We have had direct tv for over 10 years and are completely satisfied with there service. Each year we get the NFL package and have yet to pay full price, just leave it up to the wife to haggel the price down, and it never fails she walks away with a bunch of extras. For sports channels Direct tv is superior
Dish TV or Direct TV
- Thread starter cuzzinolaf
- Start date
heckler56
Active member
My understanding is they have changed some of the equipment dynamics at Directv in the 2 yrs while I was gone. The install dude told me it would not work anymore. If it will, I am going to start it up.
DVR vs Tivo. First - They are both computers, just run on different software. Tivo uses Linux which is/was a open protocal and not propriatory. Never in 12 yrs did it crash or give me one second of "computer" problem. I even added a new hardrive and programed in some additional features. I can not say the same of any DVR or Set top box. U-verse replaced our one DVR five times in the two years we were with them. Second - Tivo has an intuitive feature where it looks for programs and will let you know about similar programs. Right now with a DVR, it you don't know, it does nothing. If I wanted anything snowmobiling, Tivo would always search and suggest shows, so you never miss anything.
I've had dish network for nearly 20 yrs with no real complaints. Programing packages and prices are similar tho direct has better sports programing available. I do like the program guide, options and menu on dish net better. At least from what I've seen on others direct receivers. Also, the choice could even depend on possible obstructions like trees and tall buildings around the new place that could block the view to their satellites. You can have them survey the area if you do have obstructions nearby.
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yamahauler
Active member
srt20: The lady I was yapping at said there is no way I could get anything unless I cancel, blah, blah, blah. So when she did send me over to the cancellation dept, the lady started in with something and I just stopped her mid sentence(I was already irritated). I asked her if this is recorded and if not hit the record button. I told her that this is not meant for her but the higher up people that are so stuck on number of new subscribers that they don't give a crap about the ones that have been paying their wage for the last 10 years. Then I went on a rant on how what would be a better business model, blah, blah, blah. When I was done, I just asked the lady what she needed from me to cancel the service. She had a couple of things and didn't say another word.
I think I may be too old fashioned and would just like a company to take care of the customer instead of the customer having to complain to get something. For example, if I called into a company for something, they should do a quick look at the account and note if there may be a better deal and offer it to the customer. CenturyLink did that for me when I called in to unbundle the DirecTV from that bill. Gave me a different opinion of them because I hadn't heard good things about them, so that was nice.
Sorry for hijacking your thread...back to DirecTV vs Dish.
I think I may be too old fashioned and would just like a company to take care of the customer instead of the customer having to complain to get something. For example, if I called into a company for something, they should do a quick look at the account and note if there may be a better deal and offer it to the customer. CenturyLink did that for me when I called in to unbundle the DirecTV from that bill. Gave me a different opinion of them because I hadn't heard good things about them, so that was nice.
Sorry for hijacking your thread...back to DirecTV vs Dish.
srt20
Active member
I agree. But its hard to find a company that gives a crap anymore. Just the way the world is now.
Either way, between Dish and Directv it probably just comes down to the channels and layout you like better.
yamahauler
Active member
Yup, agreed.
Hmmm interesting...I thought maybe you had some stuff on TIVO you did not want to lose. My Direct TV units took a lighting hit this summer but only wiped out phone jacks on 2 receivers 1 DVR. Direct service man came in really nice kid & replaced my receivers & DVR free of charge & set me up with old DVR as a player only because I did not want to lose over 100 movies I had on there. He said there is away to dump DVR movies to my PC hard drive but he had not been trained on that yet so checked with his manager & set me up as old DVR player only & brand new DVR to replace old 1 free of charge. I would think TIVO can be set up as player just like you can set up VCR or surround sound. My Direct DVR has a smart search to find programs just key in name & has 1 touch feature for other programs you might like under info button for simular prgrams. Not sure this is exactly what you are looking for but simular. Direct TV also is always giving me free movie channel demos which I record to DVR never take packages cause you can record a bunch in 4 day trial. Just got done with Starz & Encore demo over Thanksgiving.
I take NFL ticket every year & Direct TV calls me a preferred customer & treats me well never charges me for service calls but only been here twice in 6 years. So all in all pretty happy with Direct TV & found Dish equipment & people as PITA as a company & equipment was substandard.IMOI am a technician. Work/have worked for both.
For the best price switch every 2 years, or when it cost you less to buy out of your pro-rated contract than you save with their 1st year promotion.
