DirectTV vs Dish Network

[lykaon78]

I'm tired of paying $75/month for basic cable through Time Warner. Please help me make my decision and weigh-in on which company is better.

Thanks

 

[MDE]

DirecTV's hardware seems to be much easier to use, especially the DirecTiVo. Dish's DVR interface sucks.

 

[jersiq]

I have Direct TV at home, and Dish network at work.
I would definitely go with Direct TV only because the DVR's are TIVO, and I find the TIVO interface much better than a lot of other DVR's.
If you're not going the DVR route, I still find the menus and remote control much better than the Dish Network.

Be warned Direct TV is getting pricey. My 2 room DVR package is costing me around $50-60/month.

 

[boomerang]

I'm with Dish and love their 721 DVR receiver. I'd marry it if I wasn't already married. I have not seen Direct TV's interface though.

Check both price and commitment before deciding. Dish seems to have tons of fees associated with their receivers as of late.

Edit: You may find some good information here.

 

[Gilligansdingy]

Order a Ariza Xtreme and get in to FTA. Never have another cable, or sat bill again.

 

[eelw]

Yeah, FTA FTW!!!

 

[WTT0001]

I install them both, in your area there won't be much difference other than pricing and how the cables are run, DTV is going to be more expensive ($45 per month + $5 for every receiver past the first one), Dish is cheaper ($45 per month (for the "same" package but they have a cheaper one for $35 per month) + $5 for every 2 receivers past the first 2)

DTV is easier to install (straight runs from the dish to each receiver), Dish is harder (1 Run from dish to receiver then 1 from the receiver to the 2nd room)

DVRs are $6 per month for both, Dish is free, DTV is $100 with $100 rebate, The old DTV DVRs (R10 and earlier are tivo based) are awesome, the new DTV DVR isn't tivo based so at this point it isn't much better than the Dish DVR (But it still is better).

Dish has the edge in HD at the moment (Voom package + Normal HD) But DTV is rolling out the locals in HD. The Dish HD Receiver is free (I think, don't quote me on that), DTV is $200 (Again, I Think, Don't quote me on that one either, We don't do that many HD installs, not much demand in this area).

That should about cover it, Any more questions, LMK,

WTT

P.S. I give DTV the win based on the older DVR units, but if you can't find one, go with Dish due to pricing.

 

[jadinolf]

I dumped Direct TV in March and went for Dish's $19.95 plan.

I only watch a few channels anyway and this was perfect for me.

 

[FoBoT]

i like my dish

 

[CtK]

i have DTV and pay about $130 a month for 4 rooms and all of their premium channels

 

[rudder]

antennas FTW

 

[SouthPaW1227]

They both get hella pricey when you want an HD-DVR

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: WTT0001
I install them both, in your area there won't be much difference other than pricing and how the cables are run, DTV is going to be more expensive ($45 per month + $5 for every receiver past the first one), Dish is cheaper ($45 per month (for the "same" package but they have a cheaper one for $35 per month) + $5 for every 2 receivers past the first 2)

DTV is easier to install (straight runs from the dish to each receiver), Dish is harder (1 Run from dish to receiver then 1 from the receiver to the 2nd room)

DVRs are $6 per month for both, Dish is free, DTV is $100 with $100 rebate, The old DTV DVRs (R10 and earlier are tivo based) are awesome, the new DTV DVR isn't tivo based so at this point it isn't much better than the Dish DVR (But it still is better).

Dish has the edge in HD at the moment (Voom package + Normal HD) But DTV is rolling out the locals in HD. The Dish HD Receiver is free (I think, don't quote me on that), DTV is $200 (Again, I Think, Don't quote me on that one either, We don't do that many HD installs, not much demand in this area).

That should about cover it, Any more questions, LMK,

WTT

P.S. I give DTV the win based on the older DVR units, but if you can't find one, go with Dish due to pricing.

I choose to disagree with you on a couple points. I believe that non-DVR HD receivers are free with both companies.

DirecTV HD-DVR is about $400 for new subs, Dish is $300. There's a new HD-DVR due for DirecTV in a few months so I'd wait on buying one.

From my comparisons, Dish does have better HD programming BUT the overall edge in programming goes to DirecTV. I can't even get my local Fox Sports affiliates on Dish for under $70 a month I think. Those should be included on the most basic package IMHO.

Anyway, I just hacked my DirecTV Tivo and am waiting under the new HD-DVR comes out.

 

[j00fek]

75/mo for basic? i pay 99/mo for hsi/basic from crapdelphia o-0

 

[Yourself]

Originally posted by: CtK
i have DTV and pay about $130 a month for 4 rooms and all of their premium channels

Same here...plus Sunday Ticket FTW....

 

[broon]

Originally posted by: Gilligansdingy
Order a Ariza Xtreme and get in to FTA. Never have another cable, or sat bill again.

How does it work?

 

[WTT0001]

In Response to Nutbucket, I wasn't sure on the HD receiver prices, as I said, don't quote me on that one We havn't needed a HD receiver in 3 months or so, no demand for it in this area at the moment (HD locals should here soon and hopefully they pick up a bit then)

And as for programming I did forget to mention that if you are a sports fan, DTV is probably a better choice

I think that covers both points,

WTT

 

[lykaon78]

So is FTA like a cable box/converter for all satelite signals (in other wordss free satelite?)

 

[johnjbruin]

I love the dish DVR that we have. One box serves two rooms with two tuners. The RF remotes work flawlessly from everywhere.
The programming is really good too.

 

[John]

I had DirecTV for a few years and switched to Dish a while back. I just upgraded my Dish 811 to a ViP622 and added a 3rd dish to my roof (for the 129 bird). The additional HD channels are very nice, and the SD quality on my KDF-E50A10 has improved immensely.

 

[SampSon]

DirecTV doesn't have the proper channels for me to watch local hockey games. That makes it basically useless to me.

 

[eelw]

Originally posted by: lykaon78
So is FTA like a cable box/converter for all satelite signals (in other wordss free satelite?)

Yup. And more

 

[cHeeZeFacTory]

the actual 'free' fta channels are not the usual channels you're familiar with, unless you go for the 'other' fta channels.