for those that have recently come from dish

[mdram]

what are your opinions after some use?
i switched in october.

my opnions are below
the search feature on the hr24 is much better then what the 622 had.
mrv. enuff said
guide info is much more indepth(upcoming, other show the cast is in, ect, ect)
simple one click to remove dublicate channels to show only hd feeds
smaller boxes (who doesnt like smaller boxes?)

 

[starshockey]

My .02 cents. Moved from DN in October/November.

Better picture
MRV is great

The only thing I miss is being able to hook my OTA antenna to the DTV box so I can record my local "sub channels". We have two new Retro stations broadcasting in DFW and I have no way to record them. One would show up in the guide if I bought an AM21 but the other would not.

 

[polksda]

Just had DirecTV installed last night, so still have quite a bit of a learning curve to master. System seems unfamiliar to me, but seems to be more feature-rich than Dish.

I do NOT like DirecTV's guide at all. It doesn't show as long of a time period or as many characters in a show's description as Dish does. It also seems unnatural to me that its in reverse order (ascending/descending) from Dish. Doesn't appear to be any way to reverse it.

Time will tell...

 

[mdram]

Just had DirecTV installed last night, so still have quite a bit of a learning curve to master. System seems unfamiliar to me, but seems to be more feature-rich than Dish.

I do NOT like DirecTV's guide at all. It doesn't show as long of a time period or as many characters in a show's description as Dish does. It also seems unnatural to me that its in reverse order (ascending/descending) from Dish. Doesn't appear to be any way to reverse it.

Time will tell...

give it time it will grow on you. all companies have a diff order, whenever im somplace iwth cable i cant find anything
it took a couple of weeks, but now i know the order

i almost morgot about the qucik select function.
9 channels you can program, i think its the right arrow, or is it the up, that brings it up
put in your 9 fav vhannels and have fast access

 

[MemberOneFiveOh]

Switched in October also..

I see better HD with the units, but I think the SD is worse.

The channel guide from the remote switching pushing the channel down button to go up in numbers?? I think it should be customizable for the user.

MRV?? Blows E* away... Love it

Cinemaplus !!! Thumbs up

Directv2PC - awsome

Able to force the newest download instead of waiting for the downloads to come from E*?? Great

Smart Search - Much better and informative than E*

Able to share media from the PC +++++

Unable to choose the equipment from D* that you are paying for to rent??? Thumbs down

SWM technology? thumbs up..

My lowest CONUS reading from ANY of the three satellites other than I believe a bad transponder on 101 #28 94.. Highest 100's.. Normal signals 95+ 103cb 97%.. Since I have had these units late October I never have lost signal due to heavy rain, sleet, the 6" of snow received last night..

Not having to have the unit shut down once a day to receive the latest program guide data?? +++++++

Remote controls that program themselves from the box?? Another great plus.

UI can be better laid out and look better..

Having the ACTIVE channel and TWC giving my local forecast? Great pluses


I'm sure there are more things to go over, but dollar for dollar , and viewing experience I'm going to stay with D*.. I liked E* bur the SD off TV2 was always a big disappointment, and Charlie promising things like the 922 and it actually comes out a year after the CES show debut because it wasn't fully ready nor tested?? Promises that never came about.. And I think when he on his Chat stated he wouldn't do 3D until technology improved and then months later has 3D boxes?? Well I really don't think he kept in touch with what has been going on in his company IMO. Slingbox is sweet and I think he's focused more on that end and accesorries than the actual receiving equipment.

All opinions are of my own and of my experience with both companies.

 

[kjlued]

I won't say D* is better then E* as I guess that is a matter of opinion and also dependent on what you have and want.

That being said, it is of my opinion that D* equipment service is far superior the E*.
MRV is more advanced then diaplexing and gives you true HD at each TV and the HD/DVR & HD receiver combo gives you 3 tuners between the 2 rooms.

Now, for a guy that lives by themself and wants 2 Tvs and does not care about HD on the 2nd, then Dish may be better as you can pause/RW/FF live TV on both on the second TV.
Also, he most likely won't need 3 tuners.

Of course, if you don't mind spending a little extra, and getting 2 HD/DVR's instead, Dish can not touch the set up.

 

[raoul5788]

Switched in October also..

I see better HD with the units, but I think the SD is worse.

The channel guide from the remote switching pushing the channel down button to go up in numbers?? I think it should be customizable for the user.

MRV?? Blows E* away... Love it

Cinemaplus !!! Thumbs up

Directv2PC - awsome

Able to force the newest download instead of waiting for the downloads to come from E*?? Great

Smart Search - Much better and informative than E*

Able to share media from the PC +++++

Unable to choose the equipment from D* that you are paying for to rent??? Thumbs down

SWM technology? thumbs up..

My lowest CONUS reading from ANY of the three satellites other than I believe a bad transponder on 101 #28 94.. Highest 100's.. Normal signals 95+ 103cb 97%.. Since I have had these units late October I never have lost signal due to heavy rain, sleet, the 6" of snow received last night..

Not having to have the unit shut down once a day to receive the latest program guide data?? +++++++

Remote controls that program themselves from the box?? Another great plus.

UI can be better laid out and look better..

Having the ACTIVE channel and TWC giving my local forecast? Great pluses


I'm sure there are more things to go over, but dollar for dollar , and viewing experience I'm going to stay with D*.. I liked E* bur the SD off TV2 was always a big disappointment, and Charlie promising things like the 922 and it actually comes out a year after the CES show debut because it wasn't fully ready nor tested?? Promises that never came about.. And I think when he on his Chat stated he wouldn't do 3D until technology improved and then months later has 3D boxes?? Well I really don't think he kept in touch with what has been going on in his company IMO. Slingbox is sweet and I think he's focused more on that end and accesorries than the actual receiving equipment.

