did you go from dishnetwork to directv and why?

[lee120]

did you go from dishnetwork to directv and why?

[mattmill]

I was with dish for just over a year and then moved cross country. Would have set up with dish again but had no line of sight to 119 so I switched to DirecTV. I am much happier with DirecTV due to the fact that we went with a Tivo. Love it!

matt

[Link]

did you go from dishnetwork to directv and why?
and if you went from cable to directv tell me why?

I'm thinking about it because the Directv for several reasons:

Tivo receivers can record 2 channels at once, or watch one record one. The DVR fee is $4.99 per account so you can have 2 or 3 Tivos with 1 DVR fee. Tivo also features the season pass options so you never miss a recording. Dish DVR's are just basically manual timers--no real technology service for your fee.

The top package with locals is $42.99, on Dish to get equivalent channels its $49.99 with locals. HBO is $12 on Directv, Dish is $13.99.

My local package with Directv requires no second dish to get all the channels. With Dish, I'd have to put up another Dish with the hassle of switches not working just for 3 extra local channels.

Breaking it down: Directv Total Choice Plus w/Locals $42.99
Tivo DVR Fee $4.99
Second Receiver Fee $4.99
HBO $12
TOTAL BILL $64.97

Dish Top 180 with locals $49.99
DVR 510 Fee $4.98
Second Receiver $4.99
HBO 13.99
TOTAL BILL: $73.95 (nearly $10 more per month)

[Neutron]

I just ordered mine tonight.

Same reason that Link wrote about. DISH has a 522 dual tuner DVR but won't release it to the existing customers. Charlie doesn't seem to care. This and the whole Viacom thing. It didn't set right at all with my wife. If D* and the cable companies can agree on a contract without losing the channels, E* should have been able to. D* is a little cheaper for the channels you do get.

[comet48]

did you go from dishnetwork to directv and why?
and if you went from cable to directv tell me why?

I did. Cancelled dish yesterday, ordered DirectTV today.

Viacom was just the final straw. I have been an E* customer for 7+ years, $100 a month. C band before that. No problems with Dish until recently. However, I wanted to upgrade to HD, and found that the 811 was continually on backlog to existing customers and the 921 continues to to be vapor ware, 6000 discontinued.

Then there were the PIG ads as Charlie increased my fees $3 per month.

To cap it off was the "generous" $1 refund for losing the non CBS viacom stations.

Dish has major personell problems and has an engineering department that seems incapable of shipping a bug free product.

I don't see Dish remaining an independant company for much longer. Probably a good buy right now.


Ron H

[mds54]

Ditto pretty much what comet48 said....
It's inexcusable for a company to deprive its customers while they
play corporate games. My OTA is unstable, so losing CBS-HD was
the final straw for me. I've made an appointment with a DTV installer.

[James_F]

Dishplayer and MLBEI. I have NFLST, but baseball is a bigger deal. I still wake up screaming at night with thoughts of my wifes Dishplayer.

[Mark Holtz]

I switched from Dish to DirecTV last August when Charlie announced that there would be a $5 fee for a larger hard drive DVR. Since the TiVo software is superior than the 50x software, it was a no brainer.

I lost the Encore theme pack which occassionally airs anime. Oh well, my bill went down. I also specified a triple LNB dish for future upgrades.

[DJSix]

Well when my wife and I were going to move, we wanted to see what E* would offer to keep us (the new customer offer from D* was a 2 room setup). The ec didn't really offer us anything that was special enough to keep us around, so we moved on, and have been happier ever since. Even if Dish had offered something, the move over would still have happened, there's no way we're going to pass up the hd-tivo :D

[Dish Notwork]

As someone who knows, the best way to get dtv is to call dtv, three rooms free is standard, plus you don't deal with outside installers

[Todd E. Pawlowski]

I made the switch to D* and this is why...
1-Drama
2-NFL package
3-Tivo
4-Single dish for all locals
5-Multiple manufacturers of hardware
6-I can go to my local store to purchase

What I do miss from Dish is the superstations and the free PVR on the 501.

My real gripe is that 811. How could they release that with all those bugs? I paid to be a Beta tester.

[BobJ2004]

I switched also, wont cut Dishnetwork till the Direct TV install is done.

I bet Charlie will be shocked in 1-2 weeks with how many He lost.

The main reason for me leave is for the 921 that still has bugs and crashes a lot. That and the DVR fees and package prices.

AND THE BIG ONEs:

- Two Dishes required to get all my locals

-There HDTV PPV at Dish is $5.99 and Direct its $4.99

-NO Downgrade charge of $5, you can sign up for HBO online an drop it later with no $5 fee

- They wont sell you a 522, it the closest thing to a Direct TV SD.
I am getting a SD Tivo and a HD Tivo

-Tivos dont crash, I have had too many hardware issues over the years to mention here.

[Mike770]

I had Time Warner Digital Cable. I switch to D*TV because I was getting tired of all the price increases. And I am loving DIRECTV!!!

[cnsf]

I had E* for three years when YES Network was announced and broadcast. I gave E* 1 1/2 years tio make a deal, but no luck.

I also was fed up with the 501s and all their problems and having two dishes on my roof.

