Should I Switch to the Dish?

[jonw9]

I have cable in my home since we bought in 2002, mostly because of hi-speed.

Right now I have digital cable (1 box) w/ Starz and Encore (plus HBO & SHO analog for free. I have high-speed at ~4Mb down and ~256 up for $92 before fees.


ATT has DSL in the area and I can add Dishnetwork, get 250 channels, with HD, DVR, and 2 movie packages (probably HBO and SHO) with a comparable speed DSL package for less then I am paying now.

I have an OTA antenna for local HD, but the bonus channels would be nice. Watching cable through TiVo looks pretty crappy on my 57" screen, and I think an integrated box would look better. Again, I could go through the cable company but it would be an additional $9.95 for the DVR service, plus $9.95 for the box ( and another $9.95 for HD).

However, cable has been pretty stable, and the outages are pretty minimal.

I know the dish HD is not "true" HD, but it is better than nothing. Is there anything I should concern myself with Dish Network or DSL before I proceed? I will probably switch my local service too, and save even more.

Does anybody know if I go through ATT do I get the free dish, or is that something to factor into the cost.

Any info will be appreciated.

[Sdallnct]

When we moved into our house we had all sorts of issues with Cable and them just not showing up for appointments. My wife finally had enough and called dish network who not only installed everything on July 4th, but added something I requested at the last minute.

We have enjoyed Dish since. I would say overall that I feel that SD on dish is higher quality then the SD on cable that we had always had in the past. The Dish DVR was our first so can't compare it to anything else. But will say it is a dual tuner DVR that we keep in a closed cabinet and it has worked flawlessly for three years now.

Service has been good. We didn't buy the extra per month service plan, but I have still called them twice and they have walked through helping me fix things for no charge.

One word of warning, negotiate for everything you can every hope to want now on the front end. Now three years later, they really are not so good to upgrade to HD. Basically they want $300 for an upgrade, and that would only upgrade our DVR and dish to HD. They will not upgrade our other box at all, we would just have to buy another one if we wanted that one HD as well. So, I'm doing OTA HD right now, which is a darn good signal and since I can pick up all locals in OTA HD, not in a huge hurry to switch.

Oh, and yea, you should get a discount. We ended up pulling the cable internet and getting DLS for less and they put on a small % discount on our bill. Then when we swiched to ATT for home phone, they added another % discount. We also got like 4-5 DVD's, but don't think they are doing that promotion any more.

[jonw9]

So as long as I get comparable speeds for the DSL, there is no penalty (data-wise) for switching to DSL?

I think I will call ATT next week to see what the package cost will run me.

[Sdallnct]

So as long as I get comparable speeds for the DSL, there is no penalty (data-wise) for switching to DSL?

I think I will call ATT next week to see what the package cost will run me.

I ran one of those internet site speed test, and it was exactly the same for my house.

Now I only do typical stuff, not a lot of large file transfers, don't do on line gaming or anything, so I just got the base DSL. I know they offer higher speeds at more money thou.

I have never had a DSL outage. And over three years I can count maybe 4-5 times when we lost dish. All during thunderstorms. I think that is pretty good considering here in N.TX. we have thunderstorms pretty darn regularly.

[jonw9]

I am going to call tomorrow and find out some pricing specifics.
What I am considering is the HD-DVR in the living room.

What I am wondering now is if I get a second box for the bedroom, will I be able to use my TiVo series2 (w/lifetime) with the DN receiver?

Looking at their website, it appears that they supply the DVR box to work with 2 sets (one HD, the other SD) but I don't get how that would work if my second set is upstairs.

[Sdallnct]

Well if the Dual DVR is like my SD version, you can set it to work with only one TV. I believe that will give you more options like watching one channel while recording another.

I would image your Tivo would work, but would need another box. I have a 2nd box in my media room with a tivo hooked up to it (non-HD).

So it sounds like you want two seperate boxes, one with a DVR and one without so you can hook your Tivo to it.

I believe that is how it would work, but ask.

[jonw9]

Well, I spent half an hour looking for a phone number to call the frickin' phone company to see how much the specific option I want would be.

I have to go to a meeting now. Maybe I will spent the rest of the evening looking. :(

[jonw9]

I spoke with ATT and Dish, and neither really offer a discount for combining the services.

I can get dish200 channel pack with DSL rated "up to 3Mb down and 384-512 up". This is comparable to what I have now, will I notice a difference surfing the internets? I can double the speed for another $10/month.

Anyway, with change-over rebates, new customer and such, I would end up paying an extra $125 over the course of a year, but have the addition of 27 HD channels.

I started this as a way to save money, but I am still on the fence about switching over.

One one hand, I am not really satisfied with the SD (through TiVo) on my TV. On the other hand, of 200+ channels, I still will probably only watch 15. A lot of the HD stuff probably be watched. Plus I have read the SD still suffers on the dish.

