The inevitable is here. After months and months of investigation, data collection, comparisons, forum reading and interactions with numerous folk in this community, the time has come to take the plunge and move forward.
I am writing this post for three reasons. First, to put this out there for any and all to read so that you can “check my math” so to speak and make sure I have not forgotten some crucial piece of information. Second, to let the results of my journey serve as information for the next person who is in a similar situation. And finally, as a way to say thank you to the forum for all of the invaluable facts and opinions with which I could never have made it to where I am today……comfortable with my choice.
A little bit of background is probably a good idea before we go much further. My family is a long time basic cable user in central Arkansas. We have a total of seven TV’s hooked up at the moment, three of which are used sporadically. This large number of sets is the main reason why I had remained as a cable subscriber for so long. Last December for my 50th birthday my wife bought me a 58” Plasma TV which we had installed in our living room. Since that time we have also replaced the TV in the Rec room with a 37” HD LCD. Because our local cable company does not currently have the capability to broadcast in HD, the only way I was going to get HD was by either signing up with a satellite service or utilizing a OTA (over the air) antenna to pull in our local channels. Since I am a thorough individual I was not going to sign up for a satellite service until I knew which one I should choose first, so we purchased an OTA antenna (CM4228) with a pre-amp (CM7777) as temporary fix. It was up and connected in less than two hours.
Just a short side step here for those people who are reading this forum and are on the fence about whether or not high definition television is really worth it. Absolutely, without a doubt, no hesitation at all, YES! From the very first time that high definition content spilled out and illuminated the pixels on our television we have been addicted. And I emphasize the we, because although my wife purchased the plasma out of her love for me and the significance of my 50th birthday, she has been equally enthralled by the visuals we have witnessed over the past nine months.
But just being able to view the local channels in HD wasn’t going to cut it because I am a college football fanatic and come August 30th when LSU plays Mississippi State on ESPN that game had to be in high definition. Of course I ventured to both Direct TV (D*) and Dish (E*) sites to begin with, but I didn’t really start discovering the stuff I really needed to know until I found my way to this forum. I was not in a hurry because I had already set my deadline as August 30th, so I read as many posts as I could to first learn as much about satellite technology, and then the differences between the two providers. As I stated previously, cable was not an option because HD was unavailable where I live and that is still true today.
A key determining factor for me was going to be my use of the PIP function. Our prior primary TV was a dual tuner unit with PIP, and our family had become accustomed (especially during football games) of utilizing that feature. Any satellite selection I made was going to have support that feature. I have read numerous posts that suggest a good DVR could be used as a substitute for this functionality, but it really doesn’t. I don’t want to record a whole game to watch later, but rather keep track of it in the PIP and swap to it during commercials or when things get interesting.
So the time is now here and the research is done. It is August 7th and I have 23 days to my deadline. From the location this post is logged you can probably guess which system I chose, but would you care to know why?
Hardware. The VIP622 is a very well respected piece of equipment. Does it have its issues? Sure, but any receiver available has them and the 622 has fewer than most. Key selling points – the PIP, TV2 output and DVR functionality. In order to make the PIP work with D* I was going to have to utilize a second receiver and set up a complicated system using two different remotes. The 622 was much simpler solution. I also plan on attaining a VIP222 for my second HDTV which also is a well respected piece of hardware. I know that I will have to slave (share) three of my TV’s to keep my monthly bill as low as possible, but that is a sacrifice I have accepted.
Price. E* was cheaper in both the upfront cost (only 49.99 if I didn’t want an 18 month commitment) and month to month. The America’s 200 DVR advantage plan had me spending $39.99 + $20.00 (HD) a month, plus 5.00 for an additional receiver (VIP222). A comparable set-up with D* would run me close to $85 a month with $298 in upfront costs. Yes, I did leave out the rebates and other short term incentive plans (6 months free, or $20 rebate for 10 months) because I had to be able to live with what the cost would be when the incentives ran out. If the cost of the two systems were close, then this could be used as a tie-breaker, but they were not.
HD Channels. E* is the current leader hands down. D* just launched a new satellite and in my opinion will catch up to and exceed E* by early next year, but E* has another satellite itself scheduled for launch in 2008 and will either take back the lead or equal D* next year. What’s it all mean? The competition is such that both companies will continually be adding new channels and services, so as long as the channels I really want are there now (which both have), then it is a wash.
Picture Quality. I have seen positive and negative post for both sides in equal proportions. HD Lite, overall signal compression, SD pic quality, are just a few issues from either camp. Again, no clear winner here either.
Customer Service. Everybody complains about customer service, but I have to say that unfortunately E* stands out negatively in this area. Everything from unknowledgeable CSR’s to incompetent installers, E* is serious lacking in this regard.
So my decision to go with E* was based primarily on the hardware and price, and I am very comfortable with my choice. But is there anything that I am still concerned about? Certainly and here is my list of those items.
I am writing this post for three reasons. First, to put this out there for any and all to read so that you can “check my math” so to speak and make sure I have not forgotten some crucial piece of information. Second, to let the results of my journey serve as information for the next person who is in a similar situation. And finally, as a way to say thank you to the forum for all of the invaluable facts and opinions with which I could never have made it to where I am today……comfortable with my choice.
