida - said I was "misinformed."

We were really steamed and upset as figured we could have gone with DISH if this was the case. Called the next day and in 2 minutes we had the channels - although we still seem to be blacked out for CAVs games and Columbus Bluejackets. Maybe it's a blackout rule? Don't know, have to call again tomorrow. Have to gear up for those calls, you know? So - stay tuned, the verdict is still out, but reception is great, and we do have local channels as well.

Cavs and Blue Jackets games will not be avalable on the Fox sports channels because you have to subscribe to either the NBA package or the NHL package. That also includes other NBA and NHL teams.

John

[Ohiogirl]

Originally Posted by jrheydt

Cavs and Blue Jackets games will not be avalable on the Fox sports channels because you have to subscribe to either the NBA package or the NHL package. That also includes other NBA and NHL teams.

John

Do you know if Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds games will be blacked out as well during baseball season? They were not in Ohio on 2 other cable systems we had there (Wide Open West, and AT & T)

[LittleDog]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl

Do you know if Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds games will be blacked out as well during baseball season? They were not in Ohio on 2 other cable systems we had there (Wide Open West, and AT & T)

All the pro teams will be blacked out unless you purchase the specific sports package.

John

[bluedog103]

I ordered Direct TV a couple of days ago. Sales rep assured me the installation fee would be $19.99. I told him I didn't want it on the house or my roof. He said that would be no problem, he'd note that on the installation order.
The tech arrived this morning and told me the included "professional installation" didn't cover a pole mount. Said that would cost me an additional $150, $75 for the pole and another $75 to run the cable about 6 ft. I balked and called customer service. They said that it was a valid charge and there was nothing they could do about it. I told them to cancel the install. The switched me to another rep who offered to give me a $50 credit to ease the pain. I then agreed to have the service installed. I asked them to verify what was included in the package. When I mentioned one item Cinema Plus, which I think is Direct TV's version of On Demand, the tech started waving his hands. He wanted me to know that for Cinema Plus to work there would be yet another charge for him to run wiring for that feature. I think that charge was $50, I'm not sure if that was total or per TV. In any case that was the straw that broke the camels back.
I cancelled the installation, even that took awhile because they kept switching me to different reps who apoligized and tried to talk me into staying with Direct.
I thought Comcast was bad, no I know Comcast was bad but I expected something different from Direct TV. Seems like they're all the same.

[chuckinca]

Yep - they're all the same; pay thru the nose and get 300 channels of chit.

If it wasn't for live US sports and Fox Soccer channel I'd go back to rabbit ears.

.

[Bubbalarry]

Originally Posted by RVRoadie

I have been with Dish for the past 10 years, but their technology has fallen behind DirecTV and they continue to get themselves in legal problems that end up affecting the programming you can receive.

The new Whole Home technology basically networks together all your HD DVR's through the coax cable so you can watch programming that is recorded on any receiver from any TV. They also have an iPhone app that allows you to set up recording on any receiver, and unlike the Dish app, theirs actually works.

However, the biggest unexpected feature of DirecTV is that the high volume sound of all commercials is somehow suppressed. I had complained to Dish on several occasions about this problem since their own commercials were the worst offenders. No more running for the mute button when Vince comes on with the wonders of Sham Wow, or the dork in PC Matic fixes his mom's computer.

In case you were not aware of it, some newer types of HDTV's have a built it sound suppresor for those loud commercials and he settings include for the channels that have low sound. You just set the volume and it stays the same. Samsung is one of the models that have.

I currently own a 57 inch flat screen from Samsung and it has that feature. It works great especially during the NFL Sunday ticket
where the volumes are very different due to croud noise.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by bluedog103

I thought Comcast was bad, no I know Comcast was bad but I expected something different from Direct TV. Seems like they're all the same.

All Communications companies seem to be terrible at communicating with customers. Monday I wasted hours and hours ... I was placed on hold three times, told my story three times, and got disconnected three times. So discouraging.

[aljetmet]

Originally Posted by bluedog103

I ordered Direct TV a couple of days ago. Sales rep assured me the installation fee would be $19.99. I told him I didn't want it on the house or my roof. He said that would be no problem, he'd note that on the installation order.
The tech arrived this morning and told me the included "professional installation" didn't cover a pole mount. Said that would cost me an additional $150, $75 for the pole and another $75 to run the cable about 6 ft. I balked and called customer service. They said that it was a valid charge and there was nothing they could do about it. I told them to cancel the install. The switched me to another rep who offered to give me a $50 credit to ease the pain. I then agreed to have the service installed. I asked them to verify what was included in the package. When I mentioned one item Cinema Plus, which I think is Direct TV's version of On Demand, the tech started waving his hands. He wanted me to know that for Cinema Plus to work there would be yet another charge for him to run wiring for that feature. I think that charge was $50, I'm not sure if that was total or per TV. In any case that was the straw that broke the camels back.
I cancelled the installation, even that took awhile because they kept switching me to different reps who apoligized and tried to talk me into staying with Direct.
I thought Comcast was bad, no I know Comcast was bad but I expected something different from Direct TV. Seems like they're all the same.

