DirectTV Vs. Time Warner

Although DirectTV is a satellite service and Time Warner offers digital cable, both services provide many of the same services and features. DirectTV offers a variety of television channel packages, including high definition, specialty sports and premium movie channels. The DirectTV Cinema feature allows customers to instantly watch movies and TV shows of their choice, some for a charge, others for free. DirectTV also provides customers with DVRs to record programs. Time Warner offers similar television services and also features DVR technology. Similar to DirecTV's Cinema service, Time Warner has an On Demand feature with which subscribers can watch movies and shows of their choice. Some On Demand programs require a fee, while others are free.

Both Time Warner and DirecTV offer different packages at different price points to suit their customers' specific needs. Both services offer a similar number of channels, although DirecTV does claim to have the most full-time HD channels of any American television provider. Both Time Warner and DirecTV provide premium channels such as HBO, Cinemax and Showtime. Both providers also offer special Spanish-language packages. For both DirecTV and Time Warner, channels are bundled at specific price points and customers don't get to select a custom package of their favorite channels.

Both DirecTV and Time Warner off HD channels and clear picture quality. DirecTV's satellite antennae makes reception clearer and the quality is consistent throughout the country, although weather can sometimes affect reception. The picture quality of digital cable providers like Time Warner can vary depending on the infrastructure in different regions of the country.

What sets DirecTV and Time Warner apart from one another are the special features, especially those related to their DVRs. DirecTV allows customers to use one DVR for multiple televisions within the same home. Customers can also use their iPad or iPhone as a remote control and can view TV from their computers. Time Warner has a more advanced DVR system, giving customers the ability to rewind a show or movie if it is already in progress. Time Warner also offers a feature called Look Back, which allows customers to watch any prime time TV show that has aired within the last 72 hours. With Time Warner you can also watch TV directly on an iPad.