Just made the switch from Dish to DirecTV
 

I have been with Dish for the past 10 years, but their technology has fallen behind DirecTV and they continue to get themselves in legal problems that end up affecting the programming you can receive.

The new Whole Home technology basically networks together all your HD DVR's through the coax cable so you can watch programming that is recorded on any receiver from any TV. They also have an iPhone app that allows you to set up recording on any receiver, and unlike the Dish app, theirs actually works.

However, the biggest unexpected feature of DirecTV is that the high volume sound of all commercials is somehow suppressed. I had complained to Dish on several occasions about this problem since their own commercials were the worst offenders. No more running for the mute button when Vince comes on with the wonders of Sham Wow, or the dork in PC Matic fixes his mom's computer.

We have had Direct TV for maybe 5 years - works fine. Got it because Comcast kept raising their fees. Was paying $45 for Comcast - now paying $115 for Direct TV (Duh). BUT - we can transfer our service from Cal to Fla without having to have two service providers and cancellation fees.

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I am, as I speak, waiting for DISH thechnician to arrive. I had DISH in Ohio with no problems, moved it here, again transparently. Worked fine for a few weeks and then HD went out. Had a technician visit then a receiver exchange, gave up on HD..... In recent weeks have only been able to receive local channels sporadically. Called them and today will be 3rd visit. I looked at cable and don't like what I see so I want them to do good, but I am prepared to make a jump backwards to cable. Plan to check out DIRECT too, but Iam totally disgusted about the whole situation.

Just switched from Dish Network to Direct TV and there is a huge difference in picture quality between the two. Direct TV is much better in my opinion.Had Dish for the 3 years we have been here and it got frustrating losing the signal every time it came up a storm. The same may hold true for Direct TV and only time will tell but the special they are running is just too good to turn down.The package I subscribed to is~$20 cheaper per month than Dish plus you get it for $39.99 a month for the first year. This includes HD and two DVRS. Happy so far;Time will tell.

We've had DirectTV for maybe 12 or better years and my spouse would have nothing different. Our son had Dish and in our comparison chats---we'd still stay with Direct. As for the commercials being loud...I recently heard that they are going to tone things down...can't remember where I heard this. Maybe on the radio news. But if it's an issue...I generally just mute it OR tune it down. Alot easier than the "old days" when one had to get up and make the change on the set. Think we're spoiled now these days! LOL

Another vote for DirecTV. We have used their service for over ten years with no major problems. They had to replace an old receiver dish several years ago when they added services to a third satellite.

The transfer of the service to TV was very easy. The new service was installed right on schedule. We have only lost the satellite signal a couple of times during a heavy rainstorm, but it was only for a few minutes.

I use the iphone app every now and then when I want to record a program because we can't get home in time to watch it. The app works great.

We're also in the market for a TV provider. We had Comcast up north and had assumed that we would get it down here, but I'm beginning to wonder. I have a question for those in the know. If you get DirectTV or Dish Network, how do you get the local channels? My wife likes the Villages channel and we also like to get the Orlando news and weather. So, what do you do?

We just had Direct TV installed and love it. It has the local news affiliated with ABC, NBC, CBS etc.

Direct TV is also broadcast in true 1080 HDTV. My picture on my1080 Sony HDTV is outstanding. Comcast is still broadcast in 720 so if you have a 1080 TV your not getting your monies worth. IMHO

Thanks AJ.

Thanks to all who have posted as this makes my decision to get Direct TV a no brainer.

I understand that one can get the NFL and MLB as packages with Direct TV as I am very sports minded.

If you go with Direct TV (or any satellite provider), how do you get high speed internet without a cell phone bundle?

Re: high speed internet you gotta go thru CenturyLink or pay thru the nose with DirectTv. It's not economically feaseable in The Villages.

I have Comcast for my internet. About $40 a month for bottom shelf.You can upgrade to faster download service for maybe $20 more a month. We just purchased Magic Jack for our land line phone.

You can get all the locals but you won't get the Villages station.It's only on cable!

Well - we had Comcast for over 4 years in The Villages - while we mostly had tenants - just moved down for our first season 3 weeks ago and because Comcast does not have our Ohio sports channels that we feel are necessary to quality living, we switched to Direct TV. Told we could get Big 10, Sports Time Ohio and Fox Sports Ohio by both Dish and Direct TV but Direct TV had a couple of extra things we thought were better.

Got it installed a week ago Monday. You no longer have to have approval from The Villages arch. committee, as long as it's in your backyard, even on your roof. Installation was fine, but couldn't tune in STO or Fox Sports OH when the installer was here - of course, they know nothing, tell you to call customer service, which we did that evening.

Reached someone in Oregon, who passed me off to a supervisor after telling me not sure why we couldn't get it (even though we were promised it by at least 2 sales people when were calling around). Supervisor told me those channels were only available regionally and just too bad someone told me we could get them in Florida - said I was "misinformed."

