Switch to Direct from Dish

[Jeff5797]

I'm considering switching to Direct from Dish. How does the programming and HD DVR Equipment compare. Any suggestions or experiences to share?
Thanks,

[Greg Alsobrook]

You can find a detailed list of DirecTV's programming packages here (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=1978872#post1978872).

And you can compare DirecTV's equipment to Dish's here (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=95242).

[JLucPicard]

You can also do a search of the forum because this topic has been discussed several times before.

[dcowboy7]

directv good....dish bad.

[carl6]

I guess the important question is why are you considering switching? What do you expect or hope to gain from the switch? If you are looking for some specific program offering that one carries and the other does not, then make choose accordingly. If you are looking to save money, consider both the promotional offers as well as the regular charges after the promotion period ends. If there are specific hardware features or complaints, then letting us know what you might be looking for will allow us to advise if DirecTV will meet your needs.

[BattleZone]

I'm considering switching to Direct from Dish. How does the programming and HD DVR Equipment compare. Any suggestions or experiences to share?
Thanks,

85% or so is the same, so you mostly need to focus on the differences.

Locals: Both companies have areas where they carry locals and the other provider doesn't. Same with HD locals. And some of the smaller DMAs have no locals with either company. Dish's HD locals are usually limited to ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox. DirecTV has PBS and CW in HD in some larger markets as well.

DirecTV obviously has more sports options, and cater to sports fans. Dish has a few more movie channels, and a few more in HD compared to DirecTV.

Both companies have varying International packages. Some languages are about equal, and some clearly favor one company over the other.

Equipment-wise, DirecTV's setup requires a receiver at each TV to get independent programming. There are pluses and minuses to this, but as we move to HD, this is becoming a requirement anyway (Dish's TV2 outputs will always be SD only).

There's plenty to read about the HD-DVRs. Both companies have had issues, and both regularly update the software to add features. In both cases, there are occasionally problems caused by these updates, or features that don't work perfectly for everyone, but for the most part, both of them work pretty well. What you read here are the exeptions; people whose equipment is working right don't need to seek out help.

In the end, content is king, with price and features being other important considerations.

[Greg Alsobrook]

directv good....dish bad.

!rolling !rolling !rolling

[juiced311]

Stick with Dish, unless you want a sports package that they don't offer.....I switched to Directv for the MLB package and I can't wait to switch back to Dish Network.

[RAD]

Stick with Dish, unless you want a sports package that they don't offer.....I switched to Directv for the MLB package and I can't wait to switch back to Dish Network.

So how about saying why you can't wait to switch back to help the OP make their decision?

[Ron Barry]

Infact there is a thread in each forum used for people to say why they prefer their service over the competition. Do a search here for Dish and do a search on the Dish side for Direct and you should find those threads and others comparing the two services.

[jlluck]

I switched from D* to E* for the equipment. I like the ViP722 better than what D* had to offer. But you can find just about all your answers at this site. Do good research.
Here are a couple of great links on the ViP722-Thanks to Mr Glasser and Mr Johnson
http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=94818

Tips and Useful info- Thanks to Mr Barry
http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=93559

These two threads have great info about the ViP722.