All opinions are of my own and of my experience with both companies.

You did an excellent job describing the difference between the services. For me the most important difference is programming. Directv has the YES network and Dish doesn't.

 

[MemberOneFiveOh]

You did an excellent job describing the difference between the services. For me the most important difference is programming. Directv has the YES network and Dish doesn't.

Why thank you Chip!!!!

 

[raoul5788]

Why thank you Chip!!!!

:up

 

[Hemi 6.1]

Cinema plus is Awesome!

Still haven't taken the MRV plunge.

One question though, say I do the MRV , does anyone know if a commitment is required even with the $199 upfront cost?

 

[kjlued]

Not sure on that but if all your receivers are SWM compatible, why not just buy the stuff on ebay and do it yourself?
You should be able to do it for half the cost.

 

[Hemi 6.1]

Not sure on that but if all your receivers are SWM compatible, why not just buy the stuff on ebay and do it yourself?
You should be able to do it for half the cost.

Only problem is my R15 and R16, I would need to change them out right?
To R22's or H2's

 

[bacchus101]

what are your opinions after some use?

I just got my install today and already have formed some opinions (I'll leave the customer service stuff on the sideline for now as I live in a remote area and my needs are different than the average consumer.)

As far as the technology, I feel like a kid in the candy store. MRV is amazing in its promise. I've been recording stuff just for kicks to play with it. Directv2pc - now that had me giggling like a school girl as I picked up a DVR program on my laptop and walked into another room. Better yet, it was the Celtics in HD (always in HD) and I just hit record on my DVR and then grabbed the laptop and was basically running a few seconds behind live in the kitchen as I grabbed a beer.

I love the series recording options and the details offered, not to mention this massive expanse called "On Demand" which while offered via my previous provider, was more of a pain than a feature.

I'm only a few hours in and as a techo geek, I'm sold as far a Dual HR24 MRV system with DECA being superior to my 722, 722k setup (although I don't have an AM21 yet so I can't comment on OTA.) I need a few weeks to break things in, but the gadgetry is what winds my clock and there is plenty of it.

 

[Mr Tony]

Only problem is my R15 and R16, I would need to change them out right?
To R22's or H2's

I thought the R16 would work with MRV?

 

[kjlued]

I thought the R16 would work with MRV?

No, the R16 is not MRV compatible.
It is SWM compatible, just not MRV.

 

[kjlued]

Only problem is my R15 and R16, I would need to change them out right?
To R22's or H2's

Last time I helped a customer get an MRV swap, it cost $99 (which we know has now recently increased to $199) and they swapped like receivers for like receivers for free.
Unfortunately since the R16 is SWM compatible they don't do that for free since it works with SWM nut the R15's they did at the time swap out free. (This guy had a dozen DVR's).
Anyways, if you are lucky, the tech will bring an R22 out to replace the R15 because not only is it MRV compatible but if you already have HD, wen you activate it, it should have the HD programming.

However, I would wait a little while, as I suspect that when the equipment situation gets better, they drop the price down again.

 

[Joe Diamond]

Interesting thread!

As an installer I noticed that folks migrated from DISH to DTV because of programming. People came from cable to DirecTV because of signal outages & crappy customer service. This is not a scientific study because things are different around the country. Recently I have encountered customers who can afford any level of service they could want cutting back on Directv programming because of all the commercials and doing more NetFlicks. Again not a scientific survey.

Joe

 

[cparker]

I'm only a few hours in and as a techo geek, I'm sold as far a Dual HR24 MRV system with DECA being superior to my 722, 722k setup (although I don't have an AM21 yet so I can't comment on OTA.) I need a few weeks to break things in, but the gadgetry is what winds my clock and there is plenty of it.

Ok, here's a thought for you. Instead of getting an AM21.... which WON'T, by the way, give you an additional tuner (you'll still only be able to record 2 things at a time), consider getting a tuner for a PC... even a USB tuner would work. Record OTA onto the PC and then use TVersity or something to stream it over your network. The HR24 can see the media server and you'll be able to watch that OTA programming on your TV right through the HR24.

 

[bacchus101]

Ok, here's a thought for you. Instead of getting an AM21.... which WON'T, by the way, give you an additional tuner (you'll still only be able to record 2 things at a time), consider getting a tuner for a PC... even a USB tuner would work. Record OTA onto the PC and then use TVersity or something to stream it over your network. The HR24 can see the media server and you'll be able to watch that OTA programming on your TV right through the HR24.

The AM21 is in the mail, and honestly I want it for the convenience of a unified guide.

That said, you just inspired me. One of the OTA subchannels channels I care about is in SD. However, if I got a tuner for my PC I could then record shows and stream to my BDP-93 which has killer upscaling (plus I in effect get another tuner.) I'm heading to newegg right now to do some shopping.

Thanks.

Edit: Would I need a second OTA Antenna or could I split the feed from my existing one?

 

[cparker]

Edit: Would I need a second OTA Antenna or could I split the feed from my existing one?

You can split the OTA antenna feed with no problem most of the time. I have a single OTA coax into my basement where I have network patch panel, 24-port gigabit switch, DSL router, DECA for my DirecTV stuff, etc. But because I'm splitting the antenna feed 6 ways, I added a distribution amp. Go without the amp first though because #1 you probably won't need it and #2 if you just stick one in there you can actually OVER amp the signal and make your OTA reception worse.