Thread: Is it time to switch?

I've been with dish for a few years now.. really liked what they offered in regards to HD.. enjoyed the HD boxes they have..

I have 3 HD tv's in the house (possibly 4 soon).. my question is it worth switching?

Dish's boxes though technically superior, they have some of the worse/buggiest software in the industry. Could I expect more stability from DirecTV's software/hardware?

I haven't seen much of the online capabilities of DirecTV's boxes, are there any sites up that have details showing the DirecTV online capabilities/offerings?

I have the Everything pack from Dish, is there something comparable with DirecTV and how much would getting 3 HD boxes from them cost per month (dish's nickel and dime approach of 5 bux here and 5 bux there is starting to get on my last nerve), does DirecTV charge per DVR, per Leased box, per etc.. Is leasing boxes from DirecTV just as expensive, is it more cost effective to purchase the boxes?

oh yeah.. the 101 is this channel HD & SD or just HD?

Will DirecTV fix a misaligned dish, broken box, etc without a 50+ dollar charge for their hardware failing?

Originally Posted by VinceT3

Could I expect more stability from DirecTV's software/hardware?

Depends who you talk to I guess. I've had a couple HR2x's since they came out and had very little problems. But every hardware out there has issues for some.

I haven't seen much of the online capabilities of DirecTV's boxes, are there any sites up that have details showing the DirecTV online capabilities/offerings?

There is gobs of info both here and DBSTalk. Basically you can network them to the Internet. You can do online scheduling. MRV is in testing. Just a couple things.

I have the Everything pack from Dish, is there something comparable with DirecTV

I'm guessing by the name it's "everything". Just check DirecTV's packages on their web site for comparisons. The Premier package has everything (all non PPV channels). I believe the new price is $110 plus you'll pay $10 HD access fee. It'll be a lot cheaper as a new sub though.

and how much would getting 3 HD boxes from them cost per month (dish's nickel and dime approach of 5 bux here and 5 bux there is starting to get on my last nerve), does DirecTV charge per DVR, per Leased box, per etc.. Is leasing boxes from DirecTV just as expensive, is it more cost effective to purchase the boxes?

Assuming you have 3 HD receivers your hardware costs would be:
$5.99 DVR fee - covers *all* DVRs on your account. 1 DVR or 6, same $5.99 fee
$4.99 program mirror fee for any receiver beyond your frist (will be listed as "lease fee")

So you'd have $9.98 for receiver 2 and 3 plus the $5.99 DVR fee that would cover all 3.

Originally Posted by VinceT3

oh yeah.. the 101 is this channel HD & SD or just HD?

There is an HD version of it.

Will DirecTV fix a misaligned dish, broken box, etc without a 50+ dollar charge for their hardware failing?

If you have the protection plan ($5.99 a month) that would all be covered. Broken receiver though would be replaced for the cost of shipping since it's leased (and that is waived with protection plan). You'd only get a further charge if you need a tech to come out and replace it (which again would be covered with the PP).

Originally Posted by VinceT3

I've been with dish for a few years now.. really liked what they offered in regards to HD.. enjoyed the HD boxes they have..

I have 3 HD tv's in the house (possibly 4 soon).. my question is it worth switching?

Dish's boxes though technically superior, they have some of the worse/buggiest software in the industry. Could I expect more stability from DirecTV's software/hardware?

I haven't seen much of the online capabilities of DirecTV's boxes, are there any sites up that have details showing the DirecTV online capabilities/offerings?

I have the Everything pack from Dish, is there something comparable with DirecTV and how much would getting 3 HD boxes from them cost per month (dish's nickel and dime approach of 5 bux here and 5 bux there is starting to get on my last nerve), does DirecTV charge per DVR, per Leased box, per etc.. Is leasing boxes from DirecTV just as expensive, is it more cost effective to purchase the boxes?

Ok,

I have both systems.

My main question is why would you like to swich?

Is it worth it? Id give a yes with a but.

To me- the only advantage dish has over direc is hardware.
I have two 722 and two HR 21.

The 722 are the best machines out there.Period.
The Hr21s are clunky and slow.

You will not love the the slugishness of the machines compared to the 622\722.

That said where direc shines is programmong and picture.
Id say the programming on sports is by far the tops out there.
Center ice nad NFL packages are worth the price of admission.

MLB network, 101hd( great programes like friday night lights show up on this channel)

Best part about direc tv is the customer service. The will bend over backwards to keep you happy.

Direc great programming without fear of losing channel-( like dish)
dish-great equipment

Originally Posted by VinceT3

I've been with dish for a few years now.. really liked what they offered in regards to HD.. enjoyed the HD boxes they have..

I have 3 HD tv's in the house (possibly 4 soon).. my question is it worth switching?

Dish's boxes though technically superior, they have some of the worse/buggiest software in the industry. Could I expect more stability from DirecTV's software/hardware?

I haven't seen much of the online capabilities of DirecTV's boxes, are there any sites up that have details showing the DirecTV online capabilities/offerings?

I have the Everything pack from Dish, is there something comparable with DirecTV and how much would getting 3 HD boxes from them cost per month (dish's nickel and dime approach of 5 bux here and 5 bux there is starting to get on my last nerve), does DirecTV charge per DVR, per Leased box, per etc.. Is leasing boxes from DirecTV just as expensive, is it more cost effective to purchase the boxes?

Could you expect more stability from Direct? I was in your situation about 3 years back. Went ahead and switched. For me and my family, we were NOT happy with Direct. If I hadn't signed that two year contract, I would have dumped Direct the first week. Wasn't happy at all with their hardware. When my contract was up, I dumped Direct and went back to Dish. Not sorry I did either. My two bits worth.

Originally Posted by lern4483

Ok,



Best part about direc tv is the customer service. The will bend over backwards to keep you happy.

Direc great programming without fear of losing channel-( like dish)
dish-great equipment

Would take exception to that. I'm not saying Dish has superior customer service, that's for sure. All I'm saying is no matter what company is seems to come down to who answers the phone. Some reps care, some could care less.

You could have a point about them bending over backward though considering their customer churn has been a lot less than Dish's the past couple of quarters.

BTW: does direct have overseas call centers too or only U.S. based ones?

Originally Posted by lownote2

BTW: does direct have overseas call centers too or only U.S. based ones?

They are all US based except one in the Philippines to cover the overnight hours.

Every time I call Directv, I always get someone that speaks english.

I have never had any problems with the software on my directv boxes. They are very reliable.