DirecTV vs U-verse update?

thomasr1950 · ‎11-29-2009

I'd like to get a update on UVerse TV vs. Direct. I'm thinking about getting it. I'm getting the UVerse internet in a couple of weeks. I was wondering how the 2 compare now, if UVerse is as good as Directv. Directv is getting expensive and poor customer service. Therefore i'm thinking about changing.

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dwinth · ‎02-09-2009

thomasr1950 wrote:
I'd like to get a update on UVerse TV vs. Direct. I'm thinking about getting it. I'm getting the UVerse internet in a couple of weeks. I was wondering how the 2 compare now, if UVerse is as good as Directv. Directv is getting expensive and poor customer service. Therefore i'm thinking about changing.

This is a bad time to be asking that question. Right now there is a carriage contract dispute between AT&T and the NHL Network, and as a result the NHL Network has been pulled.

You will have a lot of these one or two post people who have responded negatively to this event urging you not to switch.

The veteran posters will be positvie, for the most part, about U-Verse. I would put more stock into what the veteran posters say than what the one post wonders say who think this is the end of the world because the NHL Network is not in the U-Verse lineup at this time.

I have faith that something will be worked out between the two parties.

Owning a computer and not having the internet is like buying a refrigerator and not stocking it with food.

RCSMG · ‎12-10-2007

I switched from DTV to Uverse in 07 and have not regretted it one bit. First of all my service stays up when it gets really cloudy, rain/snow storms. There are limitations with the service, because programming is delivered to the home in 4 streams of video packets. Which means only four different channels are able to viewed simultaneously. But the cool thing is you can record up to 4 different channels simultaneously and watch a recorded program at the same time. I love Uverse and don't see going to any other service provider if I can help it.

As for cost, Uverse is definitely a lower cost than DTV for me. Some say it is higher, so to that I say, your results may vary. I have the U300 package which included Showtime, Encore, TMC, and Starz premium channels. If you stick around you will see negative and positive posts about the service. But that holds to of all of the service providers. Customer service complaints have been on the rise here in the forum. But I have yet to have a bad experience with cs/ts csrs and have had good experiences when equipment has needed to be replaced. And repairs were needed on the lines.

thomasr1950 · ‎11-29-2009

I don't watch NHL. That wouldn't keep me from switching. I'd like a overall opinion as to how it compares now vs the early days. Pros/cons. Most of the channels look the same. How is pic quality?

RCSMG · ‎12-10-2007

Pic quality is good for me. I don't have hdtv so I can't speak to the hd pic quality. There are times when there is pixelization and freezing. Usually this can be resolved with a reboot of the stb or RG, but other causes could be bad lines between the VRAD and the home, bad splitters, equipment going bad. As far as all of the pros and cons I'm sure others will be along to post them. Since I haven't seen all of them I can't speak to all of them Stick around, you will get an eye full.

jimgfitzgerald · ‎08-23-2010

I've never had Direct TV, so I can't compare the two. I am liking my U-Verse, but the HD is not as good as my old Charter cable. Most people seem to think Direct TV HD is much better than U-Verse. Customer service sucks, so don't change for that reason. My 6 month price is $101.83 for U200 plus 18/1.5 internet. It goes up by $53 per month at the end of 6 months. I will probably switch back to Charter if I can't get a promotional pricing package at that time. Many people have zero problems with U-Verse and love it, as I do. Others have nothing but problems and hate it. Your results may vary.

oufanindallas · ‎02-08-2010

I've had Dish and Direct TV. I switch in 09 to UVerse from Direct and haven't looked back nor have I missed it one bit. Direct after the initial new subscriber discount was way to much for terrible customer service and spotty tv service. Each of the satellite providers were installed in multiple locations and I always lost reception when I needed it most during inclement weather. After needing a second provider for pohone and internet UVerse was the best and least expensive choice and I have not regretted it one bit. My picture quality is every bit as good as what I had on Direct even though the hard core video phile willl complain about things that 90% of watchers will never notice.

” Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports … all others are games.”- Ernest Hemingway

jimgfitzgerald · ‎08-23-2010

I would also add that my U-Verse tv and internet have been 100 percent reliable since I got them on 6/30. My tv will occassionally freeze up briefly (maybe once a day), but all I have to do is change channel and back and it's good to go. I have had zero internet outages. Two years ago I tried U-Verse and it was terrible. They seem to have resolved their technical problems, at least where I live.

LoveHD · ‎03-25-2011

Best thing one can do -- well, do the research. Research the programming; weigh the options; and take the time you need for an informed decision you would make.

happyharry · ‎10-13-2010

I had DirecTv for years but moved into a U-Verse neighborhood so I'm now a U-Verse customer. The only thing U-Verse TV has over DIrecTv is the service works in thunderstorms which DirecTV doesn't. The U-Verse service is very limited in terms of number of TV's and number of streams available to the whole house. If you have more than 4 tv - not for you. If you want to record a lot simultaneously - not for your. The DVR functions are years and years behind DirecTv and get updated once a year maybe. The picture quality used to be much worse but it is close between the two now. U-Verse used to have a fast reacting DVR but after the last update it is very slow and sometimes doesn't react again.

If I could I'd switch in a second.

Cheaper yes but you get what you pay for.

gregzoll_1 · ‎06-23-2010

See this http://imsresearch.com/press-release/ATT_Dares_Cable_Cos_to_Cut_Cable_with_WiFi_STB

"IMS Research, an independent provider of market research and consultancy to the global electronics industry voiced their opinion after a preliminary analysis. They indicated that AT&T was using an extreme compression of their video. Low HD video bitrates let them use relatively inexpensive 2×2 dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi radio based on the Broadcom BRCM4717 chip. Stephen Froehlich said: “AT&T can use such a simple design because its HD video is encoded at approximately 5Mbps compared to 5-8Mbps for HDTV over satellite and 16Mbps for HDTV over cable"

Now, keep in mind those numbers are regarding the new wifi box, and how it will handle hd on the U-verse system, but in reality, it shows that people are drinking too much Satellite kool-aid, in thinking that you have a higher bitrate, than you do with cable, or u-verse. In reality, the PQ with satellite and U-verse is the same, even though in the same sense, that the way att does the bitrate, it gets starved in fast motion.

U-verse uses H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC) encoding which compresses video more efficiently than the traditional MPEG-2 codec. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AT&T_U-verse But they are not using a fixed or constant bitrate as some are led to believe. The bitrate will vary, depending on the programming that is on the channel, and the scene, same as how Netflix is, when streaming. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variable_bitrate

________________________________________________________________

"Ren: Now listen, Cadet. I've got a job for you. See this button? Don't touch it! It's the History Eraser button, you fool!

Stimpy: So what'll happen?

Ren: That's just it. We don't know. Maybe something bad, maybe something good. I guess we'll never know, 'cause you're going to guard it. You won't touch it, will you?"
________________________________________________________________

bill4002 · ‎07-06-2010

It depends on your viewing habits, if you watch a lot of sports, direct tv is the obvious choice. If you like to watch a lot of movies , I would go with uverse.

klatu10 · ‎08-03-2008

happyharry wrote:
I had DirecTv for years but moved into a U-Verse neighborhood so I'm now a U-Verse customer. The only thing U-Verse TV has over DIrecTv is the service works in thunderstorms which DirecTV doesn't. The U-Verse service is very limited in terms of number of TV's and number of streams available to the whole house. If you have more than 4 tv - not for you. If you want to record a lot simultaneously - not for your. The DVR functions are years and years behind DirecTv and get updated once a year maybe. The picture quality used to be much worse but it is close between the two now. U-Verse used to have a fast reacting DVR but after the last update it is very slow and sometimes doesn't react again.
If I could I'd switch in a second.
Cheaper yes but you get what you pay for.

The post above is on the money.

