I had dish for 2 years about 6 years ago. It was ok average pic quality, no DVR. Then Dish sent a promo for a free DVR and I switched to them for several years. Had a few probs - bad DVR box, bad switch in the dish (they fixed both free), but service was largely ok for those several years. Then Directv did a promo asking old customers to come back to them. The price was right, so I arranged installation. That was 48 hrs ago. What a difference two days makes. So far: Incomplete installation - no box or RF remote for the bedroom - Directv phone “tech” said I had to have a HDTV for an RF remote to work - unbelievable - that took 60 minutes on the phone. I told him I didn’t think that was true but he insisted repeatedly. I said ok, install the box like I arranged for in the first place, then he said that I’d have to pay an additional $19.99 to have a second box installed in the BR (which they had agreed to do as part of the original install order). I said I don’t think $19.99 was fair because the installer said that an RF Remote (like my old Dish system) eliminated the need for the second box in the bedroom. This goes on and on for awhile and after he left me hanging on the phone for another epoch of time I just hung up out of fatigue.

Did Directv or the installer call me the next day? Nope. Basically I was a cipher they didn’t want to deal with and they lack the common courtesy and responsibility to finish the job they started…

Some differences are apparent between Dish and Directv:

1) Directv wait times on hold seem to be about 20 minutes plus. Dish times were never more that a few minutes.

2) Directv picture with the latest dish/box combo are very good - better that the 3+ year old Dish equipment. Technology has improved TV pictures in three years.

3) The Dish remote and speed of operation of my old Dish DVR box are clearly, absolutely, massively superior to the new Directv remote and system performance. In fact I’d go so far as to say that until you’ve used a Dish DVR remote (assuming you’re now using a Directv system and remote) you have no idea what you’re missing. You use the remore ALL THE TIME to view, schedule, etc. My Directv remote is primitive, complicated and SLOW, SLOW, SLOW. If you’re used to clicking with a PC mouse as I am on a pentium-class PC, the Directv software and hardware will take you back to the days of the original IBM PC. Its that slow.

Dish equipment has obviously been engineered by people with a sensitivity to speed, simplicity, and performance. And it’s so much easier to navigate the Dish on-screen menus with their logic and intuition. You don’t even need the manual. But I’ve had the Directv manual out since I got the system… for instance, if the program guide is missing the channel descriptions on the Dish box, you push a few buttons and download the new program data. On Directv? no such function is available.

Want to delete a scheduled program on the Dish? A few SWIFT keystrokes and you’re done. On Directv? Plan on 30-60 seconds of remote button pushing with several second delays between every button push - slow, slow, slow.

Notwithstanding the installation issues which I presume will be solved eventually, I regret going with Directv mostly because of the comparatively primitive remote performance of the Directv system.

I truly wish I had my Dish back mostly because of its speed of operation. I’ll grant you that the new Directv picture is better than the old Dish, but so far it’s not worth it - the Directv man/machine interface is really that bad I My Humble Opinion.

Dish Network is now making the push for more HD channels. DISH Network this week said it will increase its national HDTV channel count from 76 to 100 in 2008.

DISH also said it plans to add local HD channels in 65 new markets this year, bringing its HD local market total to 100.

The company’s decision to offer more high-def programming is an obvious effort to keep up with satellite rival DIRECTV.

DIRECTV has said it will expand to nearly 150 HD channels in 2008.

HD/DVR Receivers

Both Dish Network and DirecTV offer the latest in technology HD/DVR receivers. Dish Network offers the HD Receiver for 1 or 2 TVs as well as a dual HD DVR receiver for 1 or 2 TVs. Their latest dual HD/DVR receiver, called the ViP722 DVR, is capable of supporting two televisions (one HDTV and one SDTV). It can record up to 350 hours (that’s almost 15 days) of SDTV programming or 55 hours of HDTV. The satellite tuner can be viewed either in single-mode with picture-in-picture or in dual mode where a customer can record shows on two televisions as well as view a pre-recorded program simultaneously. The Dish Network program guide has easy-to-use search options. Also, a customer can choose to have caller ID shown on their screens, as long as they have subscribed to this feature with their phone company.

