Dish Network -- have it?

[Luv2Roam]

After being without cable (TV/intenet) for a week -- Thank you Frances!) I am looking into Dish Network, rather than standard cable (Bright House )

I would love to hear anyone's experiences.

Ages ago we use to have a satellite dish, before the days of scrambling.
Our second house had no cable lines, period. And we managed just fine without totally for five years. And I feel I could do it again.

 

[JetMom]

My parents have Dish Network and they really do not like it. They are just waiting out their contract.

We have had DirectTV for four years,though, and could not be happier.

 

[Luv2Roam]

As a newbie on all this -- what would be the difference between the two? And do you know why they do not like Dish Network?

TIA!

 

[JetMom]

There system has had a lot of technical problems in the year that they have had it. They have also had a lot of problems with the customer service department.

We have never had a problem with the DirectTV company and there service is great! we especially love TIVO. Also, when we switched from cable to DirecTV our monthly bill went down and we got more stations.

My parents dish also seems to have a lot more weather related trouble than ours does. For comparison, we only live 2 miles from my parents and her service goes out a lot, while we very very rarely have any problems.

 

[jetsetter90]

We have Dish and it fine. Only during really bad snow storms have we had a problem. Last week when Frances past through NY there was no problem and it was raining pretty heavy.

TTFN

Jetsetter90

 

[Muushka]

We have had Dish Network for about 5 or 6 years now. We really like it. Trust me when I say that I am frugal, but that $58 a month is really enjoyed by both me and my husband.

We had cable for probably 15 years. Not too thrilled with the price or the offerings. With Dish we have the top 150 which is great for what we both enjoy. The movies are great, SpeedVision (for NASCAR), the Discovery Channel and all the other goodies that are included.

If I HAD to complain, it would be that when there is a storm (and only for a few minutes), we do lose it. But with cable we lost it much more often and there was no rhyme or reason to it. At least with sattelite you have a pretty good idea when you will lose it!

 

[disykat]

We have dish Network and love it. We pay right around 40 a month (no premium channels like HBO). We've had it for several years and this year is the first time we've lost the signal. We lose it for a minute if it's really windy - I think we have a tree that is interfering.

 

[Luv2Roam]

During a bad storm, like we went through last week, I have no complaints about the cable going out. I feel thankful that is ALL we lost.
But I am ticked off on Bright House's attitude/lack of communication. Had they just communicated I am sure I and many others would have been much more understanding.

We once had US Qwest (cable/TV/phone) go out for a week in Omaha due to a construction worker diggining into a fiber optic line. Qwest went way out of their way to customers, even giving us a $65 credit for one month.
Bright House acts like they are doing a great favor by not billing us for the days of no service.

Everyone makes mistakes and has customer issues. It is all just in the way it is handled.
Hence, I would like to drop Bright House.

I feel like if the satellite service goes out, most likely I won't have electric anyway.
Outages I can understand. I would like to find a company with good (or at least fair) customer service.
And I am considering dropping cable access al together.

Oh -- and with cable TV and internet service we pay $100 a month with taxes/fees.

 

[Elwood Blues]

I have DISH (2 1/2 years) and I've had no problems with the equipment. The only trouble I have is with weather related fade outs. Now this might be because my dish has shifted (new house 4 years ago) due the house settling. I should probably readjust my dish but I'm lazy.

I just recently bought one of their PVRs (personal video recorder) that allows you to pause and rewind live TV (like watching a DVD or VCR). I can record a WHOLE lot of TV with the unit. It programs just like a VCR plus you can tell it to record every episode of your favorite program.

The best part of any of these systems (satellite or digital cable) is the on screen program guide.

 

[pjlla]

We have had Dish Network for 8 years and totally LOVE IT!! We have the Dish 500 with two PVRs and don't know what we would do without them. We have had friends/neighbors with other satellite systems and get fed up with them and dump them for cable.... but we VOW to never get cable tv again!!..............P

 

[JetMom]

I'm so encouraged by all of the positive posts. My Mom and Dad have had such a bad time. It's good to know that not everyone had the same experience.

 

[Blondie]

We've had Dish Network for about 7 years now and have been very pleased. The only time we lose satellite (and it's brief) is right before a big downpour. That's how we can tell a big rain is coming. It'll go out for about a minute or so, then come right back.

