Pizza Verses BUD.

[LocutusOfBorg]

Too bad there aren't any cheap options to get adequate programming. I'd like to get NHL Center Ice but the cost to get it is ridiculus. I can afford it but I'd rather put my money elsewhere. So, I'll stick with OTA (6 channels), FTA, H2H ala carte, and Netflix streaming (even though it needs a lot of improvement). I probably should get DN or DTV for the wife to make TV simpler for her (but I'm a cheap you-no-what).

 

[NotTy]

Since you have the 922 all you need to do is call SRL and order 1 month to see what you think. If you don't like it it's no biggie get something else. Try doing that with pizza ... LOL.

H2H doesn't have any contracts, I know. It's also cheaper & I can cancel anytime. But pizza has far more variety & is much easier for the wife & kid to use. It has PVR, multiroom set-ups, networks & local stations. H2H doesn't. Even when the 4096 stream was active, the available channels have been dying off for several years. Like the Buick Road Master that would crush anything in it's path, it too was replaced by smaller, lighter, easier to maneuver vehicles. Maybe these newer vehicles didn't get 6 miles to the gallon like the Road Master, but they were more practical for the average family.

 

[NotTy]

And yet the Road Master is a symbol of what America once was, just like the BUD. My BUD still sits high & proud as it scans the skies for TV signals, something you don't really see very often anymore.

 

[NotTy]

But it's not searching for H2H because I haven't converted yet.

 

[Anole]

The requirements listed are not compatible.
Sounds like anything I would suggest would be disregarded.
Because, from the tone, it appears DishNetwork or DirecTV will be chosen.
I don't have anything against those pay services; if that's what you want, so be it.

All I have is a 7.5 foot mesh Winegard with the original LNB, the 922 to move the dish with & the Openbox.
I do have OTA but only receive 1 channel.
I also have a VCR and a $29.00 Colby DVD player and a Heath/Zenith 27 inch color console I built back in 1984.
My computer is one I built in 2000.
So watching online stuff isn't very efficient.
Buying new stuff is out of the question.

- 922 + 7½' BUD sounds like an obvious opportunity.
- the Openbox adds to the above
- OTA, how about bigger/higher antenna for more channels?
- I built my second Heathkit color TV in the late 70's, but it's long-since been retired - time for an LCD 32" or 42"
- haven't built nor upgraded any computer here recently, but doubt I have any active ones dating back to 2000
- if buying new stuff is out of the question, then there is little point to discussing it. -

H2H doesn't have any contracts, I know.
It's also cheaper & I can cancel anytime.
But pizza has far more variety & is much easier for the wife & kid to use.
It has PVR, multiroom set-ups, networks & local stations.
H2H doesn't.

You will pay, Pay, PAY for ...
- PVR
- multiroom hookup
- networks
- local channel
Somehow, buying new stuff is sounding cheaper ... to me. -

 

[NotTy]

Before the analog OTA was switched to digital, I could get 9 local channels. Most of those weren't the best picture but I could at least watch TV for free. After the transition, I replace my antenna wire with new & cleaned all the connections on my 1977 antenna. I was only able to get 1 channel. I raised it to 40 feet & tried different locations & wasn't able to get any more than just one. I splurged & ordered a new, long range antenna (Channel Master) but still can only get one channel. Occasionally, I get 3 others (ION) but not very often. Money is tight right now so all I have is FTA That is controlled by the 922. This makes it very complicated for anyone but me to operate. I really enjoy my OpenBox.. For me, I can survive with what I have but the family is going nuts. And let's face it, H2H doesn't carry much. I would be happy with the Denver Networks, Discovery, Spike, USA plus Bravo, Oxygen, Animal Planet, Bravo & Lifetime. But H2H doesn't carry most of these. But yet I can't see myself spending $6,000.00 on watching TV over the next 10 years. Do you know how much beer that would buy?

 

[Kb Cool]

Before the analog OTA was switched to digital, I could get 9 local channels. Most of those weren't the best picture but I could at least watch TV for free. After the transition, I replace my antenna wire with new & cleaned all the connections on my 1977 antenna. I was only able to get 1 channel. I raised it to 40 feet & tried different locations & wasn't able to get any more than just one. I splurged & ordered a new, long range antenna (Channel Master) but still can only get one channel. Occasionally, I get 3 others (ION) but not very often. Money is tight right now so all I have is FTA That is controlled by the 922. This makes it very complicated for anyone but me to operate. I really enjoy my OpenBox.. For me, I can survive with what I have but the family is going nuts. And let's face it, H2H doesn't carry much. I would be happy with the Denver Networks, Discovery, Spike, USA plus Bravo, Oxygen, Animal Planet, Bravo & Lifetime. But H2H doesn't carry most of these. But yet I can't see myself spending $6,000.00 on watching TV over the next 10 years. Do you know how much beer that would buy?

Well, if you do go Pizza. Do yourself a favor and get the HD. It's free now anyways. I wouldn't want to see you make the same mistake TVROPRO made.

 

[harshness]

really? last I checked I could buy a receiver from Ebay or dishstore, set it up and call Dish and activate it with no contract. So that ship is still here in port

As we are reminded almost daily, TvroPro lives to talk turd about DIRECTV who doesn't offer such a plan.

 

[trinidex]

really? last I checked I could buy a receiver from Ebay or dishstore, set it up and call Dish and activate it with no contract. So that ship is still here in port

I did not know Dish offer a no contract option, is it on their website, or how can I find out the details?

