DirecTV vs Dish...trying to decide

[elpablo302]

OK...just a little background:

About 2 1/2 weeks ago, I decided I had had enough with the Time Warner here in Cincinnati...slow equipment (HD tuner), poor resolution of problems (with cable modem) and general malaise in their customer service.

So...what other options are out there. DirecTV came to mind, and after speaking with their sales division, I decided to get their service, bundled with DSL service from Cincinnati Bell. Well, Cincinnati Bell was out when promised and installed exactly what we had requested. DirecTV has now had to change my installation date (from 9/11 to 9/18), then called this morning to state that they didn't have any of the equipment that was needed. (1 HD DVR, 1 HD tuner, 2 SD tuners). They have now rescheduled me for Oct. 2nd, provided equipment exists.

Out of frustration...I called up Dish Network, and lo and behold...they can have someone install tomorrow! The basic package that I'm wanting is similar (thanks to you all on here that have described in great detail equipment and what is going on in the real world), and I'm deciding if its worth to tell DirecTV to take a hike and order Dish.

Yes...I will lose the bundling that I had with Cincinnati Bell, and I'm still stuck with the decision to keep their DSL or stay with the Time Warner cable modem. But I was wondering, with everything else being equal to this point (the only thing that Dish doesn't have yet that I want is MLB network), do I put up with another 2 week wait for DirecTV and their service, or get things switched tomorrow to Dish?

Thanks for your feedback.

[lparsons21]

If you've found a package that offers what you want for a price you want to pay with Dish, then I think that would be a strong indicator it might be the right move for you. Waiting 2 weeks seems a bit long to me.

Frankly, I could live with either service and be happy. But Dish has more of the national HD I want and the sports packages are not something I'm interested in. I'm a boxing and golf fan and both services have all of that.

And I save a few bucks each month with Dish, not a huge amount, but still... :)

I prefer Dish's equipment (Vip series) over Direct's HRs overall, but neither are horrible.

[paja]

OK...just a little background:

About 2 1/2 weeks ago, I decided I had had enough with the Time Warner here in Cincinnati...slow equipment (HD tuner), poor resolution of problems (with cable modem) and general malaise in their customer service.

So...what other options are out there. DirecTV came to mind, and after speaking with their sales division, I decided to get their service, bundled with DSL service from Cincinnati Bell. Well, Cincinnati Bell was out when promised and installed exactly what we had requested. DirecTV has now had to change my installation date (from 9/11 to 9/18), then called this morning to state that they didn't have any of the equipment that was needed. (1 HD DVR, 1 HD tuner, 2 SD tuners). They have now rescheduled me for Oct. 2nd, provided equipment exists.

Out of frustration...I called up Dish Network, and lo and behold...they can have someone install tomorrow! The basic package that I'm wanting is similar (thanks to you all on here that have described in great detail equipment and what is going on in the real world), and I'm deciding if its worth to tell DirecTV to take a hike and order Dish.

Yes...I will lose the bundling that I had with Cincinnati Bell, and I'm still stuck with the decision to keep their DSL or stay with the Time Warner cable modem. But I was wondering, with everything else being equal to this point (the only thing that Dish doesn't have yet that I want is MLB network), do I put up with another 2 week wait for DirecTV and their service, or get things switched tomorrow to Dish?

Thanks for your feedback.

MLB Network is one of the best sports specific channels out there. I recently dumped one service that wouldn't pick up this great channel for a service that has it. If you're a baseball fan wait the two weeks and get the service with the channels you really want. I doubt that DISH will ever have MLB.

[Shaqdan]

Call DirecTV and tell them to make you an offer you can't refuse or you walk. If you like football, make them throw in NFL Sunday Ticket for free, for starters. That is being offered in a promotion for new customers anyway.

[jsk]

E* bundles with some DSL providers as well (maybe even Cincinnati Bell). See http://direct.digitallanding.com/?PromoID=5003072&campaign=Online.

[Kevin F]

I personally say wait for directv to install. I was in the same boat as you. So I went to a few of my neighbors house that have dish or directv. I felt that the SD PQ of dish was better than that of directvs but directv HD blew dish's out of the water. Also the reason that the dish base packages are cheaper is because they do not include local channels. If you want locals with dish, then it's $5 more a month which is equal to base directv packages that already include locals. Also you need to have a 2 dish install to get locals with dish network. Now I know that each service has it's own cool features that are model specific but I won't get into those. Also I won't do it because I don't want to seem too biased. Overall I had to wait 11 days for directv to install and in the end I say it was worth the wait for directv.

