Home audio & video forum: Digital Cable vs Direct TV vs Dish Network vs others

Think twice before changing to Fios! First, the guide didn't come up before the installer left. They said it would be there by the next morning. It wasn't. Waited forever online to have them try several things remotely, but it didn't help. They had me re-boot the box, but that didn't help either. Finally, they said the router they installer for the internet was probably bad, so they mailed another one to me to install myself, with instructions for me to mail the old one back to them. But it didn't make any difference. Finally, they had another installer come out to replace the controller box because that was the problem. At least that took care of the first problem. It didn't take long to notice that the picture was out of sync with the sound. More waiting on the phone. The tech-guy sent a signal to the box, and it was okay again. Until the next day. Then it was back to out of sync again. Yes, the HD picture was beautiful. But their controller is a nightmare. Most of the time instead of going to channel 7 or 5, it will jump to 77 or 55. The pause button works fine when viewing a recorded show, but was terrible when pausing a live show; when trying to re-start a paused live show, nothing would happen! I ended-up needing to change the channel or other similar actions to get back to what I was watching. Plus, as long as I didn't change the channel, with Direct TV, I could reverse live television for an hour or more. Not with Fios. It will back up a few minutes, but if you missed the beginning of a show . . . too bad for you, because it won't go backwards very far. The backwards "jump" button makes more sense with Direct TV too; Suppose you missed what someone said, the button will "jump" back a few seconds. Perfect. I didn't measure how long the Fios button takes you backwards, but it jumps back way too far and you end up re-watching quite a bit. Also, fast-forwarding with Direct TV is much easier. Whith them, when you see where you want to start watching again, pressing play jumps you backward a second so you see the beginning for the scene. Again, not with Fios. With them, when you hit play, you miss a few seconds of the beginning of the scene. As you already know, the jump button takes you back too far, but the reverse button doesn't help much either because it doesn't respond well when you press play, and usually keeps going backwards. The guide doesn't have good contrast, and is confusing. The search button frequently didn't come up with what I was looking for, even though it was in the guide. All-in-all, I suggest you don't switch to Fios unless you are awfully unhappy with what you've got! After only two weeks, we called Direct TV and said "Hook us up again!"

If you are a fan of BBC America and such shows as Top Gear, be aware that Directv DOES NOT offer BBC America in HD. Dish Network does

They ALL have their good and bad. I've had both DISH & DIRECTV, yes if you're a sport fan and need the NFL Sunday Ticket, Yankees, or the MLB Extra Innings than DIRECTV covers that other than that DISH cover everything else. They both go back and forth price wise. One month DIRECTV has been promotions then the next DISH does. DIRECTV seems to spend more on advertisement than DISH which is why everyone's DIRECTV bill may be $15 to $20 higher than customers who have DISH. The best way is to switch back and forth between them to get the best deals every two years or so. I like them both, but I hate DIRECTV billing department, they always try to tap on extra stuff but otherwise it's good service. I have DISH now and like them as well. My bill is still very very cheap, $35 cheaper than DIRECTV and I have the same stuff except a few sport networks. Cable is good for 6 months to a year then it increases like $50 more. Way too expensive!

I found a number from another reviewer for my friend and according to the other reviewers and my friend; if you call this number they will give you a $50 credit; if you give them a code. It's for Dish Network. My friend got the $50 credit right away on her first bill. Here's the code "DH50WB051412". Use this coupon to get a $50 credit off your DISH account, for NEW Dish Accounts only with an agreement. Code must be redeemed by calling (888) 308-3724, other numbers won't take this code and apply it. The main line on dish.com doesn't accept it for some reason. The code is used with Digital Plus, I think there name is; they are a DISH and DIRECTV authorized dealer which is good because they can compare the price differences in both satellite services and they are nationwide. Hope my review helped.