Social Feed

jjnanj

Last reply Jan 10, 2009 · posted in DIRECTV General Forum

switching from dish to direct

hi all.

we are looking to drop our dish service in march when our contract is up.

we have been eyeing direct for the nfl package next year (especially since i am tired of giving the ford family my money for season tickets.)

we were just wondering exactly what do we have to look forward to in this transition?

we did not buy our equipment with dish, and like i said, the contract ends in march.

thanks to all who reply!!

5 Replies · 1855 views

Load Replies (5) Reply Legacy View

Ira Lacher

Jan 9, 2009

jjanj,

I made the switchover in September of 2007, and while no service is perfect, I have been very satisfied with DirecTV and would not go back to Dish.

My major reason is why I watch TV: programming. Dish's business model seems to be "let's see how little we can pay providers for programming." As a result, they seem to get into constant retrans arguments with national providers and local stations, and the viewer is left staring at a blank screen for days and weeks while Dish plays its little games of brinksmanship with the providers.

On the other hand, DirecTV's business model seems to be, "we'll pay what it takes to secure programming, and pass the costs on to the customer." This makes DirecTV a more expensive proposition but a more reliable one, in my opinion. Barring a change of ownership I can't see Dish ever securing premium sports packages such as MLB Extra Innings or NFL Sunday Ticket.

I will say that DirecTV is not above gouging customers, particularly on Sunday Ticket. Unless they change their arrangement, if you want to watch SD in high-def you must get the SuperFan package and spend another hundred bucks on top of the Sunday Ticket subscription. That's not right, and it's why I won't renew SD for '09.

Everyone will have their own reasons for subscribing to a particular service. But as I said, considering the major reason I watch TV is the programming alternatives, I am content to stay with DirecTV when my contract expires this September. Good luck!

Zynergi

Jan 9, 2009

$40+- a month to be able to watch any any game out of market seems to me a great deal, but each to his own, if you cant see the value then its obviously not for you. SuperFan is debatable, but once you watch a game in HD it is worth every penny vs the 1950's version of the game.

Some things to expect in the transition....

1. The function is virtually the same... the way you navigate and general remote commands. Buttons may be backwards from what your used to. SD Boxes with D* are not RF capable.

2. If you have say a 4 room system with 2 E* boxes, 2 new lines will more than likely need to be run to the sets that do not have boxes now.

3. Request that the tech remove the old dish and mast, he should leave the footing attached to the roof to avoid leaks. There may be a charge for this, but E* sometimes will want the LNB (eye) of the dish returned. The Dish mounting system is not compatible with D*'s HD Dish.

4. D* DVR's need 2 lines as homeruns to the distribution point, unless you are assigned to use a new technology called SWM (single wire multiswitch)

5. D* will have a 24 month contract and all receivers are leased and you may have to pay extra for advanced equipment, look for specials for FREE HD or FREE HDBOXES.

6. Not everything in an install is free, there are things that are chargeable. If D* promises you a Free Wall Fish or Free Pole mount, you will still have to pay the tech and D* will recoup if they note your account. Always get Employee numbers from those giving promises.

Zynergi

Jan 9, 2009

Dupe

AntDogg65

Jan 9, 2009

I made the switch today actually, it was perfect. My installer took down my E* dish, set me up in four rooms, and showed me what I needed to know to work the thing. You should have just taken the $26 dollar hit and signed up like I did last week. I saved $30 a month for a year by doing this with their online promotion. They have better HD channels, the ability to record via cell phone or internet that is available now and everything else they offer; it is truly a great deal. I just dont trust Dish anymore, that made my decision alot easier, just go with what you know.

jtwex

Jan 10, 2009

Since Sunday Ticket is your dream, I'd stick it out with E* until DirecTV offers their premium service along with free Sunday Ticket & SF in the fall (if they offer something like they did last year which they usually do) You get all the premiums plus the football package locked in for a while. Then you can just reduce the package that you want to maintain.

edit: It might be possible right now to ask about this deal & get D* services now & have that deal kick in once fall hits.

KAB

Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter

Last reply 1 minute ago · posted in TV Shows

Slow Horses - Apple TV

Just finished S2. Watching Gary Oldman as deshvilved, dejected MI-6 agent, Jackson Lamb, is one of the best things streaming right now. Already 2 more seasons in the works. HIGHLY recommended. And yes, Mick Jagger sings the theme.

