Thread: As a new customer...

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.

Originally Posted by rey_1178

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.

Originally Posted by Skyhi

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

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?

Originally Posted by Lkr

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:


directv guide screen:

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