Movies and TV DirecTv makes it hard to not like them... - Page 5

dtebbe · 07-09-2009, 12:23 PM

Ok, so I've been a DirecTv customer (and Sunday Ticket subscriber) since 1996. I had decided this year that I would not renew Sunday Ticket, since they charge $99 extra for the "SuperFan" package which you have to buy to get the games in HD.

So I get an email a couple weeks ago, thanking me for being a long-time subscriber, and saying that it was my anniversary so they were giving me 3 month of free Showtime as an anniversary gift. Cool, I thought... Then towards the bottom there was a link to click if you had any complaints or compliments about DirecTv service.

I figured "what the hell" I'll complain about having to pay $99 extra to get Sunday Ticket in HD, and explain that I won't be renewing sunday ticket this year because of that. So I did just that.

My bill shows up this month, and Sunday Ticket early renewal is on there, along with free SuperFan.

It's hard to have a problem with that.....

DT

Dayze · 07-10-2009, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shag

I've had ST since '98, and I'm pretty sure it's gone up every year. It was $160 when I first got it, and I believe it's $299 now. $99 more if you want SuperFan.

Granted, I've not paid full price for it in quite a long time, but it's ridiculously priced and getting worse every year...

so my memory is roughly in tact.

I remember the first year I got it; I had convinced the wife to get on board; and the $200 was a little bit of a stretch. But we made it work and enjoyed it. Following year it went to like $225 or something. “OK” I said etc and got it again. The 3rd and final year I think I paid $249 but got it lowered back to 225. This was the first year I had my HD and HD Receiver; those other games were awful. That’s when I found out that “HD” was included in the SF package. I thought SF was for stats, and other in-screen stuff. but, obviously, the bundled it so you’d have to over pay for HD.

…and that was the end of my ST experience. Bummer. I really liked it; but not enough to shell out $400 for the whole deal. That’s $25/wk for ‘extra’ game. F that.

donkhater · 07-10-2009, 09:40 AM

Am I the only one not blown away by HD? I see the difference and all, but I just don't find in imperative to have at the higher prices. It's nice, but I don't see it as 'gotta have' like some of you seem to.

Dayze · 07-10-2009, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donkhater

Am I the only one not blown away by HD? I see the difference and all, but I just don't find in imperative to have at the higher prices. It's nice, but I don't see it as 'gotta have' like some of you seem to.

I think there is a huge difference.
HD on a 720p or 1080i TV (especially one with 120gHz) is amazing (assuming all connections are good/HDMI etc).

However, I do not understand why DTV charges $100 for HD; especially since I already pay $120 annually for HD service. Why make HD a part of the Superfan package? Why not just include this in the price of the ticket.

Those question were rhetorical etc; I know the answer: $$$.
Charge what the market with bear.

It’s just Flustrating.

**BigMeatballDave** · 07-10-2009, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donkhater

Am I the only one not blown away by HD? I see the difference and all, but I just don't find in imperative to have at the higher prices. It's nice, but I don't see it as 'gotta have' like some of you seem to.

I'm an HD snob. Its difficult for me to watch some shows unless its in HD.

Brock · 07-10-2009, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donkhater

Am I the only one not blown away by HD? I see the difference and all, but I just don't find in imperative to have at the higher prices. It's nice, but I don't see it as 'gotta have' like some of you seem to.

Once I got used to watching HD, it kind of sucks to have to watch non-HD, particularly football games.

**BigMeatballDave** · 07-10-2009, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dayze

However, I do not understand why DTV charges $100 for HD; especially since I already pay $120 annually for HD service.

This is what infuriates me. ****ing swindlers.

Frazod · 07-10-2009, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

Once I got used to watching HD, it kind of sucks to have to watch non-HD, particularly football games.

For movies and sports, you can't beat it.

I have a 46" 1080p HDTV in the den, a 32" 720i HDTV in the bedroom and an old 36" tube TV in the living room. There is nothing wrong the old TV and the screen is certainly big enough, but there's no comparison between it and either of the other TVs. I don't even have a DVD player hooked up to the old one anymore.

BWillie · 07-10-2009, 10:09 AM

My neighborhood now has AT&T Uverse. Anybody have any experiences w/ them? Any good?

JD10367 · 07-10-2009, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donkhater

Am I the only one not blown away by HD? I see the difference and all, but I just don't find in imperative to have at the higher prices. It's nice, but I don't see it as 'gotta have' like some of you seem to.

HD is like having a parter who's great at sex and loves it: you don't really know what you're missing, until you see the other side constantly, LOL.

Since we have two TVs side-by-side, we'll watch a lot of prime-time stuff on TiVo on the tube set, while on the HD we'll have the sound down and the closed-captioning on and it'll just be tuned to some randomly beautiful cable channel, like Animal Planet, Discovery, Travel, Learning, History, Food Network, etc.,., so we can look over and see some beautiful scenery or wildlife or delicious-looking food plate being cooked. (Food Network in HD is like soft porn.)

