Thinking of switching from Dish to Direct

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bagsy

Well-Known SatelliteGuys Member
Original poster
Feb 28, 2006
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Charleston, WV
I am currently a Dish Network customer. I love the way their dvr functions ---- hooked up to 2 tvs and can watch recordings from either tv onto either tv. It's probably something I could live without, but I think it would be tough to get used to not having it. However, I'm thinking of switching to Directv for a couple of reasons.

First of all, I've been told that I would get an extra FSN channel than what I get with Dish. I currently get Cincinnati and Ohio but not Pittsburgh. That means all Pittsburgh games are blacked out on my MLB Extra Innings package. I was told that I would also get the Pittsburgh station with Directv. That would at least cover the games that are broadcast on that network.

Secondly, it seems like all of the channels I want/need would be included on the Directv Total Choice package. It seems like my monthly bill would be lower even if I get 2 dvrs and pay those fees.

Has anybody had Dish and Direct? I know it probably depends a lot on location, but which do you think is better? Also, what model of dvrs (non - HD) is Direct using now. From what I've read, it seems like there are many more problems with their dvrs than with Dish's. Thanks for your input!!!
 
http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPageIF.jsp?assetId=P3000004

Click this link and enter your zip code. You will see exactly which networks you will get with directv. Also, you may be able to get 3 RSNs, but there still may be some things blacked out on one or more of them.

DirecTV is now using the R15 model, which hasn't received the best reviews overall. I do have one and have not experienced hardly any of these nightmare issues that so many have. I have the R15-100 model. Most of the issues seem to be with the R15-300 and R15-500 models. I guess it is hit or miss on which one the installer brings to your house.

I chose the DirecTV Total Choice Plus package finally. I figured with the way things are here it would be cheaper than the Top 180 with Dish Network. I was actually favoring Dish Network until I realized all the BS fees and charges they have.

I hope this helps in some way, shape, or form. Good Luck.
 
It's possible you may get another FSN channel (although I doubt it) but it is your MLB market that determines what games you see, not what channel you get.
 
I checked on their site. With my zip code it shows that I would get FSN Cincy and Ohio with Total Choice. I can also get FSN Pitt in addition to those two with Total Choice Premier or by adding the Sports Pack. If I paid the extra, would the baseball games still be blacked out on FSN Pitt? I know that it would still be blacked out on the MLB Extra Innings channel. What sucks is that a couple years ago I lived about 15 or 20 miles further away from Pittsburgh, and closer to Cincy, and I received FSN Cincy, Ohio, and Pitt with cable. I don't understand why I would get the Pitt regional channel living further away and don't get it now.
 
The way cable does pro sports is a different animal from the way satellite companies do it. I know that satellite will give you certain pro sporting events based on your zip code. I am not totally sure what the guidelines are for cable, but I have heard that it is done based on the county. Much like cable can offer multiple markets for networks where satellite can only offer one with maybe a few significantly viewed stations from another market (very rare).
 
I compared the sports channels from Dish and Direct online yesterday. There is no way I can receive FSN Pitt on Dish. I CAN recieve it on Direct. Do the satellite providers have different region providers? Zip code was mentioned in cable companies' determinations. When I initially went through the setup on Direct's website (just to see what everything would cost), I was asked what county I lived in, since my zipcode is split between 2 counties. I'm still torn about what to do. My decision may be easier soon --- I was reading that MLB is in talks with Directv for them to be sole providers of the Extra Innings package. If that is the case, I will definitely change and then deal with the troublesome dvrs. I still haven't received a confirmation from Directv on what RSNs I would receive. I want to have it in writing in case it would happen that I didn't get the Pitt station after all.
 
Dish pays less to the programming provider, if there are less subs. So, they have a smaller eligible area for many RSN's, to keep the subscriber count low. That way they pay less to the provider. They're just trying to save money. It's a Dish Network specialty, sort of their raison d'etre. Go with whichever provider gives you what you want.
 
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Lots of flexibility with a DTivo

I love the way their dvr functions ---- hooked up to 2 tvs and can watch recordings from either tv onto either tv. It's probably something I could live without, but I think it would be tough to get used to not having it.
If you are thinking of standard def you can get used/refurb/NOS "DTivos" (dual-tuner DirecTV receivers with integrated Tivo-based DVR) and enhance them to support many of the same features that standalone SD Tivos enjoy - such as MRV (multi-room viewing). DirecTV will still activate these units but no longer offers them as new.

With MRV, you can transfer programs from one DVR to the other via your home LAN. The above mentioned ehancement also gives you web interface to each DTivo; I have 4 of them and can access them securely via the internet to schedule programs. I've added software to a home PC called JavaHMO that gives me movie listings, weather, web pages, streaming audio, viewing family pictures, etc. on any of my networked DTivos.

I had Dish about 3 years ago and made the move to DirecTV - the DTivos were certainly worth the move! Also: DirecTV has just $5.99/mo. DVR flat fee for however many DVRs you have on your account! Also, just like Dish you still have to pay a "mirror fee" of $4.99 for each receiver above the base unit whether it is a DVR or not.
 
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Has anybody had Dish and Direct? I know it probably depends a lot on location, but which do you think is better? Also, what model of dvrs (non - HD) is Direct using now. From what I've read, it seems like there are many more problems with their dvrs than with Dish's.


I switched from Dish to Direct almost 1 year ago now.I had D* for about 4 yrs. and moved into a new house and went with E* because of the new customer/equipment offers they had at the time etc. After 2 yrs. I had enough and returned back with D* and am quite happy.As far as the HR20 DVR yeah it has a few bugs in it still but once those are taken care of I think you will be quite impressed with it.
 
One reason why I choose to stay with Dish Network at this time is that I like the way their dual tuner hardware is setup. You can change channels through the walls in other rooms and view two different rooms at the same time from one receiver and this saves money on additional outlet fees which pretty much makes up for the extra DVR fees. The thing is if you use the dual tuner receivers in single user mode then it would probably make more sense to have Directv unless you like Dish Network's hardware/software setup better.
 
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