We were really steamed and upset as figured we could have gone with DISH if this was the case. Called the next day and in 2 minutes we had the channels - although we still seem to be blacked out for CAVs games and Columbus Bluejackets. Maybe it's a blackout rule? Don't know, have to call again tomorrow. Have to gear up for those calls, you know? So - stay tuned, the verdict is still out, but reception is great, and we do have local channels as well.

Cavs and Blue Jackets games will not be avalable on the Fox sports channels because you have to subscribe to either the NBA package or the NHL package. That also includes other NBA and NHL teams.

John

Do you know if Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds games will be blacked out as well during baseball season? They were not in Ohio on 2 other cable systems we had there (Wide Open West, and AT & T)

All the pro teams will be blacked out unless you purchase the specific sports package.

John

I ordered Direct TV a couple of days ago. Sales rep assured me the installation fee would be $19.99. I told him I didn't want it on the house or my roof. He said that would be no problem, he'd note that on the installation order.
The tech arrived this morning and told me the included "professional installation" didn't cover a pole mount. Said that would cost me an additional $150, $75 for the pole and another $75 to run the cable about 6 ft. I balked and called customer service. They said that it was a valid charge and there was nothing they could do about it. I told them to cancel the install. The switched me to another rep who offered to give me a $50 credit to ease the pain. I then agreed to have the service installed. I asked them to verify what was included in the package. When I mentioned one item Cinema Plus, which I think is Direct TV's version of On Demand, the tech started waving his hands. He wanted me to know that for Cinema Plus to work there would be yet another charge for him to run wiring for that feature. I think that charge was $50, I'm not sure if that was total or per TV. In any case that was the straw that broke the camels back.
I cancelled the installation, even that took awhile because they kept switching me to different reps who apoligized and tried to talk me into staying with Direct.
I thought Comcast was bad, no I know Comcast was bad but I expected something different from Direct TV. Seems like they're all the same.

Yep - they're all the same; pay thru the nose and get 300 channels of chit.

If it wasn't for live US sports and Fox Soccer channel I'd go back to rabbit ears.

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In case you were not aware of it, some newer types of HDTV's have a built it sound suppresor for those loud commercials and he settings include for the channels that have low sound. You just set the volume and it stays the same. Samsung is one of the models that have.

I currently own a 57 inch flat screen from Samsung and it has that feature. It works great especially during the NFL Sunday ticket
where the volumes are very different due to croud noise.

All Communications companies seem to be terrible at communicating with customers. Monday I wasted hours and hours ... I was placed on hold three times, told my story three times, and got disconnected three times. So discouraging. :shrug:

Directv
 

Is that a Sanchez jersey you are wearing? Directv only provider you will get to see the NFL. $300 per season unless you want to watch on your smartphone. Then add another $70. Don't know what Cinema Plus is and I've had Directv for 10 years. I'l have to check it out. Wish I was blacked out a few times last Monday night!

I had DirecTV installed last week. I ordered mine on line and paid zero for installation/delivery and got an extra $5 a month off for the first year along with the advertised $30 off for the first year. When they showed up for the install, they told me initially that there might be a $75 charge for the pole mount but then the installer called someone and got that waived. They hooked up two TVs, the 500 hour DVR (100 hour HD) and installed On Demand over my home network. Everything works great. No hidden charges.

If anyone wants to order DirecTV, send me a PM and we can both get another $100 off.

The whole cable/dish thing is like "Let's Make A Deal". Different prices, costs, programs etc. etc.

What one person gets, the next guy doesn't and vice versa.

No wonder their credibility is so low.

I have an interest in switching from Comcast to Direct,
 

but I was told my home would have to be re-wired as they cannot use the existing cable....which first of all just does not sound right or ring true....secondly our home is cement block and cannot imagine how they rewire in cement block walls. So until I te verification the re-wiring is a fact....there is no way.
If anyone can clear this issue for me I would appreciate it.

btk

I don't believe this to be true.Satellite & cable both use coax cable to bring a signal to your tv

Direct also told us that they wouldn't use the existing equipment in the re-sale we bought but needed to install new equipment. When the installer showed up he just turned on the existing receiver.
A possible reason they insist on a new cable is the direct tv antenna receives it's dc power through the cable and splitters in the line won't pass the power to the amplifier in the antenna but won't harm cable.

Getting direct tv from a dealer will have a different set of rules and prices.

Yep, it's a Sanchez jersey. Rough night to be a Jets fan. I watched until late in the third quarter. With the score 31-3 I finally packed it in.
I wasn't really surprised that our guys lost. I just didn't think it would be such as butt kicking. They had a lot of luck the last few games. The defense hasn't been as strong as last year and the offense is extremely inconsistent. Then we have Folk trying to kick for us.
We'll have to see which Jets team shows up Sunday.

My house is about 3 years old. I first had Dish then switched to DirecTV. They both used the existing coax that runs from the utility box to each room. DirecTV even used the same pole that Dish installed.

I'm still on the fence regarding Comcast or Dish Network. I know that with Comcast, you do not need a converter box unless you want a DVR or digital channels. In VA, we had 2 boxes and 4 other TVx on regular coax.

