VUDU vs Satellite

[NA9D]

Re: VUDU vs Satellite

Perhaps ReplayTV was better (I never saw one so I couldn't say) but it doesn't really exist anymore. So it does make a lot of sense to compare the Tivo functionality with the DVRs of DirecTV and Comcast, etc., since those are really the only choices that people have today. Personally, I find Tivo to be the best choice of anything I have seen that is available today, and no that doesn't mean I like an itchy jock.

Hah!

Well, true, Tivo does have the best of what is left on the market today. I've been so tempted to purchase a TivoHD or two, but I'm still heavily invested in Replay.

Anyhow, I'm hoping DirecTV now that they own what's left of Replay will basically add in a lot of that great interface to their box. I still won't subscribe to their TV service, but they could develop a great DVR product if they continue in the tradition of ReplayTV...

[redwein]

Re: VUDU vs Satellite

I just got off of the phone with DirecTV about the free upgrade for their new HD. The person I talked to made it sound like I wouldn't be able to use my current multi-switch and they would likely have to replace it. I told them that if they couldn't cleanly install the replacement in my neatly organized distribution panel I would send them away and live without my HD football games. That would suck but I really think they should have found a way to just let the existing equipment work undisturbed, with only the new functionality requiring the new equipment. I also won't be happy if they have to drill new holes in my house to put up the new dish if the existing brackets aren't identical.

[HeadHodge]

Re: VUDU vs Satellite

I still won't subscribe to their TV service, but they could develop a great DVR product if they continue in the tradition of ReplayTV...

I've got an extra box you can have if you want it. Even if you don't subscribe, it still has a great logo and screen saver on it. You can also access their setup functions and watch the signal strength of the D11 as it comes online!

[jleavens]

Re: VUDU vs Satellite

I just got off of the phone with DirecTV about the free upgrade for their new HD. The person I talked to made it sound like I wouldn't be able to use my current multi-switch and they would likely have to replace it. I told them that if they couldn't cleanly install the replacement in my neatly organized distribution panel I would send them away and live without my HD football games. That would suck but I really think they should have found a way to just let the existing equipment work undisturbed, with only the new functionality requiring the new equipment. I also won't be happy if they have to drill new holes in my house to put up the new dish if the existing brackets aren't identical.

They replaced my multiswitch when I upgraded to the HD. I can't remember if the new equipment was incompatible with the old multiswitch, or if I simply needed more outputs.

I feel like they're supporting multiple tuners now on a single RF run now.

[redwein]

Re: VUDU vs Satellite

I feel like they're supporting multiple tuners now on a single RF run now.

I believe you are correct but I have 7 separate locations so that won't help me. I need to have an 8 way splitter where my current multi-switch physically is. Whether they can put the multi-switch with the dish and just replace my current one with a new one plus a splitter I don't really know.

I do know that I don't want them disturbing my wiring in that panel because that is also where I distribute my CATV etc. There are a lot of cables going into there. I put a lot of work into it but unfortunately not so much as to label everything. If it needs to be replaced I would want to be the one to do it but I'm sure the technician will tell me he has to do it. I really don't like being forced to upgrade equipment to get the same service. I think it is a very bad thing for a company to do.

[RonV]

Re: VUDU vs Satellite

It's called a SWM interface. I would also have to get rid of my line boosters and multiswtich if I was to go with the next gen equipment. But my wireplant would still stay the same execpt for the removal of the multiswitch and installation of new "splitters".

[redwein]

Re: VUDU vs Satellite

I just cancelled my free upgrade and my Superfan subscription that gets the NFL games in HD. I don't know why but this whole thing about the way DirecTV handled everything just struck a nerve with me. I'll still get to watch the Eagles in SD and when they make it to the playoffs and win the Superbowl I'll get to watch all that in HD anyway on Comcast.

[HeadHodge]

Re: VUDU vs Satellite

I just cancelled my free upgrade and my Superfan subscription that gets the NFL games in HD. I don't know why but this whole thing about the way DirecTV handled everything just struck a nerve with me. I'll still get to watch the Eagles in SD and when they make it to the playoffs and win the Superbowl I'll get to watch all that in HD anyway on Comcast.

I'm not defending Directv, but I guess I don't really understand your wiring situation.

The thing I don't understand is that if Comcast provides you with one coax cable from their service pole and Directv provides you with one coax cable from their 5 LNB dish (that has a SWM switch built into it), what's the difference??

[redwein]

Re: VUDU vs Satellite

I'm not defending Directv, but I guess I don't really understand your wiring situation.

