DirecPC - $159.00 Best Price??

[Demented Zen]

I'm looking to get a DirecPC Internet system (live way in the boonies). Does anyone know a better price? The price includes external modem, dish, install kit, and free shipping. Thanks for the help before hand.

[jstreet]

Hey Zen - I'm in the same situation - ADSL and cable aren't in my area yet, and even when they come, I won't be able to get them (I don't have cable down my road, and I'm farther than 18,000 ft from the telco), so I was seriously considering DirecPC. The only thing that's making me wait is that Hughes is coming out with 2-way high-speed satellite technology called SpaceWay next year, and the DirecPC rep couldn't assure me the equipment I would buy now would be compatible. If you do go with DirecPC, post in the Off-Topic forum how your experience goes; it would be interesting to hear an actual person's thoughts as opposed to the ramblings of Mike, my friendly sales rep at DirecPC.
-Ben

[johnnymk]

I have yet to read a positive review of this system. I think that they limit the number of hours that you can be online, too. But if you don't have cable or DSL, this may be the only alternative.

[Demented Zen]

I heard about the two-way version also. I just wanted to see what was the cheapest price I could get. Maybe it would be worth it. And as far as the "limited" on-line time, they announced a "unlimited package" for around $34.00 a month [but is still isnt offered yet]. BTW, do you know any web sites that have info on the two-way system?

[Leon]

Just realize that you will have a MINIMUM latency of 500ms with a satellite-based connection. So if you play any online games... You will be getting pings from 500-2000.

[fundun]

I have Direcpc right now. I haven't had any problems with it at all. It is much better than using a 56K modem if nothing else is available to you. The only downpoint is that they will cut your bandwidth for a short period if you download too much (about 160M in an hour). Other than that, by using download accelerator, I get over the 400k rate that Direcpc advertises. Also, I did read an article that said a special upgrade price will be available to current users when the new 2 way systems arrives, possibly by the end of this year.

[bubbagump]

Why is it that the latency is soooo bad?

Bubba

[bbrian]

Latency is bad because it takes approx. 250ms for the transmission to get to the satellite and 250ms to get back to earth.. so really latency is more like 500ms + normal internet latency..

[bbrian]

I have DirecPC and like it quite a bit. DSL and Cable modems still aren't available in my area, so this was the best way to go. You can't use DirecPC for real-time gaming, but it is great for browsing the web and downloading junk. I am on one of the old plans that is unlimited use from 6pm to 6am on weekdays and free on weekends. It is really pretty good, except when they slow your downloads down for what they call excessive use..

[tongyang]

where did you find the $159.00 price?

[KaPER]

What is the diffrence between direct PC and Dial up connections?

[jeepers]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by KaPER:
What is the diffrence between direct PC and Dial up connections?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

One uses satellites, one uses POTS (Plain Old Telephone System)

[KaPER]

OH i get it now thanks

[pop-eye-]

Just a thought, I think i would wait at least till november b4 making any satellite plan purchases two way WILL be available and will be 40 or less a month i assume in the way of new products that the dish will be expensive but it will be better than direcpc is now and will be unlimited...

[Demented Zen]

I searched the Yahoo Store and got the $159.00 price at:


<a href="http://shop.store.yahoo.com/dish/hugdirdiswca.html" target="_blank">http://shop.store.yahoo.com/dish/hugdirdiswca.html</a></p>
There are others that offer it for $149.00 but you have to pay $15.00 for the install kit and $26.00 for shipping.

Does anyone know if the SpaceWay system will offer better pings?

[fundun]

From what I've read, the ping times will be better. A big part of the ping time now is sending the request through the phone line and then having the reply routed to the satellite and then back to your pc. With the two way, it is up to the satellite and back.

[jstreet]

http://www.spaceway.com is Hughes' page on their technology... I just looked at the page and it says "as early as 2002", which is disappointing - I thought it would be out next year. Competing technologies will be out sooner though. I'm interested to see the post about a DirecPC flat rate, which would be wonderful - those rate plans are a big improvment over the old ones, but the lack of a unlimited plan is what's holding me back.

[UnEasy-E]

DirecPC has one of the worst cumulative recommended ratings (13%) of any product I've seen listed at Epinions:
http://www.epinions.com/cmsw-ISP-All-Satellite

[Demented Zen]

LOL, thats funny - 14% @ epinions. I also seen that 2002 print, which really made me think. This sux, no DSL or cable and now no DirecPC. Time to move ...

[dm0ney]

Is ISDN subject to the same limitations as DSL (e.g. being x amount of distance from the telco)?

DM.

[tongyang]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by dm0ney:
Is ISDN subject to the same limitations as DSL (e.g. being x amount of distance from the telco)?

DM.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yes, I think so. (the distance is different though - not sure)

[tongyang]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by bbrian:
I am on one of the old plans that is unlimited use from 6pm to 6am on weekdays and free on weekends.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

That's the "moonsurfer" plan right? Do you know if they still let you go on this plan as a new customer?

