Time Warner HD vs DIRECTV HD
Why settle for less HD from Time Warner when DIRECTV offers so much more? Just look at some of the popular HD channels DIRECTV offers - but Time Warner does not:
Big Ten Network HD
Bravo HD
Cartoon Network
CNBC HD+
FUEL TV HD
FX HD
MGM HD
MHD
National Geographic Channel HD
NESN HD
NFL Network HD
Sci-Fi Channel HD
Smithsonian Channel HD
Speed Channel HD
The History Channel HD
The Learning Channel HD
The Movie Channel HD
The Weather Channel HD
USA Network HD
Versus HD
These are DIRECTV National HD Channels, so you get them no matter where you live. Of course, DIRECTV also offers HD Local Channels (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox) in most US metro areas. Check the Local Channels list in our website right rail.
Give us a call toll free and we'll help you choose the DIRECTV Channel Package that's best for your family budget.
The satellite dish/digital cable tv tug of war goes on! DIRECTV and Time Warner each vie for your tv subscription. Read on to learn how the two tv companies compare and why 16 million customers nationwide have already chosen DIRECTV, the nation's #1 satellite tv provider.It's well-known that times are now tough for cable tv companies. In an April, 2007 online Wall Street Journal article, Matthew Karnitschnig writes, “Inside Time Warner Inc., senior executives are considering what was once unthinkable: whether the world's biggest media company should substantially reduce its cable-TV holdings over time.â€
DIRECTV's high-ranking customer service
DIRECTV has again been ranked #1 by J. D. Power & Associates among cable and satellite providers for customer satisfaction, this time in three out of four U.S. regions. The University of Michigan's American Customer Satisfaction Index has placed DIRECTV on the top of the list of television providers for the past six years, while cable didn't even make the list.
DIRECTV Beats Time Warner |
| FEATURE | DIRECTV | Time Warner |
|---|---|---|
| Digital quality | 100% digital quality on every channel, all the time | Digital quality on all higher # channels |
| Picture quality | Excellent and reliable | Good but not as reliable |
| Outages | Signal 99.96% of the time; DIRECTV is out only 9 minutes a year | Prone to more frequent and longer outages |
| Sound quality | Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound across the board | Dolby Digital 5.1 Suround Sound on HDTV only |
| Maximum # of channels | Over 255 channels | Up to 275 channels |
| Average # of channels per package | More channels than Time Warner for comparably priced packages | Fewer channels than DIRECTV for comparably priced packages |
| Premium networks | HBO, SHOWTIME, Starz | HBO, SHOWTIME, Starz |
| Customer service | Superior customer service | Very poor reviews |
| Fees for extra standard receivers | No charge for setting up standard receivers on multiple tvs in the home | Only one set-top box for coverage on multiple tvs with one monthly rental fee |
| High Definition (HD) | Included with Plus HD DVR package, otherwise $9.99/mo. Access Fee; free first HD receiver; $4.95/mo. for each additional HD receiver; up to 150 channels in HD, including major networks and local channels. Not limited in # of channels in HD, which require five times the bandwidth | HD on many channels & On Demand programming; monthly fee for service |
| Digital Video Recording (DVR) | Included with Plus DVR, Plus HD DVR & Premier packages; free first receiver through instant rebate, ($5.99/mo. for entire house); 100 hours of recording; built-in dual tuner | Uses same set-top box; record up to 35 hours of programming; monthly fee for service usually twice that of DIRECTV |
| Sports programming | Exclusive sports programming with packages such as the NFL Sunday Ticket and Mega March Madness | Fair coverage; mostly non-exclusive packages such as MLS Direct Kick, NBA League Pass & NHL Center Ice |
| International programming | Over 30 different languages represented | Spanish, German, French, Italian, Hindi & Vietnamese language programming available in some areas |
| Parental Controls | Yes | Yes |
| Interactive features | Extensive | Limited to On Demand programming |
| Special channels | Premium channels | the GREEN |
| Equipment | Satellite dish, HD/HD DVR receivers | Set-top box; no receivers necessary |
| Installation fee | No | Yes |
| Cable Card option | No | Yes |
| Installation fee | No | Yes |
| Music channels | Up to 67 XM radio stations | Up to 40 music channels |
| TV bundled with internet and phone | No; WildBlue sold separately | Yes |
To dish or not to dish, that is the question!
DIRECTV requires a dish mounted on your roof or patio with a clear, unobstructed view of the Southern sky. Time Warner's equipment is essentially one digital HD “set-top box.â€
DIRECTV's resolution is excellent because you can get 100% digital quality on every channel, all the time. Despite the name “Time Warner digital cable,†some channels are digital and some analog, making picture quality go down.
Lifelike clarity with High Definition (HD) tv
Do you want a screen that depicts images as if you're right there? Both DIRECTV and Time Warner offer High Definition (HD). DIRECTV gives viewers up to 150 channels of HD programming, totaling 900 hours per week. Such a huge selection of crystal clear, theater-like programming simply can't be beat. Time Warner offers HD programming, but across fewer channels.
Premium and exclusive programming
Premium programming among these two providers is comparable. Both offer HBO, Showtime, Starz and The Movie Channel.
