Is E* or D* truly better? I've found that I can get D* and all of the HD channels with an HD DVR, 2 HD receivers, and a few SD receivers for the same price as 'Classic Gold 250 with Gold HD' and Platinum HD with an HD DVR, and 2 222k. It would actually be $10 more for D* for the first 6 months and then $25 cheaper with D*(although I do have to pay 2 up front charges for the HD receivers with D* - might be able to get them waived or at least one when i call in). D* has several more HD channels at the time, but I'd get Cinemax with Dish. I've heard claims that Dish's receivers are superior, but I've had nothing to compare it to except for my crappy old Scientific Atlanta HD receiver without DVR. D* also offers more RSNs in my DMA than E* does, along with full time RSNs being available. Also, I'm not sure how I could get OTA channels on a D* receiver, which would be needed for a local channel that neither E* or D* provides. I'd like to hear views from both parties on this issue as I will need something for TV soon.

They're pretty much the same. Just depends on what channels are important to you (Sunday ticket? EI?)

here's one way to look at it :

dish has great hardware and better premiums

directv has good hardware and better sports packages.

here's one way to look at it :

dish has great hardware and better premiums

directv has good hardware and better sports packages.

That sums it up :) The providers are 95% the same....you just need to figure out which one suits your individual tastes the best.

That sums it up :) The providers are 95% the same....you just need to figure out which one suits your individual tastes the best.

agreed :up

The reason I'm lenient on Dish is because of the management. Randomly remove channels and add channels and claim that everyone wants them or nobody watched them. From what I have seen, D* has never done this. If they drop a channel, it seems as if though there is a reason given. I am 100% more likely to get ST and SF than any premium by the way, but as of now I'm just getting service before I go into any extras.

What are some key differences between D* and E* equipment by the way? Will I be lost because of the E* DVR layout or what?

The reason I'm lenient on Dish is because of the management. Randomly remove channels and add channels and claim that everyone wants them or nobody watched them. From what I have seen, D* has never done this. If they drop a channel, it seems as if though there is a reason given. I am 100% more likely to get ST and SF than any premium by the way, but as of now I'm just getting service before I go into any extras.

What are some key differences between D* and E* equipment by the way? Will I be lost because of the E* DVR layout or what?

both layouts are newbie friendly. dish dvr's are better than directv dvr's. the real difference between the two is speed. dish dvr's have better response time to commands than directv dvr's do. other than that the directv dvr's are very good. i had dish for 10 years and always had their latest equipment. i do miss my vip 622 but i have to tell you that i'm very happy with my hr21-100. from what i read in your previous post,it sounds to me like you are interested more in sports than in movies,making directv the better choice for you.

dish network guide screen:
http://slidestudios.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/programguide.jpg

directv guide screen:

http://www.sizethis.com/dbstalk/images/vod/vod_11_guidelist.jpg

I have both, and think you would be happy with either. The main differences are pretty much what others have posted above. E* has slightly (in my opinion) better hardware, but they are very close. D* has slightly (in my opinion) better PQ, but they are very close. E* has the lead in premiums, D* has the lead in sports. Both of those are significant leads.

The thing that really makes me favor D* are the "other" things. Customer service. I have never had many problems with either, I have simply found D* more willing to work with you than E*. Also, I do not feel like I have to worry about channels going away with D* versus E*. Granted that is not a huge problem most of the time, but it does happen (voom, smithsonian).
All in all, D* just seems to be more professional.

But again, I am sure you would be happy with either. Just take what we have told you (and remember that these are only our opinions) and decide which factors are more important to YOU.

If we can be of any more help, feel free to ask:up

I am seriously considering switching to FiOS. They now have more channels, more HD channels, and cheaper packages than Direct. The only thing preventing me now is the fact that EI just started for me on Direct and I get more EI HD games (40 compared to 10 a week on FiOS). Also the fact that I cannot take FiOS with me when we go to our condo in Mammoth.

dish network guide screen:
http://slidestudios.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/programguide.jpg


Looking at this screen shot I makes we question why people think Direct's channels are not organized very well. Out of the 5 channels listed in the guide you have 2 ESPNs, 2 Dish channels, and one local using some weird channel numbering. :confused: And the channels are listed in decreasing order

Looking at this screen shot I makes we question why people think Direct's channels are not organized very well. Out of the 5 channels listed in the guide you have 2 ESPNs, 2 Dish channels, and one local using some weird channel numbering. :confused: And the channels are listed in decreasing order

you can change the order to descending and create 4 favorite lists that are easily accessible. easier than direct but as far channel organizing dish is a a little bit more disorganized. that's why i had my 4 favorite lists labeled as sports,comedy,movies,news. with direct you press the guide button twice for the channel grid where you can filter out the channels easily by categories.

