Topic '[Satellite] A couple of questions for the folks here' in forum 'Cable & Satellite TV' - dslreports.com

Re: [Satellite] A couple of questions for the folks here

Tue, 17 May 2011 19:20:47 EDT

davidhoffman posted : My friends just put up with the freezes as they usually last only a total of about 3 minutes per hour when storms are approaching. One of them just got a 55inch Vizio HDTV to replace an old 46 inch RCA RPTV. They used to try to watch DirecTV movies on that old thing from 10 feet away using boxed 4:3 ratio. They upgraded to DirecTV HD when they got the Vizio 5 months ago and say putting up with the few freezes is worth the great HD picture. The biggest freeze they had was for a few minutes about 2 months ago during the afternoon when some monster hail producing storm was forecast and came within 5 miles. The individual freezes usually last only a few seconds each time. The interesting thing is that the women in the homes who love that vampire stuff rarely have a problem watching or DVRing the HD version of what they want to watch. It usually only seems to hit when the guys want to watch something in HD.

Re: [Satellite] A couple of questions for the folks here

Tue, 17 May 2011 08:52:32 EDT

westdc posted : All your friends need to do when finding a weather issue for HD channels is go into menu -setup-Display and change the channel guide setting to show all channels-Then when a signal issue is on say the weather Hd Channel 362 Then all they need to is select the Standard Def weather channel 362 and the service is restored.

The Mpeg4 KA band signals are Narrow and can be blocked by heavy rain or a Direct Storm overhead. Changing to the SD version channel will prove useful.

Re: [Satellite] A couple of questions for the folks here

Tue, 17 May 2011 08:29:10 EDT

CylonRed posted : You are making massive assumptions based on you and your habits. Don't project you, on everyone else and just accept people are different.
--
Brian

"It drops into your stomach like a Abrams's tank.... driven by Rosanne Barr..." A. Bourdain

Re: [Satellite] A couple of questions for the folks here

Tue, 17 May 2011 01:05:34 EDT

davidhoffman posted : Yes, the before the storm comes, the HD goes out weirdness occurs here in Georgia too. Massive downpour right on the antenna for 30 minutes with no HD signal problems at my friends houses. Prior to the rain, the HD signal will freeze occasionally during a 20 minute time frame. I cannot install satellite TV due to massive building blocking satellite signals, but enjoy both Dish and DirecTV at my friends houses. Good luck with your viewing.

Re: [Satellite] A couple of questions for the folks here

Tue, 17 May 2011 00:21:47 EDT

Hayward posted : Its done just sort of unbelieveable that a third of someones time is worth nothing.

And before to long I will finally go HD... and while I will likely become ungradfathered as rec owner... and have a $6/mo charge that is still $4 less than pay HD was.... glad they got over that BS.... it in there interest to get everyone off SD (duplication) and onto HD even if down converted, maybe higher receiver cost but no longer dual hardware lines, and the waste of duplicate limited bandwidth.
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»haywardm.com (Hayward's Key West)

Re: [Satellite] A couple of questions for the folks here

Mon, 16 May 2011 09:11:14 EDT

CylonRed posted : It is a benefit for you - not everyone shares your needs. Accept it and move on.

Re: [Satellite] A couple of questions for the folks here

Mon, 16 May 2011 01:43:05 EDT

Hayward posted : Nor wasn't I arguing, just disbelief for the small cost and many benefits, and saving a 1/3 or your viewing/life time investment for commercial stuff.

Well worth it IMHO, and as said why grandfathered, haven't gone HD yet. But now that most everything is vs little, and the HD is free (on DISH) now vs $10/mo probably will and get hit with the DVR though when I do, but $4 less that the $10 HD used to be, and again the benefits of complete viewing control and time saved... well worth it.
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»haywardm.com (Hayward's Key West)

Re: [Satellite] A couple of questions for the folks here

Sun, 15 May 2011 10:37:08 EDT

CylonRed posted :

quote:
Yet you do.

Actually he is explaining - you are arguing and insisting he does not know how things work when he plainly does.
--
Brian

"It drops into your stomach like a Abrams's tank.... driven by Rosanne Barr..." A. Bourdain

Re: [Satellite] A couple of questions for the folks here

Sun, 15 May 2011 03:19:27 EDT

Hayward posted :

said by BillRoland:

I realize you are a big fan of DVR service. I'm not. I don't see any reason to argue about it.