I switched over to D* and have not regretted one minute of it. In fact, I ended up making $$$ on the switch with all the promotions I found at the time.

The Tivos were the bonus in the end and should have been my sole reason for switching originally.

[Guesst925XTU]

1 dish for all channels, and it's not the ugly "superDISH".

[MedMech]

1. I was tired of being a PVR beta tester although I paid full price for equipment and service.
2. Tivo
3. When they "upgraded" my 6000u it rendered my SA Tivo useless, that was the final straw.

Better availability and price of equipment and accessories.

[crkeehn]

I switched last Spring. It was a combination of factors. In trying to save costs, we had cancelled Dish only to find out within a few days what a mistake we had made. We called Dish back to see what we would have to do to reconnect and were told we were obligated to the reconnect fee and two months advance payment. Previously we had DirecTV through Bell Atlantic and had cancelled that over our unhappiness with Bell Atlantic service. DirecTV made it clear that they wanted us back much more than Dish and were willing to work with us to bring us back. Of course the fact that at that time DirecTV had the Baltimore Locals and Dish STILL didn't was also a factor.

[martin1]

I am switching in April. My one year subcription is up in April. I have no
commitment just like to pay by the year. When I seen that D* was coming
out with the HDtivo hopefully end of March that's what made up my mind.
I just hope there won't be a long waiting list for the HDtivo(probably Will)
I have a SA tivo now and love it.

[RAD]

I switched for two major reasons

1 - Dish appeard to have lost it's direction. They went from being the HD leader to the HD we don't really care. Look at the Superdish mess, late coming out, direction changed in mid stream and now folks being they have to wait months for Superdish installs. Go from all HD on 105 to all HD on 110 and where's the 50 new HD channels would be going.

2- Hardware/software. Got tired of hardware being late all the time and when it finally comes out having it missing features and loaded with bugs. When it becomes an adventure to see if you can sit down and watch your favorite show without rebooting STB's, running switch checks, etc it's not worth it.

[TerryC]

I switched for the name based recording of the Tivo. What I didn't realize I would get was a DVR that is SO superior in SO many ways I could kick myself for not switching sooner. And it was a fraction of the cost of my buggy Dish DVRs. I sold that stuff and bought two new Tivos and actually made a profit.

How often can you sell crap, then buy quality and make money to boot?

In fairness, the programming is comparable between the two companies, for my taste. If I wasn't interested in DVRs then my decision to switch might not have been so easy.

[Phil T]

All of the above!! :)

[cnsf]

All of the above!! :)

Really? You like the YES Network? :grin:

[Bowtieman]

did you go from dishnetwork to directv and why?
and if you went from cable to directv tell me why?



Dish or Direct---Direct or Dish----Had Dish----Got Direct---Wont be going back......................

Tivo Rules...........Not one problem ever.............What a jewel..........

[Wolffpack]

I'm thinking about it because the Directv for several reasons:

Tivo receivers can record 2 channels at once, or watch one record one. The DVR fee is $4.99 per account so you can have 2 or 3 Tivos with 1 DVR fee. Tivo also features the season pass options so you never miss a recording. Dish DVR's are just basically manual timers--no real technology service for your fee.

The top package with locals is $42.99, on Dish to get equivalent channels its $49.99 with locals. HBO is $12 on Directv, Dish is $13.99.

My local package with Directv requires no second dish to get all the channels. With Dish, I'd have to put up another Dish with the hassle of switches not working just for 3 extra local channels.

Breaking it down: Directv Total Choice Plus w/Locals $42.99
Tivo DVR Fee $4.99
Second Receiver Fee $4.99
HBO $12
TOTAL BILL $64.97

Dish Top 180 with locals $49.99
DVR 510 Fee $4.98
Second Receiver $4.99
HBO 13.99
TOTAL BILL: $73.95 (nearly $10 more per month)
Link,

If you never had Tivo before, you will love it. When I got my first Dtivo (about a year ago) my wife got on my case. "What do we need another DTV receiver for? Blah Blah Blah". Two weeks ago I was instructed to to get "another one of those for her". We now have 2 DTivos, expanded to 120 hours and networked so I can grab shows on my PC and burn them to DVD.

Until you have Tivo, you do not really know how great it is.

[BobMurdoch]

Had cable until 2000.

Got E*.

Got 4 PVRs (Including a 921, a 510, and 2 Dishplayers still going strong).

With MLB Extra Innings coming, I just got the last big thing I wanted (Sunday ticket would be nice, but my waivered distants make this less of a concern for me personally)

[LarryS]

My dishplayer got so flaky that I had to check it every morning to ensure it hadn't dropped a recording timer. Watching TV shouldn't be a chore. The other PVR's that Dish has were too much like VCR's for my taste. Got two DirectTivos and am love'n them.

E* keeping the balance on my account also left a bad taste in my mouth.

[SlicerMDM]

That's cool, Bob. But he's asking who switched to D*.

[Mike Richardson]

I'm thinking about it because the Directv for several reasons:

Tivo receivers can record 2 channels at once, or watch one record one. The DVR fee is $4.99 per account so you can have 2 or 3 Tivos with 1 DVR fee. Tivo also features the season pass options so you never miss a recording. Dish DVR's are just basically manual timers--no real technology service for your fee.

