I guess it all comes down to what works for you. It would be nice if we could still subscribe to the master feeds on C-Band, and we could have a C-Band HD DVR. But that is not going to happen because of the programmers and the cable companies. I enjoy cable type programming myself, and I enjoy watching the series that HBO and Showtime have. So for someone like me, if you want that type programming you have to pay what the going price is, be it from cable or DirecTV or Dish Network. I have found that DirecTV fits my taste better than the others (of course I can't get cable or teleco TV), and I am willing to pay each month the fee that they charge, so I would'nt really consider it getting ripped off. I have recently gotten back into C-Band for the hobby aspect and the additional programming and feeds that you can get. So that is what I use C/ku for additional and sometime unsual programming that you cant get any where else. Plus I enjoy the hobby, it is fun to scan the skies. Sometimes though I just like to turn the TV on, and watch TV though and for me that is what DirecTV is for.