Which service will you recommend?

[Bob Haller]

Given the changes, and assuming LIL is available on both services and the friend wants a PVR / DVR which service will you recommend and why?

[beegfoot]

Tivo is a cleaner product.

[Chris Freeland]

It depends on the wants and needs of the individual. Here in Chattanooga TN area, I would tend to recommend E* if locals are important because E* plans on adding Chattanooga locals (knock on wood ;) ) before the end of the year, as far as I know D* has no plans for Chattanooga locals yet, if ever. However if locals are not a factor and NFLST or MLBE is important then go with D*. If Superstions or Internationals or more premium movie channels or the biggest basic package possible or a low entry price for popular channels (AT50) or want Sky Angel, then I would recommend E*. Anyone that want's a DVR and can get their programing need's met with either D* or E*, then I would recommend D* because of the extra features and more stable software, However even with a DVR, the most important factor is, which provider can best serv my program needs the best?

[Mark Holtz]

Ask me again at the end of the week.

[RAD]

While I kind of like E* still, based on what has and hasn't been happeing over the past couple of months I've lost confidence in them. Given time they might get out all the products and plans that they keep mentioning but there's been too many "tune into next months show for info on ...".

[boba]

Little hesitation D* all the locals are on 1 satellite, the features on the receiver work as they are supposed to. It is not the carrot on a string hanging in front of a jackass
' nose.

[Darkman]

E* ....
Why not :)

Maybe i am bias - cuz E* more ethnics :)

[Darkman]

It's hard Choice...
Kinda like Coke and Pepsi :)

Tell 'im to get Both :)

[HTguy]

It will depend mostly on the programming package desired & whether a 2-tuner PVR is necessary today.

[music_beans]

E* for ME!
Z'loth: The VCR, for all practical purposes, is dead. Long live DVD and DVR!

I think that may be an understatement. DVR may record more than a 10-hour tape, but it is not permanent, and can be lost to software crashes. DVD-R can only record about 2. (??) And a LOT of people still have VCRs.

[FTA Michael]

What Chris said. Look at the channel chart differences and choose what's important to you.

[Marcus S]

Bob, you know the answer to this question. This is a silly poll. Most subs after 5 years defect to the other provider, subs under 5 years have yet to go through enough disappointment to switch. Ironically 250k new subs for E* where disappointing. The street expecting 300+. 200+ subs forecast by *D, but the caveat was, both encountered heavy defections. Lost to DTV cable.

Many ticked at E* over programming cost increases, announced DVR fees, little new programming, and delayed new equipment releases. *D problems with 5th generation products,,, downgraded features (still no CID Name in Director / Equivalent products) trouble with 3rd party product partners, which refuse to fix product / feature issues (large cell EPG, audio skip in Music Choice) Sony and Samsung come to mind. Sony pulled out, and one should only hope. Samsung just should as well, especially after SIRTS160 mess, and 300/310 which add Interactive, but nothing else.

HD Tivo and the 921 have not shipped. E* has yet to announce their HD Pak and a Super Dish to get them, early adopters now appear ticked at E* and the additional burdin of network side channels, which many either choose to not have or cannot receive. More International and Home Shopping Channels. E* must think there is either a market or subs counting number of channels instead.

Coming soon, *D to announce Cinemax / Starz HD channels, but only included in their respective Premium paks, while pattern is, many now dropping Premium channels for PPV. 3 good PVR's a month or allot of "Nothing of Interest" showing tonight. Ironically, while Comcast in Denver promises at least 2 local network HD channels, already has Nascar Interactive, plans to add 1 HD per Premium Pak, plus HDN, HDM, DSCHD, and ESPHD but still offers non premium programming in "glorious" analog snow.

One has to wonder where this is all headed. !pu****!

[garyrox]

I put my vote towards E*, but I would of chosen Bev had it been a choice. (Bev uses E* equipment) Hopefully they will not be too far behind with the 811