I Like Dish Network

[atvman]

Dish Network is not perfect but they seem to have more options on programming and at a cheaper price. I have called them many times and they have been very helpful. Many times I know more than the person on the phone, but I also know more than my retailer because of this forum and knowledge of the people here and at satelliteguys. I changed my programming at least 4 times in a year and a half. A coworker was going to install dish but has a problem with trees. I told him Direct Tv is I higher angle and maybe he could get that without cutting trees. He wants The Outdoor Channel. We found that he would have to buy an additional sport pack for about 10 or 12 dollars to get this channel with Direct Tv. Happy New Year everyone :)

[ClaudeR]

Agreed, it doesn't completely suck. I just don't like the way they poke fun at others, when they are just as guilty as the next guy (sounds like many politicians), e.g., "The other guys make you pay for PVR", "Stop the pig, another rate increase".

I also don't like the way they nickle and dime you to death - fee per DVR, fee to downgrade service, etc. But all in all, it seems the least of all evils (today).

[JM Anthony]

. . . But all in all, it seems the least of all evils (today).
I agree. While I wish E* had more HD programming, and they still have a few more bugs to iron out with the 921, they've got a pretty good product at a reasonable price.

[Capmeister]

I'm switching to D* next month. I've been an E* company for 5 years. They piss me off sometimes. But if they fit your needs, they're basically close enough in value that they're not bad. My dad is stay with E*--he likes the Sirius music and doesn't care to change. To each his own, you know?

[wkomorow]

I agree. My three receivers - 508, 510, and 6000u have been rock solid at least for me. Occasionally, I need to do a reset, but it is not a big deal. Previously, I had 2 5000s. both worked very well for me. I did have some install issues and a switch go bad, but Dish resolved those problems for me. I also had locals on 105 moved to 121, but they took care of changing out the dish for free. There are a few additional channels I would like them to add - premiums, fine living, etc, and additional HD such as Universal HD, but the fact of the matter is that I watch about 10 channels on a regular basis. I certainly have no plans to leave Dish.

[BuckeyeChris]

I agree. I love my 522 and 311s. With my 522, I will never watch TV the same way again; now I get to watch my programs when I want them and skip past the commercials. HD content is not an issue for me, but HD is still nascent, and for most, like me, the prices and content are not comparable to non-HD programming. I'll wait a few more years until HD is more affordable and user friendly.

E has delivered all it has promised to me and then some.

[SAEMike]

I like my recievers with Dish. I have a 510 and a 311 and although the 510 is a little buggy, it works fine.

My only real complaint about Dish Network is that they lied to us about Name Based Recording. They might very well lose me as a customer because of this. It is never acceptable to promise your customers one thing, then be four or five months late delivering it, and then telling them that only a few of the customers would get it, when they said before we would all get it.

[pmichael]

I have had Dish Network since March 2002. My family and I are generally happy with the service. Even with upcoming rate increases, the rate for AT 180 blows away what I could get from my local cable provider. Is Dish Network perfect? No, but good enough that I expect to remain a loyal customer for the near future.

[DishDonald]

I joined Dish in December 1997. Started with theTop 50 CD package for $26.99, which later became the Top 100 CD package and later the Top 120 CD package. I had cable for 12 years before joining Dish, and was paying OVER $50 for less than Dish was providing for $27. It took until 2001 for my area to have Digital Cable, and even now it would cost me close to $80 to match Dish's programming. In October 2002 I updated to the Top 180 CD package when it was $39.99.

I have been a very happy Dish customer for the last 7 years, I am still a happy Dish customer. I may not be as happy of a Dish customer as I was a few months ago, but I still a happy Dish customer.

The FSN Chicago/CSN Chicago mess has made me feel a little upset at the way that Dish handles things. The rate increase is poor timing for Chicago-area subscribers, and I will be calling Dish to try to get some satisfaction.

Everyone has their own satisfaction level. Mine is changing with Dish, but it is higher than it would be if I was still with cable.

[olgeezer]

was with Direct January 95, joined Dish August 97. Have, currently a 7100 and an 811. Am happy and remember that it's just TV

[JohnGfun]

Dish Isn't bad.

[Mikey]

I like Dish too. But I sure wish that they would get their HD receivers stable, and add those 50 HD channels (well, at least the national HD feeds that come available, like Universal HD) that they said they would last year.

[JohnGfun]

When people don't like E* its not that E* is a bad Co. its just that that person has had a bad experience with E*.

[reddice]

We had Dish but because of switch problems we switched to DirecTV. We now regret it. We don't like DirecTV. We are paying more. Getting less channels and hate the way DirecTV lays out the channels by putting too many blank channels and PPV in the 100's. In March when our 1 year contract ends we will be most likely switching back to Dish. Plus I like how Dish now has a no commitment.

[Jacob S]

Sometimes people realize how good a company is by going to another, some are satisfied with the new company more, it depends on the preference. I see advantages to both companies. DirecTv has smaller cheaper receivers and changes channels quicker and has better graphics. Also their oval dishes for locals in my area is about half the size of Dish Network's SuperDish and much cheaper as well and fits right onto the old mast the single lnbf dish used. Dish Network doesnt have as many requirements on having the system on a year when adding receivers onto an account, they have a cheaper basic package, and more flexible with getting certain channels or packages without having to get the basic package even the locals (unless you have DHA/lease the hardware). Dish's receivers also have a higher resale value.

[Hoso]

We have subscribed to E* since 1999. Like the channel line-up, since sports is not a huge thing for me (except during World Cup time) and have always had good experiences with their tech support.

Some good things:

Provided me with an SW64 when I added a third receiver (pre Dish Pro days) at no charge.
Have resolved billing issues in the past without a problem.

Some bad things:

DVR (510) doesn't have a "find and record" feature a-la ReplayTV (I've never used a Tivo, so my reference point is the ReplayTV)
New receivers (301.013) "lose" subscription information if not in the stream for a certain period of time. We remodeled the guest room and disconnected the receiver for a perido of time. Had to call E* to have it reprogrammed.

Other than that, happy with their service...wish they had more HD programming to warrant getting an HD receiver...but I'll wait or go with Voom.

Jose

[Spruceman]

IMNSHO Dish has much better slate of Public Interest channels, especially FSTV, Classic Arts, and the channels from the universities -- none of which are on D*. I like the Muzak channels a bit better than MusicChoice, but both are OK.

[Santinelli]

I am actually, VERY Happy with Dish and it's programming. I LOVE the DVR (522) and so does my son. He never misses his really cool cartoons. I'm hoping that with some more whining I'll get FIT TV and WMUR, and then my life is complete. I don't have HD now, and don't see me getting it anytime in the NEAR future. Maybe a year or two out, so they can take there time if they want to. :)

Steve

[Jacob S]

For the most part the Dish receivers do what I tell them to do. They record my shows, I watch them, thats that. I get upset when the 721 acts sluggish at around 3 am and it makes it hard to watch a show at that time.