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DirecTV vs. FIOS TV

Discussion in 'Community Broadband & Computers' started by joy, May 29, 2009.

  1. joy

    joy New Member

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    We've decided to switch from Comcast Internet to Verizon FIOS Internet. The question now is do we also switch from DirecTV to FIOS TV. We are early adopters (which is why I'm posting to the tech forum). We've had DirecTV and Tivo forever.

    For those of you who've had both DirecTV and FIOS, how do the two compare (especially DVRs)? We currently have a the original Directivo HD DVR and a new-ish DirecTV HD DVR.

    So far, here and the pros and cons I've discovered.

    DirecTV - Has Viacom channels in HD, more space on DVR, but a less reliable signal.

    Verizon - Has more HBO channels in HD, media option to share, can use Tivo HD DVR with it, and better on-demand, but has worse customer service, less experience with getting DVRs right, and an SD channel guide.

    The price seems to be about the same for what we want, so really looking at overall experience.

    Thanks!
     
  2. Villager

    Villager Ashburn Village Resident

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    We used to have DirecTV and switched to FiOS a couple of months ago. We've never had a Tivo DVR, just the DVRs from DirecTV and FiOS so I can't compare to those specifically.

    We've had no problems with the equipment except that within the last several days the HD Home Media DVR has twice started having a buzz to it, whether it's on or off. From my research online it sounds like a fan issue. After unplugging the power cord for a little while it went away, but not permanently. We may need to have the box replaced at some point. As far as programming and interaction we've had no problems with it. The interface is easy enough and there are a fair amount of options.

    Aside from the Home Media DVR in the family room we also have a regular, non-HD receiver hooked up to a regular TV. As you would expect, you cannot watch shows that were recorded in HD on that TV. After having a DircTV DVR in that room previously that is a change for the worse, but completely reasonable. We were just used to being able to watch everything from any TV. So keep that in mind that it might be a change for you, too. Of course, if you record everything in non-HD format you won't have this problem, but we'd rather watch stuff in HD since we're paying for it! Maybe some day we'll get a second HD TV and receiver for that room but right now that's hardly a priority in the finances. :rolleyes3:

    We didn't have any issues/problems with DirecTV so as a one-to-one comparison I'd say that and FiOS are about the same for us. The one (big) plus FiOS has is that I really like the On Demand feature. Not only does it offer movies, but several network shows from ABC, CBS, and NBC are available as well. Also available are a few shows from the Food Network, HGTV, TBS, etc.

    We haven't had any experience with the customer service department to comment on that but if the buzzing on the DVR continues we probably will. However, I think that's just a matter of taking the current box to one of the Verizon places and swapping it for a new one, which may be fairly simple (I hope).

    As I said, we were happy enough with DirecTV and we're saving a bit of money overall with Verizon and are not sorry we switched. It's a little bit of an adjustment but no more so than if we had stayed with DirecTV and upgraded to HD (which we didn't have before).
     
  3. razng2grtboys

    razng2grtboys New Member

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    Just a little tip for those with HD & non-HD in the house:

    Since the FiOS Home Media DVR has two tuners, if you are recording a show that you might playback anywhere in the house, set it to record on both channels. For instance I always tape Fox 5 News at 10 and keep only one day at a time. This way I can watch the latest news anytime I want. Each night it records over the previous night. I have it recording channel 5 and 505 so I can play it back anywhere I want to.

    If this is a big issue because you are still watching TV a lot on a standard definition TV, maybe it's time to spring for an HDTV ;-)
     
  4. Villager

    Villager Ashburn Village Resident

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    That's a good idea. But if I did it for every show I record I'd run out of storage space on the DVR. That said, the current major TV season is over so I probably won't be recording as much as we usually do so maybe that would work for a while.

    I'd like to say that we could get a second HD TV and then increase the monthly fee to upgrade our Verizon set box to a second HD one but it would probably be a better (if much less fun) investment to drop the big bucks on replacing our air conditioning system instead - it's about due. I like your idea better, though!
     
  5. boomertsfx

    boomertsfx Booyakasha!

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    joy, you prolly won't like the FiOS motorola DVRs compared to the TiVO/Directv DVRs... but if you switch, let us know what you think. I'm in the same boat. I'm thinking about just calling DTV and threaten to cancel and get a better deal =)
     
  6. Villager

    Villager Ashburn Village Resident

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    After having FiOS installed when I called DirecTV they of course asked me why I wanted to cancel and offered to lower our rate...
     
  7. Villager

    Villager Ashburn Village Resident

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    So what's better about the TiVo DVRs? Verizon allows subscribers to use their own equipment - you just have to order a card to go in it to make it work.
     
  8. JLC

    JLC Member

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    One perk of TiVo for Netflix members is that you can watch stuff on demand using your HD TiVo.
     
  9. boomertsfx

    boomertsfx Booyakasha!

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    TiVo is all about the interface (Kinda like the Mac vs. PC argument).... well thought out...even my Mum can use it and that's saying something =)

    That being said, I'm a PC guy, but thinking of switching ;)
     
  10. ayayagirl

    ayayagirl New Member

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    I would say TIVO was more like a Mac...easy to use. We have both and the DVR is downstairs...the kids use that one. I can never figure it out. Now my question is when you purchase a movie on demand from Verizon, do you only have 24 hours to watch it before it erases from the TIVO? Direct TV just started doing this and while I can understand why, it is frustrating because sometimes I like to buy the movie to tape and watch it at another time. Does anyone know?
     

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