Thinking of Switching - DirecTV to Dish

[gigapower]

I've been thinking of switching over to Dish from DirecTV, mainly for all the new HD channels and the fact that they announced to do HD LiLs in my city where as D* has no plans for my city at this current time, meaning mid-late 2007 at the earliest. Comparing program packages SD is equal, but Dish just blows them away on the HD. I can get an awesome deal on a 942 from a family member.

My main question is anyone actually happy with Dish Network and their 942 unit? Reason for asking this is I just see so many posters complaining about Dish, yet they also seem to stick with them. Why is that?

 

[jmcgee_jr]

Well most of us use to be sticky with DISH cause of the fact they werent doing HD LITE like DTV was. But now they are. So really its just a matter that dish has more HD LITE Then DTV does but at the same time DTV offers HD DNS service toi which dish doesnt yet. So basically you have to weigh your options.

 

[RobertsD]

Well most of us use to be sticky with DISH cause of the fact they werent doing HD LITE like DTV was. But now they are. So really its just a matter that dish has more HD LITE Then DTV does but at the same time DTV offers HD DNS service toi which dish doesnt yet. So basically you have to weigh your options.

Haven't they only made a couple channels HD-lite?

I don't have Voom, but from what I have read, weren't only like 3 channels actual HD, and all the other ones have always been "HD-lite"?

Plus, the HD pack is full HD. So, aren't you only missing out a 2-3 full HD channels, since everything else is the same as it has always been?

Please corrent me if I am wrong....

 

[KenSoren]

I've been thinking of switching over to Dish from DirecTV, mainly for all the new HD channels and the fact that they announced to do HD LiLs in my city where as D* has no plans for my city at this current time, meaning mid-late 2007 at the earliest. Comparing program packages SD is equal, but Dish just blows them away on the HD. I can get an awesome deal on a 942 from a family member.
My main question is anyone actually happy with Dish Network and their 942 unit? Reason for asking this is I just see so many posters complaining about Dish, yet they also seem to stick with them. Why is that?

FYI - the 942 DVR is a MPEG2 receiver and the new Dish HD stuff will be available to MPEG4 receivers only, so that explains the super good deals available on the 942 units. The MPEG4 DVR unit will be the 622 so if you want to go with HD with Dish make sure you don't get stuck with one of the MPEG2 receivers.

 

[mcdeeee]

Wait until Feb. 1 to make the switch. Definatally more HD that Direct Tv. Only Voom channels are HD-Lite. Everything else is good.

 

[gigapower]

I understand the MPEG2 to MPEG4 upgrade but basically a family member is giving me their 942, that they bought, because of a move they are making that won't allow them to have satellite service anymore. I guess I just need some reassurance that DISH isn't as bad as a lot of people out there on the forums make it out to be.

 

[NightRyder]

gigapower: I've been a Dish customer since February, 1999 and overall I've been satisfied with the service. Happy, satisfied customers have no reason to post, so the forums always lean towards the negative. Chances are, if you found D* to be satisfactory, you'll find E* acceptable also. The two services have far fewer differences than they do similarities. IMO.


NightRyder

 

[KenSoren]

I understand the MPEG2 to MPEG4 upgrade but basically a family member is giving me their 942, that they bought, because of a move they are making that won't allow them to have satellite service anymore. I guess I just need some reassurance that DISH isn't as bad as a lot of people out there on the forums make it out to be.

For whatever it is worth, I have been a Dish customer for 5 years and overall I have found the service dependable and trouble free, so I don't have any problems in recommending it. I bought the 921 DVR a little over a year ago which is considered to be a trouble-prone receiver. In spite of the need to do a "power button re-boot" every now and again, I have been happy with it.

Concering using the 942 make sure you do your homework both in reviewing what is posted in this forum plus what information you can get from Dish. There has been postings here that after February 1st you will not be able to activate the 942 to receive any HD programming - so if HD programming is what you want you need to understand that you will need one of the new receivers.

 

[datwell]

I am satisfied with E* and the 942 - I just wish it had more storage.

--Doug