Home audio & video: Satellite TV providers--who to get?
Dish v. DirecTV
by tpegan - 6/29/05 6:30 AM In reply to: Satellite TV providers--who to get? by ahiI previously had Dish but have recently switched to DirecTV. I was completely satisfied with the service provided by Dish, my reason for changing was that I had trees that had grown up and started to obscure my line of sight. The DirecTV dish points at a 6 degree higher elevation for my location and that cleared up the problem, for now.
I think that both services are superior to cable but each has their own unique pluses. For Dish I think that their hardware is superior. I like the fact that I can get a DVR without TiVo. Granted you still pay $5/month but with TiVo's future in question I think this is the way to go. Also, they have DVR/receivers that can control two televisions independently. This saves the additional per receiver fee that both services charge. Finally, you can lease the equipment so that when the inevitable upgrades arrive you aren't reluctant to make this move based on the out of pocket expenses you incurred for your current equipment.
On the other hand, DirecTV is going to start offering DVRs with their own, non-TiVo, programming guide. DirecTV was the first to launch satellites that will transmit with the new MPEG-4 compression standard. Theoretically that means they will have significantly more HD programming before Dish.
As far as customer service, it's a wash. They are both excellent.
Dish Vs. Cable
by wertnm - 6/29/05 9:51 AM In reply to: Dish v. DirecTV by tpeganI agree with everything you've mentioned in your post. I would additionally like to say, in response to those who have talked about problems with their installers: Installers are local small companies who are paid by Dish to come out and do your job. Some are good, and some are not. It varies. I have had mostly excellent service people. As to the company itself: They are very impersonal, not seeming to care whether you like their company or not, whether you cancel your service or keep it-just like all cable companies, and DirecTV. I think that customer service from cable companies, though, is MUCH WORSE than the satellite companies. Also, technical innovations usually are adopted FIRST by the satellite companies, and LAST by the cable companies (when they see that they may lose too many clients if they don't adopt the new feature). The pricing of Dish is slightly lower than DirecTV.
RE: WHICH SATELLITE??
by SolitaryMan422 - 6/29/05 6:44 PM In reply to: Satellite TV providers--who to get? by ahiI live in So. FLorida. The Only reason I went with satellite, (Dish Network) is; for some stupid reason, Adelphia cable will not come into my Apt. Complex in Palm Beach County. SO, I had no choice. It is a Love HATE relationship. EVERY time we get a thunder storm (which is EVERY day in the summer,) I lose my signal; Thus NO TV!!
So, as long as you do Not live in FLorida, you should be fine with Dish Network. I found their programming & Features Much better than Direct-TV...
How to avoid losing signal
by EagleSAT - 7/2/05 11:13 PM In reply to: RE: WHICH SATELLITE?? by SolitaryMan422If you DISH is not PEAKED properly you stand a higher chance of losing signal during storms. This is a natural phenomena called RAIN FADE. Depending on the model of receiver you have, your POINT DISH/SIGNAL screen should read in the 90s if you are on SAT119 and transponder 11. IF it is NOT in the 90s, your DISH may need to be PEAKED for MAX signal.
Satellite TV providers-who to get?
by farmhouse - 6/30/05 8:25 AM In reply to: Satellite TV providers--who to get? by ahiI've had Dish for about maybe 10 years through 2 moves. No problem with the installation or company except their short-sightedness re. new developments like DVR. Their marketing department apparently rules! Their account retention dept. sucks. They give no consideration to old accouts but give away DVRs to get new accounts! Thinking of migrating to DirectV for their new account deal.
Look into the DISH n it UP upgrade
by EagleSAT - 7/2/05 11:04 PM In reply to: Satellite TV providers-who to get? by farmhouseIF you take advantage of the DISH n it UP promotion for EXISTING DISH Network customers you may QUALIFY for a DVR522 upgrade. The DVR 522 is a DUAL tuner DVR that controls two (2) TVs independently. Call DISH Network (800-333-3474) or your ORIGINAL retailer for this opportunity.
4DTV
by siftar1 - 7/3/05 5:20 AM In reply to: Satellite TV providers--who to get? by ahiThroughout this whole thread I have seen no mention of the 4DTV system. Granted it is by far the most expensive system available, but it has always had significant advantages over cable, Dish and DTV.
First, the programming is always less expensive and you have multiple providers that you can deal with on an ala-carte basis, you do not have to purchase a whole package containing never watched "garbage channels".
