You must have been reading my mind. I finally had it with Directv so I cancelled my service on Wednesday and signed up for Dish Network. They are coming out on Sunday between noon and five.

I get an HD DVR video receiverrecorder and an SD DVR plus all the channels listed here for $65.99/month. I pay $199 for the HD DVR and a rebatable $49.99 installation fee. I also get three months free of one of the major movie channels like HBO. I also get a free SD DVR for the bedroom. They will also connect my OTA antenna to both rooms (Something Direct did not due). The new recievers support MPEG4 and I am excited to see if there will be any noticable difference in video quality. Not to mention all the additional channels in HD.

http://www.dishnetwork.com/content/programming/dishhd/programming/pricingandpackages/gold/index.shtml

DirecTV has promise the new receivers and DVRs for months now and has not produced. They lost the National Geographic HD channel, as well. I pay too much for the limited programming they are providing and this was the final straw that made me switch.

All in all, I think Directv has an uphill climb if they do not get their hardware soon, in working order, and some additional HD programming. 6 or 7 channels are not going to cut it any more and the premium to get an additional two or three movie channels is absurd.

I will let you know how the installation and video performance pans out.

Keep up the good work!

You must have been reading my mind. I finally had it with Directv so I cancelled my service on Wednesday and signed up for Dish Network. They are coming out on Sunday between noon and five.

I get an HD DVR video receiver\recorder and an SD DVR plus all the channels listed here for $65.99/month. I pay $199 for the HD DVR and a rebatable $49.99 installation fee. I also get three months free of one of the major movie channels like HBO. I also get a free SD DVR for the bedroom. They will also connect my OTA antenna to both rooms (Something Direct did not due). The new recievers support MPEG4 and I am excited to see if there will be any noticable difference in video quality. Not to mention all the additional channels in HD.

http://www.dishnetwork.com/content/programming/dishhd/programming/pricingandpackages/gold/index.shtml

DirecTV has promise the new receivers and DVRs for months now and has not produced. They lost the National Geographic HD channel, as well. I pay too much for the limited programming they are providing and this was the final straw that made me switch.

All in all, I think Directv has an uphill climb if they do not get their hardware soon, in working order, and some additional HD programming. 6 or 7 channels are not going to cut it any more and the premium to get an additional two or three movie channels is absurd.

I will let you know how the installation and video performance pans out.

Keep up the good work!

P.S. You asked how I feel about VOD and download on demand.

In theory, I like both ideas and have no problem with VOD. You pay for what you get and it does not require any preplanning. You find a program on the shedule that you like and you pay for it.

On the other hand, downloading takes time and that means that the video quality has the potentional of taking a huge step backwards. If I could be assured of the same resolution/bandwidth as HD programming provides via satellite, I would have no qualms. Eight or nine hours in plenty of time overnight to download a film you wish to see.

Copyprotection is the other concern. If ethernet connections are finally used and implemented, it may not be too painful for the consumer but any other implementation could be a real head ache.

P.S. You asked how I feel about VOD and download on demand.

In theory, I like both ideas and have no problem with VOD. You pay for what you get and it does not require any preplanning. You find a program on the shedule that you like and you pay for it.

On the other hand, downloading takes time and that means that the video quality has the potentional of taking a huge step backwards. If I could be assured of the same resolution/bandwidth as HD programming provides via satellite, I would have no qualms. Eight or nine hours in plenty of time overnight to download a film you wish to see.

Copyprotection is the other concern. If ethernet connections are finally used and implemented, it may not be too painful for the consumer but any other implementation could be a real head ache.

I beleive many people still prefer to have something psychical to say they ‘own’ when buying movies. I have SkyHD in the UK and although it is great to have a hard drive filled with movies, I’d much prefer to have those movies on HD disc building up a collection.

People enjoy collecting things and this goes for movies too. It is also much easier for guests to browse a row of movie boxes to select one to watch (along with cover graphics, synopsis etc.) than to trawl through a computer hard drive only having titles to read and with no idea of what the movie is about.

No, for me, it is boxed discs all the way. I like to know where my hard earned cash has gone and remember, many movies fans are collectors and not just viewers, otherwise they would only rent and not buy!

I beleive many people still prefer to have something psychical to say they ‘own’ when buying movies. I have SkyHD in the UK and although it is great to have a hard drive filled with movies, I’d much prefer to have those movies on HD disc building up a collection.

People enjoy collecting things and this goes for movies too. It is also much easier for guests to browse a row of movie boxes to select one to watch (along with cover graphics, synopsis etc.) than to trawl through a computer hard drive only having titles to read and with no idea of what the movie is about.