Yet you do.

And one reason I have not upgraded to HD yet.

I am grandfathered as a once receiver owner, though forced to tech change replace it, but at no cost and still pay no receiver or DVR fee.... likely that would change if I went HD... still sooner or later I will, now that most vs little is, and the HD is free vs $10/mo.
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»haywardm.com (Hayward's Key West)

Re: [Satellite] A couple of questions for the folks here

Sun, 15 May 2011 02:29:26 EDT

BillRoland posted : Well, I had my first experience with "rain fade" tonight. Had a line of strong storms moving in from the southwest, lost HD for about 2 minutes, but the standard def channels never dropped out. As others stated, the HD dropped out a few minutes before the downpour started, and came back pretty quick (actually came back during the deluge).

All in all, my last satellite fear has been conquered. I'd say I'm 100% satisfied with my decision to move and would recommend it to anyone.
--
"Don't steal. The government hates competition."
Beyond AM. Beyond FM. XM

Re: [Satellite] A couple of questions for the folks here

Sun, 15 May 2011 02:18:15 EDT

BillRoland posted :

said by Hayward:

Where they have the huge and multi local bandwidth to do it satellite does not serving the entire country from one source.... just one of the trade offs that are on both sides.

A little BASIC research should have shown you that before switching.

And interesting too that 1/3 of your time is worth nothing to you.

Hayward , I understand the basic concepts behind a CATV broadcast system and a DBS system and how they work, and that each have advantages over the other. I have also stated multiple times I understand WHY DirecTV does On Demand the way they do, ie, over the internet, and thus requiring a hard drive in the receiver device to make it work.

I don't appreciate the insinuation that I did no research before switching, as my post here asking for information demonstrates I did more than just pickup the phone and order blind. I was aware that DirecTV's On Demand worked over the internet as opposed the satellites, I was also aware I wasn't going to spend $7 a month for DVR service just so I could access it. All I have stated is my opinion that I think its unfortunate one is required to pay for a service you won't use in order to access the On Demand content. That's my opinion, its neither wrong nor right. I realize you are a big fan of DVR service. I'm not. I don't see any reason to argue about it.
--
"Don't steal. The government hates competition."
Beyond AM. Beyond FM. XM

Re: [Satellite] A couple of questions for the folks here

Sat, 14 May 2011 04:05:58 EDT

Hayward posted :

said by BillRoland:

I was more surprised than anything else, its one of the few things that came standard with cable that I wasn't charged for.

Re: [Satellite] A couple of questions for the folks here

Sat, 14 May 2011 03:33:23 EDT

BillRoland posted : I'm actually familiar with what a DVR is and how it works. I'm also familiar with the useful functions they can perform. Its just not worth paying $7 a month to pause the TV or skip the commercials for me. I know millions of people use them and love them. I just don't have a need for it and can't justify paying $7 a month for it. I would have preferred being able to use their On Demand function without paying for DVR service which I know I will never use.

Its a nit picking type thing, its not something I am going to cancel over. I was more surprised than anything else, its one of the few things that came standard with cable that I wasn't charged for.
--
"Don't steal. The government hates competition."
Beyond AM. Beyond FM. XM

Re: [Satellite] A couple of questions for the folks here

Sat, 14 May 2011 02:36:16 EDT

Hayward posted :

said by BillRoland:

My only complaint, if I was forced to name one, is that you can't use their On Demand service without DVR service as well. The part I don't like is that, I simply have no need for DVR service, and apparently I would have to pay for it. There's nothing on in the daytime when I'm at work that I want to see later

You really don't understand what DVR's are do you??? They aren't just digital versions of old tape VCR's

Never see an ad again in your life, unless because nothing stored you have to watch something live. I really haven't in 12 years now except the few clever enough to catch my eye even scanning and watch once.

Pause at any time (even live) to take a potty or kitchen break.

The list is endless of pro's

For instance is ad loaded sports these day record it, then 30 min in start watching.... again other than skip time never see an ad and they don't do a replay you wanted to see DIY, even frame by frame if you wish.
And likely you will still get to the end of the game at the same time as everyone else but without the irritations... or forced only when they want 2-3 min breaks when you do have to pee or refresh the drink, but saving a half hour or more of your time too.

