Switched from Directv to Dish Network yesterday...

I've been a Directv user for about 8 years. I just moved to a new apartment. I was told by a very rude Directv guy that I would need to buy an expensive tripod and even then he wasn't sure if they could hook me up with HD service. And I require HD service.

Dish network was able to do it with no expensive tripod and I'm able to get all Hd channels. I have the vip 722, the best HD dvr they have right now. I get cinemanx for a penny a month, I got the silver 200 package with added HD and free platinum HD package included.

I'll start by saying the Hd channels appear to be pretty good but they aren't as good as what I had with Directv. The quality is good enough to where it's still a million times better than standard def but I notice some ghost when there is fast movements. It's not my tv because directv didn't do it and I have a top of the line samsung lcd hdtv.

Could this be signal strength? I haven't done a test yet. The installer said he was having problems getting a good signal at first and he moved the dish to another location on my balcony and then said he got pretty good signal. He only tested it with his meter he did not test it on the receiver. He didn't select what kind of dish it was or anything like that but I'm not sure if you have to like you do with Directv.

I have the 1000.2 dish. dish network dish with 1000 written in a box. With a "dp plus" lnb that has 3 of them on it. Another question I have, is this good for getting great HD service? I noticed he had some other lnb's. He said he was putting this one on because he saw my neighbor had the dp plus and he knew it would work. He didn't attempt to try any other lnb's or anything. The way he said it made me think maybe this wasn't the best one but he knew it would work so he was going with it to make his time easier.

The ghost effect isn't horrible. I am still fairly satisfied and it's better than cable or having directv with no HD.

Will more HD channels be added in 2010 that anyone knows of? I saw a memo from dish network online that said g4 HD was coming but I didn't see any more that I was interested in. MOST channels that I watch are in HD on dish. So, again, satisfied. The locals are also in HD.

I have two hdtv's. One in the living room hooked up through hdmi and then the one in the bed room hooked up standard def although it's an hdtv. I did this so I could watch the recordings on my dvr in the bedroom without having to have two dvr's and creating it to schedule all the same recordings. I'd rather just pause it and resume it when I go to bed. Even if it has to be in standard def. Although I've thought about getting a 50 foot hdmi cable and simply unplugging the living room one and plugging in the bedroom hdmi cable when I go to bed. Wouldn't be able to watch 2 different things but I live alone so I keep it in single mode and not dual mode anyway. Which changes the channel on both.

I know this was a long first both but I was throwing out what I think about it and asking a few questions.

P.S. I like the extended guide with video better than directv's guide but I did NOT like the way the guide was in default. I couldn't see enough channels or enough time in advance.

Also I had to change the channel ascending and descending option for the guide so it would be like directv. By default it had it going the opposite way which made no sense. If I'm at channel 2 and I push down it should go to channel 3 for example. I didn't like it being set for being at channel 2 and pushing down and it going to the 1000.

The video on demand sucks compared to directv. Directv has each channel with an on demand. Like a&e is channel 265 so the on demand a&e channel is 1265. That way you only get shows from the channel you want. Dish network I didn't see that. I just seen where it had them all on one channel and that sucks because it takes forever to scroll down all of it and read it all. And also movies or shows with long titles you can't see. It'll only show the first few words. Even more difficult.

I haven't set up remote access yet but I'm going to tomorrow.

Any more tips let me know. I'm totally new to this I've never messed with dish before. I definitely think the dvr is faster and cooler and the service just seems cooler and the satellite dish its self is much more simple than directv's slim line yet it still gets hd.

Should I turn the satellite some more to get better signal? I haven't noticed it cutting out any at all even in the rain. but will hd look better with better signal or no? Also what should my signal be at?

I read it should be atleast at a 70 again I haven't tested and am not at home right now so I don't know what it's at. But I get the feeling it's not very high. But I do get every channel in my package and all hd channels.

Oh yeah and with directv it switches to 480p on standard def. It does not with directv. It stays in 1080i or 720 which ever you select. And standard def has bars on the side. It doesn't with directv because it changes. I have to put it in stretch mode.

There are more sports channels it seems like. Except there isn't the big sports packages. But there are more espn channels amongst others. I also get way more channels than are listed in my package.

But all in all the dvr is very important to me and I like it better than directv's. It's cheaper and I feel good about having it. I don't feel it was a mistake. Even if I could get directv with hd at my apartment I'd probably just stick with dish. The 2 room thing is what sold me on it.

Thanks for reading all that. throw the tips out there! and answer my questions if you can. thanks.

