Thinking about swithcing from DTV to Dish, some ???

[cccsdad]

Due to the promo Dish is running for Free HDDVR (ViP622) I'm thinking about dumping my Direct TV and swithcing to Dish, however, I've read on some forums that the Dish picture quality on both HD and SD is not as good as DTV's. Something to do with how Dish compresses their signal.

So, should I stick with DTV and get the HR20 HDDVR, or make the switch to Dish and get the ViP622.

[lujan]

I've heard that the picture quality from both services is the same. I've also heard that D* compresses their picture more than E* so I don't know what to tell you. I know that E* offers much more HD programming channels than D* does.

[ubankit]

Due to the promo Dish is running for Free HDDVR (ViP622) I'm thinking about dumping my Direct TV and swithcing to Dish, however, I've read on some forums that the Dish picture quality on both HD and SD is not as good as DTV's. Something to do with how Dish compresses their signal.

So, should I stick with DTV and get the HR20 HDDVR, or make the switch to Dish and get the ViP622.

Do you know anyone that has E* that you could look at the pq and judge the difference for yourself? One of the things I've noticed, after getting HD (first with a 921, then with a 622) that I really don't like to watch ANY sd programming because the HD is sooooo much better. I've noticed big differences just between some of the E* sd channels, so I would figure it also has a lot to do with what channels you like to watch, rather than saying "D* is better or E* is better......
I'm happy with the 622, had one about 9 months now, for our purposes it works right about 99% of the time

[whatchel1]

D* at present is broadcasting it's HD in the litest version of Sat HD allowed. E* runs most of it's versions of HD at a bit higher quality than D* at present time. With the addition of new sats for both providers this may change. Right now if you want the most HD sports D* is better if you want the most overall HD then it is E*.

[bobng]

I recently changed from D* and have been real pleased with E* so far. The service and assistance has been just great. The only thing that I've noticed is that E* seems to be more sensitive to weather.

[whatchel1]

I recently changed from D* and have been real pleased with E* so far. The service and assistance has been just great. The only thing that I've noticed is that E* seems to be more sensitive to weather.
There should be no diff between the 2 if dish or dishes are peaked correctly. They both use the same freq type of satellite.

[TBoneit]

just going to a friends house won't be a true comparison. They would have to have the same model TV adjusted the same.

A better test would be to find someone that has both feeding one TV, tune to the same channel and then do a true A-B comparison.

Cheers

[dmspen]

I have Dish and my friend chuck has Direct. He has had many more issues that I've had. Mostly with the equipment, but customer service also.

I also think the Dish guide is more user friendly.

[Jim5506]

HD on dish is probably slightly better that Direct because Dish uses 1080X1440 for 1080i and Direct uses 1080X1280.

[ibooksrule]

i Have been Dish customer for quite some years now. had the old microcrap dishplayer 7200 and several in between to a 921 to now a vip622. I switched to Directv yesterday and i hate it so far. The Sd channels look better but other then that i cant say much. I dont like the software and GUi on thier HR20 vs the GUi on the 622. I always wish dish had done more of a tivo like interface but directvs is horrible. the writting is much smaller so you better have a big tv to see the words in the guide. Other things that are not that great you can only record 2 channels at the same time 2 OTA, 2 SAT, 1 OTA and 1 SAT but not 3. My 622 will do 2 sat and 1 OTA. Which i do need some times.

Yea i know i watch to much TV lol.

Personally i have had good customer service from Dish. Directv i cant say because i havent been with them long enough. My only thing is the locals in HD over Directv come in better and higher signal then those over DIsh do. BUt i have read somewhere there are work arounds for that.

Personally i say dish is a better company. They have more HD granted some of the HD such as the old voom channels are not the greatest but some are ok. PLus there is a&e and HGTV in HD that directv doesnt have and a few others.
ON HD programming i say its hard to compare they both are pretty good. i have found that on dish using the HDMI seems to work better for PQ then componet