As far as technology Dish Network is unarguably better with standard definition, Directv is unarguably better with high definition.
asandy. Outages have everything to do with how well you dish is pointed, signal loss in cabling (length, fittings, etc...), and the dynamics of the storm. (I've heard many people say, "barely raining here, lost signal. Either there is water getting into fittings or there is a lot of water between the dish and the satellite up in the sky. The satellites are above the equator, not above your house.) Dish Network has a very poor satellite signal on their high definition channels, if it is stormy watch it in standard definition, you'll have far fewer outages.
dave b. Lol! Every installer out there wants to put the dish low, he gets paid by the job and going up and down ladders doesn't save time. (Most houses have plastic siding, the stud locations are unknown, and to top it off built rite is used, we are not allowed to mount to vinyl siding, and most people want it on their roof where it is out of the way.) Any installer will naturally want to mount the dish as close to your ground source as possible because the is the 1st place the cable needs to go via NEC. The lower the better. Be careful telling your installer how to do his job, I cant count the number of yuppies in McMansions that have their dish in a high/difficult place where I think the wind will whirl, or the number of normal people who are pleased as punch with their satellite and have written letters.
heckler. If your tivo works, it will work. If you have a swm system you could put up a separate dish for it, Or you can purchase either a swm 8 or 16, a kaku 3 or kaku 5 non swm lnb, and reconfigure the wiring a bit. Have fun!
doospunk. The charge is the same no matter what kind of receiver it is, $6/month. Your high definition service $10/mo, and dvr service $7/mo are on your account for a total of $17. You could have 10 hddvr's, the $17 is only charged once and the $6 is multiplied. I am not sure, but I think the opposite is true for Dish dvr.
cuzzinloaf. With dish network I think you can pay $99 up front rather than be under contract.
xcr440. I like cash, sidework is great!
For the best price switch every 2 years, or when it cost you less to buy out of your pro-rated contract than you save with their 1st year promotion.
As far as technology Dish Network is unarguably better with standard definition, Directv is unarguably better with high definition.
asandy. Outages have everything to do with how well you dish is pointed, signal loss in cabling (length, fittings, etc...), and the dynamics of the storm. (I've heard many people say, "barely raining here, lost signal. Either there is water getting into fittings or there is a lot of water between the dish and the satellite up in the sky. The satellites are above the equator, not above your house.) Dish Network has a very poor satellite signal on their high definition channels, if it is stormy watch it in standard definition, you'll have far fewer outages.
dave b. Lol! Every installer out there wants to put the dish low, he gets paid by the job and going up and down ladders doesn't save time. (Most houses have plastic siding, the stud locations are unknown, and to top it off built rite is used, we are not allowed to mount to vinyl siding, and most people want it on their roof where it is out of the way.) Any installer will naturally want to mount the dish as close to your ground source as possible because the is the 1st place the cable needs to go via NEC. The lower the better. Be careful telling your installer how to do his job, I cant count the number of yuppies in McMansions that have their dish in a high/difficult place where I think the wind will whirl, or the number of normal people who are pleased as punch with their satellite and have written letters.
heckler. If your tivo works, it will work. If you have a swm system you could put up a separate dish for it, Or you can purchase either a swm 8 or 16, a kaku 3 or kaku 5 non swm lnb, and reconfigure the wiring a bit. Have fun!
doospunk. The charge is the same no matter what kind of receiver it is, $6/month. Your high definition service $10/mo, and dvr service $7/mo are on your account for a total of $17. You could have 10 hddvr's, the $17 is only charged once and the $6 is multiplied. I am not sure, but I think the opposite is true for Dish dvr.
cuzzinloaf. With dish network I think you can pay $99 up front rather than be under contract.
xcr440. I like cash, sidework is great!
polarisrider1
New member
Hey, you forgot me! lol. Called Direct TV tonight and changed programs (added 12 channels) It went so smooth. Operator was patient as all get out as my wife previewed each channel to her liking. Only went up $5 per month and I got some way good channels added. Direct TV all the way. Oh, and Dave B. is no where near a Yuppie in a McMansion.
Olaf go with Direct, the HD is fantastic and signal never goes out unless it is raining so hard you can't see a foot in front of you. Dish won't work then either. Keith, Have I ever steered you wrong?
polarisrider1
New member
Keith, about March I will be your Hero X2. Togwotee and DirectTV, next it will be a RMK Pro! just give me some time. lol!
heckler56
Active member
There are a lot of acronyms in that sentence. I have collected six anntenas (seven counting the one on the roof) over the span of years with Directv, one must be one of those.? To bad the last guy through the old dish off the roof putting in the new one. I have also collected all of the splitters..
Hmmm. I have tipped every installer, except the last guy. I'm guessing Buffalo, MN isn't close to Milwaukee
You have given me hope, thank you....
yamahauler
Active member
Brooks...I have dish network and have one receiver with a dual tuner. Is it possible to send a wireless HD signal to the other tv that isn't hooked up via a hdmi cable?
Are you in the twin cities area?
Are you in the twin cities area?
Heckler. The easiest thing to do is to put up a 2nd dish, point it, run 2 lines from it to the tivo, call directv and activate it. Just figure out what satellite your local channels are coming from:
If they come off the 101 you can put up the round 18 inch dish with the single lnb.
