Switch to Dish??

[TwinTowers]

I made a similar post in the Direct TV forum but would like varying input for differnt points of view.

I am just getting into the Hi-def market and need a little bit of help. I am a current Direct TV customer and planned to upgrade through them. I would like a Hi-Def TiVo and 3 standard receivers. They have great upgrades for new customers but not for existing customers.

Today I received a Dish network ad that seems to offer a pretty good deal through ****.com From what I can read it looks like: a free upgrade to the new HD/DVR in 2 rooms. 3 months of Stars(HBO sucks) plus a $100 sign up bonus.

I need the Golf channel, so that pretty much means I need their America's Top 250 for $42.99 instead of $52.99 for 10 months (another $100 off??) Dish also gives the local channels in HD for an additional $5. How does that compare to Direct TV??

My question is: Is dish network just as good as Direct TV? Are there drawbacks compared to Direct TV? Are there benefits?? I would hate to change for a "good deal" and later be upset because I dont like dish or find out my "deal" was something I'd pay dearly for.

Any help is appreciated.

[finniganps]

I would look at what your costs will be after the initial period and compare that with Direct. I'd also compare the channels you can get with each. Dish currently has more HD. Finally, I'd look at your cost for equipment outlays to get where you want to go. Dish will lease the equipment to you, but some receivers still require an upfront charge even though you don't own them. See what applies for what you want at each company. Good luck!

[elbodude]

I made a similar post in the Direct TV forum but would like varying input for differnt points of view.

I am just getting into the Hi-def market and need a little bit of help. I am a current Direct TV customer and planned to upgrade through them. I would like a Hi-Def TiVo and 3 standard receivers. They have great upgrades for new customers but not for existing customers.

Today I received a Dish network ad that seems to offer a pretty good deal through ****.com From what I can read it looks like: a free upgrade to the new HD/DVR in 2 rooms. 3 months of Stars(HBO sucks) plus a $100 sign up bonus.

I need the Golf channel, so that pretty much means I need their America's Top 250 for $42.99 instead of $52.99 for 10 months (another $100 off??) Dish also gives the local channels in HD for an additional $5. How does that compare to Direct TV??

My question is: Is dish network just as good as Direct TV? Are there drawbacks compared to Direct TV? Are there benefits?? I would hate to change for a "good deal" and later be upset because I dont like dish or find out my "deal" was something I'd pay dearly for.

Any help is appreciated.

I made the switch from Direct (D*) about a year ago and have never looked back. As you know, D* is dumping Tivo for their own HD-DVR. You can't use DirecTivo to get HD locals on D*. All HD locals on D* are mpeg4, which the DirecTivo can't decode. That being said, the Dish Vip622 HD-DVR is the closest thing to a Tivo I have used. I get all my Bay Area locals and HD channels with one dish. The recent upgrades to the 622 DVR have made it very much like a Tivo box.

I like the HD picture better on Dish, the SD picture is about the same. I hope this helps!

-elbo

[rp3259]

Dish gives you more variety (as far as costs go) in how they package their channgels.

[kckucera]

Have not used D* for a couple of years and have been happy with E*. They are delivering more HD than the competition and promise to stay ahead (so far they are delivering). The VIP 622 allows you to record 2 HD/SD channels and one OTA at the same time (but not 2 OTAs and 1 HD/SD) while watching another recorded program. Picture quality is easily better in HD on most channels (compression varies) and their locals are almost as good as local OTAs. As other posters have indicated you need to run the numbers on programing and equiptment. I do know that E* customer service seems more responsive and if you are not happy a quick email to CEO@dishnetwork.com seems to resolve any problems.

[gintzj]

Dish offers the best package for the money

I am a long dish customer and very happy about my account with dish

Thank you

[lpmiller]

I'm a short dish customer, but I have lovely eyes. At any rate, the 622 is the most Tivo like non tivo, and mostly a good unit. I have had some issues with installers, but ceo@echostar is helping me out. I like the picture quality over DTV, and the raw amount of channels. Cost seems about the same for me.

I didn't hate DTV, in fact I'd be willing to go back, if only their DVR didn't suck.