It's February, is it time to switch?

[dslate69]

Let me first say I like the DISH guide and the familiar feel now since I have had it forever. I also have a couple of extra RF remotes so I am looking for any reason to stay with DISH.
Yea D* may be a little more money for what is becoming more and more HD, but it will also be from a company that is committed to keep adding more.
I love HD and like all of you want more. D* is still as of a couple of weeks ago still adding and E* is not even trying to catchup to what D* had 3 months ago.
E* added CI and dropped Smithsonian; D* added Comedy Central and dropped nothing. I don't want to go but I don't want to be a sucker constantly waiting.

Is there some great unveiling coming from E*?

 

[boba]

Great unveiling is dslate69 expects the grass to be greener on the other side of the fence.

 

[Weezknight]

I really love Dish Network also. It is the first satellite system I've owned and I've gotten very accustomed to how everything works.

That being said, these new price increases have me thinking about the competition for the first time in 5+ years. It really only comes down to DirecTV or Dish, though, since Comcast in my area gives me only half the channels for a higher price .

I just set up a spreadsheet to see what will benefit me the best. Right now (after the promo prices are expired) DirecTV would be about $5.00 cheaper than Dish for what I want.

Unfortunately I lose the dual-tuner DVR which is a HUGE thing in our house. But to shell out an extra $11.00 (after taxes) per month for Dish when I've actually lost some of my most watched programming (GolTV) is hard to swallow.

It's really something I'm torn about, as I said I love the equipment and I love being familiar with my setup, but that 11.00 is a 13% increase in my bill, and I certainly didn't get a 13% raise this year to cover my increases in property taxes, garbage hauling, Dish Network, etc...

 

[dslate69]

Great unveiling is dslate69 expects the grass to be greener on the other side of the fence.

My buddy has D* and it is a different interface and don't know how long I would have it before it is second nature like DISH is to me. But they do have a kick @$$ VOD compared to E* and the ability to program DVR from internet is very cool and of course the more HD. Greener or a nicer shade of green; I don't know that's why I posed the question.
Thanks for your informative input though.

 

[brisimon]

I am waiting to see what new HD content is going to be released this month. I really need Nick HD to filter to one of the turbo HD packages before I switch as my kids will already be loosing Noggin by me going with a turbo package. Nick will be a must. I just hate Comcast sooo much right now I can't wait to drop them. I will have to keep them for internet but to be honest I have never had an issue and it's super fast. It doesn't hurt either that I can call them every 3 to 6 months and keep getting put back on a $29.99 promo for it as well.

 

[rad]

Unfortunately I lose the dual-tuner DVR which is a HUGE thing in our house.

DirecTV's DVR's are all dual tuner or are you talking about being able to drive two TV's from one DVR?

 

[Weezknight]

DirecTV's DVR's are all dual tuner or are you talking about being able to drive two TV's from one DVR?

I'm used to having my HD receiver and DVR in my main living room, and TV2 fed into the family room. It's nice to be able to record 2 shows on both tuners in the living room, while watching something in HD in the same room. This way all of my receivers are in one cabinet.

I didn't realize that DirecTV had dual tuner DVR's, though. I wonder if the guy who set up my parent's system was too lazy to run the extra cable for them since they were told they can't watch one show while recording another. They can only watch recorded shows while recording.

 

[rad]

I'm used to having my HD receiver and DVR in my main living room, and TV2 fed into the family room. It's nice to be able to record 2 shows on both tuners in the living room, while watching something in HD in the same room. This way all of my receivers are in one cabinet.

I didn't realize that DirecTV had dual tuner DVR's, though. I wonder if the guy who set up my parent's system was too lazy to run the extra cable for them since they were told they can't watch one show while recording another. They can only watch recorded shows while recording.

Unless a SWMLNB (or SWM8 switch) is being used the D* DVR's need two coax runs and the installer should have installed it unless your parents told them not to. If they didn't say to not run the 2nd line it might be worth a call to D* asking them to come back out and do it right.

The E* TV2 feature is nice, until that 2nd TV gets upgrade to a HDTV then who would want to use a NTSC feed to watch content on it?

 

[Laddyboy]

Before switching, I'd wait to see what D*'s price increases will be. They also don't have all-HD packages yet afaik. Don't forget the AAA $10 per month discount if you do switch (if you have AAA). It still shows on AAA's site as being available.

 

[rad]

Before switching, I'd wait to see what D*'s price increases will be. They also don't have all-HD packages yet afaik. Don't forget the AAA $10 per month discount if you do switch (if you have AAA). It still shows on AAA's site as being available.

They already did announce then, http://www.satelliteguys.us/attachment.php?attachmentid=33476&d=1233324879.

Also don't forget the $50 referral rebate from a current D* customer.

 

[space86]

Question are we going to get 24/7 Noggin and The N this month?

 

[jerryez]

Let me first say I like the DISH guide and the familiar feel now since I have had it forever. I also have a couple of extra RF remotes so I am looking for any reason to stay with DISH.
Yea D* may be a little more money for what is becoming more and more HD, but it will also be from a company that is committed to keep adding more.
I love HD and like all of you want more. D* is still as of a couple of weeks ago still adding and E* is not even trying to catchup to what D* had 3 months ago.
E* added CI and dropped Smithsonian; D* added Comedy Central and dropped nothing. I don't want to go but I don't want to be a sucker constantly waiting.

Is there some great unveiling coming from E*?

How many HD channels has D* added in the last year? Do you even know?

