Hi,

I am considering a switch from Comcast Cable to DirecTV in order to get more HD channels (I am on a very old Comcast system, where old Adelphia equipment and technical limitations are keeping them from offer much in the way of HD. Only about 15 channels or so, and not much hope for more in the foreseeable future).

Anyway, just a couple questions.

1. My biggest concern is PQ on HD. While I only have around 15 HD channels on Comcast, they are really REALLY clear. Very crisp and tight picture quality, with almost no pixelation. In reading threads here and at other forums, it seems that DirecTV's MPEG4 channels are performing well for most, but there are still some legacy MPEG2's in service? (ESPN, etc.). Anyway, to summarize this question ..... is DirecTV "knock your socks off" crisp and clear with its HD offerings?

2. Are there any issues with long cable runs? My dish will likely be pole mounted in my yard, resulting in runs of 100-125 feet to most of my rooms. Wasn't sure if this was a problem, or not.

3. And finally ... with installation .... do they bring the line into my house at the point where I currently distribute my Comcast feed? (i feed to 5 tv's from there). That would be nice, rather than running cables up along the house, drilling into walls, etc. Wasn't sure if that is the appoach that installers generally take or not.

Anyway .... any info or insight on those questions would be greatly appreciated.

Jeff

1. What you've read about the DirecTV PQ is fairly accurate. The MPEG2 channels will be gone soon, though. The D11 satellite is scheduled to go up this month and another one, D12, will follow towards the end of the year probably. Both of those will allow complete migration from MPEG2 to MPEG4 as well as more HD channels. I have a couple of pics of DirecTV HD in my sig.
2. Those long runs aren't a problem.
3. If you're just getting non-DVR receivers the installer could just hook it up to your current distribution box. Don't know if they will or not, but it should work if they can access each line at the box. If you're getting DVRs, each DVR needs 2 lines to get the most out of it. IOW, if you want to be able to watch one channel while recording another, or record two channels at once, you need two lines going to the DVR. The installer should run the lines for you if you want, but they won't fish them through walls or anything like that. They'll just run it along the wall outside and go through the wall.

Let me help with these questions
1. My Dtv PQ is better then dishes pic quality when i had it and way better then my cox cable.
2. If the cable from the dish to the back of receiver is longer than 120ft they will use an in line amp so the signal will not degrade.

3. Depending on your installer will depend on if he ties into your comcast but there not supposed to. They are supposed to run new cables and use a directv multi switch if they don't do that don't sign there paperwork it was not done correctly.

"3. Depending on your installer will depend on if he ties into your comcast but there not supposed to. They are supposed to run new cables and use a directv multi switch if they don't do that don't sign there paperwork it was not done correctly."

Huh? Why would it matter if they used existing wiring in the house if it's RG6 cabling?

"3. Depending on your installer will depend on if he ties into your comcast but there not supposed to. They are supposed to run new cables and use a directv multi switch if they don't do that don't sign there paperwork it was not done correctly."

Huh? Why would it matter if they used existing wiring in the house if it's RG6 cabling?
Because there is no assurance that the cable running within the walls doesn't have staples tacked through it or whatever other potential issues that come with an install that wasn't performed for the specific task.

That would mean that anytime the customer has wiring run on their own, the Directv installer shouldn't use it regardless if it was purpose run for Directv or not then. What's the point pre-wiring if that's supposed to be Directv's stance?

I guess my installer was bad for using my pre-existing wiring then, ohh well.

That would mean that anytime the customer has wiring run on their own, the Directv installer shouldn't use it regardless if it was purpose run for Directv or not then. What's the point pre-wiring if that's supposed to be Directv's stance?

I guess my installer was bad for using my pre-existing wiring then, ohh well.

I certainly hope they plan on using the existing wiring. It's all RG6, and it all originates at one distribution point in my house. They are all direct lines to the various rooms (no splitters). I sure don't want a bunch of wires running all over the outside of my house in order to get to the 5 separate rooms. I HAVE to think a reasonable installer will use the existing wiring.

Jeff