DirecTV v. Dish...

[gmcgown]

I just cancelled Dish for DirecTV. The installation was yesterday. If receiving OTA channels is important to you, the current DirecTV DVR has no provision for an outside antenna. Therefore I cannot receive my locals OTA omitting the best pc and the HD signal from my PBS station. I must therefore, attach the outside antenna directly to the TV set. To get OTA I must change the TV signal source. I never anticipated that. Also, HDNet, and HDnet Movies cost extra. Out of the pan and into the fire...look hard before you leap.

[Curtis0620]

I just cancelled Dish for DirecTV. The installation was yesterday. If receiving OTA channels is important to you, the current DirecTV DVR has no provision for an outside antenna. Therefore I cannot receive my locals OTA omitting the best pc and the HD signal from my PBS station. I must therefore, attach the outside antenna directly to the TV set. To get OTA I must change the TV signal source. I never anticipated that. Also, HDNet, and HDnet Movies cost extra. Out of the pan and into the fire...look hard before you leap.

There is an OTA add on (AM21 I believe) to get OTA HD into your DVR.

HDNet is not extra (included in the $10 HD Access fee).

HDNet Movies is in the HD Extra pack for $5 (also includes: UHD, Paladia, Smithsonian, CIHD, MGM).

[rad]

I just cancelled Dish for DirecTV. The installation was yesterday. If receiving OTA channels is important to you, the current DirecTV DVR has no provision for an outside antenna. Therefore I cannot receive my locals OTA omitting the best pc and the HD signal from my PBS station. I must therefore, attach the outside antenna directly to the TV set. To get OTA I must change the TV signal source. I never anticipated that. Also, HDNet, and HDnet Movies cost extra. Out of the pan and into the fire...look hard before you leap.

Very easy to get ATSC added to the HD DVR, it's the AM21 dual ATSC tuner module. You can order it for $50 on the DirecTV web site or call them and may times you can get it for free if you don't have all your local HD channels via satellite already (FYI, D*'s been adding local PBS stations the past few weeks). It intergrates the ATSC channels into the guide just like the DBS channels and includes all your local ATSC channels and sub channels.

As for HDNet/HDNet Movies, that's incorrect. HDNet is included in the Choice or higher programming package as long as you have HD Access which get's you all the HD channels in your package. HDNet Movies is an extra charge since it's part of the HD Extra pack which has C&I, MGM, Plladia, Smithsonian and Universal, along with HDNet Movies for $4.99 per month. IIRC you can get it free for 3 months as a preview if you call and ask.

[dishrich]

...look hard before you leap.

Ya THINK...

[msmith198025]

May I ask what made you want to switch? Seems like some of your confusion could have been avoided with a look at the D* website. Good to see others have informed you of the OTA solution though

[TheBobert]

Directv has MORE HD then DISH.
I have DISH and will probably switch to Verizon FIOS or ATT UVERSE when we move this summer.
Just out of curiosty GMC, do the DIRECTV HD channels look better then DISH?

[s10zr2]

What do you think about the dvr functions? I have heard people say the dvr for direct is slower and harder to use. What do you tink in terms of picture quality? I have been thinking of taking the leap myself.

[Arse69]

I was watching the Patriots game last Sunday, I have both DISH & Directv . I think DISH Networks HD picture is better than DTVs

[KenB123]

While with Dish, were you experiencing the sound dropout problem (i.e., audio drops for a second or two)? If so, then is the problem no longer a problem with Direct?

[RockinHARD26]

Did you just go for the single free HD-DVR Direct-TV offers or put money out for the ability to have a second HD-DVR? That's the largest problem I have, putting money out for equipment I do not own, pay monthly rental and pay monthly DVR fee.
While Dish gives you it free from day one!