Which company would you go with ? DishNetwork or DirectTV,tell me why..and what are the benefits..and who has the most channels including HD...and who has more variety of channels..and the customer support..
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You'll get lots of opinions, since your in a Dish forum, most will tell you its Dish. If you want more HD today, its Dish. Both have the mostly the same SD channels. Dtv promises lots more HD to be added in 2007, but both companies "stretch the truth". DTV has the NFL ticket, DISH does not. I'm sure someone here can provide a link that shows what you get now. If you avoid a commitment with whoever you pick, you can switch providers as the choice of who is best is a moving target.
Was DirecTV customer from 97 until late 02, been Dish customer since.
I would have to say, it depends on what you want. Do you want more selection or better quality?
If you like football, Directv will have to be the only choice, however, besides that, Dish Network has a few more movie channels (HBO Comedy, TMC EXTRA, etc.). You'll have to compare channels between the two services to see if you have to have any of the additional channels Dish has--in some cases Directv has some channels Dish don't as well, you'll have to compare that. (and honestly, HBO comedy and other additional channels aren't that great, it isn't like you couldn't live without them)
Prices, honestly are about the same, with perhaps Dish being a little cheaper on channels, Directv being cheaper on fees.
Quality, IMHO, Directv had a better product with less problems. When I switched, I noticed right away the difference in receivers, Dish receiver didn't work as well as Directv receivers, even the first one I bought in 97. EPG was buggier, stopped me from looking at it because it had to download info what seemed to be every five minutes--when I saw that on DirecTV receivers hand full of times over those years--just didn't run as smoothly as Directv receivers did. Dish receivers have gotten better, but I still would prefer my old Directv receivers over my 3 301's and my 811. Again, just IMO.
Customer support, well, I had a few bad dealings with Directv, but I would have considered them the better of the two when it comes to customer support. Of course, don't know how that is different now, but past experience was good with Directv. With Dish, I don't even call anymore when I have a problem, because of all of the problems I've had trying to get help on different issues, I've just given up on anything getting fixed.
Honestly, right now, if I could afford it, I'd switch back to Directv. Dish has nothing that I have to have, when I first switched I thought the additional channels and little bit of a cheaper price would make me happy, however, the issues I've had with Dish's receivers and their customer support have made me regret the switch. Just never had a chance to switch back.
I would have to say, it depends on what you want. Do you want more selection or better quality?
If you like football, Directv will have to be the only choice, however, besides that, Dish Network has a few more movie channels (HBO Comedy, TMC EXTRA, etc.). You'll have to compare channels between the two services to see if you have to have any of the additional channels Dish has--in some cases Directv has some channels Dish don't as well, you'll have to compare that. (and honestly, HBO comedy and other additional channels aren't that great, it isn't like you couldn't live without them)
Prices, honestly are about the same, with perhaps Dish being a little cheaper on channels, Directv being cheaper on fees.
Quality, IMHO, Directv had a better product with less problems. When I switched, I noticed right away the difference in receivers, Dish receiver didn't work as well as Directv receivers, even the first one I bought in 97. EPG was buggier, stopped me from looking at it because it had to download info what seemed to be every five minutes--when I saw that on DirecTV receivers hand full of times over those years--just didn't run as smoothly as Directv receivers did. Dish receivers have gotten better, but I still would prefer my old Directv receivers over my 3 301's and my 811. Again, just IMO.
Customer support, well, I had a few bad dealings with Directv, but I would have considered them the better of the two when it comes to customer support. Of course, don't know how that is different now, but past experience was good with Directv. With Dish, I don't even call anymore when I have a problem, because of all of the problems I've had trying to get help on different issues, I've just given up on anything getting fixed.
Honestly, right now, if I could afford it, I'd switch back to Directv. Dish has nothing that I have to have, when I first switched I thought the additional channels and little bit of a cheaper price would make me happy, however, the issues I've had with Dish's receivers and their customer support have made me regret the switch. Just never had a chance to switch back.
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Thanks for the post Tony i appreciate that alot that you took time to explain all that to me.
With my cable provider well i had tons of pixelation problems on HDTV and SDTV was horrid on the HDTV receiver..hell i think digital cable receiver > SD on HDTV receiver.
I wanted to get better picture quality on the SD channels and no macroblocking aka pixelations on HD channels especially when i am watching football/basketball and movies with fast action.
I heard DTV may have better quality...but i also heard dish network is giving 622 receivers for free when february 1st comes..
Id rather go with quality over quantity.
I dubt its my TVs problem..i own a Sony 32" Bravia Model KDL32S20L1
I tried everything with my cable company (charter communications) but they just plain suck here in Reno,NV.
