Dish Network or DIRECTV

Post by **Apoptosis** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 9:12 pm

I just found out Chater will not be putting lines in my neighborhood in 2006 and that it's not even on the slate for 2007, so that means if I want cable I need to go to the air. In case you are wondering yes I've not had cable since I moved into my new house as all I do is sit online and/or am in the lab testing hardware and writing articles.

It's time to get cable again, but have never ever used or owned either provider.

I'm looking to get an HD TV in the future, so keep the HD package in mind when posting your suggestions as to which one is better.

Xanlamin · Post by **Xanlamin** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 1:02 am

We use DishNetwork, there not to bad, except in bad weather...but you will get that with DirecTV also, the only time the picture is affected is during sleet or snow.

As for HDTV....I have not noticed a difference at all when we upgraded our box to the HDTV box on our HDTV TV.

Prices are compairable in both, we pay about $100 +/- and get every single channel there is plus all the music channels, main advantage with DisnNetwork is they will install everything.

bubba · Post by **bubba** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 6:09 am

I have had Direct TV and Dish Network. Currently I have Direct , I like the interface better than DN. That and their PVR box is a real TiVo box so the interface for that is real nice and easy to use.

Couldn't tell you what the HD channels run, dont have a need for it so never looked into it.

For me, I have all the channels less HD and the movie channels, XM radio channels on 4 tv's and one of the those is the TiVo reciever all for about 60-70, I would have to look at the bill to be sure. its usualy more due to the fact of the pay per views.

Post by **FZ1** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 6:22 am

I had Dish Network and I went back to cable so i could get my local channels in Hi-def. DirectTV is now offering local channels in high def for some markets. Dish Network was OK, I had no real issues that I can remember but I've heard DirectTV is better.

KnightRid · Post by **KnightRid** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 6:24 am

I got Dish Network last december, and just plain love it. I got it mainly due to the cheaper price compared to directv. I have 4 tvs hooked up, and only have to pay an extra $5 a month for 1 extra box - dual tuner boxes. Directv you would have to pay for 3 extra boxes. I also have the one downstairs as a DVR, and I can record 2 shows at once using each tuner

It is VERY nice.

Mike

just my opinion

oh and be warned that tivo and echostar ( dish ) are in a legal battle over the tivo crap - tivo thinks it can own everything and dish has to smack it down a bit ;)

bigblockmatt · Post by **bigblockmatt** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 2:25 pm

I have Directv...sort of (its actually ATT home entertainment - i live in a apartment complex). being used to cable, i dont really like directv. just the different interfaces and whatnot still not used to. If oyu are a sports fan, then i'd go for directv. NFL SUNDAY TICKET IS AMAZING!!! I love that part of it. never had dishnetwork, so i cant really help.

Dragon_Cooler · Post by **Dragon_Cooler** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 9:02 pm

being an installer for both, i prefer directtv, most of it all comes down to customer service!!

Post by **Illuminati** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 9:22 am

My parents have a relatively new DirecTV DVR and we have a 1 year old Dish dual-tuner DVR. I love the interface of our Dish DVR over my parents DirecTV DVR interface... but I suppose it has a lot to do with what you get used to.

With dish, the dvr service is an extra $5 per month and I think that the HD service is also an extra $5 / month... but one thing I'm not sure on is if there is a price premium to get an HD DVR... something to think about. I know the DVR we have does not have HD capabilities. So when I get an HDTV, I would have to get a new receiver.

And I also love the dual tuner part! I can have two TV's on different channels and record from both while watching any of my other recorded shows on each TV. I have it set up where I have the primary tuner going to my primary TV, then the secondary tuner gets routed through to all of my other TV jacks in the house. Works perfect because the DVR remote for the secondary tuner is a UHF remote, so it can transmit through walls and has a pretty good range.

Now, I've never used this part, but with this dual tuner receiver, you can change the mode to let you control both tuners with the primary TV which will allow you to display PIP (Picture-in-Picture) when there is more than one game on.

So you can still use both tuners if you only have one TV.

That's about all I can think of right now...

Post by **Apoptosis** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 9:29 am

I added a poll, so be sure to add your vote.