DirecTV’s latest dual HD/DVR receiver (DirecTV Plus HD DVR) allows customers to record 200 hours (over 8 days) of SDTV and 50 hours of HDTV. Their Series Link feature allows customers to record their favorite show for the entire season. If the date or time changes from week to week, the HD/DVR receiver will adjust for that. This receiver also touts a Media Share feature which allows users to view their photos and listen to their favorite tunes saved on an Intel Viiv processor personal computer. The DirecTV guide allows customers to view the schedule for upcoming shows and movies up to two weeks in advance. Like Dish Network, caller ID can also be displayed on the screen.

Sports Packages

Dish Network offers an extensive line of soccer, football, basketball and hockey packages. Customers have the option of purchasing individual games, 4-game packages or half-seasons or entire seasons. DirecTV is known for its sports subscriptions offering the same options as Dish Network, but going one step further with NASCAR, rugby and cricket.

Exclusive Programs & Music

Dish Network has their own exclusive interactive television channel (100) where customers can do anything from play games, check the local weather or a daily horoscope, read up on celebrity gossip, check local movie listings, get live scores for various sports events and even shop on the Home Shopping Network using their remotes. Dish Network has also teamed up with SIRIUS Music to provide over 60 channels of commercial-free music that are available with several Dish packages.

DirecTV also offers their own exclusive programming through channel 101. This channel offers music and live events as well as exclusive shows. Channel 103 is devoted to faith-based programming and family inspirational events. DirecTV also offers over 70 channels of XM Radio with selected packages.

Parental Locks

Both Dish Network and DirecTV offer parental controls and locks for no additional monthly cost as these features are built directly into the systems. Dish Network and DirecTV allow parents the option to lock certain movies based on their Motion Picture Association of America rating. In addition, Dish Network allows expanded ratings including nudity, language and violence to be taken into account and selected to offer extra protection for children. Both Dish Network and DirecTV allow parents to lock certain channels, including Pay-Per-View channels. DirecTV also authorizes parents to enforce spending limits on Pay-Per-View channels.

Dish Network and DirecTV offer tremendous packages and state-of-the-art technology to meet any family’s television needs. These listed features along with your family’s desired programming lineup and pocketbook will all need to be taken into consideration to choose the satellite television provider that is best suited for you.

Comcast and DirecTV have settled a lawsuit regarding Comcast HDTV advertisements that DirecTV considered to be misleading.

I would be curious to know what the terms where. How was this settled?

Though terms of the deal will remain private, Comcast will be allowed to continue citing a study it commissioned from Frank N. Magid Associates that said most viewers preferred Comcast HDTV to DirecTV.

At least Comcast was pleased with the outcome. Where was the DIRECTV spokesman, er, spokeswoman?

“We’re pleased to have settled the outstanding litigation on a basis that’s mutually satisfactory,” a Comcast spokeswoman said in a statement.

65 percent eh? It doesn’t sound that overwhelming. Seems more like, uh, that one looks best I guess…

The Magid study, which Comcast released in May, found that 65 percent of those polled favored Comcast picture quality over DirecTV. Participants were asked to look at HDTV content on three identical TV sets, and select which one had the highest quality. One set displayed a picture from Comcast, while the others had content from DirecTV and Dish Network.

So I wonder where Dish Networked ranked. No lawsuit from them?

Following the study’s release, Comcast took out full-page newspaper ads in 15 markets that touted its HD picture quality as superior to DirecTV and Dish. DirecTV subsequently filed suit, claiming the ad campaign was false and misleading.

Oh, here’s the DIRECTV spokesman. Sure they are pleased…

“The parties are pleased that they have settled the outstanding litigation on a basis mutually satisfactory,” a DirecTV spokesman said in a statement. “The specific terms are confidential.”

Wow, HDTV is hot right now.