Well after tony's post im back on stage 1...DTV or Dish Network...yeha..
With my cable provider well i had tons of pixelation problems on HDTV and SDTV was horrid on the HDTV receiver..hell i think digital cable receiver > SD on HDTV receiver.
I wanted to get better picture quality on the SD channels and no macroblocking aka pixelations on HD channels especially when i am watching football/basketball and movies with fast action.
I heard DTV may have better quality...but i also heard dish network is giving 622 receivers for free when february 1st comes..
Id rather go with quality over quantity.
I dubt its my TVs problem..i own a Sony 32" Bravia Model KDL32S20L1
I tried everything with my cable company (charter communications) but they just plain suck here in Reno,NV.
Well after tony's post im back on stage 1...DTV or Dish Network...yeha..
Oh man be done with it and sign up for DirecTV and enjoy
your TEN 1280 x 1080i HD channels, while I'll enjoy my
32 HD DISH HD channels with nine 1940x1080i (RUSH,
HDNET,,HDNMV, TNTHD, HBOHD, HDPPV, DSCHD, ESPHD,
SHOHD). All the other HD channels are 1440x1080i
except the VOOM channels 1280x1080i.
http://www.satelliteguys.us/bfg/dish-hd.htm
http://www.tvweek.com/page.cms?pageId=312
Dish SD resolution is 544 by 480 for most channels and the
Premium ...HBO, Cinemax and Showtime will be 640 by 480
resolution while DirecTV has 480x480 (most common), or even
352x480.
Multiple reviews and review from users, the vip622 wins by a large
margin over DirecTV H20.
http://reviews.cnet.com/Dish_Network_ViP622/4505-6474_7-31778299.html
http://reviews.cnet.com/DirecTV_HR20_DirecTV_Plus_HD_DVR/4505-6474_7-32065196.html
your TEN 1280 x 1080i HD channels, while I'll enjoy my
32 HD DISH HD channels with nine 1940x1080i (RUSH,
HDNET,,HDNMV, TNTHD, HBOHD, HDPPV, DSCHD, ESPHD,
SHOHD). All the other HD channels are 1440x1080i
except the VOOM channels 1280x1080i.
http://www.satelliteguys.us/bfg/dish-hd.htm
http://www.tvweek.com/page.cms?pageId=312
Dish SD resolution is 544 by 480 for most channels and the
Premium ...HBO, Cinemax and Showtime will be 640 by 480
resolution while DirecTV has 480x480 (most common), or even
352x480.
Multiple reviews and review from users, the vip622 wins by a large
margin over DirecTV H20.
http://reviews.cnet.com/Dish_Network_ViP622/4505-6474_7-31778299.html
http://reviews.cnet.com/DirecTV_HR20_DirecTV_Plus_HD_DVR/4505-6474_7-32065196.html
Now the real question will be..will i be disappointed with Dish or DTV over cable? I mean my cable company PQ for HD and SD is bad enough..id hate to get it more worse..+ id be screwed with Dish or DTV when i sign up for the commitment.
I never commented on picture quality, however, with my experience, even if Dish has a little better looking picture (which I don't see most of the time to be honest) their receivers and the headaches that follow, out weigh that little bit of a better quality in picture. All of my LIL's have horrible PQ--even though when I pull them OTA they are crystal clear, so don't say it is stations problem. Other channels on Dish have PQ problems too. So Dish Network PQ isn't that spectacular.
Don't know what you can do, the only thing you can do is compare PQ between your cable provider and Dish and/or Directv. Do you know anyone that has Dish or Directv? If so you can compare on their TV and see if you like it or not. Otherwise, you'll just have to bite the bullet and switch and find out.
That is a chance you'll have to take, however, you could compare between cable and Dish and/or Directv and see which one offers the channels that you like/want. And if there isn't anything at Dish or Directv that compels you to switch for the right price, you could always hold off for right now. Or if say Dish has something you really have to have, then go ahead and switch.
PQ is a personal issue, no one can tell you what you'll like or dislike, that is something you'll have to choose for yourself. You may like the PQ while someone else may not. Not to mention it depends on you TV and other connections.
That is a chance you'll have to take, however, you could compare between cable and Dish and/or Directv and see which one offers the channels that you like/want. And if there isn't anything at Dish or Directv that compels you to switch for the right price, you could always hold off for right now. Or if say Dish has something you really have to have, then go ahead and switch.
PQ is a personal issue, no one can tell you what you'll like or dislike, that is something you'll have to choose for yourself. You may like the PQ while someone else may not. Not to mention it depends on you TV and other connections.
