Vanity - Direct TV or Dish Network???

me | 8-21-03 | Dan

[Dan from Michigan]

Thanks in advance here.

I moved two weeks ago to my new apartment, and I found the cable provider is the same company my last one was. I don't like Comcrap...I mean...comcast, so cable is out the window.

Which is the better way to go? Direct TV or Dish Network. I'm on the fence right now. Thanks.

[hattend]

My Mom in California had Direct TV
I have Dish Network in Alaska

Both pretty much the same. I would go with Direct TV only because you can get the NFL Season Package.

This means nothing if you don't like football :-)

[Viva Le Dissention]

When I had Dish Network, the equipment was leased. Apparently, from what you've said, that has changed, probably with the demise of Primestar.

[MizSterious]

Possibly. We've only had it for about 7 years. It's improved a lot in that time.

[knews_hound]

Call around to the independant dealers in your area.

I picked up the PVR 500 for 200 bucks, I thought it was a steal. It was about the cost of a good VCR but oooooh BABY is it cool!

Cheers,

knews hound

[hattend]

And, if you really want to enjoy your TV get the PVR unit

Oh Yeah! Definitely a must have. You'll never watch TV live ever again, it's so much better to record and zip through the commercials. Or freeze live TV while you go get something to eat.

PVR Is a must have (did I mention it's a "must have"?)

[samantha]

Local programming like abc,nbc,cbs,fox,pbs etc is available for 5.99 extra with direct tv. I get two different pbs stations,and all those crappy ones like WB etc. Besides all the extra sports packages etc,they also have free concerts like manheim steamroller at christmas. Disney channel is free for what it is worth. Direct tv will be bought out by rupert murdock soon and it will be even better then.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

I also have Dish TV with the PVR.

There is no reason to ever leave home.

[ErnBatavia]

Calling TimeWarner to tell them to shove their crappy cable service was a lifetime highlight clip.

When our pretty basic TW bill got raised to around 45 zops a month, I called them and told them we were about to jump over to satellite, and then hem-hawed my way to the real point I had in mind: "any special offers to keep us in the family?"

For the next two years, until we moved, we only paid 21 bucks a month.

[apackof2]

DirecTV with TIVO is a life changing experience.

I have Direct TV but not quite what TIVO is or does
Would you mind educating me?

[Viva Le Dissention]

It's called "Sessions at West 54th," and one of the better programs on television if you like music.

As an aside, I can't remember who mentioned it, but SpeedVision is not included with the basic package in DirecTv, and neither is TVG, if you like horse racing. TVG is on the basic package on Dish, or at least it used to be.

On the other hand, OLN is included on the DirecTv basic package, and I don't think it is on Dish--and OLN has some pretty cool stuff, including the only coverage of the Tour de France and the Running of the Bulls, so if you like to see people get gored and run bikes up mountains, maybe DirecTV is the better choice.

Both (TVG and SpeedVision) are available on DirecTv for an extra $10 a month, or something like that.

[clintonh8r]

We've had Dish Network for about four years. No problems, no cross-selling, no complaints. Can't comment on DirecTV. Never used it.

Not to hijack your thread, but if anybody kows from digital flat screen (not plasma) TVs, please clue me on the best one to buy, regardless of cost. Condsidering Sony and Philips. Limited space...34" max. Thanks!

[MarkL]

AVOID Primestar! Expensive, not as many channels and SLOW to add on new ones as they are created.

They're REALLY SLOW!!!! It may have something to do with the fact that they're out of business! lol

I had Primestar before I got DishNetwork, which I'm really happy with. I was told that I'd be contacted about the receiver and dish, but I haven't heard anything in the 2+ years since they discontinued service, so I guess it's safe to toss the hardware.

Mark

[apackof2]

Local programming like abc,nbc,cbs,fox,pbs etc is available for 5.99 extra with direct tv.

Do you live in Michigan?
I'll have to call to see if its available in my area, thanks

[rdb3]

DirecTV

[Semper911]

How can all of you put up with dish outages during storms? Give me cable anyday.

Don't get me wrong, I hate my cable company, (currently Comcast), but I gladly let them take their $93 a month from my account for broadband Internet and expanded basic.

For me it's all about uptime. And with cable, I have been up with both services everyday since the Summer of 1999.

There is no dish service that can say that.

[Huck]

FWIW, I have had Direct TV for about a year. No complaints. Don't know anything about Dish, but the price and service of direct tv is ok with me. I like it better than cable.

[Dog Gone]

Well, that's not a bad deal. Around here, we got used to outages which mysteriously only left TW channels on the air. CNN but not Fox, ad infinitum.

Plus, the reception was lousy.

Satellite (which includes HD) is a very nice change.

[netmilsmom]

We had Dish in Redford and now Directv in Utica.
Directv is much better for channels and they offer more ala carte.
However, I seem to remember Dish does not charge for a second receiver but Directv does.
With the Turk antenna attachment we get all the Detroit stations, some from Flint and a couple from Canada (TVO runs kids shows from 6am to 6pm). It costs about 50.00 and we do not pay for the locals on the dish.
Hope this helps.

[tiamat]

oh wow!

Had no idea Primestar was gone!

Still have their big stupid dish in my yard......

Tia

[Miss Marple]

I'll go you one better. We had the dreaded POST-NEWSWEEK CABLE. Ack!

I kept trying to get them to add Fox. They would tell me they needed to hear from more customers. I even called into local talk radio and asked people to request Fox.

Still, they said they didn't think there was a market for it.

About twice a year they would trumpet "New channels coming!" I would think, "Finally!"

Then they would add another shopping network, another religious channel, and a local weather radar or something.

The day I called them and told them to come take it out was a very satisfying day. I reminded them that I had warned them for two years.

This is in what was Dan Burton's district, so telling me there was no market for it was nothing but a lie.

Oh, and we have Direct TV and love it, and I have found their consumer people helpful (like when my granddaughter grabbed the remote and pushed a bunch of buttons de-programming the whole thing. Ha!)