| DaleB |
VOOM! 40 channels of HDTV. This is not ordinary service. It is definitely aimed at HD buffs. Part of signing on is paying $750 for the excellent receiver. But alternatives are always nice.
Like the new Dish HDPVR, this is in the lastest issue of Sound & Vision.
http://www.voom.com/index.jsp?location=home |
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| mlkeller |
Anyone had experience with it? It looks interesting, but in scanning some other boards (e.g., avsforum), I have seen some stories about installs taking months, lack of business, etc...
Curious to hear from folks here... |
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| Vman007 |
| I looked into it, but couldn't justify spending $750 considering I paid about that for the HDTV DirecTV equipment and installation a few years ago. And this would just make the DirecTV equipment useless. If I didn't already have the DirecTV HDTV equipment I would have signed up right away especially since they were giving the first few months for free and the equipment comes with an antenna that allows you to receive the free local HDTV broadcasts as well. They now have promotion that doesn't require the $750 up front cost for the equipment, but adds about $10 a month for the equipment instead. I'm tempted, but still haven't signed up. DirecTV is adding more HDTV programming - they added CBS right before the super bowl and they are supposed to be in talks with FOX to add FOX programming in HD as well. I'm also waiting for someone to come out with a TIVO type receiver that can record the HD programming. |
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| mgtr |
| I don't have it, I am a DirecTV kind of guy, but I would say it is well back behind DirecTV, Dish Network, digital cable, and even over the air (OTA). I would put it in about the same class as a KIA (ie, pretty poor) |
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| crmsnidol |
quote:
Originally posted by mgtr
I don't have it, I am a DirecTV kind of guy, but I would say it is well back behind DirecTV, Dish Network, digital cable, and even over the air (OTA). I would put it in about the same class as a KIA (ie, pretty poor)
By what measure? |
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| BLACK-BLING-MDX |
| It's free installation now. Check it... |
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| cycler15 |
I just ordered VOOM... an installer is coming to my place in 2 weeks to install it. They have a special right now where there is no upfront/installation charges and no long term contract necessary. You only pay $40 a month for the HD channels and $10 a month for the equipment. Around 15-20 channels are exclusive HD channels only available to VOOM (channel for fashion, channel for music and concerts, channel for cartoons and anime, etc).
We'll see how my installation and everything goes. I actually live in a condo with no balcony and they can't install on the roof. I have a wall that is basically a sliding window that has an unobstructed view south. So I'm going to have them install the dish inside my place.
For HD, VOOM makes a lot of sense. DirectTV only offers 4-5 HD channels besides the network channels. Plus you have to pay for installation and long term contract with DirectTV.
The only thing that sucks with VOOM is that they don't offer Fox Sports. So I'm going to keep my basic cable for my 2 TVs and just have the VOOM for my main HD TV. Gotta be able to watch sports....
I'll let you guys know how everything works out. |
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| BLACK-BLING-MDX |
| So I took the leap and got VOOM with no upfront cost and free installation. I can safely say one of the best investments I have ever made. Yes, that's right, it was free, no risk, and no yearly contract. Plus, you get all these HD channels. I also get all my local channels in HD through an antenna. If you ever have any problems, they send out an installer the next day to fix whatever problem you had. I am upgrading my local antenna to the bigger one, and they are doing that for free. The HD picture is absolutely stunning. I have a 65" Theater Wide Cinema Series Toshiba Rear-Projection TV and the picture is jaw-dropping. They are adding new HD channels all the time and have the bandwidth to bring an unlimited amount of HD channels right to your house. Seriously, you cannot go wrong with VOOM. I feel that the picture quality of the SD channels are much better than DirecTV or Dish Network. The main thing for me was that I would get all my local channels in HD! It's free now through July. Check it out. Any more questions, please feel free to drop a line here or PM me. |
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| Maik |
I have had DirectTV Tivo for several years and absolutely love it. I cant imagine not having Tivo and all the various sports channels. Hughs has finally shipped its first HD/Tivo units in the last couple of weeks. So many were presold that they are not available in most areas yet. I have one on order at Tweeter and expect it to arrive in the next couple of weeks.
