speaking of pretentiously high fidelity
Now that comments are working, let me ask a question. Part of Irresponsible Holiday Spending Spree '07 was the purchase, by Charles and myself, of an HDTV. It's backordered from Fry's at the moment, but I'm assured by many Amazon commenters that it'll be great. When Sunday school classes ponder the question "Could God make a TV so big that He couldn't watch it?", this is the set they use to illustrate the point (Answer: "We can never know. But lo! Surely He would have delivered unto us these three HDMI inputs, for He is just and good.").
So we've got a lot of new pixels, or will have them in short order. We don't have enough signal to keep them occupied, though. So it's time to say goodbye to our beloved DirecTivo. But should we consider DirecTV's hi-def package, or go talk to Comcast? Is one hopelessly inferior to the other, or is it worth taking the time to shake each down with the trademark mixture of cajoling and threats (think "abusive husband from Law & Order") that I use in all my interactions with customer service representatives? Help me internet, you're my only hope.
Comments
I have Comcast HDTV and it's great for sports but not much else. There are a few music channels and Discovery, TNT, etc. but that's about it.
Watching sports in HD is so much awesome. Be warned.
If you get a comcast DVR to replace your directivo, you'll have a lot of pleasure hacking the comcast box if you use a big mallet, axe, or otherwise pointy heavy thing. Beyond that, the next most pleasureable thing to using their DVR is turning the above mentioned implements of destruction on a body part of your choice.
It's what I like to call "comcastic".
The best signal you'll get on your TV will come from a $3 UHF antenna. If you are able to get a knowledgeable tech, the series 3 Tivo with a cablecard is also pretty good.
That being said, they are already getting the tivo software on the comcast boxes in Boston, and when that comes here, maybe I will consider them again.
If you can see the satellites for directv, I'd stick with them.
Cable or Satellite: The question of the Ages. We have the moxie box from the cable company that is a two tuner HD DVR for $10/a month and it rocks. But they are so popular that the company rations them.
Sports in HD will change your life.
I think cable wins out over Directv in a tight race. It's just easier and requires no up front purchases. The two tuner HD DVR you don't have to purchase tips the scale.