Dish Network Troubles
- Thread starter PitbullMidwest
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SnowRidge
Elite Member
We have DirecTV, and I do not recommend it.
A few months ago, they screwed up an OTA (Over The Air) programming download. It caused failures in certain receiver models. They would frequently pixilate, then reboot. It took DTV many days to diagnose and solve the problem. DirecTV reprograms their customers equipment frequently in order to frustrate would be smart card hackers.
During this time they did not:
1. Put up a general message on their website informing subscribers of what was going on.
2. Email affected subscribers, although they knew who had the models that were failing and have mass emailing capability. It would have been simple to send a short message saying, "Hey, it's our fault and we're working on it. Please be patient. We apologize."
3. Properly inform customer service (The Boys In Bangalore), so that subscribers who called in and actually got through (most couldn't) got an accurate idea of what was going on.
As a consequence, many of their customers called out service techs and paid wholly unnecessary fees for troubleshooting problems that were entirely due to a programming error by DirecTV.
To my knowledge, DirecTV has never publicly acknowledged the failures or apologized to the subscribers that were affected. A typical Rupert Murdoch way of doing business.
As to the phone line requirement. Both companies are afraid that neighbors will share receivers and split the bill on accounts with more than one box by running coax next door. They use caller ID to verify that all the boxes are on the same phone line and -- theoretically, at least -- on the same premises.
A few months ago, they screwed up an OTA (Over The Air) programming download. It caused failures in certain receiver models. They would frequently pixilate, then reboot. It took DTV many days to diagnose and solve the problem. DirecTV reprograms their customers equipment frequently in order to frustrate would be smart card hackers.
During this time they did not:
1. Put up a general message on their website informing subscribers of what was going on.
2. Email affected subscribers, although they knew who had the models that were failing and have mass emailing capability. It would have been simple to send a short message saying, "Hey, it's our fault and we're working on it. Please be patient. We apologize."
3. Properly inform customer service (The Boys In Bangalore), so that subscribers who called in and actually got through (most couldn't) got an accurate idea of what was going on.
As a consequence, many of their customers called out service techs and paid wholly unnecessary fees for troubleshooting problems that were entirely due to a programming error by DirecTV.
To my knowledge, DirecTV has never publicly acknowledged the failures or apologized to the subscribers that were affected. A typical Rupert Murdoch way of doing business.
As to the phone line requirement. Both companies are afraid that neighbors will share receivers and split the bill on accounts with more than one box by running coax next door. They use caller ID to verify that all the boxes are on the same phone line and -- theoretically, at least -- on the same premises.
ducati996
Banned
You dont have to have a phone line with DTV, you just wont have the ability to order PPV through the receiver. Thats the only reason why, you can mirror your package on another receiver for $4.99 a month and that dosent require a Phone line either.
DirectTV solved the "hacker" issue over a year ago when a new card was issued. The updates you mentioned were either specific to your brand and where not across the board....The DVR models most likely were updated because of software bugs, not security issues....
Ducati
DirectTV solved the "hacker" issue over a year ago when a new card was issued. The updates you mentioned were either specific to your brand and where not across the board....The DVR models most likely were updated because of software bugs, not security issues....
Ducati
Freds
Veteran Member
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( ...unwillingness to carry the NFL Network )</font>
Yeah, that stinks /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
Have you tried to get local channels yet? I get two, Fox and ABC, both out of NY. I'm told that CBS and NBC did not approve my request to get those channels, yet I see them advertising all four and PBS all the time.
Yeah, that stinks /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
Have you tried to get local channels yet? I get two, Fox and ABC, both out of NY. I'm told that CBS and NBC did not approve my request to get those channels, yet I see them advertising all four and PBS all the time.
MadReferee
Elite Member, Rest in Peace
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</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I had Directv (billed thru Pegasus) before Dish. At that time Pegasus charged about $5 more a month for the exact same packages as Directv. If you're on Pegasus, I suggest you check the pricing on Pegasus website versus Directv's site. If there is a price difference, call Pegasus and threaten to leave due to the price difference - they should adjust your prices. When I called to quit to switch to Dish they offered the discount to me.)</font>
Pegasus and DirecTV are no longer in partnership. The deal was terminated last September. All DirecTV customers are billed directly thru DirecTV and have all the features and conveniences of the DirecTV website and technical support.
Anything is better than Pegasus was. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Pegasus and DirecTV are no longer in partnership. The deal was terminated last September. All DirecTV customers are billed directly thru DirecTV and have all the features and conveniences of the DirecTV website and technical support.
Anything is better than Pegasus was. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Bob_Skurka
Super Member
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I looked at Dish Network and DirecTV and went with VOOM. From what I can see, and this is from the perspective of a guy who never had any cable or satellite service of any kind, I would say that ALL brands have problems and all have advantages.
