Dish Vs. Directtv

[Adamantium]

I am wondering which offers the best deal for a "NEW" subscriber? Can I get HD and a tivo or three as second room irds? How many irds can I have, does either company limit the # of rooms? Do I have to get one good ird and the rest bottom end irds? A few suggestions would be helpful. Making a long term commitment is a very big step in a mans life!! Thx, Adamantium

[Mike123abc]

I would first look at programming packages first. Both can set up a new sub pretty good, it is the monthly fee that is what is important. Dish does have a limit of 6 boxes on an account.

If you want NFL season ticket no amount of Dish boxes will make you happy. If you want superstations, no amount of DIRECTV will make you happy. Look at the packages and pricing first.

[Mark Holtz]

The Total Choice Plus with Locals and the AT-180 packages (with locals) have about the same channels. However, the Encore movie package and The Movie Channel are not part of Total Choice Plus.

[HTguy]

But based on your hardware questions, if you want an HD receiver (or 2) and DVR capabilty on 2 or more TVs at no additional cost you will go with DISH Network.

BTW, the real question isn't the number of "rooms" or even the number of TVS. It's how many people in the house may be watching different programs at the same time.

For example, I have a single PVR (DVR) receiver and an off-air antenna feeding 3 TVs in 3 different rooms. It isn't often I have different live programming on at the same time but either TV can watch either satellite or local programming independently. I can be recording something on the PVR and at the same time be watching either something already recorded or a live local show.

The E* DishPlayer DVR522 can feed several TVs around the house with either of 2 "TV" outputs and both have DVR capability.

Bottom line is that you can have a dedicated HD receiver, 2 DVR tuners, and a 4th receiver (if necessary) that's either basic, DVR or HD - up to 4 tuners without any hardware costs. Of course there is a $5 fee for each box other than the primary, and a $5 DVR fee for each DVR box if you don't get the AEP. But the 522 is counted as one box even tho it has 2 DVR capable tuners.

[Cholly]

If you want Tivo, DirecTV is the logical choice. On the other hand, Dish Network's Digital Home Advantage package doesn't require an annual contract, and the Dish 522 PVR and Dish 322 receiver are pretty neat. They are available ONLY on the Digital Home Advantage package -- not for those of us who have contracts. As to programming packages, each service has its advantages. Dish has the advantage insofar as local channels are concerned. They serve 114 or so of the 200 defined market areas.