DirecTV vs Dish.

I'm thinking of dropping Metrocast (except for Internet) and going satellite. So, which satellite company edges the other out?

We've had Dish Network for 6 years with zero problems. No experience with DirecTV and no intentions to switch.

I have grown to really love my directtv..I get so many more channels for cheaper than I did with comcast or metrocast. Only bummer is there are no free movies, ordering the movies is more expensive than cable, and there are about 100 "advertisement" channels you have to surf through...but I love the variety and the price.

I had Dish for well over 10 years. Excellent quality, and if you believe the TV ads, better pricing than Direct.

Canceled them last year because I just didn't want to pay that much for service I really didn't use that much.

I am thinking of going to Dish vs Direct since Direct can't get me HD due to trees. I have heard that Dish has a much higher angle to aim for.

I am thinking of going to Dish vs Direct since Direct can't get me HD due to trees. I have heard that Dish has a much higher angle to aim for.

Direct:
Zip Code: 20619

Elevation: 38.9
Azimuth: 227.0


Table for Dish:
http://www.dishnetwork.com/downloads/user-guides/installation/RV_Pointing_Table.pdf

Direct:
Zip Code: 20619

Elevation: 38.9
Azimuth: 227.0


Table for Dish:
http://www.dishnetwork.com/downloads/user-guides/installation/RV_Pointing_Table.pdf

Looks like I heard wrong. So where is the other sat located? This one looks to be over the west coast or something.

Looks like I heard wrong. So where is the other sat located? This one looks to be over the west coast or something.

Directv: 101 degrees
110 degrees

Dishnetwork: 110 degrees
119 degrees

I've had experience with both and I prefer DTV.

I have had both in recent years - Dish more recently.

DirecTV appealed to me more in the way their program guide functioned. Plus, their channel lineups suit me better; with Dish, there were a couple channels I wanted that were in their "top" package that I had gotten in the "mid" package through DirecTV.

I had a DVR with Dish and it worked excellently. Very few problems with equipment through either one.

Customer service was good with both as well.

Can't go "wrong" with either one. I'd say review their packages, weigh prices, and whichever one seems better, go for it. :shrug:

Looks like I heard wrong. So where is the other sat located? This one looks to be over the west coast or something.

Both Dish and Direct have birds in very similar geo-sync orbits, pretty much the same elevation. Dish has birds at 105* ,110*, 119*, and 121*.

Satellite dish look angle pointer calculator (http://www.satcalculator.net/)

Directv: 101 degrees
110 degrees

Dishnetwork: 110 degrees
119 degrees

Very confused here. I get Direct tv, why can't I get high def? I don't see anything about a second satellite for either system, but the guy that said I couldn't get it said the "other" satellite was too low an angle. Everything I read about how they do it talks like high def comes from one satelite in MPEG4 format.

Both Dish and Direct have birds in very similar geo-sync orbits, pretty much the same elevation. Dish has birds at 105* ,110*, 119*, and 121*.

Satellite dish look angle pointer calculator (http://www.satcalculator.net/)

Thanks.

Very confused here. I get Direct tv, why can't I get high def? I don't see anything about a second satellite for either system, but the guy that said I couldn't get it said the "other" satellite was too low an angle. Everything I read about how they do it talks like high def comes from one satelite in MPEG4 format.

On Directv the main HD channels come from the 110 satellite and your HD locals come from 103 and 99. The 101 brings in everything else.

On Directv the main HD channels come from the 110 satellite and your HD locals come from 103 and 99. The 101 brings in everything else.

That would explain it then. Thanks. I guess it is more the azmith than the elevation then. I figured the elevation had to be about the same.

Thanks for all of your feedback. It's very useful.

I looked at the numbers and by keeping Metrocast Internet and switching TVs to SAT, I can save $45 per mo during the 12 month promotion period. Even after it ends, the monthly ost during the second year is still $15 cheaper than what I'm paying now and I get more HD channels and a DVR.

The only thing I have to look at now is will my trees be a problem. Don't think they will but I'm looking at the links that were posted.

Thanks again.


.

Red Zone Channel and Sunday Ticket baby!!!

Direct TV has both...I don't think Dish has anything like that.

Red Zone Channel and Sunday Ticket baby!!!

Direct TV has both...I don't think Dish has anything like that.

I just looked and Dish has teh RedZone but I don't see the NFL Sunday Ticket listed.

We've had Dish Network for 6 years with zero problems. No experience with DirecTV and no intentions to switch.

I have had Directv for a number of years with zero problems....Same here..No experience with Dish and no intentions to switch either...Do what you think will best suit you...

I have had both in recent years - Dish more recently.

DirecTV appealed to me more in the way their program guide functioned. Plus, their channel lineups suit me better; with Dish, there were a couple channels I wanted that were in their "top" package that I had gotten in the "mid" package through DirecTV.

I had a DVR with Dish and it worked excellently. Very few problems with equipment through either one.

Customer service was good with both as well.

Can't go "wrong" with either one. I'd say review their packages, weigh prices, and whichever one seems better, go for it. :shrug:

:yeahthat:

We have Directv and love it, we used Dish at one point when they had some special offer, but switched back to Directv, and have been happy with them for a long time.

We have Directv and love it, we used Dish at one point when they had some special offer, but switched back to Directv, and have been happy with them for a long time.

They are good and would have the packages I wanted. I think I may be going to Metro for the HD.

They are good and would have the packages I wanted. I think I may be going to Metro for the HD.