Uverse has come along way. HD Picture quality is right up there with Direc tv. However Uverse

has trouble with lots of information on the screen. Direc does not.

Ive also noticed throughout the years on the Uverse picture you get pulsating. Only system Ive ever noticed this on.

Uverse has added full functinality on all its dvr units. Thats a major feature improvement.

Vod on Uverse is tops. Direc you have to download.

Direc dvrs are however faster and have more sprecial features added to them.

Direc is higher in cost. Plus you do lose the picture during storms.

Sports no ohter syetm can compete.

Movie channels have improved.

In short id some it up this way.

Uverse: Great packages, great price! Plenty of movie channels-No contract!

Direc tv: Pricey, best sport packages, best HD picture, excellent dvr-Contract!!!

kryptonite · ‎04-10-2009

I believe U-Verse offers a 30-day trial period. If you don't like it, you can cancel within those 30 days, no problem. Even if you wait for 45 days, you'll still only pay for what you use. There is no contract to sign. What you can do is tell your installer to keep the DirecTV setup intact so you can switch back and forth. Try them both for 30-45 days, and see if you prefer one over the other.

JefferMC · ‎11-16-2009

kryptonite wrote:
I believe U-Verse offers a 30-day trial period. If you don't like it, you can cancel within those 30 days, no problem. Even if you wait for 45 days, you'll still only pay for what you use. There is no contract to sign. What you can do is tell your installer to keep the DirecTV setup intact so you can switch back and forth. Try them both for 30-45 days, and see if you prefer one over the other.

You may have issues keeping your DirecTV setup intact simultaneously, because the default installation package includes reuse of suitable wiring already in the home. If you ask them to run additional wiring to allow the DirecTV installation to remain active, they may charge you for any cable they have to run to accomodate you.

OTOH, they may not. Just setting your expectations correctly.

kryptonite · ‎04-10-2009

Can't you just run a few A/B switches? OTOH, that may not work entirely. It's always best to be prepared for a charge, or wire it yourself, if you know how.

RCSMG · ‎12-10-2007

Let the tech know you are keeping your DTV service. A year or two ago it was stated that the tech may charge a fee for running the new cable or they may not. ATT installation policy may have changed in tis regard, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

snowcat · ‎09-15-2011

I had DirecTv for almost two years, and then I switched about 3 weeks ago to Uverse.

What I like most about the switch:

1. I get some HD channels that I didn't get with DirecTv. The two big ones are AMC-HD (love "The Walking Dead") and my local MyTV30 (Shows a lot of SEC games). HUB-HD and TOONW are nice as well. (Update: AMC-HD is on DirecTv now)

2. It is really fast to watch On-Demand shows. It just wasn't worth the time to do it with DirecTv.

3. Whole-home DVR. I know DirecTv has it as an option, but it was a $200 upgrade, plus $3 a month. It is included with Uverse.

4. I was able to drop Comcast internet and consolidate my tv and internet bill.

5. DVR is more responsive.

6. So far, TV quality is the same or better. Even sports look the same with maybe a little worse quality on CBS football games (but nothing serious).

7. No outages. (I did get rain fade on DirecTv on occasion)

What I miss about DirecTv:

1. Dual buffers. It was really easy to watch two games at once and rewind either one. You can do it by recording by games on Uverse, but you have to delete the games later.

2. Easier channel guide. I could hide all the SD stations with one click in the menu. With Uverse, I had to hide each one manually.

3. When selecting a channel to be a favorite or to hide, DirecTv would automatically go to the next channel after selection. With Uverse, you have to use the arrows to go to the next channel.

4. Braves Peachtree games not shown currently. I hope they can resolve that next year.

5. Hiting the red button to display sports scores. That was pretty cool.

So far, I am very happy with the switch. I have the 18 MB internet and a 4HD profile, which certainly helps. I was also able to put my residential gateway in a more central portion of my house and directly connect my main PC, my XBox, and my Blu-Ray player to the gateway instead of my old setup of wireless + powerline adapters.