Anyone have satellite TV?

[silverspeedbuggy]

Since moving to the new house we are considering ditching cable and going with satellite TV. I got some flyers from both Direct TV and DISH Network in the mail and DISH is offering an incredible deal:

$54.99/mo*
Free installation
No activation fee
200 channels
10HD channels (as well as local channels) FREE for 6 months
3 TVs connected
Free HD DVR (!)
12 Months of their "Protection Plan" Free

* Increases $20 (I think) after 6 months (Free HD expires)

Apples-to-apples the same package from Direct TV was over $85 PLUS $199 "one-time lease fee" for the HD DVR

Now I'm wondering if people have had any issues/problems with DISH and/or DirectTV.

[noR]

I use direct; pretty cool stuff.

I wouldn't pimp for the extra HD stuff; (just not many channels on board yet) but the DVR is worth it's weight in Aerogel!


no complaints w/the company yet. signal seems to work rain or shine for me.

[silverspeedbuggy]

Well we bought the HD TV (tube, not plasma or any of that crazy stuff) knowing that HD would be phased in more by 2009, and LOST looks so freaking incredible through it we HAVE to continue the service. Since they are throwing in the HD DVR and free HD channels for 6 months, might as well get it. If we don't like the HD service, cancel it after 6 months and keep the DVR.

The only drawback so far to DISH is the sales people are SUPER pushy. The lady I talked to, Monique, was very happy to answer questions, and was pleasant, but tried way too hard to push me to sign up on the spot. I told her I was not making a decision today and I had to check with all my options. She wanted to call Direct TV with me (she would listen in) so that she could tell me how DISH is better, but I declined stating that I wasn't comfortable with that. She really didn't want to let me off the line and I stated I knew she was hired to sell the service, but I couldn't, in good conscience, sign up on the spot without calling around. She didn't like that (probably has a sales goal or quota) and basically hung up on me after I said "Thank you for your time Monique." No thank you, no goodbye, nothing but dead silence. I might ask if they have a log of calls and report her to her supervisor.

[silverspeedbuggy]

I'm really wondering about installation as well. I know the dish has to face south, but I don't want it bolted to say, my front door. There are quite a few people in my city who have them bolted to the gutter on the front corner of their house or, I'm not joking, on 4 foot wood poles in middle of their front yards about 3 feet from the sidewalk. These people might have installed the systems themselves. Or, me thinks, just want to show off to everyone that they have satellite TV.

I don't want to be able to see the dish from the front of the house, or from the back patio. I have an idea where I would like the dish mounted, but it won't be easy and the average installer will probably talk me out of it (roof top).

[sixfeetsevenstl]

When you place your order/buy the system and request installation, be sure to tell them that the roof will be the preferred placement of the dish and they should arrive prepared to install it there.

We have DirecTV and love it.

Regardless of your provider, don't buy the local channel package though - get an antenna and you can recieve the HD signal that way. There are both indoor models and outdoor. check out :http://www.hdtvantennalabs.com/index.php for the best for your location and environment. Plus, on the rare occasions that severe weather disrupts the signals to the dish, you can still get the locals no problem.

[marvins_dad]

I have Dish with the dual-tuner DVR - I love it.
When there is alot of cloud coverage and really bad weather I have had issues with losing signals.
Sometimes it amazes me it works during some storms and sometimes when there is just a heavy cloud cover I lose it for a second.

All in all it hasn't been to big of an issue.

Installation...well we had the tech figure it out...also we have plenty of visibility around our house.

I've been thinking of getting into the HD since our 61" has HD, but haven't fooled with it yet. We do get a taste of HD because there are quite a few that we can pick up with an antenna in Dallas.

[dasmurph]

I personally don't have satellite, I've never really understood it, hate being tied into contracts, and just am used to cable so I stayed with Comcast. I also don't have a phone line so I save quite a bit with cable. I also LOVE the on demand feature which satellite doesn't have, but again that's just me. As for HD and DVR...I love both. We bought a 40" LCD T.V. with HD and it's just awesome. Comcast doesn't charge for HD which rocks and there is a noticeable difference, I enjoy it, but not half as much as the DVR. The DVR is simply incredible. I don't think I could ever not have it again and would highly recommend it! I think it works the same on Sat as it does on cable

[13Beetlejuice13]

Nice to hear good feedback, we're dissing the cable company and going dish in our new place too. Cable's too expensive for what they offer.

[marvins_dad]

I believe that Dish recently started an OnDemand type of service...it just isn't the same exact branded service as the OnDemand so you can't get some of the exclusive shows. You can order a movie to start when you want to though.

[noR]

Originally Posted by marvins_dad

I have Dish with the dual-tuner DVR - I love it.
When there is alot of cloud coverage and really bad weather I have had issues with losing signals.
Sometimes it amazes me it works during some storms and sometimes when there is just a heavy cloud cover I lose it for a second.

All in all it hasn't been to big of an issue.

Installation...well we had the tech figure it out...also we have plenty of visibility around our house.

I've been thinking of getting into the HD since our 61" has HD, but haven't fooled with it yet. We do get a taste of HD because there are quite a few that we can pick up with an antenna in Dallas.

Dual tuner is almost a must w/the DVR; it helps alot being able to watch something from my 'memory' and record 2 more shows that happen to be on at the same time.

[Smileybug]

Where my parents moved to down here in NC, they are out in the boonies so no option for cable. They've had cable forever...and Comcast for the 6 years prior to the move. It would go out a lot though and Comcast were a bunch of idiots most of the time.