HONkUS · Post by **HONkUS** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 2:31 pm

we had DirecTV and we were very happy with it. Then we saw an ad for Dish Network saying they could offer us "two 100 hour DVR's and two non-DVR tuners" for a good price. We switched and as it turns out we got ONE dual tuner DVR box and ONE normal dual tuenr box. THis is alright except that either the tech is bad or the installers were morons because two of the TV remotes are on RF instead of IR and they interfere with each other. For example i wa watching the Stars game once in our living room and my mom changed her TV to Animal Planet and it changed the living room tv to animal planet as well! The DVR box is even worse! If I want to record a TV show then I HAVE to watch it on my TV since our DVR box only has 2 tuners in it one for my parents and one for me. Dish Network was deceptive in their advertising and my parents are planning on switching back to DirectTV which we NEVER ahd any problems with BTW. Having experience with both I DEFINATLEY would recommend DirecTV over Dish Network.

KnightRid · Post by **KnightRid** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 6:47 am

HONkUS wrote:we had DirecTV and we were very happy with it. Then we saw an ad for Dish Network saying they could offer us "two 100 hour DVR's and two non-DVR tuners" for a good price. We switched and as it turns out we got ONE dual tuner DVR box and ONE normal dual tuenr box. THis is alright except that either the tech is bad or the installers were morons because two of the TV remotes are on RF instead of IR and they interfere with each other. For example i wa watching the Stars game once in our living room and my mom changed her TV to Animal Planet and it changed the living room tv to animal planet as well! The DVR box is even worse! If I want to record a TV show then I HAVE to watch it on my TV since our DVR box only has 2 tuners in it one for my parents and one for me. Dish Network was deceptive in their advertising and my parents are planning on switching back to DirectTV which we NEVER ahd any problems with BTW. Having experience with both I DEFINATLEY would recommend DirecTV over Dish Network.

the remotes can be changed - my step-daughters works from 2 rooms away through walls and everything to turn on the box and change channels.

recording shows - you can record on tv1,tv2 or both - whichever it is recording on that tv has to watch it. Directv does the same, or else they have internal dual tuners and charge you a fortune for the extra boxes instead of letting you use both :p I have a dual tuner dvr downstairs with no other tv hooked up, so I can default record on tv2 that isnt hooked in to a tv, and the overflow goes to tv1.

Mike

each to there own. I just know from a cost perspective, Dish is cheaper. My vote is in ;)

Post by **Apoptosis** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 10:48 pm

Looks like I'm going to go Dish as DirectTV requires a 24 month contract and for a $49 setup fee dish doesn't have a contract. DISH is also cheaper, and since I'm single and have a house payment money is a big concern.

stlgirl · Post by **stlgirl** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 2:04 am

Apoptosis wrote:Looks like I'm going to go Dish as DirectTV requires a 24 month contract and for a $49 setup fee dish doesn't have a contract. DISH is also cheaper, and since I'm single and have a house payment money is a big concern.

Nate,

If you have any friends that have dish network they can give you a club dish card. Which will give you the stuff below for free. Let me know if you don't know someone with dish and I'll send you a club card.

Digital Home Advantage
Featuring DISH Network Satellite TV for the WHOLE house (up to 4 rooms) with the Digital Home Advantage including:
• FREE Activation (a $49.99 value)
• $49.99 credit on your first bill with DHA 18†
• $100 back in credits with America’s Top 60 Programming
• Pick your package - Pick your price

†Requires 18-month commitment. Early cancellation fee applies.
Offer requires participation in Digital Home Advantage. $100 offer requires subscription to minimum of America’s Top 60 programming; customer must mail in redemption form and copy of bill. Customer will receive a $10.00 credit each month for up to 10 consecutive months. After free period for qualifying movie package, customer must call to downgrade or then-current price for movie package will apply.

Important:
System must be ordered, installed and programming activated by January 31 2007. Requires Social Security Number, valid major credit card and qualifying programming purchase. Participation is subject to credit approval. Monthly Digital Home Advantage includes a monthly fee for each additional receiver. ClubDISH Gift Card good for new, first-time DISH Network residential customers only. Programming costs not included. America’s Top 60 entertainment package, offered for just $ 29.99 a month for 1 receiver. Add local channels for just $5.00/month (where available). Additional restrictions apply for residents of Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico. See terms and conditions for details.

KnightRid · Post by **KnightRid** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 7:59 am

I have a club dish card ;)

Mike

stlgirl · Post by **stlgirl** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 4:24 pm

KnightRid wrote:I have a club dish card ;)

Mike

Well that would make two of us

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