I have been thinking about making the big change myself. I currently have Directv, have had it since 2000. I enjoy sports, but at this time, dont have the time anymore to invest in a superfan package. Local games and NFL network do it for me. I dont have any bad things to say about directv. One of the things that draws me to dish, is the ability in the summer time to be able to drop down to a lower package and get some decent channels as well. Where as directv really has no lower tier packages, it seems like its all or nothing with them.

I am giving it big time thought though as changing providers is a big deal to me having directv since 2000 and having to change equipment and a dish and such and knowing if I did switich I would be with them for a while.

The current dish deal is pretty appealing as well. The dish promo I think goes to july, I think I will be reviewing and thinking untill at least May to make sure I am making a good choice for me If I decide to change.

you can change the order to descending and create 4 favorite lists that are easily accessible. easier than direct but as far channel organizing dish is a a little bit more disorganized. that's why i had my 4 favorite lists labeled as sports,comedy,movies,news. with direct you press the guide button twice for the channel grid where you can filter out the channels easily by categories.
The ordering thing is a good idea. I like that

I am seriously considering switching to FiOS. They now have more channels, more HD channels, and cheaper packages than Direct. The only thing preventing me now is the fact that EI just started for me on Direct and I get more EI HD games (40 compared to 10 a week on FiOS). Also the fact that I cannot take FiOS with me when we go to our condo in Mammoth.

maybe you should do what hemi does with his D account. only have it for those months of EI and suspend the account or what ever it is that hemi does until the following season. i agree dodger that if Fios is looking like the better option you should go for it. i wish i had good options like that in my area. for me it's dish (done it) directv or comcrap. i would've bit on the fios gig by now;)

Also, I'm not sure how I could get OTA channels on a D* receiver, which would be needed for a local channel that neither E* or D* provides.

If you end up getting the older HR20 HD DVR or H20 HD receiver, they have built in OTA tuners. But more likely you would get the HR21, HR22 or HR22 HD DVRs which don't have a built in OTA. But D* does offers an OTA add on (AM21) to add that functionality if you need it.

maybe you should do what hemi does with his D account. only have it for those months of EI and suspend the account or what ever it is that hemi does until the following season. i agree dodger that if Fios is looking like the better option you should go for it. i wish i had good options like that in my area. for me it's dish (done it) directv or comcrap. i would've bit on the fios gig by now;)
Plus I would be able to bundle my phone, internet, and TV. I will also be able to get ALL of my locals in HD and the sub channels through FiOS as well.

I currently have TWC for phone and internet. I was thinking of switching to FiOS for phone and internet anyway.

maybe you should do what hemi does with his D account. I would keep the Choice pack from April-Around October, Then I go back to Family pack and Drop my DVR service. So about 7 months Thats was Just For the YES Network. Because Hot Pass came with what ever pack I had. This Year though I'm not 100% sure about what I'm doing with D*.
If I can get a good Deal on NFL ST for Next Season , I may keep them another year. But I'm not forcing anything on D*. They give me a deal , Then Great, They don't then OH well.

Looking at this screen shot I makes we question why people think Direct's channels are not organized very well. Out of the 5 channels listed in the guide you have 2 ESPNs, 2 Dish channels, and one local using some weird channel numbering. :confused: And the channels are listed in decreasing order Yea When I first got E*, I thought what a mess!.
But As Rey said you can Edit up to 4 channel lists and make the list accending or Decending. Plus there is 2 other Guide settings as well. Your Guide Button does all of this. It took some time to get everything figured out . But there's so many options and Features that these things can do. From Auto Tuning to what days and episodes you want to record .

"Rey" Take a Screen shot of the Record screen The one that lists all the options. Talk about overwelmed .

"Rey" Take a Screen shot of the Record screen The one that lists all the options. Talk about overwelmed .

http://www.digitallanding.com/images/67/Dish_Network_DVRList.jpghttp://www.macrovision.com/webdocuments/dish625_5.jpg

OPTIONS SCREEN FOR THE DISH GUIDE

http://www.audaud.com/photos/uploaded/vip222_guide_disp.jpg

Nice. Thanks Rey.

