Dumping cable for dish

[Bubbler]

Just switched to DirecTV from Dish Network. Honestly, I had no complaints with Dish, other than no MLB Network, it's just that it becomes advantageous to switch from one to the other after two years or so when your bill goes up.

One thing I did like about Dish as opposed to DirecTV is that I only needed one box with Dish and it served as a DVR on all of the TV's we had hooked up. With DirecTV, you need a different box for each TV. So right now, I only have DVR on my flat-screen.

On the other hand, DirecTV's DVR allows you record a show on one channel while you watch another show on another channel, something Dish's DVR did not allow me to do.

Also, DirecTV does not carry local channels in my market, but they were very helpful in getting channels out of NYC for a nominal fee.

 

[outofplace]

Switched to DirecTV when we moved away from Pittsburgh because I wanted NFL Ticket. We had a bunch of problems that first year, and each time they did something to make up for it (free Showtime or whatever). Since then, very few problems. The only issue I have is that we seem to lose our DirecTV to bad weather more easily than we would lose our cable signal.

 

[Stitch]

Just switched to DirecTV from Dish Network. Honestly, I had no complaints with Dish, other than no MLB Network, it's just that it becomes advantageous to switch from one to the other after two years or so when your bill goes up.

One thing I did like about Dish as opposed to DirecTV is that I only needed one box with Dish and it served as a DVR on all of the TV's we had hooked up. With DirecTV, you need a different box for each TV. So right now, I only have DVR on my flat-screen.

On the other hand, DirecTV's DVR allows you record a show on one channel while you watch another show on another channel, something Dish's DVR did not allow me to do.

Also, DirecTV does not carry local channels in my market, but they were very helpful in getting channels out of NYC for a nominal fee.

DirecTV fixed the multiple-room DVR problem. You can either have one DVR that network with all the standard receivers in the house, or have multiple DVRs so you can watch whatever is recored on one anywhere in the house.

The only downside for me is the local FOX is missing, but the station owner seems to be the problem since he got into a spat with one of the big cable companies in my state last year. I can get FOX over-the-air at least.

 

[I'll never tell]

I actually switched over to Dish this week. $30 bucks a month for the first 12 months and that comes with a DVR. After that it goes up to $44. Free install and all that crap.

DirecTV just got cocky. I was paying $70 a month for five years and when I called to tell them I was moving, they really didn't act like they cared. I'd never gotten any upgrades free or anything. I asked, then I bitched, then I asked for supervisor. None of it did any good.

Screw up. You can't beat $30 (with free HBO and Showtime for 3 months). The only thing I'll miss is Dan Patrick.

 

[Gutter]

Slight threadjack...

I switched from DirecTV to Time Warner last year because I was moving and I got an incredible deal from a friend who works at TWC (which also included high-speed internet). I seem to have more problems with TWC than I ever did with DirecTV, and I'm hoping to go back sometime in the next year.

However, I still need high-speed internet. Since I have an Evo 4G phone with Sprint, I'm thinking about just getting the Wi-Fi add-on ($30/month) and use my phone's hot spot capabilities to get internet on my computer.

Anyone using the hot spot feature on the Evo, and how does it compare to using high-speed like Road Runner?

 

[proudpittsburgher]

PPB, DirecTV does have on demand.

I know they have on demand, but what do they offer? When I was with them, it was very limited. I don't know if that has changed, but comcast and verizon on demand pretty much has everything that you may have missed on TV. everything. TV only had the occasional football highlights.

 

[bagelchick]

I've had Direct TV for over 10 years and refuse to switch. Even when Verizon FIOS came into the neighborhood I did phone/internet with them but kept my DTV mostly because I cannot live with my TiVO. Yes, I know Direct TV has their own DVR but it sucks.

As for On Demand, they have a bunch of channels where you can order movies, but honestly I hardly ever watch them. I have the full premium channel tier and between that and all the stuff I have on TiVO, I'm never without something to watch.

If I happen to miss something, I just watch it on Hulu or at my sis's house (she has Comcast).

 

[expendable]

I actually have both DirecTV and FIOS (Verizon gave me a killer deal for a year that was the same price I was paying for phone and Internet). I prefer the dish, and don't have issues unless a severe thunderstorm rolls through -- the kind that probably should force an unplugging of the set, anyway. After the storm clears, the signal is back, When I had cable, it could go out for hours after similar storms.

 

[Cosmo]

I have Dish ... I've never had any issues with service or with the signal going out. My only gripe is that Dish doesn't have the MLB Network. Other than that, it's been great. It's a touch cheaper than DirecTV.

