Upcoming decision to make

I know there is a difference, but I honestly can barely tell. I couldn't do a side-by-side with D*, but could with OTA (which should be equal or better) and had to look really, really hard to see any difference. I've got a 60" screen and have no regrets switching from D* to Dish. I love having a lot more basic HD (which still looks fantastic) and am looking forward to the Hopper system. If I were I big sports fan, it would be a different story, but Dish is the perfect fit for my viewing habits. Sling capability is nice to have as well.

BBMP, is another matter. If you're talking about streaming, it's no substitute for Netflix, not by a long shot. The disc part is ok, but slower than Netflix.

I've never had Dish, but have heard quite a few reports that SD looks much better on Dish.

I experienced Hopper at CES. Wasn't impressed.
Careful on the 6 recording claim. Its 3 tuners and it can't record 6 of any channels at any times. There are rules about how it does it which has been discussed in other threads.

The HR34 with or without RVU is much better product.

It all depends. Hopper is set it and forget it. You don't have to set up recordings for prime time network shows. I think some would prefer that to a 34. We just don't happen to be in that group.

NR4P said:

I experienced Hopper at CES. Wasn't impressed.
Careful on the 6 recording claim. Its 3 tuners and it can't record 6 of any channels at any times. There are rules about how it does it which has been discussed in other threads.

The HR34 with or without RVU is much better product.

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I agree 5 tuners are better than 3 (or virtual 6 part of the time). But Hopper has twice the capacity of the HR34, portable external storage, and pause in one room / resume in the next works like the DirecTV commercial says, which is something DirecTV can't even do. So it's not all bad.

Seems to me that you should wait until Hopper is actually released. The last time dish had a major release, the 922, the final product was not exactly what I saw at ces.

I will wait. I'm also waiting for DirecTV to release HR34 with RVU STBs. My main concern is HD PQ on Dish. I'm with mdavej: sports programming is not important to me. Basic HD is. Poor PQ is a deal breaker.

n-spring said:

The one concern I have is picture quality on Dish. Can someone give me an honest assessment of PQ on Dish vs DirecTV?

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I have had both services at the same time and have done A/B tests on many channels. Directv may have a very slight HD advantage, only barely noticeable on quick A/B tests. On SD channels Dish wins. These tests were done on a high end Samsung 46" LCD TV. On a blind test I could not tell whether I am watching Dish or Directv. Better HD PQ on Directv is highly exaggerated.

I also have Netflix. Netflix is much much better than Dish streaming. The Dish streaming UI is horrible and slow. Netfix also has a much larger and better collection of videos/movies.

n-spring said:

sports programming is not important to me. Basic HD is. Poor PQ is a deal breaker.

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Better sign up with Dish. In a blind test you can not tell if the picture comes from Dish or Directv. Dish easily has many many more HD channels, basic and premiums. From what I have seen, Directv is not in any hurry to add more HD.

We do know we're getting more this year, we just don't know what or when.

Lazy Senior said:

Better sign up with Dish. In a blind test you can not tell if the picture comes from Dish or Directv. Dish easily has many many more HD channels, basic and premiums. From what I have seen, Directv is not in any hurry to add more HD.

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Dish does not have more Premium channels that DirecTV in HD anymore.In the General Satellite Forum,James Long's HD comparision lists shows that DirecTV has more Premium channels and Sports channels in HD,compared to DISH.DISH still has more Basic channels in HD.

Jhon69 said:

Dish does not have more Premium channels that DirecTV in HD anymore

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That was a very nice chart and easy to read. The biggest omission that I see is Directv does not carry the Epix channels which are excellent Premium movie channels. Directv also lack a lot in the Basic Channel HD department to the tune of about 19 channels. Dish lacks in Sports HD - no surprise there.

dpeters11 said:

We do know we're getting more this year, we just don't know what or when.

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Yes, I heard the same thing 2-3 years ago when I had Directv. Same old, same old.. :lol:

Well I do think they added 13 or 14 in 2010.

dpeters11 said:

Well I do think they added 13 or 14 in 2010.

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Yes they did...maybe more.