Question sbout Directv, protection plan, & receiver upgrade (Minneapolis: fit in, living in)

[pmlpml]

Weird question that doesn't totally fit into the MSP category but thought I'd ask.

We got Directv when moving here just over 2 yrs ago. We have the main box & then 3 satellite boxes. We opted for their protection plan. That was due to our cable box constantly going out. Their protection plan includes a receiver upgrade every 2 years.

So, based on time, we are now eligible for a receiver upgrade. But there is nothing wrong with the equipment. Should we upgrade just to get the latest & greatest?

I read on the internet but can't make sense of what it says so figure someone here has already worked through this.

Thanks!

[Cruz Azul Guy]

I wonder how many people out there still waste their money on cable/satelite tv? We have been without it for years and don’t miss it one bit. My suggestion would be to consider scrapping it and getting an internet tv package instead if you really still need to have similar programing. We get by with local tv + Netflix. The only thing I miss is sports, occasionally, but I also don’t have time to sit on my couch for 3 hours to get through an entire game so I’m better off without it.

[wamer27]

I would upgrade as it’ll have some features your two year old one won’t. If it signs you up on a contract, then I’d second guess it. When I cancelled my Directv, they’d call me from local phone numbers constantly. (Made mistake of answering one)

[Tyryztoll]

Originally Posted by Cruz Azul Guy

I wonder how many people out there still waste their money on cable/satelite tv? We have been without it for years and don’t miss it one bit. My suggestion would be to consider scrapping it and getting an internet tv package instead if you really still need to have similar programing. We get by with local tv + Netflix. The only thing I miss is sports, occasionally, but I also don’t have time to sit on my couch for 3 hours to get through an entire game so I’m better off without it.

I briefly tried the internet thing, but you have to have a very powerful internet speed for that , otherwise anything you watch will be constantly marred by incessant buffering and outages, and it will drive you absolutely nuts. We don't have a company capable of providing that level of internet power up here. Midco has the fastest speeds in our area, and even with their "extended wi fi" package, which is an extra 7 bucks a month, the tv reception was a joke. It would cut out consistently, to the point I went running back to Directv and am paying them just so I can have all my sports and the weather channels.

[Cruz Azul Guy]

A benefit of living in Minneapolis is we get USI fiber optic internet with 50 mbps up/down for $34.95/month. This has been super fast and flawless for us thus far...can’t say enough good things about it. And not that I’d ever need it but they offer up to 10 gbps up/down service which is absolutely absurd speed.