The top package with locals is $42.99, on Dish to get equivalent channels its $49.99 with locals. HBO is $12 on Directv, Dish is $13.99.

My local package with Directv requires no second dish to get all the channels. With Dish, I'd have to put up another Dish with the hassle of switches not working just for 3 extra local channels.

Breaking it down: Directv Total Choice Plus w/Locals $42.99
Tivo DVR Fee $4.99
Second Receiver Fee $4.99
HBO $12
TOTAL BILL $64.97

Dish Top 180 with locals $49.99
DVR 510 Fee $4.98
Second Receiver $4.99
HBO 13.99
TOTAL BILL: $73.95 (nearly $10 more per month)

Remember that DISH Top 180 comes with Encore & Encore Theme Channels and The Movie Channels (1 and 2). To get The Movie Channel you have to pay $11 more (includes Showtime though) and DirecTV doesn't even offer TMC 2 at all. To get Encore it's $10 more (includes Starz). Plus, when you have HBO on DISH, you can add Cinemax for only $3.01.

Now if you don't care about Encore and The Movie Channel then clearly DirecTV is a better choice. But $76.96 for a package with HBO, Cinemax, The Movie Channels, and Encore Pack is pretty good; a poor man's AEP.

What matters is that you're happy though.

[BobMurdoch]

That's cool, Bob. But he's asking who switched to D*.

No, the question was "Did you go from Dish Network to DirecTv and Why?"

I said that I had not and said why......

[SlicerMDM]

Sorry. My bad.

[BobMurdoch]

No prob. I still think that both services have their advantages and that one size definitely does NOT fit all. E* fits my needs better, but Yankee and NFL fans will feel differently I'm sure.....

[Ronmort]

Even when I had Dish, I had one DTV receiver up for MLB-EI and YES. I probably would have dropped DTV if Dish put on the EI package last year. They didn't so I went totally with DTV, and I am very happy I did.

[Neutron]

Man, DISH must not care at all about retaining customers. They didn't try at all to keep me when I called to set up my disconnect. I was just told about my cancellation fee and about the $25 reconnect fee and 2 months if we come back.

They asked why I was cancelling and I told them it was partly due to a lack of a dual tuner receiver (the 721 is a joke) for existing customers and the whole Viacom fiasco and $1 joke of a credit.

Directv did everything the could to get me signed up, including a free directivo.

[DCSholtis]

I am switching in April. My one year subcription is up in April. I have no
commitment just like to pay by the year. When I seen that D* was coming
out with the HDtivo hopefully end of March that's what made up my mind.
I just hope there won't be a long waiting list for the HDtivo(probably Will)
I have a SA tivo now and love it.

HDTivo's supposed to be out on 3/30. www.weeknees.com says that once they are released they will try and figure out how expandable the hard drives are...:D

[Mike Richardson]

Man, DISH must not care at all about retaining customers. They didn't try at all to keep me when I called to set up my disconnect. I was just told about my cancellation fee and about the $25 reconnect fee and 2 months if we come back.

They asked why I was cancelling and I told them it was partly due to a lack of a dual tuner receiver (the 721 is a joke) for existing customers and the whole Viacom fiasco and $1 joke of a credit.

Directv did everything the could to get me signed up, including a free directivo.

Bye.

[Neutron]

Dude, go back to your Charlie lovin Dish forum and stop being a troll.

[garypen]

Dude, go back to your Charlie lovin Dish forum and stop being a troll.You should be familiar by now with the standard response of the Di****es when an E sub makes a reasonable decision to switch to D. :rolleyes:

It's always that, or "Don't let the door hit you..."

BTW, they gave you a free tivo? I thought that was a $99 upgrade.

[reddice]

We switched because of the equipment. Dish uses cheap switches sw64 that break right away. We had about 6 replacements already. We were tired of getting errors on our screen, and their service is terrible, they never come prepared and they wanted a appoinment April 1st. Then to upgrade to dish pro which does not use switches, they wanted over $400, it was cheaper to switch and I like the duel tuner pvr.

[A Former DishMan!]

I was with Dish for a number of years and I was really looking forward to getting a PVR, but I did not want to make the investment in the DISH PVRs. I figured that I would wait until the hardware prices went down and the get a DISH one since there was no monthly fee.

Then, they added the monthly fee (for no apparent reason). I figured that it was over. They did no care about their existing customers. I went to Circuit City, bought 2 DirecTV recievers and 1 DirecTIVO and made about $25 bucks on the deal. I also signed up for the NFL Sunday ticket and saved about $30 in programming for 4 months with all Premiums.

Since then, I bought another DirecTIVO and dropped down to just HBO (but was given a $10 a month credit for HBO for 6 months.

So far (at least), it looks like DirecTV really cares about their existing customers.

My family is very happy with my decision.

[tward]

Was with Dish for close to 3 years.

Switched to DirecTV because I wanted a DVR/PVR.

Cost through DirecTV was:

$ 69.99
$ 24.99 Shipping
$-24.99 Shipping Rebate
$-30.00 Mail-In Rebate
$-----------------------
39.99 --- Total for 1 DirecTivo and 2 other receivers and Installation of
the 3 LNB Dish!

Plus a free DVD mail in rebate.

