Goodbye cable, I want to get Satellite

[Deepstage]

OK, it's time to ditch comcast and get me some Satellite. My friend just got Direct TV cause Dish Network said they couldn't get a signal. I like the menu and stuff but he said the Dish network remote was more friendly. Also it appears that Dish network has more (useable) high definition channels.

There are pros and cons to each setup I know. Like Direct tv you have to pay for extra receivers and Dish you get two receivers that can control 4 tv's without paying extra. But with Dish network you have to pay for the local channels in HD. Not a huge deal cause I don't watch them much, but on the other hand I don't like the idea of switching from the satellite signal to the antenna (I'd probably get a HD antenna for the locals and screw paying for them).

So what are your thoughts experiences. And please, no lollerskating repsonses or petty squables if you disagree with someone. I just want some peoples input to see if I can learn something I don't already know before I make a decision.

Also, what package do you have and what is the best deal out there. I'm thinking the $59.99 package with Showtime and Stars with the DVR upgrade and paying the extra $5 or whatever for the HD upgrade. I want both. I haven't looked at stand alone DVR's or whether it's better to just go buy one. My friends Direct tv DVR is pretty nice, it's simple to use and integrated which may be worth it right there for ease of use,,,,,,,,,I dunno.

Paul

[RyanM]

i was to have direct tv install 3 recievers and a dvr today ,and once the tech got here he said it was going to cost $300 more dollars to do a custom install to my house because of the pain its going to be to install ,so i told him to forget it .the original salesman told me its free install and all the equipment is free and i get a $200 rebate ,i never have had a problem with comcast but the monthly rate was cheaper with dish ,so il stick with what i already have

[Spiral]

i was to have direct tv install 3 recievers and a dvr today ,and once the tech got here he said it was going to cost $300 more dollars to do a custom install to my house because of the pain its going to be to install ,so i told him to forget it .the original salesman told me its free install and all the equipment is free and i get a $200 rebate ,i never have had a problem with comcast but the monthly rate was cheaper with dish ,so il stick with what i already have

I had Directv but I went to comcast because I got all my locals in HD without needing an off air receiver. I never had a problem with signal with DTV though.

[5SpeedFox]

I hate Satellite everytime it storms the tv doesn't work. And when it storms happens to be some of the more important times you actually need the tv. We got mediacom cable and it beats direct tv by far....

[RyanM]

I hate Satellite everytime it storms the tv doesn't work. And when it storms happens to be some of the more important times you actually need the tv. We got mediacom cable and it beats direct tv by far....

i was told that in 2006 they only lost a total of 15 minutes of signal due to whatever and that is ususally under 1minute at a time so who knows

[5SpeedFox]

i was told that in 2006 they only lost a total of 15 minutes of signal due to whatever and that is ususally under 1minute at a time so who knows

I don't know at my ex's house everytime it storms it doesn't work either....we are like 2 miles apart so maybe it's just the area? But I've heard this from ALOT of other people to.

[Deepstage]

I've heard conflicting info on the loss of signal issue. Some don't have a problem, some do. My neighbor rarely does so I'm sure I'll be ok. Plus to get any HD with comcast and some of the channels I want like National Geographic, more Discovery, History, etc, comcast will be about $100,,,,,,,,screw that and their new price increases.

[RyanM]

all prices are a rip off for tv but then again who can live without tv

[SmithEvo]

I've got dishnetwork... never had an issue with them. Good Cus. Service, good channels, never had an issue with billing.

[LES]

I hate Satellite everytime it storms the tv doesn't work. And when it storms happens to be some of the more important times you actually need the tv. We got mediacom cable and it beats direct tv by far....

Wrong , I have the newest Direct TV avaialble and that bullshit about snow and rain is just that Bullshit. They have hcanged the dish and everything and I would bet local cable was down more then my DTV last year. Tell your friend to call and tell them he looses singnal and he wants an updated Dish. They will do it for free.I have been a customer of Direct TVsince it began , It was called SOmthing differant then.

I had Directv but I went to comcast because I got all my locals in HD without needing an off air receiver. I never had a problem with signal with DTV though.

This also is no longer true the new HD 5 LNB that DIrect TV uses picks up the local HD, You no longer need a stand alone on air HD antenna.

[5SpeedFox]

ok, it's fine when it rains or storms, as long as its light. But when a bigger storm is comming threw it says no signal....never happend with the cable we have now, thats why we switched but my ex still has it and as far as i know it still does it. I don't know...but in the time we've had our cable(2 years) it's never gone down for a second as far as i know. Maybe the NEW dirrect tv is awesome, i really don't give a shit i was just stating whats happend to me and other people around here.

[Ford Fan]

I have direcTV and when it storms I lose my signal. I probably couldn't watch TV 3-4 nights in the last year (that I tried to watch). I've had to replace my DVR once but the DVR is well worth the money. I love it.

[NOTNSS]

I've got DishNetwork with a couple receivers and love it. The sat dropped once or twice last year for about 10 minutes total - no big deal imo. Besides, if the storm is so severe that it knocks the satellite out its most likely that the local programs will be cut into by local meterologists

[93sc]

You don't need an HD antenna. Just get a regular TV antenna and you'll get the HD signal no problem.

[punch]

I vote Dish Network because they have great HD content. They have the most channels out of any of the providers and their HD-DVR is pretty sweet!

We've had dish network sine we moved into our house and we recently switched over to the HD package and so far so good. The Voom network of HD channels that Dish bought are kinda cool. There is a 24/7 horror movie channel. :unf:

I've had a dish network tech tell me that they couldn't get a signal origional also, but dish called me back saying they were sending out another tech and that tech found a signal just fine. Just depends on how motivated the installer is.

www.hdtvtwincities.com <-- lots of good info on all the providers