I know this isn't dvd, but still http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/smile.gif

Right now at home I get Comcast Digital Cable. It's kinda cool but what I really don't care for is 1) the video quality sucks, movies look like they're compressed like a movie you watch on your PC and 2, the audio is just plain sterio even though the channels say they're showing certain movies in surround sound (the box only has RCA audio and video connections)

I guess afer being used to DVD, I was looking for something closer to the quality of a DVD.. is satelite like DirecTV gonna be any better for the home theatre quality?

Satellite should definitely be better. Both DirecTV and Dish Network are good providers. Basic satellite service may even be cheaper than cable!

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Movie_Man:
Satellite should definitely be better. Both DirecTV and Dish Network are good providers. Basic satellite service may even be cheaper than cable!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Agreed, it's much cheaper here for Dish Network than digital cable. Better quality, more selection, lower price, fewer outages.



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"Can I have a panda cone, dad?"
"What happened to the $68 I send your mother every month?"
"Weekday Dad wanted a DVD player."

Definitely go with satellite. I have the Dish Network service and I could not be happier. The only disadvantage is that you cannot watch one program while recording another without having to satellite receivers.

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MY SHORT BUT SLOWLY EXPANDING DVD LIST


MY GETTING LONGER BUT SLOWLY EXPANDING DVD LIST

"The earth does not belong to people; people belong to the earth. Everything that happens to the earth happens also to the sons and daughters of the earth." -Chief Seattle.

I like satellite. But you need multiple receivers (about an extra $5 per month) to watch different programs on multiple TV's or watch one program while recording another.

Well, I don't even have a VCR anymore, they're too low tech for me now http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/smile.gif I doubt there's anything I'll want to record at all, plus this is only going on the 1 big TV in the family room, not the rest of the house. Since I have a cable modem for my PC I'll still be keeping basic cable for the other TVs in the house, and having the 1 TV for all the home theatre type stuff http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/smile.gif

ANyone know about how much dish network or direct tv will cost me, on average? And, it's just those tiny dishes now right, I don't need a giant one on my roof do I?

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by necros:
ANyone know about how much dish network or direct tv will cost me, on average? And, it's just those tiny dishes now right, I don't need a giant one on my roof do I?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

No, they're 18-20" dishes, and I think Dish Network will give you one for free with a one year commitment. Check www.dishnetwork.com . I would for you but gotta go to work. http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/smile.gif



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"Can I have a panda cone, dad?"
"What happened to the $68 I send your mother every month?"
"Weekday Dad wanted a DVD player."

I have also been in this dilema. My wife and I are building, and I'm trying to decide. Luckily, I still have a few months. Anyway, do any of you have problems with your satellite during bad weather? I'm in KS, so it is likely to get covered in ice or snow, or blown around during the spring.

~J

yeah thats another question I had.. say you're having a huge thunderstorm or anything else... will you still be able to watch it?

I am not sure about rain, but a lot of snow on the dish can degrade the picture. I have heard that you can spray cooking oil like PAM to keep the snow from sticking to the dish. You definitely want to secure the dish so it doesn't blown around because that can mess up the alignment (If it gets blown away then that's a different matter, but who needs a dish when the house is gone? http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/smile.gif)

... or you could move to California. No snow here.

I lived in Monument Colorado for over 7 years, 5 of them I had the Dish. We were at 7,500 feet and received an average of 130+ inches of snow per year. Only lost the signal once. Spray it with spray silicone and ice will not set, snow will slide off. I now live in NC for 6 months and have lost the signal 3 times already due to rain. But it was SEVERE rain and my lost signal was only gone for several minutes.

Go with a Sat. (I prefer Dish.) had it for close to 4 years. I've lost the signal for a total of 20 minutes in that whole time in one or two minute incruments. All do to some really severe weather. However if your cable system is anything like the one I have locally when they went down which was often enough it would be out for hours if not until the next day.

OK so then next questions..

what's the real difference between Dish Network and DirectTV?

And, do they make recievers that have optical audio connectors and/or component video (or at least s video) or is it still all rca jacks in the back like my "digital" cable box is now?

I just went through the digital cable vs. Dish Network decision myself. Even the CS guy at ATT cable agreed that Dish was a better deal. Most of the arguments against a dish (multiple receivers etc.) hold true for digital cable (and you have to RENT the damn cable boxes) where you can get a barebones sat receiver (2700) for the bedroom from Costco for $89. Both Dig Cable and Dish charge extra for *using* the second receiver.

Screw cable. I am sick and tired of their constantly increasing prices and decreasing channel lineup. I would have stayed with analog cable until they pulled a channel I liked and moved it to Digital Cable only. I get more channels and better quality with Dish. My father in law just got Dig Cable and it SUCKS. The picture quality is similar to an off-the-air antenna. REALLY. They blamed his house wiring and for a few hundred they will 'clean it up' for him.

Furthermore (not to be longwinded http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/smile.gif ), I got the Dish 500, a 7200 Dishplayer receiver (with built-in 17gig HD for pause and recording), a 2700 receiver (for the bedroom), all cables, connections, switches, wire-ties EVERYTHING for $88 (including shipping). Here's the best part. I get a $200 rebate for carrying $39.98 a month in programming. Hell, I was there with cable.

The $88 deal is gone, but check out www.dbs-sales.com and follow your nose to the Dish Network combo deals.

[This message has been edited by tsjs2 (edited November 29, 2000).]

[This message has been edited by tsjs2 (edited November 29, 2000).]

thanks for the info.. I think I'm gonna give Dish Network a shot.. maybe with the basic gear and later on maybe I'll upgrade to a high tech reciever or whatever.

I just went and ordered DSL for my PC instead of this Cable modem.. once I get that hooked up, then my dish, I'll have no use for cable at all anymore http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/smile.gif

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by necros:
I just went and ordered DSL for my PC instead of this Cable modem.. once I get that hooked up, then my dish, I'll have no use for cable at all anymore http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/smile.gif<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Wise choice. http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/smile.gif http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/smile.gif



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MY SHORT BUT SLOWLY EXPANDING DVD LIST


MY GETTING LONGER BUT SLOWLY EXPANDING DVD LIST

"The earth does not belong to people; people belong to the earth. Everything that happens to the earth happens also to the sons and daughters of the earth." -Chief Seattle.

First thing that came to my mind was....DSL!!!!

Yeah cable......when it rains my cable goes out. Yeah like I want that to happen when I am online.

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Most People Don'T Plan To Fail, They Just Fail to Plan

ConeheadBuddha Rules

I am currently a Dish user and only have the 2700 reciever. I have been trying to figure out a way to upgrade to the 500 dish with the 7200 replay reciever as cheaply as possible.

Should I just terminate service under my name and start new service under my wifes inorder to take advantage of these deals or has anyone found an easier way to handle this?

I am alson disapointed in the fact that I can not recieve main (local) network feeds through my dish. Any info on this would be appreciated.