Who do you get your T.V. service from

[AnimeSpirit]

DirectTV customer here! Never had any problems with them. They get all of my channels. Their service is great.

[joepole]

I'm a DirecTV subscriber (since about 1998) but I'm about to switch to cable because DirecTV no longer makes/sells/supports Tivo boxes. They now have only their own in-house craptacular PVR boxes.

[Bob]

Originally Posted by joepole

I'm a DirecTV subscriber (since about 1998) but I'm about to switch to cable because DirecTV no longer makes/sells/supports Tivo boxes. They now have only their own in-house craptacular PVR boxes.

Really ? I have a Hi-Def DirecTV-Tivo unit, may have been about a year ago maybe that I got it.. Does cable use TIVO ? from what I understand Bossier Cable customer have some DVR unit, but it's not cable.

I tried doing a google search on some updated information on this, but having a hard time finding relevant information. I do see where DirecTV has started using it's own DVR services however..

Edit: man, the more I read about this, the worse it sounds. Apparently DirecTV will support the Directv-Tivo units for a few more years.. But what I'm reading about the units they are selling in place of it.. kind of blow..

[joepole]

The old HR10-250 Tivo units from DirecTV won't be able to receive local HD content or most of the new HD content (the new satellites are MPEG4 and the HR10-250 only decodes MPEG2). As of today no cable companies provide Tivo-branded units, but this week Comcast and Tivo announced one. Also, the retail Series 3 Tivo supports CableCard, so you can go that route for the low, low price of $800.

[rhertz]

Originally Posted by joepole

The old HR10-250 Tivo units from DirecTV won't be able to receive local HD content or most of the new HD content (the new satellites are MPEG4 and the HR10-250 only decodes MPEG2). As of today no cable companies provide Tivo-branded units, but this week Comcast and Tivo announced one. Also, the retail Series 3 Tivo supports CableCard, so you can go that route for the low, low price of $800.

Joepole, I’m not very “up to speed” on the latest tv services (other than b!tching about Dish Networks appointment calendar, LOL) I heard that Dish Network bought Voom and has more HD channels than Directv. So did I screw myself by switching to directv? (I don’t have a HD tv yet, but I plan on getting one) I also heard a couple of years ago that cable offers a lower grade of HD (480i or 720i) compared to satellite (720p and 1080i). Do you know if this is true? I’m just thinking that once I do spring for a HD tv, then I want 720p (or above) in as many channels as I can get. Thanks for any tips you can provide on this subject……

I will offer this one tip. I heard that the owner of www.ehdmi.com is a local guy who is a national reseller of inexpensive HDMI cables and other accessories. I haven’t ordered from him, but I plan to when I need some HDMI cables. Also FWIW, the guy at www.gerber-tools.com is also local in Haughton (two point) Really nice guy. I believe in supporting local people when possible.

[joepole]

480i is regular, standard definition TV. There is no 720i.

720p is the minimum to be called "HDTV" and most broadcasts are in 720p or 1080i. I personally prefer 720p but there's not really much difference.

Satellite generally has the worst (i.e. most compressed) HD signals. Cable is generally a little better and over-the-air broadcasts are the best.

[Bob]

Originally Posted by joepole

480i is regular, standard definition TV. There is no 720i.

720p is the minimum to be called "HDTV" and most broadcasts are in 720p or 1080i. I personally prefer 720p but there's not really much difference.

Satellite generally has the worst (i.e. most compressed) HD signals. Cable is generally a little better and over-the-air broadcasts are the best.

I'm not real hip on all the different broadcast. Personally I don't see much difference between 720p and 1080i myself.. but I'll tell you what.. I don't see how it can get much better than some of the football games I've seen on DirecTV in Hi-Def, or any of the HD broadcasts I've seen. Just freakin' looks awesome.. just wish I had more HD channels.