HD looks like you're there. Analog looks like shit when compared side-by-side. Now, when I watch sports on the regular TV, I can barely read the score or player info it's so blurry by comparison.

Of course, I'm not paying extra for HD, it's included with the high-tier price for my digital cable. If I had to pay extra for HD, I might enjoy it less...

Frosty · 07-10-2009, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donkhater

Am I the only one not blown away by HD? I see the difference and all, but I just don't find in imperative to have at the higher prices. It's nice, but I don't see it as 'gotta have' like some of you seem to.

I don't have HD but I noticed while watching Grandpa's TV (after getting it working) that it is much easier on my eyes. I don't need my glasses to see it clearly like I do on my tube TV at home. This was on a little 32" LCD, too.

Dayze · 07-10-2009, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefDave

This is what infuriates me. ****ing swindlers.

Yep.

I mean, the ‘know’ people will want it in HD; so they bundle it with SF.
There are people, like me, who simply want HD and not SF. Sure, SF would be cool, but I don’t need it.

I wish they’d give you an option for only HD; ok, sure – you want to charge me for HD (Even though I’m already paying for it)? Fine. Just don’t – essentially- charge me $100 for it.

Make a separate line item for HD; say…$20?

I sent them a very cordial email today; basically saying I haven’t subscribed in 3 years because of price; I would be willing to subscribe again if they will be willing to work on their price.

They’ll probably laugh in my face, but worth a shot.

**BigMeatballDave** · 07-10-2009, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD10367

Of course, I'm not paying extra for HD, it's included with the high-tier price for my digital cable. If I had to pay extra for HD, I might enjoy it less...

To me, HD on Directv or Dish looks better than cable.

Dayze · 07-10-2009, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefDave

To me, HD on Directv or Dish looks better cable.

This.

My Father-in-law has Cable HD and consistently comments that he ‘thinks’ my rear projection LCD looks better with DTV than his plasma with cable HD.

Granted, it would be hard to compare the two w/out them being side-by-side. But, I’ve noticed when watching things on his TV they ok…but not great.

Maybe it’s a mind thing.

JD10367 · 07-10-2009, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefDave

To me, HD on Directv or Dish looks better than cable.

I've never seen DirecTV or Dish in HD, but I would think it also depends on your cable provider (clarity and strength of signal). The advantage to satellite, of course, is that you can get it in the middle of nowhere, but with cable you don't get outages in bad weather. Not sure if bad weather affects satellite's HD clarity...

JD10367 · 07-10-2009, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dayze

This.

My Father-in-law has Cable HD and consistently comments that he ‘thinks’ my rear projection LCD looks better with DTV than his plasma with cable HD.

Granted, it would be hard to compare the two w/out them being side-by-side. But, I’ve noticed when watching things on his TV they ok…but not great.

Maybe it’s a mind thing.

Well, there are so many variables. My parents in FL have Comcast, and they have a $2,000 1080p LCD huge-incher (50"? 60"?) by LG. And, frankly, I think their picture looks crappier than my 32" 720p. So maybe Comcast has a shittier digital HD signal than Cox, I dunno... or maybe my parents have their TV set up differently in terms of contrast and color and whatnot.

07-09-2009, 12:23 PM
dtebbe 3M TA3 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: SoFlo Casino cash: $9993039	DirecTv makes it hard to not like them... Ok, so I've been a DirecTv customer (and Sunday Ticket subscriber) since 1996. I had decided this year that I would not renew Sunday Ticket, since they charge $99 extra for the "SuperFan" package which you have to buy to get the games in HD. So I get an email a couple weeks ago, thanking me for being a long-time subscriber, and saying that it was my anniversary so they were giving me 3 month of free Showtime as an anniversary gift. Cool, I thought... Then towards the bottom there was a link to click if you had any complaints or compliments about DirecTv service. I figured "what the hell" I'll complain about having to pay $99 extra to get Sunday Ticket in HD, and explain that I won't be renewing sunday ticket this year because of that. So I did just that. My bill shows up this month, and Sunday Ticket early renewal is on there, along with free SuperFan. It's hard to have a problem with that..... DT
Posts: 4,305

07-10-2009, 09:40 AM	#62
donkhater Brilliant!! Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Indiana, USA Casino cash: $10014051	Am I the only one not blown away by HD? I see the difference and all, but I just don't find in imperative to have at the higher prices. It's nice, but I don't see it as 'gotta have' like some of you seem to. __________________ The welfare of humanity is always the alibi of tyrants
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07-10-2009, 10:09 AM	#68
BWillie Are you ready to Rumble? Join Date: Apr 2006 Casino cash: $-1238759	My neighborhood now has AT&T Uverse. Anybody have any experiences w/ them? Any good?
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