Need some help deciding between Comcast, or moving to Dish

[RBull4life]

Maybe a few of you guys, or gals, who have a satellite Dish could help me decide which way to go. I currently have Comcast Digital, but I am seriously thinking about switching to Dish Network through AT&T, manly because of the cost. TV, home phone, and Internet through AT&T would be roughly $30-40 cheaper, than just my Comcast bill.
The problem I am running into is of the stories you hear of losing the signal with satellite dishes with snow storms/rain storms, and add that Dish Network has no OnDemand as Comcast does, which adds even more HD content. The one thing I like about Dish is that all channels are digital, unlike Comcast, where half are analog, which makes for a nasty looking picture on a 50" DLP.

OnDemand or No OnDemand
Some digital channels or all Digital channels
Hardly no disruption in signal or possible constant signal disruption.
Comcast seems to be adding new HD channels, while Dish seems to have been stuck on the same ones for a long time.

Decisions, decisions.

[Galvan]

You should get Directv,

I just bought a 56in DLP and HD is amazing on it. But the big thing about Directv is that they are going to be adding 150 HD channels by the end of September.

Dish Network also doesnt have some of the channels that Directv has and so forth.

My package a month is 79.99 for 250 Channels, and 15 extra dollars for the HD networks as well.


I have never had a problem with losing signal either, and Im sure you know how much of a weather geek I am, believe me DirecTv is the best way you go.

[RBull4life]

I checked out the HD lineup for DirectTV and boy does it suck, though with the new satellite in orbit, it looks like the new HD channels will start showing up in mid september.
Is that $15 for the HD channels, plus a DVR?

[BP317]

I have the Comcast Premium Digital Cable package, and NFL Network was just cut from it . It was pretty much the only extra channel I ever would watch....so Comcast can die for all I care.

[Galvan]

I checked out the HD lineup for DirectTV and boy does it suck, though with the new satellite in orbit, it looks like the new HD channels will start showing up in mid september.
Is that $15 for the HD channels, plus a DVR?

Well, the thing about Directv is that you have to buy the HDDVR, they dont rent the box like other outfits want. But I found a loop hole to this,


Basically what I told Directv was "Well, Im a new customer with your service, I really enjoy the service, but Id be very disappointed to have to switch to Comcast whose willing too offer me a free HDDVR."

your correct, The 15 dollars is for the HD Programming, as well as the DVR.

Let me also say that there aren't really huge lineups of HDTV anyway with any service.
With Directv you will get of course the locals, Comcast Sports Net in HD, HBO,Showtime HD as well as National Geographic HD and HDNET.

Like I said the HD line up with Directv will be changing dramatically very soon.

Also one thing that i love about Directv, is that while i have 250+ channels (more like 280) When im channel surfing, the load up time is really fast, and smooth unlike comcast which is really slow in my opinion.

If you a sports nut, and Im pretty sure you are, You'll love the Sports Packages that Directv has as much as I do

[cycamps]

I've actually switched from Dish to Directv. Directv is much better than Dish, but I can't really say much about Comcast. But, speaking from experience, if you want a satellite dish, you should go with Directv over Dish Network.

[RBull4life]

I keep checking out DirectTV website, leaning towards them. I do say that they have one thing going for them, and that is that they have PBS Sprout for the kids, which Dish does not.

Galvin, you should sell for DirectTV. You would make one hell of a salesman for them

One other question Galvin if you don't mind. The package you have, does that include every channel?

[Galvan]

I have the Premier Package along with the HD Channels, and of course the HDDVR Box that i talked about before. In addition to that I have the MLB Package also.

Also,i forgot one thing, IF you decide to get directv, I will give you my Directv account number and if you use my account number when ordering not only with you get a 50 dollar credit on your bill but so will I.

And if you refer people to the service, you will get 50 dollars as well as do they.

here is my package and a list of the channels that I use

http://directv.com/DTVAPP/packProg/channelChart1.jsp?assetId=900041

[RBull4life]

Damn Galvin!! I wish I would have seen the above post about an hour ago. Sorry. I just ordered DirectTV. They will be out Monday to install. I got the NFL season Ticket/ Premier thing for $69.99, which includes all the movie channels, and NFL Ticket for 4 months. After that, the price will jump up to $99.99. I don't plan on keeping the NFL Season Ticket package, and will probably only keep Starz, and HBO for my movie channels.

