berserker37

I'm going satellite pretty soon, but not sure whether to go with DirecTV or Dish Network. Currently I'm weighing the Blockbuster DirecTV deal against the Dish Network's "I like $9!" deal. I was leaning towards DirecTV, but then I heard about the Dish Network's Personal Video Recorder, and that sounds pretty intriguing. (Does DirecTV offer a PVR?)

Any advice on each system's reliability, quality, customer service, channel selection, etc., would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

Brian Shannon

I have Direct TV and my brother in law has Dish network. Other than minor variations in programming packages and the look and feel of the guides I am not sure there is a whole lot of difference.

Read all the fine print and compare the prices and the hardware.

I think you would be pleased with either one.

skar

Yes! Both Philips and Sony make a DirectTV receiver with TiVo. Great software and you can record two shows at once.

duckdogger

I have had both and I would give the nod to Direct as they appear to have the edge on equipment. The TiVo is one example. Dish says they have receivers with component video and Toslink out, but try to find a dealer who even has a clue to what you are talking about. Their web site was not much help the last time I was there. Maybe they are ore up to speed now.

I agree that the program offerings are a wash, both are comprehensive.

matchpenalty

If you are a sports fan, directv has the better lineup.. otherwise pretty similar (I have both in different locations).

I have dish at a vacation place and directv at my house. Equipment for both is cheap (be prepared to pay more for PVR, elliptical -HDTV capable dish,etc..) . Though both offer free install, note that is for BASIC install and unless your house is wired right, you will be paying extra.

berserker37

Thanks for the input! Since DirecTV does offer a PVR, I think I'm leaning back that way.
I'll have to crunch the numbers, and do a thorough comparison of the channels. I noticed that DirecTV has the Independant Film Channel, which I would love to have, and also carries my fiance's 3 "must have" channels (TLC, HGTV, and Lifetime). I'll have to check Dish for those...

matchpenalty

in addition, I believe ultimate TV is only with directv.. (can record two programs at once)

mgn2

i heard you need a south facing apartment/house for any of these so the dish can be mounted correctly..is this true?
my apartment faces the north..do i have any alternative?

thank you,

manoj.

Bcolon

With DTV you are pretty much out of luck. In Toledo, Ohio, I have to have mine facing SW, so the farther West you go the closer to due South the dish will have to be pointed. If the only view of the sky you have is North then it won't work. Would it be possible to mount the dish on the roof of the apartment building, then run the cable down the side of the building?

Dish Network needs to be pointing in a southerly direction as well I believe, but not quite the same as DTV.