Nice. Thanks Rey.

Here's more
multi channel screen
http://www.engadget.com/media/2006/01/dish_hdtv.jpg

Here's more
multi channel screen
http://www.engadget.com/media/2006/01/dish_hdtv.jpgYep that one is Good. Thats kind of like D* channel 115 used to be. The Interactive channel.

DODGER here's one pic of the fios guide:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2183/2199062193_3585aa896c.jpg

How do you do the screen shots? And how do you post the Picture instead of a link?

more fios pics:

http://www.techspikes.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/widgets.jpghttp://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2007/05/fullscreen_and_fixed_focus.jpghttp://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2007/05/search_results.jpg

How do you do the screen shots? And how do you post the Picture instead of a link?

click the icon with the little pic of a mountain in the post area http://www.satelliteguys.us/images/editor/insertimage.gif and paste the link there to insert the pic.

So are you just using a digital camera for the screen shot?

more fios pics

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2007/05/ondemand_movie_poster.jpghttp://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2007/05/virtual_keyboard_text_entry.jpghttp://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2007/05/tabbed-navigation.jpghttp://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2007/05/halfscreen_view.jpg

So are you just using a digital camera for the screen shot?

it's easier to get them online ;) :)

click the icon with the little pic of a mountain in the post area http://www.satelliteguys.us/images/editor/insertimage.gif and paste the link there to show the pic. Thanks. I've been here almost 2 years and I never knew that.:eureka

it's easier to get them online ;) :) Where do you find them. It seems like you got them all really quick

I'm going to try it with a camera on mine ,Just to test it out.

the fios pictures are good. i would love to see directv reinvent their gui :) i really like the new HD gui dish is using on those new 922s's

Where do you find them. It seems like you got them all really quick

just do a google search on what you're looking for and after the search click at the top where it says images.

I'm going to try it with a camera on mine ,Just to test it out.

you would have to click on the insert an attachment icon http://www.satelliteguys.us/images/editor/attach.gif to download the pics from your pc

You can take your pictures and upload them to something like imageshack. Then insert them into your post.

You can take your pictures and upload them to something like imageshack. Then insert them into your post.

:up

With E if you have a good OTA signal, you can record 3 channels at once. For me that is a huge advantage for Dish Network.

OTA on D* is done through the box (HR-20) or through an add on with the HR-21 and up. Sorry, I did not see that part until now

do you have any more pics of the D* gui?

do you have any more pics of the D* gui?

i'll put some of those in a little bit.

http://www.sizethis.com/dbstalk/images/vod/vod_03_channel1000.jpghttp://tvmedia.ign.com/tv/image/article/843/843548/directv-hd-dvr-pic-playlist_1199467873.jpghttp://cdn.directv.com/images/assets/interactivechannels/d-news_mix.jpghttp://gearpatrol.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/directv-nfl-sunday-ticket-gamemix.jpghttp://www.macopinion.com/images/uploads/dtv-playlist.jpghttp://www.islanddesign.com/temp/directv-4.jpghttp://img171.imageshack.us/img171/2097/directv1080pka9.jpg

hemi, did you figure last night out how to transfer your pics to this site?

No , I'm going to try right now. Problem is my Office computer is 6 years old. So I have to Go up to the house about 1000 feet away from my Office. I'll make the hike up there.:D

Great picks, Rey. Thanks or posting them.

Great picks, Rey. Thanks or posting them.

Your welcome. I find the gui for fios better looking than the gui for directv.

No , I'm going to try right now. Problem is my Office computer is 6 years old. So I have to Go up to the house about 1000 feet away from my Office. I'll make the hike up there.:D

I know you're a smart guy but if you need any help just PM me.