 

[Laddyboy]

They already did announce then, http://www.satelliteguys.us/attachment.php?attachmentid=33476&d=1233324879.

Also don't forget the $50 referral rebate from a current D* customer.

Thanks, rad. Looks like I would pay $76 at D* for what I pay $68 at E*, alhough D* has more HD for the present time. Hopefully that'll change shortly.

 

[Weezknight]

Unless a SWMLNB (or SWM8 switch) is being used the D* DVR's need two coax runs and the installer should have installed it unless your parents told them not to. If they didn't say to not run the 2nd line it might be worth a call to D* asking them to come back out and do it right.

The E* TV2 feature is nice, until that 2nd TV gets upgrade to a HDTV then who would want to use a NTSC feed to watch content on it?

I'll have to check with my parents' line.

As to the 2nd TV it is in the Family Room where plastic balls, bats, dolls, and things are flying around most of the time so the SDTV that is out there right now is perfectly fine. Okay, I may have exaggerated about the things flying around, but it is the kids' playroom, so you get the point.

 

[Islandguy43]

Great unveiling is dslate69 expects the grass to be greener on the other side of the fence.

Well it is a case of the grass being greener on the other side of the fence being very tempting indeed.

For instance, my current programming at E* is gonna cost me $8 more a month. (DVR Advantage)

I love E*'s equipment but their sports programming is something to be desired. They don't offer my RSN in hd (meaning my Hockey Team - Buffalo Sabres are shown only SD to me.) They don't offer my baseball team period the Yankees (YES Network). The don't even offer all my locals in HD (ABC is not available in the Buffalo in HD).

Considering with AAA Discount I can save an additional $10 per month for a 24 month committment, and receive an HD DVR and additional HD Receiver for no money out of my pocket with DirecTV, and receive all the programming above that I can't receive with E* currently; I would most certainly agree with dslate69 that the ball is in E* court to keep us as subs.

I know this much; if I don't see movement from E* to greatly expand HD programing and improve customer service; I will be gone once my Center Ice Subscription is up in late april/early may, so I can enjoy watching my baseball team this season.

BTW, I have been comparing the number of HD games on the Center Ice Package between the two Sat Services and D* has shown almost twice as many of the games in HD than E* has.

What is it gonna take to keep me a loyal Dish Sub??? The very least I expect to get my RSN in HD at all times. That being MSG and E*'s past problems with the Dolan's, it doesn't look too promising. (MSG broadcasts the Buffalo Sabres games and is available in HD on TWC, Directv and Fios in the Buffalo DMA).

 

[Laddyboy]

That's understandable, Islandguy. I'll be shocked if E* adds YES based on the things Chuckles has stated in the past. Miracle do happen sometimes. I don't know if there is even enough transponder space for fulltime HD RSNs on E*. It'd be nice if there were though. I'm surprised E* is able to retain any sports enthusiasts at all. Sports programming is not a big deal to me so I've stayed with E* over the years because they have been cheaper. My loyalty to E* is over now. I look at the things others get offered around here and sometimes get peeved since I know we're having to pay for that as well.

 

[tjwgrr]

I'm a 12+ year loyal E* customer who's patience is wearing thin. E* had better step to the plate SOON, or I'm seriously thinking of trying another shade of green grass. Yeah, E*'s DVRs are great, but.....

Me Now E*:
DDA Classic Silver 200 $57.99
HD add on $10.00
Addtl receiver $7.00
DVR access fee (2nd receiver) $5.98
----------------
E* Total $80.97


D*LUS HD DVR— Locals Included $72.99
DIRECTV DVR Service $0.00
Lease Fee $4.99
HD Access $0.00
Total:* $77.98
Online redemption -$23.00
---------------------
D* Total:*54.98 (12 month rate)

Even at the D* regular rate of $77.98, it's still cheaper than E* with much more HD (Speed, Fox News, Fox Business News, FX, CMT, VH1, MTV, Spike, Comedy Central, Nick, etc.)

The only kicker is I'd need to shell out $199 for a second D* receiver, but that will be made up in 9 months of the $23.00 redemption.

 

[rad]

The only kicker is I'd need to shell out $199 for a second D* receiver, but that will be made up in 9 months of the $23.00 redemption.

If you're a Costco member you can see if your local store has the HR2X's there, usually $20 to $40 less. You can also just call DirecTV, tell them you want to switch but the $199 2nd DVR fee is an issue, they might work you a deal.

 

[RandallA]

If you're a Costco member you can see if your local store has the HR2X's there, usually $20 to $40 less. You can also just call DirecTV, tell them you want to switch but the $199 2nd DVR fee is an issue, they might work you a deal.

It would be really nice if Directv could offer a deal to Dish Network customers only where the 2nd or 3rd HD DVR is free or at a lower cost. I can guarantee you that a lot of people would leave Dish Network. The cost of the equipment to switch is what's holding me up.

 

[satjay]

I have reviewed looking at Dish, just see how how it is on the other side. Though after review, unless I am doing something wrong on Dishbuilder. I am looking about a 98.00 or so monthly bill (after promtion) expires.

With Directv, after the price increase I will be looking at a 81.00 bill. The main issue with Dish for me seems to be the Fees if you want an extra HD Reciver/DVR. The fees for a 2nd HD/DVR were about 16.00.

Does this sound right??. The Dish builder website is a pretty simple concept so I dont think I am entering anything correct

Just an FYI: The package I chose to build was the 250 Package, Two HD recivers/DVR's and the HD gold package