I'm glad I have VOOM, it has some stuff the other guys don't, and when HDTV broadcasts are factored in, it is competitive in price (but if you don't have HDTV, then Voom is expensive). We did have to have one of the boxes replaced, but they came out and did that without any hassle. They download updates via satellite so the only reason I need to hook up a phone line is to initialize the box the very first time it is turned on. After that it doesn't need it. By the way I get all the local channels with Voom, but they come via a regular roof mount antenna and are fed through the Voom receiver so when I want to watch a local station I do NOT have to fiddle around with the "input select" or "antenna-cable" settings, I just select the channel # and it goes seemlessly from antenna broadcasts to satellite and back to antenna.
We've got friends who have all the other brands too. I'd say my complaints are similar to theirs and theirs are similar to mine. I've come to the conclusion that there is NO good system out there. Satellite TV is just like cell phones, all of the networks are good sometimes and all of them stink other times!
I'm glad I have VOOM, it has some stuff the other guys don't, and when HDTV broadcasts are factored in, it is competitive in price (but if you don't have HDTV, then Voom is expensive). We did have to have one of the boxes replaced, but they came out and did that without any hassle. They download updates via satellite so the only reason I need to hook up a phone line is to initialize the box the very first time it is turned on. After that it doesn't need it. By the way I get all the local channels with Voom, but they come via a regular roof mount antenna and are fed through the Voom receiver so when I want to watch a local station I do NOT have to fiddle around with the "input select" or "antenna-cable" settings, I just select the channel # and it goes seemlessly from antenna broadcasts to satellite and back to antenna.
We've got friends who have all the other brands too. I'd say my complaints are similar to theirs and theirs are similar to mine. I've come to the conclusion that there is NO good system out there. Satellite TV is just like cell phones, all of the networks are good sometimes and all of them stink other times!
Moon
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I have Direct TV, and like it. But wanted to post a gotcha that I have not seen mentioned here.
I live far enough out that I got a waiver from my local stations so that i can get NBC, ABC and CBS network TV from Direct TV. I receive feeds for both East Coast and West Coast Broadcasting (NY and LA). I like this setup and pay an extra 6.95 per month for it.
Now Direct TV is pushing the local channels. They wanted us to sign up now that our local channels are available, so I tried it but could not get my local channels without upgrading to the oval dish. Didn't want to do that. I was also told that i could keep my New York and LA network feeds with my local channels. That was about a year ago. We added DVR (Tivo) service this year and were told if we did sign up for local network tv they would have to pull both NY and LA network feeds. So I'm still doing without local network coverage. I've learned to live without it, no biggie. But, I wanted to warn any of you thinking of signing up for Direct TV that you cannot have both local channels and the national broadcast feeds.
Also, FWIW, the DVR/Tivo feature is awesome. I would highly recommend that to anyone considering it. It also requires a phone line hookup to 'do it's thing'.
Moon of Ohio
I live far enough out that I got a waiver from my local stations so that i can get NBC, ABC and CBS network TV from Direct TV. I receive feeds for both East Coast and West Coast Broadcasting (NY and LA). I like this setup and pay an extra 6.95 per month for it.
Now Direct TV is pushing the local channels. They wanted us to sign up now that our local channels are available, so I tried it but could not get my local channels without upgrading to the oval dish. Didn't want to do that. I was also told that i could keep my New York and LA network feeds with my local channels. That was about a year ago. We added DVR (Tivo) service this year and were told if we did sign up for local network tv they would have to pull both NY and LA network feeds. So I'm still doing without local network coverage. I've learned to live without it, no biggie. But, I wanted to warn any of you thinking of signing up for Direct TV that you cannot have both local channels and the national broadcast feeds.
Also, FWIW, the DVR/Tivo feature is awesome. I would highly recommend that to anyone considering it. It also requires a phone line hookup to 'do it's thing'.
Moon of Ohio
SnowRidge
Elite Member
<font color="blue">You dont have to have a phone line with DTV, you just wont have the ability to order PPV through the receiver. Thats the only reason why, you can mirror your package on another receiver for $4.99 a month and that dosent require a Phone line either.</font>
Unless they have changed their policy since we signed up two years ago, which I received in writing, ordering the second receiver does requires a phone line on both receivers. Here's a current quote from DirecTV:
<font color="red"> Q: If I have more than one receiver, do I have to pay a full monthly subscription for each receiver?
A: No. DIRECTV allows you to connect more than one television in a single household to our services. If your receivers are connected to the same phone line, we can "mirror" your subscription. In other words, the programming you request for the primary access card in your receiver is copied for all of the access cards in the other receivers and you are authorized to receive this same level or programming on these televisions. Instead of charging you a separate monthly subscription for each receiver, we simply charge a $4.99 monthly service fee for each additional receiver.
When we "mirror" your subscription to additional receivers, we do verify that all your receivers are continuously connected to the same phone line. If we find that a receiver with "mirror" service is not connected to the phone line, we will discontinue service to that receiver and you will need to call us to re-establish that service. </font>
You are correct that it is not required on single receiver installations unless you want PPV.