Is that a Sanchez jersey you are wearing? Directv only provider you will get to see the NFL. $300 per season unless you want to watch on your smartphone. Then add another $70. Don't know what Cinema Plus is and I've had Directv for 10 years. I'l have to check it out. Wish I was blacked out a few times last Monday night!

[logdog]

Originally Posted by bluedog103

I ordered Direct TV a couple of days ago. Sales rep assured me the installation fee would be $19.99. I told him I didn't want it on the house or my roof. He said that would be no problem, he'd note that on the installation order.
The tech arrived this morning and told me the included "professional installation" didn't cover a pole mount. Said that would cost me an additional $150, $75 for the pole and another $75 to run the cable about 6 ft. I balked and called customer service. They said that it was a valid charge and there was nothing they could do about it. I told them to cancel the install. The switched me to another rep who offered to give me a $50 credit to ease the pain. I then agreed to have the service installed. I asked them to verify what was included in the package. When I mentioned one item Cinema Plus, which I think is Direct TV's version of On Demand, the tech started waving his hands. He wanted me to know that for Cinema Plus to work there would be yet another charge for him to run wiring for that feature. I think that charge was $50, I'm not sure if that was total or per TV. In any case that was the straw that broke the camels back.
I cancelled the installation, even that took awhile because they kept switching me to different reps who apoligized and tried to talk me into staying with Direct.
I thought Comcast was bad, no I know Comcast was bad but I expected something different from Direct TV. Seems like they're all the same.

I had DirecTV installed last week. I ordered mine on line and paid zero for installation/delivery and got an extra $5 a month off for the first year along with the advertised $30 off for the first year. When they showed up for the install, they told me initially that there might be a $75 charge for the pole mount but then the installer called someone and got that waived. They hooked up two TVs, the 500 hour DVR (100 hour HD) and installed On Demand over my home network. Everything works great. No hidden charges.

If anyone wants to order DirecTV, send me a PM and we can both get another $100 off.

[BobKat1]

The whole cable/dish thing is like "Let's Make A Deal". Different prices, costs, programs etc. etc.

What one person gets, the next guy doesn't and vice versa.

No wonder their credibility is so low.

[billethkid]

but I was told my home would have to be re-wired as they cannot use the existing cable....which first of all just does not sound right or ring true....secondly our home is cement block and cannot imagine how they rewire in cement block walls. So until I te verification the re-wiring is a fact....there is no way.
If anyone can clear this issue for me I would appreciate it.

btk

Originally Posted by billethkid

but I was told my home would have to be re-wired as they cannot use the existing cable....which first of all just does not sound right or ring true....secondly our home is cement block and cannot imagine how they rewire in cement block walls. So until I te verification the re-wiring is a fact....there is no way.
If anyone can clear this issue for me I would appreciate it.

btk

I don't believe this to be true.Satellite & cable both use coax cable to bring a signal to your tv

[Snowbirdtobe]

Direct also told us that they wouldn't use the existing equipment in the re-sale we bought but needed to install new equipment. When the installer showed up he just turned on the existing receiver.
A possible reason they insist on a new cable is the direct tv antenna receives it's dc power through the cable and splitters in the line won't pass the power to the amplifier in the antenna but won't harm cable.

Getting direct tv from a dealer will have a different set of rules and prices.

[bluedog103]

Originally Posted by aljetmet

Is that a Sanchez jersey you are wearing? Wish I was blacked out a few times last Monday night!

Yep, it's a Sanchez jersey. Rough night to be a Jets fan. I watched until late in the third quarter. With the score 31-3 I finally packed it in.
I wasn't really surprised that our guys lost. I just didn't think it would be such as butt kicking. They had a lot of luck the last few games. The defense hasn't been as strong as last year and the offense is extremely inconsistent. Then we have Folk trying to kick for us.
We'll have to see which Jets team shows up Sunday.

[RVRoadie]

Originally Posted by billethkid

but I was told my home would have to be re-wired as they cannot use the existing cable....which first of all just does not sound right or ring true....secondly our home is cement block and cannot imagine how they rewire in cement block walls. So until I te verification the re-wiring is a fact....there is no way.
If anyone can clear this issue for me I would appreciate it.

btk

My house is about 3 years old. I first had Dish then switched to DirecTV. They both used the existing coax that runs from the utility box to each room. DirecTV even used the same pole that Dish installed.