Plus Free HBO for the first three months (-12.00)
Plus a $25.00 mail in rebate for ordering Showtime.

I priced DishNetwork out at around:

$700.00 for a 721 and the LNB/Switches needed and I would have had to install it....

WHICH WOULD YOU CHOOSE!

Other than that I had no problems at all with DishNetwork, programming is very very close.............

[Augie #70]

I switched 'cause Dan C. did. He's way smarter than I and I'm glad I did. Darn Dishplayers never worked consistently. Wish I'd done it sooner.

p.s. I'm amazed at E*ers who B & M about all of the $$ they have invested in their equipment as an excuse why they won't consider switching. I made soo much $ selling my E* junk that I was able to replace it with better D* equipment and have some serious $$ left over. YMMV

[Neutron]

BTW, they gave you a free tivo? I thought that was a $99 upgrade.


I told them that I was a current DISH customer looking to make the switch as cheaply as possible since I have a damn $240 contract termination fee (I can make that with selling the 510, the quad DISHpro, and my 2 301's easily) and the guy said okay, hold on. He went to his supervisor and came back and said okay, we can give you a Directivo and waive the $99 cost. The only thing is since I have never had an account with D* they have to do a normal install tomorrow and when I call to activate it he has on my account that I am authorized to get a free Directivo with installation.

[buzzdalf]

Had DirecTV from 1996 - 1999. Switched to DISH for DISHplayer. Then went to 508.
Had DISH from 1999 - 2003. Switched to DirecTV for D*Tivo.
Have DirecTV again from 2003 - ? and love it.
Bottom line - either company gives you TV. Go for the hardware and features you want.

[garypen]

I told them that I was a current DISH customer looking to make the switch as cheaply as possible since I have a damn $240 contract termination fee (I can make that with selling the 510, the quad DISHpro, and my 2 301's easily) and the guy said okay, hold on. He went to his supervisor and came back and said okay, we can give you a Directivo and waive the $99 cost. The only thing is since I have never had an account with D* they have to do a normal install tomorrow and when I call to activate it he has on my account that I am authorized to get a free Directivo with installation.
It sounds great! I may do the same. But, I need an HD receiver. They don't offer any HD gear specials for new customers. :( It may be worth it, though, to actually be able to watch HDTV without the frustration of the 811's many bugs.

Maybe I'll wait until after baseball season. At that point, I won't miss the Superstations so much, WPIX in particular, and D may have an HD package for new customers by then.

[Steve Mehs]

I wanted a DVR, not a digital VCR, something I didn't have to babysit to make sure is behaved itself. I was fed up with the 508 and fed up not being treated like a subscriber, but a pawn in a game and wanted a change. DirecTV was that change and I'm not looking back.

[bills976]

I too switched from Dish. Main reasons:

1) YES network
2) TiVo software/hardware
3) TC+ had a better selection of channels I was interested in than did AT100/AT150.

I don't regret leaving Dish at all. I did have to "move" to avoid Pegasus, as my postal service address is in Pegasus territory, but my physical service address was in DirecTV territory (right near the town line - served by one town's post office, live in the other). If you can successfully avoid Pegasus, you should give D* a shot if you're unhappy with Echostar.

[Crazy 1]

I started out with D* in Oct. 94. then in 1997 I seen an ad for E* they were new and I didn't have to go thru two providers to get all the channels (remember USSB). Then in 2001 my E* 4000 crapped out, E* wanted more for a refirbished unit than D* wanted for a complete system. So I went back to D* and haven't looked back since, as the saying goes "Feel the joy". At least I feel that D* cares about keeping their subs happy, and E* just wants to get more subs and doesn't care about the ones they already have. Thats just my feeling and DBS history .

[RAD]

At least I feel that D* cares about keeping their subs happy, and E* just wants to get more subs and doesn't care about the ones they already have.

I think E* does do somethings to try to keep their existing subs happy, they do come up with hardware deals from time to time. But then on the other hand they'll turn around and slap yea in the face, you want a 522, too bad, only new subs can get those. You order an 811 and wait months while a new sub get's an 811 a week after ordering his.

Then when you give them a shot to try to make things right before you cancel all they do is inform you it will cost you $25 to reactivate your account where D* tries to make an attempt of correcting the situation. I really don't understand E*'s attitude when it comes to the existing subscriber base. If you have a customer with over $100/month in programing I would think they'd want to bend over backwards to try to keep you.

[Neutron]

It sounds great! I may do the same. But, I need an HD receiver. They don't offer any HD gear specials for new customers. :( It may be worth it, though, to actually be able to watch HDTV without the frustration of the 811's many bugs.

Maybe I'll wait until after baseball season. At that point, I won't miss the Superstations so much, WPIX in particular, and D may have an HD package for new customers by then.


They have a $99 HD special from what I heard.

[Crazy 1]

Thats when Charlie says his favorite quote " Don't let the door hit you in a$$ on the way out". E* told me about the $25 fee, and I laughed at the CSR and told him not expect in this life time. The few times I had to deal D* customer service they have been more than happy to help me. E* CSR's are even rude at times to the customer.

