Home › Forums › WSB Reader Recommendations › Direct TV or Dish Network?
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October 20, 2009 at 4:22 am #592727
waterworldParticipantWe are thinking of moving to satellite TV service. Currently have Comcast basic cable and Tivo. (I cannot go back to life before a DVR…) Wish we had IFC and HBO, and it seems like a dish service might be more affordable. Recommendations?
October 20, 2009 at 4:38 am #680155
lazybeardParticipantI’ve been DirecTV subscriber since 01/2005. I started out with the Series 2 DirecTivo and moved into their HDDVR offering as of last year. The HDDVR itself has evolved and matured a lot over the year with new features now (Double Play aka dual-line buffers), and coming soon (multi-room viewing).
I’ve never had Dish Network, so I can’t comment on them.
http://dbstalk.com/ is a great resource for Satellite TV offerings, and I suggest reading and asking around.
October 20, 2009 at 5:52 am #680156
AlkiRagdollParticipantI have DirectTv with HD-DVR, and am very happy. I had Comcast until about 1999 when they could not get rid of the double image even with digital. Went to DishNetwork (clear image), but had a very difficult time with getting service. When I wanted to install HD a couple of yrs ago, their installation was crazy. They were so backlogged that I went to DirectTV. They came out in a week. However, I upgraded a 2nd tv to HD about 6 mos ago, which I was able to bundle with QwestDSL. They sent a stringer who did a lousy installation, and the next day they sent out someone to correct. I cant image life without the DVR, it is so worth the extra. I do not have any special channels like HBO. I have only lost service during last year’s snow event (had to climbout on teh garage roof to dust off the dish) and last saturday during the downpour. The HD is breathtaking on some shows.
October 20, 2009 at 8:51 am #680157
HMC RichParticipantYou will probably be happy with either system. Dish is a bit cheaper than DirecTV but, don’t quote me. DirecTV has a fairly good deal for the first year. I like football and have DirecTV.
If someone in your family wants NFL Sunday Ticket, they would need to go to DirecTV. Dish doesn’t have it. My Grandparents love the Dish Network service. Since they are almost technologically illiterate, that is quite an endorsement.
A DVR is worth the extra money and I am happy with the Direct TV DVR. The Directv DVR isn’t quite as good as a Tivo. Tivo just has more options but it is a lot better than comcast’s DVR/PVR.
Right now they badly want customers. Come right out and tell them that you are considering the competitor. They threw in extra HD programming and cut my subscription rates when I told them I might have to drop them.
Also, ask about the qwest bundle if you are still paying for a land line telephone. They will try to get you to sign up for mobile phones and Qwest DSL. Comcast’s high speed internet was better for me but my DSL is OK. You might save a few extra dollars there too.
October 20, 2009 at 11:37 am #680158
KenParticipantDish and direct are very similar. Dish might be your choice if you want access to democracy now and several lefty type shows. MSNBC is still a top tier choice as far as I know but we had to have that for the spongebob channel required by the step grandson.
Dish also has customer service that seems to be competent, speaks English (or Spanish if you chose)and replaced a defective unit recently with no hassle.
I got the free 4 tv (two regular and two dvr) install a few years ago but I am not familiar with their current promotions.
October 20, 2009 at 4:18 pm #680159
DMcGMemberI went with DirecTV solely for the NFL Sunday Ticket and am very happy with it but I don’t have any experience with Dish.
I agree with HMC Rich’s comment about the DirecTV HD DVR not being as good as a Tivo but I do like it more than the Comcast HD DVR that I had when I switched a little over a year ago. Also, DirecTV and Tivo are working together again to come out with a new Tivo based DirecTV HD DVR.