As a former long time DirecTV sub (1999, one of their first HD customers) I can say a few things. (Been with Dish since Oct).
1-DirecTV USED to have better equipment. Once they "came inhouse" with only DirecTV branded receivers the quality, functionality and features went to hell in a hand basket. Our 622's and 2 211's have operated nearly flawlessly.
2- Comedy Central's PQ is much better on Dish.
3-Center Ice is far superior on Dish.
4-Personally, I don't care about locals from space, We've had HD OTA since '99.
5- DirecTV's 2 year commitment for a DVR or Hd is BARBARA STREISAND! (BS)
6- I am enjoying the selection of HD on Dish, and the PQ. Although neither is as good as BEV.
7- DirecTV MAY have more HD channels later this year, but I spent a boatload of money every month with Direc and they didn't really care if I left.
8- I have about 64 HD channels now, there is only 1 HD channel that I want that is missing.
9-Generally Dish has better PQ, Direc has better PQ on some channels.
10-I don't care about NFL-ST and
11-I'm not held hostage for 2 years with little HD and the "promise" of more on junk equipment.
My .02 fwiw
1-DirecTV USED to have better equipment. Once they "came inhouse" with only DirecTV branded receivers the quality, functionality and features went to hell in a hand basket. Our 622's and 2 211's have operated nearly flawlessly.
2- Comedy Central's PQ is much better on Dish.
3-Center Ice is far superior on Dish.
4-Personally, I don't care about locals from space, We've had HD OTA since '99.
5- DirecTV's 2 year commitment for a DVR or Hd is BARBARA STREISAND! (BS)
6- I am enjoying the selection of HD on Dish, and the PQ. Although neither is as good as BEV.
7- DirecTV MAY have more HD channels later this year, but I spent a boatload of money every month with Direc and they didn't really care if I left.
8- I have about 64 HD channels now, there is only 1 HD channel that I want that is missing.
9-Generally Dish has better PQ, Direc has better PQ on some channels.
10-I don't care about NFL-ST and
11-I'm not held hostage for 2 years with little HD and the "promise" of more on junk equipment.
My .02 fwiw
Ah i c, well i just got back from a neighbor who is my friend..well i checked his picture quality..he has SD channels only no HDTV yet for him..well i must say i got blown away from the HD quality on his Dish Network SD channels..hell they almost look better than my HD channels here..even if i have a better tv he still get better picture quality...plus the images on his SD channels are much better than what i use to have before (digital cable box SD) and now the HD box..it totally beats my previusly owned receivers/service from charter..
He lives only 1 block away from my house...now he gets good quality pictures on his SD receiver and he has a dish 1000+ since he has international channels.
I am kinda worried..if he gets such a good quality picture on his SD receiver also an SD TV..
Will i be able to get the same quality picture on my HDTV and will i see a major change in the receivers? i am picking up a 622 ViP.
He lives only 1 block away from my house...now he gets good quality pictures on his SD receiver and he has a dish 1000+ since he has international channels.
I am kinda worried..if he gets such a good quality picture on his SD receiver also an SD TV..
Will i be able to get the same quality picture on my HDTV and will i see a major change in the receivers? i am picking up a 622 ViP.
>All of my LIL's have horrible PQ
PQ of the locals in some DMA's are a DISH weak point (DTV too). A lot
depends on how many DMA's and channels are served by that SpotBeam(s)
and if DISH or DTV get's their feed direct through fiber or OTA. There are
3 DMA's served by this spotbeam I'm in and locals PQ is not very good
(but that only 6 channels out of 200). This should improve when analog
goes away or/if HD is offered. We mostly watch movie , history, science,
nature HGTVHD, FOODHD channels and only watch 1-2 hour of locals or
network channels a week anyway, funny that I can download a 350MB
file of "Two and Half Men" from Bittorrent thats PQ is better than what I
get off DISH CBS in this DMA.
People getting the NPS S.F. feed report the PQ look's pretty good
now.
Installer's are one thing but I've always had good results with DISH CSR's
with very little frustration. I've had two dish 501's and a 301 for 2-3 years
with no problems and now two vip622 since June. When vip622 hdmi died
I had no prblems geting replacement.
How important are networks. Can you get NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX OTA (for HD). I don't know when DISH or if DISH will have HD locals in reno while DTV already has. You can always become a 'mover'.
You do know about the feb 1 rate increases and the new DISH DVRAdvantage program (18 month commitment) free vip 622 dvr no upfront costs. Unless your going to buy the vip622 ($450) I'd wait till you can get the DVRAdvantage and save some money after Feb 1.
http://www.satelliteguys.us/showthread.php?t=85729