[uncdanwrong]

Here we go again! Some people will like DirecTV better others will prefer Dish. I personally think that TotalChoice is a better package (same price) than AT120. DirecTV doesn't offer anything quite like AT60 or AT180. If you're a sports fan it's no contest. Dish has Bingo! :rolling:

[Chris Blount]

Good thread. My main reasons:

1. The Superdish fiasco
2. Single dish solution for locals
3. More reliable DVR hardware (Tivo)
4. Easy installation with switch built into the Dish
5. HD-DirecTivo
6. Channels that Dish has never had like Trio

and so on

There is one great thing that happened when I switched. I actually MADE money when I sold off my Dish stuff. The sale of my Dishplayers, SW64 switch, my 501 and 721 gave me enough to order my DirecTV equipment plus enough left over to buy an HD-DirecTivo when it gets released. I kept my 508 and the superstations though so I'm still a Dish subscriber.

I don't regret the move to DirecTV. Dish needs to sort out a few things before they even have a prayer of getting me back.

[RAD]

Dish needs to sort out a few things before they even have a prayer of getting me back.

Chris, don't forget to save $25 out of your hardware sale fund to pay the reconnect fee at E* ;)

[Wolffpack]

It sounds great! I may do the same. But, I need an HD receiver. They don't offer any HD gear specials for new customers. :( It may be worth it, though, to actually be able to watch HDTV without the frustration of the 811's many bugs.

Maybe I'll wait until after baseball season. At that point, I won't miss the Superstations so much, WPIX in particular, and D may have an HD package for new customers by then.
Call DTv and ask about a deal with the Samsung TS160 HD receiver. I have one and have heard they have a deal for $99. Maybe you can talk them into a freebie for that unit. New customers get all the deals.

[airpolgas]

Good thread.

I currently have three 508's. I can't go back to live TV. For those who are using DirecTivo, is it true that the fee is only $4.98?

What happened to the $12.95 Tivo wants per receiver? If I move over and use 3 DirecTivos, I only have to pay $4.98 for my PVR capabilities?

[skaeight]

Good thread.

I currently have three 508's. I can't go back to live TV. For those who are using DirecTivo, is it true that the fee is only $4.98?

What happened to the $12.95 Tivo wants per receiver? If I move over and use 3 DirecTivos, I only have to pay $4.98 for my PVR capabilities?


Yep. I can't believe you're paying $15 / month for the right to use a glorified vcr.

[airpolgas]

Yep. I can't believe you're paying $15 / month for the right to use a glorified vcr.

Actually, they are still free. So I am paying $0. But I'd gladly pay $5 just for the Season Pass.

[skaeight]

Actually, they are still free. So I am paying $0. But I'd gladly pay $5 just for the Season Pass.


My mistake, forgot that doesn't apply to the older dvrs. Either way $5 is definatly worth the use of tivo's software. It does the work for you, you just sit back and watch.

[James_F]

The $12.95 fee is only for SA TiVos... If you have TC Premier, there is no DVR charge.

[Wolffpack]

Good thread.

I currently have three 508's. I can't go back to live TV. For those who are using DirecTivo, is it true that the fee is only $4.98?

What happened to the $12.95 Tivo wants per receiver? If I move over and use 3 DirecTivos, I only have to pay $4.98 for my PVR capabilities?
$4.98/mo for any number of Tivo receivers, unless you have the Total Choice Premium {or most expensive} package. Then it's included.

[airpolgas]

I am going off topic, so I made a new thread for my question.

Tivo Fee Question (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=25046)

Thank you.

[garypen]

Call DTv and ask about a deal with the Samsung TS160 HD receiver. I have one and have heard they have a deal for $99. Maybe you can talk them into a freebie for that unit. New customers get all the deals.That $99 deal if for existing subs (yes, they actually show a little appreciation for them unlike another satellite provider I won't name ;) ), if you have been with them over 2 years. I've heard they also have a $199 deal for 1 -2 year subscribers. However, I definitely couldn't wait that long. I'd need it with the initial install or shortly thereafter.

I guess I'll have to be patient, and stick it out for a while with my 811. Or...use whatever money I can make selling the Dish gear (minus the $240 early term fee) towards a Hughes/Sony/LG HD box. (They're all basically the same unit with different fascias.) I don't think I'd want the Samsung 160 or 360. The things I've been seeing on forums, and my own experience with Samsung products, makes me leary of them.

Anybody interested in an 811, a 311, DP500 Twin, DP300 Dual, and 2 DP21 switches? :money: :biggthump

[Neutron]

Anybody interested in an 811, a 311, DP500 Twin, DP300 Dual, and 2 DP21 switches? :money: :biggthump


I'm sure you can find a poor sap who is on the 3 month waiting list for an 811. hehehe :lol:

[stonecold]

Gary I will do a exact swap for the 311 for rca 430rga that is virtually new only thing I ever used is the remote as I use dtivo and RCA Hidef box for my NFLST only sub. No card as I use the one in the box with RCA Hidef box that did not coem with one. great for 2nd or 3 or 4 th
.

[garypen]

I'm sure you can find a poor sap who is on the 3 month waiting list for an 811. hehehe :lol:
They could have the whole shabang for $500. And...I'll throw in the undercoating.

[Neutron]

They could have the whole shabang for $500. And...I'll throw in the undercoating.


I'm hoping to get at least $150-200 just for the 510.

