DirecTV thumbs up? Which receiver? Update: Purchased

[Stealth1024]

Looking at this package: <a href="http://www.americansatellite.com/products/viewprod.asp?nav=&SID=X615IG71567609QJ0XADA33AX9Q7S380P&ITEM=1145" target=_top>http://www.americansatellite.com/products/viewprod.asp?nav=&SID=X615IG71567609QJ0XADA33AX9Q7S380P&ITEM=1145</A>

Apparently a good deal for next to nothing, although it does require signing up for a year, but at least money isn't lost on equipment.

However, they have the same deal with an assortment of receivers. The Samsung didn't look too bad, just wondering your opinion.

 

[Paulson]

My dad had dishnetwork and then got rid of it for cable... which he went nuts over and then decided to get direcTV...

I think direcTV is better, but that's just me.

We have hughes recievers (the original) and they work awesome... I'm sure any reciever would work just fine... they probably just have different display and graphics...

 

[ThaGrandCow]

Go with Dish Network instead. The deals are better, and you can still get the "equipment is free with 12 month committment" option. You'll get the same package for less money, and the customer support isn't farmed to a slackjawed yokel in some other country.

 

[jmgonzalez]

Go with DirecTV.

I've been with them for over 3 years and have had no problems with them.

I actually signed up before they started offering free equipment, so I paid a pretty penny to get the stuff that I needed. But, I don't mind it a bit.

If you're going with DirecTV, you must get it with a Tivo receiver. Sure, it's a bit more, but it will change the way you watch television.

As for what ThaGrandCow said about the DTV Customer Support, I have had no problems in the few times that I called them. It sure didn't sound like they were in some other country, either. If you want that, call Dell Customer Support.

 

[flxnimprtmscl]

Go with dish network. I had dish, went to directv, and then went back to dish. I had problems getting my directv system up and going (even though I put my dish system up no problem) and had to call directv's cust. support. Big mistake. Easily the worst support I've ever dealt with in my entire life. Dish on the other hand, will bend over backwards to help you if there's ever a problem. That makes all the difference for me. Dish customer for life here. Plus, as someone said, they do have better programing deals imo.

 

[ThaGrandCow]

Originally posted by: jmgonzalez
Go with DirecTV.

I've been with them for over 3 years and have had no problems with them.

I actually signed up before they started offering free equipment, so I paid a pretty penny to get the stuff that I needed. But, I don't mind it a bit.

If you're going with DirecTV, you must get it with a Tivo receiver. Sure, it's a bit more, but it will change the way you watch television.

As for what ThaGrandCow said about the DTV Customer Support, I have had no problems in the few times that I called them. It sure didn't sound like they were in some other country, either. If you want that, call Dell Customer Support.

Then you got lucky. Or your problem was one of the ones that 50% of the people had so reading lines off a screen fixed it. The problem arises when diagnosing a larger problem. That's where you see the difference. As for a Tivo like box... with Dish it's called the 501, 508, or 721. Same technology.

And in the end, Dish still has a better deal on equipment/programming than DirecTV does. Look up the prices to see proof.

 

[Parrotheader]

Both services will deliver you awesome picture quality.

I personally went with Dish because I went through the programming packages channel-by-channel and realized that we'd only be losing about 3-4 channels we semi-regularly watched by going with their cheaper Top 50 package as opposed to Dish's regular Top 100 and DirecTVs Top 100 packages which are the ones most people get. We used the roughly $8-10/month we saved by going with that cheaper package and got Starz so we could have a ton of movies each month. It's definitely been a great decision as we watch and record movies off Starz all the time.

Whatever service you sign on with make sure you get a PVR/Tivo/Replay. It really will change the way you watch TV. That was another reason we went with Dish because they threw in their 60-hour PVR for only $50 extra at signup whereas it would've cost me at the very least $250+ to buy an equivalent Tivo or Replay receiver. Granted, it doesn't have some of the personalization features that Tivo or Replay have which some people want. But then again, you have to pay an extra monthly or lifetime fee for a lot of those services anyway. My DishPVR is still a breeze to program and being able to pause and rewind live TV are the bread-and-butter feature of any PVR and it is a WONDERFUL enhancement to the TV viewing experience.

 

[arod]

Dish here as well because of the top50 package... A very complete package for 25 bucks. I have DirecTV too but only for HDTV. DirecTV has the better equipment but Dish has better programming packages and deals.

 

[jmgonzalez]

Nope, I've had problems with reception, receivers, accounts and have nothing but praise for the CS department.

As for the Dish Tivo like box, there is no comparison between Tivo and whatever it is that Dish sells to you. From many folks who have tried the Dish solution and having major issues with them, i'm happily running my 3 tivo boxes without those same type of problems.

I'll gladly pay a little extra for the service and support that DTV has offered to me for my account with them.

Even though i'll gladly pay the Premium package price for DTV, it doesn't hurt that they have an ongoing deal for $20 off a month if you request it the right way.

Anything to stay away from cable....

Originally posted by: ThaGrandCow

Originally posted by: jmgonzalez


Then you got lucky. Or your problem was one of the ones that 50% of the people had so reading lines off a screen fixed it. The problem arises when diagnosing a larger problem. That's where you see the difference. As for a Tivo like box... with Dish it's called the 501, 508, or 721. Same technology.

And in the end, Dish still has a better deal on equipment/programming than DirecTV does. Look up the prices to see proof.

 

[Stealth1024]

Well we ended up purchasing the DirecTV package with Samsung receivers (got the 2 receiver package so we have an extra one for another room, extra $4.99/month)

The TIVO looked very cool and perhaps we will get one in time but in several years I see everything going to firewire HI-DEF based recording devices and so we would just have to get a new receiver and other equipment anyway...

Also cable is not available here in the country, so it was either purchase a new antenna or spend the $300 towards a year subscription with a sat. dish, it was a no brainer I hope...



I liked the basic package DirecTV offered over The Dish with its Fox News Channel, etc.