Ok, so we finally had our promotion for Adelphia expire. We have cable internet, Starz, HBO, DVR, a modem, and an extra digital box. They want $145 a month for that. We were paying less then half that before.

So I was thinking of going to DISH Network. I'd probably rather have Directv, but the last time the Directv installer was here (in May) he claimed there was a tree branch in the way and the leaves would block the signal. I asked him to please at least try and get a signal, and he refused, calling it a waste of his time.

So I figured maybe DISH would be better. Maybe they have more professional installers. I mean if they tried it, and there was no signal, or not a strong enough signal to enjoy TV, then I'd accept it. But the fact that I may actually be able to get a signal is what bugs me.

So how is DISH Network? I saw some deals on the web site. Something about free Sirius car radio. Does that mean a free radio receiver, or the free radio programming? I asm assuming it's the receiver, unless the programming is free for a limited time.

Assuming I can't get DISH, is there another cable company I can use besides Adelphia, or am I stuck with them and their ridiculous prices?

I can always go Verizon DSL instead of cable and I'd save $20-$30 month. The problem is apparently it'd be 1500/128 and my cable is 4500/328 now.

Thoughts?

I could NEVER go from the cable speeds back to DSL, but I do some 'heavy downloading'

Do you do HD? If you do, cable is cheaper but Dish has more channels (but no compelling content AFAIC)

I wish I had an HDTV, but alas I do not.

I imagine dish and directtv would have the same problem with tree in the way, if it really is a problem. I have a feeling you just got a crappy installer.

If you download a lot, the speed drop off will be killer. I've had shit luck with DSL at both places I've tried it too. 1 place had killer slow down every evening (verizon eventually admit they had the circuit overloaded (too many people on it) and would get around to upgrading it in the future). I just cancelled as I was on the 30 day trial. Moved here and could only get 400kbps on the 1500kbps plan. Old condo, probably has shit wiring.

So point being it can be hit or miss.

That said, at my old place I had DirectTV with tivo and just paid for stand alone cable internet and was very happy. Now I'm back on comcast cable and hate it. It's more expensive, for lower picture quality and no DVR. But we can't have satellite here, so I'm SOL until I move again.

Yeah, I download alot. The decrease in speed is what I am afraid of. The tree didn't look like it was that big of a deal.

I think regardless of what we do, we'll definitely lose the cable internet for DSL. If Verizon offered the 3000 here, then that'd be nice. FIOS would be even better, but that's far off in the future for my area.

Just to rub it in, I have FIOS (and they offer FIOS TV here now, though I don't have it).

There is a very slight difference in the direction that DISH faces vs. DirecTV, but your tree, if it really is in the way for DirecTV, likely won't be clear for DISH. But I'd call them anyway and see. Seems ridiculous not to at least check (I had a DirecTV installer come to my apartment where I had a partially blocked view and which looking at it, he thought it would probably wouldn't work. He still spent about an hour there making sure it wouldn't work and then gave me the number of a DISH retailer thinking the slight difference might be enough to work for DISH).

We have DISH here at the house. It's nice, though the remote doesn't work that well on the 2nd TV on the main receiver... if that makes any sense at all.

If you do really plan on going with DSL than you can call AT&T(sbc) and get a package deal with dish network, and cingular if you have that.

Also, you didn't mention if you live in an apartment or a house. I'm going to guess that it's an apartment due to a tree blocking your LOS (according to DTV). Apartments usually are a little trickier due to limitations set forth by the owners. But definitely give dish a call and have an installer come out so that you know for sure if you cant get it.

P.S. Dont mention to the installer that someone previously told the tree is in the way. He can then use it as an excuse if he doesnt feel like doing the job or something. I know it sucks but it happens

We have Verizon not Cingular and Verizon land line not SBC

Yeah, it's an apartment. I tried suggesting to the installer maybe try a tripod, or mount it here or there, etc. As long as it's not bolted anywhere but my balcony, it's fine.

Let me get a good long look at you.......yep, you look like the type of guy who needs bull riding, and Directv has OLN but Dish dropped it.

I've had both. Both are pretty similar, however, the guide set up was vastly superior on Dish, imo. The downside with Dish is that they often play hardball with channels, so they lose OLN. They had a problem a few years ago where they nearly lost CBS just before March Madness. That is a plus if you think they are doing what they can to keep prices low, but I don't notice the prices being any different for Directv.

Directv also lets you get the NFL package, which I know you would like. I don't get it because I know I would like it too much. Dish has more HD stuff, but the extra channels are fluff crap that you would only watch to revel in the picture because the content isn't that great.