They may come off the 119, but it is more likely they had and have been moved to the 99 and 103. If they come off the 119 use the 18 x 20 inch dish with the triple lnb. If they've been moved you can't get locals on your tivo, just put up the 18 inch round.
Yamahauler. That is one reason that I say dish is the leader of standard definition, directv leader of high definition. There is no way through dish network to do this. I have run into a guy once that had a device that he bought in Japan many years ago that broadcasts. He plugged his receiver into it and his tv's throughout the house and neighboring homes would pick up whatever was playing on his receiver if they tuned to the channel his broadcaster was set for. He said the little devices were illegal in the U.S. That would be the only way that I could think of, and there is no getting around being on the same channel tv 1 is on.
I'm in Buffalo, hate getting any closer to the city than Maple lake, but it is unavoidable.
Dave b. No, he couldn't bill for it, he was just unobservant.
If they come off the 101 you can put up the round 18 inch dish with the single lnb.
They may come off the 119, but it is more likely they had and have been moved to the 99 and 103. If they come off the 119 use the 18 x 20 inch dish with the triple lnb. If they've been moved you can't get locals on your tivo, just put up the 18 inch round.
Yamahauler. That is one reason that I say dish is the leader of standard definition, directv leader of high definition. There is no way through dish network to do this. I have run into a guy once that had a device that he bought in Japan many years ago that broadcasts. He plugged his receiver into it and his tv's throughout the house and neighboring homes would pick up whatever was playing on his receiver if they tuned to the channel his broadcaster was set for. He said the little devices were illegal in the U.S. That would be the only way that I could think of, and there is no getting around being on the same channel tv 1 is on.
I'm in Buffalo, hate getting any closer to the city than Maple lake, but it is unavoidable.
Dave b. No, he couldn't bill for it, he was just unobservant.
polarisrider1
New member
Found out tonight that AT&T and DirectTV will bundle my bill each month with each other and I save money a plenty.
cuzzinolaf
Well-known member
Ended up with Direct TV and a Uverse internet bundle. Not a bad price and I got two good rates locked in for a year. The Uverse has no contract so that is always negotiable after a year.
Brooks,
I live in Annandale just up the road from ya. I had Lakedale Phone cable etc. They were taken over by windstream and now it is crap. I keep getting things in the mail from both Direct and Dish. Neighbor doesn't have much nice to say about Dish customer service. The cable still works, but no HD and bundle package ends up being almost $140/month. Thinking I could drop landline, keep DSL and get dish for a savings. Any thoughts on best options for central minn.? I assume you have satellite service. How often do you loose you signal and for how long?
Thanks
I live in Annandale just up the road from ya. I had Lakedale Phone cable etc. They were taken over by windstream and now it is crap. I keep getting things in the mail from both Direct and Dish. Neighbor doesn't have much nice to say about Dish customer service. The cable still works, but no HD and bundle package ends up being almost $140/month. Thinking I could drop landline, keep DSL and get dish for a savings. Any thoughts on best options for central minn.? I assume you have satellite service. How often do you loose you signal and for how long?
Thanks
Yep, can't change anything with windstream, they are getting out of the business. As satellite tv, central mn is no different than anywhere, the difference lies in your phone/internet provider and who bundles with who and whats available. I should, but don't know what your options are with phone and internet.
As far as Direct vs. Dish, study the what channels come in which package, (the only problem is that Dish's contract says they can move channels around, and they do. I have no proof, but I honestly believe that their intention is to get people to upgrade to a more expensive package.)
If HD is very important to you, go with directv. If its not that big of a deal consider both. Dish's hd signal will is lost easily during storms, but you can always watch in standard def, it will go out much less.
I don't even have a tv, but work rain or shine and have plenty of experience seeing when the satellite does and doesn't go out. If your system is installed properly it will only go out when a large cell within the storm is passing south/southwest and while it is dumping very heavy rain on top of you. Typically these storms are moving pretty quickly and I've yet to see it last more than 10-15 minutes.
If you order dish or direct through me I will get a commission, and the job of installing, I am happy to split the commission with you. If not thats fine too.
As far as Direct vs. Dish, study the what channels come in which package, (the only problem is that Dish's contract says they can move channels around, and they do. I have no proof, but I honestly believe that their intention is to get people to upgrade to a more expensive package.)
If HD is very important to you, go with directv. If its not that big of a deal consider both. Dish's hd signal will is lost easily during storms, but you can always watch in standard def, it will go out much less.
I don't even have a tv, but work rain or shine and have plenty of experience seeing when the satellite does and doesn't go out. If your system is installed properly it will only go out when a large cell within the storm is passing south/southwest and while it is dumping very heavy rain on top of you. Typically these storms are moving pretty quickly and I've yet to see it last more than 10-15 minutes.
If you order dish or direct through me I will get a commission, and the job of installing, I am happy to split the commission with you. If not thats fine too.