<font color="blue">
DirectTV solved the "hacker" issue over a year ago when a new card was issued. The updates you mentioned were either specific to your brand and where not across the board....The DVR models most likely were updated because of software bugs, not security issues.... </font>
We have had DTV for two years. We have never been issued a new card. No one will ever "solve" the hacker issue; they can only fight it continually. As long as there is something to steal, some people with always try to get it for free.
The updates were across the board and involved a general reprogramming of access cards, a routine anti piracy activity, according to the information I received. The problems themselves were specific to only certain groups of receivers. We were lucky enough to have two of them. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
We do not have a DVR.
The fact that you have different information on what happened than I, illustrates the lack of communciations and customer care from DTV.
Unless they have changed their policy since we signed up two years ago, which I received in writing, ordering the second receiver does requires a phone line on both receivers. Here's a current quote from DirecTV:
<font color="red"> Q: If I have more than one receiver, do I have to pay a full monthly subscription for each receiver?
A: No. DIRECTV allows you to connect more than one television in a single household to our services. If your receivers are connected to the same phone line, we can "mirror" your subscription. In other words, the programming you request for the primary access card in your receiver is copied for all of the access cards in the other receivers and you are authorized to receive this same level or programming on these televisions. Instead of charging you a separate monthly subscription for each receiver, we simply charge a $4.99 monthly service fee for each additional receiver.
When we "mirror" your subscription to additional receivers, we do verify that all your receivers are continuously connected to the same phone line. If we find that a receiver with "mirror" service is not connected to the phone line, we will discontinue service to that receiver and you will need to call us to re-establish that service. </font>
You are correct that it is not required on single receiver installations unless you want PPV.
<font color="blue">
DirectTV solved the "hacker" issue over a year ago when a new card was issued. The updates you mentioned were either specific to your brand and where not across the board....The DVR models most likely were updated because of software bugs, not security issues.... </font>
We have had DTV for two years. We have never been issued a new card. No one will ever "solve" the hacker issue; they can only fight it continually. As long as there is something to steal, some people with always try to get it for free.
The updates were across the board and involved a general reprogramming of access cards, a routine anti piracy activity, according to the information I received. The problems themselves were specific to only certain groups of receivers. We were lucky enough to have two of them. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
We do not have a DVR.
The fact that you have different information on what happened than I, illustrates the lack of communciations and customer care from DTV.
OP
PitbullMidwest
Platinum Member
UPDATE: Went home last night, turned on the TV and ALL channels are back with no reception problems at all. Apparently my equipment is self healing or it wasn't my equipment.
I talked to several family members who also have Dish Network. They were all having the same problem and when they called DN they were told that they would be sent a new yellow security card. This solved their problem. So, I called last night to inquire about the new card and was told that because I wasn't using a Dish 500 receiver it didn't affect me. They were very surprised to find out I was still using a Model 4000 receiver and suggested that I immeadiately upgrade to a newer receiver. No dice.
I was told by a friend who is the General Manager for a communication equipment manufacturer that both DN and DTV routinely send out "Electronic Security Packets" that cause disruption in service. If I understood right, these ESPs will disable hacked cards or at least cause enough problems that you call and complain about your service.They can then varify the validity of your card. He said it would probably affect older cards as well.
As for having a phone line hooked up, never have and never will and I'm not being charged any additional fee.
Curt
I talked to several family members who also have Dish Network. They were all having the same problem and when they called DN they were told that they would be sent a new yellow security card. This solved their problem. So, I called last night to inquire about the new card and was told that because I wasn't using a Dish 500 receiver it didn't affect me. They were very surprised to find out I was still using a Model 4000 receiver and suggested that I immeadiately upgrade to a newer receiver. No dice.
I was told by a friend who is the General Manager for a communication equipment manufacturer that both DN and DTV routinely send out "Electronic Security Packets" that cause disruption in service. If I understood right, these ESPs will disable hacked cards or at least cause enough problems that you call and complain about your service.They can then varify the validity of your card. He said it would probably affect older cards as well.
As for having a phone line hooked up, never have and never will and I'm not being charged any additional fee.
Curt
buckle97
Platinum Member
<font color="blue"> Unless they have changed their policy since we signed up two years ago... </font>
I read that policy when I signed up in June of 2003 with three receivers. When I called Directv to activate my service I asked them about that policy. Their response: " <font color="red"> You only need a phone line hooked up to order PPV from your receiver</font> ."
I have never had a phone line hooked up to any of my three receivers and have never been charged extra. I have also never had to call and <font color="red"> reactivate </font> my receiver.
Lawrence
I read that policy when I signed up in June of 2003 with three receivers. When I called Directv to activate my service I asked them about that policy. Their response: " <font color="red"> You only need a phone line hooked up to order PPV from your receiver</font> ."
I have never had a phone line hooked up to any of my three receivers and have never been charged extra. I have also never had to call and <font color="red"> reactivate </font> my receiver.
Lawrence
