Switched from Comcast to DirecTV

birdZdawg

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Jul 16, 2008
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I know these Comcast/DirecTV threads can to get as long as "live by the 3, die by the 3" and "Fire Stans", but I thought I would share. I ditched Comcast and had DirecTV (bundled with AT&T) installed this weekend.

So far, so good, except for one thing. I can get all of my locals in HD with an antenna that I installed several weeks ago in my attic. However, the HD/DVR receiver that the installer brought did not have a connection for the off-air antenna (he said that some do, and some don't). For $50, I ordered a box to connect to the antenna, then to the DirecTV receiver. That is supposed to integrate those Local HD channels into my DirecTV guide, DVR, etc... I guess we'll see if that works. If anyone has this, please let me know.

One good thing that I noticed right away, the installer set up my guide to "Hide SD Duplicates" and show only "Channels I Get" so there wouldn't be a bunch of stuff on the guide that I didn't need. I don't think I was able to do that with Comcast.
 

birdZdawg

New member
Jul 16, 2008
960
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I know these Comcast/DirecTV threads can to get as long as "live by the 3, die by the 3" and "Fire Stans", but I thought I would share. I ditched Comcast and had DirecTV (bundled with AT&T) installed this weekend.

So far, so good, except for one thing. I can get all of my locals in HD with an antenna that I installed several weeks ago in my attic. However, the HD/DVR receiver that the installer brought did not have a connection for the off-air antenna (he said that some do, and some don't). For $50, I ordered a box to connect to the antenna, then to the DirecTV receiver. That is supposed to integrate those Local HD channels into my DirecTV guide, DVR, etc... I guess we'll see if that works. If anyone has this, please let me know.

One good thing that I noticed right away, the installer set up my guide to "Hide SD Duplicates" and show only "Channels I Get" so there wouldn't be a bunch of stuff on the guide that I didn't need. I don't think I was able to do that with Comcast.
 

birdZdawg

New member
Jul 16, 2008
960
0
0
I know these Comcast/DirecTV threads can to get as long as "live by the 3, die by the 3" and "Fire Stans", but I thought I would share. I ditched Comcast and had DirecTV (bundled with AT&T) installed this weekend.

So far, so good, except for one thing. I can get all of my locals in HD with an antenna that I installed several weeks ago in my attic. However, the HD/DVR receiver that the installer brought did not have a connection for the off-air antenna (he said that some do, and some don't). For $50, I ordered a box to connect to the antenna, then to the DirecTV receiver. That is supposed to integrate those Local HD channels into my DirecTV guide, DVR, etc... I guess we'll see if that works. If anyone has this, please let me know.

One good thing that I noticed right away, the installer set up my guide to "Hide SD Duplicates" and show only "Channels I Get" so there wouldn't be a bunch of stuff on the guide that I didn't need. I don't think I was able to do that with Comcast.
 

birdZdawg

New member
Jul 16, 2008
960
0
0
I know these Comcast/DirecTV threads can to get as long as "live by the 3, die by the 3" and "Fire Stans", but I thought I would share. I ditched Comcast and had DirecTV (bundled with AT&T) installed this weekend.

So far, so good, except for one thing. I can get all of my locals in HD with an antenna that I installed several weeks ago in my attic. However, the HD/DVR receiver that the installer brought did not have a connection for the off-air antenna (he said that some do, and some don't). For $50, I ordered a box to connect to the antenna, then to the DirecTV receiver. That is supposed to integrate those Local HD channels into my DirecTV guide, DVR, etc... I guess we'll see if that works. If anyone has this, please let me know.

One good thing that I noticed right away, the installer set up my guide to "Hide SD Duplicates" and show only "Channels I Get" so there wouldn't be a bunch of stuff on the guide that I didn't need. I don't think I was able to do that with Comcast.
 

dawgstudent

Well-known member
Apr 15, 2003
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HD Locals - the only thing holding me back right now.

Just to make sure, you do have to switch sources to view the HD locals OTA?
 

cowbellpresident

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Oct 6, 2007
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Moving to Jackson in a few months....Where do you get internet from? AT&T DSL or do you have Cable? How much does the bundle cost per month?
 