Second, you get what you pay for in premium programming - all of the others rip off the consumer in this regard (HBO,CINEMAX-30 feeds, SHO,TMC,FLIX,Sundance-29 feeds, STARZ,ENCORE-38 feeds), how many do you get from cable, Dish or DTV?. Note that you can subscribe to premiums without getting stuck with minimum "tiers".
Third, rain fade does not exist in the 4GHz C-Band spectrum, only in the 11GHz KU-Band spectrum. Note that 4DTV works with both, but the fade margin for 10' dishes using KU-band is far superior to anything Dish or DTV has ever offered. Additionally it is possible to attach a Circular Polarization KU LNB to a C-Band dish to receive either Dish or DTV.
Fourth, picture quality. Cable speaks for itself - there is no valid excuse for every channel NOT to be crystal clear. With Dish and DTV you have pixillization and motion artifacts that are very visible on larger screens, these problems are due to overcompression, both companies would rather cram more "garbage" channels into their "tiers" than provide high quality on premium channels.
Finally, free programming. It is true that there is currently very little free progamming available on analog C-Band, however with the addition of a DVB reciever there are literally hundreds of free channels available.
The major downside to C-Band systems is the equipment and installation cost - well over $1000 for an all new system.
(NT) N E REASON WHY NOT COMCAST DIGITAL CABLE??
by jonline - 7/21/05 3:18 PM In reply to: Satellite TV providers--who to get? by ahi(NT) Because only Directv has the HD NFL package....
by sls - 7/21/05 4:32 PM In reply to: (NT) N E REASON WHY NOT COMCAST DIGITAL CABLE?? by jonlineDon't get Direct TV
by mellowde - 7/27/05 8:45 AM In reply to: Satellite TV providers--who to get? by ahiIf you have any AND I MEAN ANY problem you won't be able to get through for hours because their customer service is a joke. Plus the fact that if your equipment fails you will be responsible for repair/replacement yourself (unlike dishnetwork). And if you attempt to cancel your service they will charge you $302.00 and if you don't pay you will be reported to the credit bureaus. I know because it happened to me. Don't deal with Direct TV. They are nothing but sharks who will take your money.
don't get dish!
by ido - 11/16/05 9:56 AM In reply to: Don't get Direct TV by mellowde2 installers came to my house to upgrade my receiver, and one of them stole my sony psp!
The dishnetwork 1-800 people have been unhelpful and rude, and made me feel like I did something wrong!
I'm waiting on the police as I write this.....
Watch Your Step With Satillite TV
by res0jmbd - 11/22/05 9:42 PM In reply to: Satellite TV providers--who to get? by ahiPeople have been complaining about Dish Network and NOBODY is doing anything.They have hidden charges you don't know about and they will steal your money if your not careful.Some of the deals they offer are rip offs.They charge you a month in advance,in other words
when your speicial runs out you get charged for 2 months up front!( that's if you get your speicial?)
If you try and back out of the deal you are automaticly charged $280.00 for canceling your service plus other charges.Like I said they have all kinds of Fee'S.You can call them all you want and NEVER get any where.They had that $49.99 activation fee and I had to use my card.They used that to go into my account and help them selves to another $69.95 plus I never received my 3 month's free service.I had to cancel my card out so they would quit stealing money.This is only some of what I have gone through so be care full with these Satallite people?
Definitely not Dish Network
by Mogambo - 9/11/06 7:22 PM In reply to: Satellite TV providers--who to get? by ahiThe fact that the Dish Network routinely violates the Do not call list is an immediate turn off for me. I dont care whether they have a good or bad service. They need to prove that they are law abiding first.
YOU ARE ALL CRAZY GO BACK TO YOUR RABBIT EARS
by stewart norrie - 9/12/06 3:54 PM In reply to: Definitely not Dish Network by MogamboTruth dish and direct t.v. are the best in h.d. programming. I have had my old dish 811 system for three years the picture and sound is beautiful charges are cheaper than cable + customer service is outstanding I think that most of you call customer support and try and start ww3 stewee
YOU ARE ALL CRAZY GO BACK TO YOUR RABBIT EARS
by Sees it Real - 9/25/07 9:59 AM In reply to: YOU ARE ALL CRAZY GO BACK TO YOUR RABBIT EARS by stewart norrieIf they Are the Best perhaps potential customers should (using google search)type In Dish Network Customer Complaints(Comments)and view Many Customer Experiances.
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