Cable vs. Direct TV (Charlotte: house, live, bill)

[Justpeachee]

Which do most people use? Where we live now (NYC) cable is much more popular, but also much more expensive. How about in the Charlotte area? (Also, does cable use a seperate box or a direct TV connection?) Thanks!

[travlingrlclt]

We only use direct tv for the sports packages. I hate it for everything else. We use time warner for our reg. cable.

[FrankTheTank2]

Most people in CLT have cable, at least everyone I know.

[the 7 oh 4]

Matter of preference. I prefer cable. We use to have Dish Network but went back to cable (Time Warner Cable in Charlotte).

[sstarrx3]

If you have a television with a screen size larger than 36 inches, I would advise getting Direct TV or Dish. Programming is pretty good for all. Direct TV is the best for sports. The biggest difference is picture quality when you go to a Big screen. Cable just does not have the bandwith and large screens look grainy with cable. Don't let a cable person tell you "it's digital cable", hogwash, its inferior. Even cables' HD is inferior to Sat HD. When I got my first Big Screen TV (it was a 55 inch 1080i set), I had cable for 2 weeks before I got rid of it and went to Sat. Now I do not know about FIOS, that may be a different ball game. SAT is not that much cheaper though. I am still paying between 90-100 a month and thats without the pay movie channels. I do have all the sports channels though.

[nkjaws]

We have Directv only for the sports package, but they are so darn expensive. Our monthly TV bill is $130, $200 when we are paying for the sports package. The only premium channel we have is HBO, so pretty expensive. WE do have the HD package, and you have to pay $5 a month per tv so that all adds up. I think our next house will be cable

[cball75]

I used to have Directv, but trees with leaves and storms got in the way. I would rather have it for the sports, but got tired of the signal coming and going. The contract was annoying too. I have cable because of Road Runner, Phone and Cable discounts.

[BRKLYN2CLT]

I have Directtv and it's less expensive than Time Warner. I absolutely love it!!! (especially during football season) Their DVR is really good too. I still unfortunately, use TWC for internet due to limited options in my development. I use Vonage for phone and that too is pretty convenient. I think Directtv is the best television provider by far!!!! I hated TWC in NY and I still hate them here...I find their customer service to be a bunch of idiots. I remember when I canceled my service I returned my DVR's to the mall....everyone working for them was so rude and just miserable.

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by sstarrx3

If you have a television with a screen size larger than 36 inches, I would advise getting Direct TV or Dish. Programming is pretty good for all. Direct TV is the best for sports. The biggest difference is picture quality when you go to a Big screen. Cable just does not have the bandwith and large screens look grainy with cable. Don't let a cable person tell you "it's digital cable", hogwash, its inferior. Even cables' HD is inferior to Sat HD. When I got my first Big Screen TV (it was a 55 inch 1080i set), I had cable for 2 weeks before I got rid of it and went to Sat. Now I do not know about FIOS, that may be a different ball game. SAT is not that much cheaper though. I am still paying between 90-100 a month and thats without the pay movie channels. I do have all the sports channels though.

Cable can't touch FiOS. If you want to check specs for it, Verizon is rolling out FiOS in several markets. Check the main Verizon website.

[cball75]

What is FiOS? I agree that TWC's customer service leaves a bad taste in your mouth. I hate waiting on hold for 30 minutes every time I call. I like their phone service though.