From DirecTV to Comcast anyone?

to skeptik..........i has enjoyed both direct tv and comcast, havent really noticed any change in level of service..comcast does offer bundles cheaper. you might try getting cabletv/internet and then buying a Majic Jack offered on tv. it cost me 40 bucks for the device and one year of service. it has worked well for me.

quote:

a Majic Jack

What's that? What does it do?

Can anyone tell me about phone service through Comcast? Isn't there a bundle package which includes phone-cable-internet? And what is the price for all three?

quote:

Originally posted by Skeptik:
So I've been a satisfied user of DirecTV for many years. However, I am now paying about 200 bucks a month for DSL+Phone+Satellite service. If I switch to Comcast, I can bundle all that for about 120 a month.

Has anyone out there made this switch from DirecTV to Comcast and wish they hadn't?

I switched from Comcast to Direct (moved-comcast isn't in this area and Charter sucks in so many ways). I MISS comcast and would swap back in a heartbeat if they came to this area-early termination fee and all.

I have Comcast cable and Internet. I use Vonage for VPN phone service. I had Vonage with TimeWarner in Ohio and moved down here with it. I have ZERO problems. I have an 800 number so my kids can call home. I have a Tennessee number where I live. I have a Florence number for family and friends. I have an Atlanta number for family there. Now I pay a little extra for all the extra numbers ($5 per number).

My kids play XBOX 360 while we use the telephone and I am using VPN to work and my wife is playing FFXI on a Playstation 2 over the Internet. No problems. I have also had all the neighborhood kids over for XBOX 360 parties using my router and connecting with others on the Internet (room full of XBOX 360s) and I have had no problems.

I did try getting my parents on DirecTV and it was a total nightmare. They can't get cable. After 2 months of messing with DirecTV I canceled everything and put them back on DISH. But that was a single experience. I used DISH Network when I lived rural and had no problems.

Comcast said they can't give me cable phone service here for some reason. Doesn't matter. My Vonage works great. I can't get an 800 number with Comcast. I get 100 minutes free on my 800 number and then it costs a nickle a minute. I have never been charged because I never use more than maybe 5 minutes. If someone calls me I turn around and call them back.

If cable goes offline all my phone calls route from Vonage to my cell phone. I have no problems with that.

I can make three way calls to anyone in the US with Vonage. I have connected family across America for a conference call.

I get free phone calls to parts of Europe. My daughter calls friends there.

So I would recommend dumping Ma Bell and getting cable. Then you can decide between Vonage and Comcast for phone. My friends who have Comcast have no complaints but they don't get the features I get.

quote:

Originally posted by nstarmedicdb:
to skeptik..........i has enjoyed both direct tv and comcast, havent really noticed any change in level of service..comcast does offer bundles cheaper. you might try getting cabletv/internet and then buying a Majic Jack offered on tv. it cost me 40 bucks for the device and one year of service. it has worked well for me.

We dont use a landline and have cell phones. We did get the majic jack and yes it is 40 for the first year and 20 per yer after that. The only drawback for this area is you cant get a local number yet. We have a Tampa area code and number. But other than that, it works great for the off peak times on our cells. It works on your computer, has a dialup screen there, caller id..... kinda neat.

Thanks for the info, AlabamaSon...that helps me to make a decision

I'm probably outnumbered here but I've had DirectTV since 1994 and have had no problems I do have caller ID coming through 2 TV's that I have a phone line hooked into. I still have a very basic landline through ATT basically for my mother. My computer is wireless through Verizon so the only thing I have through DirectTV is my TV.

I have Comcast High Speed Internet (Performance), Digital Cable(don't know exactly how many channels, but more than I need), and Home Phone Service with unlimited long distance, voice mail, and all of the extras. I pay $103.00 a month for it all. I am very pleased with all my services.

I have Comcast cable at two separate locations and they have both had rate increases three or four times during 2008, while the service quality has diminished...outages and taking away channels. I wish we had another cable company in this area to offer some competition.