Bdog9090

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Aug 11, 2008
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We have Comcast cable, internet and HBO. With 2 HD boxes and HD, I think we're paying about 120 a month.
 

lawdawg02

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Jan 23, 2007
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for the first six months. i think they also have an "economy internet" for $25 bucks or so.

we cancelled AT&T DSL a couple of weeks ago, and the deal they offered to keep us was ridiculous - $10 per month for DSL. catch was, we would've had to keep our phone line for an extra $25 bucks per month (which we cancelled). we're probably moving later this year, so i'll see who'll give me the best deal then.
 

birdZdawg

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Jul 16, 2008
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When that $50 box comes in and does what it's supposed to do, I won't have to do that.</p>
 

cowbellpresident

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Oct 6, 2007
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That is a good deal. So, do you have to be a cable TV customer to get that or can I get Direct TV and still get that deal from Comcast?
 

birdZdawg

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Jul 16, 2008
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so these other responses will probably help more, but I have Local and Long Distance, DSL (mid-grade), and DirecTV with 1HD DVR box, and 3 standard boxes for about $140 per month.
 

dudehead

Well-known member
Jul 9, 2006
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I got a flyer about that ($25/month deal) and had been considering switching for while from ATT DSL and was wondering if Comcast economy internet was still faster than ATT's highest "extreme whatever" internet.
 

Optimus Prime 4

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May 1, 2006
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I'm under the impression some dish companies do and some don't. That would suck, I watch the **** out of ondemand.
 

birdZdawg

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Jul 16, 2008
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That's gonna be my next step. There is an internet connection kit that's available. I don't use On Demand a whole lot, so I'm not too worried about it.
 

tupelotim

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Feb 4, 2008
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I have the $50 AM-21 box that you connect the antenna too. I'm in Tupelo and it works great. I get about 10 channels over the air. I also have the internet connected to my Direct box for on demand. There is not a lot of HD content on demand. Probably not worth the trouble for on demand unless you happen to have a the wireless stuff on hand.
 

lawdawg02

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Jan 23, 2007
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i just upgraded to digital cable (because it was the same price as the basic cable i had), and added the internet. but it wasn't a bundle or a customer price. i think i had a flyer about the deal. so, yes, i think you can get that without being a cable tv customer.
 

lawdawg02

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Jan 23, 2007
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i don't remember the speed of the economy internet, other than it is significantly slower than what i have.



"i can see your butt."</p>
 

Irondawg

Active member
Dec 2, 2007
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I've got the Comcast Preferred Digital + HBO/Starz + Sports Tier (for tennis channel), two DVRs and the internet and my bill runs me $190 which is insane to me. I've got to find a way to cut that back.
 

dawgstudent

Well-known member
Apr 15, 2003
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is when Jackson does get local HD, you will have that box you don't need. I am holding out for local HD.
 

birdZdawg

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Jul 16, 2008
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But I just can't watch the locals in low-def, plus I use the DVR a lot, so I don't mind spending the $50. Especially when there's no telling when locals in HD will finally be offered.
 

8dog

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Feb 23, 2008
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last month my new bundled bill was around $155...this month its $168.
 

dogfan96

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Jun 3, 2007
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I've got the Sports Tier too.. so I could get the Fox Regional Sports channels and NBA TV. You're right though it's weird how much discrepancy there is in pricing from one market to the next.
 

benatmsu

Active member
May 28, 2007
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Yeah, because I only get 12 b&w channels, have dial-up internet, and they gave me a rusty tin can with some string tied to it and I only pay $175/month. I think I got the special Madison County price.
 

weblow

Member
Mar 3, 2008
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but with what you have you will have to switch sources until you get the correct box.

That is my guess of what he is talking about, but I have been wrong a whole bunch.
 

Indndawg

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Nov 16, 2005
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If you really want to bring it in, order a Channel Master UHF antenna. www.solidsignal.com is a great source
 

birdZdawg

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Jul 16, 2008
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To answer your other question, I'm happy with the OTA antenna that I have. The only local that I don't get is PBS, which is broadcast north of my house, while the others are south.
 

lawdawg02

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Jan 23, 2007
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but not THAT much faster. call and tell AT&T that you're going to cancel. they made 3 offers lowering the price of DSL to try to keep me. we had the service for nearly 3 years, which may have had something to do with it, but i'm sure they'll come down to keep you.