The Tivo hard drive is capable of recording up to 30 hours of HD programming and 200 hours of non HD programming.
BTW, in my opinion, digital cable is a VERY distant cousin behind Direct TV and Dish and the DirectTV/Tivo combination simply can not be beat. |
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| DaleB |
Glad to see Voom has had a successful launch. There is lots more goodies on the horizon. I have the lowly PVR 510 from Dish...but serves well for now.
I have had dish now almost 6 years! And have never turned back.
Satellites have always been the way to go. Most TV programming these days originates from satellites, why not get it direct from the source?
It would work better for the internet if it were not for the latency. |
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| cycler15 |
Black Bling MDX -
How long is the delay between changing channels? |
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| cycler15 |
quote:
Originally posted by DaleB
Glad to see Voom has had a successful launch.
When I called to order, I asked how many customers they currently have. The guy said they currently have 25,000 customers. He also said business has been picking up and they are getting really busy. The earliest I could get an appointment for installation was 2 1/2 weeks away. |
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| BLACK-BLING-MDX |
| Yeah cycler, they are really busy. A couple of things, Voom is upgrading all regular HD recievers with HDPVR recievers this summer. Amazing. The delay time used to be enormous and unbearable when I first got it, but I had not updated the firmware on the box. After that was done, it was working like a charm. There is absolutely NO delay time in loading channels, HD or SD. |
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| cycler15 |
Black Bling MDX -
Does your VOOM dish face exactly south? I read on AVS forums that the VOOM satellite is somewhat east. This could be a problem for me since I plan to install the dish inside my place next to a window that faces south. |
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| Maik |
quote:
Originally posted by cycler15
Black Bling MDX -
Does your VOOM dish face exactly south? I read on AVS forums that the VOOM satellite is somewhat east. This could be a problem for me since I plan to install the dish inside my place next to a window that faces south.
Is the Voom dish different than Direct TV's dishes?
I believe that Direct TV dishes can not be mounted indoors at all. Not sure if it would work through a glass window. |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by Maik
Is the Voom dish different than Direct TV's dishes?
I believe that Direct TV dishes can not be mounted indoors at all. Not sure if it would work through a glass window.
There are some weather-covers sold for dishes. I heard they are generally not recommended and do decrease signal strength to some degree. I believe glass would do the same. And if there is any coating at all, it could result in a reflection problem. |
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| cycler15 |
quote:
Originally posted by Maik
Not sure if it would work through a glass window.
I have a sliding glass window.... so if worse comes to worse, I can always open the window when I want to watch HD. Haha... I'll pay the price when it's summertime and 100 degrees in Los Angeles. The sacrifices for HD.... |
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| Maik |
quote:
Originally posted by cycler15
I have a sliding glass window.... so if worse comes to worse, I can always open the window when I want to watch HD. Haha... I'll pay the price when it's summertime and 100 degrees in Los Angeles. The sacrifices for HD....
I assume that you are either kidding or single!
I cant even imagine my wife considering a dish inside the house!
Isn't there someplace outside for you to mount it? |
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| cycler15 |
quote:
Originally posted by Maik
I assume that you are either kidding or single!
I cant even imagine my wife considering a dish inside the house!
Isn't there someplace outside for you to mount it?
haha... i'm single. I've had my Sony 42" Rear Projection Grand Wega LCD tv for 4 months now and have been itching to watch HD on it. I can't mount the dish outside because we have strict rules against that kind of stuff (like all condos). With VOOM there is no long term contract, so if it doesn't work out, I can just cancel.
First I need to find out if this whole setup will even work. |
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| BLACK-BLING-MDX |
| They can mount it on the ground outside your house if you have the right view. Have the installer come out and check it out. |
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| pisay87 |
| Back in June this I also changed to Voom. Had been a Directv customer for 7 years prior to that. The zero upfront cost plus no contract was too hard to resist. :) Have been very satisfied so far. |
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