Re: Cablevision, DirectTV, or a hybrid system?

I once did A-B testing between HBO on both DirecTV and digital cable. I
ended up calling another friend over to see it - There was no question, the
digital cable feed of HBO looked better.

DirecTV with local analog channels delivered digitally is a hands down
winner - but you should get those channels digitally all the time in the HD
range. Plus, more and more of the better channels are moving into the
digital domain.

I am not at all a fan of satellite. It seems great - and some of the
packages they offer really are a deal. But, the cost isn't cheaper, you pay
extra for every TV you connect, if you have a hardware issue you basically
are S.O.L. on it. The price of a HD-DVR from satellite can be over
$500.00... that is about 4 years rental fee for that box from your cable
company. Plus, if you have 10 more TVs in your home, they all work without
and added box in the room - plus a $5.00 a month fee.

In 4 years I will want the NEW cable box - if my box breaks on me mid-week,
I can go exchange it in a few hours. Since my box is DVI, I can take it in
and get the newest box with HDMI on it. As the boxes with multiple DVR
streaming locations come out I can pick those up as well... just trade the
old for the new - no cost.

But, the analog channels will still not look as good as they do on DirecTVs
complete digital delivery system.

All you can do is know the facts and decide from there.

~P~


"Yahoo John" <john@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:pooj22l20impqohu8hm8m48s8c3rmch4rt@xxxxxxxxxx
Here is my predicament. I have had Cable TV and High speed internet
(Optimum Online) for a number of years now and just recently added
Internet phone service. Everything was fine until I went out and
bought a 50" Plasma (HP - PL5000N) HDTV. The HIdef channels 701 - 713
and DVD's look great, but the rest of the channels are somewhat
grainy, wavy, or are just a disappointment. I am very satisfied with
the High speed Internet service and VOIP Phone service, but not with
the TV reception on the 50" plasma. Now I have heard that satellite
TV is much clearer then cable on digital and analog channels. Do I
keep just the Hi speed Internet and phone service on cable and use
satellite for TV broadcasts and drop cable for TV reception?


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