Comcast vs Dish Network vs DirecTV

Reckoner

Lifer
Jun 11, 2004
10,851
1
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Which do you prefer and why? I need an alternative to comcast with their monopolistic prices.
 

Pacfanweb

Lifer
Jan 2, 2000
13,155
59
91
Originally posted by: PaulNEPats
Originally posted by: Pacfanweb
Depends....do you have an HDTV?

damn, edited my typo.

yes
Then cable will provide the better HD picture. Both Dish and Direct compress their HD signals, so they really are sending you either 1280x1080 or 1440x1080 instead of 1920x1080.

Still, these will look better than regular TV, by far.
And I think both at least send ESPN HD in the native 720p, so not all the HD channels are compressed.

From what my research has found, both Direct and Dish offer more HD and regular channels for less money than TWC...don't know about Comcast.
Dish in particular, has a lot more HD channels...now whether you'll watch them is another story.

It's gotten to where you don't even have to buy the equipment anymore from the satellite folks.

Just compare the different packages and see what's best for you.
 

Pacfanweb

Lifer
Jan 2, 2000
13,155
59
91
BTW, google "HD Lite" if you want to read about Dish and Direct sending out a less-than-true-HD signal.
 

Reckoner

Lifer
Jun 11, 2004
10,851
1
81
Originally posted by: Pacfanweb
Originally posted by: PaulNEPats
Originally posted by: Pacfanweb
Depends....do you have an HDTV?

damn, edited my typo.

yes
Then cable will provide the better HD picture. Both Dish and Direct compress their HD signals, so they really are sending you either 1280x1080 or 1440x1080 instead of 1920x1080.

Still, these will look better than regular TV, by far.
And I think both at least send ESPN HD in the native 720p, so not all the HD channels are compressed.

From what my research has found, both Direct and Dish offer more HD and regular channels for less money than TWC...don't know about Comcast.
Dish in particular, has a lot more HD channels...now whether you'll watch them is another story.

It's gotten to where you don't even have to buy the equipment anymore from the satellite folks.

Just compare the different packages and see what's best for you.


Yeah I just signed up for Dish Network's DigitalHD Silver plan. They were around 20-30 bucks cheaper than Comcast, and offer more HD channels.
 

Pacfanweb

Lifer
Jan 2, 2000
13,155
59
91
Originally posted by: PaulNEPats
Yeah I just signed up for Dish Network's DigitalHD Silver plan. They were around 20-30 bucks cheaper than Comcast, and offer more HD channels.
Well, if you've never seen the difference in picture quality between satellite HD and cable HD, you'll never know the difference.
 

Reckoner

Lifer
Jun 11, 2004
10,851
1
81
Any other people using Dish Network who care to chime in? I'm thinking of placing an order this week.
 

aswedc

Diamond Member
Oct 25, 2000
3,543
0
76
"HD Lite" never bothered me too much with Dish Network. What did bother me is non HD channels look like absolute crap on a HDTV because of the extreme compression. It's practically like watching a Youtube vid. Comcast is much better if you watch the non HD channels.