A little bit of background is probably a good idea before we go much further. My family is a long time basic cable user in central Arkansas. We have a total of seven TV’s hooked up at the moment, three of which are used sporadically. This large number of sets is the main reason why I had remained as a cable subscriber for so long. Last December for my 50th birthday my wife bought me a 58” Plasma TV which we had installed in our living room. Since that time we have also replaced the TV in the Rec room with a 37” HD LCD. Because our local cable company does not currently have the capability to broadcast in HD, the only way I was going to get HD was by either signing up with a satellite service or utilizing a OTA (over the air) antenna to pull in our local channels. Since I am a thorough individual I was not going to sign up for a satellite service until I knew which one I should choose first, so we purchased an OTA antenna (CM4228) with a pre-amp (CM7777) as temporary fix. It was up and connected in less than two hours.
Just a short side step here for those people who are reading this forum and are on the fence about whether or not high definition television is really worth it. Absolutely, without a doubt, no hesitation at all, YES! From the very first time that high definition content spilled out and illuminated the pixels on our television we have been addicted. And I emphasize the we, because although my wife purchased the plasma out of her love for me and the significance of my 50th birthday, she has been equally enthralled by the visuals we have witnessed over the past nine months.
But just being able to view the local channels in HD wasn’t going to cut it because I am a college football fanatic and come August 30th when LSU plays Mississippi State on ESPN that game had to be in high definition. Of course I ventured to both Direct TV (D*) and Dish (E*) sites to begin with, but I didn’t really start discovering the stuff I really needed to know until I found my way to this forum. I was not in a hurry because I had already set my deadline as August 30th, so I read as many posts as I could to first learn as much about satellite technology, and then the differences between the two providers. As I stated previously, cable was not an option because HD was unavailable where I live and that is still true today.
A key determining factor for me was going to be my use of the PIP function. Our prior primary TV was a dual tuner unit with PIP, and our family had become accustomed (especially during football games) of utilizing that feature. Any satellite selection I made was going to have support that feature. I have read numerous posts that suggest a good DVR could be used as a substitute for this functionality, but it really doesn’t. I don’t want to record a whole game to watch later, but rather keep track of it in the PIP and swap to it during commercials or when things get interesting.
So the time is now here and the research is done. It is August 7th and I have 23 days to my deadline. From the location this post is logged you can probably guess which system I chose, but would you care to know why?
Hardware. The VIP622 is a very well respected piece of equipment. Does it have its issues? Sure, but any receiver available has them and the 622 has fewer than most. Key selling points – the PIP, TV2 output and DVR functionality. In order to make the PIP work with D* I was going to have to utilize a second receiver and set up a complicated system using two different remotes. The 622 was much simpler solution. I also plan on attaining a VIP222 for my second HDTV which also is a well respected piece of hardware. I know that I will have to slave (share) three of my TV’s to keep my monthly bill as low as possible, but that is a sacrifice I have accepted.
Price. E* was cheaper in both the upfront cost (only 49.99 if I didn’t want an 18 month commitment) and month to month. The America’s 200 DVR advantage plan had me spending $39.99 + $20.00 (HD) a month, plus 5.00 for an additional receiver (VIP222). A comparable set-up with D* would run me close to $85 a month with $298 in upfront costs. Yes, I did leave out the rebates and other short term incentive plans (6 months free, or $20 rebate for 10 months) because I had to be able to live with what the cost would be when the incentives ran out. If the cost of the two systems were close, then this could be used as a tie-breaker, but they were not.
HD Channels. E* is the current leader hands down. D* just launched a new satellite and in my opinion will catch up to and exceed E* by early next year, but E* has another satellite itself scheduled for launch in 2008 and will either take back the lead or equal D* next year. What’s it all mean? The competition is such that both companies will continually be adding new channels and services, so as long as the channels I really want are there now (which both have), then it is a wash.
Picture Quality. I have seen positive and negative post for both sides in equal proportions. HD Lite, overall signal compression, SD pic quality, are just a few issues from either camp. Again, no clear winner here either.
Customer Service. Everybody complains about customer service, but I have to say that unfortunately E* stands out negatively in this area. Everything from unknowledgeable CSR’s to incompetent installers, E* is serious lacking in this regard.
So my decision to go with E* was based primarily on the hardware and price, and I am very comfortable with my choice. But is there anything that I am still concerned about? Certainly and here is my list of those items.
- When I order my system I would expect to have a Dish 1000.2 installed which would provide me signals from the three satellites (110, 119 & 129) I need being a HD customer. This configuration sometimes has exhibited unacceptable signal levels on 129. I am wary of this.
- The HDMI output was glitchy earlier with the 622, but I am hoping these issues have been resolved.
- Even though I will be receiving plenty of HD content, the broadcast industry is not at a stage yet where you can totally disregard SD. Since picture quality is very subjective I am worried that the SD content I receive will be inferior to what I am receiving now.