If we go with Dish Network, does each receiver need a box? They advertise that you can watch whatever is recorded on your DVR on any set in the house. Does anyone know how this works? If you need a box for each set, does it cost extra for each box?

I know it's a lot of questions, but inquiring minds want to know. Actually, I may have Dish Network confused with DirectTV.

I have DISH TV, 2 tvs, only one box and one DVR. The second tv gets whatever the first one (with box) can get, including all programs saved in the DVR.

Greg - I can't speak to specifics about what Dish Network does or doesn't offer as we haven't had their service here at home for a couple of years. But as far as DirecTV goes: Each television will require a receiver ("box") - no additional converter boxes needed. If you want to be able to watch programs in HD on a specific television, then that receiver has to be an HD receiver. You can mix and match within the same house - some receivers can be HD and others don't need to be. But you'll be paying for the HD service so most people will opt for all their receivers to be HD. It's definitely better picture quality versus standard definition. You can also get any of those receivers with built-in DVRs. DirecTV does offer a service where, from a single DVR, you can watch a program on any of the televisions in the house. You'd have to speak with them about the specifics on how this works as it all has to do with how the coax cabling is set up in the house.

Hope that helps!!

Bill

Thanks Bill. Every little bit helps. Also, was there a particular reason you discontinued Dish Network?

I don't have any specific technical info to back it up, but I feel that a satellite signal vs. cable yields a better quality picture. But keep in mind - and Concast will market this strongly - weather can disrupt a satellite signal temporarily. Big storms will knock the signal off the air til the worst of the weather clears. You can check other threads on the board for people's perspectives on that.

We had Dish Network at our prior house here in OH for years, back before we had HD service. Had no real issues with them or their service. When we moved to the new place here, they didn't offer our local channels in HD and there were a couple of specific channels that they didn't carry in HD as well - - - so we switched to DirecTV. I feel DirecTV's technology today is ahead of where Dish is - kinda the same comparison people will make with Verizon vs. AT&T re: mobile phone networks/service. Now, though, I believe Dish DOES provide those channels that were missing when we first switched service a couple of years back. Always best to look online at each company's specific offerings/packages to see if they've got what you want.

Bill

Directv
 

I've had Directv for 10 years and I love it.
NFL package, MLB etc. So from 1000 miles from NY I can watch my JETS and METS.
I just bought a new Dell laptop that has HDMI.
I have two DVR boxes.
With free software from Directv, I can watch a prerecorded program on my PC.
I was able to watch a program I recorded on DRV 2 on DVR 1's TV. Pretty cool.
There was an inquiry concerning CinemaPlus. It provides on demand pay per view, on demand movies from premium channels (you have to subscrive to receive the movie) and some free movies that are usually very old. To use on demand you must connect your DR box to your internet connection. Not sure but Directv might charge $50 for a wireless bridge.
There is also some free programing. I have dwonloaded lot's of golf tips for example.
I bought my own wireless bridge and have my plasma TV and directv box hooked to the internet.

This was definitely not the case last summer. I subscribed to the regional sports package and was able to get the YES network for Yankee games. I was able to watch every Yankee game that was on the YES network, with the Yankee announcers. The only time I was not able to get the YES network was when the Yankees played the Rays in which case it was blacked out from the YES network but still available with the Sun Sports network - albeit with the Rays announcers who are very boring.

But, I am concerned that you may be right going forward. Over Thanksgiving my son-in-law was here and wanted to watch the Bruins over the New England sports network. He was disappointed that they were blacked out. I'm hoping that they do not black out the Yankees this coming season.

Should that be the case, another alternative is to subscribe to the Internet streaming games over mlb.com. You can watch them on a computer, which is not so great, or you can buy a Roku box for under $100 which allows you to play them on your TV (as well as Netflix movies).

I see that you have or will have Direct TV, so I thought I'd ask you where you have your dish installed? My issue with satellite is more about aesthetics. Perhaps I'm a bit anal, but I don't want a dish attached to my house. A short short pole behind my house would be OK. Although I would get my high speed internet through Comcast, I like the programming choices of Direct TV.

Your thoughts or, for that matter, any other opinions would be appreciated.

When I had my DirecTV installed this month, I didn't specify where the dish should go. They decided they wanted to mount it on a short pole behind my house. Then they said that would cost $75. I balked. They called someone and got the fee waived. I got my pole mount and free installation.

Someone else on this forum complained that DirecTV wanted to charge $75 for a pole mount and another $75 for a cable run from the pole to the house. Don't bite. Free installation means free installation (unless you live in a tree house or some other non-traditional housing unit outside The Villages).

So far, I'm very happy to be rid of Comcast and I really like DirecTV.

Thanks for the current scoop, logdog. DirecTV's coming out here in the a.m. to install our dish - hopefully, we'll get the same deal as what you got! We've been with them for a couple of years back home - having the antenna installed here as a secondary service address so we can switch back and forth between service here and in OH. One service at two different addresses (though they can't be served concurrently)......all for no additional charge from what our normal monthly bill is with them. Woo-hoo!

Bill