Directv vs Dish

[crz4mm2]

I have had Directv for YEARS. I also have Direcway internet service (it is horrible and I am in the process of trying to get some other type of internet service).

I am considering switching to Dish network. I have several family members who have Dish and are happy with their service (they also pay a whole lot LESS than I do).

Pros= cons?

Thanks.

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

I cannot tell you the difference between the two services since we have had only DISH. I can honestly tell you that we have had no problems and have no intentions on switching to anything else. DISH all the way!

 

[crz4mm2]

Thanks. That is great to know. Do you have a DVR? I have tivo now and I love it. I don't know what I did before they came out with it and I want that with DISH if I go that direction.....

 

[wdw4us2]

We've had DISH for 10 years and have never had a problem with it.

We just purchased a second receiver - this one with DVR. I didn't know what we'd been missing! They usually run deals for new customers that involving getting the DVR receiver at no charge.

The only difference I can think of between DISH and DirecTVis that DISH does not have NFL Sunday ticket available.

 

[We4mickey]

We have had Dish for about 10 years as well. We have never had an issue with it. My parents have Direct and are constantly having problems with having to get a new card for it. It seems like at least twice a year. We love Dish.

 

[crossfamily]

We have DirectTV but only because of the NFL package!! My dh says he can't live without it!!

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

OP, yes we have the DVR and use it all the time, especially now with 24 starting up. I should also add that we purchased a second DISH that we keep in our 5th wheel trailer. We just take one of the receivers from the house and voila...we are camping with DISH!

 

[doxdogy]

We had Dish and switched to Directv. We were constantly losing signal with Dish every time it rained. I am not talking a major storm, but just a light rain.

 

[crz4mm2]

NFL package is NOT an issue

DH watches 'pinks' and Dragracing. He is also a big hunting fan. Other than that, as long as he can see TLC we are ok
I need local channels so I can see Lost (come feb) and Desperate Housewives (also need the DVR for that.. Can you have a seasons pass for that, like TIVO does?)

We have constant problems with our directv too. Used to be no problems, but recently we have had tons of issues... sigh.
Thanks all. I will call Dish and see what they have to offer. My current contract is up in Mar.

 

[crz4mm2]

We had Dish and switched to Directv. We were constantly losing signal with Dish every time it rained. I am not talking a major storm, but just a light rain.

That sounds like our experience with directv! LOL.

 

[iloveboardwalk]

We've had directv forever and have never, ever had a problem. Once, there was a really bad, huge, major electrical storm and we lost the signal for about 45 minutes. But, I don't think that was their fault.

 

[bicker]

I have tivo now and I love it. I don't know what I did before they came out with it and I want that with DISH if I go that direction.....

My understanding is that neither of the satellite services support TiVo any longer for new customers. With DirecTV, you'd have to buy someone's old DirecTiVo, or live with their new HR20, which is really quite a poor substitute for a real TiVo. Even the new TiVo Series 3, which is a fantastic HD DVR for 95% of its customers, still cannot support satellite services (because the satellite services won't allow it to).

 

[crz4mm2]

My understanding is that neither of the satellite services support TiVo any longer for new customers. With DirecTV, you'd have to buy someone's old DirecTiVo, or live with their new HR20, which is really quite a poor substitute for a real TiVo. Even the new TiVo Series 3, which is a fantastic HD DVR for 95% of its customers, still cannot support satellite services (because the satellite services won't allow it to).

I guess I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer today. I don't understand what you mean here......
So, new customers can not get a TiVo unit? and the new units that they have are not as good as the current TiVo unit I have? Is that what you are saying?
Why is this? What is different about the current TiVo unit compared to new units? Why do you say the new TiVOo series 3 is fantastic and yest it cannot support satellite services? This makes no sense to me.....

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

OP, we have the DVR in our receiver and it does all the recording we need. Forget the TIVO stuff.

 

[disneyfreakk]

We just switched to Dish from Directv! LOVE Dish! The programing is sooooo much better. We have the DVR, but havent used it yet.

 

[crz4mm2]

OP, we have the DVR in our receiver and it does all the recording we need. Forget the TIVO stuff.

You have dish then?
Thanks so much. That's what I need to hear

 

[Papa Deuce]

I am having a HUGE issue with DISH right now, at my mom's house. The problem should never have occured, BUT, in all fairness, they recognize that now, and will have everything fixed up by Tuesday, and I even got $100 credit. So, customer service seems good, too, IMO.

 

[bicker]

So, new customers can not get a TiVo unit?

DirecTV is no longer selling them.

and the new units that they have are not as good as the current TiVo unit I have?

Yes, that's correct.

Why is this? What is different about the current TiVo unit compared to new units?

There are several very long threads about this on AVS Forums. The most common complaints revolve around the poor user interface, loss of some critical features, etc.

Why do you say the new TiVOo series 3 is fantastic and yest it cannot support satellite services? This makes no sense to me.....

Perhaps the satellite services didn't want TiVo cannibalizing their captive customer base. The satellite services are not sharing their motivations behind their decisions with the public. Regardless, they will not allow TiVo to sell HD DVRs that will work on their services, so the TiVo Series 3 just supports cable. Between user-interface, performance, and picture quality, the Series 3 is the best HD DVR out there. The only problem is that its interface to CableCARDs isn't very robust.

The Series 3 is a great HD DVR for 95% of its customers, but if you want satellite, you're stuck with one of the DVRs that they are willing to provide you (or a used DVR).

 

[Poohbear123]

I have DISH network, and my DD WORKS for Direct TV! I LOVE the DISH, we had comcast before, and what a difference.

 

[ford family]

We had Dish and switched to Directv. We were constantly losing signal with Dish every time it rained. I am not talking a major storm, but just a light rain.

We had this problem with DirectTV so we switched to Verizon FIOS. Now we get phone, broadband and tv on the same package and we are very impressed with the quality and performance.

ford family