Your welcome. I find the gui for fios better looking than the gui for directv.
I like the fact that the channel you are on in the guide expands to show more info instead of showing the info somewhere else. The folder and tab thing looks nice as well

I know you're a smart guy but if you need any help just PM me. Alright, I took the pictures, and Quess what. Now I can't find the usb cable to put my pictures on my Old computer. So Now I'm going back up to the House to get the laptop.. Damn!:mad:

OK Now I'm going to try it.

tivo's latest GUI in case someone is interested. (DON'T LIKE IT :down)

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm314/ilovehdtv/Other/TiVo/channelist.jpghttp://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm314/ilovehdtv/Other/TiVo/large/guide1.jpghttp://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm314/ilovehdtv/Other/TiVo/large/guide2.jpghttp://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm314/ilovehdtv/Other/TiVo/search.jpghttp://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm314/ilovehdtv/Other/TiVo/nowplaying11.jpghttp://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm314/ilovehdtv/Other/TiVo/progressbar.jpghttp://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm314/ilovehdtv/Other/TiVo/seasonpass.jpghttp://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm314/ilovehdtv/Other/TiVo/todolist.jpghttp://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm314/ilovehdtv/Other/TiVo/transferhistory.jpg

OK , Why is the picture so Big when you click on it?

OK , Why is the picture so Big when you click on it?

you need to resize it before you send it here

I can't, I don't know How. I have like 12 pictures But they all come out Huge.

Surf the Internet and find some free picture editing software, like Gimp, and resize/rescale the image.

Try this

I can't, I don't know How. I have like 12 pictures But they all come out Huge.

your camera should've brought editing software.

your camera should've brought editing software.Try the 2 pictures now above. Do they fit now?

Try the 2 pictures now above. Do they fit now?


it's ok as long as you click on it. if i copy,paste and insert the url link for the pic, it's still too big.

i will try to resize it for you

They work now on my end. If I click on the picture it fits on the screen now

http://www.satelliteguys.us/attachment.php?attachmentid=35048&d=1236869699http://www.satelliteguys.us/attachment.php?attachmentid=35047&d=1236869699http://http://www.satelliteguys.us/attachment.php?attachmentid=35048&d=1236869699

They work now on my end. If I click on the picture it fits on the screen now

yeah it does. it only gives you hard time of you try to post it blown up so i resized it to 1024x768

Here some more.

very nice. especially the 1st one :D

http://www.satelliteguys.us/attachment.php?attachmentid=35048&d=1236869699http://www.satelliteguys.us/attachment.php?attachmentid=35047&d=1236869699http://http://www.satelliteguys.us/attachment.php?attachmentid=35048&d=1236869699 All I see is X X X

The pictures start off big , But then they resize.

The attachments are coming thru as 3280 x 2460 pixels.

Firefox automatically scales them down to fit the page but clicking on the picture will make them actual size.

The pictures start off big , But then they resize.

yes, and they're very sharp too.

The attachments are coming thru as 3280 x 2460 pixels.

Firefox automatically scales them down to fit the page but clicking on the picture will make them actual size.


let me resize the other ones hemi.

The attachments are coming thru as 3280 x 2460 pixels.

Firefox automatically scales them down to fit the page but clicking on the picture will make them actual size. Is that OK then? Or do some people only see the Huge Image?

let me resize the other ones hemi. The ones you resized, I can see at all. All it shows is an X

http://www.satelliteguys.us/attachment.php?attachmentid=35053&d=1236870470http://www.satelliteguys.us/attachment.php?attachmentid=35054&d=1236870470http://www.satelliteguys.us/attachment.php?attachmentid=35055&d=1236870470http://www.satelliteguys.us/attachment.php?attachmentid=35056&d=1236870470

Is that OK then? Or do some people only see the Huge Image?

I believe IE will automatically resize them too. I don't know if Safari or Chrome will do the same.

can you see those hemi? i see them all here. do you see them uncrules? i did these 600x800

I don't see any of your Rey. Its all little red X's that are not clickable

I don't see any of your Rey. Its all little red X's that are not clickable

try to clear your browser's cache file and reload the page.

I believe IE will automatically resize them too. I don't know if Safari or Chrome will do the same.

are you having the same issues buddy?

HEMI i switched to another pc and i'm seeing what you told me. i just notice what i did wrong but what you posted is good enough ;)

Rey I see your pictures with no problem.

Sorry for the delay getting back to you. I'm off work today and tomorrow so I meet my wife for lunch today.

