Just wanted to see if anyone had any opinions between these two companies. Another rate hike by my cable company has got me looking at the options. What do ya think?
toby
toby
Satellite TV - DirecTV vs. Dish?
- Thread starter in the trees
- Start date
I've got dish TV...very happy. More reliable than my old cable, and realtively stable priceing.
My DirectTV price just went down $3 a month. I have had no problem with DTV and I feel that the DTV Tivo is by far easier to use than my neighbors Dish PVR. The menus and guides are much better looking and more user friendly. Directv has more sports subscriptions and channels availible last time I checked but the music channels (no video) were better on Dish. Dish is launching 3 sats this year to expand HD service to local channels when that happens watch out.
Read till your eyes bleed. This IS the place for all things home audio/video related...
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=30&forumid=35
And for the HDTV related discussions:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=6
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=30&forumid=35
And for the HDTV related discussions:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=6
surfinguru said:
I went with DirecTV based on the threads in the AVS board...
Oh, another reason to go with DTV. I wanted a HD Tivo and retail is $1000. I called cryed a little and they took off $450 off of my bill. $150 right away and $25 off per month for the months after that. Not to mention free HBO, Showtime, and HD service for 6 months.
Hawkeye said:
I just wish that they would switch over to 100% HD programming... and force people to buy a new set to recieve it.
Once you go HD you will never go back...
I recently heard that Direct TV is launching some satelites to broadcast 1500 HD channels. Could be BS, but I heard some friends talking about it. I'm not impressed with dish networks line packages.
JSB said:
Yeah.. or so their advertising says anyhow... so far there are only less than 10 or there abouts... and one is ESPN which is a waste of a channel..
I have to clarify this for would be *new* subscribers....these kinds of discounts are only given to existing customers. I've called at least 10 different times trying to get a deal as a new subscriber for an HD set up and not one CSR would budge on the pricing.Hawkeye said:
If you're only looking for regular programming, just go to DriecTv's website and sign up for the free multi room special they have.
http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/get_directv/currentoffer.dsp
wow, it must be nice to have that many channels to never watch 
I pay $8 a month for limited basic cable...... and then bypass the cable box
I pay $8 a month for limited basic cable...... and then bypass the cable box
I have Dish Network. I picked it over Direct TV because I can get the Top 60 channels + my local channels for $26/mo. With Direct TV, you MUST get the $40something 220 channel package, which only includes about 5 or 6 more channels that I want but don't have. You can get the big package for about the same price on Dish Network, but they don't force you to get it.
Oh yeah- my hard drive recorder has seemed pretty user friendly to me. I'm sure it isn't as good as a TiVo, but it has done everything I've needed of it without having to look at a manual. Also, there is NO additional monthly charge for this as there is with TiVo. I think TiVo is like an extra $10-$15 per month- absurd! Occasionaly, the hard drive recorder is offered as a free upgrade on Dish Network. Also, at Costco a couple of months ago I saw a Dish Network High Definition hard drive recorder for $450. Seems like a pretty good deal, although programing is still too limited for me to upgrade.
Overall, the picture quality KICKS BUTT over what my local cabel company offers.
Oh yeah- my hard drive recorder has seemed pretty user friendly to me. I'm sure it isn't as good as a TiVo, but it has done everything I've needed of it without having to look at a manual. Also, there is NO additional monthly charge for this as there is with TiVo. I think TiVo is like an extra $10-$15 per month- absurd! Occasionaly, the hard drive recorder is offered as a free upgrade on Dish Network. Also, at Costco a couple of months ago I saw a Dish Network High Definition hard drive recorder for $450. Seems like a pretty good deal, although programing is still too limited for me to upgrade.
Overall, the picture quality KICKS BUTT over what my local cabel company offers.
We were very happy with Dish Network until recently. We have the DVR, which is the equivalent of TiVo basically, but our bill kept creeping up and we just got another letter in the mail last week saying there was another price increase in our area. We're up to 64.99 a month for basic 60 channels and a dvr.
Needless to say, we're looking elsewhere
Needless to say, we're looking elsewhere
The DTV Tivo is $5 a month extra. And it is a 2 tuner model. you can record one show and watch another, or you can record 2 shows at once.
My friends Dish PVR doesn't do this. They may have updated equip. since he got his but that's what I do know.
And that my bill has not gone up in 3 years of service. But it did go down $3 last month.
My friends Dish PVR doesn't do this. They may have updated equip. since he got his but that's what I do know.
And that my bill has not gone up in 3 years of service. But it did go down $3 last month.
thats odd, i have the dish network with the basic 60 plan+locals+one dvr set and one regular set and i only pay ~$43 or so a month. never had a problem with it and they seem to be well agains raising priceis. the basic plan we have gives me most channels i want except speedvision and OLN, but i wasnt going to pony up the extra ~$10/mo for two channels that i wouldnt usually watch.CinderChk said:
i love the dvr, i would never go back to a regular tv setup. pause and rewind is the best invention. evar.
When we moved into our house 2 years ago it was setup with Dtv. Overall i dont think its any cheaper then Cable was... both in the 50 bucks range. The catch with DTV is having to pay for your local channels, and if you want in more than one room you need another reciever.... Also, a weird thing for us is having most the channels on east coast time when were west coast. It makes late night TV suck, because at 11:00 my time, infomercials start back east and most the channels run late night crap like that, but the plus is getting the good late night stuff early. Like southpark and adult swim starting 3 hours earlier...
Its very rare that we have problems with the system. Once in a while there are times when the signal gets funky...like in real bad weather.....but 99.9% of the time were recieving good.
Its very rare that we have problems with the system. Once in a while there are times when the signal gets funky...like in real bad weather.....but 99.9% of the time were recieving good.
I've got DirectTV - it's ok, though I'm still kinda pissed that they said I'd be eligible to get the major networks then changed their minds after I bought all the gear. Reception is good, even during storms (which was my big concern). Prices only go up every 6 months or so compared to every month with my cable company.
I would strongly recommend getting rid of the cable and getting *neither* of the others..........
You'll find you have much more time to ride, read, and do other things useful. T.V. will do nothing but waste your time. Generally speaking.........
-S.S.-
You'll find you have much more time to ride, read, and do other things useful. T.V. will do nothing but waste your time. Generally speaking.........
-S.S.-
What I hate is this box fee. $5 bucks per room. That just drives me nuts. At least with cable you still get basic in the other rooms with out the box if you prefer. They suck you into this 4 rooms for free BS. Yet it's $20 extra bucks a month. Even if you do get your locals you don't get thim in HD. You still have to use your antenna. So this is why I've been stuck on choosing some one. I've got cable right now. Just the $10 basic stuff for when I want to watch espn or some like that. I mainly watch locals through my HD antenna. I typically watch TV between 6 and 7, and 9 and 10. Other than that I'm doing something else. That's why I find it hard to decide. I've been leaning toward DTV, because the basic cable clarity sucks compared to the antenna, and I find myself bitching about it when I'm watching it. But is 50-60 buck a month worth that...So far the answer has been no.