I'm buying a house, and wanted to see what the current opinions on which TV service is best. I need internet from Comcast, so I am going to have to do business with them no matter what. I really like Direct TV, but will have to spend more by going with them and Comcast for internet. Is the technology and picture quality on satellite worth having two providers?

100% yes

I have Comcast as internet, which the package so happens to come with TV as well. The package is called Blast Plus, 110MBps down 12ishMBps up. With several TV channels including HBO.

I also have Dish Network with America's Top 250. Which has 250 plus channels and no premium channels.

As for which one I use to watch TV, well that's the Dish Network. The cable box is actually still in the box it came in. Only hooked up to activate it and such. I use my AppleTV to view HBO content, because I just signed in using my Comcast user name.

I kinda like the X1 box from Comcast. But it's very annoying to tune into channels. For example, if I want to watch one of my locals. I would press 3 for WFSB which is on channel 3. However, the actual channel 3 is analog. So the X1 box will auto-tune to the HD equivalent. This takes about 2 to 3 seconds to do. Then lets say once you are there, you use the channel up/down buttons. You are going through the HD channels, great, but what if there is a channel that's analog only? Well since you are in the HD channel area, it skips over that channel. A channel that you might be interested in.

As for picture quality. Satellite would be the way to go. First, if you want to watch channel 3. Just press 3 and it sends you there. Press channel up/down, there are no skipping "analog" channels, because they are all in the same clump. I know Dish sends both the analog and HD at the same time. So both channel 3 analog and HD are right next to each other. *You can hide the analog in the set up menu.*

KOT

My plan is to switch back and forth from DirecTV to Comcast every couple years.

Different companies, same headache.

Moneywise, trying to save a few hundred a year, by switching back and forth.

I had Comcast for 12 years, for TV. Switched to DirecTV for the last couple years, not very impressed. Will switch back, for 2 years. We don't watch much TV, honestly.

My biggest gripe for DTV is their GUI, very slow. Maybe I'm just impatient.

KOT- Thanks, I think that is the way to go. I'll pay a little more to have both for the first year, but I think it is worth it. Do you have the ability to download your DVR to an Ipad?

DirecTV is the best.

i will fight any of you that say otherwise.

I heard that you can, but I couldn't figure it out. Perhaps because I have the base model Hopper. The other Hopper has the built in Sling Box stuff. I do have the Sling Box adaptor that plugs in via USB though, but I don't think that enables me to download my DVR content.


Can you watch a Boston Red Sox game on NESN?

KOT

For TV it is hard to beat DirecTV in quality and content, even though most TV sucks. If you go the Comcast route get yourself a TiVo. The interface blows away what Comcast has to offer including the new X1.

I prefer the TiVo interface over DirecTV as well, but DTV has made it a PIA to combine the two these days.

Yes, you can download dvr content to your iPad.

I just looked at the App Store for Dish Everywhere app for iPad.

As goldenzrule mentioned, you can download DVR content to your iPad. However, you must had the Hopper with Sling built in. The Hopper that does not, like what I have, will not be able to do that. Even with the Sling adaptor, like I have.

KOT

Then kick them in the nuts and steal their wallet?

+1

The GUI used to be horrible, but the newer boxes are much much better. HR44, HR24, C41, etc. are all pretty dang good now.

they all suck -- DTV sucks the least.

I just went from Comcrap/TiVo to DTV about 2 months ago, I miss the TiVo interface. I now have an HR44.