Gotta find a way to pay the damn contract termination fee.

[thebigjp]

from cable (Wireless One)

why: they went out of business and they had a good conversion offer to DirecTV.

Details upon request.

[garypen]

from cable (Wireless One)

why: they went out of business and they had a good conversion offer to DirecTV.

Details upon request.
huh?

[Wolffpack]

I don't think I'd want the Samsung 160 or 360. The things I've been seeing on forums, and my own experience with Samsung products, makes me leary of them.
The 160 has had problem, but I have one, and for my use I do not have a complaint. I was one that paid $599 for it when Best Buy only had one or two. It is a great Direct HD and OTA HD receiver. Can't imagine D won't deal with new subs on that!

[Wolffpack]

I'm hoping to get at least $150-200 just for the 510.

Gotta find a way to pay the damn contract termination fee.
I keep seeing termination fee stuff. Is this because you're under a year thing or something? Why is there a term fee?

[Neutron]

I keep seeing termination fee stuff. Is this because you're under a year thing or something? Why is there a term fee?


Because I was stupid and agreed to a 2-yr contract with DISH when I got my 510 last November.

[Steve Mehs]

Thebigjp is just saying that he was a former subscriber to wireless cable, when HITS dried up he went to DirecTV and they gave him a good deal.

[Wolffpack]

Sorry Neutron, I wasn't aware anyone was looking for a 2 year commit. I know Direcway is now asking for a 15 month, but 2 year....bummer!

[Neutron]

Sorry Neutron, I wasn't aware anyone was looking for a 2 year commit. I know Direcway is now asking for a 15 month, but 2 year....bummer!


Yep, DISH had (and I think still has) a free 510 for existing customers but you have to commit for 2 years.

[garypen]

Thebigjp is just saying that he was a former subscriber to wireless cable, when HITS dried up he went to DirecTV and they gave him a good deal.
Ahhh. Thanks for translating.

[rpj795]

I made the switch from E* to D* about three months ago. I am really kicking myself. Kicking myself for not doing the switch earlier. I just got to the point where I wanted a dual turner PVR and E* would do nothing about it but charge me $550 to get one. When I called E* to see what they could do to keep me they said that they could give me two months free, I told them I want a good deal on a dual turner and they told me that E* doesn’t sell them directly but will in the near future. NO THANK YOU. I was sick of hearing from E* that things were going to change in a few months, “just wait until the next Charlie Chat”.

Well I am mad that I waiting 4 years (how long I was with E*) to make the switch. Now I am not going to say that everything that D* has is better than E* (I miss the on screen caller ID) but the dual turner out weights everything.

Make the switch now or you are going to be kicking yourself you didn’t do it earlier when you do finally make the switch and you will make the switch someday.

[Neutron]

:lol: I made the switch from E* to D* about three months ago. I am really kicking myself. Kicking myself for not doing the switch earlier. I just got to the point where I wanted a dual turner PVR and E* would do nothing about it but charge me $550 to get one. When I called E* to see what they could do to keep me they said that they could give me two months free, I told them I want a good deal on a dual turner and they told me that E* doesn’t sell them directly but will in the near future. NO THANK YOU. I was sick of hearing from E* that things were going to change in a few months, “just wait until the next Charlie Chat”.

Well I am mad that I waiting 4 years (how long I was with E*) to make the switch. Now I am not going to say that everything that D* has is better than E* (I miss the on screen caller ID) but the dual turner out weights everything.

Make the switch now or you are going to be kicking yourself you didn’t do it earlier when you do finally make the switch and you will make the switch someday.


Not sure what the tivo has (since I won't have mine until the 23rd) but the RCA regular receiver has on screen caller id.

I have noticed that the PQ is much better on D*

[WanMan]

I did go from DISH to DirecTV. When my contract was up I asked about incentives to stay with DISH. At the time they wouldn't even discount their 501 DVR. I asked if they were willing to lose a good customer that never called them and they said, "go wherever you'd like."

Talk about balls. It was this that I learned that DISH had no Customer Retention Department. So, I got indoctrinated into DirecTV with a DirecTiVo unit, dual-LNB, and install for $20. And unlike DISH, I owned the equipment.

The DirecTV Customer Retention Department is notorious for trying to keep customers. Last September I took them up on the then $399 HDTV Promotion and last month they retroactively gave me the updated promotion ($99) and issued me a $300 credit. Sure, I have to be proactive, but they gave it to keep me.

Now I just have to decide where I will be come September in my neverending question for lots of HDTV. While Voom has more HDTV channels, its a 50-50 chance they'll be there six months from now.

[Steve Mehs]

No DTiVos have CID, it's one of the very few features it lacks over Dish DVRs.

[jandjd]

I started out with D*, several years ago. Got mad at there poor customer service and went to E*. Several years with E* was good, until the 811 fiasco, 2 days missed work waiting on something that was never going to happen. I am back with D*. I am hoping things will be good but who knows. There products are both good. Customer service is the most important thing to me.

[Neutron]

I started out with D*, several years ago. Got mad at there poor customer service and went to E*. Several years with E* was good, until the 811 fiasco, 2 days missed work waiting on something that was never going to happen. I am back with D*. I am hoping things will be good but who knows. There products are both good. Customer service is the most important thing to me.