Personally I NEVER watch anything live if something new on DVR... I will let it record and watch stored stuff. Again your typical commercial hour show done in 42 min or half hour in about 21 min.
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»haywardm.com (Hayward's Key West)

Re: [Satellite] A couple of questions for the folks here

Fri, 13 May 2011 17:23:44 EDT

BillRoland posted : My only complaint, if I was forced to name one, is that you can't use their On Demand service without DVR service as well. I understand WHY the DVR is required, since it essentially downloads the content off the internet and needs a hard drive to store it. The part I don't like is that, I simply have no need for DVR service, and apparently I would have to pay for it. There's nothing on in the daytime when I'm at work that I want to see later, and I watch what I want to watch at night when I'm home. I would think they could create a piece of equipment that knew the difference between DVR'ing something off the satellite tuner vs downloaded On Demand content so you don't have to subscribe to DVR service if you don't use it, but apparently not.

Oh well. Its minor. Still very pleased, still trying to figure out where everything is now :p
--
"Don't steal. The government hates competition."
Beyond AM. Beyond FM. XM

Re: [Satellite] A couple of questions for the folks here

Fri, 13 May 2011 16:18:05 EDT

lilhurricane posted : Just remember..if they gave you any promos, to call when they are about to expire..or they will continue to bill you.

I tried to call early as per some things I've heard
(My install was a lil over a month ago, and promos don't expire till June) but they wouldn't cancel promos till June 2nd.

So now it's on my calendar to remind me :)

..and enjoy, Bill - I know I am!
--
~Safe Hex~ Team Discovery ~ Project Hope ~ Like A Hurricane~

Re: [Satellite] A couple of questions for the folks here

Fri, 13 May 2011 15:58:30 EDT

SauceMaster posted :

said by BillRoland:

I had DirecTV installed this morning. Installer was on time and did a good job, I'm getting between 95-100 on the signal levels. The picture is far and a way better than anything I ever got on cable, the HD looks 100 times better. So far, very pleased with the switch.

Thanks to all who answered here, it was very helpful and much appreciated!

I had mine Installed May 9th and everything went great also. Installer was on time and explained what he was going to do. He did a pole mount and did a awesome job. I of course asked him before he did it if it was extra and he said no they don't charge for pole mounts anymore.

My signal levels are between 95-100 also. HD defintely looks much better than Comcast ever did IMHO. Even my GF noticed how much more it was clear and she said the colors popped nicer also.

Overall I'm very pleased with Direct TV

Re: [Satellite] A couple of questions for the folks here

Thu, 12 May 2011 04:33:07 EDT

Hayward posted :

said by BillRoland:

I had DirecTV installed this morning. Installer was on time and did a good job, I'm getting between 95-100 on the signal levels.

With that signal level you should have very few rain problems. Way down here we are much more on the edge of the CONUS footprint and lucky to get better than about 85 max. except for the So FL locals spot beam.
Fortunately we also get a lot less and shorter (rarely even 20 min) rain than you do up there.
Though can be VERY intense for those few min.
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»haywardm.com (Hayward's Key West)

Re: [Satellite] A couple of questions for the folks here

Wed, 11 May 2011 15:22:04 EDT

BillRoland posted : I had DirecTV installed this morning. Installer was on time and did a good job, I'm getting between 95-100 on the signal levels. The picture is far and a way better than anything I ever got on cable, the HD looks 100 times better. So far, very pleased with the switch.

Thanks to all who answered here, it was very helpful and much appreciated!
--
"Don't steal. The government hates competition."
Beyond AM. Beyond FM. XM

Re: [Satellite] A couple of questions for the folks here

Mon, 09 May 2011 20:13:01 EDT

ArgMeMatey posted :

said by BillRoland:

I'm not going to let them mount a dish to my roof, though, heard too many "it leaks" stories.

My parents live just south of Ocala. I haven't seen anything in their neighborhood mounted on the roof. Theirs and their neighbors' are mounted on the garage wall. They have Dish and no complaints for three years or so.