65 Replies · 6701 views

Load Replies (65) Reply Legacy View

Reactions: chiodo, catamount and Foxbat

N5XZS

Sep 16, 2026

A fine top notch TV show which is light years ahead!!

Reactions: KAB

KAB

Sep 17, 2026

N5XZS said:
A fine top notch TV show which is light years ahead!!

"Jackson Lamb for Prime Minister! "

Reactions: Foxbat

Foxbat

Oct 8, 2026

Mrs. Foxbat and I are enjoying another great season so far. We only had to turn on the captions a few times.

KAB

Oct 9, 2026

Foxbat said:
Mrs. Foxbat and I are enjoying another great season so far. We only had to turn on the captions a few times.

I think this new season is a little too slow of a burn (as of ep #4, probably due to new show runner. However, I can't wait to find out what's up with Taverner!

Reactions: Foxbat

KAB

Today at 4:31 PM

Well, the season finale went balls to the wall. Non stop action and several twisted twists. Gary Oldman at his best. Very well written and executed. Tavener owes Jackson big time. Only "if" was Jack Lowden's (River) cliffhanger, especially admin-st the buzz that he is the next James Bond in waiting.

klang

1 minute ago

Planning to start the new season tonight.

View all replies (65)

TWiT Tech Podcast Network

14 minutes ago · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Intelligent Machines 893

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kK75xyoQ60s

Direct YouTube Link - Intelligent Machines 893
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed

0 Replies · 1 views

Replies Reply Legacy View

TWiT Tech Podcast Network

14 minutes ago · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Why $299 Is Too Much for the Apple TV 4K

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/RIVapvh5BCI

Direct YouTube Link - Why $299 Is Too Much for the Apple TV 4K
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed

0 Replies · 1 views

Replies Reply Legacy View

Ham Radio 2.0

33 minutes ago · posted in Ham Radio 2.0

No internet? No problem. Portable HF antenna test #OffGrid #Survival

Time for another AWESOME video from Ham Radio 2.0!

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/UDlp0EG-9cg

Direct YouTube Link - No internet? No problem. Portable HF antenna test #OffGrid #Survival
Ham Radio 2.0 Website
Ham Radio 2.0 on Facebook

0 Replies · 5 views

Replies Reply Legacy View

ppappas

Pub Member / Supporter

Last reply 43 minutes ago · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

Newest NCIS recording doesn't allow auto skip

On Tuesday, I recorded the first episodes of the new season's NCIS shows on CBS (Dish provided, not OTA). The new New York series and Origins will both do Auto Skip, but the original, now season 24 does not. What's stranger, when I do a search for NCIS, Origins and New York show the current recording and the next episode it will record, but the original show only shows the current recording and some other channel showing the very first episode of season one. It makes no sense. When I set up the timers, I was able to use search for Origins and New York, but for the original, I had to scroll ahead in the guide until last Tuesday when the show was airing. Then set the timer from there. You can see its timer type is DVR where the other two are Seek. What am I missing?
Thanks!

21 Replies · 593 views

Load Replies (21) Reply Legacy View

Nebugeater

Thursday at 9:12 AM

It is obviose some people do not know the diffornece between auto skip and FF

Reactions: charlesrshell

Bobby

Thursday at 11:22 AM

Nebugeater said:
It is obviose some people do not know the diffornece between auto skip and FF

And there is a difference between fast forward and skip forwad....

Reactions: KAB, Cold Irons and charlesrshell

tanman

Thursday at 11:25 AM

With both CBS and Fox autohop (as we know) is not enabled for a week..But after 24 hours if you mash the FF button until the red kangaroo shows up in the bottom right you wont overshoot the program. No need to try to figure how long the break is.

Reactions: dennispap and charlesrshell

Cold Irons

Thursday at 12:03 PM

tanman said:
With both CBS and Fox autohop (as we know) is not enabled for a week..But after 24 hours if you mash the FF button until the red kangaroo shows up in the bottom right you wont overshoot the program. No need to try to figure how long the break is.

Yep. We do this all the time, but we use the 30-sec skip forward button until the red kangaroo shows up. Love this feature.

Reactions: dennispap, MikeD-C05 and charlesrshell

Jim5506

Thursday at 9:27 PM

I'm a bit confused about the recording methods.
Do you havePrime Time Anytime enabled, by doing that you don't have to set recordings for Prime time programs on ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox stations, it's done daily, 7 days a week.
And only 2 weeks recordings are saved, no deletions either.

