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<font face="Comic Sans MS">Dish Network vs. DirecTV [vs. cable]<br>
<br>
First, it is Dish Network, not DishTV!<br>
<br>
EARLY ADOPTER<br>
<br>
I was an early adopter of wide-screen, high-definition TV, having
acquired<br>
a 65" Mitsubishi television some eight years ago.<br>
<br>
Back then, there was almost no HiDef channels available locally.<br>
<br>
Already being a DirecTV subscriber then -- in "standard" definition, I <br>
upgraded my package to DirecTV's HiDef suite. I was pleased with the <br>
quality of signals, and for then, the repertoire of channels
available. I <br>
also was happy with the DirecTV box and the user interface on-screen.<br>
<br>
SWITCH TO CABLE TO CUT COSTS<br>
<br>
Still later, I decided to cut costs and switched from DirecTV to [then]<br>
Adelphia Cable and its BASIC package, for about $13/month. I soon <br>
became dissatisfied with my limited fare and upgraded to their HiDef<br>
package without having to purchase the ordinary channel packages. So<br>
I had limited HiDef, plus BASIC [Spokane and local channels] for about<br>
$35/month.<br>
<br>
But I hated the cable TV box; especially the navigation among various<br>
features. [I'm reminded of it still again, at our place on the coast,<br>
where another cable company is all we can get, because of tall trees<br>
blocking satellite coverage. It uses the same "box" and navigation,
which<br>
I hate.]<br>
<br>
CHANGE TO DISH NETWORK<br>
<br>
Still later, I lusted for much more HiDef wide-screen repertoire, so<br>
I switched to Dish Network via a local vendor in Moscow. I had <br>
apprehension about Dish, because I had had such a good experience <br>
with DirecTV in years past.<br>
<br>
Much to my surprise, I really loved my Dish Network setup and still<br>
do. I am paying a lot, though, for the best box, with HiDef and DVR. <br>
<br>
There is a huge, huge, huge, huge repertoire of channels out there.<br>
I really don't spend a lot of time viewing, but I do like CHOICE.<br>
For one, I find Vandal sports broadcasts on what are to me, "obscure"<br>
channels that I otherwise probably would no get. Also, I like art,<br>
music, "geography", news, all in HD. Standard definition just<br>
does not "cut it" anymore, PERIOD!!!!<br>
<br>
DISLIKES ABOUT DISH NETWORK<br>
<br>
What I don't like about Dish Network is this: Local channel coverage<br>
is poor in HD. None of the public broadcast stations are carried in<br>
HD via Dish Network, here -- Not Channel 7 in Spokane, Not 26 in<br>
Coeur d'Alene, Not 12 in Moscow, Not 10 in Pullman. These are<br>
all carried, but only one channel for each, and only in standard
definition.<br>
Further, Dish Network does not carry Channel 3 in Lewiston.<br>
<br>
Each of the public broadcast stations, above, carries multiple content<br>
channels via one conventionally numbered channel. Hence, with Dish,<br>
one only receives one channel for each public broadcast station with<br>
the others, including in HiDef, not being receivable.<br>
<br>
LOCAL CHANNEL REMEDY<br>
<br>
My partial remedy is a small, $25 antenna from Radio Shack, <br>
which is mounted on the south wall of my house, not on the roof, <br>
just outside the wall near the TV and Dish Network box. With <br>
this I receive all four content channels -- 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, and <br>
12.4 from KUID, which is the Idaho Public Television system <br>
throughout the state, 12.2 being HiDef. Further, I get both 10.1<br>
and 10.2 from KWSU, although both are in standard definition,<br>
even though "digital" broadcasts. I also get 3 from Lewiston<br>
with the antenna. It is all digital, although it varies between <br>
standard and high definition, depending on what is fed from the<br>
national network. I rarely watch 3, but in case there is a special<br>
Vandal game broadcast, I want to watch it.<br>
<br>
The above is only a partial remedy for Dish Network not carrying<br>
the full content-channels repertoire as noted above. The Dish box <br>
does list what I get via my own antenna in the on-screen guide, along<br>
with the Dish channels. This means that I can select the channels <br>
from my local antenna without doing any special maneuvers with the<br>
remote, BUT the guide does not list any program identification <br>
in the on-screen guide for these local channels. I find this very<br>
frustrating. This could make a difference of choice for someone<br>
trying to decide between DirecTV and Dish Network. But not<br>
for me. I am otherwise so very satisfied with my Dish Network<br>
installation and its performance that I do not plan on changing<br>
anytime soon.<br>
<br>
If you've read this far, you probably deserve a medal!<br>
<br>
Sam Scripter<br>
</font><br>
<blockquote
cite="mid:d03f69e0903111203m56f3d7br98f39bdc6464ccb5@mail.gmail.com"
type="cite">
<div><span class="gmail_quote">On 3/10/09, <b
class="gmail_sendername">Steven Basoa</b> <<a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="mailto:sbasoa@moscow.com">sbasoa@moscow.com</a>> wrote:</span>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote"
style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">I
have been asked to inquire about people's experiences with Dish TV<br>
and/or Direct TV. Is one better than the other, are there reception<br>
problems in inclement weather, installation issues, billing issues,<br>
quality of service and repairs, etc. Cable is not an option so long<br>
as TImeWarner is the only choice.<br>
<br>
Thanks for any insights.<br>
<br>
Steven</blockquote>
</div>
</blockquote>
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