Re: [Satellite] A couple of questions for the folks here

Mon, 09 May 2011 02:08:40 EDT

Hayward posted :

said by BillRoland:

Thanks, Hayward .
The one complaint I have NOT had about cable is the reliability, it has been very reliable here (more so than the telco's phone service, in fact). But they overcompress the TV (standard def is painful and HD looks good as long as nothing moves

And sadly if SD still your interest satellite is failing there to.... I have noticed especially minor channels getting pretty poor quality probably trying to get people to move to HD (and making space for it) and now a large numbers with HD capable TV's.

And it is getting to the point of both Sat cos giving free HD for life to new subs but not necessarily to existing ones or decent deals on the equipment upgrades.

Both at this point should be virtually free to convert for all just to do away with the SD duplication waste of bandwidth.

For those with SD only capable sets the HD receivers will/and have down convert outputs.

They really need to get over this hump and open up a lot of bandwidth waste as well as the dual hardware cost and just bite the bullet...and just all HD do it.

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»haywardm.com (Hayward's Key West)

Re: [Satellite] A couple of questions for the folks here

Sun, 08 May 2011 20:33:06 EDT

BillRoland posted : Thanks, Hayward . I've pretty much made up my mind to give satellite TV a try, now I'm weighing the pros and cons of DirecTV and Dish. I am leaning toward DirecTV at the moment.

The one complaint I have NOT had about cable is the reliability, it has been very reliable here (more so than the telco's phone service, in fact). But they overcompress the TV (standard def is painful and HD looks good as long as nothing moves, if there is movement it is just a macro-blocking blur. And they overcharge for it, too. I must not be alone in being fed up, since the last increase last month, I have seen 4 new satellite installs on my street alone, all DTV.

I'm not going to let them mount a dish to my roof, though, heard too many "it leaks" stories.

Thanks again!
--
"Don't steal. The government hates competition."
Beyond AM. Beyond FM. XM

Re: [Satellite] A couple of questions for the folks here

Fri, 06 May 2011 02:33:32 EDT

Hayward posted :

said by BillRoland:

I'm a lifelong cable guy, but the latest round of rate increases has me looking for a new deal.

1. I live in north Central Florida. In the summer months we have rain/thunderstorms on a nearly daily basis. I have heard of rain fade, and depending on who you ask, it is either a huge problem or it doesn't exist.

Well I am about the most extreme case in the US being southernmost point in the US.

Yes dish points much higher than it looks as the LNA/B is off center.

Yes an intense storm will disrupt for a few min but in FL that is mostly late afternoon stuff, so unless a soap/Oprah/Dr Phil fan probably no big deal. And most stuff cable is repeated 3-4 hours later for west coast if you really want to see what you missed.

I have never found it an issue, and as many bars and hotels here have dumped cable for DTV or DISH I amaze non sat people by looking out the window and telling them (depending the direction move of the weather) sat will be out or back in 4 min.... and be very accurate almost to a count down I've even won a drink or two on ;)
And if its coming from the west, the bets is sat will be back and we will be torrentially poured on when maybe not even drops yet.

Again very brief and rather rare. And down here though looking more straight up are on the edge of the footprint by 400 miles or so so probably less issue up there.

And I have had in hurricanes had it outlast cable to fail (often thinner than huge thunderheads). And of course if not blown of the roof (not yet in 12 yrs, 5 hurricanes and numerous TS) back as soon as you can power it after by whatever means. Several times its been weeks before cable's act was together again.
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»haywardm.com (Hayward's Key West)

Re: [Satellite] A couple of questions for the folks here

Thu, 05 May 2011 02:48:24 EDT

BillRoland posted : Thanks all for the info posted thus far, it has been very helpful to hear from "real world" experience. Please, if anyone else has any info to add, keep it coming. Thanks!
--
"Don't steal. The government hates competition."
Beyond AM. Beyond FM. XM

Re: [Satellite] A couple of questions for the folks here

Wed, 04 May 2011 22:38:42 EDT

Hall posted : The amount of cable they use isn't an issue or I've never heard of it being one. If your dish needs to be mounted a long way away from your house, then the installer might start measuring...

And if DirecTV installers are like Dish, they won't touch your cabling or use it. Reason is, if a month later there's an issue and the next tech determines your cabling needs replaced, the first installer gets "dinged" for a botched install.

Re: [Satellite] A couple of questions for the folks here

Wed, 04 May 2011 21:40:20 EDT

SauceMaster posted : My question is if anyone can answer. I like the Direct Tv Deal , but I'm wondering how much wiring is included in the install. I have 3 tvs to do , but it shouldn't be more than 100 ft to make all 3 runs to one central area.

