Next time you grab your mail, take a look at the advertisements you usually chuck before you reach your front door. More times than not, there will be an ad touting one of the two major satellite providers, Dish Network and DirecTV. As satellite providers push to secure the lead in the battle against cable providers, promotions are aplenty. Depending on the specific deal being advertised, a customer could enjoy free installation, free upgraded movie packages for three months or free digital video recorders (DVR). With all these promotions on the table, which satellite provider will offer the best value for your family?

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.

I was looking at the specs of the VIP722 DVR this morning. You might say I got DVR envy. I’m in the shopping mood right now. For the last 3 months I’ve been using Comcast. I know what you’re thinking, “what is a guy who runs a DIRECTV versus Dish Network site doing on cable?” Well, truth is, I told DIRECTV to stick it during the BYU football season, because I wanted the Mountain and both DIRECTV and Dish Network still do not carry that channel. Besides, I’d fulfilled my 2 year contract and figured it was time to switch anyway. I prefer to switch every two years to get the latest goods and check out the competition.

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)

I ran across the following comment on another site:

Second, Dish Network may be cheaper on some packages, but honestly after I did the research on what I wanted to get, Dish and DirecTV were not even.

While the comment doesn’t seem to make sense at first (you’re expecting a bit more after the word “even”), I think I know what this person is talking about.

If you are trying to decide between Dish and Directv, the first place I would start is on paper. Write the channels you *must* have. For example, for me it would include TBS to watch Braves games, ESPN, and local channels. My wife on the other had would require that we get Food Network, HGTV, TLC & Fox News.

The second step would be to determine what features you want to have. For us, DVR is now essential. Since we have 3 small children, we don’t really watch much live TV. If we do, then it is common to be interrupted often. DVR allows us to pause and rewind live TV, and record shows to watch at our convenience. We’re still sporting our 25″ TV we bought when we were married over 7 years ago so HD is not yet a feature we *need*.

The next step would be to see what packages include you required channels and features. You might also have a list of channels that would be nice to have, but are not require if you want to keep the price down. This could help you decide to choose one package over another.

As far as cost, remember that DIRECTV include “free” local channels while Dish Network is an additional $5.99 per month.

OK, I must admit, my first impression after reading the following press release was, “What, only 42 inches?!”

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Nov. 16, 2007 — Congratulating NASA on the completion of a successful shuttle mission to the International Space Station (ISS) and the recent unveiling of a new living space aboard the orbital laboratory, DIRECTV is offering the ISS a complete HD makeover — including its industry-leading line-up of national HD channels, the most advanced HD DVR on the market, a 42″ flat screen HDTV and a sturdy velcro-wrapped remote control.

With the solar array repaired and the Harmony module — the ISS’s first new living space in six years — successfully bolted into its permanent location, DIRECTV is ready to offer the DIRECTV HD experience to the ISS crew, allowing them to catch up on current events or enjoy the best HD whenever their leisure time allows. If NASA accepts DIRECTV’s offer, the nations #1 satellite TV company is prepared to offer its top engineer to assist in the installation of the familiar satellite dish on the roof of the new module.

“Sure, there’s the awe-inspiring view of planet earth from more than 200 miles up, but what do you do for an encore after you’ve entered your 180th day in space?” said Jon Gieselman, senior vice president, marketing for DIRECTV, Inc. “But on a more serious note, we truly applaud both the shuttle and ISS crew for their incredible accomplishments and are honored to offer an HD experience worthy of the International Space Station. As a satellite TV service we obviously have a vested interest in space exploration and we’ve certainly benefited from NASA’s many technical and scientific achievements over the years. This is one way we can give a little something back.”

DIRECTV began its unprecedented HD expansion rollout last month and plans to offer up to 100 national HD channels by the end of the year. The full DIRECTV HD programming lineup, including the new channels, and details on receiving equipment needed for the new HD services, are available at [Expert Satellite or by calling 1-866-296-1516].

The DIRECTV 11 satellite will be launched early next year to support further HD expansion. Combining DIRECTV 11 with existing satellite capacity, DIRECTV will have the ability to deliver 150 national HD channels and 1,500 local HD and digital channels in addition to new advanced programming services for customers.

We were recently at a friends house for dinner & games. They just build a new house and I was admiring the TV setup. My friend owns and audio/video installation company. They install high-end systems daily. He owned Dish Network and and asked him why.

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.

