Should I DirectPC?

[Dove19983]

Has Anyone used directpc?
Is it good, is it as fast as the claim it to be?

I know it sends request by modem and it lags because of the time it takes to the satilite.

[Foggy]

I have been using Direcpc for about a year and I am satisfied. When not at peek time it is very fast and when at peek time it is still a lot faster then 56K. I don't time all my downloads but I do remember a 70+ mb download in 13 min. Hope this helps. They also have a new 2 way sys. that dosn't need a phone line, I just ordered mine.

[Reddog]

If u get it, get the bidirect sys or go with Starband (at echostar or radioshak, although RS requires you buy a PC with it). Their system is a bidir. DO NOT GET ONE WAY SYSTEMS unless you want to pay for dialup and download, or if you ever want to play video games on the internet (multiplayer, of course).

[DemonKnight]

Has any one used starband? I have a direct TV dish and serice and was thinking of maybe getting it since I live out the booines and cant get DSL or Cable (I cant even get Cable TV!)

[RobRich]

I tested Gilat's Starband service during its early deployment stages. I can definitely say the bandwidth is seriously restricted, and the severe latency lag is quite problematic for online gamers. Gilat has a decent reputation for its former 2-way professional sat solutions, but Starband does not currently impress me.

During my testing, I found the effective bandwidth comparable to an optimized 128kb ISDN line, but with ping times averaging in the multiple 100's! Gilat is supposedly working on leasing more sat time to improve service, so service could potentially improve with time. I recommend doing some serious research before outlaying the funds for a Starband 2-way sat connection.

Robert Richmond

[DemonKnight]

Starbands website claims unlimted access.. 500K downstream and 128K up stream. But its like 70.00 bucks a month.. I think I'll move intown before I pay that much for medium end speeds.