Direct TV vs AT&T U-Verse

Many parts of the country now have an additional choice when considering their cable TV options. These additional options are coming from the former Bell companies, AT&T and Verizon, as they now offer U-Verse and FiOS service, video services delivered over fiber and copper lines to each home. AT&T is ramping up their U-Verse service, aiming for a million customers by the end of 2008.

So how does AT&T’s U-verse service stack up with a satellite service like Direct TV?

As with anything, there are several considerations, and it can be difficult to make an across the board comparison, but here are some facts and figures to consider when comparing U-verse to Direct TV.

First, let’s consider a few of the U-Verse highlights.

U-Verse is a new initiative by AT&T to provide video services to residential customers via their existing network. In most areas, the actual service is delivered by VDSL technology, meaning it is not fiber to the home, (FTTH or FTTP), but is sent to a “node” in the neighborhood, then delivered by your existing copper line to your house.

The service is 100% digital, as is satellite service through DirecTV. But since it is delivered by hard line, you can expect a little more reliability overall. While satellite TV has made vast improvements in delivering signal, it still goes out occasionally during intense weather.

AT&T U-verse service is available in four different programming package levels. They are the U100, U200, U300, and U400 packages. While DirecTV offers television programming and that’s it, U-Verse can be combined with other services such as high speed internet and home phone service. So while the prices quoted here for AT&T U-Verse service may seem a bit high, remember if you combine them with other AT&T services, you will obviously get some sort of bundled discount. Every area can be different, so you will have to contact AT&T directly to get a quote on U-verse and other services combined.

First off, AT&T U-verse TV service currently includes the following when you start up. Professional installation is included of course, and also one month free TV service. Another promotion to consider it their $200 cash back deal. While the details seem long winded and extensive on this program, you basically have to sign up for U-verse and their high speed internet, fill out all the forms, and wait for your check in the mail. Check with AT&T for the exact details.

UVerse service currently has the following pricing tiers:

U100 - $69 for TV and high-speed internet, $44 for TV only. This package is the only AT&T package that does not include a HD receiver with a DVR. Package includes up to 100 channels and Video on Demand.

U200 - $84 for TV and internet, $59 for TV only. The U200 includes “up to 200 channels,” digital music channels, VOD, but no movie channels

U300 - $104 for combination TV and high speed internet, $79 for TV only. Package includes “up to 260 channels,” HD receiver, DVR, music channels, and Movie Package which has 30 premium channels of Starz, Showtime, Encore, and the Movie Channel.

U400 - $124 for combination, $99 for U-verse television only. This package includes up to 320 channels. Everything in the U300 plus all of the HBO and Cinemax channels, as well as extra regional sports networks are included here. This is the all-inclusive, all you can eat buffet package from AT&T.

As you can see, pricing on AT&T U-Verse is much higher than the promotional pricing you can receive from DirecTV. Here are the current prices for Direct TV packages, which reflect a discount of $18 a month for the first year. The only exception on this pricing is the Premier package, which has a discount tied in with the NFL Sunday Ticket package. Even after the first year discount, DirecTV pricing is still lower than the U-verse pricing on the AT&T website.

How does U-verse from AT&T stack up with Direct TV in other areas?

High definition programming is something most people are looking for today. HD access on the U-verse service is $10.00, and is $9.99 from DirecTV. The big difference here is in the number of HD channels available. DirecTV offers 95 national HD channels, as well as local HD in almost all major markets. AT&T U-verse offers 41 HD channels, and twelve of those are premium movie channels, so obviously quite a difference in this area.

Comparing DVR services is often difficult unless you can use each service for a period of time, then report back on what you like. As far as specifications go for the U-verse Digital Video Recorder, probably the most amazing thing is that it can record up to 4 shows at one time – wait, who needs to record 4 shows at the same time. Anyhow, it is there if you need it. One frustrating aspect of U-Verse is that there is a one DVR per household policy, and additional receivers cost $5 for the other TV’s in the house. With DirecTV, you have the same fee for each additional receiver, but you can pay just $1 extra per month and get DVR service on every receiver as well.

As far as capacity, the U-verse DVR can hold up to 133 hours of SD programming, and 37 hours of HD programming, while the Direct TV DVR goes 200 and 50 hours respectively. Advantage to DirecTV as far as DVR capacity goes. Other than that, the DVR’s have similar features such as programming menus, parental locks, and the ability to pause live TV and skip commercials on previously recorded shows.

Installation of U-verse and DirecTV is one of those things that can go either way. Everyone has their horror story and wants to share it with the world, so individual experiences will of course vary. UVerse is in its infancy, so there is a learning curve going on in many areas, and AT&T has brought on board quite a few technicians in order to meet demand for U-verse. The AT&T website says installation will generally take 4-6 hours, and recommends setting a morning appointment. This of course would also include setting up your high speed internet connection as well.

In general, Direct TV installations take between 2-3 hours. Work is often done by contractors, who are paid by the job, so they may work a little faster that the phone company. Expect to spend at least a half a day at home, whether you have either company hooking up your service.

AT&T currently has a resale agreement with DISH Network. If you call in to order U-verse and it is not currently available in your area, they will offer you DISH Network service, so if you want DirecTV, you will have to order it separately from AT&T. This may change in 2009, as AT&T is evaluating who they will partner with in the future.

Finally, picture quality is the last item we will consider. This is no doubt highest on the list of those who have HD television sets, and the question they want answered first.

Who has the better picture?

Unable to set up two 50 inch HD sets next to each other with the two services running side-by-side, we did the next best thing: This Google search.

While wholly unscientific, browsing through the reports from users paints a general picture of what customers think. DirecTV still offers better HD picture quality than AT&T U-Verse.