Dish TV or Direct TV

[cuzzinolaf]

Can anyone tell me their thoughts on either of these two television providers? We currently have Uverse and even if I did like them; they aren't offered in our new location. Comcast is getting back to me to see if they provide service where we're moving so I'm not sure yet. I read good/bad reviews online and want to hear real world experiences here.

 

[heckler56]

I had Direct tv for 10 yrs and had to go with u-verse when we moved from Illinois. Dumped it after two years and back with direct tv. I have not had any complaints with direct tv. Miss my old tivo compared
To ever.

 

[polarisrider1]

I have had Direct TV ever since it was called USSB or USB. I think we had "bell bottoms" back then. They have been fantastic. I have Tivo for $5 extra per month. Also I have Netflix and like that. Since I live in a valley, "Down by the river" (no not in a van) I do not get local channels without it. Option that is not an option would be Comcast. You can see their office from my front porch. But the service from them costs more for less. You will like Direct. (no I am not sponsored by them).

 

[ezra]

Since I live in a valley, "Down by the river" (no not in a van).

no just a floating trailer park

 

[polarisrider1]

no just a floating trailer park

Thats from April 15th to Oct. 15th. Dry land next to water in between. The Marina also has Direct TV.

 

[azandy]

We had Dish Network. Was good. We changed to Direct TV. Similar package. Seems to be a touch cheaper for us and the service is real good. Very few outage issues compared to Dish.
I think they both work well. One might be better for your needs than the other.

 

[Yooper_Bob]

We've had Dish for a little over 2 years now...no real complaints, other than the cost...but they are all expensive.

Over that time period, I can only recall once or twice where the signal was lost due to weather. Occurred only during EXTREMELY heavy downpours, and only lasted a couple of minutes.

We did have one receiver go bad, but called Dish, and they sent out a new one in a couple of days.

The best part is, I bought a used dish and installed it at the cabin. Now we can haul a receiver with us when we go there, and enjoy the same channels we have at home.

 

[xcr440]

The best part is, I bought a used dish and installed it at the cabin. Now we can haul a receiver with us when we go there, and enjoy the same channels we have at home.

If you ask the installer, they will GIVE you another dish, and you can set it up yourself. As I said in the other TV post, get a friend, split the bill.

 

[maddog24]

Direct TV, have had for over 10 years. Had an issue 1 time with receiver, they took car of it. Great service IMO.

 

[Dave_B]

I've had Directv since 1997. No complaints and never had a service problem. My only advice is, whichever one you go with, mount the dish someplace you can access it. Installer wanted to put it on the roof and I told him fine, as long as he came over everytime we had a snow storm and clean it off for me. He put it where I told him to.

Dave

 

[G]

I think there was a discussion on this very topic about a year ago. If I remember correctly Direct TV got better reviews. I have had Direct TV since it was invented. Great service fair price - no reason to switch.

 

[scott_b]

I have had Dish for about 8 years and am happy with the service, the equipment they offer though is lagging behind a bit. They do not offer a networked DVR like you can get with Uverse or Comcast, I believe Direct offers this now. I take it you bought that foreclosure you were talking about before?

 

[whitedust]

Had Dish & did not work well for me in the northwoods drop of rain would knock out signal. Changed to Direct & no problems + has NFL ticket. Also threw in DVR when I changed to Direct. DVR is an excellent feature as always recording what you are watching so you can run back if you get phone call or leave the room.

 

[pitt]

Got Directv a few months ago, switched from Charter and couldn't be happier. Love NFL ticket package. Have 1 DVR but thinking about getting another (for the wife to record her shows).

 

[heckler56]

I have had Direct TV ever since it was called USSB or USB. I think we had "bell bottoms" back then. They have been fantastic. I have Tivo for $5 extra per month. Also I have Netflix and like that. Since I live in a valley, "Down by the river" (no not in a van) I do not get local channels without it. Option that is not an option would be Comcast. You can see their office from my front porch. But the service from them costs more for less. You will like Direct. (no I am not sponsored by them).

Any idea if my 15 yrs old Tivo unit would work if I had them activate it? The kid that instaled our system recently said it would not, but then he said a ot of things that another installer had to take care of a week later. I was not home to ask the second installer. Gosh I miss Tivo!

 

[doospunk]

I've had both, and am currently on direct TV. The biggest gripe I have with them is that they require 1 box per TV, (and charge you for that box depending of if it's basic / HD / or HD with TIVO). With DIsh Ntwk, you can service 2 TV's with 1 box. So where I'm currently paying $5/box with Direct TV for a total of $10/mo, I'm only paying $5/mo with Dish to support 2 TV's (just an example). On the flip side, I believe Dish Networks gets you by charging a monthly fee for HD channels (at a certain point), where Direc TV does not. EIther way, their pricing is tough to compare because it's not always apples to apples with the same packages, but end up being very similar. I've got no complaints with either. ONly outage is when it rains or snows hard. I decided to leave Dish for Direct TV only because I was able to bundle the DIrect TV package with my Qwest/CL phone and DSL line for additional discounts.

 

[whitedust]

Any idea if my 15 yrs old Tivo unit would work if I had them activate it? The kid that instaled our system recently said it would not, but then he said a ot of things that another installer had to take care of a week later. I was not home to ask the second installer. Gosh I miss Tivo!

What is wrong with brand new digital DVR for recording? Why TIVO? Seems to me you can hook up anything you want but carrier only going to hook up his stuff unless you slip him some lean green.

 

[yamahauler]

Had DirecTV for 10 yrs. Just switched to Dish this summer and they are no different than DirecTV. DirecTV wouldn't give me any sort of deal when I was there customer but when I cancelled and went with dish, they were calling none stop. I told them after 2 yrs I'll be back to get the newest deal. Then I will cancel again and be back at dish. It is an absolute joke that these companies don't keep there paying customers happy. All I wanted was a new equipment for free(which new customers get) and some money off of a package for a year(didn't have to be what the new customers get but something). They said no so I went to Dish and now have free HD for life, DVR, more channels, one box for two tv's and it is cheaper even when the 1st yr deal runs out.

Now if you have to have the NFL package I think the only one that has that is DirecTV.

Anyway, IMO both are good, just depends on what channels you really want. Dish is about $5 cheaper per mth.

 

[srt20]

Directv gives us something everytime we call. Ask for the cancellation dept. We got the lastest and greatest hd boxes installed free, newest dish, and this fall we got sunday ticket and whole house dvr for free. Sometimes you gotta just hang up and call back to get a better person.

We have directv because the channels we wanted were cheaper at directv's package vs dish.

Remember, they all work us over, dont be afraid to work them over back.

 

[cuzzinolaf]

The NFL package is the only sports package I care about. I don't have it now with Uverse so can survive without it.

How about contracts? It seems both require a two year contract to sign up. Can you tell them you will only sign up if they don't give you a contract? Can that shoot me in the foot with pricing? I would think the price is non-negotiable if you're in a contract with them and they nail you with cancellation fees if you do cancel.

Thoughts?