Kevin

[SaltiDawg]

... Now I know that each service has it's own cool features that are model specific but I won't get into those. Also I won't do it because I don't want to seem too biased. ...
:lol:

PS Many of us people with the inferior system only need one dish to get all.

[domingos35]

I personally say wait for directv to install. I was in the same boat as you. So I went to a few of my neighbors house that have dish or directv. I felt that the SD PQ of dish was better than that of directvs but directv HD blew dish's out of the water. Also the reason that the dish base packages are cheaper is because they do not include local channels. If you want locals with dish, then it's $5 more a month which is equal to base directv packages that already include locals. Also you need to have a 2 dish install to get locals with dish network. Now I know that each service has it's own cool features that are model specific but I won't get into those. Also I won't do it because I don't want to seem too biased. Overall I had to wait 11 days for directv to install and in the end I say it was worth the wait for directv.

Kevin

i had directv before moving to dish and theres no way directv's HD blows dish's HD out of the water:nono2:
and local channels ARE INCLUDED
U DON'T NEED 2 DISH'S TO GET THE LOCAL CHANNELS
dude stop spreading bad info, u obviously don't know what u are talking about directv fanboy

[domingos35]

:lol:

PS Many of us people with the inferior system only need one dish to get all.
:lol::D:hurah:

[larry55]

i was with dish for 8 years i finally switch to directv .very happy with direc.i like the mlb and nfst.you also have the rsn in hd.

[mdavej]

I just dumped DirecTV for Dish because they have about 30 more HD nationals at the moment. Plus the 2 room DVR saves me $8/month.

[elpablo302]

Thanks for the feedback. I've decided to sit and wait for DirecTV at this point, mostly due to the features they offer vs. Dish. If they're still without equipment in two weeks, then I'll seriously reconsider my decision. For now, I can wait.

[Paul Secic]

I personally say wait for directv to install. I was in the same boat as you. So I went to a few of my neighbors house that have dish or directv. I felt that the SD PQ of dish was better than that of directvs but directv HD blew dish's out of the water. Also the reason that the dish base packages are cheaper is because they do not include local channels. If you want locals with dish, then it's $5 more a month which is equal to base directv packages that already include locals. Also you need to have a 2 dish install to get locals with dish network. Now I know that each service has it's own cool features that are model specific but I won't get into those. Also I won't do it because I don't want to seem too biased. Overall I had to wait 11 days for directv to install and in the end I say it was worth the wait for directv.

Kevin

I have the Dish 500 plus, a one dish solution and I get everything.:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

[Paul Secic]

I just dumped DirecTV for Dish because they have about 30 more HD nationals at the moment. Plus the 2 room DVR saves me $8/month.

Welcome to Dish!:)

[lparsons21]

I have the Dish 500 plus, a one dish solution and I get everything.:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

I'm now on EA with a 1000.4 and get all the channels, including locals. And less rain fade than when I was on the WA. To be fair, the WA was problematic because of tree growth to a certain extent, but 129 was always twitchy even before those trees got busy! :)

[paja]

i had directv before moving to dish and theres no way directv's HD blows dish's HD out of the water:nono2:
and local channels ARE INCLUDED
U DON'T NEED 2 DISH'S TO GET THE LOCAL CHANNELS
dude stop spreading bad info, u obviously don't know what u are talking about directv fanboy

I don't know what area you or chillball are in. I'm in the Chicago arae had both D & E. Now I have neither.I never needed more than one dish for either and I got everything from both. I have to agree with chill that D HD was superior to E but that E SD was better.

[APB101]

In making a choice between Dish Network and DirecTV, you want to compare programming. Even scrutinizing the channel lineups. Dish Network stands out for foreign-language and DirecTV does likewise for sports channels.

A discussion we've been having at DirecTV HD Channel Anticipation [http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=179969] involves some comparsion of high-definition channels that DirecTV needs to add that are already available on Dish Network. (A DirecTV subscriber since 1998, I'm being patient. When one is ahead for a little while, the other tends to catch up. Competitive business reasons.)

The key word: programming.

Your needs are personal.

