[mweathers]

I am a current DirecTV customer since 1997. Currently I subscribe to Choice Xtra package from them. I have 2 HD DVR and also subscribe to HBO. Recently my bill went up to $105 (even though it would be more if I didn't get monthly credits). Combine that with Direct not getting many new national HD channels and me trying to cut back on my monthly costs for TV viewing, I've started looking at the current Dish offers. I've read good things (and some bad) about the new Hopper/Joey products. Any advice you can give me? I know Dish has more national HD feeds than Direct. Plus I'm not a huge sports fan. And even though I don't subscribe to any extra sports packages I still think ALL DirecTV customers help fund this. I have done quite a bit of research, but before I take the plunge (after 15 years with DirecTV) is there any advice you can give? Is HD picture quality as good with Dish as Directv? Are there any bits of info I should know about before I possibly switch?

I know this is a very general request, but any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[n-spring]

I had a DirecTV DVR and two HD receivers. I switched to Dish and got a Hopper and two Joeys. So far, the few problems I've encountered have been minor, and once I got past the learning curve associated with a different UI, I'm very pleased with the Hopper/Joey. I see no difference in PQ between DirecTV and Dish.

 

[Smthkd]

Good to see Im not th only one considering this switch! I second the OP question!

 

[jssp8s]

Do you need a wired internet connection to use the Hopper? I have a verizon hotspot
wireless internet. Can you use the hopper system without internet?

 

[sregener]

I had been with DirecTV pretty much non-stop from 1995. I switched to Dish in April, for many of the reasons you listed above. But the ultimate issue for me was a DVR that just was so unresponsive I couldn't take it anymore.

Dish's HD picture quality is a step down from DirecTVs. It takes a keen eye to see it, and it helps if you're watching on a 1080p display at the ISF recommended distances, but there is a distinct loss of detail. It still looks much better than a DVD, and the number of channels I actually watch that are in HD is much higher than it was with DirecTV.

Perhaps the biggest thing to be aware of is that Dish has frequent disputes with channels over carriage fees. Currently, they are dropping the AMC/Rainbow group - AMC/Rainbow wants an increase from about $0.25 to $0.75/subscriber and Dish is balking at that. ESPN News, ESPN U and Disney are not in HD because they had a dispute over HD rights.

I'm saving money during the promotional period, but once it is over, the price looked like a wash to me. It's actually going to be more because I added Blockbuster @Home, and I'm really enjoying that service. The added movie channels is a serious bonus, on top of getting about one Blu-Ray disc a week. Note that I had to keep certain channels that forced me into the AT250 tier. You may be able to do with less, and thus save more.

The Hopper has been excellent for me. Two random hangups (see another thread I started in the Hopper-specific forum) but otherwise no serious issues.

Best of luck making your decision!

 

[patmurphey]

...Can you use the hopper system without internet?

Yes.

 

[SatelliteSolutionsNetwork]

Do you need a wired internet connection to use the Hopper? I have a verizon hotspot
wireless internet. Can you use the hopper system without internet?

You can use the Hopper and Joey system without Internet, but Internet is required for most of its extra features. It doesn't have to be hard-wired, though - You can connect it to WiFi. You will need a Hopper WiFi adapter (Netgear 802.11N WNDA3100v2), which the tech can bring onsite during installation if you request it when you order.

 

[ATARI]

You can use the Hopper and Joey system without Internet, but Internet is required for most of its extra features. It doesn't have to be hard-wired, though - You can connect it to WiFi. You will need a Hopper WiFi adapter (Netgear 802.11N WNDA3100v2), which the tech can bring onsite during installation if you request it when you order.

I am switching from Directv to Dish on 7/4. Thanks for the headups about the WiFi adapter. I will try to add that to my order.

 

[Ira Lacher]

With satellite providers you have to sail between the Scylla of DirecTV (lack of HD and sluggish hardware) and Charybdis of DISH (softer picture quality, less devotion to sports and dodginess of contracts with programmers).

 

[Paul Secic]

I am a current DirecTV customer since 1997. Currently I subscribe to Choice Xtra package from them. I have 2 HD DVR and also subscribe to HBO. Recently my bill went up to $105 (even though it would be more if I didn't get monthly credits). Combine that with Direct not getting many new national HD channels and me trying to cut back on my monthly costs for TV viewing, I've started looking at the current Dish offers. I've read good things (and some bad) about the new Hopper/Joey products. Any advice you can give me? I know Dish has more national HD feeds than Direct. Plus I'm not a huge sports fan. And even though I don't subscribe to any extra sports packages I still think ALL DirecTV customers help fund this. I have done quite a bit of research, but before I take the plunge (after 15 years with DirecTV) is there any advice you can give? Is HD picture quality as good with Dish as Directv? Are there any bits of info I should know about before I possibly switch?

I know this is a very general request, but any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

You're right when you say DirecTV customers pay for sports, even though the sub to sports. I've been with Dish since 1999 and I've never had any major problems..

