Dish vs Direct
 

I don't recall seeing a comparison of these 2 on TOTV. I am considering getting rid of cable, and using one or the other for TV. The relatively minor service disruptions during bad weather are of little or no consequence to us, because I usually have my head in a book anyway, and there is so little quality TV, I wouldn't miss a little here or there. Has anybody done a recent comparison ?

I went through the same decision process a few months ago and Direct TV won. Much more flexibility when recording shows.

Funny, we did the same comparison and Dish TV won. have had Dish about 2 years and are very pleased.

If you are content with the major networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX plus a bunch of other stuff), you can use an over-the-air antenna and pick up these stations from Orlando for no cost (like in the good old days). We supplement with a Roku box to access Netflix and Hulu+. We stopped paying for cable/sat TV a while ago and don't miss it, especially the cost.

Got rid of Comcast - Went with DirecTV.

It wouldn't be considered a minor service disruption when the weather is quickly getting worse with a hurricane heading your way. You might not have access to weather when you need it most. I've been through many hurricanes and believe me, TV, if you still have power is your friend. Radio just isn't the same thing.
That is the reason I still stay with cable.

Just turn on your battery operated laptop. Go to:
Lady Lake, Florida (32162) Conditions & Forecast | Weather Underground

if you want the NFL games pkg. go with direct tv....dvr'ing programs I prefer dish....also the hopper is nice....no commercials on the big 4 networks during prime time

I get the impression that severity and duration of the weather related service interruptions are related to exactly where you are located. I though about this a while ago and was told by some that the interruptions are rare and only minutes. Then I spoke with other people who had a dish and went to cable because every time we got a rain shower their service would go out and sometimes stay out for hours at a time.

I'd check with people in your neighborhood or on your street if possible to find out what the service it like for them in that area.

I think a lot has to do with the accuracy of aiming the dish itself. A good tech will fiddle with it until the signal is the strongest. A poor setup will be more susceptible to outages from rain. It's also possible for the dish to be bumped over time if it's on a pedestal on the lawn.

We have had Dish, both up north and here, only minor disruptions and only with local network channels. Overall, I am very happy with Dish and the quality of signal. Customer service is excellent and very helpful.

Antenna?
 

Please provide more information on your antenna. Thanks

If you haven't already, check the channel line-ups for both; there are only minor differences but if there's a specific channel you need/like, that might made the decision easier.

We've had both providers and prefer DirecTV. Their Genie receiver can record 5 shows at once, which can be helpful when the dratted networks insist on running their shows 1 minute past the hour. I don't use them but they've added some options for additional full-house coverage. I also like the remote and onscreen guide for DirecTV better, but that's just personal preference. They bundle with Centurylink for a small monthly price reduction. Dish may do the same.

For as much as it's been raining lately, the signal rarely gets interrupted, and then only when it's really pouring. We have the dish on the roof.

Of course, I'd almost say not to go with DirecTV just because of their incessant marionette commercials ...

After 5 years we just canceled DISH and have gone with Century Link Prism. We think it is so much better; we have internet with it and it seems to be much faster.
Good luck trying to cancel if you go with DISH. What a pain in getting then to cancel, and then you have to ship everything back to them within 30 days including a part of the actual dish which was installed up on our roof.

It was so annoying that when we had a storm it went out in the middle of whatever we were watching.
So glad to be rid of them.

I should add that DirecTV has great introductory rates but they jack up the fees about double after the initial 12 months. Offerings likely vary, but we had to agree to a two-year contract.