Which Satellite Package Should I Get?

[cpals]

Right now I have the 5M DSL + Local Phone for $74.90. I'm thinking about bumping the DSL down to 1.5 and go for satellite TV. Right now I just get OTA HD. Should I go for the Embarq triple bundle which gives you tv,dsl, and phone for $90 or so? Or would it be better to just keep the dsl/phone bundle and get the satellite separate?

I'm assuming I'd be able to grab a better deal if I purchased the satellite separate. So then the choice would be Dish or Directv? I'm interested in getting HD channels, but if the cost is too much then I'll have to leave it.

My Equipment:

47" 1080p LCD
Onkyo 605 Receiver

What satellite company is the best bang for the buck and can get good DVR/HD service for cheap? I'd like the whole package to be under $100-$125.

Thanks!

 

[Kaolccips]

DirectTV > Dish

I had both and I can say without a doubt Direct TV was better. Always had problems with Dish going out when it rained n crap (which it isn't suppose to do).

 

[Modelworks]

Originally posted by: Kaolccips
DirectTV > Dish

I had both and I can say without a doubt Direct TV was better. Always had problems with Dish going out when it rained n crap (which it isn't suppose to do).

They all can go out when it rains.
Dish or Directv cannot control the weather.


I've had both.
I currently use embarq with phone/dsl/dish
I like the dish dvr better.

 

[Pabster]

Dish DVR is better, no doubt. But overall, D* > E*, and (IMHO) by a significant margin.

In the end, it's up to you. I prefer lots more HD content over a better DVR interface.

 

[Kaolccips]

Originally posted by: Modelworks

Originally posted by: Kaolccips
DirectTV > Dish

I had both and I can say without a doubt Direct TV was better. Always had problems with Dish going out when it rained n crap (which it isn't suppose to do).

They all can go out when it rains.
Dish or Directv cannot control the weather.


I've had both.
I currently use embarq with phone/dsl/dish
I like the dish dvr better.

Of course.

But my Dish went out MUCH more often than Direct TV.
Plus I just liked the look of the Direct TV guide more than the Dish one..

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: Modelworks

Originally posted by: Kaolccips
DirectTV > Dish

I had both and I can say without a doubt Direct TV was better. Always had problems with Dish going out when it rained n crap (which it isn't suppose to do).

They all can go out when it rains.
Dish or Directv cannot control the weather.


I've had both.
I currently use embarq with phone/dsl/dish
I like the dish dvr better.

I live in Seattle and have had DirectTV for a few months now and I have yet to have all the channels go out. Yes, it has rained....

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

I like Dish personally. I have used both but DirecTV always gave me crap whenever my signal got messed up due to rain and stuff. DirecTV says they have more HD channels but I don't really know. Dish has better service.

 

[mpitts]

I have had Directv for over 9 years. They have always been great to deal with.

 

[cpals]

Originally posted by: Modelworks

Originally posted by: Kaolccips
DirectTV > Dish

I had both and I can say without a doubt Direct TV was better. Always had problems with Dish going out when it rained n crap (which it isn't suppose to do).

They all can go out when it rains.
Dish or Directv cannot control the weather.


I've had both.
I currently use embarq with phone/dsl/dish
I like the dish dvr better.

Can you get the same kind of deals as if you went directly with Dish? Like free upgrade to HD DVR, special package deals, etc? Also, does Dish come with free locals?

Thanks.

 

[sdifox]

which ever one that has switched over to mpeg4

 

[cpals]

Originally posted by: sdifox
which ever one that has switched over to mpeg4

According to HowStuffWorks, both providers are MPEG4.

http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/satellite-hd1.htm

 

[Muadib]

I have Directv, and think Dish has the better HDDVR. The Dish receiver will allow you to connect 2 tv sets to it. However only one of them will be in a HD resolution, so to me that feature is useless. Other than that, both boxes are pretty much the same.