The announcement follows several HDTV-related lawsuits for DirecTV of late. In August, the satellite provider settled a lawsuit with Time Warner Cable over DirecTV ads that said DirecTV was superior to cable offerings. DirecTV also reportedly settled a case with Cox Communications over Cox ads that cited the Comcast study.

Source: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2704,2239365,00.asp

PR Newswire reports:

The survey showed that one in four consumers has a high-definition television (HDTV) on their holiday wish lists or shopping lists. However, 88 percent of the gift-givers are not thinking about including the HD service that these sets require as part of the gift. As a result, HDTV recipients over the holidays may not experience the full benefit of high-definition picture and sound. In addition, 72 percent of survey respondents with a preference responded that receiving HD service along with an HDTV would increase the value of the holiday gift.

I figured this would be the case. It seems registrations are down this month for both DIRECTV and Dish Network. I expect them to pick up in January though as people will be wanting to make the most of their new toys!

Dish Network

Dish Network has over 13 million subscribers under its belt and proudly proclaims to be the fastest growing satellite television provider. If you simply want to start up service for the least amount of money possible, Dish Network has monthly plans that start at $19.99, making them the lesser expensive option of the two providers on a monthly basis. Their promotions usually include free installation (sometimes within one day), free DVR upgrade ($5.98/month for DVR service fee) which allows the customers to record 100 hours of their favorite movies and television shows to watch at a more convenient time, free HDTV upgrade (over 70 HD channels) and three months free of selected premium movie channels. If you have multiple televisions, Dish Network will install the service in up to 4 rooms free of charge with no added monthly fee.

For families wishing to save some money but still watch the television shows they love, Dish Network offers the DISH Family package ($19.99) which offers over 40 channels for the whole family, including children’s networks, sports, news and family-oriented programming. For ten dollars more a month, you can upgrade to America’s Top 100 which offers the 100 most popular channels, or you can simply get it all with America’s “Everything” Pack which features over 280 channels, including the 31 premium movie channels, for only $89.99 a month. If you choose to add local programming channels to your lineup, the cost is $5.99 a month. Should you want to upgrade to high definition channels, you can do this with Dish Network as well for $20/month (first 6 months free with some offers). Pay-Per-View movies will run you $3.99 each and if you are interested in international programming, you can order packages for as low as $9.99 a month. These international bundles range from Armenian to Korean to Russian, so there is something for everyone.

DirecTV

On the flipside of the same coin is the oldest satellite television provider, DirecTV that boasts the largest number of satellite subscribers in the industry. Their satellite packages start at $29.99 a month; this includes local channels which are extra with Dish Network. Like Dish Network, DirecTV usually promotes free installation in up to four rooms, two free premium movie channels for three months, and a free DVR or HD receiver.

While Dish Network once lead the industry in the number of HD channels offered, DirecTV now offers 85 HD channels and is promising to have over 100 by the year’s end. They also offer more sport channels in HD which causes most dedicated sports fans (from football to NASCAR) to opt for DirecTV. To subscribe to HD programming with DirecTV will cost $9.99 a month compared to Dish Network’s $20 a month (keep in mind, however, that Dish Network offers free DishHD programming for 6 months when a customer signs an 18-month commitment). For a family wishing to get the bare minimum, the $29.99 a month plan (The Family Package) offers over 45 channels (local channels included). Right now, DirecTV has an online offer that allows customers to save $20 a month for one year. What this means is that their Choice Package that includes over 150 channels which is normally valued at $49.99 a month is now only $29.99 a month. If you wish to get as many channels as you can, you can sign up for the Premier Package which includes over 265 channels, 30 movie channels and 30 sports networks. This package is normally valued at $99.99 but would be only $79.99 a month for one year with the special online offer. DirecTV also offers DVR service for $5.99 a month. If you wish to add international channels, you can add packages for as low as $9.99 a month and these include packages from Brazil to Italy to the Ukraine.

