I have Time Warner/Digital Cable with a DVR (digital video recorder).
I’m not very happy with it. I was wondering if any one has an opinion on satellite TV vs digital cable? Pros and cons?
Thanks!
Digital Cable with a DVR (digital video recorder).
Just another thing I now can’t live without.
what don’t you like about it?
SAT TV Other than the weather realted issues that can crop up, and the decode box needed on every TV, additional issues with local content. thats all I know about
“Other than the weather realted issues that can crop up, and the decode box needed on every TV, additional issues with local content.”
Don’t you need a decoder on every TV for digital cable?
only if you want all the digital content etc. Unlike Sat TV, I can still connect a cable-ready TV and get basic cable channel on it without a digital box.
You need a digital cable box for every TV, plus you need a DVR for every TV. I love the DVR, for $10 a month it’s the best thing I’ve ever spent money on as far as cable goes.
What I don’t like is customer service is bad. The Encore channels have very, very, very poor sound quality, and Time Warner just says, “ya, we know”. I have to crank the volume almost to the max to even hear them.
I’ve seen a few commercials for Direct TV or Dishnetwork (i think?) and they say it includes local stations, etc. Just don’t know how good it is overall…
Yes, you need a box to watch the digital channels. I don’t know how expensive TW is, but Comcast is becoming a big rip off. I would switch to dish but I live in an apartment.
“only if you want all the digital content etc.”
Isn’t that the point of digital cable? I see your point, that you can get analog cable on a TV w/o the converter, but what’s the point of doing that?
EDIT
Oh yeah. My recommendation is DirecTV. We switched years ago while still living in Dallas. It was a breeze to move, and the cost was $20 cheaper than cable, with more premium options. AND, customer service is much better. No contest. Outages due to weather were VERY few and far between. A small price to pay IMHO.
EDIT #2
Add in that you can get a DTV with Tivo for $99, and it’s an easy, easy decision.
Isn’t that the point of digital cable? I see your point, that you can get analog cable on a TV w/o the converter, but what’s the point of doing that
We’ve got the DVR in the TV upstairs, and I have an addition cable line going to a computer downstairs with a TV tuner card.
your right it’s limited but it is still easier than having to have a SAT convert for every line.
What about broadband service? last time I checked into it getting thru SAT it was uber-$$$$$.
still the case?
I agree with orginal complaint though TW CS sucks. knock on wood I haven’t had to call them that much.
Yeah, Sat Broadband is expensive. That’s why I have DSL.
I just dumped TW digital cable w/ DVR two days ago because I’m fed up with their customer service and feel like their a rip off. Also, while it wasn’t totally their fault, a recent surge, through the cable line, during a storm fucked up my tv and computer, both of which were on surge protectors.
My parents have DirectTV and have been very happy with it. I have used it when visiting and think it’s easy to use. I am probably going to go that route now. I will also be getting rid of my TW cable internet service as soon as I line up something else.
Depending on where you are, Grande Communications may be a cable option for you.
Love our Directv with Tivo. Occasional outages when it rains very, very hard but they’re minimal. Local channels are widely available. It’s a dual line Tivo- record two different things at once, or watch one thing and record on the other line.
Rate increases over the years haven’t been too bad, and generally go with an increase in the number of channels available.
Digital Cable with a DVR (digital video recorder).
My setup also ,runs a regular TV in just basic cable ,in the other room.
That DVR - tivo ,is worth every penny.