Reactions: charlesrshell

dennispap

43 minutes ago

Jim5506 said:
I'm a bit confused about the recording methods.
Do you havePrime Time Anytime enabled, by doing that you don't have to set recordings for Prime time programs on ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox stations, it's done daily, 7 days a week.
And only 2 weeks recordings are saved, no deletions either.

Correct. If you enable PTAT, you don't have to set other timers for those programs. You can choose all of the 4 networks or as few as you want. You also can choose all 7 days or other options. However the programs will auto delete after 8 days unless you save that episode or save the whole series.

Reactions: charlesrshell and Bobby

View all replies (21)

Gary Toma

Staff member Pub Member / Supporter Cutting Edge

Last reply 48 minutes ago · posted in DIRECTV Technical Resources Forum

DIRECTV Transponder Map ~ Data 10/14/2026

The TPN Map Excel Presents all DIRECTV Channels:

National (50-States or wide/NAT+PR beams)
Local (Local-Into-Local or narrow/Spot beams)

Additional tabs provide:

OTA the (Over-The-Air) Database
VOD (Video On_Demand) Records
Offline Records
Engr Records
Net Decoder a graphic presentation of all satellites and transponders

Domestic Satellites
@99W...... D11, D14
@101W.... D16
@103W.... D12, D15
@110W.... D5
@119W.... D8

Understanding the TPN Map

Making Sense of the TPN Map Display Conventions

DIRECTV_TPN_Map_261014.xlsx 1,874 KB

2148 Replies · 935025 views

Load Replies (2148) Reply Legacy View

Reactions: Zakdj, Mr Tony, Tom Speer and 3 others

KyL416

Yesterday at 2:37 PM

WCWW/25 CW South Bend and WBKP/5 CW Marquette are now testing on the stream server. These are both already available on satellite.

Now live in the satellite guide:
663-2 PISTONS (663-1 is likely being reserved for an overflow feed of Detroit Sportsnet, if there's a 2027 MLB season)
675 THUNDER
693 CLIPPERS

Reactions: Mr Tony

doctor J

Today at 7:22 AM

DirecTV Satellite Transponder Updates for Oct 21 2026

Comparison of Transponder Data for Oct 21 2026 vs Oct 14 2026:

No changes in system tables for any transponder tuning parameters.

Changes to the use of defined transponders:

1 Transponder cleared of all Streams::
Net 10 TID 126 Beam NAT is a National Transponder on D11@99cb, TPN 3

1 Previously unused Transponder with current APG records::
Net 15 TID 15 Beam NAT is a National Transponder on D12@103ca, TPN 16

Stream (PID) counts:

LIVE Streams	National		Spot Beams
	Count	Change	Count	Change
4K	4
HD	264	2	1449
SD mpeg4	145		194
SD mpeg2	433
RB
Audio	89
Push	26
Slate	19		1

TEST Streams	National		Spot Beams
	Count	Change	Count	Change
4K
HD			1
SD mpeg4
SD mpeg2
RB
Engr Work	38	-2

The PID count Excel workbook provides much more count detail.

Newly updated tables of Streams on each transponder are available in the DataDigesters TPN Grids

More details of changes in individual channels will follow in the Weekly Analysis
and Gary Toma's Domestic TPN Map Excel files

NBA Updates
Weekly Analysis soon
Enjoy
DataDigesters

doctor J

Today at 7:23 AM

weekly Analysis for 10/21/2026:

Weekly_Analysis_261021.xlsx 16 KB

KyL416

Today at 7:25 AM

HAWKS, HORNETS, GRZZLIES, HEAT, MAGIC, CAVLIERS, TWOLVES, BUCKS, PACERS and SPURS channels have also been added, however they are pointing to a TV Promise slate, which says they are working with DAZN and others to strike a deal for those teams.

Some more TPN swaps

Mr Tony

Today at 10:40 AM

KyL416 said:
HAWKS, HORNETS, GRZZLIES, HEAT, MAGIC, CAVLIERS, TWOLVES, BUCKS, PACERS and SPURS channels have also been added, however they are pointing to a TV Promise slate, which says they are working with DAZN and others to strike a deal for those teams.

