Dish Network or Directv

kiphorn · Sep 24, 2003

I just moved and the cable company that I now have doesn't offer some of the channels that I had at my old place. I'm considering the switch to satellite but know little about them. I know the cable companies are slamming them with ads about reliablility and rain fade. But, because of Isabell I was without cable for 4 days. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif A satellite would have been operational the whole time (I had a generator to run the refrigerator, TV and DVD player) /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Anyway, whats the difference between the two satellite providers. I know Directv offers NFL ticket and Dish doesn't but what about reliability, picture, sound, etc. or any other things I should know about. I did learn that Dish charges more if you have more than one TV hooked up. Does Directv charge for additonal TV's also?

Dish offers local channels in my area, now. Directv says they will have them by year end. Their website has indicated that local channels are coming, but its said that for months. My cable company doesn't offer a local channel package for satellite owners, so this is a concern.

What are the factors I should consider to select a provider and to convince me that I should dump the cable company.
Cable rates seem to be increasing on a regular basis. Have the satellite providers been raising their rates too?

Thanks for the help.

Kip

MikePA · Sep 24, 2003

Hi Kip. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif We had DirecTV for several years, until a clump birch grew high enough to block the signal. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif For some reason, I couldn't convince my wife that we should cut it down. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I was hoping that Isabel would take care of that, but no luck.

The availability of DirecTV was at least as good as the local cable company, if not better. The rain/snow fade can be an issue. In our case, our signal strength was in the 90s (out of 100 possible) and we only lost the signal when it was raining/snowing very hard.

We have 2 TVs so we had 2 satellite boxes. DirecTV charges $5.00/month for each additional satellite box.

The satellite picture is much better than regular cable. This may be different for people who have digital cable. Our cable is the regular analog kind.

DirecTV has been claiming they would have local channels for a long time. I'd believe it when I see it. The whole time (5 years) we had DirecTV, we also had basic cable in order to get the local channels. I use a ReplayTV to merge the satellite and cable signals.

The only things I miss about not having DirecTV (I never subscribed to the NFL/NBA/NHL ticket services) are;
1. Our satellite receiver displayed CallerId information on the TV screen.
2. Instant Pay Per View movie access.

Finally, DirecTV raised their rates every year we subscribed. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

gws · Sep 24, 2003

Dish and direct are from a technology stand point the same. The receivers are not interchangable but they functionally they are the same. Signal qualitys are the same and basic content is the same. Dish has some locals direct doesnt and direct has some locals dish doesnt. Prices are about the same for similar packages.

What you need to do is check out what channels you want and figure out which plan on each system that puts you into on each system. Then look at price. NFL is on direct, I think dish has NHL.

MadReferee · Sep 24, 2003

There was a discussion on DirecTV a few months ago. Go to this thread which has a number of links to DBS forums and FAQs where you can get information on DirecTV and Dish.

link to DirecTV thread

BTW, I have had DirecTV here in NH for almost 7 years and I can only recall one price increase. I get local (Boston and NH) channels plus east and west coast feeds for NBC, CBS and FOX since I am considered rural.

rancar · Sep 24, 2003

I've had DirectTV for about 6 years. I've been very satisfied with service and picture quality. No problem with rain or snow fade. Only incidents I've had that have knocked out service was when lighting struck the dish's transponder during two severe thunderstorms. This is a common occurence though in my area with lightning striking electrical and telephone service coming into the house. I pay I think $42 per month for the Total Choice program package with Starz channels...have had only 2 price increases during the past 6 years....from $37 to the current $42 per month. Pay per view movies have gone up from $2.99 to $3.99.....still a good deal if one wants to wait a few months and not pay the $8-10 per ticket being charged at movie houses.

...Bob

MossRoad · Sep 24, 2003

<font color="blue"> DirecTV raised their rates every year we subscribed </font>

We only had one price increase in 6 years. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I believe we pay about $33.00 per month. No HBO or extra packages for us. We don't have time to watch that much TV. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

PondKeeper · Sep 24, 2003

Kip

I have both, Direct TV at our country house where I can't get cable either and Digital Cable at home in NJ. In my case there is an obvious difference in quality, the satellite has better picture quality. Satellite is also easier to navigate and faster, little or no delay in the functions.

As for Direct TV or Dish, I can't offer an opinion because I have never had Dish. I can say that in 7 years I have not been disappointed with Direct TV. That's not to say that when there are 200+ channels I sometimes can't believe there is still only S#$t to watch.

Last point, if it wasn't for wanting cable modem service I would have satellite at both houses. Just can't beat the speed of cable for the computer.

Mike

em14 · Sep 24, 2003

I have DISh and the only "local" channels that I can get here are in Atlanta! The biggest complain that I have is though I have a large number of channels available on DISH, the content / programing is not as good as I think it should be (or am confusing programing with Good / Bad reruns!). The politics of the local channel available to me makes me have to have an outside antenna just so that I can get my real local channel (Gainesville or Jacksonville). Most of the support is via telephone and if local support (anything beyond telephone) is required it can be a little expensive. Cable is not available to me where I live and satellite is the only opition available except for my additional TV antena (4 channels). In the area (Large metro area) I lived in prior to moving here we had cable. My complain there was cable support was non exsistant on weekends and holidays. I wish that both of these, cable and satellite, were handled more like a public utility.
I am not sure which is best and I was of the opinion that there was move afoot sometime back for Dish and Direct to merge!
Leo

fivestring · Sep 24, 2003

DirecTV.

There is no comparrison.
Dish Network will never have the capability that DirecTV has. They don't have access to the funds needed to add satellites or even put them into space.

I've had DirecTV since late 1993 when the price was over $800.00 for a single reciever system.
If you are into sports, DirecTV has every sport in package deals... I get the Hockey package every year, although I might only see a dozen games.
There has only been 2 price increases in the 10 years I've owned the system.
When I moved, back in November, I paid DirecTV $12.00 to install a new dish, dual LNB and re-wire for the two recievers I have... $12.00!!!!
My bill is about $45.00 a month.

grainger12002 · Sep 24, 2003

we have had good luck with DISH,or area is perfect for it and it offers alot of family and kid shows. Still have basic cable,$15 a month for the local news as no locals are available to us yet. Dont know if thats any help.