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1. Installation

Cox has two options for installing service in your home. Cox services can be professionally installed as well as self-installed. Equipment can be purchased at a Cox location or you can have it shipped to you for a fee. Their professional service costs $60, while self-installation (equipment picked up at a Cox location or shipped) costs $30. You may also be charged $5 per device (including the whole-house HD receiver, HD receiver and CableCARD). Note that Cox offers free installation with some services included. In contrast, DirecTV does not charge for installation (your 2-year contract appears to absorb those costs).

Call DirecTV to speak directly with a representative: +1 202 367 5323.

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Call Cox to speak directly to a representative: 855-418-4284

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2. HD Channels

Cox offers high-definition services with Tv Economy, Cox Advanced Tv and Advanced TV Premier. HD offers the most realistic pictures and free local broadcast stations. Using a zip code in the Phoenix, Arizona market, we generate a schedule of 140 HD channels, including local HD networks. The company has free local HD, which makes the local networks already free over-the-air. However, Cox offers HD channels at no additional charge with its Advanced TV service.

DirecTV lists 166 HD channels, including local channels in the same Phoenix zip code area. DirecTV has several HD channels that Cox does not, including 3net, beIN SPORT (in English and Spanish) and MSG+. To be fair, DirecTV also offers free local HD channels in their promotional copy.

Call Cox to speak directly with a representative: 855-418-4284.

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Call DirecTV to speak directly to a representative: +1 202 367 5323

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3. On Demand

Cox On Demand services provide an endless selection of movies, comedies, music and more. New titles are added weekly, so you’ll always have something to watch. A large selection of your TV provider’s free On Demand selections come from whatever premium network you subscribe to. So if you get HBO, you also get On Demand access to all past episodes of Game of Thrones and other HBO original series.

DirecTV says its On Demand library consists of more than 10,000 titles that you can watch at no additional charge. We rate it evenly because both providers offer a wealth of content to watch On Demand.

Call Cox to speak directly with a representative: 855-418-4284.

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Call DirecTV to speak directly to a representative: +1 202 367 5323

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4. Equipment and Special Features

Cox’s newly launched Contour, branded as a personalized TV experience, launched last month in Cox markets across the U.S. The Contour Record 6 DVR package allows you to record 6 shows at a time (even in HD), to store 1,000 hours of SD programming (about 300 hours HD) on the DVR’s 2TB hard drive. With an iPad and the Contour app (for iPad 2 or later), up to eight users can create a personal playlist, view recommendations, set DVR recordings, pause/resume viewing on connected HDTVs, and send what you’re watching on the iPad to your TV The Record 6 DVR service costs $14.99 per DVR, and each additional set-top box costs $8.50 per month.

DirecTV’s top-tier Genie product allows you to record 5 shows at once, watch two channels at the same time with Picture-in-Picture (or side-by-side) and record approximately 150 hours of HD on its 1TB hard drive. The Genie Mini will allow you to connect other TVs in your home to the main Genie box. DirecTV’s advanced receiver service will cost you an additional $25 per month, and each connected TV requires an additional fee. They also have GenieGO which allows you to view your DVR recordings on your laptop, tablet or phone, even without an Internet connection.

Call Cox to speak directly with a representative: 855-418-4284.

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Call DirecTV to speak directly with a representative: +1 202 367 5323

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5. Contract Periods

Cox does not require a long-term agreement. Although, if you want to lock in a monthly rate, they do have options for 1 or 2 year agreements. DirecTV requires a 24-month contract for all new customer sign-ups.

Call Cox to speak directly with a representative: 855-418-4284

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Call DirecTV to speak directly with a representative: +1 202 367 5323

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6. Value Packages

Coxs TV’s economy package is priced at $43.49 per month (although a special promotion gives you 3 months for $33.49 per month). The package offers over 170 channels and includes a standard receiver. Cox Advanced TV includes FREE HD access and 220 channels.

DirecTV’s least expensive service is the entertainment package which sells for $29.99 per month for new customers and offers over 140 digital channel choices (over 50 in HD plus local HD channels), HBO, Starz, Showtime and Cinemax free for three months and a free Genie Upgrade (although additional equipment and service fees apply).

Call Cox to speak directly to a representative: 855-418-4284

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Call DirecTV to speak directly to a representative: +1 202 367 5323

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7. Top Tier Packages

Coxs Advanced TV Ultimate package gives you more than 390 channel choices, includes 3 premium channels, HD DVR service and is eligible for Contour. The package costs $125.99 per month (a promotion offers 3 months at $101.99). When you choose your service you have the option to upgrade to Contour TV for an additional cost. If you choose the Record 6 Whole Home DVR service, you must add $14.99 per month. And you will still have to rent a rental fee of $8.50 per month for any box you are using. This is where Coxs Contour TV really starts to go up in price if you want their top-of-the-line system. Add $33.99 to $125.99 per month for Advanced TV Ultimate and you get $159.98, plus $8.50 for any additional rooms.

DirecTV’s Premier package gives you more than 285 digital channels, premium channels from HBO, Starz, Showtime and Cinemax, anywhere viewing capability (on your laptop, tablet or smartphone), more than 35 specialty sports channels, a free Genie HD DVR upgrade ($299 value), and a free Genie Mini ($99 value) for connecting another TV to the main Genie HD DVR. Although additional receivers require additional fees, the main Genie with Genie Mini is included in the cost of the monthly service. Premiere normally costs $124.99 per month. But, a special sign-up promotion for new customers offers the first 12 months at $86.99 per month and the remaining 12 months at $91.99 per month on a 24-month contract. The rates include $25 advanced receiver service per month and $6 per month for each TV used. The 24-month price for a TV starts at a promotional rate of $60.99, but after three months rises to $107.99 for the remainder of the first year. For the second year, you’ll pay $145.99 per month. Please note that these prices are for new customers only. If you are an existing DirecTV customer, you will see much higher prices on these packages.

Call Cox to speak directly with a Cox representative: 855-418-4284.

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Call DirecTV to speak with a representative directly: +1 202 367 5323

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8. Conclusion

DirecTV has a great selection of HD channels, especially if you have a 3D TV and want to watch Discoverys 3net 3D channel. And they have NFL Sunday Ticket this season (although that could change next year). Although they lost in our DISH vs DirecTV network comparison, DirecTV’s Genie DVR service is a great system that allows you to record up to 5 shows at a time on a 1TB hard drive. But while Cox falls a bit short on HD channel count, their new Contour TV upgrade beats DirecTV’s Genie system. It may cost a little more, but the 2 TB hard drive will store twice as much programming. And, if you’re a TV fanatic, the ability to record six channels at a time beats DirecTV’s five. For people who don’t want to be tied down, Coxs TV service doesn’t require a long-term contract. While DirecTV’s 2-year agreement may be a hassle for some, the savings are worth it.

Call DirecTV to speak directly with a representative: +1 202 367 5323.

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Call Cox to speak directly to a representative: 855-418-4284

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