Some more TPN swaps

Wait…..
So even though DAZN keeps touting 'only way to see games' if you are a subscriber to Choice (like my stepdad) if an agreement is reached he can see the Wolfies on 668?
I know the Wild are in dispute and a slate is on 668-1.

KyL416

48 minutes ago

KyL416 said:
Now live in the satellite guide:
663-2 PISTONS (663-1 is likely being reserved for an overflow feed of Detroit Sportsnet, if there's a 2027 MLB season)
675 THUNDER
693 CLIPPERS

They're finally live in the app's API, doing a check

PISTONS is not available in Detroit (WMYD/20), it is available in the rest of Michigan including Marquette who also gets the games on their MyNet station WJMN/3, along with the Toledo DMA and the northern portions of the South Bend and Fort Wayne DMAs.

THUNDER is available in OKC and Tulsa, so I wonder if DTV is just going to keep the OTA feeds of KSBI/52 and KQCW/19 and direct viewers to 675 for the rest of the games.
On stream it's in Choice for Oklahoma (inlcuding the Oklahoma portions of the Amarillo, Sherman-Ada, Wichita Falls-Lawton and Joplin DMAs) and Western Arkansas and requires Sports Pack for Nebraska, Kansas and Western Missouri, I'm not sure if it's the same for satellite.

Reactions: Nate.O’Brien

View all replies (2148)

Scott Greczkowski

Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge

Last reply Today at 4:27 PM · posted in The Chit Chat Club

Song Name Game Part 3!

Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!

So let the game continue!

The last song was added by Bobby who posted...

One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters

CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!

Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game

Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.

Example:

Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow

Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio

Another example:

Ride the Lightning -- Metallica

Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne

Get it?

An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....

68564 Replies · 2675284 views

Load Replies (68564) Reply Legacy View

Reactions: c-spand

Bobby

Today at 11:20 AM

Good Golly, Miss Molly - Little Richard

Reactions: long_time_Dish, sdfntx, RaiderPower and 1 other person

dishstaller

Today at 11:42 AM

Little Miss Dangerous - Ted Nugent

RaiderPower

Today at 1:24 PM

Little Miss Can't Be Wrong - Spin Doctors

sdfntx

Today at 3:01 PM

Jump Down, Spin Around - Harry Belafonte

Reactions: Bobby

long_time_Dish

Today at 4:27 PM

Stop Draggin' My Heart Around - Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks

Reactions: gms49ers and dishstaller

View all replies (68564)

SuperDish_Fan23

Last reply Today at 4:24 PM · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

Its crazy how the ViP922 is so rare for no reason.

Why are ViP922s So rare? like its crazy how ebay has none, i checked everywhere, also, i got a ViP222k now, which is actually activated!

11 Replies · 367 views

Load Replies (11) Reply Legacy View

dishdude

Monday at 5:05 PM

I had one, the front panel lighting was cool, the menus were fresh and a lot more modern looking than the ViPs. However, it was very buggy and the Sling functionality just didn't work well - I think it was due to internet speeds at the time. I think I had to pay $40 for the Sling app on my phone iirc.

Reactions: AZ. and charlesrshell

MikeD-C05

Today at 1:10 PM

dishdude said:
I had one, the front panel lighting was cool, the menus were fresh and a lot more modern looking than the ViPs. However, it was very buggy and the Sling functionality just didn't work well - I think it was due to internet speeds at the time. I think I had to pay $40 for the Sling app on my phone iirc.

I had both the 921 and the 922. I used to buy them from DishDepot.com in Florida and trade in my older owned receiver towards the newest receiver. The 921 was a reboot receiver and the sling part was hit or miss. I look back on all those receivers I paid for over 25 years and I think it was just TV. If I had that money back now I would be lot richer. My Owned Hopper 3 is sitting in a drawer in my office not being used.

Reactions: dishdude and charlesrshell

telstar_1

Today at 1:33 PM

That was part of the Ergen scheme, to sell the product as well as the service. And who didn't want the best box?

Maybe they went to the hopper because they were running out of 3-digit model #s- 1022 would have been kinda clunky. Folks would have tried to say "one-thousand and twenty two" instead of "ten-twenty-two".

Like some say "two thousand and twenty six".

Reactions: charlesrshell

Strega

Today at 2:34 PM

That's not really unusual. Cable companies like to the provide the box too. The phone company provided the phones in until the government forced them to allow third-party phones.

