DirectTV High Def VS. Dish High Def HELP!

[dirtmistress]

I have Direct TV HD with Tivo. I am really unhappy with Direct. The remote is slow. I don't like the guide and a few other bothersome things.
I'm thinking of going to Dish HD with a DVR. Has anyone had both before? Is everyone happy with Dish High Def and the "digital video recorder"?

Any advise and opinions would be appreciated.
Thanks
Liz

[jschwart73]

Well, to be honest, you are "unhappy" with the best integrated satellite receiver/DVR combo device that exists today - I am exceptionally unhappy with DirecTV for forgoing their agreement with TiVo and building their own DVR.

The DirecTV branded DVR is a piece of junk from a User Interface perspective, but it is the only HD DVR available for DirecTV that will decode the new MPEG4 signals from their new satellite, which makes my HD DirecTiVo obselete very soon. Soon, they're going to start shutting off a number of the old MPEG2 channels, which means that your HD DirecTiVo is going to stop getting HD HBO, etc... eventually, as they roll all the channels to the new bird.

My grips about the new DirecTV HD DVR - The guide: The TiVo guide is the best in the business, once you've learned how it works. It takes time to get used to and is an acquired taste, kinda like watching hockey, but once you get used to it, you can't go back IMO. Tuner swapping: One of my favorite things to do is pause a show on one tuner, swap to the other tuner and watch another show, then flip back and forth between them to build up commercial fast forward time. This is called dual line buffering and is totally unavailable on the DirecTV HD DVR.

I hear good things about the Dish DVR, but to be honest, if you have Comcast cable available, hold tight while they get the bugs worked out of the TiVo software that runs on the Comcast DVR (they're currently piloting it in New England) and get one or more of those when they arrive.

[ghixon]

Been using Dish HD with DVR for about a year and so far, love it. We upgraded from a standard Dish package so we were used to the search, guide and basic workings of the Dish system already. My mother-in-law has a DirecTV dish and for the life ofme, I can't figure out how the hell to use it.

After 11 years of Dish, I wouldn't change.

[northshore]

I switched from DirectTV to Dish awhile ago and never encountered issues. I no longer have their service since I've moved but I would recommend it.

[Kish Me]

The Tivo for DirecTV is obsolete. Before changing to Dish, get the new Directv HD DVR. Directv will replace the box and dish (if neccessary) for free. The new box is not as fun to use as the Tivo, but you don't have a choice. You may like it better. The upgrade is freeeeeeeeee!

[b5driver]

Originally Posted by Kish Me

The Tivo for DirecTV is obsolete.

Not necessarily if you have the standard definition one. You just can't get a new one from DirecTV. They still offer software upgrades for it and according to an e-mail I got from them we're supposed to be getting several upgrades in Q1 2008 including the ability to schedule recordings via the internet. In addition you can upgrade them with bigger hardrives and such from places like weekknees.com, something I don't think you can do with the new DVR.

[northshore]

Originally Posted by Kish Me

The Tivo for DirecTV is obsolete. Before changing to Dish, get the new Directv HD DVR. Directv will replace the box and dish (if neccessary) for free. The new box is not as fun to use as the Tivo, but you don't have a choice. You may like it better. The upgrade is freeeeeeeeee!

It is free but hopefully you or anyone else is not running into firmware issues like my friend is. Constant problems.

[Fired Yo Momma]

The only time sat TV sucks is when it is raining hard. I have Direct TV and I just picked up the HD settop box and I love it. I used to get the smithsonian channel but now that channel is blocked, sucks.

[DasBrink]

Dish network is the best dvr avalible. also, with the voom hd channels you get RUSH HD which is more often than not mountain bike tv. I just moved and am fighting to keep my dish. i may have to cut down a tree......thats not mine.

again, RUSH HD

[Burner]

I agree 100% with Jschwartz, the DirecTV DVR is a total piece of crap, they should have continued to license the Tivo operating system. I know of no one that likes it after having Tivo. When the tech came to do the "free" upgrade, I told him he'd have to pay me to take my Tivo box and that he could add the DVR replacement to a room that didn't have a Tivo before. He said every customer tells him the same thing. So I'm sure DirecTV at this point has heard enough complaints... let's see what they do about improving their offering.

You can still buy a separate Tivo box on your own dime, but then functionality is limited through the Directv box doing the decoding.

Don't know anything about Dish's offerings, but I might be down to switch if Directv doesn't get it's act together.

[jschwart73]

Originally Posted by Kish Me

The Tivo for DirecTV is obsolete. Before changing to Dish, get the new Directv HD DVR. Directv will replace the box and dish (if neccessary) for free. The new box is not as fun to use as the Tivo, but you don't have a choice. You may like it better. The upgrade is freeeeeeeeee!

The upgrade is anything but free, DirecTV gives you the box, but they make you sign up for an additional 2 years of service. When they called me to get me to swap receivers, I was very clear that if they sent me the DirecTV HD DVR, I would not agree to an additional 2 year contract. They obviously didn't send me one.

[dirtmistress]

That's alot of important information you guys gave me!! I really appreciate it!! A couple years ago Dish, which I had then, cut it's contract with OLN (now VS) big road bike racing fan that I am, I dropped them immediantly and went to Direct. Eventually we went high def and eventually Dish got OLN back but I'm scared to go back to Dish even though I'm not happy with Direct. Fear of it being worse I guess. Kind of like staying with BofA but HATING BofA. A friend of mine says Direct has way more channels in hi def and will be getting more in the future than anyone else. Not that it matters I guess and I don't do pay TV like HBO and stuff.So this is why they have been calling saying I need a new reciever??It's actually the last days of the Tivo?

[dirtmistress]

Just found this.

http://www.dishnetwork.com/downloads...ew_Reprint.pdf

[dirtmistress]

I ordered DISH today. Scary change!! They are about 30 dollars more a month than Direct to get VS. aka OLN.
The rep told me how I can knock the bill down in about 3 months when they offer an HD package only.
Thanks to all that helped out with opinions!

[Abui]

Originally Posted by dirtmistress

That's alot of important information you guys gave me!! I really appreciate it!! A couple years ago Dish, which I had then, cut it's contract with OLN (now VS) big road bike racing fan that I am, I dropped them immediantly and went to Direct. Eventually we went high def and eventually Dish got OLN back but I'm scared to go back to Dish even though I'm not happy with Direct. Fear of it being worse I guess. Kind of like staying with BofA but HATING BofA. A friend of mine says Direct has way more channels in hi def and will be getting more in the future than anyone else. Not that it matters I guess and I don't do pay TV like HBO and stuff.So this is why they have been calling saying I need a new reciever??It's actually the last days of the Tivo?

I have VS on cable. It's been ages since any cycling shows have been on. In the futute there's Tour of California and TDF. Am I missing some shows?

[dirtmistress]

Originally Posted by Caveman

I have VS on cable. It's been ages since any cycling shows have been on. In the futute there's Tour of California and TDF. Am I missing some shows?

No.I am preparing for the spring classics and summer race season well in advance!

Originally Posted by DasBrink

Dish network is the best dvr avalible. also, with the voom hd channels you get RUSH HD which is more often than not mountain bike tv. I just moved and am fighting to keep my dish. i may have to cut down a tree......thats not mine.

again, RUSH HD

So far,after only 2 days,I am in love with Dish DVR. They also screwed something up and gave me free HD for a YEAR!! Great customer service! I am loving it!!

[mytrustysteed]

Go to Cox cable with a DVR, it's much more reliable than satelite.