October 20, 2009 at 4:47 pm #680160
luckymom30ParticipantWe use to have Dish until we let the contract expire and went back to Comcast, we have the triple bundle phone, cable and internet via Comcast. For an entire 18 months we fought the Dish people, we lost reception constantly and could not wait to go back to Comcast. Also, we had a huge problem finding anyone at Dish who spoke English. My husband spent 3 days trying to get Dish to understand we had no tv reception and to send another box, they did but tried to charge us $500.00 for it. Also we were promised certain channels, fishing, Disney to name a few and they disappeared after 6 months.
October 20, 2009 at 4:51 pm #680161
beachdrivegirlParticipantWe started with Dish b/c they were cheaper when we were switching from Comcast to satellite. It was a nightmare. The customer service was non-existant with Dish and the Dish NEVER worked. We have now been with DirectTV for over two years and couldnt be happier. Dont make the mistake we did-just start out with DirectTV.
October 21, 2009 at 1:19 pm #680162
MagpieParticipantI’ve had directv for at least 10 years. I went with them after many calls to comcast and they could not fix my problem. I love it. I now have all of the hd gadgets. During the worst snow storm last year, I did have to dust the dish once, but other than that, I have never had a significant outage. Their service to me has been superior. I think Qwest has some bundle savings now, too. Anyways, my vote is for directv..I love it!
October 21, 2009 at 3:48 pm #680163
JoBParticipantWe have been Loyal DISH customers for over a decade.. in three states. Our Dish moves with us and we have never had a reception problem they didn’t fix immediately…
We chose DISH because of LINK TV and shows like Democracy Now… shows that actually air the other side of the political question…
Even if you aren’t a lefty, you might want to actually hear the other side of the story… not just about politics in the United States but what is happening in other countries… there are many excellent documentaries that often tell a different story than that presented in our media..
but… we have stayed with DISH for the quality and value of their service. Their DVR rocks.
October 21, 2009 at 4:42 pm #680164
GAnativeParticipantWe also have DISH but only in 2 states.
They guy that did the installation when we move here was great and our only problem is when one of our old receivers died but they sent someone out to diagnose the problem and he replaced the receiver right then. And everyone we have dealt with has spoken English just fine.
We never lost our signal during the windstorm a couple of years ago(as soon as the power came back on so did the TV) or the snowstorm last year.
Love the DVR and this reminds me that I need to call and get it activated for the 2nd room…
October 21, 2009 at 11:24 pm #680165
waterworldParticipantThanks for all the info so far. It’s very helpful. If you can withstand a further request for information, I’d like to ask whether it works to have a high-def TV in one room, and an older TV (non-HD, but not ancient) in another room? Do you simply split the signal and it works on both types of sets, or is there more to it — and by more, I mostly mean more money?
October 22, 2009 at 12:34 am #680166
clark5080ParticipantI think each set has it’s own box so you just get the type of box you need
October 22, 2009 at 12:40 am #680167
beachdrivegirlParticipantWell with DiretTV you actually receive a seperate box for each room. Where with Dish you have one box per two tvs. In any case it works- we have used both systems @ our house in the same scenerio.
October 22, 2009 at 2:12 am #680168
lazybeardParticipantWaterworld:
DirecTV: You would have two separate “runs” from the dish. Each “run” would go to a satellite reciever, dual-tuner DVR or non-DVR. They use a technology called SWM (or SWiM) that allows a dual-tuner DVR to work over one piece of coax (RG-6).
DishNetwork: No idea.
October 22, 2009 at 2:35 am #680169
velo_nutParticipantI have a dish to sell if you want….
October 22, 2009 at 7:13 pm #680170
JoBParticipanti think with dish, your primary signal goes to the tv with high def .. i now the box can handle two tvs but i don’t know how you physically connect them since i kept my old box for my old tv. I wanted my own separate DVR :)
October 22, 2009 at 7:42 pm #680171
bluebirdMemberWaterworld, you pick the type of receiver box you need/want for each TV. SD (standard) or HD, + DVR if desired. They run a cable to each. An HD receiver does require you to purchase HD service, just as a DVR requires you to purchase that service.
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