Which of these two satellite television providers you choose to select depends on many factors including how much television you watch, what stations you and your family enjoy, how much you can afford to spend per month, what promotions are currently being offered and what packages you cannot live without (i.e. sports packages or HD packages). Both Dish Network and DirecTV offer unsurpassed customer service ranking #1 and #2 respectively by J.D. Power and Associates. Research your options thoroughly and be sure to check your mail as well as online for any updated promotions these providers may be running before making your final decision.

So when I first heard about the DVR that shows on two TVs at once I thought, dumb, I’d rather just have two DVRs. Well, I think I’ve changed my mind, and here’s why:

1. We have our main TV in the family room downstairs, but we also have a TV in our bedroom upstairs. Sometimes we want to catch up on CSI after the kids have gone to bed. But are kids just don’t go to bed on a normal night. We have to continually put them back in bed as they wander out wanting this or that. So having one DVR where we can store all our shows, we can watch the our shows in either location.
2. They thought of the obvious. My first concern was what kind of gadget will you need to get the distant remote control to work. Simple enough, the remotes are different. Number one is your standard infrared remote, number two is a radio frequency remote, meaning it works between walls, much like your cordless phone does.
3. It still has the two satellite inputs so you can watch different channels on either TV.

Here are some other cool feature I found on their brochure:

• Record up to 350 hours of standard-definition (SD), up to 55 hours of high-definition (HD) entertainment or a combination of the two
• Enjoy expanded storage capacity with the addition of an external hard drive (EHD)
• View and record HD over the air digital broadcasts on TV1
• Convenient On-Screen Caller ID with history
• DishHOME Interactive TV for watching six screens at once and on-demand entertainment, games, shopping, news, sports, weather and customer service

I think I will definitely be switching to Dish Network soon - just after BYU plays in a bowl game

Click here to order Dish Network, or call 1-800-315-0788 (promo code 27239)

For him, the biggest reason was the the DVR for Dish is so much better. He likes the dual HDTV DVR tuner and the skip features better on Dish Network.

I also like the skip features on the Dish Network DVRs. With TiVo there is only a variable speed fast forward button. With Dish you can skip 30 seconds and time, normally 4 skips gets you back to your show in a hurry. If you go too far, two skips back cues you right up.

As far as having the dual tuner for their bedroom and living room, I asked, “Why not just get two DVRs?” The reason: he didn’t want to pay an extra lease fee. That certainly makes sense.

Yet after pondering that, I remembered that he also had HD. Now if one happened to prefer DIRECTV, they could justify the extra receiver fee because HD is $10 less per month, and local channels are included free. Considering Dish Network plans are on average $10 less per month - it pretty much all evens out, and we’re just back to personal preference.

Dish Network

First let’s look at who’s leading the industry with the most HD channels. That would be Dish Network. Dish Network currently has 75 High Def channels. Right now they are offering six months free HD access to new and existing customers who will sign and 18 month contract. After that, DishHD costs $20 per month on top of whatever programming package you choose.

Dish Network also boasts having the best HD DVR on the planet. CNET reviews said it was better than TiVo! Dish Network is offering this HD DVR free to new subscribers as well. There is a $5.98 per month fee that applies for the DVR service.

DIRECTV

Not to be outdone, the satellite TV industry leader, DIRECTV is no slouch when it comes to HD. DIRECTV recently spend $1 billion for new satellites and upgraded ground equipment. DIRECTV now has 70 channels in HD and is promising to have 100 by the end of the year. Who will be the industry leader then? Still, it remains to be seen. The biggest selling point for DIRECTV right now is the price. At $9.99 per month it is $10 less that Dish Network. If you’re a football fan then the clear choice will be DIRECTV which offers over 230 games in HD.

DIRECTV is offering a free HD receiver to new subscribers after a $99 mail in rebate. Unfortunately, if you want an HD DVR will will cost you $199 after a $100 mail in rebate. So you maybe the $20 monthly charge for Dish Network is not so bad when you consider what you get up front. DIRECTV requires a 24 month contract for these rebates.