Who has Dish Network?
September 23, 2009
I’m thinking about switching to that. Must…have…more…football. And it’s cheaper than getting the expanded cable.
But I don’t want to do it without some good references. So if you’ve got Dish Network, let me know how you like it. Or how you don’t like it. But really I’m hoping you like it, because that’s just the best option right now.
UPDATE - to clarify, the channel lineups on Dish, DirectTV, and expanded cable are all satisfactory. I’m really wondering about equipment, service, whether the picture is consistently good (I keep hearing about problems during storms?). What’s the experience of dealing with Dish? Good?
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This is something I have actual expertise on.. instead of everything I put on the blog..
Direct TV had the NFL package.. It’s been a while since I’ve looked at the line up for Dish, I’m not sure.
But after being a professional installer for both systems,
Hardwarewise, I would go with Dish.
Easier controls and nicer set up. Plus their receivers have an option with a dual tuner and dual output. Meaning you can have 2 TV’s set up to watch 2 different channels off of only one receiver.
I’m not sure of the high def line up.. I’m guessing it’s pretty close to Direct TV (my brother in law has that with the DVR and High Def.. it’s nice)
You really can’t go wrong with either one. My preference would be Dish.. but I would be okay without the NFL package too.
check out the channel lineups and what they have on high def and the cost of DVRs (if that’s your thing.. if you can set it up, it’s nice to have)
If you do get high def or DVR, you will need two coaxial feeds to the receiver location from where the dish will be. And make sure that where the dish will be will have a very clear view of the southern sky too. Direct will point slightly west of south (picture the tip of Texas and point there) and DISH will need to point a few more degrees to the west from there (where AZ and NM border’s meet Mexico).
(and these are SWAG’s too from when I installed these in Michigan).
Check with the install company too. Some will drop wires on top of the ground and punch a hole through the wall to install.. others will go a bit out of their way to fish it through a retro box and put a more of a high touch finish it the job.
all comes down to money, in the end..
Hope that helps :)
Thanks, Dave. That does help.
With Dish, you have the one phone number for everything.. but I’ve had no issues with navigating their phone tree or their service.
You do get rain fade with the systems.. either Dish or Direct.. One way around it is to make sure that the dish peaked out when tuning it in. and a bigger dish to reflect more signal back to the LNB (Low Noise Block converter or something.. I can’t remember what it stands for off hand) I think the bigger dish would have to be a third party manufacturer.. ask the installer/sales person.. (instead of the 20 in dish, it’s more of a 30 in. dish)
I’ve got it (though not with sports packages). I like it
I have had, in order, Charter cable-Dish Network-Direct TV.
Charter at the time would not give me Fox News. Dropped it.
Dish was fine at the time for 2 TV’s.
Settled on Direct when they offered 1 dish, 4 receiver deal.
So I now have 2 HD and 2 standard receivers in 4 different rooms. I have 2 HDD recorders (not Tivo) for the HD systems, it’s been great.
Perhaps once every 4 months I have to reset a receiver (unplug-plug back in). That’s it. Same thing happened with Dish, not a big deal. Much, much, better than cable. Signal loss? Maybe twice in 4 years.
DirecTV all the way. NFL Sunday Ticket is awesome. HD picture quality rocks. Never had a problem with customer service (did get a numbnuts installer once, but sent him away and they dispatched somebody else).
Yes, their DVR is clunky, but they’ve seen the error of their ways and are going back to TiVo next year.
Rain fade? Maybe once or twice a year for 10-15 mins. I can live with that.
DISH Network will rock your world Cave Dude. I’m a believer and you will be too!
We have direct at the northern home, due to the distance from any stations. Our contract expires in April and I will be returning their box ASAP. There service sucks, there reps are worse. That is why they just lost a class action lawsuit and will be paying out millions.
Thanks, all. This has been very helpful.