Initially after getting Directv, I wanted to switch back to Dish like you wouldn't believe. Now, I am pretty happy with Directv and don't see anything that would push me back. And their battling stations didn't appeal to me. It is just a matter of time before they drop a channel I would care about because they are trying to save money.

This is not accurate, it definitely depends on where you live. To get Dish, my satellite would need to point SW from where I live. To get DirecTV, it needs to point N/NW.

You're right. It does depend on where you live. I am very Tex-centric, personally, with my answers, though I thought DirecTV required a Southern view for the entire US (which is where the original poster is apparently from).

It is. Straight from www.directv.com

I am actually in a similar situation. I recently moved, and got a good price on a bundle from Cable One (3Mbps cable modem, two digital cable boxes and one DVR), but after using the service for 3 months, I can't take it any more. The DVR only records about 2/3 of what I tell it to, the quality of the analog channels is HORRIBLE, and the few HD channels they offer aren't broadcast in HD at all (they are downconverted and letterboxed into digital SD channels).

I generally like the cable modem speed, so I may keep that, but for TV service, we are having Dish Network installed today. I've had Dish before, and my mother currently has DirecTV, so I was able to do an extensive comparison of features. Aside from a few of the Tivo functions on their old, no-longer-offered DirecTivo DVR, the Dish wins hands down for me. Their guide and overall interface are easier to navigate, and they offer features I know I will use more often (in part because I am already familiar, but also because they are more useful, such as the 30 second skip on the DVR).

It will probably cost me a few dollars more in the long run, but based on my past experience with Dish, my terrible experience with cable, it will be worth it.

BTW, if you are a Verizon customer, you should be able to get a DirecTV/DSL bundle for a pretty good price. I used to live in Oregon, and Verizon there offered that bundle. That's how my mother got DirecTV.

Why not keep the cable internet and get satellite for the televisions? You would still probably come out ahead.

I have Dish and am very happy with it- Love my DVR
Post your zipcode and I can let you know what your coordinates are to get signal- with the coordinates you can use a compass facing SW and you will be able to tell if you have a good line of sight- Dish usually has really good promotions and usually gives a few months of premiums as a bonus- If you have HD- Dish will have the most available

Directv is out because the installer won't even try setting it up. He basically came out, said it'd be a waste of his time, and claimed he doesn't get paid if he tries to hook it up and it doesn't work.

Not really. Adelphia ups the price by about $12 for people that don't have cable TV with them. So we'd be paying nearly $60 a month for cable internet when we could get Verizon (although it's slower) for half that. I can't see paying $30 more for the increase in speed.

my zipcode is 93534

Your Azimuth angle is 160 (The direction you use with the compass) facing south straight out and north facing you- and then see where 160 is in relation to the line of sight
Your elevation angle is 48 (This is the setting on the dish itself- from where its mounted to the line of site)
Make sure you have no obstructions from the 160 angle- large trees, buildings, towers, etc)
These coordinates are for a Dish 500 setup (119/110)

Good luck- let us know how it works out.
-Rich

Nice customer service what a dick, if I were you I'd tell him you don't give a shit whether he gets paid or not, do your job asshole.

I agree with Corvin, DSL is Utter shit the extra $12 a month is more than worth it to not put up with horrible DSL service. I've used both and DSL is a big loser. I've even had horrible Cable service and even then it was 100x better than DSL.

What kind of tree is this a freakin Redwood or something? There is nowhere you can locate the dish that will get around the tree? Do you have a fireplace? Cut the tree down and you've created free heat for months plant a couple smaller trees in the backyard, and slap that dish on the roof everybody wins

The main reason I switched to DirecTV over Dish was to get a Tivo. The Dish DVR isn't bad, but I think the DirecTivo and now their new DVR is still the only dual-tuner DVR available, isn't it? Correct me if I'm wrong.

It's funny. After years of trying to convince my wife that Dish might be a better route than Comcast, she finally relents (a friend of hers has started working for an installer).

And what happens? Dish drops Lifetime! While I am personally happy to find it nowhere on my dial, its her one unquestionable deal-breaker.

So, do you guys think Dish will put it back on the dial, or is it probably a done-deal, and I should look into DirecTV??? Without her friend's involvement, DirecTV may not be an option. But without Lifetime, Dish will definitely never be.

Lifetime will eventually come back to DISH, in my opinion.

Dish has one now, but I forget the model number. When I cancelled, they asked why, and I told them it was because of the dual tuner. They said they had one now and could give me some incentives. I told them they would do better to let me know before I had something else installed. At that time you could only lease their new dual tuner model.