I have a Samsung tv and receive all HD that Dish provides, and have none of the problems that you seem to have. I would contact Dish and ask for a different installer to come and fix the problem. Tell them
you are not satisfied. A signal on my set that is below 67 or 68 will
begin to drop out. Also when I had a 1000 dish they replaced mine
with two smaller ones, both pointing at different sats.:thumbsup:

I have a Samsung tv and receive all HD that Dish provides, and have none of the problems that you seem to have. I would contact Dish and ask for a different installer to come and fix the problem. Tell them
you are not satisfied. A signal on my set that is below 67 or 68 will
begin to drop out. Also when I had a 1000 dish they replaced mine
with two smaller ones, both pointing at different sats.:thumbsup:

well, it isn't as bad as it probably sounds. It's not horrible but directv didn't do it any. I'm thinking it's not pointed at the 129 good enough. Isn't the 129 where my locals and HD channels are located? 110 and 119 are the main channels? Are any HD on those?

Just out of curiosity, does Directv point to 5 satellites? I had a 5-lnb satellite with directv.

It was so much more simple with one or two satellites. Now I'm pointing one dish at 3 satellites which I guess can cause problems.

I can't be too picky. I'm lucky to even have it in an apartment. They will only let it be installed on the balcony. It can't be mounted or anything. A lot of people that live there don't even have the view to have it. They have no choice but to have cable and you have no idea how much I hate cable. The quality of cable sucks and the dvr's are 15 a month plus all these hidden fee's and taxes. The price is outrageous, the equipment sucks, it goes out often and there isn't enough channels.

I'm still away from home but when I get back to my apartment I will be checking the signal.

I read on here that most people don't get over a 40 on the 129 and that seems to be okay? Most people get in the 30's.

The standard def channels are fine I guess. I haven't watched many of them. I watch 98% of shows in HD. So I guess the 129 satellite would be the most important one in my situation right?

I could have two dishes if it had to happen but I'd really rather just have that one. That one already takes up a lot of my balcony and I enjoy sitting out there sometimes. So if I had two of them it'd take up quite a bit.

Also I've read that even if you have two dishes you should have a 1000.2 dish pointing at the 129 and not a 500 dish. A 500 dish seems to do the 110 and 119 okay though. But being an all HD watcher I could care less about those I just want the satellite that has high def to have the best signal.

Okay now that I've been able to mess with it now heres an update:

I've received some pm's asking me if I liked it better.

So far still liking it better. quality wise, I think directv has dish beat honestly. But dish still seems cooler and the HD DVR is just so much better. Being able to watch the same recordings in two rooms SOLD me on dish network. And then I got it and the thing has no lag. It's so much faster than directv's and less of a head ache. That alone makes me like dish more.

I also get way more channels and I'm paying far far less.

The hd channels look almost as good as directv's. It's nothing to really complain about. But they look more compressed or something than directv.

out of the big 3 the best hd quality I've seen was with cable. BUT cable doesn't have as many hd channels. It's over priced, the programming sucks and you don't get crap for all that money. But just talking about quality cable was the best, then directv, then dish network.

But again, they are all in hd and all look good so programming and equipment matters more to me than nit picking the quality of hd.

It's like my local hd channels on dish network do not look as good as it does on my antenna. And with cable all the channels looked like they do on an antenna. Much more crisp and almost 3d looking.

I've never seen cable HD better than Dish!
And all my customers swithching from Cable to Dish say the same thing.

And Local HD via antenna or Dish: I see NO difference between Dish and my CM 4228 8 bay ant.

fred

I had Directv for years back in the late 80's or early 90's, and the pic was good, but they didn't have hdtv back then. I always had mucho
problems with customer service. I have zero problems with my Dish
and hdtv signals are superb. One thing I should note to you about
the 129 sat, and that is it is very low on the southwest horizon. So
a mirror signal is also on the East coast almost directly overhead.
I believe this is the 61.5 satellite. It correct the problems of east
coasters that can't receive the 129 sat.

My commitment with Directv ends in early December 2009 and I'm seriously considering switching to Dish. I see that they are still offering DVRs. Are these DVRs that aren't TIVO associated?

So for those of you thinking about switching from Directv to Dish, here's my 2 cents worth after my first 10 days of service.

Installers showed up on time. Had the right equipment. No complaining and had me hooked up in no time. They didn't explain to me that I would not be getting my locals in HD due to LOS issue. After I called Dish back they sent them back to put up a single (smaller) dish just for my locals in HD.