Make sure you compare HD vs FULL HD. HD can mean anything from 740i to 1080p. Just because they advertise HD does not mean you get 1080 quality. Both sat systems do, cable is very hit or miss.

Make sure you compare HD vs FULL HD. HD can mean anything from 740i to 1080p. Just because they advertise HD does not mean you get 1080 quality. Both sat systems do, cable is very hit or miss.

Arghh! Life was a lot easier when I got up from the couch and switched between channels 9 and 11.

Arghh! Life was a lot easier when I got up from the couch and switched between channels 9 and 11.

:fixed:

Life was easier when we made the kids get up and switch between channels 9 and 11.

:fixed:

Life was easier when we made the kids get up and switch between channels 9 and 11.

And adjust the center knob....to fine tune.

BR549

KP2h1gJcsHU

And adjust the center knob....to fine tune.

BR549

KP2h1gJcsHU

Don't forget horizontal hold.

Don't forget horizontal hold.

Lol...true.

Love my Dish Network. I have a triple LNB dish which replaced my need for two dishes (1 SD/1 HD) so I have two HDTVs (and 1 SDTV) getting signal from 1 dish. I have two tvs on one HD/DVR receiver (1 and 1) and I can watch DVR stuff on either and the 3rd TV is HD on a separate receiver.

Love my Dish Network. I have a triple LNB dish which replaced my need for two dishes (1 SD/1 HD) so I have two HDTVs (and 1 SDTV) getting signal from 1 dish. I have two tvs on one HD/DVR receiver (1 and 1) and I can watch DVR stuff on either and the 3rd TV is HD on a separate receiver.

I think I hate you. :killingme

Love my Dish Network. I have a triple LNB dish which replaced my need for two dishes (1 SD/1 HD) so I have two HDTVs (and 1 SDTV) getting signal from 1 dish. I have two tvs on one HD/DVR receiver (1 and 1) and I can watch DVR stuff on either and the 3rd TV is HD on a separate receiver.

I think I hate you. :killingme

:lmao:

I think I hate you. :killingme

They had to relocate my dish(es) due to signal problems but found that it was easier to upgrade to the triple LNB and hit a different SAT. I think it's 61.9 :confused: but I have NOT had a single issue since it was moved.

Get a second opinion on your SAT location or borrow a chainsaw.:whistle:

They had to relocate my dish(es) due to signal problems but found that it was easier to upgrade to the triple LNB and hit a different SAT. I think it's 61.9 :confused: but I have NOT had a single issue since it was moved.

Get a second opinion on your SAT location or borrow a chainsaw.:whistle:

Hate was way to harsh, envy is better. They say perhaps with six trees down they could make it happen. I have the saw, but the neighbors may object. Only two are on my property. They do burn wood, but are also kinda hippy tree lovers. Go figure. I think they only use ones that are brought down by storms. I, on the other hand, love cutting them down. Thins out the forest for new growth.

something to think about: bundle package with a phone company...

it could be the deal breaker between dish and dtv

something to think about: bundle package with a phone company...

it could be the deal breaker between dish and dtv

Yep. But Verizon has been good with phone, except when they cut it off once when they thought I had died. :killingme Metro has been great with internet, except at times they seem to slow down a bit.

We've had DTV since Aug 1998. There was no cable or antenna options back then. I don't remember if Dish had an office here yet. We used to have their Hughs internet but the speed lagged too much for the gamers, so when metrocast finally brought cable down here 4 years ago we switched. Verizon is still not available.
So that being said, other than the storm clouds blocking the signal it isn't too bad. You'll have the same problem with any sat feed. (they have to be really intense clouds btw).
We love the channel lineup - it suits us, and when we take off in the RV we just load up an extra receiver and adjust the dish for our location.

We've had DTV since Aug 1998. There was no cable or antenna options back then. I don't remember if Dish had an office here yet. We used to have their Hughs internet but the speed lagged too much for the gamers, so when metrocast finally brought cable down here 4 years ago we switched. Verizon is still not available.
So that being said, other than the storm clouds blocking the signal it isn't too bad. You'll have the same problem with any sat feed. (they have to be really intense clouds btw).
We love the channel lineup - it suits us, and when we take off in the RV we just load up an extra receiver and adjust the dish for our location.

You didn't need an "office" to set up Dish Network. We got our original equipment @ Sears back in '97-'98 and had a Dish contractor set it up for us. We've lost signal only a handful of times during our years with Dish, but that does have a lot to do with your location and signal strength.

You didn't need an "office" to set up Dish Network.


:yeahthat: I got mine in '95 (?) or thereabouts, ordered it from HSN (had cable back then. dumped cable for Dish). Installed it myself, one phone call to activate it.

Yep. But Verizon has been good with phone, except when they cut it off once when they thought I had died. :killingme Metro has been great with internet, except at times they seem to slow down a bit.
I think Verizon bundles with DirecTV. When we lived in NC we had Dish bundled with Sprint, which became Embarq, which became CenturyLink. :lol:

DirecTV vs Dish.

I'm thinking of dropping Metrocast (except for Internet) and going satellite. So, which satellite company edges the other out?

I have had BOTH DirectTV and Dish. Dish is by FAR the best over DirectTV. Far better customer service. However, both have their fair share "business relations". Dish has the best deal right now.

Which ever you do choose, check around for frequent flier bonuses. I switched to Dish in August and got 25k delta miles, free flight. I liked Directv but I'm ok with Dish. Dish is a little slow on the 3d content, and they're website is pretty basic.

I like Dish's service techs better, they weren't contractors so that was nice.