I can see why Directv is #1 in customer service for cable/satellite providers. Today when I called to activate my programming and set up the time for my dtivo install I at first was told I would have to pay another $14.95 shipping/handling charge. I told them that the guy who took my order Thursday didn't tell me I would have to pay it again, and that I had already paid the first one. They then said they would waive it and that it wouldn't be a problem.

Directv is making me feel much better about the change.

[Wolffpack]

Now I just have to decide where I will be come September in my neverending question for lots of HDTV. While Voom has more HDTV channels, its a 50-50 chance they'll be there six months from now.
Add up the price for VOOM. No, it won't be around. I love my HD, but not that much!

This has been a great thread. I just started one on the other side to get other views. http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=25090

[Link]

I'm torn on whether to drop my Dish Network service and go to Directv. Directv's new Triple LNB dish is much better technology than Dish. For me to get CBS E/W on Dish I'd need a dish at 61.5 and 148 which makes no sense. They should put them on 110.

With Directv, I can get all locals, HD programming, and a dual tuner DVR with the use of 1 dish. Additional dual Tuner Tivos are only $99. Their HD equipment coming out including HD DVRs seems much more reliable than Dish.

I have to say tho, I think Dish has good picture quality, but after this recent Viacom fiasco and the fact that their HD receivers and dual tuner receivers are so expensive and in limited supply, I think Directv might be a smarter choice.

[Neutron]

I'm torn on whether to drop my Dish Network service and go to Directv. Directv's new Triple LNB dish is much better technology than Dish. For me to get CBS E/W on Dish I'd need a dish at 61.5 and 148 which makes no sense. They should put them on 110.

With Directv, I can get all locals, HD programming, and a dual tuner DVR with the use of 1 dish. Additional dual Tuner Tivos are only $99. Their HD equipment coming out including HD DVRs seems much more reliable than Dish.

I have to say tho, I think Dish has good picture quality, but after this recent Viacom fiasco and the fact that their HD receivers and dual tuner receivers are so expensive and in limited supply, I think Directv might be a smarter choice.


Link, I have noticed that PQ on D* is far better than on E*. You would be happier I think if you switched, based on what you said about wanting everything on one dish. My wife is very happy that we get everything on one dish now.

[Chris Blount]

I'm torn on whether to drop my Dish Network service and go to Directv. Directv's new Triple LNB dish is much better technology than Dish. For me to get CBS E/W on Dish I'd need a dish at 61.5 and 148 which makes no sense. They should put them on 110.


This is one of the reasons why I switched. I can get all of my locals on one dish with DirecTV. With Dish Network, I needed a second dish pointed at 61.5.

PQ is very subjective in some cases and depends on what size and type of TV you are using. Both Dish and DirecTV look terrible on my 57" 16X9 HDTV but look great on my 27" standard def TV in the back room. My locals, however, look much better on DirecTV on both of my monitors.

The triple LNB Phase III DirecTV dish is definitely the way to go and will also pick up the HDTV channels in case you go in that direction.

[Neutron]

This is one of the reasons why I switched. I can get all of my locals on one dish with DirecTV. With Dish Network, I needed a second dish pointed at 61.5.

PQ is very subjective in some cases and depends on what size and type of TV you are using. Both Dish and DirecTV look terrible on my 57" 16X9 HDTV but look great on my 27" standard def TV in the back room. My locals, however, look much better on DirecTV on both of my monitors.

The triple LNB Phase III DirecTV dish is definitely the way to go and will also pick up the HDTV channels in case you go in that direction.


I definately agree. Also, the Phase III dish does a good job with the WAF (Wife Approval Factor) than the two dish solution.

[lee120]

just to let everyone know i did a did you go from cable to directv and why thread on tivocommunity forum long time if you want to read it here is the link
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?threadid=90140&perpage=20&pagenumber=1

[Chris Walker]

:lol:


I have noticed that the PQ is much better on D*

I'd recommend having your eyes checked. PQ in my area goes:

1) Dish
2) Digital Cable (Time Warner)
3) Direct

Go to a audio visual forum and no one will tell you that Direct has better quality.

[TerryC]

I'd recommend having your eyes checked. PQ in my area goes:

1) Dish
2) Digital Cable (Time Warner)
3) Direct

Go to a audio visual forum and no one will tell you that Direct has better quality.
I will. My eyes tell me just that. I don't need people on a message board to tell me what I see.

[Wolffpack]

I'd recommend having your eyes checked. PQ in my area goes:

1) Dish
2) Digital Cable (Time Warner)
3) Direct

Go to a audio visual forum and no one will tell you that Direct has better quality.
Well my Dtv looks much better than any Dish pics I've seen. Obviously it can vary by installation and equipment.

[garypen]

I'd recommend having your eyes checked. PQ in my area goes:

1) Dish
2) Digital Cable (Time Warner)
3) Direct

Go to a audio visual forum and no one will tell you that Direct has better quality.
The key words being IN MY AREA. Although, you should probably also say IN MY OPINION, or ON THE SYSTEMS I'VE viewed. (assuming, of course, that you've actually viewed all three systems.)