The Dish web site is great and the chat feature for sales and tech support is worth switching for by itself. It is really cool not to have to sit on the phone talking to them. Everyone I talked to at Dish from setting up my service to tech support after has been really friendly and helpful. A nice change from my Directv experience.

The VIP 722k HD DVR I got is one bad ass machine. No kidding. It absolutely blows away the HR series from Direct.
Will take some time learning the Dish system and their way of doing things but I assure you that once you start figuring this thing out, you'll love it. I'm not even close to learning mine yet but I love what I can do with it so far.
Plus, the picture in picture feature is AWESOME.

Picture Quality is GREAT. I mean really GREAT. I have an old school HD Sony tv and the picture quality is awesome.
My programming (classic Gold 250 with locals and HD Platinum) is sweet. I'm not a big sports fan so getting the Saints on Sunday is good enough for me. I love having my VS back and the Outdoor Channel inluded with my package. I watch a lot of fishing shows. Movie fans--there is no substitute. Dish Network is the Leader in movies. All the Encore stations are included with the Classic Gold 250.

So don't be scared, make the switch, you won't regret it.

My grass is definitley greener at DISH NETWORK. so far.................
__________________
Natchez, MS 39120
Dish Network since 10/10/09
VIP 722k VIP 222
Classic Gold 250 w/ HD Platinum & Locals
Sony 16:9 1080i 46" tv

So for those of you thinking about switching from Directv to Dish, here's my 2 cents worth after my first 10 days of service.

Installers showed up on time. Had the right equipment. No complaining and had me hooked up in no time. They didn't explain to me that I would not be getting my locals in HD due to LOS issue. After I called Dish back they sent them back to put up a single (smaller) dish just for my locals in HD.

The Dish web site is great and the chat feature for sales and tech support is worth switching for by itself. It is really cool not to have to sit on the phone talking to them. Everyone I talked to at Dish from setting up my service to tech support after has been really friendly and helpful. A nice change from my Directv experience.

The VIP 722k HD DVR I got is one bad ass machine. No kidding. It absolutely blows away the HR series from Direct.
Will take some time learning the Dish system and their way of doing things but I assure you that once you start figuring this thing out, you'll love it. I'm not even close to learning mine yet but I love what I can do with it so far.
Plus, the picture in picture feature is AWESOME.

Picture Quality is GREAT. I mean really GREAT. I have an old school HD Sony tv and the picture quality is awesome.
My programming (classic Gold 250 with locals and HD Platinum) is sweet. I'm not a big sports fan so getting the Saints on Sunday is good enough for me. I love having my VS back and the Outdoor Channel inluded with my package. I watch a lot of fishing shows. Movie fans--there is no substitute. Dish Network is the Leader in movies. All the Encore stations are included with the Classic Gold 250.

So don't be scared, make the switch, you won't regret it.

My grass is definitley greener at DISH NETWORK. so far.................
__________________
Natchez, MS 39120
Dish Network since 10/10/09
VIP 722k VIP 222
Classic Gold 250 w/ HD Platinum & Locals
Sony 16:9 1080i 46" tv


Thanks for the valuable information.

Two dishes...??? One for locals.....??? I have locate my dishes about 50 ft from the house. My D*TV dish is on a pole. So it sounds like I'll have to install a taller pole to accommodate two dishes.

I have the D*TV Choice package with HD, locals, East/West locals, HBO and Showtime and my monthly bill is just under $90. Do I need to negotiate a deal with Dish to get my current package at a comparable price? By what you say about their CS it maybe it would be beneficial to call them and negotiate a deal.

My only other hesitation to switch is NFL Sunday ticket...I paid $400 this year and hate D*TV's monopoly on this NFL package. It's alot of money to forkout every year. Dish now has NFL Redzone so that's good.

I have some research to do before I decide to switch.

Thanks again for the information you have provided.

I had to have 2 dishes because of a line of sight issue with large trees in the front yard. You may not need that. The 2nd smaller dish (dish 500 I think) is to pick up my locals in HD. I could remove the small dish and still get them but in SD only.

Depending on what you want to pay, my bill with Directv was around $90 also and that was for 1 DVR, 1 regular box, and HD programming. Now for the same $90, I get programming in all 4 rooms, HD service, and a lot more channels that I actually watch.

As far as Sunday Ticket, you leave Directv, you leave Sunday Ticket. Unless you absolutely need it to follow your team I would ditch it. The Red Zone Channel is pretty cool from what I've seen of it. I like to follow the Saints divisional opponents with it so I don't have to watch the games. My deal is Watch the Saints, uses the picture in picture feature to shrink down the Red Zone channel in the corner and I can keep my eye on those dirty Falcons.

