Direct TV or Dish Network?

[Street5927]

My wife and I are looking at converting from regular cable TV, which is getting incredibly expensive to satellite. We were comparing Direct TV and Dish Network. Can anyone offer any problems that you encountered with any of these, and/or things you like/dislike about which one you have.

[WAS]

Depends what you watch on TV. Personally, it`s NetFlix for me, I haven`t touched a cableco / satellite provider in years. If I was in the USA, I`d be going to TiVO.

[rexster314]

Both have pros and cons. Most of the differences are with the sports packages. Most other programming is the same. If sports packages are the dealbreakers, then pick the one you want.

[Street5927]

Both have pros and cons. Most of the differences are with the sports packages. Most other programming is the same. If sports packages are the dealbreakers, then pick the one you want.



What I was mainly concerned about is the quality of the equipment and the reception that is received. I have read pro`s and con`s on the internet, but wanted to get some opinions from friends on here.

[rdorman]

I have been with Direct TV for many years and like what they have to offer. They have signed a deal with TiVo and are supposed to release a TiVo based HD DVR this year. Since I greatly prefer the TiVo interface, I can`t wait! I don`t think in all the years (over 10) I have been with Direct TV I have paid a dime for any equipment even when we switched from SD to HD. We run two DVRs and two other HD boxes currently.



Direct TV`s satelite is higher in the sky. I am in Columbus Ohio and the elevation for Direct TV is 22 degrees where Dish is 12. At my house, the only place Dish could place the dish would be the middle of the front yard! Not good. My Direct TV satelite is mounted on top of the house behind a chimney so you can`t even see it.



The problem with where my satelite is located comes when we get freezing rain and the dish gets coated. I don`t have a dish heater to melt the ice and being over 35 feet up in the air, getting to it in those conditions isn`t a good option. If yours is mounted where you can clear it off, even with a hose, you are fine. Even though this interruption is rare, I have a OTA backup antenia wired into the system. You can still use the DVR to watch what you have recorded, record OTA (certain models other require another box), stream, etc.



As for streaming from the likes of Netflix, Hulu, etc. There are many other inexpensive ways to do this providing you have the bandwidth. Such as a Roku amongst a host of others. Many AVR`s and BD`s are coming with these options as well.

[rdorman]

Oh, I have never had a piece of Direct TV equipement fail... ever.

[S&S Detailing]

I have Dish, its good, have some issues with cutting out during severe storms



According to the guy who installed it if the installer does a absolute perfect job it should never ever cut out (apparently he didn`t do an absolute perfect job :lol:)



I have heard, and know people who have At&T Uverse and heard it is awesome, I would look into that, about every person who I know who has it just loves it.

The only issue with Uverse is it isn`t available everywhere

[Street5927]

I have Dish, its good, have some issues with cutting out during severe storms



According to the guy who installed it if the installer does a absolute perfect job it should never ever cut out (apparently he didn`t do an absolute perfect job :lol:)



I have heard, and know people who have At&T Uverse and heard it is awesome, I would look into that, about every person who I know who has it just loves it.

The only issue with Uverse is it isn`t available everywhere



I have never heard of the AT&T Uverse....will have to look into it. I appreciate all the input from everyone!

[Street5927]

I looked into the ATT Uverse, but it is not available in my area.

[rdorman]

I have land, cell and internet bundled with AT&T. I can get Uverse, Comcast, TWC, Dish and DirectV. I looked into adding Uverse to my AT&T bundle and compared features and performance side by side with Directv and Uverse. I still have Directv. So, don`t be bummed that you can not get Uverse Ryan. IMO, that just eleminates the lesser of the two options.

[15951]

I have been with Direct TV for many years and like what they have to offer. They have signed a deal with TiVo and are supposed to release a TiVo based HD DVR this year. Since I greatly prefer the TiVo interface, I can`t wait! I don`t think in all the years (over 10) I have been with Direct TV I have paid a dime for any equipment even when we switched from SD to HD. We run two DVRs and two other HD boxes currently.



This paragraph was the polar opposite of my experience with DirecTV. They absolutely, 100% do charge monthly "rental" for all of their equipment, even if you`ve had it for years. They used to have a TiVo interface, but eventually went on their own to save money. TiVo sued them for a number of reasons afterwards.



Their equipment does break. I used them for about 5 years, and went through a couple of HD DVRs. Each time they replace one, they conveniently forget to mention that this ups your contract with them by two years. Also, when asked why I can`t just buy the equipment, they explained that each customer has an obligation to pay rental fees so that everyone can have the equipment "inexpensively". It`s like socialist television.



Glad you`re experiencing Bizarro DirecTV, but the rest of us pay, pay, and pay some more.

[rdorman]

This paragraph was the polar opposite of my experience with DirecTV. They absolutely, 100% do charge monthly "rental" for all of their equipment, even if you`ve had it for years. They used to have a TiVo interface, but eventually went on their own to save money. TiVo sued them for a number of reasons afterwards.



Their equipment does break. I used them for about 5 years, and went through a couple of HD DVRs. Each time they replace one, they conveniently forget to mention that this ups your contract with them by two years. Also, when asked why I can`t just buy the equipment, they explained that each customer has an obligation to pay rental fees so that everyone can have the equipment "inexpensively". It`s like socialist television.



Glad you`re experiencing Bizarro DirecTV, but the rest of us pay, pay, and pay some more.



Interesting that the two of us would have such different experiences. TiVo also sued Dish and others as I recall. But, Directv and TiVo are back in bed together. I call them every couple of years, tell them I am going to switch and why and get more for less every time. They just dropped my bill another $10 a month, this time for no apparent reason. Didn`t even call them! On a waiting list for the new DVR when it comes out and will move my old one into my Son`s room. And, it will be at no charge.

[TLMitchell]

The problem with where my satelite is located comes when we get freezing rain and the dish gets coated. I don`t have a dish heater to melt the ice and being over 35 feet up in the air, getting to it in those conditions isn`t a good option.



Dealt with that today... A Super Soaker filled with warm water works great. Crude but effective. :thumb:



TL

[rdorman]

Dealt with that today... A Super Soaker filled with warm water works great. Crude but effective. :thumb:



TL



I`ve tried that. It is even out of range for the super soakers

[ernman]

I have Direct TV and didn’t have a problem until I wanted a DVR. With a DVR you have two choices, two separate cables to the receiver, or the swim option. (Both options allow you to record while watching a separate channel. With the swim option you don’t need two cables ran to the DVR receiver.



So I call and place the order, they guy shows up and wants to run the cable from the dish, down the side of my house and drill a hole in the siding. He said that he doesn’t run cables in the house and they would have to reschedule.



Basically without carrying on two much, it took 4 separate appointments to get it setup properly with the Swim setup. I did complain to Direct TV and they upgraded my package for a year for nothing.