I've seen plenty of people say DirecTV had better PQ than Dish, they just don't seem to be as rabid about it. (I know. I've been to an audio visual forum. In fact, I'm an AV/Multimedia specialist.)

[DChristmann]

I switched from E* to D* because of TiVo. I had been using a stand-alone TiVo with my E* setup for about a year and a half and it worked pretty darn well.

However, I was interested in something integrated. I'm a big fan of TiVo and I wasn't interested in E*'s PVR, which is significantly less advanced. So basically, it came down to the fact that D* offered receivers with integrated TiVo (with two tuners!) and E* didn't.

Otherwise, I was generally happy with E* and like I told the CSR when I shut down my E* account, I would've stuck with E* if they offered receivers with integrated TiVo.

[MedMech]

Arguing about E vs D picture quality has been covered so many times it stupid, I all depends on the channel. IMO they both suck on a 60" screen that's why I watch as much HD programming as possible and a sub to VOOM is being explored.

[ANewSub]

I ordered dish network's 811 back on Dec. 12 and was set up for a Jan. install which no one showed up and set up for a February install which was cancelled and set up for March 4th which was cancelled (this time not due to an 811 shortage but b/c there are no technications in my area would be available) and set up for today and yesterday can you guess what happened? I received a call from the contractor cancelling again b/c no one was available. The customer service rep from DISH tried to call the sub contractor today when I called and complained and she stated that she couldn't even get a hold of them. I live outside of Bangor ME and for anyone else in this area BE WARNED the sub contractor for the area "STINKS" (I'll be polite and not state how I am really feeling).

CC in my area is offering a good deal and set me up with DTV with a Samsung SIR-TS360 (read some good reviews of these online too) today along with all the rest of the equipment I need and I'm good to go!! and after a over a 3 month wait from E* I am kicking myself from not doing this to begin with. I can't believe how much vacation I time I used to wait for no one to show or get a call saying "sorry" what a bunch of ****

Well thanks for letting me vent!! I feel much better.

[Neutron]

I ordered dish network's 811 back on Dec. 12 and was set up for a Jan. install which no one showed up and set up for a February install which was cancelled and set up for March 4th which was cancelled (this time not due to an 811 shortage but b/c there are no technications in my area would be available) and set up for today and yesterday can you guess what happened? I received a call from the contractor cancelling again b/c no one was available. The customer service rep from DISH tried to call the sub contractor today when I called and complained and she stated that she couldn't even get a hold of them. I live outside of Bangor ME and for anyone else in this area BE WARNED the sub contractor for the area "STINKS" (I'll be polite and not state how I am really feeling).

CC in my area is offering a good deal and set me up with DTV with a Samsung SIR-TS360 (read some good reviews of these online too) today along with all the rest of the equipment I need and I'm good to go!! and after a over a 3 month wait from E* I am kicking myself from not doing this to begin with. I can't believe how much vacation I time I used to wait for no one to show or get a call saying "sorry" what a bunch of ****

Well thanks for letting me vent!! I feel much better.

Welcome to the better satellite company!!

I used to praise DISH but lately they have turned very crappy. I had the 811 when it first came out. My wife hated it. It was too slow and the advertised features weren't activated. SuperDISH is a disaster.

The wife liked the DVR 510 but hated the single tuner. The Viacom thing told us that Charlie is a cheapass if he thinks he will get a better deal than his competition.

The wife loves the new directv receivers and we're getting the directivo hooked up in the morning.

[dhpartsman]

i changed to d* two weeks ago. i was with e* from the start and loved the service and programming, but i could no longer justify the extra expense for the never ending equipment upgrades. if you don't already know e* has some very poor excuses for receivers. just from my experience ( 2 -3000, 2 -7100 dishplayer, 1 -6000 hdtv) the model 6000 finally made me leave e* when they told me i need to spend 120 extra dollars for a module that would attach to my receiver, after my initial payment of 499 just to get my hd-hbo channel back

[benn5325]

I was with E for 5 years, Always wanted the NFL Sunday ticket and kept hoping they would do a deal.
The Viacom incident was the perfect excuse and am I glad that happened.
The equipment is much, much cheaper, and TIVO blows PVR away. I got a Philips 704 & 708.
The only thing I’ve found so far that I don’t like is the guide and lack of favorites, which I’m not going to cry over.

[Wolffpack]

Not sure of your definition of favorites but depending on your receiver you can program favorites. On my Samy units and the Hughes Tivo units you can go into prefrences and setup you channel list. Then you setup your guide to filter your favorites. On the Samy's you can even setup5 or 6 different users so I can have a different set of favorites than my wife or my kids.

Now it may be that favorites mean something totally different wish dish.

[benn5325]

No, you’ve got it right.
With dish I had several favorites. One for Networks, one for sports, one for movies etc.
I noticed in the welcome pack I received from DTV this week it says you can set up to four sets of favorites.
Unless I’m missing something that can’t be done on the Philips models I have. There is just an option for one favorites list.
Once I get used to the new channel numbers it’ll be OK.

[Wolffpack]

I do believe it's receiver based. I think my original Sony's did a better job than the Samy's which do a better job than the Tivo's do. I know on some you can only have 1) all channels, 2) channels I receive {shouldn't they know that already?} and 3) favorites. You can edit 2 & 3.