I may just make the switch for the 3 months and see what happens. I can always go back to cable, since I am not on any kind of special.

[sniper308]

Can't speak to Dish, but I have Satellite through DirecTV and haven't had any significant outages...


In any case for combined service deals with ATT & Dish check here

http://localization.sbc.com/loc/controller?cdvn=landinglocalization&pid=1080&ltype=res

I have high speed cable for internet, since my company pays for it... so not sure specifically on DSL questions, but the only thing that would bother me about the DSL rating you stated was the "up to" part. Not sure how much variance there is with DSL. If you actually get 3 MB down and 384-512 up you will be fine for surfing and more.

The cable connection I have is only rated at 1.5 MB down but I get closer to 2 MB down and 384 up and I've never had an issue surfing/gaming, etc. I don't perform heavy downloads often, and its free so I'm good with it :D

[kvrdave]

Dish isn't "true" HD? What do you mean by that?

[jonw9]

I have read many places (even on this board) that this dish compresses the HD signals in order to save bandwidth.

So the satellite HD is often not as good as OTA.

This is the Reader's Digest version. I am sure a better explanation can be found.

[kvrdave]

I have read many places (even on this board) that this dish compresses the HD signals in order to save bandwidth.

So the satellite HD is often not as good as OTA.

This is the Reader's Digest version. I am sure a better explanation can be found.

I had read that Direct did that, but not Dish.

[jonw9]

I thought it was done with both. I read some places that people search for a specific satellite because it has less compression.

[jonw9]

Well, I called and ordered the dish today.

I received a flyer from a local company that gave me the DVR and locals for free. COme to find out, with the HD package (free for 10 months) I get HBO-HD and another movie channel or 2. Now I won't need to spend the extra $15 a month for HBO.

Now is having 8 HBOs worth the extra money? I know 1 is in Spanish, so of no benefit to me. I assume 3 of the others are the same HBO, just time shifted for other time-zones.

[kvrdave]

No, one is for family crap, one is for comedy crap, one if for family comedy crap, etc. The HD is the only one I watch, but I though you had to have the subscription to get it. Check on that.

[jonw9]

The guy on the phone specifically said the HBO-HD is part of the high-def package, not the HBO one.

I can check with the installer, but I doubt he will know. Maybe I will send DN an email.

[Houstondon]

Jon,
let us know how it works out. TW has proven to be less than reliable in Houston so I've been considering a switch too. Like you, I only watch a handful of channels but the claims and counter claims about which service is "best" always lead me into an endless supply of people from each side (saying one service or the other is great or horrible, depending on what happened with them).

[jonw9]

Well the guy on the phone was wrong, shocking huh?

Thank you for your email. Please be advised that the HBO-HD channel is only available if you have the necessary HD equipment and the HBO package. It is not included in the HD package by itself.

Thank you for allowing us to be of assistance to you. If you have any further questions or concerns, please refer to www.dishnetwork.com or reply to this email.

Sincerely,

Charles T.

TID:OR-Chrysler

DISH Network eCare

[kvrdave]

Yeah, that's what I thought. Sorry about that.

I have just come to grips with the idea that TV and HD is more important to me than anything, so I pay a lot. :shrug:

[jonw9]

This began as an exercise in savings. And I guess it could be as long as I canceled the HD portion, but oh well.

I am just annoyed with the crappy cable service, DSL is now in town and I can get 3 mos. free. Maybe by dropping cable they will realize that the need to do something other than charge $20 per month for 9 HD channels, 6 of which are easily available OTA in the area.

I am going to miss the free HBO and SHO (analog) though. :(

Dave, have you used a TiVo series 2 with a standard DN box? I have a lifetime unit, and I would hate to let it go to waste.

[jonw9]

Well, the first part of my conversion has begun. The DSL modem arrived today.

DO I need to put DSL finters on everything? TiVo, Dish box, alarm, phones etc? If so, does anybody know where I can purchase more, or if my DSL provider (ATT) will send me additional ones?

[Spiky]

Yes, you do. You should see my house. The Qwest guy thought I was crazy when he gave me my package with 3-4 filters in it and I asked for more.

They aren't super easy to find, like say, phone wire. But you should be able to find them at electronics stores. Or maybe get another pack from the phone company if possble. You ought to be able to find them cheaper, but here is an example:
http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=3976818

Check with your alarm company. They might need to come out and apply a filter to their device themselves. Or it might have one built in that they need to switch to or something. This is the trickiest part of the deal.

[kvrdave]

Dave, have you used a TiVo series 2 with a standard DN box? I have a lifetime unit, and I would hate to let it go to waste.

I am remote enough that the cable is beyond suck. So much so that I went with dish within 6 months of their launch. Even had to buy the dish at $599 and self-install. You can't get OTA around here, and you can't get HD without a dish. As a result, I had a tivo that I tried to hook through Dish, but the remote delay was too much and I returned it. The other was during my switch to Directv, and I was never really impressed with tivo.

