Which is better and why?

Easy answer for me. DTV. Reason: NFL Sunday Ticket. Also, lots of HD channels, great picture quality and I love the feature that allows me to set recordings from the internet when I am not home (including my Blackberry). Dish may also have this, not sure. I have had DTV for a long time and enjoy it very much.

Gotta agree.

 

I've had both and I like Direct TV better, mainly because of NFL Sunday Ticket.

DTV. The Red Zone Channel for the NFL is the greatest channel ever.

I've had DTV for around 7 years now, and I haven't had any issues. My neighbor just switch from cable to DISH (had DTV before cable), and so far, he's had no issues with DISH. If you go with DTV, I can save you $100.

No issues with the weather with DTV or Dish? I'm debating a switch from the local cable.

No issues with the weather with DTV or Dish? I'm debating a switch from the local cable.

 

I only have issues with extremely strong downpours, and the hurricane strength winds we had in 2008. My neighbor that switched from cable to DISH said he had more connection issues with cable than he did with DTV.

I only have issues with extremely strong downpours, and the hurricane strength winds we had in 2008. My neighbor that switched from cable to DISH said he had more connection issues with cable than he did with DTV.

 

:thumb: Thanks nees. About time for me to switch.

No issues with the weather with DTV or Dish? I'm debating a switch from the local cable.

 

The issues that people had with dishes and the weather in the late 90s and early 2000s are pretty non-existent these days. Mine has seen some crazy weather hit and be fine. I'm not saying it never goes out because it does very rarely and for maybe 5 minutes at the worst. I've found it to be just as reliable -- if not more so -- than cable.

 

I had Dish for a few years, but had a poor Customer Service experience that caused me to leave. I've been a DIRECTV subscriber for around one year now and I'm more than satisfied.

 

If I had to compare the two, I would say that DIRECTV gets the nod as far as programming goes. Dish, I would say has better receivers and their software seems to run a little faster.

 

I prefer DIRECTV, but neither is really a bad option.

The issues that people had with dishes and the weather in the late 90s and early 2000s are pretty non-existent these days. Mine has seen some crazy weather hit and be fine. I'm not saying it never goes out because it does very rarely and for maybe 5 minutes at the worst. I've found it to be just as reliable -- if not more so -- than cable.

 

I had Dish for a few years, but had a poor Customer Service experience that caused me to leave. I've been a DIRECTV subscriber for around one year now and I'm more than satisfied.

 

If I had to compare the two, I would say that DIRECTV gets the nod as far as programming goes. Dish, I would say has better receivers and their software seems to run a little faster.

 

I prefer DIRECTV, but neither is really a bad option.

 

Thanks Hangman. What would it cost for HBO, and sports channels in HD etc..? My problem is we have 7 TV's hooked up right now.

Thanks Hangman. What would it cost for HBO, and sports channels in HD etc..? My problem is we have 7 TV's hooked up right now.

 

Having 7 TVs with DTV is going to run you an extra $30 per month on top of your programming package. There is a $5 fee per receiver, with the first being free. If I'm not mistaken, this area is where DISH is better.

On an unrelated note, does anyone know if ESPNU plans on adding a high-def channel?

On an unrelated note, does anyone know if ESPNU plans on adding a high-def channel?

 

There already is one. Insight has it 922 on their NKY cable lineup.

There already is one. Insight has it 922 on their NKY cable lineup.

 

I'll be darned. Well, there's a strike against Directv. I'm sure it will be added soon.

Thanks Hangman. What would it cost for HBO, and sports channels in HD etc..? My problem is we have 7 TV's hooked up right now.

 

Now you're talking a little expensive... But I can give you some general ideas. If any of the below confuses you, let me know and I will clarify. I get a little wordy sometimes.

 

If you want DIRECTV and you want HD, you likely want to get at least the Choice XTRA plan. This plan is $63.99 normally, but you can get a first year introductory price of $34.99. This comes with three free months of Starz and Showtime.

 

If you want HD access, this is an additional $10 / month (up to $44.99).

 

A standard installation includes 4 standard receivers. On the Choice XTRA plan and above (Choice Ultimate [this is a new package] and Premier are the next two steps up) you are eligible to upgrade one of those four receivers to a HD, DVR, or HD-DVR receiver at no additional upfront cost. For your 2nd and each additional receiver, however, if you wanted to upgrade those to HD it would cost $99 per receiver upfront. HD-DVRs would be $199 per receiver upfront.

 

If you wanted DVR access it would be $7 / month... Again, this access would just be on one TV unless you wanted to pay additional upfront costs to upgrade the other TVs. If you made all of the TVs DVRs, though, you would only be paying the $7 once and it would cover all of the TVs.

 

Now you said you may want 7 TVs. As nees already mentioned, there is a $5 lease fee for each additional receiver that you have... So that would be $30 in monthly lease fees. Also, let's just say for example that you only want the HD access in your living room and you want standard definition in the other 6 rooms. As I mentioned above, you get the first four receivers for free upfront. The other 3 standard receivers would be an upfront $69 a piece.

 

HBO is $14.99 / month and comes with HBO East, HBO West, HBO2 East, HBO2 West, HBO Family East, HBO Family West, HBO Latino, and HBO Signature. The only ones of these that are in HD are HBO East and West.

 

The Sports Pack includes 35 channels (including all of the FSNs) with 27 channels in HD. This is $12.99 / month.

 

I know that's a lot of numbers and prices mentioned above, and because it's in text form it may just seem like a wall of info... But like I said, please ask me to clarify if you don't understand any of the above.