Yea I just got back from Lunch. Wifes Mini Van going into the shop. Damn Mopar water pumps! Thats on Her 2006 Grand Caravan. 50,000 Miles. Man I bet if I drove My charger more that water pump will be going too. I'm Pissed, 2 of My Cars at the same Dealer. I Fliped I'm about ready to change my name to VORTEC 6.0 Because my Chevy Vans Work Much harder then my Hemi Truck Or Slow ass 3.3L Caravan. And they have never seen the repair shop Yet.

how is D* with SD? In my experience, E* is the ABSOLUTE WORST provider for SD channels. They are barely above the quality of YouTube now. That might be a little exaggeration, but during the NBA League Pass free promo, I could not stand to watch the games in SD. I had seen mixes and highlights on Youtube that were higher quality(some were even made with footage from the 90s and early 2000s)

how is D* with SD? In my experience, E* is the ABSOLUTE WORST provider for SD channels. They are barely above the quality of YouTube now. That might be a little exaggeration, but during the NBA League Pass free promo, I could not stand to watch the games in SD. I had seen mixes and highlights on Youtube that were higher quality(some were even made with footage from the 90s and early 2000s) I used to think D* was better, But they are about the same. Cable is Better IMO. But I don't agree that E* or D* SD is all that bad at all.

I at one time gave E* the edge in SD PQ, however now I think that D* has a slight edge, not that there is a huge difference. Granted I have them hooked up differently, so the difference I see COULD be due to calibration differences in those two inputs. However they are set up the same as when I though E* was a little better so I doubt it

But I don't agree that E* or D* SD is all that bad at all.
I agree, it is watchable. I think it is just looks worse to many of us now because we are so spoiled with HD

By the way, Rey and Hemi are sorry about hijacking your thread....arent you guys?

I will have a little talk with them about that:D

By the way, Rey and Hemi are sorry about hijacking your thread....arent you guys?

I will have a little talk with them about that:D
well now they can post images, does anyone have a SD comparison?:D

SD isn't that big of a deal, but the few channels that aren't in HD...eh

well now they can post images, does anyone have a SD comparison?:D

Yes I can, Except I don't have Directv Hooked to an HD tv ,Only a 20 inch SD. And all My Dishnetwork equipment is hooked to HD tv's Or ED Tvs. But IMO, its not much different.

well now they can post images, does anyone have a SD comparison?:D

SD isn't that big of a deal, but the few channels that aren't in HD...eh


i don't have a pic for sd but sd on any large HD tv looks crappy. i find sd for both D and E pretty much the same. Lkr what do you think about Directv's gui pics that i posted for you when compared to the other gui's? i like fios and I especially like what's coming to dish but what they have now is nice too. I don't like directv's gui graphics very much.

:)
By the way, Rey and Hemi are sorry about hijacking your thread....arent you guys?

I will have a little talk with them about that:D

Rey I see your pictures with no problem.

Sorry for the delay getting back to you. I'm off work today and tomorrow so I meet my wife for lunch today.

yeah i see them here at home too. i used microsoft office picture editor to resize the pics.

yeah i see them here at home too. i used microsoft office picture editor to resize the pics. Thats why I don't see them. I don't have Office on this Old Dell 2350.:)

I don't notice anything wrong with D* GUI, but nothing matches Fios. Also, are the prices on the website only 12 month? How long is a D* contract?

I don't notice anything wrong with D* GUI, but nothing matches Fios. Also, are the prices on the website only 12 month? How long is a D* contract?

Yes the price is for 12 months and the AAA deal is for 24 months.

how much does the price go up after the 12 months? If its only $30, better than E*

how much does the price go up after the 12 months? If its only $30, better than E*

yes in my case i would still be paying less than i did with E after the promo. don't forget it's $30 more but you'll also be paying more tax too. way too much tax on sat service :mad:

I've had D* since 2000 have been pretty happy with them overall. The only real equipment issue we had was when they switched from TiVO to their own DVR. It was pretty buggy. Other than that equipment issue, I've been satisfied. I just wish the VOD was a little better but it's by no means a deal breaker.

E* seems to offer better deals for new customers, but not enough to lure me away from D*. D* has offered me discounts and free upgrades in the past when I've asked about any deals or incentives for existing customers. The key is to ask nicely and be patient.

Hemi!
That is SO cool! Are you only able to get that with the VIP 722? I just joined Dish Network today (actually scheduled for install on Wednesday from 12-5), I'm VERY excited to be dumping Comcast, HATED 'EM!! Because my credit sucks *** I',m stuck with the most basic of recievers, but was told i could purchase a VIP 722 at a retail store but am unable to find anywhere that carrys them. I live in Bloomington, Indiana. I haven't been able to find anything online either...Help me out...Please?
Thanks!
~joey~