[bbrian]

I don't think they still allow the moon surfer program anymore.. feel free to call 800-direcpc

As for better ping times with the spaceway program, the latency with the current system is with the satellite connection, not the phone line. With the spaceway system, ping times will be even worse because your ping will have to go up to the satellite, down to Colorado, out the net to the site, back to Colorado, up to the satellite and back down to the user. So now you have 2 trips up and down to the satellite, which will make the ping times worse...

[fundun]

Got this from www.spaceway.com. It says 2-way will be available this fall. Another one to check out is http://www.gilat2home.com. It is Dish Networks version of Direcp due out this fall.

DirecPC Two-Way Service Also to be Offered as DIRECTV Broadband Satellite Service

GERMANTOWN, MD, USA, APRIL 27, 2000...Continuing its theme of Broadband Everywhere® the company that pioneered broadband Internet service via satellite today announced plans to market a two-way broadband satellite service to consumers. Hughes Network Systems (HNS), a unit of Hughes Electronics Corporation, will add two-way capabilities to its nationwide high-speed satellite Internet service, DirecPC®, early in the fourth quarter of this year. The new service will be marketed through the more than 26,000 retail and distribution outlets currently carrying Hughes products and services such as DIRECTV services and HNS receivers. Offering always-on capability, the new two-way high-speed satellite service allows consumers to completely bypass the dial-up telephone network and land-based choke points on the Internet.

[jstreet]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Demented Zen:
I heard about the two-way version also. I just wanted to see what was the cheapest price I could get. Maybe it would be worth it. And as far as the "limited" on-line time, they announced a "unlimited package" for around $34.00 a month [but is still isnt offered yet]. BTW, do you know any web sites that have info on the two-way system?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Where did you hear about this unlimited package? That would definitely make me a lot more interested in the package, though the thought of 2-way satellite probably will make me wait for it. It's weird that Spaceway says 2002 and then had a press release saying otherwise though... I wonder when the actual date is. Heeeeey... maybe they need beta tests >) Mwahahahahahaha...


<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by dm0ney:
Is ISDN subject to the same limitations as DSL (e.g. being x amount of distance from the telco)?
DM.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I don't believe that ISDN has the same limitations as DSL, but don't quote me on that - I know I'm eligible for ISDN, but I'm not for DSL (well, at least ADSL... they told me I might be able to get SDSL (at a significantly higher price))

[Demented Zen]

I forgot where I read about that. I know it is something to do with AOL and unlimited service for current DirecPC users. It's stated somewhere on their site http://www.direcpc.com/

[jstreet]

Thought I'd bring this puppy back from the dead - I just noticed that DirecPC now is offering the previously announced but unseen unlimited plan - it replaces the "Family Surfer" plan. It's $40 a month w/o ISP, $50 if you use their ISP.

Another curiosity:

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Pegasus to offer satellite internet access

BALA CYNWYD, Pa., July 19 (Reuters) - Pegasus Communications Corp. (NasdaqNMGTV - news) said on Wednesday it will begin to offer high-speed Internet access by satellite to rural households in the fourth quarter under an agreement with Hughes Network Systems, a unit of Hughes Electronics Corp. (NYSE:GMH - news).

Called ``Pegasus Broadband powered by DirecPC,'' the service will enable PC users to obtain high-speed Internet connections virtually anywhere in the continental United States, no matter how remote, Pegasus said. Users of the new service will enjoy downstream access speeds of up to 400 kilobits per second (Kbps), far surpassing the 56 Kbps currently available through top-of-the-line dial-up modems.

It said early subscribers will send data upstream using a modem and standard telephone line. However, beginning in 2001, the two companies plan to enhance the initial service with full two-way satellite Internet access.

``Pegasus Broadband Powered by DirecPC'' will be marketed directly by Pegasus through the company's 2,500-plus network of independent retailers serving rural and underserved communities nationwide, the company said. Subscribers to the new service will need to install a small satellite dish and USB-connected satellite modem. Pricing for the service has not yet been announced.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Now, I'm not really sure what the point is here - they seem to be offering the exact same service that DirecPC already does - is this just a ploy to get it more widely distributed or something?

[Startide]

AT&T wireless was promising some kind of access to rural areas, but they are still in the midst of rolling their service out before their competitors (such as Metricom's Ricochet modem) can grab all the low-hanging fruit (the early adopter customers).

[jstreet]

What kind of wireless service is AT&T offering? Is it satellite access like DirecPC or fixed-point wireless? Fixed point sounds pretty cool though for some I guess there has to be a line-of-sight to the tower. Do you know how fast it'll be, or a webpage I can check? Thanks.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Startide:
AT&T wireless was promising some kind of access to rural areas, but they are still in the midst of rolling their service out before their competitors (such as Metricom's Ricochet modem) can grab all the low-hanging fruit (the early adopter customers).<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[pop-eye-]

Just making a mention for those unhappy with
AOL type service and DirecPc type as well
MSN will be offering it thru the above MSN link. Check your local radio Shack they should have a working MSN satellite installed
check it out for yourself just don't ask how much because MS seems to think 65 a month last i checked... i also read you can use current DirectTv type dishes along with DishNetwork types it will require an upgrade i imagine to a dual lnb type setup