 

[farmerjerome]

DirectTV can eat **** and die.

Before we moved, we had it on the farm (I know, I know). After about a month, the system would go out at 11 and 3 like clockwork. They could never figure it out. The system would stay up in a downpour or a snowstorm, but during a drizzle forget it.

We moved in December and a guy came out to take everything apart and away. We moved into the local town where we could get cable, got it and lived happily ever after until June.

DirectTV started calling and wanted to know why we weren't paying our bill. My dad politely told them that we didn't live there anymore and we disconnected the service. They told us that we never did, we owed them nearly two hundred bucks and the were coming for their equipment.

After a while, dad said sure but didn't pay it. I'm sure they got a nice surprise when they went out to the old house -- only to find a nice Mennonite family living there.

According to Dr. J they sent him bills up until the time of his death. This thread has me all pissed off again. I think I'll call my mom tomorrow to see if they're still sending anything. If they are, I'll send them a copy of his obit.

Why would DirecTV come disconnect your stuff? They send boxes for the receivers and that's it. As for the people who look for a deal, you can always switch every year or two, but I like what DirecTV has to offer.

This was 10 years ago. I don't know what they use now, but back then we had a dish sticking three feet out of the ground, so someone actually came to the house to get the stuff.

Gutter has a good question. I'm upgrading in a month, and I'm thinking of running my intrawebs off my phone. Anyone here have success with it? What phones are the best?

 

[SF_Express]

For what it's worth, I just got AT&T's U-Verse and love it.

My condo association has rules against DirectTV dishes, but a lot of people simply ignore them. But I'm loving U-Verse anyway, and have dumped my cable company. And my high-speed connection is better with U-Verse, too...

 

[Sam Mills 51]

Wanted to go DirecTV at my most recent stop. Installers cancelled their setup appointments which we set up with them twice. Twice. Figured if their service was going to be that terrible before ever sending us a bill that it wouldn't improve once they had their hands in my wallet.

Went with the local cable operator. No problems whatsoever.

 

[PaperDoll]

I just bargained with Comcast and got about $20 off my monthly, cable-only bill -- and I'm adding a DVR with the installation fee waived. When the rates go back up in six months, I'll call back for another deal.

I'd like to try Verizon Fios -- since my landline and cell are both through them, and my DSL should be -- but my (historic landmark) building hasn't been wired yet. We're also supposedly not allowed to install satellites, but I've noticed a couple (not sure for what companies) on the fourth-floor "penthouse" balconies on the courtyard side. Given that my windows are visible from the street and I don't face south, I don't think that'll work for me either.

We do have DirecTV in the office, and it seems like the signal goes down in every significant storm.

 

[imjustagirl]

Question: For those of you who DON'T have Sunday Ticket....does anyone have the $50 NFL.com thing that lets you watch the games in their entirety after the game? Because since I work every Sunday, being able to watch the games start to finish on my schedule would be awesome.

Anyone do it? Do you like it?

 

[2underpar]

i switched to direct tv after years of comcast's bull**** -- bad service, raising the price by a couple of bucks every year. I called and canceled comcast. 20 minutes later a manager calls and offers me all sorts of deals to come back. I told him he was a tad late. I'll try to never go back to cable again.

 

[qtlaw]

Have had Dish for about 10 years after dumping cable and no complaints. Telephone customer service has been great, very rarely lose signal. Fees have stayed fairly stable, especially compared to cable.

 

[Smash Williams]

My dad had Dish and hated it. It went out in strong wind and down for hours in any rain, and the channel selection was limited (great in some ways, limited in some others because of sniping between Dish and the channels). He switched to FiOS a couple years ago and loves it.

 

[SnoopyBoy]

It's funny that people still have cable.
Had DirecTV since 1998 and love it. Picture goes out for about 2 minutes once a month. No big deal. Always comes back quickly.

 

[Steak Snabler]

Switched to DISH about four months ago, mainly because the local cable company's sports package was ridiculously weak. The only issue I have (as others have noted) is that the signal goes out during stormy weather, which you might want to consider if you live in a rainy climate.

But yeah, it's worth that occasional hassle. Cable sucks. Won't go back if I can help it.

 

[leo1]

i'd rather stare at a blank and dark tv screen than go back to comcast. but my problem with direct tv since switching three years ago is that it goes out every time we have a slightly overcast day. living in south florida which has a six-month rainy season, this drives me crazy. thinking seriously about switching to u-verse, or at least trying it out if there is any kind of deal offered since we have home phone and dsl through at&t.