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Digital Direct TV vs HD via Cable

Will be getting an LCD TV. I have cable with the option to receive HD television with the purchase of their cable box and a fee per month. I may also be able to (they have to send someone to evalutate) get Direct Digital TV. Which one should I go with? Pros and cons? I'd appreciate the feedback. peace, warren
warrenh
theaudiotweak
2,805 posts
 
Hey Warren ..I had both cable and sat at the same time.. and now I have only one. And its not cable..Tom
edesilva
768 posts
 
Hey Tom, I had both at the same time too, and now I have only one. And its not DirecTV. It all depends on your signal quality--I had SAT A, B, and C in the high 80s to high 90s and I still get better PQ from Comcast. YMMV.

OTA is free, and that is a *good* thing, in the words of a notable convict. If you bought your set now, it probably doesn't have an OTA tuner--buying one will set you back a couple hundred on an open box special. I'll second UncleJeff's recommendation of antennaweb.org. It will tell you who is on air in your area and what kind of antenna you need to pick them up.
warrenh's avatar
warrenh OP
2,299 posts
 
This weather thing related to Direct TV is going to be the deal nixer. Snow on dish? Heavey rain? This is a drag, and seeing that the dish may have to go on top of my roof: not a good thing. Not a big TV watcher, but do like to watch DVDs. No problem with reception, there. Thanks for your feedback guys. I'm staying with my cable service and their HDTV package. If the HD picture (unlikely -neighborhood friends love it) ) does not deliver, I'll check into the Direct TV package.
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warrenh OP
2,299 posts
 
Just finished my usual 5 mile run. This time, I ran through my town looking for dishes. LOTS! This, is a good thing. My neighborhood is really quite unique, being on the ocean and surrounded on the other sides by water, as well. Only one way in and out of town. If there's a lot of dishes that must mean something. I'll knock on a few doors and see. Many, have the dish near the top of their chimney. Snow melt? That's, a good thing. Got some homework to do. thanks again, warren
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
If comparing satelite networks, (Direct TV vs Dish Network) check into the dish angles for your locality. Where I live, Direct TV has an elevation angle of 30 degrees, whereas the Dish Network needs 11 degrees. (I don't know why they are different, since all the satelites are in synchronous 22,000 mile orbits). Anyway, 30 degrees makes it a lot easier to see over trees and other obstructions.
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