Got tired of snowy pictures from Comcast probably 10 or maybe 15 years ago. Tried to get Direct TV, but they were too stupid to deal with. Got Dishnet and have been with it every since. Got it for my Mom also.
I am paying way too much for my phone service, but until just recently I needed all the services it had. Pay about $50 / month for ATT's full service, plus another $24 / month for unlimited longdistance. Add $15.00 for DSL, and another $65 for my 3 cell phones.
I will probably make some changes in that soon. Can't have my DSL without having some degree of basic phone service, so VOIP is not practical unless I get my high speed internet from some source other than the phone company.
I'm thinking about getting an air card for my computer and dropping my phone and DSL, but my wife and I both share the DSL and her computer is an old WIN 98 so it can't run much of anything . In fact ATT told me it can't run DSL, but it actually can and does.
Does anyone know if you can use VOIP phone with an air card ?

quote:

Originally posted by serenitychick:
I have Comcast High Speed Internet (Performance), Digital Cable(don't know exactly how many channels, but more than I need), and Home Phone Service with unlimited long distance, voice mail, and all of the extras. I pay $103.00 a month for it all. I am very pleased with all my services.

$103.00 a month for all that is not bad. Just wondering after Comcast increases it's customers with this bundle package, will they then jack you on the rates? You know, kind of like they did everybody with their cable rates.

In the fine print Comcast says that the bundle package is just a promotional offer. They caught me like that when I complained that the cost of my bundle had increased by 50 bucks per month.

The package for digital TV without premium channels, high speed internet and home phone will be 169.99 after a year. This same package without home voip phone is 128.99. Vonage offers a lot better features than Comcast phone for less money.

I have Comcast extended basic cable w/HD package, 2 regular boxes and 1 HD box and broadband internet service and I now pay $146.99 a month for it since my special offers expired last month. How do you all get all that for what you get it for with Comcast?

I'm with b67, I've had DirectTV for years now and I love it. I hated Comcast because they didn't have some of the channels that I wanted. I just upgraded to HD with DirectTv. Their technicians are wonderful.

I'm afraid I have too many trees in my yard to have satellite

I don't think Comcast got the message that the nation's economy was in a downturn...either that or they are trying to do their part to take it down. I suspect they will be losing some of these expensive accounts as the economy tanks. It will be about bread, milk, clothing and other necessities then.

Well I brought a HD antenna and a converter box. So now I get my local channels in HD for free. ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, CW, and a few others.

quote:

The package for digital TV without premium channels, high speed internet and home phone will be 169.99 after a year. This same package without home voip phone is 128.99. Vonage offers a lot better features than Comcast phone for less money.

Thanks, Nasa. I was quoted $139.00 per month (which is up from the 120-ish I was quoted a few months ago).

So, it does appear that "rate creep" is still alive and well with Comcast. That's why I changed to DirecTV years ago (MY DirecTV bill hasn't gone up a penny since I've had it).

Thanks for all the replies but I am still looking for someone who has gone from DirecTV to Comcast and can give me an idea of what I might miss.

quote:

Well I brought a HD antenna a

May I ask what antenna you purchased? Price?

There is NO SUCH THING AS A HDTV ANTENNA. And if you think there is I've got a NascarTV antenna I'll sell you...

The ONLY difference in TV antennas is UHF or VHF.

Your antenna doesn't care if you're watching HD or not.

i have the comcast high speed internet, 2 boxes one of them is an hd box, i subscribe to all of the movie channels and my bill is @160.00 a month, and just like someone else just posted, the cutting is about to take place, the movies will probly go soon.gotta save anywhere i can,

i had direct tv before i moved into the house i live in now. when i moved here i had to go with comcast because at&t doesn't offer dsl in my area, so i went with comcast for the internet.
if i could get dsl i would go back to direct tv.

Exelman....
I have DSL service with AT&T and I do not have any phone service with them at all. You can keep your internet service and cut your phone completely off. I asked about doing that about 6 months ago and they said I had to have my phone service to have internet so I kept it. My dad had his completely turned off so about 2 months ago I called and told them I wanted to cut my phone service off and keep my internet and they did... I now pay $42.00 a month and we have one of the fastest packages they offer.

quote:

f i could get dsl i would go back to direct tv.

Thanks Nola. May I ask why? What do you miss about DirecTV?

quote:

I now pay $42.00 a month and we have one of the fastest packages they offer.