I don't remember what satellite company they went with but they haven't had any issues at all in the past year they've had it. Its been great. No HD stuff or DVR for them though so no input on that. I'm a fan of tv in general so as long as I get channels, I'm happy

[marvins_dad]

I'm at the house now...we do have Dish On Demand.
There are 14 movies you can choose from and it looks like there are some TV pilots you can get as well.

[Maggadog]

Originally Posted by noR

I use direct; pretty cool stuff.

but the DVR is worth it's weight in Aerogel!

And that's a LOT of aerogel!!

Yes, get the DVR.

Call both companies out. Their satellites travel in slightly different orbits, so you may not have a choice in which company you go with. At my house, I must have Dish, not DirectTV because of the satellite orientation.

And, after you have made the installation, keep nagging them until the reception is perfect. Dish ultimately ended up installing 2 dishes on my roof so we could get all channeal promised.

If it snows at your place, buildup of snow on the dish can cause interference or blockage of the signal.

Have fun, and good viewing.

[Papa Bug]

We had dish at one time and were very unsatisfied with service.6 months into our contact we started to lose channels, when I call to inquire way I was told my box was old & I needed to upgrade in order to get the channels back...that would be $80.00 please. WTF we've only had it for 6 months!!! We rode out the contract & switched to Direct TV. We have been satisfied with the quality of their service. The thing I don't like about the satellite companies is that they tie you in to contract, usually 12 months or longer if you want to get a lower monthy payment. But they will raise your monthly fees during your contact. They also charge you for service fees, so if something is wrong with the equipment you pay.And if you want to get out of the contract you pay a penalty fees anywhere from $240 - $300 or $13-$15 for each month you have left on your contract. Direct TV will be the first to offer more HD programming here in the near future, approx. 100 channels. I got this from trade magazines and company bulletins.
I just recently left my job with Time-Warner Cable as a direct sales rep. So I had to deal with all this information on a daily basis. You may wonder why I have Direct TV while I worked for TWC. TWC is not availible in my town, if it was I would probably switch. I was able to save people anywhere from $30 - $100 a month on their services bill alot by bundling their services(cable,internet,phone).
TWC has no fees for services calls, satellite does. Local channels are part of your programming, satellite charges you extra.

If satellite is the way you want to go then I would recommend Direct TV, but that's from personal experience & the expand HD package to be coming up. And the DVR is a must!!!!
Good luck

[macdave]

I put up a nice over the air antenna. I get about 40 digital channels, 10 of them Hd. It cost arrond $150 for the Antenna, Preamplifier, Mast and cables. Monthly cost is zero and I never have to call customer service.

[hestersu]

I've had Dish Network for over 10 years (no cable out in the boonies). I like it pretty well. I currently have the HD receiver with dual tuner. One thing to remember, you only get HD on one TV. The 2nd signal is strictly SD. It's all digital and my 2nd TV is not an HD TV so its no biggie.

You do need a south face with no obstructions. I'm in the process of moving my dish because a tree finally got too big. Kind of a hassle but worth it.

Seems like I recently read an article noting that Dish has more HD channels then any other provider. I know there is a bunch but I've never counted them.

I have a 42" plasma HD Pioneer Elite TV. I love the HD.

Local channels through Dish are OK. Trying to get them with an antenna isn't easy since we are so far from town so they are worth it to me.

[PhoenixRising]

Originally Posted by silverspeedbuggy

Now I'm wondering if people have had any issues/problems with DISH and/or DirectTV.

Only one with DirecTV: Rain, at least in South Florida, did indeed knock the signal off.

Oddly enough, mostly in the day. When it rained at night, it did not. I never did figure that out.

[PhoenixRising]

Originally Posted by marvins_dad

I have Dish with the dual-tuner DVR - I love it.
When there is alot of cloud coverage and really bad weather I have had issues with losing signals.
Sometimes it amazes me it works during some storms and sometimes when there is just a heavy cloud cover I lose it for a second.

All in all it hasn't been to big of an issue.

Installation...well we had the tech figure it out...also we have plenty of visibility around our house.

I've been thinking of getting into the HD since our 61" has HD, but haven't fooled with it yet. We do get a taste of HD because there are quite a few that we can pick up with an antenna in Dallas.

Wait to you see HD on my 12 foot screen. LOST? Wow!

[PhoenixRising]

Originally Posted by macdave

I put up a nice over the air antenna. I get about 40 digital channels, 10 of them Hd. It cost arrond $150 for the Antenna, Preamplifier, Mast and cables. Monthly cost is zero and I never have to call customer service.

In South Florida, I put up in my house, a $10 antenna, and picked up over 40 off air HD channels. And with my DirecTV HD DVR, I could run the antenna through that, and record all the local stations.

And, it also meant that I could record off my dual input Sat, and watch local off air TV at the same time.


I think. Truth be told, I got so used to recording shows, like the local news, I rarely watched 'live' TV. So I may be wrong. But I do know I could record two showa at once.

[pdoel]

I've had Dish for about 4-5 years now. Couldn't be happier. I have the 180 channel plan, 1 dual tuner DVR and 1 single tuner DVR. The dual tuner DVR with the TiVo like function of a season pass is awesome.

The picture quality is a hundred times better than my cable quality. I get more channels. More stuff. Better service. And a much cheaper price.

Installation was a piece of cake (well, from what I could see, I didn't do it).

In four years, I think I've had 2 service interuptions (while I was home, could have had more). I've kept signals through thunderstorms, snow storms, etc. No trouble.

I lost my cable service for no reason many, many, many times!!! I once went without service for 8 weeks and Comcast missed 8 appointments to come and fix it.