As for any of this discussion over issues of high-speed Internet and phone service … offered in "bundles" by cable outlets: well, I'm taking a pass. That gets into an economic discussion, and while one can get around with some cost-savings decisions, I wanted to focus in responding with a suggestion in approaching one's decision in choosing between a minidish satellite provider.

[SaltiDawg]

In making a choice between Dish Network and DirecTV, you want to compare programming. ...
The key word: programming. ...
While programming certainly is important, there are many more considerations that are important. Availability of satellites. Receiver needs such as number of tuners, user interface and features, etc. To some, cost. Perception of image and audio quality. Interface connections or connectivity. Customer service. Ease of use for any technically or physically challenged.

I'm sure others can list other important features.

I doubt very seriously that many people sit down with a programming list in each hand and make a decision in a vacuum. If they did, the many, many threads that continually crop up on this subject would all be 2 or 3 posts long with someone saying to the effect, "OP. It's entirely up to you. For your tastes, which programming is better?"

[bidger]

In making a choice between Dish Network and DirecTV, you want to compare programming.

Fully agree. When it's all said and done, you're paying for services from a multichannel programming provider and first consideration should be given to the provider that offers more of the programming you want right now. Then cost and equipment should follow.

[GrumpyBear]

Fully agree. When it's all said and done, you're paying for services from a multichannel programming provider and first consideration should be given to the provider that offers more of the programming you want right now. Then cost and equipment should follow.

Just to let you know. AMC looks great in HD. Hopefully Direct doesn't wait 2 years to add it like they did with the Travel channel.

If you need/want MLB and/or NFL St, you can't beat Direct. If you want better overall HD lineup, with great SD, and better Hardware features, you can't beat Dish.

[bidger]

Just to let you know. AMC looks great in HD.

I would think my sig would tell you how much of a non-issue AMC-HD is for me. Are you just looking to get into a p*ssing match about channels? Or is it a territorial thing? If so, I see plenty of DISH subs who throw in on DirecTV topics and "DirecTV" is in the thread title. Whatever the case may be, it's completely and utterly unnecessary and adds nothing to the thread.

[SaltiDawg]

I would think my sig would tell you how much of a non-issue AMC-HD is for me. Are you just looking to get into a p*ssing match about channels? Or is it a territorial thing? If so, I see plenty of DISH subs who throw in on DirecTV topics and "DirecTV" is in the thread title. Whatever the case may be, it's completely and utterly unnecessary and adds nothing to the thread.
What is your problem? Sheesh.... :rolleyes:

[GrumpyBear]

I would think my sig would tell you how much of a non-issue AMC-HD is for me. Are you just looking to get into a p*ssing match about channels? Or is it a territorial thing? If so, I see plenty of DISH subs who throw in on DirecTV topics and "DirecTV" is in the thread title. Whatever the case may be, it's completely and utterly unnecessary and adds nothing to the thread.

I will pee in your cheerios later. AMC still looks great in HD, both the movies, and all the emmy award winning orignal TV series.

[VDP07]

I would think my sig would tell you how much of a non-issue AMC-HD is for me.

While your assertion that AMCHD has become a mediocre "Movie" channel may have merit, I have to say, It's original series' Mad Men, Breaking Bad and Rubicon are the exact opposite of mediocre.

[RasputinAXP]

And don't forget The Walking Dead. SO excited.

[Stewart Vernon]

A friendly reminder, as always, to attack the problem and not the poster...

I've always felt that the CSR experience with either DirecTV or Dish is apt to be the same depending on your situation. I've had good experience with Dish and bad with DirecTV... but I know people who have had good experience with DirecTV and bad with Dish.

A lot of the differences in their hardware (dishes and receivers) end up being more about personal preferences than actual technology differences.

About the only non-subjective area is in the channel lineup... where you can clearly see channels that each have over the other.

Generally speaking, of course, it does seem like IF sports are your biggest concern, that DirecTV almost always offers a clear advantage there. At best Dish has the same offerings for some sports choices, but at worst DirecTV has several major packages (Sunday Ticket, Extra Innings) that Dish isn't likely to ever see.

[mach104]

That sounds very the same thing that happened to me, I moved so DTV's mover connection came into play. They knew a couple wks in advance, set up insallation, the day they were to b here they called and said they did'nt have the rite equip. A couple day later they came and the wrong recievers, mind you I'm with rabbitt ears goin on two wks. decided to call Dish they came in two day's and got me all hooked up!