IS that a flat 42 or is that 42 plus taxes, fees, profit, CEO bonus and corporate jet?

Seriously, 42 is all?

quote:

Originally posted by RoadHawg:
There is NO SUCH THING AS A HDTV ANTENNA. And if you think there is I've got a NascarTV antenna I'll sell you...

The ONLY difference in TV antennas is UHF or VHF.

Your antenna doesn't care if you're watching HD or not.

Yes there is LINK

They do sell a smaller version in Wal-Mart for the top of the tv or shelf for about 20 bucks but it was not as good as this one.

quote:

Thanks Nola. May I ask why? What do you miss about DirecTV?

direct tv offers channels that comcast doesn't.
also, direct offers more HD channels.

comcast will try to rip you off every chance they get. they over charged me a few times on my bill and i had to spend hours on the phone with them to get them to fix it. the last time it happened, i told them if it happened again i would switch to direct tv. it hasn't happened since.

i think i'm going to switch and keep my comcast internet. (it will cost a little more)

quote:

Originally posted by flotown79:

quote:

Originally posted by RoadHawg:
There is NO SUCH THING AS A HDTV ANTENNA. And if you think there is I've got a NascarTV antenna I'll sell you...

The ONLY difference in TV antennas is UHF or VHF.

Your antenna doesn't care if you're watching HD or not.

Yes there is LINK

They do sell a smaller version in Wal-Mart for the top of the tv or shelf for about 20 bucks but it was not as good as this one.

Depends on who you want to believe I guess.

Wal-Mart or an antenna specialist

HDTV Antenna Myth

Even the federal government (FCC) tells you there's no need for a "special" antenna.

Great link Haug, but I am wondering if the RF amplifiers that people in the boonies use that go up by the antenna and a box behind the TV will have any effect, positive or negative . Any thoughts on that ?

quote:

Originally posted by RoadHawg:

quote:

Originally posted by flotown79:

quote:

Originally posted by RoadHawg:
There is NO SUCH THING AS A HDTV ANTENNA. And if you think there is I've got a NascarTV antenna I'll sell you...

The ONLY difference in TV antennas is UHF or VHF.

Your antenna doesn't care if you're watching HD or not.

Yes there is LINK

They do sell a smaller version in Wal-Mart for the top of the tv or shelf for about 20 bucks but it was not as good as this one.

Depends on who you want to believe I guess.

Wal-Mart or an antenna specialist

HDTV Antenna Myth

Even the federal government (FCC) tells you there's no need for a "special" antenna.

Well I don't know about the FCC. I do know that with my old antenna the channels were not high def and usually fuzzy. With the new one I have had no problems what so ever. And if companies are selling fake products why is the FCC and the government allowing this?

Love Love Love Direct TV, had to switch from Comcast after moving to where Comcast was not available. Really grieved over Comcast UNTIL I got Direct TV, would not go back unless I absolutely had to for some reason. Comcast would go out if there was the slightest storm, or sometimes for no reason. Direct TV is AWESOME!!

i just signed up for direct.
i did the plus hd dvd package for $49.99 a month. 22+ channels.
i know i'll have to pay an extra $15.00 for my internet, but here's the channels i'll get...
________________________________________________

The 101 Network

A&E

ABC Family Channel

American Movie Classics

Animal Planet

BBC America

BET J (BET Jazz)