Reactions: charlesrshell

KAB

Today at 4:24 PM

922 was a train wreck. The end!

Reactions: charlesrshell

View all replies (11)

KAB

Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter

Last reply Today at 4:00 PM · posted in TV Shows

Terminal List- Amazon

Much better than the critics would want you to believe. Only problem, the last guy was pretty obvious a couple of episodes in.

4 Replies · 1308 views

Load Replies (4) Reply Legacy View

Reactions: thomasjk

reubenray

Jul 4, 2022

I have watched three episodes so far and I like it.

thomasjk

Jul 4, 2022

As do I.

osu1991

Aug 20, 2026

View: https://youtu.be/y3rAi63uDTQ?si=oO5i7Q7YGB8yorb3

October 21 on Prime

Reactions: dfergie

osu1991

Today at 4:00 PM

Season 2 out now on Prime

osu1991

Pub Member / Supporter

Last reply Today at 3:56 PM · posted in TV Shows

Amazon Prime: The Rings of Power

Amazon Sets 'The Lord of the Rings' TV Series In Mega Deal With Multi-Season Commitment

$250 Million just for the rights to make something :eeek

The LOTR original series, a prequel to Tolkien's The Fellowship of the Ring, will be produced by Amazon Studios in cooperation with the Tolkien Estate and Trust; HarperCollins; and New Line Cinema, a division of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which produced the hugely successful LOTR movie franchise.

Set in Middle Earth, the television adaptation will explore new storylines preceding Tolkien's The Fellowship of the Ring.

13 Replies · 1728 views

Load Replies (13) Reply Legacy View

long_time_Dish

Nov 9, 2024

Two friends recommended this show to me and I was hooked by the second ep of season 1! Production values are amazing and the episode runtimes are (typically) over an hour, which makes it really easy get hooked on the story because they're playing it out with movie-like pacing rather than a 34-40 minute episode. Acting and casting is really good as well!

I got started on season 2 a few nights ago and was wondering if anyone else is watching?

Reactions: Ronnie-

Bruce

Nov 9, 2024

long_time_DNC said:
Two friends recommended this show to me and I was hooked by the second ep of season 1! Production values are amazing and the episode runtimes are (typically) over an hour, which makes it really easy get hooked on the story because they're playing it out with movie-like pacing rather than a 34-40 minute episode. Acting and casting is really good as well!

I got started on season 2 a few nights ago and was wondering if anyone else is watching?

I am amazed you like it.

Made it thru season 1, thought it was terrible, but wanted to give it a chance, made it to halfway on Season 2, Episode 2, just could not take it anymore.

It like they took the worse Lord of the Rings fan-fiction off the internet and made it into a TV Series.

Yes, the production values are high, but that does not make it into a good series.

long_time_Dish

Nov 11, 2024

Bruce said:
I am amazed you like it.

Made it thru season 1, thought it was terrible, but wanted to give it a chance, made it to halfway on Season 2, Episode 2, just could not take it anymore.

It like they took the worse Lord of the Rings fan-fiction off the internet and made it into a TV Series.

Yes, the production values are high, but that does not make it into a good series.

They're taking a lot of this from The Silmarillion, of which I'm not quite a third of the way through yet, and sure, they've invented some new people, places and situations, but it's still (IMHO) a really good prequel to LOTR. Having only just started season 2, I'm still enjoying it quite a bit. I'm really not seeing the fan-fic angle in it. If season 2 proves to be as enjoyable as season 1 was for me, I'd sure like to see a 3rd season.

Reactions: Ronnie- and Foxbat

long_time_Dish

Nov 13, 2024

Up to s2, ep4. Didn't like episode 3 quite as much as the rest, but episode 4 was terrific!

osu1991

Today at 3:56 PM

View: https://youtu.be/maP_Kyy3DCA?is=5B4EgMAM6LjTlz9D

Reactions: long_time_Dish

View all replies (13)

Top

Back

Search

Search

Social Feed

switching from dish to direct

Slow Horses - Apple TV

Intelligent Machines 893

Why $299 Is Too Much for the Apple TV 4K

No internet? No problem. Portable HF antenna test #OffGrid #Survival

Newest NCIS recording doesn't allow auto skip

DIRECTV Transponder Map ~ Data 10/14/2026

Song Name Game Part 3!

Its crazy how the ViP922 is so rare for no reason.

Terminal List- Amazon

Amazon Prime: The Rings of Power