The top 12 reasons satellite television (i.e. DIRECTV & Dish Network) kick cable’s (i.e. Comcast) Butt:

1. More channels – Satellite providers are available across the country and out of the country even. More customers means more customer demands and hence more channels and packages available. Let’s say a particular channel is popular and available back east and you want to watch it on the west coast. You are much more likely to have this channel included in you satellite package that you would in your cable package. For example, I like watching Braves games and I live in Utah. Many of the games are played on SportsSouth. That channel is available on both DIRECTV & Dish Network, but not available through my local cable provider.
2. Cheaper – Thanks to the two major players in the market, the costs are quite reasonable. You will find by comparing packages that you can get much more for your money than you can with cable.
3. No Activation Fees – Order from either satellite provider and they will be out within a couple days and get you all set up, for free! Cable always tends to tack on a $30-$100 setup fee.
4. Better Equipment – Enjoy top of the line gadgets from the satellite dealers – again, in most cases it is free.
5. Free DVR! – Even with the cheapest satellite plans, you can get multiple DVR’s for free. Once you’ve had a DVR it’s hard to imaging not owning one. Cable’s DVR’s seem a bit out of reach in my mind for the average consumer.
6. All Digital – All channels are digital on the satellite. This is not the case with “digital cable”.
7. More sports – Looking back at reason number 1, you will see why this is the case. Plus, DIRECTV has more sports than any other provider. If you are a true sports fan, DIRECTV is your only options really.
8. And Music – DIRECTV has XM satellite and Dish Network has Sirius. What does Cable have?
9. Customer Satisfaction – OK, everyone will have their complaints and when there are problems with TV service I’ve found that people bark loud! But overall, based on consumer surveys, Dish Network is #1, and DIRECTV is #2. Oddly, is seams customers are more happy when they pay less and get more… go figure.
10. More HDTV – Satellite has led the way when it comes to HD. Soon DIRECTV will air 150 channels in HD including local channels.
11. Availability – This obviously will not apply to MOST people, but if you live in Rural area that doesn’t have a cable company, or a new development where the utilities have not yet come to you, you basically have no other choice.
12. Portability – My mom is weird but, I know whenever they take their camper out, they take along their extra satellite dish and receiver and have satellite TV with them while their camping (if you can call it camping). Have you ever heard of anyone taking their cable with them?

… And the 6 reasons why cable has its strong points:

1. Reliability – I went 5 years without having a problem with my satellite including wind, rain & snow, then one day it went fuzzy. That’s when I switched to the other provider and problem was solved. There may be occasions when snow or some other environmental variable may cause interference with your satellite. You just don’t have this problem with cable. That’s not to say cable is perfect. It seems my cable high speed internet has more outages than my satellite, but that’s a different beast.
2. Local packages – Cable companies are generally local and they know what locals want. The biggest example I can think of is right here in Utah. BYU and University of Utah Football is HUGE in the fall. The mountain west games are now being played on 3 different channels: 1. The Mountain (MTN); 2. Versus; 3. CSTV. Comcast has all three channels in their basic package. Neither DIRECTV nor Dish Network carry the Mountain. It is a new station and they claim they don’t have enough demand yet. I personally thing the real issue is because Comcast owns the Mountain. Damn them all!
3. Package Deals – Sticking with the local them, you can often get your phone and internet through your cable company, which can save you some money.
4. On Demand – Comcast loves to tote their On Demand stuff. This basically lets you choose from a library of shows and movies that you can watch anytime – much like YouTube
5. No Roof Décor – Hey, you can always put the satellite on the side of your house if you don’t like it on the roof
6. No Contract – Often, if you’re going to take advantage of the free equipment and installation with the satellite providers it will require a one or two year contract. With cable there is generally no contract so you can cancel at any time.

I recently read that mostly in part to new ownership of DIRECTV, we may be able to see updates and new TiVo products available.

TiVo is what made our family switch from Dish Network to DIRECTV. It also let my mom to switch, but unfortunately she swich too late and didn’t get the TiVo. Instead she got a far inferior DVR produced by DIRECTV.  Now there may be hope for better TV on the horizon!

It’s a High Def World! I would suspect with the upcoming holidays and the continuing falling prices of High Definition Televisions that one of these beauties might be at the top of many families wish lists this Christmas. So if you’re one of them, you’re going to want to get the most out of your new HDTV. Where is that going to happen?

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.

Since Google announced they will enter the TV advertising world, I wonder how they plan to tackle TiVo & DVR issues. Who watches commercials anymore?

It’s been a while since I’ve installed the package comparison tool? To date I have received no feedback on it. I’m curious as to what you think. Does it need work? How could it be improved. Please leave a comment below to let me know your thoughts.