Cable prices getting outrageous....Dish Network or DirectTV?

[wvjules]

My cable bill just went up yet again. I'm going to switch from my current cable and internet package deal to verizon dsl and a dish. What are the pros and cons of Dish Network and Direct TV?

 

[Bob Slydell]

I've only had DirecTV, so I can't speak about Dish, but I love DirecTV. The only issues we've had is the occasional problems with the signal going out when it's pouring outside or if snow piles onto the dish (it's rare -- maybe once every two months for a couple hours). Other than that, I love it.

 

[bananiem]

Cons of DishNetwork- My info is as of one year ago when we moved and got cable again.
Depending on where you live you may have to install an antenna for local network stations. We lived 60 miles from an NBC affiliate so we could not get the Twin Cities affiliate (90 miles away), for example. But if it was hot or bad weather the closer station had so much crap on the screen we couldn't watch it. Or the audio would be lost.
If it rained we lost the satellite signal. If it snowed we lost the satellite signal. If the wind was blowing hard enough we lost the signal. If the deer ran into the dish, we lost the signal.
The pros? On a clear day we could watch tv.

 

[LoraJ]

I have DirecTV. I haven't had any major problems. I think my Satelite went out a couple of times when it rained really really hard, but nothing major. My cable probably went out just as much.

I have had some issues with my receivers where the access cards need to be reset. I may add an extra receiver in a couple of months so hopefully i can get a model that works better.

One thing that I love about these receivers more than cable boxes is that if the power goes out, the receiver turns back on. When power would go off with cable, the box would stay off and the TiVo would not be able to change stations.

 

[MoniqueU]

I have had both Dish and Direct. I like direct better. Dual line Tivo boxes, NFL sunday Ticket being the two main reasons. Anything is better then cable around here. My sattelite has never gone down but then I live in California.

 

[barbeml]

I can't wait until Verizon starts offering video with their fiber to the premises technology. Comcast treats me like dirt...because they can. They need some competition.

 

[rayelias]

If the deer ran into the dish, we lost the signal.
QUOTE]


I've only seen dishes on the roof around here. You must have some monster deer in Minnesota!

 

[Bob Slydell]

I've only seen dishes on the roof around here. You must have some monster deer in Minnesota!

Ours in near the ground, on the back of our house right outside our den window.

 

[Figment22]

There's an active thread on the merits of Dish vs. Direct going on here.