It's time for Dish to change their marketing.

[Baywoof]

I've been a DISH subscriber for over 5 years. As I'm now near the end of my 2nd month of waiting for the 811 and seeing all the posted issues with the 811 and the 921, I wondering if the wait is really worth it after all. I think if DISH wants to remain a viable DBS choice, they need to consider opening up their receiver product line to 3rd party suppliers (Sony, etc.), rather than having to rely on E*'s promises of what their receivers can do. Perhaps a bit of competion in the receiver line will resolve a lot of the technical and hardware production issues associated DISH, and make for more satisfied customers. ...just my rant for the day.

[amit5roy5]

Yes. That is why DirecTV receivers are very stable.

[Mike Richardson]

Isin't DirecTV consolidating to the DirecTV brand, however?

[Mike D-CO5]

Yes they are going to the same inhouse plan that Dish uses to save cost. It evidently cost more money to have different companies making the different receivers. It also cost more money to have techs on hand to deal with customer problems with each different company's receivers. Each one is different in menus and operations. Rupert is even talking about giving generic dvr receivers (like his British satellite service) to every Directv customer free. This would leave Tivo a niche product for higher end customers. Either way it is cheaper to have one brand of receivers and keep it inhouse. The key to making this work is to pick one good company to make all your receivers , that actually can make a good stable receiver with no software problems. Maybe Rupert can learn from Charlie's mistakes when he transitions to one Directv brand receiver.

[garypen]

Direct does it already, to some extent. The Hughes HTL-HD, Sony HD300, and LG LG3200 are all the same unit internally, with minor changes in features and cosmetics. I believe they are all manufactured by LG. All the current DirecTivos are also made by one manufacturer, I don't know which, despite the various branding.

The key is to use a good company not just for manufacture, but development and design as well. If LG and Samsung can make DBS receivers that are better than Dish's, then Dish really needs to take a look at their current methods. Heck, even Thompson-made DirecTV receivers appear to be more stable than Dish's. And, Thompson is probably the worst electronics manufacturer there is.

[woodman]

If Charlie had only listened to me, I would've counseled him to steer clear of Thomson. IMO, he could have avoided a lot of service and reliability problems with his hardware. But I knew he wouldn't listen to me, so I didn't bother trying to tell him to get a better company to design and manufacture products for him ... a company with a sense of morals and business ethics, which Thomson sorely lacks!

[Stosh]

If Charlie had only listened to me, I would've counseled him to steer clear of Thomson. IMO, he could have avoided a lot of service and reliability problems with his hardware. But I knew he wouldn't listen to me, so I didn't bother trying to tell him to get a better company to design and manufacture products for him ... a company with a sense of morals and business ethics, which Thomson sorely lacks!

I thought JVC made Dish receivers?

Are you a current or ex-employee of Echostar?

[woodman]

I thought JVC made Dish receivers?

Are you a current or ex-employee of Echostar?

Yes, JVC did manufacture hardware for Dish Network for several years. But then, Charlie decided to find a source that would make his receivers cheaper so he made a deal with Thomson which included offering to Echostar customers an HDTV "package" of all Thomson-built products. It's my considered opinion - based upon my 50+ years in the industry, that Charlie will live to regret this decision.

To answer your second question ... no, I'm not now or ever have been employed by Echostar. I have had numerous conversations with Charlie Ergen (at CES shows), but that's my only "connection" with him or his company. I am a very satisfied Dish Network subscriber however, who is hoping against hope thet the Dish equipment that I have was not made by Thomson.

[Stosh]

Yes, JVC did manufacture hardware for Dish Network for several years. But then, Charlie decided to find a source that would make his receivers cheaper so he made a deal with Thomson which included offering to Echostar customers an HDTV "package" of all Thomson-built products.

I know the TVs included in the HDTV packages are Thomson-built, but I didn't know the 811 and 921 are also - are you sure about that? The 921 comes (or came, if only so briefly) in a JVC-branded version, also.

To answer your second question ... no, I'm not now or ever have been employed by Echostar. I have had numerous conversations with Charlie Ergen (at CES shows), but that's my only "connection" with him or his company.

No offense meant, but if Charlie (or any CEO) listened to every bozo (again, not implying that you are a bozo; I hope you understand my intent here) that offered them their opinion, they'd never get anything done. Too many people think they know the "right" way for companies to conduct their business, but that doesn't make it so.

That said, I think Thomson makes junk, too. It's scary to think my next Dish receiver (the 921 I'm waiting so patiently for :( ) may be made by Thomson.