[Spiky]

Oh, if you have some phones near sat receivers or something, try to double them up on filters, it is easier and probably cheaper to find a phone splitter than filters.

[jonw9]

I am remote enough that the cable is beyond suck. So much so that I went with dish within 6 months of their launch. Even had to buy the dish at $599 and self-install. You can't get OTA around here, and you can't get HD without a dish. As a result, I had a tivo that I tried to hook through Dish, but the remote delay was too much and I returned it. The other was during my switch to Directv, and I was never really impressed with tivo.

I have to have the TiVo remote delay on SLOW for my cable box, so I am somewhat used to the delay. I am pretty sure the set-up would be pretty much the same for a dish box.




Oh, if you have some phones near sat receivers or something, try to double them up on filters, it is easier and probably cheaper to find a phone splitter than filters.

The 5 that came with the kit were enough to do the phones and TV boxes. The only one I am still waiting to hear from is the alarm one. I see special ones for alarm online, but I don't know if I need the $40 if the $20 one works the same.

[Spiky]

It's generally just that alarms are hard-wired rather than using plug-in cords.

[jonw9]

My alarm is just a plug in cord with a special jack.
Is there someplace local I can pick up one more filter? HD, Lowes, Target, Wal-Mart? Are they sold in such places?

[Spiky]

Yes. Probably all those places, but obviously I can't guarantee it. Like I said above, they are out there, just a little harder to find. Might be with phone or HT wires, so check both spots. I know I've seen them, I think at HD, Walmart, BB and Menards. Maybe Target, too. (menards is like HD if you aren't familiar)

[jonw9]

Well, I got the dish installed today.

It all went pretty smooth except I had to sign an 18-mo. contract that I didn't plan on. Also come to find out I ended up getting a HD box, not a HD-DVR box. Now I have to get in touch with the company to get this corrected. I have a DVR remote, but when I tried to do stuff, it wasn't working. I got a VIP-211, not the 622 or whatever. I specifically asked and was told it was a DVR, but after checking (and trying) it was not.

Lastly, my DSL only works intermittently. I have to reset the modem (power off/on) about 4 times a day to recconnect. This is not making me happy. I have the filters on all lines, so I really don't know what the problem is. :(

[Spiky]

I think every time you even take an unfiltered phone off the hook it kills the DSL. Could check that out, maybe you missed something or there's a bad filter. Otherwise, I'd just make them bring out a new one. I've lost track, I've either had 2 or 3 crap out on me with very similar symptoms. Oh, it could also be the cord, or the line in the wall. Make sure you have nice solid cords at all your phones, no wonky connectors.

Comcast did that to my dad when he last switched, sent out a non-DVR. And then, of course, they claim it really is one when you call. I swear there is a major mistake with every single cable/sat install done. It's incredible just how bad these guys are nowadays.

[jonw9]

Yeah, I contacted ATT about the problem, but being the weekend, there is not much luck in getting a response. Same goes for the Dish people.

It appears it made it through the night, but there was a power outage so maybe that did the reset for me! ;)

[jonw9]

I am trying to figure out how things work.

Questions I have are:
1) How do I remove unwanted channels from the guide?
2) How do I set the SD stuff to stretch?

Thanks. I would look in the manual, but the left a manual for a 625 (SD-DVR) with a 211 box (HD) when I was supposed to get a 622 (HD-DVR).

I know alot of changes are for nothing, since I will be getting a new box shortly, but I am hoping at least I can make the changes quickly next time.

[jonw9]

Bump again...

Well, I contacted the Dish place, and will be shipped out the 622 DVR box, but it probably won't be here until the end of the week.

I think I have the DSL stuff figured out too. My router was set to dynamic IP and not PPPoe or something like that. It should be working now. I haven't had much time to test it.

I think what I need to do for the guide to remove unwanted channels (HSN, religion, foreign) is to created a favorites of channels I actually do watch, not remove channels I don't.

I am still not sure on how the stretch is configured, but I am not too worried since I will be getting rid of that box shortly.

Now my problem is the upstairs box (322 w/TiVo) goes into some sort of sleep mode, thus I end up recording a Dish Network screen saver. I think the common way around this is to set up a timer in the 322 to "record" 23.5 hours a day.

[kvrdave]

Yeah, favorites is the way to go. Honestly, I just leave it on the "All HD" guide. After watching HD, I rarely watch anything else.

[jonw9]

I will work on the favorites thing, but probably not until my DVR arrives.

I assume it will be another option in guide?

All Chan:All Sub:All HD:Fav 1?

[kvrdave]

Yeah. I think aside from "favorites" the standard ones are "all channels" "all subscriptions," and "HD only."