questions → directv or dish (or fios)?

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Directv or Dish (or Fios)?

Dec 24, 2011 2:49 PM

Gah, Time Warner just raised it's rates on me yet again providing no additional value for the service I'm getting and I'm pretty fed up.

The into rates at both Directv and Dish look pretty good but I can't seem to dig through the fine print to figure out what additional hidden fees there are and what the rate kicks up to after the promotional period ends.

Our set up at home is a roku, logitech revue, and an LG internet TV with netcast. We don't get any of the pay movie channels but do get a higher tier than basic cable to get some of the non-pay movie channels and most of the news channels. We're not really much of a sports household so sports channels or lack there of is a non-issue.

As for FIOS, they just recently laid lines in our area so I would guess within the next year FIOS would be available to us.

Thoughts? Benefits/Negatives? Secret Fees?

Who's the best value?

yrguide yrguide

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vote-for6vote-against

I've had dish a couple years now and their service is good. My signal is almost never interrupted (better up-time than cable) and the channel selection is better. After the low-price introduction period the first year (which saved some bucks), I pay about $100 a month for ~300 HD channels, 2 premium channels, and 3 receivers (2 of them are HD-DVR).

liquidblue1 liquidblue1
vote-for3vote-against

@liquidblue1: Is that the all in, including tax? How much are your premium channels? Also, how much are you being charged per receiver? We'll only need two, 1 of them being an HD-DVR.

yrguide yrguide
vote-for4vote-against

Any which way, you're still going to need internet access, so with that in mind, FIOS may be the more cost effective result.

narfcake narfcake
vote-for4vote-against

@yrguide: That's the bottom line price. The 2 premium channels (HBO and SHO) are 24 total, 10 per HD-DVR and 6 for DVR service. The base service I have is 45, then there's the protection plan that's 6, but I don't think I've used it. Tax is 3.

liquidblue1 liquidblue1
vote-for3vote-against

@narfcake: Yes, but if I cobble together cable internet sans the cable which is $41.99 plus tax so about $46 all in and couple that with @liquidblue1's rates which for me should be the $100 less the $24 less the $10 I'm looking at $112-ish all in where TWC is charging me $145 a month after the latest increase.

FIOS would be a good option but I have no idea when they are going to make it available.

yrguide yrguide
vote-for4vote-against

I've had Dish for over 10 years and am reasonably happy with them. One little-known option that I use is annual payment (rather than monthly). It saves about 1 month's fee.

turbinator42 turbinator42
vote-for3vote-against

@turbinator42: Oh wow...ok, this is def another bonus. Thanks!

yrguide yrguide
vote-for3vote-against

Here's an example of a DirecTV bill (with all channels and whole home HD)

12/19 01/18 PREMIER Monthly 114.99

12/19 01/18 DIRECTV Protection Plan Monthly 5.99

12/19 01/18 DIRECTV HD EXTRA PACK Monthly 4.99

12/19 01/18 HD Access Monthly 10.00

12/19 01/18 Block Viewing Data Collection 0.00

12/19 01/18 DIRECTV DVR Service Monthly 7.00

12/19 01/18 DIRECTV CINEMA Tune to Ch. 1000 for more info 0.00

12/19 01/18 DIRECTV Whole-Home DVR Service Monthly 3.00

Fees

12/20 Leased Receiver 6.00

12/20 Primary Leased Receiver 6.00

Adjustments & Credits

12/17 Cash Back for 12 Months -5.00 Credit

12/19 01/18 PREMIER 24 Mo Rebate: Mos 1-12 -24.00 Credit

12/19 01/18 PREMIER Rebate Redeemed Online -5.00 Credit

12/19 01/18 HD Access Free HD Access w/Auto Bill Pay -10.00 Credit

12/20 Primary Leased Receiver -6.00 Credit

thumperchick thumperchick
vote-for3vote-against

In our area, FIOS contracts with DirecTV for their cable/sat provider. Overall, they all nickel and dime you.

thumperchick thumperchick
vote-for2vote-against

Direct since 2003 when I dumped Comcast...
The big tree in my Neighbor's yard has gotten taller so when i get the roof done the antenna moves to the top of the roof...
Been Waiting for FIOS for a long time... Individual contracts with each town where we live... :-(

hobbitss hobbitss

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Dec 24, 2011 2:49 PM
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yrguide
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