Directv...you get what you pay for
Written: Oct 27 '00
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Pros: An alternate to cable, also allows people in rural areas to have a large range of viewing channels
Cons: Depending on the package, it can be very pricey, plus adverse weather effects your viewing and sound quality isnt as good as good be
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| craftgun40's Full Review: Hughes Networks D1131 Single LNB DIRECTV System |
A few months ago we made our upgrade from Primestar to Directv. The switch over was quick, efficient and painless. The service men wasted no time or energy and had our switch over done in approximately one hour.
Prior to the switchover, we had been content with Primestar, but having no choice in the matter we did the switch over with a "well lets wait and see" attitude.
A few things pro and con about Directv:
Pros of having Directv is that you ALWAYS have something to watch, no matter what time of day or night you may choose to try to find something good on TV. You can switch back to regular TV with a quick press of the button on the remote control, which instantly switches you back to your old stand by TV stations.
If the package of programs you subscribe, just isn't enough for you to watch, you have the option of purchasing additional movies, available only thru pay-per-view.
Cons of Directv are that it can be very pricey, AND we found that the satellite receiver does not work well if it is raining out or even sprinkling. The images on the TV screen will become scrambled and distorted making viewing impossible... this is when you hit the remote control to go back to regular TV.
The remote control is confusing and I still have not mastered it.
The sound quality of Directv is also fairly poor, you constantly have to adjust the volumn control up and down several times during a movie, often even if set it at maximum volumn, it can be difficult to "hear" everything in a quiet scene of a movie.
Other Information on Directv:
You have two choices with Directv, you can purchase the satellite receiver and control box, or you can rent the unit from Directv.
If you purchase the unit, you can install it yourself, or find a qualified serviceman to install it. If you rent, Directv will install and set up the system for you, often at no additional charge if you happen to catch them when they have a special going on, though you will pay approximately $10.00 a month more on your bill for rental fee.
SPECIFICS ON DIRECTV:
18" Steel Dish, satellite receiver with Turbo Video Accelerator, Remote Control. Instant Access Program Information, 90-day warranty labor IRD; 1-year warranty parts IRD, 1-year warranty parts and labor dish, 90-day warranty parts and labor remote control. Includes access card.
FEATURES OF DIRECTV:
On screen program guide, a one day tv guide.
Locks and Limits, you can restrict access to programs you don't want family members to see, and you can also set a spending limit on the pay per view stations.
Favorite channel lists, a list can be created for each family member so they can find the channels they like quickly.
Menu list, the menu button allows you to choose which coming attraction you wish to see, and to customize your system
Remote Control, allows you to select what you want to view, switch channels, return to previous channels and access your favorite channel listings and more.
Alternate audio, allows you to select alternative languages for programs you are viewing.
MailBox, a way for Directv to communicate with you instantly with messages from them.
Directv is a "subscription type of viewing", you pay for what you see, there are no "freebees" with Directv.
Selecting your viewing package can be difficult and expensive, as they never seem to offer what you really want without signing up for a multiple package which can be quite "pricey".
Directv offers over 210 digital-quality channels to select from.
The packages range in price from $19.99-$80.99. Your basic choices are listed below:
Channel Choices
Select Choice ($19.99)
9 news channels, 21 variety channels, 9 music channels and 3 sports channels.
Total Choice ($29.99)
17 news channels, 37 variety channels, 37 music channels and 5 sports channels.
Total Choice Silver ($39.00-$72.00)
Basically this is ALL of Total Choice PLUS Starz, Encore, Independent Film channel, HBO, Showtime,Cinamax etc..in all sorts of combinations, depending on how much you care to spend, the more you add to your package, the more it will cost you.
Total Choice Gold ($39.00)
all of the Total Choice channels, plus the golf channel, espn classic, speedvision, outdoor life network an dover 20 fox sports net and sports channel, regional sports networks
Total Choice Platinum($80.99)
This is basically everything they have to offer...ALL of the above.
DIRECT PAY PER VIEW:
As many as 55 pay per view choices a day
Movies are $2.99
Playboy TV
$12.99 a month or $7.99/12 hours
Sports Subscriptions:
NFL Sunday ticket $159.00
NBA League Pass $169.00
NHL Center Ice $139.00
MLB Extra Innings $139.00
Plus college football and basketball and pro soccer subscriptions from ESPN.
Conclusion:
All in all, we enjoy satellite TV, and since Directv is what is offered in our area, then that is what we will have, though I am not completely satisfied with it's performance during rainy weather and the somewhat "iffy" sound quality. (I think that Primestar worked far better in adverse weather than Directv).
Even with the bad weather poor image quality, I do enjoy the Directv and would not want to be without it or a similar satellite TV system.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): upgrade from primestar,no charge
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Epinions.com ID:
craftgun40
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Location: Michigan
Reviews written: 156
Trusted by: 123 members
About Me:
I am retired, extremely active and enjoy my life, family and dog.
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