The thing I don't understand is that if Comcast provides you with one coax cable from their service pole and Directv provides you with one coax cable from their 5 LNB dish (that has a SWM switch built into it), what's the difference??

The problem is that deeply nestled in the back of a closet, I have a distribution panel where the satellite cable comes in from the dish, goes through a multi-switch, and goes out to 7 different rooms. If DirecTV changes my dish and introduces the SWM multi-switch near the dish itself, the wire that will come into that distribution panel will not work with my existing multi-switch. That multi-switch will need to be replaced with an 8-way splitter.

While it is conceptually straightforward, it is a lot of work to gain access to the panel, disconnect all the cables (they are secured neatly with ties), remove the multi-switch, put in an 8 way splitter (which may or may not fit in the same (and limited) amount of space, and reconnect the cables.

If it needs to be done, it would be the kind of thing that I would spend a few hours or an afternoon doing. I don't want the tech going in there. Now, if I wanted to take advantage of new features of DirecTV, then I might be inclined to bite the bullet and just do that. As it stands, I just want to retain the ability to watch NFL Sunday Ticket (in HD), which I have been able to do for the last several years. I don't use DirecTV for anything else. So I really don't want to go through that hassle just to keep using the minimal amount of stuff that I already had working.

This was my point. If DirecTV hadn't been obsoleting things on me, I'd probably still be their customer. Then, if I wanted to take advantage of their new stuff, I'd buy the new gear and happily upgrade. But I really think it was a mistake to tell people that they couldn't use their old equipment indefinitely if they wanted to use just the features that they currently have.

[HeadHodge]

Re: VUDU vs Satellite

Well, I'm not totally convinced that a regular 5 LNB wouldn't work with your current setup. If it can't, then it might be possible re-point your existing dish to the D10 Sat at 103. If that's doable, then you would only need to get a b-band converter for your receiver.

But this is pretty much over my head. If you have the time, I would highly recommend going to the DBSTalk.com forum. The're experts there who are intimately knowledeable about all this.

And they are like the VUDU experts here, they don't appear to be employed by anyone and are therefore unbiased and available to help 24x7.

Regards

[RonV]

Re: VUDU vs Satellite

And they are like the VUDU experts here, they don't appear to be employed by anyone....

How did you know that we don't have day jobs. And that we are un-employable. Heck I couldn't get a job as a greeter at Wally-mart...

[redwein]

Re: VUDU vs Satellite

Well, I'm not totally convinced that a regular 5 LNB wouldn't work with your current setup. If it can't, then it might be possible re-point your existing dish to the D10 Sat at 103. If that's doable, then you would only need to get a b-band converter for your receiver.

But this is pretty much over my head. If you have the time, I would highly recommend going to the DBSTalk.com forum. The're experts there who are intimately knowledeable about all this.

And they are like the VUDU experts here, they don't appear to be employed by anyone and are therefore unbiased and available to help 24x7.

Regards

That's what they tell me. Like I said, if I really wanted new functionality I would trudge forward and just get it done. Since I don't, I'm standing firm in protest.

[HeadHodge]

Re: VUDU vs Satellite

That's what they tell me. Like I said, if I really wanted new functionality I would trudge forward and just get it done. Since I don't, I'm standing firm in protest.

Directv has their own support forum too at Directv.com. But I didn't recommend it, because the few times I've used it for problems, I found it totally worthless.

It doesn't seem that they have anyone from Directv monitoring the site to help out. I'm not even sure if they have a moderator. It's like using a literal version of "self help". It does have have an auto censor built in though. If you type in any verboten words like "Dish Network" it will auto wipe it from your post.

The only forum I've seen that's just as bad or worse is the Apple forum.

BTW On the flip side I've found the VUDU forum to be the best one I've ever been too. It has lot's of intelligent people worth listening to here, they have a sense of humor, and they are very tolerant of the range and scope of topics that can be discussed. And you can tell there is a LOT of passion for the VUDU product and a lot of real hard work going on behind the scenes. That's why I hang out here, unfortunately for them!!

[Nded]

Re: VUDU vs Satellite

....snip....BTW On the flip side I've found the VUDU forum to be the best one I've ever been too. It has lot's of intelligent people worth listening to here, they have a sense of humor, and they are very tolerant of the range and scope of topics that can be discussed. And you can tell there is a LOT of passion for the VUDU product and a lot of real hard work going on behind the scenes. That's why I hang out here, unfortunately for them!!

That's what we refer to as a double edged sword in the moderator meetings....

[HeadHodge]

Re: VUDU vs Satellite

That's what we refer to as a double edged sword in the moderator meetings....

Bandaids and Meds are being air dropped as we speak!! (Well actually about three hours ago for the mouse)