We've had both Dish Network (in the past) and DirecTV (currently). Switched because, at the time, Dish didn't have a couple of stations available in HD that DirecTV did.
We're happy with DirecTV. Nothing's perfect but they're pretty darned good as far as I'm concerned. Superb picture quality - we've become spoiled!
Beware (with either provider) of what constitutes a "free standard installation". In DirecTV's book, a standard installation includes a roof mount antenna/dish, not on a pole mounted in the ground. (Why? I have no clue! Baffling....) The vast majority of the installers are independent contractors - if you want your antenna pole-mounted, confirm your cost in advance. Old threads on the topic have feedback on the antenna installation varying from no cost to over $100 for the antenna install, I believe. Verify the charges with the installer prior to him/her beginning the work. Some have been successful with making a call to DirecTV at that point to work out the cost.....and have been able to get the pole-mount install for free.
Bill