Directv offers quite a few more HD channels than Dish, and since Dish's last satellite launch failed, that's not going to change anytime soon. Directv also launched a new satellite, and it should be online by the fall. That just means their HD channel lead will grow. Directv HDTV packages are also cheaper than Dish. $15 vs $20 per month if you get both packages.

Heres a chart listing the current channels, and what channels have been announced to be comming.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I've had Directv for about 6 years now and I have no complaints. I got the HD-DVR over a year ago and it looks fantastic on my 50" Samsung DLP set (the picture, not the DVR ).

I like sports and Directv has NFL Sunday ticket so you can get all the games in HD. Plus they now have Speed Channel in HD. I think Directv has the most HD programming out of anyone at the moment.

The DVR works fine. I haven't used the Dish one so I cannot compare but I've got no complaints about this one.

 

[CptCrunch]

had directv, they wouldn't give an HD box, so with went with dish. hated every minute of it, 6 months later, back to directv with free hd box

 

[cpals]

Originally posted by: CptCrunch
had directv, they wouldn't give an HD box, so with went with dish. hated every minute of it, 6 months later, back to directv with free hd box

Will Directv give you a free HD DVR now or just the HD receiver for new sign ups?

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: cpals

Originally posted by: CptCrunch
had directv, they wouldn't give an HD box, so with went with dish. hated every minute of it, 6 months later, back to directv with free hd box

Will Directv give you a free HD DVR now or just the HD receiver for new sign ups?

You can get the DVR for free.

 

[austin316]

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: cpals

Originally posted by: CptCrunch
had directv, they wouldn't give an HD box, so with went with dish. hated every minute of it, 6 months later, back to directv with free hd box

Will Directv give you a free HD DVR now or just the HD receiver for new sign ups?

You can get the DVR for free.

Nope. the HD-DVR is $99 and you are only leasing it. Kinda sucks but I went ahead and ordered it anyway.

 

[cpals]

Dang... I just don't know. I added it all up online and it comes out to be around $59.99 for the first 12 months. That's around $750 a year. Not sure if we watch enough TV to make that jump.

 

[umbrella39]

Originally posted by: Kaolccips
DirectTV > Dish

I had both and I can say without a doubt Direct TV was better. Always had problems with Dish going out when it rained n crap (which it isn't suppose to do).

+1

 

[cpals]

Is the $29.99/month Directv package any good? Is it missing any critical channels and can you get HD with it?

 

[BoomerD]

Do you have AT&T available where you are?

We're seriously considering dropping Dish for AT&T's Uverse:
https://uverse1.att.com/un/launchAMSS.do

Some of the benefits are:
Faster DSL
DVR
Better/clearer picture (even ATOT'ers like it)
Great channel line up
AND, I save about $30 over my current AT&T/Dish bill.

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: austin316

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: cpals

Originally posted by: CptCrunch
had directv, they wouldn't give an HD box, so with went with dish. hated every minute of it, 6 months later, back to directv with free hd box

Will Directv give you a free HD DVR now or just the HD receiver for new sign ups?

You can get the DVR for free.

Nope. the HD-DVR is $99 and you are only leasing it. Kinda sucks but I went ahead and ordered it anyway.

Did you click the link? They give up an instant rebate which makes it free. Yes you are leasing it, that's the way it is with them now, unless you pay full price for the box.

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: cpals
Is the $29.99/month Directv package any good? Is it missing any critical channels and can you get HD with it?

That package doesn't include HD. If you want HD, it's another $9.99 a month.

 

[dr150]

I've had Dish for 9 months.

All I can say, coming from Comcast, is that it ROCKS!

The DVR is fantastic/simple. The signal is strong and never has gone out with super strong rains or wind.

Service has been great.

I'm a believer!

 

[SpunkyJones]

Just got a new DVR from Directv instaled today, I'll miss my tivo, but now I have a whole mess of new HD channels to watch. Been with them for years and have loved every moment of it. Cable can suck my ass.