 

[Paul Secic]

I am a current DirecTV customer since 1997. Currently I subscribe to Choice Xtra package from them. I have 2 HD DVR and also subscribe to HBO. Recently my bill went up to $105 (even though it would be more if I didn't get monthly credits). Combine that with Direct not getting many new national HD channels and me trying to cut back on my monthly costs for TV viewing, I've started looking at the current Dish offers. I've read good things (and some bad) about the new Hopper/Joey products. Any advice you can give me? I know Dish has more national HD feeds than Direct. Plus I'm not a huge sports fan. And even though I don't subscribe to any extra sports packages I still think ALL DirecTV customers help fund this. I have done quite a bit of research, but before I take the plunge (after 15 years with DirecTV) is there any advice you can give? Is HD picture quality as good with Dish as Directv? Are there any bits of info I should know about before I possibly switch?

I know this is a very general request, but any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

In April I had problems with my receiver and I called a tech come out see was wrong. He got on the roof and repositioned the dish and did a check switch. After that the HD & SD has been very sharp.

 

[Rduce]

I seriously looked at Direct awhile back, I liked the idea of a 5-tuner DVR, but I balked as I would actually be paying more, even with a promotional discount I would pay the same, and after 6 months the price would have gone well above $120. I have a 722K that handles my main television and a small bedroom set. I get all the channels I wish to watch with the 200 package and with fees and taxes only pay $65. I found the Direct could not come close to my needs.

As for PQ, I cannot tell the difference between the two myself.

 

[Jhon69]

I am switching from Directv to Dish on 7/4. Thanks for the headups about the WiFi adapter. I will try to add that to my order.

The installer should install the HIC.

 

[jbart1965]

I just made the switch to Dish after being a DirecTV customer for 13 years (1999). I plan to try Dish for two years and decide whether to go back then.

So far, I like Dish except for two complaints.

First, the picture quality is slightly inferior to DirecTV, though it's not a big deal.

Second, as soccer fan I was stunned to find out that Dish does not carry MLS Direct Kick games in high definition. I found this very bizarre. I could watch the SD channels, but if there was a corresponding HD feed, most were blacked out. And for most games there was no such HD feed at all. I canceled the service as soon as I found out.

Eventually that could make me switch providers again, but I am fine for now.

I made the switch for two reasons:

1)Cost of DirecTV has just gotten too high. We just built a home addition and I was looking to save money.

2)I couldnt get DirecTV2PC to work on my new laptop and DTV Everywhere is not up to snuff yet. I watch a lot of stuff outside in the summer. The Slingbox adapter gives me the opportunity.

I was not an unhappy DirecTV customer. All the channels I wanted and the sports are great. The equipment couldn't record as much and was slower, but DTV has made big improvements in the regard.

What I like about Dish is the Hopper and Joey system and the technology in general. The Slingshot adapter is great, too.

If money were no object, I might have stayed with DTV. I just think customers have to pull the plug if prices get too high. I will save a lot with Dish for one year and my service will be about $25 less a month after the promotions run out.

I'd love to get ala carte for some channels like ESPN. I watch it a lot, but if I know the total cost I might opt out to send ESPN a message too.

 

[mweathers]

Since I started this thread a few days ago I've been following. Thanks for all the responses so far. I'm still weighing my options and am leaning toward Dish after many years with Direct. My next question is this....

Of those of you have have come over from Directv and have the new Hopper system, how do you like it so far when compared to what you had with Direct? Are you happy with the new hardware? Does it respond quicker?....Any glitches?.... I'm really leaning toward this in that it's just myself and my wife now in our house....So 3 tuners would work out okay. This sytem just seems much more flexible than the HR34 from Direct.

What is your opinion if you HAVE switched.

 

[jbart1965]

After a few days, I really like the Hopper and Joey system. Very fast - much faster than DTV - and lots of flexibility in arranging it. Perhaps a touch better than DTV in the latter regard.It's a simple but very effective whole-house system

I mentioned picture quality earlier. DTV is more consistent, it seems. Some channels on Dish look fantastic. NBC Sports is superb, but others are softer or fuzzier. It's probably less Dish than the programmer.

I did seem to have a hiccup with the Slingshot system tonite. I am still trying to figure it out.

 

[sregener]

Of those of you have have come over from Directv and have the new Hopper system, how do you like it so far when compared to what you had with Direct? Are you happy with the new hardware? Does it respond quicker?....Any glitches?....

If you read this forum, and the Hopper-specific one, you'll know about the glitches. I've had mine be unresponsive to certain remote control codes twice now, but appear to have found a workaround - just turning it off and back on fixed the problem. But that's in 2 months of use.

I did have trouble figuring out how to use dual buffers, but now that I know to push "Swap" on the remote (note: only works on the Hopper, not the Joeys), I'm a happy camper in that regard.

But compared to my DirecTV HR22-100, which was an absolute dog, the Hopper is perfect. It is responsive, fast, does what it is supposed to, and is easy to use. I don't have any Joeys - we're a one-TV household. I recall cursing at my DirecTV DVR. Except for the two unresponsive remote issues, I've never had any reason to be upset with the Joey.