Absinthe & Cookies (a bit bitter, a bit sweet)

We've tried both Dish and Direct...never again. The customer service for both is VERY crappy. Half the time, the signal was bad and we couldn't watch tv.

We also have Comcast Digital Cable. It can be expensive, depending on the package you have, but totally worth it, in my opinion. The extra features more than make up for the money we spend.

Also, we get a bit of a discount for using Comcast for our internet service. :)

Well, actually I've had the opposite experience from what Gennie has had.
I used to have Comcast cable because I planned on switching to cable internet from DSL (long story, I'll spare you). Anyway, the cable internet didn't work out (shite signal) so I finally punted Comcast and went with the Dish Network. I had DirecTV when I lived in Virginia, and I like the Dish better--MUCH better customer service, plus it's cheaper than DirecTV (more channels at the same price). Digital cable cost me twice as much as satellite!

The drawback: during a bad thunderstorm, I'll lose the signal for a few minutes. When I had DTV in Virginia a few years ago, though, we'd lose it for HOURS. I guess things have improved drastically with satellite TV in the last few years, because it rains a LOT more here than it does in VA.

I'd say definitely punt cable in your case, and go with the Dish. Just my humble opinion, though! ;-)

Not a klew, my friend. My Comcast seems to be just fine here. Maybe you've got a lousy connection. Oh well. Have you asked Fred what he's got, and is he happy with it?

We had Comcast for the TV and the computer. Here in NJ their customer service stinks and so did the service. Excuses after excuse as to why the cable modem didn't work, excuse after excuse as to why the digital cable didn't work - here's just a few of them - we were at the end of the line, we had the wrong modem, we need the house re-wired, there weren't enough stations or boxes or terminals (something like that) in the area yet and they were overloaded.
We finally got a new modem from them and the cable for the modem started working better, but the digital cable for the house didn't so they rewired the house. Still no good so we dropped the TV part and got Direct TV. We *loved* Direct TV, even during a Nor'easter we could maintain a signal, it was very rare the signal was interrupted. Then we decided to go with an HD TV, well the cost to have a satellite put in for that is over $300.00. Forget that. Comcast had a deal for the HD-DVR, so after about 4 years we decided to give them another try. I now have holes in the wall from where they drilled and they didn't need to and the first guy here cut the wires for the Direct TV nad cut the wires on the extended cable that I had and had purchased myself. And after all that mess, he couldn't get the Comcast connection to work. The sage continues, but I'll cut it short, we have Comcast only because it's cheaper and we no longer have cable in my bedroom because that taxes the signal too much. I love thee HD though and I love the DVR, however, monthly it costs more than Direct TV and you don't get as many channels that are HD as you would with Direct TV. I know, we should just save up and go back to Direct TV, I keep hoping they'll have a sale!

Sorry, don't have much knowledge about satellite. The apartment complex owners don't want antennas put up (though they've never taken down the over-the-air antennas, just plastered over the terminals in the apartments when they made a deal with the cable company...), and I face North and East while the satellites are South and West, and putting antenna inside seems that windows cut signal significantly, and - well.

But look carefully at the DVR. New boxes may not record everything - DRM, DMCA, whatever, even TiVo will not record some stuff. But you can buy/make your own, either with a TV card for your computer (get a BIG hard drive and a DVD recorder) or various types of interface boxes. Lots of stuff TigerDirect.com, Geeks.com, CyberGuys.com, etc. or google's FROOGLE portal.

Oh, and get a newsreader (I use freebie XNews, but there are lots) on you computer and subscribe to a UseNet server site (there are a couple of free ones: I use GigaNet, $20/month no ;imit download) and check groups like `alt.binaries.multimedia.vintage-film` - films like "Here Comes Mr. Jordan" and "Notorious". Other groups do more recent stuff...

We're quite happy with our DirectTv service.

CC

We've got comcast here in MA. It works, and is remarkably fast regarding the Internet connection. The signal from cable is very good indeed. Of course, there is the occaisonal tv station with some interference usually with video and not audio. All in all, it works very well. I did not go for a DVR as comcast's DVR, by default don't record on-demand shows ( at least that is what they say, since I never had one I can't really do an empirical test! ). Ith, maybe you could try a dvd recorder?

Thanks for the comments. My parents have a satellite due to no cable where they live, and they love it.

Just to clarify, I'm not looking for a movie service. I'm just talking regular TV channels, no movies, no internet, just ABC, NBC, HGTV, SciFi, etc. I won't be buying the DVR with Dish network, it's a lease like the digital box I have to use for Comcast. I'd love a DVR of my own, but I can't afford one, and it still woudn't solve the crappy signal issue with Comcast. And whatever the DVR can or can't record, it can't be worse than the old fashioned VCR that I currently use. As long as it records General Hospital for me everyday, I'm happy. The idea is to spend the same amount of money-- not more -- for a better mousetrap. Either DirecTV or Dish will give me that, I'm just wondering of the two, which people prefer.

I haven't either myself, but my parents swear by Dish. As for DirecTV

[whispers]

I used to work for a company that wrote their equipment control software and, Ith?

It was really, really, really bad software.

So that's what would prejudice my decision, were it my decision, which I know it is not. :)

[whispers back] it's good to know someone in the know!

Just be aware you will have NO service in bad weather. I mean NONE.... That and the dish on our roof blew down in a storm and did some major damage to the house because of a leaky roof.

Well I had Cox Communications for my cable and finally gave them the boot! I just switched over to DishTV and so far I love it. My parents have had it for a year now and they love theirs too. I think the reception is nice and clear - of course we live in sunny Phoenix. so far great service, many channels and I have already tried my DVR twice! I like the other little features too like viewing the guide without changing the channel and getting info on what you are watching without having to go and get a TV guide. Oh and they have a gazillion music stations. I actually put it on the 80's and rocked while cleaning my house - guess who some of the DJ's were? Alan Hunter and Mark Goodman (orignial MTV VJ's) And Ith you should get a movie package - they rock!

Oh and I got this error when trying to comment...Your comment could not be submitted due to questionable content: my blog name was here.

What's up with that Ith? It doesn't like me blog name? It thinks it's porn or sumin??? Huh? huh? huh?

Lori, I'll check blacklist and see if some part of your blog name has been tagged. I'm thinking it might be chick...

Well, that blows what theory...

Okay, you should be able to use your URL now!

;-)