The Bucknuts Hot Spot

I've been a DirecTV customer for over 10 years. In my area, the picture is much sharper than what I got with cable. The BTN is part of the base package.

Only you can compare the differences between satellite and what YOUR cable provider offers. All I can say is I have no plans on going back to cable. Features like whole house DVR, On Demand programming, etc. are features you have to determine if they are of benefit to you or not.

I have Directv and it is way better than cable, but that could be a product of Directv's offerings and not a specific advantage of satellite in general. Directv just has any sports channel you would want as part of their standard service. Time Warner doen't have NFL Network and always seems to be in a contract dispute with one network or another, and Insight offers most/all sports channels but charges extra for alot of them like NFL Network, ESPN News, the old VS. network (now NBC Sports Channel).

Also DTV offers NFL Sunday ticket if you are willing to dish out the money for it.

I think they have more HD channels than anyone too.

I would suggest DIrectv to anyone over cable, especially if you are a sports lover.

I switched from cable to directv two years ago and was completely happy with it. Unfortunately I recently moved to a townhouse complex that does not allow the satellites so I am back to my local cable company. I hate it. If your cable company is as bad as mine (charter) you will not regret the switch.

I love my dish tv and its programing. I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the one downfall of satelite which is occaissionally bad weather will block the signal. It usually happens with a significant rainfall or snowfall. I think I've lost signal due to weather twice in the last year. You lose the signal for a anywhere from a few minutes to a half hour. When the weather passes the signal comes back.

I have had Direct TV in 2 different states (Nebraska & Utah so weather nor wind is an issue), in both single family and townhome... I am amazed that cable companies still exist..Stunning quality, picture clarity, and customer service..Don't even look back, do it now.

I've had all of the above. Satellite programming is better than cable IMO. But it depends on how you prioritize. I prioritize internet because I work from home. Comcast high spped internet DESTROYS any other option out there right now. There is no DSL that can compete. Its not even close.

If internet is not that important, then sattelite could be the way to go.

Switched from Cable to DirecTV over a year ago. Mixed feelings on it. The thing I hated was that I couldn't really do any other internet but AT&T, and I hate AT&T. But that's not DirecTV's fault.

What IS DirecTV's fault is that they piss me off because they can never bill me the same amount every month. There's always phantom garbage on there, that they think they can just sneak in since they have my CC on file. I mean it's seriously once every 2-3 months I'm calling up and arguing about something. They always apologize, but they're only sorry that they got caught. So definitely be careful about that. Also, they are sharks when it comes to their contract. I haven't tried to get out of it or anything, but I've read that they will absolutely try to lay the wood to you if you do. So my suggestion: if you plan to ever cancel your DirecTV (or other satellite), make sure you CANCEL YOUR CREDIT CARD FIRST, and then notify them. Otherwise, you'll find charges for hundreds and hundreds of dollars on top of the $20/mo. buyout clause. And also - the obvious - Weather. It's funny about weather. Sometimes it'll be a thunderstorm and it's fine. And then Super Bowl Sunday rolls around and there's an overcast sky with a slight drizzle here or there and i've got NOTHING. And of course, there was nothing they could do about it cause they were inundated with complaints that day. I usually just watch one of my recorded shows until it clears up.. but sometimes, you really want to watch something and can't. It's probably only been a real problem maybe 5 or 6 times in 1.5 years but it can definitely happen.

Now, I'm not totally unsatisfied with DirecTV, but they oversold what the DirecTV Cinema was. It was great at first while they give you the free trial of all the premium movie channels. What they DON'T tell you, is that is where all these "Free Movies" are pulled from. Once you don't have all of those premium movie channels, you can basically kiss any decent free movie goodbye. The picture quality is very good. Is it so much better than cable? I don't know.. maybe splitting hairs.. but depends on your current provider also. It is pretty user friendly, and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE the Direct-TV phone app. If I ever forget about something on the go... i pull out my iPhone and I can record something on my TV from ANYWHERE. That is a great value-add and literally, I'd like to switch back to cable to save money by bundling tv/internet but I haven't done it because I know how much I'll miss this app. So I highly recommend it. Their customer service is pretty good, usually reasonable. Everytime I find a billing error I get a credit. Although, if there's ever a problem with your equipment.. they'll send someone out.. but you have to pay for the service call... even though it has nothing to do with anything you did.

All in all - it's a nice TV service, you probably get a little more for the money.. especially in year 1 of the contract. Just be very careful with how you deal with them, and don't EVER EVER EVER give them direct access to your bank account.

I'm a long time DirecTV user......17 years. In my state (AZ) my cable company doesn't have the BTN so it's a no brainer. It's funny when my neighbors call and ask if my TV is out (they have cable) and I tell them that my satellite is working fine. More and more are switching to DirecTV.

I am not trying to be to harsh on other companies but Direct Tv hands down not even close...As long as you want sports.

Best Customer Service - will do anything to make you happy! :)
Most Sports Channels
Most HD Channels

Its not even close..I have had them for 10 years and I wont move to a place I can't have Direct TV

Cheers!

Have had DirecTV for approx. 8 years and wouldn't go back to cable. What you say is true, recently had to have my dish realigned because I'd lose my picture during any rainstorm. Much better now, but I have also had to get on a ladder in winter to knock the icicles off during a freezing rain situation. Still worth the trouble, though.

Thanks everyone for the lowdown, I really appreciate hearing from many posters who are unfamiliar to me.
It sounds like many have a preference for Direct TV over a particular cable tv company because of specific service or programming issues. But all in all, despite the occasional weather problems, most are not willing to give up their satellite service.
WhiteGoodman, thanks for the rundown, you gave me much to consider.
Living in Northwest Ohio means that I can expect my share of weather related interruptions but I am not happy with my Cable service (BuckeyeCable) and I am spending a small fortune to get all of the programming me and family want and for alot of channels that I have not watched in the 20 years I have had the service.
I will explore a little more but I am pretty sure that I will make the switch soon and watch for the problems many of you have pointed out. Thanks again, everyone, I really do appreciate your input. Go Bucks!!