DIRECTV vs. DISH

I have only had Direct TV for a little over two months. Moved from DishNetwork. I think I may have made a BIG mistake. Now I am committed to two years with Direct TV. I moved because I wanted the more HD channels they offered. they might have more HD channels but their receivers aren’t worth bringing home. I have a HD H21-100 and HD HR21-100(DVR). I called on the DVR the first week. It kept locking up. It seems to have gotten better, I don’t know if they sent a new update to it or not. But don’t get the plain HD receiver. They don’t tell you that every time the electricity blinks that you will have to go through a complete setup of the receiver each time. You better hope it doesn’t happen more than once in a day or that is all you will be doing. You have to go through and choose what dish you have outside, your zip code, then some numbers punched in using also the mute and channel up/down and select keys. Several continues. Then waiting for each satellite to pick up their signal. After all this then you will need to go back and reset your HD statuses, such as screen ratio, crop, stretch etc and other stuff. Then if that isn’t enough if you buy an RF remote separately (because only and IR comes with) you will need to reprogram it to work and if you have a DVD or surround sound hooked you will need to reprogram that too to the remote. What a headache. I have called several times. Was told that is the way the receiver is (this is the TIVO version for DirectTV receiver) and won’t be any different. I can either upgrade to a HD DVR and pay $200 more or downgrade to a standard receiver or buy a UPS and hook to it so the power is never interupted again. Needless to say that as soon as my subscription is up I will more than likely go back to DishNetwork unless there are changes made in the receivers. Also, I was told how TIVO and their products are so much better in searches and everything. I don’t think so. DishNetwork receivers are so much easier to use. The only beef I had with Dish’s was if a show lasted longer or changed time it would cut it off or tape the wrong program. But with as many problems I have had (there has also been billing problems with overcharging too) in the two months, I sure don’t look forward to the other 22 months with DIRECT TV.

Tivo no longer exist.

With the new DVR, you can’t switch from 1 program to another without first recording it.

We have had DISH Network for several years and have had nothing but good experiences so far with them. We switched from cable and started out paying the same fees for DISH and over 80 channels that we had been paying for basic cable. It was really a no-brainer when it came to making the switch. Additionally, their customer service has been outstanding; when I complained recently that we lost a signal every time it rained, they sent out a tech who ended up replacing something on the dish and we’ve not lost the signal since – over three months and several wind and rain storms ago. We’re not too sports crazy in our home, so we’re not all that interested in the extra sports packages offered by either DISH or DirectTV. I think that’s one reason we’re so happy with DISH; we aren’t depending on them for much in the way of sports programming.

What I really resent about DirectTV, and what makes me skeptical about everything they say in their television ads is that their mailed promotional material in our area appears to be a bill. It arrives in an envelope which is labeled, “Urgent – Open immediately,” “Act now to prevent cancellation of your account,” or “Important information about your account enclosed.” It is deceptive and misleading. If this advertising ploy represents the company, then I don’t want anything to do with them. That gimmick alone – mailing me what seems to be a bill – has put me off of ever reading what they send to us or trust what they have to say in their television ads. It has had the effect of keeping me loyal to DISH Network.

I’m very happy with the service, channel selection, and support we’ve gotten through DISH. I recommend it all the time.

We’ve had Dish Network so long now I can’t even remember when we didn’t. I only know we dumped Comcast fr it. We’ve had virtually no problems with our sets. One of them we use for our RV and that has been a lifesaver for us. Getting weather in the 'outback’ of Nevada has kept us out of trouble many times. It’s always been relatively easy to set up our dish when on trips.

The home DVR is set up with two TV’s. One in the living room and one in our office. Works great. Now I’m going to mount another dish on my shop and use the RV box to run it when we’re not out on a trip. I can’t wait. I’ll use it mainly for music out there, and since Dish has their music PLUS Sirius Satellite music, there’s no problem finding a music channel I like.

I’m sure DirecTV is pretty much the same, but we’ve been loyal Dish subscribers for years and see no reason to change. Their customer service has always been very good, the few times we needed to call them, and, as someone else mentioned, the people on the other end always speak English.

It took a while to get used to subtle differences between DIRECTV & Dish Network. They both have their pros & cons. With DIRECTV I really like the TiVo system I got. It was the first time I could record two shows at once, or record one show and watch another. This was probably the best part. What I didn’t like was the Guide. My biggest complaint is that it doesn’t show channels in red that you don’t have like Dish Network does. So you never really knew if you had a channel unless you clicked on it and got a message. Plus it only allow on favorite list and you had to wade through some menu options to change your favorite list.

I just had my Dishnetwork installed. I am very pleased. I have never seen a television HD (high definition) so clear and rich in color (a little dark tint, like a cloudy weather type pictures, nevertheless, awesome). Granted, I purchased Samsung 58” plasma 1080p, (that makes all the difference in the world of high definition. I used Comcast Cable for over 10 years and DirecTV for two weeks; none came close to picture quality and clarity. Even my wife who did not care much about TV pictures acknowledged that she was blown away by the level of high definition. For a moment I thought I was watching one of my Bluray HD movies. It was that close. I know the transmission is not any more than 1080i, but those VOOM channels look like 1080p. The 2in1 DVR HD was awesome, but second TV extension, a regular digital reception is nothing to write home about. Installation was November, 12 2007, I have not experienced the weather problems everyone talks about yet and I anticipate that, because the installation technician explained that given that satellite receives signal from above the earth, you should expect interruption in service in a very bad weather (dark clouds, take-the-house-down type of rain). With DirecTV, we have to wake up at 6 AM to watch preprogrammed Pay per view movies. If I don’t come back early enough from work I could miss the afternoon pay per view movies, because they ended at 6 PM. That and a bunch of customer service personnel that tell you one thing and after installation, the language changes to something else. I obtained my service from AT&T Bundle with DirecTV. Please do not go that route, because you cannot hold anyone responsible for what was quoted to you and what DirecTV says afterwards. You have to deal with DirecTV later. After the installation, believe me, you are on your own. An 18 months commitment to cancel within 2 weeks is a joke. Once signed up, it turns into two years agreement and all those free installation is not free anymore. My two hundred dollars refundable equipment lease for additional HD receivers, became installation charge when I called to cancel within allowed time. Then customer’s service refers you to corporate office to fight to get your money back if you did’t agree. Think twice about what sales people tell you to get you to sign up. All that 70 plus HD; it’s a sales pitch. They count pay per view that you may not subscribe to, as part of the 70 plus HD. If you have a good 1080p TV, forget cable and DirecTV, go with Dish Network. Their HD channels are grouped together so if you don’t want to watch regular digital, you flip on HD only. It is cheaper too! I regret not doing this sooner. My house has a very clear view of the earth, no obstructions, I might add. Goodluck!

I have had DISHNETWORK for 8 years now and they have wonderful prices and customer service! When I need help i get someone who speaks english! switch to dish network NOW!

Switched from cable several years ago, and love it. Moved to Michigan and had tons of trees on my property and couldn’t get my dish installed. We hated having cable again. Moved back to Indy, and have DirecTV again and would recommend it to anyone. My Father in Law has the Dish Network, and hates it, and will get rid of it after his contract expires. He will be switching shortly. I’ve used his system and he doesn’t get near the channels, or options on his system for the price that we do with DirecTV.

I think Direct TV is good.
I prefer TIVO to Dish’s DVR.
I like Direct TV.

i have had dish network for 5 years i love it i pay $95.00 a month i have the everything pack locals and superstation pack i tell every on here to change to it are cabel here sucks its off almost every sunday night and there chanels that play more than one channel at the same time.
i payed $95 for cable for 40 channels that sucks