Go to Dish web site and chat with the csr's there. Get the answers you want and then you can print out the chat session to "have it in writing" in case something goes wrong. I'

HI ALL:hithere:, WELCOME to the DISH family. I personely with them sence 2000, from the local cable. IT SUCKED and they were gonna raise the rates again. Any way I had issues with signal strength, it took a minute an being patient. Finally they sent some one an I told the tech to jack up the height on the chimney; as long it didn't crumble. An so far so realllllly good. My locals is off a attic antenna. and I am happy with the investment to my families antertainment. So if wish to switch I suggest "YES" . come on over the grass is greener. An my banana likes to bounce :banana:

I had to have 2 dishes because of a line of sight issue with large trees in the front yard. You may not need that. The 2nd smaller dish (dish 500 I think) is to pick up my locals in HD. I could remove the small dish and still get them but in SD only.

Depending on what you want to pay, my bill with Directv was around $90 also and that was for 1 DVR, 1 regular box, and HD programming. Now for the same $90, I get programming in all 4 rooms, HD service, and a lot more channels that I actually watch.

As far as Sunday Ticket, you leave Directv, you leave Sunday Ticket. Unless you absolutely need it to follow your team I would ditch it. The Red Zone Channel is pretty cool from what I've seen of it. I like to follow the Saints divisional opponents with it so I don't have to watch the games. My deal is Watch the Saints, uses the picture in picture feature to shrink down the Red Zone channel in the corner and I can keep my eye on those dirty Falcons.

Go to Dish web site and chat with the csr's there. Get the answers you want and then you can print out the chat session to "have it in writing" in case something goes wrong. I'


Sounds great thanks...!!!

I guess I would have to have the second dish if I want my locals in HD. I'm too far out to get a clear signal from the locals in Portland over the air.

I still have a little over a month to decide.....I'll check out their website and chat with a csr...

Thank again...

I made the switch to Dish for the same reason, poor CS with Direct, and I have been a happy camper for 5 years now.... :yippee:

Oh, I'm more than happy with Dish don't get me wrong. I'm glad I made the switch. I was just saying if we were going to nit pick I'd say that the HD on Directv looks a little better. But it's not drastic.

My dad still has directv at his house. He's paying over 100 dollars a month for a crap package and 3 receivers, paying for locals plus HD service. I got everything he's got minus one receiver and I'm paying under 60 a month for a year. I actually have more than he has when it comes to channels.

He's paying like 50 something dollars for a 150 channel package. I'm paying 37 for 220 channels.

Oh, I'm more than happy with Dish don't get me wrong. I'm glad I made the switch. I was just saying if we were going to nit pick I'd say that the HD on Directv looks a little better. But it's not drastic.

My dad still has directv at his house. He's paying over 100 dollars a month for a crap package and 3 receivers, paying for locals plus HD service. I got everything he's got minus one receiver and I'm paying under 60 a month for a year. I actually have more than he has when it comes to channels.

He's paying like 50 something dollars for a 150 channel package. I'm paying 37 for 220 channels.


That's great...I like hearing good stories about switching....great price...did you include the NFL Redzone...???

Congratulations on the wedding! You'll be enjoying the honeymoon for a while. Dish will butter you up for a while, then you'll start to get the same crappy customer service that I started to receive. I was with Dish for about 5 years and when I served the divorce papers, it was the most liberating experience of my life!

I hope you're happy with your current setup, because if you ever want to upgrade anything, you better have deep pockets! I was raped when trying to upgrade from a standard receiver to a DVR and then again when switching to HD.

The left hand doesn't have a clue what the right hand is doing in that company. I was jerked around so many times with them. You would be told one thing by one "customer service rep" (I use that term loosely) and then when you actually went to act on the promise, you would be informed that the first "rep" was supplying wrong information.

You better be able to decipher foreign languages, because it's necessary when communicating with Dish. That was the most refreshing part of switching to Directv - english-speaking customer service! The only way to speak to an english-speaking person at Dish is to call technical support.

If I sound bitter, it's because I am! I know that everyone's experiences are different with each provider. It's just like cell phone providers - everyone hates theirs and thinks the grass is greener. But, I have been with Directv for a year now and haven't had any problems. My experience with Dish was nothing but problems.

Once again, congratulations! Hope your honeymoon lasts longer than mine did with Dish!

Oh yeah, don't get too hooked on any of your channels either because Dish will shut them off when they think they are being charged too much by the stations.