Big Ten Network

Biography Channel

Black Entertainment Television

Bloomberg Television

Boomerang

Bravo

BYU TV

CNBC

CNBC World

CNN

C-SPAN

C-SPAN 2

Cartoon Network

Chiller

Christian Television Network

Church Channel

Comedy Central

Country Music Television

Current TV

Daystar

Discovery

Discovery Health

Discovery Kids

The Disney Channel

DIY Network

E! Entertainment Television

ESPN

ESPN 2

ESPN Classic

ESPNews

EWTN

Fine Living

Fit TV

Food Network

FOX Business Network

FOX Movie Channel

FOX News Channel

FOX Reality Channel

Fox Sports Net

FUEL TV

Fuse

FX

G4

Galavision

GEMS TV

GMC

GOD TV

The Golf Channel

Great American Country

GSN

Hallmark Channel

Headline News

The History Channel

History International

HITN

Home & Garden Television

Home Shopping Network

Independent Film Channel

Investigation Discovery

ION Television

Jewelry Television

The Learning Channel

Lifetime

Lifetime Movie Network

Link TV

LOGO

The Military Channel

MSNBC

MTV

MTV2

The N

NFL Network

NASA TV

National Geographic

Nickelodeon

Nicktoons Network

Noggin

NRB Network

ONCE Mexico

Ovation TV

Oxygen

PBS KIDS Sprout

Planet Green

QVC

ReelzChannel

RFD TV

The Science Channel

Sci-fi Channel

Speed Channel

Spike TV

ShopNBC

Sleuth

SoapNet

SportSouth

Style

TBS

TCT Network

TNT

The Tennis Channel

Toon Disney

Travel Channel

Trinity Broadcasting Network

TruTV

Turner Classic Movies

TV Guide Channel

TV Land

TV One

TVG - The Interactive Horseracing Network

Univision

USA Network

VH1

Versus

VH1 Classic

V-me

WE

WGN America

The Weather Channel

Word Network

World Harvest Television
_______________________________
HD CHANNELS
-------------------------------

The 101

A&E

ABC Family

Animal Planet

Big Ten Network

Biography

Bravo

Cartoon Network

CNBC

CNN

Country Music Television

Discovery Channel

ESPN

ESPN 2

Food Network

FOX Business Network

HD Theater

HDNet

History Channel

Golf Channel

Home & Garden Television

The Learning Channel

MTV

National Geographic Channel

NFL Network

NHL Network

Nickelodeon/Nick at Nite

Planet Green

The Science Channel

Sci-fi Channel

Speed Channel

Spike TV

TBS Superstation

Tennis Channel

TNT

Toon Disney

USA Network

Versus

VH1

The Weather Channel
---------------------------------------

* Everything in CHOICE XTRA™ with HD Access and DVR Service
* Special Offer: FREE HD Access for 3 months (save an additional $9.99/mo. for 3 months)
* Local channels included at no extra charge*
* Free HD DVR receiver upgrade after instant online rebate ($199 value)
* 66 DIRECTV Music Channels included

also, over 60 music channels.

i had to do a 2 year agreement.
first year $49.95 a month, second year $72.99 a month. i'm doing one hd box and splitting it on 2 tv's. i'm paying an extra $4.95 month for an extra box to split on two other tv's.

quote:

Originally posted by RoadHawg:

quote:

Originally posted by flotown79:

quote:

Originally posted by RoadHawg:
There is NO SUCH THING AS A HDTV ANTENNA. And if you think there is I've got a NascarTV antenna I'll sell you...

The ONLY difference in TV antennas is UHF or VHF.

Your antenna doesn't care if you're watching HD or not.

Yes there is LINK

They do sell a smaller version in Wal-Mart for the top of the tv or shelf for about 20 bucks but it was not as good as this one.

Depends on who you want to believe I guess.

Wal-Mart or an antenna specialist

HDTV Antenna Myth

Even the federal government (FCC) tells you there's no need for a "special" antenna.

I have Directv and am 150% satisfied. I had Vonage, but the service was so unreliable (Comcast Internet) I left after 2 months. HD antennas: Because Directv does not have Huntsville local stations in HD yet (my only Directv complaint), I bought a Radio Shack directional VHF antenna and an amplifier that I only use during football season. I am at the 70 mile limit for VHF but can get 19, 25, and 54 consistantley and 31 and 48 most of the time. I have my antenna above the roof line of my two story house.

quote:

Originally posted by LoVibe:


I have Directv and am 150% satisfied.

You should cherish that moment, It has been a long...long...time since I have been that satisfied with anything. I do know it is possible though.

quote:

Originally posted by unclegus:

quote:

Originally posted by LoVibe:


I have Directv and am 150% satisfied.

You should cherish that moment, It has been a long...long...time since I have been that satisfied with anything. I do know it is possible though.

Ok, ok, How about I am a "satisfied customer" and would recommend someone to Directv?

OK agreed, I have been satisfied with Directv since the beginning. Of course it has been the best thing available where I live for as long as it has been in existence.