If you are looking for a television option for your home, there are two services that you might consider – DirecTV and XFINITY. What are the differences between these two and is one better than the other? We’ll look at the two service providers and compare them and then you can decide for yourself. Keep in mind that both services may not be available everywhere, so you may have to pick one over the other.
Installation
When you are signing up for television services through XFINITY< you might have to pay for installation. The average installation fee is around $50 and could vary between service area. You can also choose between installing it yourself at no cost or having it installed professionally for a fee.
When you choose DirecTV you don’t have to pay for installation if you sign up for an agreement for two years.
HD Channels
Depending on where you live, you can have up to 130 HD channels. Their lineup’s made of popular networks like Disney HD, CNN HD, Discovery HD and includes other niche channels.
DirecTV’s lineup is consistent nationwide and lists 166 channels, including some channels that aren’t available through XFINITY. They also offer a subscription plan for people who love football, which is an exclusive item for their service.
On Demand
Both of the providers have a lot of options for On Demand. When you are subscribing to a lot of premium networks you are going to have a lot of free choices. There are thousands of titles available on XFINITY”s library. Some of them are free and others are .99 and up to rent. There are also subscriptions On Demand. These run from $5.99 – $12.99 each month.
There are also many titles that DirecTV has in their library. Some of them are free and others cost money based on the subscription.
Equipment
XFINITY has an X1 DVR that is able to record as many as four shows all at the same time and lets you watch one more program while they’re recording. There’s a 500GB drive in the DVR with XFINITY so that you can record as many as 300 hours SD or as many as 60 hours HD. Other televisions can be hooked up to the HD receivers or DVRs for an extra price.
The Genie product from DirecTV has a hard drive of 1TB so that you are able to store around 150 hours HD or around 400 hours SD. With this you are able to record five shows simultaneously and watch more than one channel with the dual picture option. You can also connect one or more televisions to your main Genie. There’s also the standard DVR that DirecTV that’s the same as the 500GB DVR that XFINITY offers.
TV Anywhere
With XFINITY you’re able to watch your recorded and live programming on more than one device in your home. It features recently watched, user recommendations, and more. You can also turn a mobile device into a remote control with the app for IOS. Want to use your voice? You can do that too with XFINITY. Not only that, but the Go App from XFINITY lets you schedule the DVR recordings even when you’re not home.
If you want to view when you’re not at home, you can access movies and TV shows through the XFINITY On Demand™ service. This can be accessed on a smartphone or tablet and the app.
With the everywhere option from DirecTV you’re able to watch recorded, On Demand or live content using a smartphone or tablet when you’re at home. The app that DirecTV offers on mobile devices offers DVR scheduling, remote viewing and browsing. If you have the GenieGO product and it’s connected to the HD DVR, you’re also able to transfer your shows to your smartphone, PC or tablet so that you can watch them anywhere even if you don’t have connection to the Internet.
Periods for Service Contracts
There’s no long-term agreements required by XFINITY, however there are promotional rates for those who are willing to sign a contract for two years. An example would be a special price for DVR service, which expires after one year if you don’t have a contract but extends for two years with a contract.
All of the promotions through DirecTV require a contract for two years for new customers.
Value Packages
When you choose XFINITY, you’re able to get a service package that has local channels that gives you a minimum of 10 channels for about $30 a month. This is a good choice when someone isn’t able to get their local channels. There is an economy package with more than 45 channels which costs between $19.99 to $39.95 each month.
DirecTV has an entertainment package that costs about $30 per month if you’re a new customer and sign up for two years. it gives you more than 140 channels and 50 of them are broadcast in HD which includes locals. There are promotions that offer $5 off your first 12 months, three free months of premium channels and a free upgrade to the Genie, although there are more service and equipment fees.
Final Thoughts
XFINITY and DirecTV vary when you are comparing their DVRs and how many HD channels they have. But when it comes to the choices you have on Demand, their options for TV everywhere, and their service contracts, they’re pretty even.
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