Posted on 06/29/2004 6:12:46 AM PDT by ladtx
We're closing on our new home today and now comes the decision about cable or dish. Charter is the cable company and after bad experiences with them in the past they are out. So now my decision is between DishNetwork or DIRECTV.
Anyone have any opinions one way or the other? I would appreciate any comments.
dish network doesn't have tvland
I have a cable modem and always wondered if I could satellite tv. I do too much sitting in front of the computer to WATCH tv anyway.
directv has nfl package.
We've been Dish customers for aprox 2 years. Overall a good experience. I am so glad we were able to cancel cable.
I don't have any experience with Direct, so I can't comment on their service.
By the way, one nice benefit of satellite service. If you have a second home, as we do, you can install a receiver there and get the same service you as at your primary address - cost is the one time install and $5/month.
I'm leaning toward DirecTV mainly because it seems there is a better selection of equipment and they do have a sports package.
BTTT
One impressive note though: I expanded my service offering by adding the Sports Package, so my wife would watch the Golf Channel. I did this via their website, and within seconds, I had the Golf Channel on my den TV. However, my living room TV is on a different Directv receiver, and it didn't get the Golf Channel. I got the on-screen message to call Customer Service, ext 721.
I did that, and a recording told me to wait a few seconds while the automatic trouble shooter was applied, and within a matter of seconds, certainly less than a minute, the Golf Channel was on both receivers. Their technology is certainly A-One.
After a little websurfing it looks like DirecTV does seem to have the edge in technology and that's what it's all about.
bump-bump
I was already leaning toward DirecTV and it looks like that may be the way to go.
We enjoyed our Direct service until we moved to Sugar Land. Everytime the wind blew we'd loose our picture.
Had to get cable.
Uh, yes it does. I've had Dish network for 4 years and it's always been there. Channel 106.
SD
DirectTV has the NFL package, if that is important to you. Other than that Dish network has been great for these last 4 years. They have more local channels in more areas, and if you get a movie package there are more flavors available. For example, last time I checked, Direct TV had 5 HBO channels, while Dish has 8. The Showtime package has 10.
SD
We won't be subscribing to the premium movie channels, our very seldom use of them in the past makes them a poor bargain for us. Sports is usually our soft spot.
Did it leave you for a while? I saw an ad about 3 months ago on tvland that said it was leaving dish network.
TVland and some of the other Viacom stations ran some crawlers during a contract re-negotiation warning about the loss of channels.
Viacom's channels were pulled for about a day and a half until a new contract was finalized. It was a game of chicken, like many contract disputes turn into.
Neither side benefitted from the blackout and it ended swiftly. And Dish customers were given a buck or two that month discount for the inconvenience.
SD
I have had DishNetwork for about 7 years now and love it. Yes, we DO have TVLand, as was stated above. My mother-in-law has DirectTV as does my mother. I find the way the channels are changed a bit cumbersome, but it may be more my lack of customizing the channels than anything. For example, on DishNetwork, if you don't subscribe to a channel, you won't see it. You skip over that channel. On DirectTV you go to the channel, but see a screen telling you that you don't subscribe to it. It makes channel surfing somewhat difficult, but, like I said, I don't know all of the ins & outs of customizing.
Personally, I like DishNetwork much better, but either would be better than cable, IMHO.
I called DirecTV and they had a technician out the next morning, 8am. Fixed the problem in less than an hour, no cost to us (faulty part). Great service, IMO.
If you want NFL Sunday Ticket, you must get DirecTV (they have exclusive rights to it until at least 2010). I have DirecTV for this reason.
Otherwise, there isn't that much difference between the two, IMHO. Similar packages, similar prices.
I'll just pile on more dittos, I've been with DirectTV in two houses, their moving service and new installation is really a nice service, I upgraded to Tivo with them and have loved that also.
Their customer service as far as customer service goes is really pretty good at least in my experience, they worked with me through some billing errors pretty quickly.
For sports packages they can't be beat, I've had MLB and ESPN Full Court for years.
I will not lie, during very violent thunderstorms I occasionally lose the signal but not by "passing clouds" or "every rain" that the cable company would like for you to believe.
* This is related to a law restricting offering CBS/NBC/ABC stations in areas where there is a local affiliate. Its purpose was to protect local stations. For me, it only involved losing CBS, but it's different for people in other locations.
Just for the record, you can get these on Dish as well, along with NHL, college football, NBA, etc. It's just the NFL that is unavailable.
SD
oh yes they do! Channel 106....
DirecTV and a DVR. NFL Sunday ticket.
I'm very happy with Dish (especially having discovered the Sirius music channels on it recently).
I won't ping everyone, but thanks to all for your input. It's been very helpful. Looks like they are both pretty close with no big complaints about either. I think I may go with DirecTV because of the NFL programming.
read later
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