Sorry for yet another thread on this but coming from always having cable and looking towards the future - we're just not clear on which way to go any more when starting from scratch (due to relocation). Cable provider on the other side is Suddenlink FWIW. Also there is a very strong possibility this move will be for one year only - then another move following.
Needs -
HDTV on whatever/as many channels as it's available.
HD-DVR - currently use TiVo2, but would like to drop them going up to HD
ISP - has to be very high speed (likely only available through cable company - from what I've read satellite is really poor performing comparatively)
CHANNELS - NO premium channels - but all of the secondary ones like - Golf, E, TNT, FOX, ABC Family, TBS, SYFY, ESPN (basic), TBS etc. Don't want/care about Music Channels.
PHONE - NO! Some satellites seem to offer this - DO NOT WANT IT.
There are lots of promos, and fine print associated with Dish/DirectTV - so one question first - if we move in a year and have a 2 year deal - can I move it with us? I assume yes - but then the question of how complicated is the installation/moving? My guess is that everything is wireless and a move would be completely transparent inside the house - but climbing up on a roof and moving a dish off of one house and on to another might be a challenge not worth paying out for....yes the first install is free - but not the move or reinstall.
I've read that satellite companies nickel and dime you to death with hidden monthly rental charges for each set top box you want "extra". True?
I've read comments saying that some satellite companies only give you "HD Lite" - whatever that means???
Also with a satellite you may not get local channels at all (in some markets).
Satellite shopping is a bit foreign to us - so any additional input - particularly hidden caveats and negatives - per company - or in general - would be helpful. Going with cable is the easy thing to do - but if we can get the HD-DVR, better IQ and lower monthly and long term costs then it's worth considering changing to one of the other options.
Speaking of which - the 3 options we know of are Suddenlink, Dish, and DirectTV - if there are any others with better offerings, please do tell!
(Other media center/network items we use - Roku, AppleTV1 w/XBMC, SD Homerun, EyeTV3)
Thanks!
Needs -
HDTV on whatever/as many channels as it's available.
HD-DVR - currently use TiVo2, but would like to drop them going up to HD
ISP - has to be very high speed (likely only available through cable company - from what I've read satellite is really poor performing comparatively)
CHANNELS - NO premium channels - but all of the secondary ones like - Golf, E, TNT, FOX, ABC Family, TBS, SYFY, ESPN (basic), TBS etc. Don't want/care about Music Channels.
PHONE - NO! Some satellites seem to offer this - DO NOT WANT IT.
There are lots of promos, and fine print associated with Dish/DirectTV - so one question first - if we move in a year and have a 2 year deal - can I move it with us? I assume yes - but then the question of how complicated is the installation/moving? My guess is that everything is wireless and a move would be completely transparent inside the house - but climbing up on a roof and moving a dish off of one house and on to another might be a challenge not worth paying out for....yes the first install is free - but not the move or reinstall.
I've read that satellite companies nickel and dime you to death with hidden monthly rental charges for each set top box you want "extra". True?
I've read comments saying that some satellite companies only give you "HD Lite" - whatever that means???
Also with a satellite you may not get local channels at all (in some markets).
Satellite shopping is a bit foreign to us - so any additional input - particularly hidden caveats and negatives - per company - or in general - would be helpful. Going with cable is the easy thing to do - but if we can get the HD-DVR, better IQ and lower monthly and long term costs then it's worth considering changing to one of the other options.
Speaking of which - the 3 options we know of are Suddenlink, Dish, and DirectTV - if there are any others with better offerings, please do tell!
(Other media center/network items we use - Roku, AppleTV1 w/XBMC, SD Homerun, EyeTV3)
Thanks!
