Which should I pick? I have the Sony 60" SXRD so I would definately want hd programming,I also have a smaller non-hd set in my bedroom that I would need hooked up. I do not need a dvr. Being a new subscriber, I see that the new MPEG4 equiptment is coming out. Which system should I go with?
Direct TV or Dish Network?
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I recently was looking to sign up for a satellite TV service for the first time. I researched DirectTV and Dish Network a lot, read these forums a lot, and eventually decided to go with Dish Network.
I have had it for about 3 months now, and I cannot be happier, Both with the HD channels, and the SD channels.
I have had it for about 3 months now, and I cannot be happier, Both with the HD channels, and the SD channels.
I have dish since 2000 and I have no regrets. It depends in watch you want to see and the quality!I am admittedly an E* sub (7+years) and I have no experience with D*, so my response may be somewhat biased tho' I'll try to be objective. As a new sub for either service you should check with both (perhaps several calls to each) to see what packages/incentives/commitment periods either is willing to offer. That may be more important to you. You might also want to call a local installer for their suggestions, preferrably one that sells/installs both.
From what I've read in these forums:
1) D* will be your choice if you're oriented to the sports packages.
2) D* currently has more satellite capacity and I believe is ahead in terms of LiL coverage. E* is catching up.
3) E* recently released their first gen MPEG-4 equipment. I haven't seen a definite date for equivalent D* equipment yet. That may not make any difference to you in the short term, but almost all of E*'s LiL HDs will be in MPEG-4 and both services will migrate in that direction as more HD content becomes available.
4) E* is currently offering 25+ HD channels with their "metallic" packages and premium programming (23 I believe without the 2 premiums). You'll need the MPEG-4 capability to get 7 of those (even tho' the programs themselves are not actually in MPEG-4 yet). Not sure what the D* count is at this time.
5) Almost all sat HD programming is "HD-lite", i.e., compromised PQ, but E*'s PQ is reportedly superior "by the numbers" in terms of resolution and bitrate. I will attest to the "almost HD" look I've getting with the voom channels as compared with the single OTA channel I currently receive (which is at 1080i). HDNet and ESPNHD are suburb on E* and probably on D* as well. More to come, I'm sure...
6) Both E* and D* have migrated to lease programs, tho' E* will still activate sub-owned equipmemt. You'll have to compare the quoted rates to see what makes sense to you there. As a new sub I'm not sure that you'd be entitled to any of the remaining "legacy" offers from E* however - YMMV.
Hope this helps!
Are we having fun yet ??
From what I've read in these forums:
1) D* will be your choice if you're oriented to the sports packages.
2) D* currently has more satellite capacity and I believe is ahead in terms of LiL coverage. E* is catching up.
3) E* recently released their first gen MPEG-4 equipment. I haven't seen a definite date for equivalent D* equipment yet. That may not make any difference to you in the short term, but almost all of E*'s LiL HDs will be in MPEG-4 and both services will migrate in that direction as more HD content becomes available.
4) E* is currently offering 25+ HD channels with their "metallic" packages and premium programming (23 I believe without the 2 premiums). You'll need the MPEG-4 capability to get 7 of those (even tho' the programs themselves are not actually in MPEG-4 yet). Not sure what the D* count is at this time.
5) Almost all sat HD programming is "HD-lite", i.e., compromised PQ, but E*'s PQ is reportedly superior "by the numbers" in terms of resolution and bitrate. I will attest to the "almost HD" look I've getting with the voom channels as compared with the single OTA channel I currently receive (which is at 1080i). HDNet and ESPNHD are suburb on E* and probably on D* as well. More to come, I'm sure...
6) Both E* and D* have migrated to lease programs, tho' E* will still activate sub-owned equipmemt. You'll have to compare the quoted rates to see what makes sense to you there. As a new sub I'm not sure that you'd be entitled to any of the remaining "legacy" offers from E* however - YMMV.
Hope this helps!
Are we having fun yet ??
bhelms, just one small item in #3, D* equipment supporting mpeg-4 has been out for some time (along with mpeg4 HD programming), in the form of the H20 (non-dvr), perhaps you meant the D* mpeg-4 HD _DVR_, in which case you're right, but, he also stated he did not need a DVR.
In so far as mpeg-4 is concerned, D* _seems_ to be ahead in the mpeg4 rollouts (I am not remarking on quality, just time to completion)
Not trying to argue or anything, just clarifying.
In so far as mpeg-4 is concerned, D* _seems_ to be ahead in the mpeg4 rollouts (I am not remarking on quality, just time to completion)
Not trying to argue or anything, just clarifying.
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