DirecTV or Dish... can't decide

[cpals]

Trying to decide between the DirecTV Choice Plan and the Dish Top 200. I compared the plans and these two have all the channels I want. I went on myrateplan.com and the prices are pretty similar $50-$60/month.

My question is, for what I'm looking for (posted below) what would be the best choice for me?

Needs/Uses
1. Strictly SD (I don't have a HD TV)
2. Would like to get local channels
3. Nice to have a dual-tuner DVR
4. DVR ease of use is a plus for the wife
5. No more than two rooms would use the satellite
6. Don't really care too much about 'premium' channels

Is DirecTV the best choice? I'm really against cable as that is above my price point.

Oh yeah, it would be nice to get install/sats, etc for free... what's the best deal out there and how can I get it?

Thanks.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Well, DTV will give you a free DVR, but DISH will give you a free HD-DVR. I know you don't have an HD set, but their HD DVR does both and can record 350 hours of SDTV. You also get three months of HBO and Cinemax.........I'm currently recording all kinds of movies off those channels.

But, ya, either way, satellite is definitely the way to go.

 

[KLin]

I just upgraded to the HR20(HD-DVR) through directv. It rocks. It can also record OTA local channels in high def. :thumbsup:.

 

[cpals]

Originally posted by: KLin
I just upgraded to the HR20(HD-DVR) through directv. It rocks. It can also record OTA local channels in high def. :thumbsup:.

I've heard mixed reviews on the HR20... is it any good?

 

[RossMAN]

Don't forget to sign up for their affiliate program or someone you know
http://www.expertsatellite.com...ectv-affiliate-program

 

[kindest]

please do. make my dtv stock go up up up.

 

[1sikbITCH]

Make sure you have line of sight to the 101 and 103 satellites for DTV or whatever satellites Dish uses. One tall tree can make this a non-issue.

 

[Xylitol]

Go with bunny ears for your TV

 

[cKGunslinger]

Like RossMan said, if you know someone with it, let them refer you.

If you don't know someone, let me introduce myself..

 

[cpals]

Originally posted by: Xylitol
Go with bunny ears for your TV

That's what I've been using and get all the major channels pretty clearly. Not sure if it's worth $30-$40 to get more channels that I may or may not watch.

 

[meltdown75]

Originally posted by: 1sikbITCH
Make sure you have line of sight to the 101 and 103 satellites for DTV or whatever satellites Dish uses. One tall tree can make this a non-issue.

Dishnet uses the Echostar 110 and 119 birds.

My dish is pointed at the treeline behind my house and I don't have any signal issues.

 

[broon]

I am cheap. I did extensive price comps before buying and I ended up with a Dish dual tuner DVR. That would take care of all your needs.

 

[Atvar]

I have directv with their hd dvr. I couldn't be happier with the service. You might be able to work a deal for the hd dvr as well if you are nice to them. I got mine for free after a couple calls and some begging They also comp you programming all the time if you call and ask nicely. Just make sure to pay your bill on time. Honestly, and ymmv, I haven't found an easier company to deal with on the phone. Always helpful and friendly. Maybe I have been lucky, but they have been cool with me.

 

[cpals]

Originally posted by: broon
I am cheap. I did extensive price comps before buying and I ended up with a Dish dual tuner DVR. That would take care of all your needs.

I'm looking for the best bang for the buck... I looked at DTV and their basic package ($29.99) doesn't come with too many channels, but paying over $50 for their next package I don't know if I can't justify that either.

I'm staying pretty busy watching all the channels on the main tv networks (ABC, NBC, FOX, etc) that I don't know if it's worth the money to go satellite.

 

[Electric Amish]

I love my DirectTV. Been with it for ~10 years.

My biggest beef with Dish is them calling me to "save me money"

<Dish> "You get these channels for just $36.99 per month!! Which is much less than what you're paying now."
<Me> "Yes, but I have more and different channels in my current package than you are offering in your $36.99 package."
<Dish> "Yeah, but you'll be saving money."
<Me> <click>

 

[cpals]

Is there a current place that has a side by side comparison of dish vs directv channel lineups? All the ones I've found are outdated (they don't even have the correct package names)

 

[Scarpozzi]

Sunday Ticket FTW!!!!

 

[cpals]

Updated with specifics.

 

[WTT0001]

The question is : Do you have a land-line, if you do, dish will end up cheaper per month (Dual Tuner DVR actually feeds 2 rooms so no charge for the 2nd room, but the downside is that it is shared, you only can do 2 things live at the same time so if you are using both rooms at the same time recording can be a problem).

If you don't then it is roughly the same price and it really would be personal preference, DTV in my case (DTV has the yes network, Dish doesn't).

LMK if you have any ???s,

WTT
DTV/Dish/Wildblue/Hnet Installer

 

[1sikbITCH]

If you choose Directv, get someone with Directv already to refer you and you'll save $50 off your first month (your referrer will get $50 off his/her bill as well).

For Directv, the best thing to do is call them up and start haggling. The installation and satellite is already free, but you can get extra receivers, great monthly rates, free movie channels, etc. They will do whatever it takes to make a sale, and this is to your benefit. And it won't hurt to mention whatever deal Dish is offering you.

 

[cpals]

Originally posted by: WTT0001
The question is : Do you have a land-line, if you do, dish will end up cheaper per month (Dual Tuner DVR actually feeds 2 rooms so no charge for the 2nd room, but the downside is that it is shared, you only can do 2 things live at the same time so if you are using both rooms at the same time recording can be a problem).

If you don't then it is roughly the same price and it really would be personal preference, DTV in my case (DTV has the yes network, Dish doesn't).

LMK if you have any ???s,

WTT
DTV/Dish/Wildblue/Hnet Installer

If by land line you mean telephone line, then yes I do have one in both rooms. Also, my house is newly built so it's all wired for coax.

Is there anyway to have the main room (with the dvr) be able to use the two channels for itself and my second room watch something different? What about the second room viewing whats on the main rooms recordings?

 

[MagicConch]

re: Dish, yes the 2nd room pulls the shows directly from the unit so you can start watching it in the family room and finish watching a show in another room for ex. it also has picture-in-picture so you can use both tuners on the primary tv if no one is watching 2nd tv, and you can watch two shows previously recorded while 3 more are being recorded (1 ota and 2 tuner) it also has 30 second skip

 

[cpals]

Originally posted by: MagicConch
re: Dish, yes the 2nd room pulls the shows directly from the unit so you can start watching it in the family room and finish watching a show in another room for ex. it also has picture-in-picture so you can use both tuners on the primary tv if no one is watching 2nd tv, and you can watch two shows previously recorded while 3 more are being recorded (1 ota and 2 tuner) it also has 30 second skip

Is this strictly the HD DVR or can the SD DVR do this also?

 

[KLin]

Originally posted by: cpals

Originally posted by: KLin
I just upgraded to the HR20(HD-DVR) through directv. It rocks. It can also record OTA local channels in high def. :thumbsup:.

I've heard mixed reviews on the HR20... is it any good?

Considering the only other DVR I've used is the comcast HDDVR(motorola 6412 I think?) it's a very good hddvr.