The customer service rep did say that 20-30 HD channels will be up by the first week of September, and by the end of December, there would be 150 HD Channels.

Which direction does your Dish point? I may have to figure a few things out when they come out. Since I own a condo, and the only place the association will let me install a dish is on my balcony, which faces N, NW.

Edit: Looks like I ordered the same thing you did.

[Galvan]

All dishes directv or otherwise, Must face South.

[RBull4life]

^ Thats what I figured. None the less, the owners below me had DirectTV installed before the association put their rules into effect, so it was grandfathered in. They moved, and left the dish there. The current owners will let me keep the dish there.

Thanks Galvin for all of your input, it was a great help. I only wish I was able to help you get that $50 off your bill.

[Galvan]

Well, you probably still could do it, I dont see why you couldnt call them back and tell them your a new customer because of me.

And the 50 bucks is also off your bill as well.

[RBull4life]

^ I will give it a shot. PM me the info, and I will give them a call tonight, or first thing in the morning.

[Sireze]

i say go with dish. My mom owes comcast almost 300 dollars from a previous bill from like 4 yrs ago and we had cable but they cut us off. So as i was doing my research on dish and directv i saw that the lowest plan directv offered was a 29.99 plan with just 85 premium channels and the only good plan they had was i think 250 channels with a free DVR and something else for i think 69.99. So I decided to get Dish because they had a sale going on with 250 channels including local channels for 52.99 for 10 months and they gave us a free 2 room DVR and we got up to 4 rooms installed for free. And so far i havent had no problems with it what so ever. The customer Serivce ppl are so polite and respectful and i luv it. GO WITH DISH!!!!!

[Mr.SIX]

I have switched from Comcast to Directv and it has its pros and cons.

Pros
-Better DVR organizing
-More channels
-Cheaper

Cons
-Signal gets knocked out in even the lightest rain
-No OnDemand
-Bill not explained as good as Comcast is
-Contract depending on what kind of box you get


The bad thing for me is that im kinda regreting my choice on switching and now im locked under a 2 year contract but looking for a loophole to get out of it.

[Galvan]

I have had monsoon rains around here lately, and no signal problems

[Mr.SIX]

Lucky you my signal is so crappy. =\

[RBull4life]

I've had it for 4 days, and no problems yet. Though yesterday when it rained, I lost the signal on some channels for about 2 minutes, but then they came back crystal clear. The HD on DirectTv is, IMHO, far superior to that of Comcast. Two weeks and counting before some of the hew High Def channels come on-line.

[Galvan]

What HD Channels are near?

[RBull4life]

September 2007
A&E
Animal Planet
Big Ten Network
CNN
Discovery
Food Network*
HGTV*
History Channel
MHD (MTV brand channel)
National Geographic
NFL Network
The Science Channel
TBS
TLC
Versus
Weather Channel
Cinemax-E
Cinemax-W
MoreMax
HBO-W
HBO2-E
HBO2-W
HBO Family-E
HBO Family-W
HBO Signature
The Movie Channel
SHO-W
STARZ-E
STARZ-W
STARZ-Edge
STARZ-Comedy
STARZ-Kids

Fall 2007
Bravo
Cartoon Network
Chiller
CNBC
FX
SciFi Channel
Sleuth
Speed
USA Network

December 2007
The Tennis Channel

Spring 2008
ABC Family
Disney Channel
ESPN News
MGM
Toon Disney

[Galvan]

How much extra?

[RBull4life]

When I ordered my Direct system, I asked the CSR how much extra all these channels would cost, and he told me it comes with my HD service, so it wouldn't be any more than what I am paying now .

I am a little pissed though. My installer only hooked up one line into my DVR. I DVR'd Die Hard in HD last night, and when I went to change the channel, it wouldn't let me. Now I have to get on the phone with them tomorrow, and see what they can do.

[Galvan]

I might be able to help with that....possibly avoiding a call..


First of all im sure you have the new HD DVR like i have....





second.... make sure you have TWO filters, like these little do dads here...



The filters should go from the back of your box all the way outside to your dish and are connected here...



Simple as watching TV

[RBull4life]

Thanks Galvan, but the installer only has one line running in from the dish, well he has three, one to the DVR in the living room, and two running into two other rooms. I do have 2 of the convertors, but only one is hooked up, the other one is sitting in the box.