DirecTV or Dish Network?

[SugarTooth]

I'm thinking of getting rid of my Digital Cable. The packages for DirecTV and Dish seem pretty similar channel-wise. Any big differences, especially in regard to video quality?

 

[klaviernista]

If you get the HD version of either you probably won't notice much difference in picture quality. I went with Directv because of their awesome HD DVR. And don;t believe what your cable company would have you believe. I have only had my satellite go out twice in the past 2 years. The first time was because the remnanat of a hurricane passed over washington dc (where I live) and it downpoured for 4 days straight. Even then it was only out for about 30 minutes. The second time it went out I couldn;t figure out what had happened. I finally went out to my backyard to check on the dish and I noticed that my neighbors rose bush had grown in such a way that 2 branches were in front of the dish. I cut the branches down and voila, my siognal was back. Go figure that my satellite could withstand a hurricane but the overwhelming force of my neighbors rosebush was able to block it LOL.

 

[SugarTooth]

Good to know that about the resilience of the signal.

I'm not planning to get HD. I don't watch much sports and I wasn't gonna get premium movie channels - just an extended basic type package. I know that these services (like digital cable) allocate bits over the full spectrum of the channel listing, so you can have varying degrees of video quality. I'm wondering if one service is generally considered to be better about that kind of thing.

 

[jfall]

I had DTV and Dish, couldn't really tell a difference in video quality between the two

 

[MDE]

DirecTV is crystal clear for me.

 

[Pollock]

I've had both Dish and DirecTV, and I didn't really notice any difference in image quality, although that's not to say I was exactly looking for it either. I do like DirecTV better though, which is what I have now. I've very rarely had DirecTV go out either, usually only when it's really pouring out. I wish I could say the same for Direcway, though, as it seems it randomly loses its connection during perfectly clear days...

 

[ROJAS]

I have Directv with 3 receivers and no problems for the last 2 years. I canceelled Comcast cable.

 

[SugarTooth]

Did you notice a big difference in picture quality going from Comcast to DirecTV?

 

[MDE]

Originally posted by: SugarTooth
Did you notice a big difference in picture quality going from Comcast to DirecTV?

I noticed a huge difference between an analog signal from Comcast and DirecTV.

 

[SugarTooth]

I thought you meant Comcast Digital Cable - which is what I have. I actually prefer the analog signal a lot of times because the compression gets unbearable on digital cable on occasion.

 

[rbV5]

Comcast Digital cable has poor PQ compared to the analog cable channels IMO.

 

[titanmiller]

I have Dish; most channels have excellent picture quality (with the exception of the smaller channels...less bandwidth = tons of artifacts)
From our experience all it takes is a rain cloud in the line of sight to knock out the signal, it does not even have to be raining where the dish is located, just a cloud somewhere between your dish and the satellite. I would say it knocks out due to weather 5-10 times per year.