Neil McCaulley
Stunt Coordinator
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2004
- Messages
- 103
Hello all,
I just had a major ordeal last night with DirecTV. I finally broke down and purchased an HDTV Receiver to take advantage of the high-definition capabilities of my HiDef Hitachi Widescreen TV. I was certain to ask lots of questions before I invested the $390 (which I borrowed as a loan) into purchasing the system. Some of those questions were:
"If I purchase this receiver, and a channel is advertising that it is being broadcast in HDTV, will I see the channel in HiDef?"
Their answer was:
"Yes Sir. Once you purchase the Receiver, you will be able to see all channels that are being broadcast in HiDef. You will also be able to take advantage of your NFL Sunday Ticket programming by viewing some select games in HiDef."
My response:
"So I do not have to purchase an HDTV SUBSCRIPTION to get these channels, correct?"
They said:
"That's right Sir. Our HDTV programming packages are available for as low as $10.99 per month which will give you 8 channels that are always broadcast in high definition. But if all you want is your local channels in HiDef, then nothing else is necessary."
Well, I don't know how else to put this, but DirecTV LIED TO ME. After their homeless people called 'Contract Workers' came to my house, delivered the HDTV Receiver, SUPPOSEDLY hooked it up correctly, and left, it became obvious very quickly that there was no noticeable difference in picture quality.
I called them to see if the Receiver was hooked up properly. It wasn't. After being on the phone with them for TWO HOURS troubleshooting that there was nothing wrong with the Receiver or my TV, they now tell me I need to purchase and have installed, a high-definition antennae in order to view local HDTV programming! Amazing! This was NEVER mentioned or explained to me BEFORE I bought the damned thing! IF I would have known that I had to spend an additional $100 to $200 just to view an occasional program in high definition, I would have not bought the $390 Receiver in the first place. I swear, if DirecTV did not have exclusivity rights to NFL Sunday Ticket, I would be gone faster that Neon Deion switches teams! I am SO MAD at those incompetent con-artists right now.
Anyway, here is my question(s):
1) Can anyone out there recommend a decent HDTV receiver that I can purchase that is considerably less expensive than $390?
2) How much does an HDTV antennae cost?
3) How difficult is it to install yourself?
4) Do you really need an HDTV Receiver if all you need is an HDTV antennae in order to get a few local programs in high definition. For example, ABC's Monday Night Football is broadcast in high definition. Would I be able to see this if I have the antennae?
Thanks everyone!
I just had a major ordeal last night with DirecTV. I finally broke down and purchased an HDTV Receiver to take advantage of the high-definition capabilities of my HiDef Hitachi Widescreen TV. I was certain to ask lots of questions before I invested the $390 (which I borrowed as a loan) into purchasing the system. Some of those questions were:
"If I purchase this receiver, and a channel is advertising that it is being broadcast in HDTV, will I see the channel in HiDef?"
Their answer was:
"Yes Sir. Once you purchase the Receiver, you will be able to see all channels that are being broadcast in HiDef. You will also be able to take advantage of your NFL Sunday Ticket programming by viewing some select games in HiDef."
My response:
"So I do not have to purchase an HDTV SUBSCRIPTION to get these channels, correct?"
They said:
"That's right Sir. Our HDTV programming packages are available for as low as $10.99 per month which will give you 8 channels that are always broadcast in high definition. But if all you want is your local channels in HiDef, then nothing else is necessary."
Well, I don't know how else to put this, but DirecTV LIED TO ME. After their homeless people called 'Contract Workers' came to my house, delivered the HDTV Receiver, SUPPOSEDLY hooked it up correctly, and left, it became obvious very quickly that there was no noticeable difference in picture quality.
I called them to see if the Receiver was hooked up properly. It wasn't. After being on the phone with them for TWO HOURS troubleshooting that there was nothing wrong with the Receiver or my TV, they now tell me I need to purchase and have installed, a high-definition antennae in order to view local HDTV programming! Amazing! This was NEVER mentioned or explained to me BEFORE I bought the damned thing! IF I would have known that I had to spend an additional $100 to $200 just to view an occasional program in high definition, I would have not bought the $390 Receiver in the first place. I swear, if DirecTV did not have exclusivity rights to NFL Sunday Ticket, I would be gone faster that Neon Deion switches teams! I am SO MAD at those incompetent con-artists right now.
Anyway, here is my question(s):
1) Can anyone out there recommend a decent HDTV receiver that I can purchase that is considerably less expensive than $390?
2) How much does an HDTV antennae cost?
3) How difficult is it to install yourself?
4) Do you really need an HDTV Receiver if all you need is an HDTV antennae in order to get a few local programs in high definition. For example, ABC's Monday Night Football is broadcast in high definition. Would I be able to see this if I have the antennae?
Thanks everyone!