 

[tvropro]

If you think pizza is for you get it but it won't be a free ride trust me. You will spend quite a bit of bucks on it especially if you go with your own equipment from the start on Charlie dish. There will be no teaser rate so you will pay full price from the start and also for equipment. My first year with Direct under contract with teaser comes in a couple bucks shy of $400 with taxes.Year two at full price would cost me approx $840 plus taxes. But I'm busting down to nothing to keep year two around $400 but I loose about 5 channels I would like to keep but ain't worth paying double plus for. Some are on H2H so that helps since I have a sub there too.

Also I got one receiver and SD, No DVR or PVR, HD, multi room etc. Pizza ain't the way to go if your money is needed elsewhere with the poor economy. Things are tight with me too right now and I hate the additional bill each month I have to pay or else. I used to go with more on the bud when I had it and cut back when things were tight. Can't cut back as far with pizza, there most basic pkg Family is almost as much as a full blown monthly pkg on H2H with a heck of a lot more quality channels. I don't consider the Direct filler/ shopping / ppv preview etc channels worth anything .

Direct Family package $29.99 a month.. No annual rake off.
H2H Dlx Digital pack $36.99 monthly or $31.65 Annual (with Skyvision)
Direct Choice Xtra. $65.99 a month.. No annual rake off. (this is what I have now) teaser rate $29.99 but a lot of bs to get that price usually $5.00 more.

DirecTV prices are without taxes. No taxes on H2H.

If you get pizza good luck. It's a thrill at first to have the extra channels but when the thrill is gone you may be kicking yourself like I am. But you need to experience it yourself.. I wish you a good experience.

 

[mjac]

I did not know Dish offer a no contract option, is it on their website, or how can I find out the details?

Yeah, where are those details? Short of making a phone call, I could not find anything on their web site.

While I enjoy playing with my BUD when I am at my cabin TN, my wife would really like something more basic and user friendly. I tried to get some sort of vacation plan a year or so ago to cover us when we were there but neither provider was willing to work with us. Both wanted full price.

Never mind. I just Google advance searched this site for "flex tv" and got 33 pages of info. Most of it conflicted so I think I'll go have a talk with a local retailer when I am next in TN. The install is free, hah, so they would be doing the work and might know the details.

 

[tvropro]

I tried every which way with Direct to get it without a contract using equipment I own already that people gave me. Some of the boxes held $400+ balances and the clear boxes were too old and they wouldn't auth them. They more or less forced me into there way or the highway. Direct also hides the Family pack and Select from everyone since they really don't want you to get those. They want the high dollar subs. They also check your credit and if subpar will charge you up to a $300 deposit. A whole set of rules just to watch tv. If they were on the up and up would they hide such things in the first place? The government should force them to post all packages and deals on the website, Isn't that what H2H does on SRL & Skyvisons site? Nothing hidden there.

Dish network ain't any better. Before you sign on the ......dotted line. Do your homework.

 

[NotTy]

If you get pizza good luck. It's a thrill at first to have the extra channels but when the thrill is gone you may be kicking yourself like I am. But you need to experience it yourself.. I wish you a good experience.

I've actually heard this from friends & family. When that second year comes around, the thrill is gone but they pay the higher prices anyway because it's " PIZZA" law & they want to be politically correct & not complain. Others say that 40 bucks for 220 channels is cheap, especially when pizza tells you it's cheap. But in reality, that's about $2.00/channel for me. But they can't comprehend those figures.

 

[tvropro]

220 channels 210 junk 10 you watch $70.00 a month = $7.00 per channel.

 

[Mr Tony]

I did not know Dish offer a no contract option, is it on their website, or how can I find out the details?

you buy the equipment from a dealer (dishstore as example...they're a sponsor) or Ebay and you set it up. Call Dish and tell them what package/programming you want. You dont get the discounts but there is no contract.

 

[Mr Tony]

Yeah, where are those details? Short of making a phone call, I could not find anything on their web site.

While I enjoy playing with my BUD when I am at my cabin TN, my wife would really like something more basic and user friendly. I tried to get some sort of vacation plan a year or so ago to cover us when we were there but neither provider was willing to work with us. Both wanted full price.

Never mind. I just Google advance searched this site for "flex tv" and got 33 pages of info. Most of it conflicted so I think I'll go have a talk with a local retailer when I am next in TN. The install is free, hah, so they would be doing the work and might know the details.

flex tv is different animal. See my post right above this one on how to set up an account

 

[Mr Tony]

I tried every which way with Direct to get it without a contract using equipment I own already that people gave me.

Directv wont activate old equipment on a brand new account. PERIOD.
They havent done that in maybe 10 years

Direct also hides the Family pack and Select from everyone since they really don't want you to get those.

those packages are mainly to "save" customers from leaving...but once the hole was exposed...well you get the jist

 

[mjac]

flex tv is different animal. See my post right above this one on how to set up an account

Thanks Ice,
I am looking for a basic sub for use at my TN place when we are there. Something we could turn on and off when appropriate.When I looked into it a while back there where no options but now the flex tv might be the way to go. Unless you are suggesting a regular account would suit my needs better?

 

[tvropro]

Direct won't activate my old receivers now for me either. I tried when I had the STB problem. Don't dish charge an activation fee if you use something from flea bay or the like?

 

[Corrado]

The H2H programming that we use isn't priced that greatest either for the channels in the packages. The value of the Pick-10 really isn't worth it. the H2H Deluxe Digital Pak is what I currently have. Once you go higher the H2H programming doesn't add up for what you get in choices and only SD for cost considering for a single receiver.

I can't understand why the packages vary slightly between the 410 and converted 4D receivers. For example BBC America is not available on the 410, Pick-10 but is on the 4D boxes??? You would think they would be the same but they're not. The prices are also slightly different between SRL and Skyvision. That makes the small dish look more appealing for the larger packages when you pass the $50mo. benchmark.