hey folks, I'm sick of SDV and my tuning adaptors constantly resetting.

I am leaning toward Dish, but am looking for users of each to set me straight:

I will have two dual HD DVR's stacked together in my main viewing room.

Here's what I have learned:

* With Dish, while I can't use a single remote to control both DVR's, the DVR's can be set for different frequencies so the remotes won't step on each other. D* tells me that can't be done...that's a BIG problem for D*

* external hard drive. with Dish, I can copy programs from the receiver to the external drive, use multiple drives interchangably since it's USB 2.0 atached. I can direct programs to record directly to the hard drive, and play programs directly from the hard drive.

wth D*, attaching the hard drive disables the internal drive completely, so I lose that storage capacity I assume? also, since it's SATA only, my experience is that it will be a very finicky connection, and the drive can't be shared with another DVR without re-formating.

* I was very little traditional sports, so the sports packages that D* has really don't interest me. I have Speed Channel in HD with either service so I am set from that respect.

so, any comments on what I have mentioned(corrections?) would be appreciated.

i a having a hard time deciding between the two but the items I mention above push me in the Dish direction.

thanks!

Sounds like E* would be fine for you.

To clarify though, you can use two rf remotes with two different D* DVRs and they will not interfere with each other.

thanks, didn't know D* used RF remotes.....

thx...

hey folks, I'm sick of SDV and my tuning adaptors constantly resetting.

I am leaning toward Dish, but am looking for users of each to set me straight:

I will have two dual HD DVR's stacked together in my main viewing room.

Here's what I have learned:

* With Dish, while I can't use a single remote to control both DVR's, the DVR's can be set for different frequencies so the remotes won't step on each other. D* tells me that can't be done...that's a BIG problem for D*
Don't know about this


* external hard drive. with Dish, I can copy programs from the receiver to the external drive, use multiple drives interchangably since it's USB 2.0 atached. I can direct programs to record directly to the hard drive, and play programs directly from the hard drive.
Dish does allow you to use an additional drive for additional storage. Direct only allows you to use an additional drive to replace the drive in the receiver. If this is important to you, then Dish would be a better choice for you.


wth D*, attaching the hard drive disables the internal drive completely, so I lose that storage capacity I assume? also, since it's SATA only, my experience is that it will be a very finicky connection, and the drive can't be shared with another DVR without re-formating.
Correct. The external drive for Direct simply replaces the internal drive. It is not an additional drive.


* I was very little traditional sports, so the sports packages that D* has really don't interest me. I have Speed Channel in HD with either service so I am set from that respect.
This is where Direct has a definite advantage over Dish. Since it does not interest you, then it appears Dish is still the better choice for you.


so, any comments on what I have mentioned(corrections?) would be appreciated.

i a having a hard time deciding between the two but the items I mention above push me in the Dish direction.

thanks!
As a Direct sub myself, Direct is definitely the better option for me, by price, local channel offerings, sports packages, ex. From reading what you posted it appears that Dish will definitely be the better choice for you; especially since extra storage and changing the external drive is important for you.

That said, Direct will soon have MRV (muti-room viewing) that will probably be better than what most other providers offer at this moment...You will be able to watch any recorded program from any DVR in any room. It will end up costing an extra $3/month to use though.

thanks, didn't know D* used RF remotes.....

thx...

I am suprised a D* CSR would tell you that you cant. I can assure that it is possible though. I am doing it now.

I do have both E* and D*, and aside from sports for D*, and premiums for E*, there is not much difference. Go with whichever gives you what you want now. And enjoy. If we can be of further help, feel free to ask.