I need some recommendations. I have had direct tv for the past three years and have used a Tivo DVR, however this weekend I went out and bought an HD television and so now it is time to upgrade.

I know if I stay with Direct TV I have to purchase their new HD DVR box when I think is $299 or I can go with FIOS which just came to my area and go with their HD DVR.

Direct TV is telling people they are going to have at least 150 channels of HD in the future. From what I understand DirectTV's DVR and FIOS DVR both won't work as well as the TIVO brand DVR I have been using. I love to pause one show, go back to the other and switch, etc. so I don't have to watch commercials. From what I have read FIOS won't let you do that.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I am currently scheduled to have FIOS television installed this Friday but am thinking about buying the DirectTV box and staying with them. HELP

I need some recommendations. I have had direct tv for the past three years and have used a Tivo DVR, however this weekend I went out and bought an HD television and so now it is time to upgrade.

I know if I stay with Direct TV I have to purchase their new HD DVR box when I think is $299 or I can go with FIOS which just came to my area and go with their HD DVR.

Direct TV is telling people they are going to have at least 150 channels of HD in the future. From what I understand DirectTV's DVR and FIOS DVR both won't work as well as the TIVO brand DVR I have been using. I love to pause one show, go back to the other and switch, etc. so I don't have to watch commercials. From what I have read FIOS won't let you do that.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I am currently scheduled to have FIOS television installed this Friday but am thinking about buying the DirectTV box and staying with them. HELP

currently you can't go back and forth between channels with D*'s DVR. It may be upgraded in the future to include it, but who knows?

FIOS PQ is better than D*, but D* is gonna have a lot more channels soon enough.

What is FIOS' committment length? If your committment is up with D* and FIOS has a short committment, then I'd go that route and go back to D* when the new channels arrive. As a new customer, your more likely to get a deal on that HD DVR from d*.

The only thing about Direct TV's advertisement of more channels has to make me believe that FIOS and the others will follow. So as some of these channels began making their programming in HD that they will do it not only for Direct TV but also for FIOS.

I mean if the Food Network for example goes HD, wouldn't you expect FIOS to offer it as well as Direct TV. Everything is going the direction of HD.

I have no idea how long my commitment is, I want to say one year.

The only thing about Direct TV's advertisement of more channels has to make me believe that FIOS and the others will follow. So as some of these channels began making their programming in HD that they will do it not only for Direct TV but also for FIOS.

I mean if the Food Network for example goes HD, wouldn't you expect FIOS to offer it as well as Direct TV. Everything is going the direction of HD.

I have no idea how long my commitment is, I want to say one year.

FYI food network is in HD... I have it on dish.

I mean if the Food Network for example goes HD, wouldn't you expect FIOS to offer it as well as Direct TV. Everything is going the direction of HD.

As long as they have the capacity, I'd expect they'd make it available. I'm not sure if FIOS has the capacity for all those channels or not.

Well I am just using that as an example, don't you thing everyone that is striving for more customers will continue to add HD channels. That is my point. I don't see it being December and Direct TV has say 80 HD channels and the other still have 10-15 do you?

Well I am just using that as an example, don't you thing everyone that is striving for more customers will continue to add HD channels. That is my point. I don't see it being December and Direct TV has say 80 HD channels and the other still have 10-15 do you?

Directs promise not only includes local HD channels in this list but also HD channels that are not and may not be available. I wouldn't hold my breath for direct. You can always switch from FIOS anyways.

FiOS has many times the [national] high-definition channel capacity -- even at full ATSC bitrates -- of DirecTV with its new satellites.

As suggested above, FiOS offers significantly better quality on its channels. As for which channels each provider adds first, only time will tell. But if you don't see a channel on FiOS, it will be due to contractual issues, not capacity issues.

Thanks guys,

I guess I am just a little nervous leaving what I know (Direct TV) and what I have liked even though it was just SD television and going to something I know nothing about FIOS.

I take it from what I read that I shouldn't be too worried about the switch to FIOS.

FIOS PQ is better than D*....HD, yes. But SD was actually worse than D*, from a review I recently read in in a current HT mag.

(If that actually matters any to the OP.)

Should be addressed in a local topic.

What does that mean? I am new to the board, why has it been moved?

As long as they have the capacity, I'd expect they'd make it available. I'm not sure if FIOS has the capacity for all those channels or not.


LOL.....they have the MOST capacity!!!!!! That's why cable companies are fretting...they can't compete with the bandwidth Verizon can handle with FIOS.

LOL.....they have the MOST capacity!!!!!! That's why cable companies are fretting...they can't compete with the bandwidth Verizon can handle with FIOS.

Verizon has alot of capacity but how they use it is another issue. Some of D*'s HD agreements have exclusivity for a period of time, so it's likely they will lead all of the other providers in the number of HD channels. How big that lead is would be anyone's guess.

HD, yes. But SD was actually worse than D*, from a review I recently read in in a current HT mag.

(If that actually matters any to the OP.)


When did BSwammi compare D* to FIOS?

There is no way D* with their 480x480 SD-LITE will look better than FIOS

What does that mean? I am new to the board, why has it been moved?

It was moved because comparing services is more of a local issue since most vary by area.

Check the Thread Index at the top of the forum, and you'll find the discussion thread for your area. Your location isn't listed (although I would guess Dallas), or I would combine this thread with your local area thread.

You can continue discussion there.