I've been off the PC for a while, so this is the first chance I got to monitor this thread.
First, glad to see the DIRT team allowed by management to address us regarding this issue. I've always loved the DIRT folks on this forum, but understand that they may have bosses who "don't get it."
Second, just to affirm that the last week I have seen this same problem multiple times on my LIL's (L.A. DMA) and several other "cable" channels--in HD. I even last reported that it occurred on one of the Superstations, which are in SD not at 129. I also noticed for the first time in a month or more that the old problem of video seeming to move as if not sufficient sampling--something like judder--appear on a few channels. Dish had fixed that long-time problem just about the time the NOW present Stutter/Freeze problems we have now. One has to wonder if they are related and if this return of the old problem is Dish attempting to fix the new problem.
While I am not ready to jump ship from Dish, for various reasons, I completely am sympathetic to Cornflakes sentiments about "dumping" Dish. While this problem is IRRITATING to me and has SCREWED up dialog and my CC that I need to follow stories, I am being EXTREMELY patient with Dish in that I have some faith they will fix this and Dish is still my choice, FOR NOW.
But I have no doubt A LOT of people just don't have the patience, and such freeze and jump during a ballgame or tension moment movie, etc., is REALLY upsetting some subs out there, and they won't necessarily call to complain, they will just CANCEL Dish at the end of the commitment believing that this problem is just the way Dish sends out the signal, or that it is satellite vs. cable, etc. Some years ago, my relatives put up with constant outages on their Dish systems, losing video and audio for a few seconds several times during the day and night. When I found out, I told them this should not be happening as Dish does send it at well, and I have no such problems. They got it re-peaked and that ended their constant losing sat signal. But they told me, "We thought that's they way it works on satellite." So, you see, this may be pissing off a lot more people than Dish thinks.
Cornflakes, you do what you gotta do, and if you feel you have to stop sending Dish your money each month, I support you because it seems that may be the only way Dish ever COPS to this problem and really finds a solution. As for me, I would hope we don't have to endure this for much longer, but at some point (and I have NO commitment) I just may join the other 30 million at DirectTV because I CAN't continue to watch TV like this in the long run, and not for my obscenely high bill I pay, and I do mean my bill always gets a GASP reaction whenever a CSR pulls it up.
Advice to Clayton (or new CEO):
1. ADMIT that there is a problem (PLEASE!! Dish knows about it and is probably trying to fix it now. One would have to brain dead to believe Dish isn't aware of this problem, has seen it--given the HUGE number of times we have seen it, and probably trying to fix it. Admitting to it could help in preventing people like Cornflakes from leaving by VALIDATING the customer and pledging to fix it ASAP and are working on it and will do whatever it takes. I understand the Dish may feel copping to this may be bad publicity making Dish look inferior, but saying NOTHING, in and direct form of DENIAL, is insensitive, not valuing, and insulting to the customer and will surely lose Dish more customers than the "bad publicity." But, the best way to avoid bad publicity is to pay what it takes to get engineers who really know what they are doing.
2. If either in-house Dish or Echostar engineers can't figure it out, get someone who can!
3.Bring back the Chats and Tech Forums: While both had degenerated into big promotional shows, they were THE place to get Dish to validate its customers and Charlie or Mark, would COP to a problem (Great! They value us enough to be honest and admit it is their problem) and even explain what the problem was/is, and, of course, pledge to get it fixed, and they did fix it. It was sure great to see the CEO of a company (or Mark Jackson) say, "Yes, we know about the problem; it's not the Dish standard; we don't like it; please don't take your business elsewhere; it may take a bit of time and effort on our part, but we will fix it; we value your business; part of our mission is our commitment to the best possible PQ and audio, and this problem isn't meeting our mission; and (Charlie would say) if it doesn't get fixed soon, I'm gonna have our engineers on the next chat and they can explain to you and all of us why you aren't getting the solid picture." That was paraphrased, of course, but I do miss the chats and Tech Forums when they were HONEST with us, instead of what we are getting now from Dish (management): NOTHING! DIRT people just do what they are told by those clueless managers.
Perhaps part of the problem is that Charlie ISN'T running Dish right now, for he would surely be cracking the whip at those responsible, and that is what they seem to need. Also, Ergan's style was to be more open about some things (not all). Perhaps this is the Clayton management style of handling a wide spread problem and having come no closer to a fix than when this all started.
Let's hope a miracle happens. Cornflakes, please keep us posted, and let us know what you decide to do and if Dish ever responds to your consideration of leaving Dish. I would hope they would find some answer to this so that you would feel you wouldn't have to leave, but I support you whatever you decision is. Just let us know and keep us in the light, not the dark like Dish is doing now.
