have some questions about a dish im getting, plz opinions

[kc2gub]

we have dish network now, and were switching to direct tv..we just ordered a dish and i know it will work fine for us but i want some opinions on it and see how good of a dish we actually got, the dish is a kti triple lnb dish with built in multiswitch...is this a phase 3 dish or not? is it the older 18x24 dish or newer 18x20 dish..and if its the 18x24 dish, is this bad or perfectly fine? heres what im getting pictured below..could i have some info..we ordered it kinda without research which is very unlike me, but the auction was ending..and i know it will work...info, opinions plz

thanks

[Karl Foster]

This looks like a 18X20 dish, which is very current. The 18X24 dish is more of an oval shape. All of the dishes are the same, with some very minor cosmetic and branding differences. It is a Phase III dish and will work for all of the offererings that Directv has. Hope you got a good deal. Enjoy your Directv service. I am also a Dish convert, and have been happy with my decision to change.

[kc2gub]

thx for the info..any other opinions..which receiver should i get? just basic one is fine...which is best..hughes..rca samsung? which..model numbers would be great

[Steve Mehs]

Welcome to DBSTalk Kc2gub :hi:

I would strongly recommend a DirecTiVo series two DVR. It has dual tuners allowing you to watch one channel and record another, or record two channels at once while watching an already recorded program. The DTiVo is manufactured under the Hughes, Philips and now RCA brand names, but besides a few different facial features they are the exact samething all three feature a 35GB hard drive, but there are some new models on the way, a Philips with an 80 GB hard drive and a Samsung with a 120 GB hard drive. But no mater what the brand or stock hard drive, it can always be upgraded by the user in favor of a larger one for more recording time. With the Phase 3 dish you can support up to 2 DTiVos (1 DTiVo and 2 regular boxes, or 4 regular boxes) without the need of any switch.

[Karl Foster]

As far as standard receivers go, I'd choose a Hughes or Samsung. I have a RCA standard receiver and don't care much for it. Strictly a personal preference, nothing scientific.

[kc2gub]

ok thx a lot guys, anywhere online cheap and reliable to buy receivers online?

[Mark Holtz]

kc2gub: Were you a previous DirecTV customer? If not, why are you trying to assemble a system piecemeal? There are some excellent package deals for new subscribers that include, Dish, receivers, and install. The package that I got included a PVR, two additional receivers, and a triple LNB dish. Cost: $226 including shipping and installation. And, one promotion at this time would give you a four room system for nothing.

[kc2gub]

i have my reasons..i wanna own the stuff and i have several other reasons..im picking out some receivers now and ill ask which is better...soon

[kc2gub]

ok heres the receivers ive narrowed it down to, the hughes HNS HAHSA with the dolby digital for 99, the Samsung SIR-S300W for 60 or the samsung SIR-S310W for 120..im strongly leaning towards the hughes as ive heard them to be the best...and it seems to have the most features for a good price..how are the menus on these receivers? performance and looks wise..etc

thanks

[thebigjp]

Well, I cant say nothing for the Samsung models, but as far as the HNS HAH-SA goes, I have the HBH-SA (which is the HAH-SA minus the dolby digital). The menu on the HBH (the manual for the HBH and the HAH is the exact same) gives you very many options, and at least for the HBH I own, it also has a caller ID (you know how that goes... for the Caller ID to work, you must subscribe to Caller ID service......) at least in my opinion, it is a very good looking receiver, and at least in my opinion. The HAH & HBH also have something called a "Program Director" which lets you program the "timers" just by working your way through the program guide, and you can search for the program start time of any show, BY NAME! hope this helps...