Even during hurricane Isabel last year, not once did we lose satellite.

We also have a PVR, and love it!

 

[catsrule]

We have Dish and have never had any problems.

 

[bumcat]

We have Dish and love it! So far no problems with customer service.

 

[DenMig]

I am a dish network transfer from direct tv. I was a big fan of direct tv but was frustrated waiting on local channels in Champaign, IL. Direct tv kept promising, and they still haven't delivered. Therefore I switched to Dish( they did have my locals) I was amazed to find I much prefer Dish. They gave me free installation, a dvr, and I only need one box to work on 2 tv's in separate rooms, therefore saving the charge of an extra box. And yes, you can watch different programing on both tv's. Dish 's dvr has 100 hours while Direct TV's tivo has 40 hours. The only thing I miss is the the NFL pack, but my wife doesn't. I'd recommend Dish over Direct tv unless you want the NFL package.

Dennis

 

[Tigger1]

I have had dish for years now. Costemer services has worked fine. The only neg is the tv guide on line is slow sometimes. I do have oldr receivers so maybe thats got something to do with it.

If you have someone a relative or friend to refer you, you get a discount and so do they. (If you need a referral let me know). I do not think they require contracts anymore which makes it nice.

Tigger

 

[Muushka]

Originally posted by DenMig
Snip...
And yes, you can watch different programing on both tv's.

Dennis

OK Dennis, I have to know. How did they do that? We got DISH about 6 years ago and we have 2 receivers. One is upstairs in the den and the other is downstairs in the bedroom. The one downstairs has a splitter that feeds the TV in the LR. But the LR has to watch what is in the BR. So, what did they do so that you can watch 2 different things?

PS Deep down inside I like it this way. I have a father-in-law that LOVES to surf, and this way he can't . But if we can make it better, I would like to. Thanks!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Muushka I am over your DISH question. I have had DISH for several years and never heard of that. It is 5 bucks a month extra for each receiver. You need to get that fixed!

That is one of the reasons we are considering going to cable. We want to put more TV's "on". Right now we are at 2. We probably will add the 3rd and pay another 5 bucks BUT...when we finish the basement now we are getting into too much $$$ for receivers each month. We are considering changing over now even though we like DISH network.

My dad has their "TIVO" feature which holds 100 hours of TV, (I think). I believe TIVO is 30???

Yes it does go out under heavy rain and I see you are in Florida? I don't know if I would go the DISH route since you guys have ALOT of heavy rain.
For example when it storms my DISH will go out for about 5-20 minutes. Depends on the storm.

All in all we HATE HATE HATE our cable company here. They need a major upgrade and REFUSE to do it. What I would tell you is to compare channel to channel. That is how we made our decision. Cable here is alot of $$$ for too little programming.

Good Luck!

 

[Luv2Roam]

A store Very close is where I can order Dish Network. But he did not seem very interested in taking time away from his buddy chat to talk to me. Or could be he is a man of few words.
Basically it was: there's the brochure. I asked a few questions and was told a one year contract is required. And I could be set up in a day or two.
We really do not watch much TV. And almost all I watch id TLC and CourtTV. And really most anything I need to know is on the internet. So that is my debate if I even care about cable TV.
According to the brochure four different shows can be watched on four different TVs at the same time. (Only DH and I. So not really necessary.) In addition to the $5 a month eqipment rental is a $4.99 per month additional outlet programming access fee will be charged for each dual tuner. (cha-ching. cha-ching)

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Originally posted by Muushka
OK Dennis, I have to know. How did they do that? We got DISH about 6 years ago and we have 2 receivers. One is upstairs in the den and the other is downstairs in the bedroom. The one downstairs has a splitter that feeds the TV in the LR. But the LR has to watch what is in the BR. So, what did they do so that you can watch 2 different things?

PS Deep down inside I like it this way. I have a father-in-law that LOVES to surf, and this way he can't . But if we can make it better, I would like to. Thanks!

OK, I asked dh and he said there is an antenna on the back of the receiver that you have to remove. I would give them a call and ask. Since you have 2 receivers already, it should be no problem to fix it.


Happy Surfing FIL!