So am I looking at Extra $$ ? If I offered to run the cable for him/her would you think that would be good ? or should I just buy my own RG6 cable and run it myself before the install ? Problem I have with running my own cable is I have no clue where the dish will be installed.

I'm just tired of paying Comcast $148.00 a month for TV. Phone and Internet. That's for Digital starter HD , DVR , Phone and 12/2 Internet. I just feel that's outrageous , cause we don't even need the phone. We called Comcast and they didn't offer us anything worth while to stay.

Re: [Satellite] A couple of questions for the folks here

Wed, 04 May 2011 21:35:57 EDT

sven_kirk3 posted : For #1, if you have a good install, you will rarely have any rain fade. In my 8+ years with DTV, I have lost about 4-5 hours of tv due to clouds/rain.

With #2, the tech will survey the site before anything. If there is no good signal, he will cancel the order.

On #4, one is you are on the hook for two years, either company. Two is that 'free install' is just the basics. Wall fish, posts, and other stuff is extra. Get a installer to quote you a price for what you want.

Re: [Satellite] A couple of questions for the folks here

Wed, 04 May 2011 16:26:54 EDT

lilhurricane posted : Come aboard Bill :)

This was me not too long ago..
»[DIRECTV] Made the switch from CC

...and I'm loving the switch..in price, in quality..and in selection

Other than a full fledged FPL outage..you should be good

Re: [Satellite] A couple of questions for the folks here

Wed, 04 May 2011 16:24:10 EDT

Hall posted : On # 2, Brian beat me to it. The dish "looks" a lot higher than it appears. People think it's in-line with the 'arm' but it's not. Plus, being further and further south, it points even higher (vs for people farther north).

Also, don't worry about where it aims. When the installer shows up, he/she will make the determination and if it really won't work, you're out nothing (except being stuck with cable :D). You're not "signed up" or under contract until it works.

Back to # 1, there's always two sides, of course, but we've had "ice storms" that knocked down cable lines and it can be days or longer than a week before getting repaired. There's no lines to worry about with satellite... :) If the power goes out, of course, neither will be any good !

Re: [Satellite] A couple of questions for the folks here

Wed, 04 May 2011 15:55:51 EDT

CylonRed posted : 1) We have bad t-storms in Ohio - we know about 1-2 minutes before all hell is about to break loose as we lose the sat signal. It does have to be a pretty bad storm and when it lightens up - we get the signal back. Regular rain - no fade but the bad ones will likely cause issues.

2) »www.sadoun.com/Sat/Installation/···Tips.htm - the signal will come from higher than the dish points. The closer to the equator, the higher it will come in from, I believe.

4) Schedule with Dish or DirecTv - do not go with a local reseller that has ads in the junk mail flyers.
--
Brian

"It drops into your stomach like a Abrams's tank.... driven by Rosanne Barr..." A. Bourdain

[Satellite] A couple of questions for the folks here

Wed, 04 May 2011 15:45:38 EDT

BillRoland posted : I'm a lifelong cable guy, but the latest round of rate increases has me looking for a new deal. I have a couple of questions, hopefully I can get your opinions on, thanks in advance.

1. I live in north Central Florida. In the summer months we have rain/thunderstorms on a nearly daily basis. I have heard of rain fade, and depending on who you ask, it is either a huge problem or it doesn't exist. My cable doesn't go out at all during weather events (can't remember the last time it was out). Can anyone who lives in a similar environment where they get a lot of thunderstorms comment on whether or not rain fade is a constant issue?

2. Is there a way to determine where the dish would need to be aimed? The entire southern end of my property is lined with oak trees, I have seen some DTV dishes pointed to the south, but they are aimed high (between 60-80 degrees I'd estimate).

3. I know this is a subjective question, but who has the better picture quality, DTV or Dish? I'm generally ok with the PQ Cox delivers, but its not stellar and a lot of the less viewed channels are super compressed. I have been told satellite providers provide better PQ than cable, generally.

4. Any "gotchas's" a satellite newbie such as myself should know about before taking the plunge?

Thanks in advance.
--
"Don't steal. The government hates competition."
Beyond AM. Beyond FM. XM