Are you looking for exclusive programming? If so, turn to DIRECTV! Cable lacks these exclusive, on-demand partnerships. DIRECTV gives you the NFL Sunday Ticket, the FX series before it airs and the newest musical events only on CD USA.
Sports programming options
Sports fans flock to DIRECTV for over 25 specialty and regional sports networks featuring action-packed programming from the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and MLS. Specialty sports packages include the NASCAR HotPass, NBA League Pass and NCAA Mega March Madness.
Phenomenal football coverage is one of DIRECTV's hallmarks. Its exclusive NFL Sunday Ticket ranks high, providing football fans with up to 14 NFL games per week, available in HD as the SuperFan package! In 2003 Time Warner Cable, along with a few other cable providers, refused to carry the NFL Network on the league's terms. This was bad news for football fans on board with Time Warner.
Both Time Warner and DIRECTV give viewers the special MLB Extra Innings package with up to 60 out-of-market games each week throughout the regular season.
Differences in Family tv programming
DIRECTV's Family programming package offers more than 40 channels for a variety of ages and interests. Yet Time Warner's Family Choice package offers 15 digital cable channels in the Family Choice tier after first subscribing to Basic Cable service.
I have had Time Warner for
I have had Time Warner for only two months. Initial installation was faulty. It was done by a contractor and not T-W techs. A service call had to be made by T-W techs to correct the "installation". The T-W techs stated that they spend most of their time correcting such faulty installations. In addition the installation is unsightly.
The amount initially quoted for TV, high speed internet and phone service was doubled when I got the first bill. Over the past six weeks, six (6) calls, and three(3) letters have been written (and sent by certified mail. The billing is still in error. There has been no response from the letters. I have paid the amount initially quoted. Now I am being threathed by T-W with damage to my credit rating (credit score is 815, hardly a dead beat). Time to head for 'lawyer land'.
Don't repeat my experience. Find something other than T-W.
Charles
San Antonio
Time Warner Cable is the
Time Warner Cable is the worst.......they only use USED dvr boxes.......never new. I am on my third and it fractures the picture and we lose words. I pay over $128 a month for a piece of junk. We have not had the use of ON DEMAND for months. Even the service techs cannot fix it..............
I am ready to make a change soon - maybe to DirectTv.......I am checking it out as we speak.
I am an excellent customer, always pay on time, but THEY don't deliver service at all.
They had the nerve to ask me to go MYSELF into one of their locations and pick up another DVR BOX, and install it MYSELF. What are we paying them for?????............I refused to do it and am still awaiting yet another DVR box. 20 miles round trip - can you believe that?
Folks, don't waste your good money on this losing company. It's on its way out, I am sure.
hi everyone I was going to
hi everyone
I was going to buy time warner instand but my mom stopped me to order it. Then I told my mom I found a Directv online .my mom said that directv is cheaper. so I order Directv. I can't wait until they install my directv. I will be happier.
from
Valerie from NYC
Coaxial (CATV/Community
Coaxial (CATV/Community Access Television) service is a thing of the past from my parents days. I can watch DirecTV in a boat, on a Jet(JET Blue) or private plane, I can watch it in a car or while camping(suitcase unit available from DirecTV). I bash the wire service when you can just talk about the truth and the facts. DirecTV is the future and can offer a lot more. The other service is just trying to copy them and stay in business. Try bringing the other service on your boat or camping in the wilderness(GRIN).
After searching all over
After searching all over time warners website to find out what it would cost to switch from standard cable to HD all I could find were bundle packages. I tried emailing them without any response. Direct TV gives you the prices and great deals right on their website. No Tricks involved. I'm considering switching to Direct TV!
Time Warner, poor service.
Time Warner, poor service. I am a Time Warner subscriber, and I must admit that the company offers horrible service. They offer very few HD channels in my area, and the ones they do offer are channels I rarely watch. When black-outs occur they usually will last anywhere between 15 minutes to 7 hours! The picture on the screen frequently freezes, and at times will remain frozen for long peroids of time. During peroids of bad weather (especially strong wind) the picture is poor. For the times that I've had to deal with customer service I've only had two representatives that I felt were actually friendly, and wanted to lend me assistance -- the remaining were either rude, made me feel rushed, and at times made me feel "stupid" because I didn't understand all the TV-lingo. I'm strongly considering switching to DirectTV.
Time warner has an overall
Time warner has an overall bad reputation, I switched after dealing with grumpy customer service reps. Direct t.v is hassle free and a pleasure to have. Keep up the good work!
-Ace (satisfied customer)
Hollywood, CA
love Direct Tv with the
love Direct Tv with the largest amount of HD channels avalable. I had cable but then i swiched to Direct Tv for the most reliable service.
Time Warner is the worst.
Time Warner is the worst. How can they possibly think that us Ohio State fans were going to sit by and not watch our Buckeye football? Huge mistake not adding the Big 10 Network. And then to try to keep everyone, they lied and told us they would have an agreement in place and that never came! Ridiculous. I am so glad I made the switch to DirecTV. They even have Big Ten in Hi Def. Go Buckeyes!
Bob
Columbus, OH
Post new comment