No, for me, it is boxed discs all the way. I like to know where my hard earned cash has gone and remember, many movies fans are collectors and not just viewers, otherwise they would only rent and not buy!

Well,

Dish Network showed up on time (something
Directv could not do at all) and made the installation as painless as possible. I did have to convince them that I wanted two DVR boxes and not a diplexed signal to the second room. It took a phone call but they conceided. Makes a huge difference in video quality and not to mention the additional hard drive storage space.

The video quality is slightly better on all channels and much better on most channels. I was really skeptical that I would be able to tell a difference with the new MPEG4 player but I was very happily surprised. Even my wife commented on the improved video quality, especially on the SciFi channel (one of her favorites).

They also hooked up my OTA antenna to the master bedroom (another thing Directv did not accomplish). I may need an amplifier for the MBedroom but I am getting a signal. No issues with the “His and Her Room!” OTA signal.

The new DVR’s change channels much quicker than the Directv box with little or no lag for differenct resolutions. I also get PIP which is something I have not had in a long time. The boxes also have a second tuner built inside for PIP and hooking up a second display. Very nice!

All in all, it was a great decision to switch. Better video, better flexibility and program recording, OTA service, quicker switching, and much more HD programming available.

I would suggest anyone with Directv HD to switch. You will not be disappointed. Anyone need some hardware/receivers and/or triple lnb dishes for Directv?

Well,

Dish Network showed up on time (something
Directv could not do at all) and made the installation as painless as possible. I did have to convince them that I wanted two DVR boxes and not a diplexed signal to the second room. It took a phone call but they conceided. Makes a huge difference in video quality and not to mention the additional hard drive storage space.

The video quality is slightly better on all channels and much better on most channels. I was really skeptical that I would be able to tell a difference with the new MPEG4 player but I was very happily surprised. Even my wife commented on the improved video quality, especially on the SciFi channel (one of her favorites).

They also hooked up my OTA antenna to the master bedroom (another thing Directv did not accomplish). I may need an amplifier for the MBedroom but I am getting a signal. No issues with the “His and Her Room!” OTA signal.

The new DVR’s change channels much quicker than the Directv box with little or no lag for differenct resolutions. I also get PIP which is something I have not had in a long time. The boxes also have a second tuner built inside for PIP and hooking up a second display. Very nice!

All in all, it was a great decision to switch. Better video, better flexibility and program recording, OTA service, quicker switching, and much more HD programming available.

I would suggest anyone with Directv HD to switch. You will not be disappointed. Anyone need some hardware/receivers and/or triple lnb dishes for Directv?

My husband thought I had written some of the ccomments above – it sounded very familiar.
For us, we got a flyer in the mail for a free DVR/upgrade, and called in to accept it on the 14th, the deadline was the 15th. As per our phone conversation with the representative, we were to have it installed 2 weeks for the day we called (the 28th).

I took a day off of work to be available for them to install it. It was late in the day when I finally called to inquire about the installation, they had us down for the 14th of January. You can imagine there was a big loud “WHAT” in reply. A call to Direct TV, gave me the name and number of the installation company – who supposedly were the ones who changed the appointment. Their repsponse was because of a big response to their promotion, they didn’t have the equipment to fill the orders. (Great planning on their part).

The biggest pain in the backside was we did not receive any notification the date had been changed, but in “their system” they had us down for the 14th of Jan. How easy was it for them to just type in a date and then tell us we were wrong. They did have an earlier date of the 3rd, but it would require either my husband or myself to take a day off of work (without compensation) to be here when they “decide” to make an appearance.

I was on the phone for over 50 minutes with the installation company, without a resolution- subsequently I was disconnected (imagine that). In the meantime from a cell phone I contacted Direct TV, being put on hold – again – got disconnected a couple times. Had difficulty even getting ahold of a supervisor. Direct TV would have given me a $100 credit on my account for the inconvenience, but it won’t pay any of the bills other than theirs.
What a bunch of “you know what”.

We checked into Dish Network, and we are getting a much better deal. We were to have it installed on Saturday, but some of their installers took the day off – no big thing with the New Years approaching. THEY CALLED us in the morning to give us the update – a courtesy Direct TV or their installation company don’t know the meaning of.
I would not recommend Direct TV to anyone after this fiasco. Again – it “wasn’t their fault” HAH!
To anyone reading this – go to any other company than Direct TV.

My husband thought I had written some of the ccomments above – it sounded very familiar.
For us, we got a flyer in the mail for a free DVR/upgrade, and called in to accept it on the 14th, the deadline was the 15th. As per our phone conversation with the representative, we were to have it installed 2 weeks for the day we called (the 28th).

I took a day off of work to be available for them to install it. It was late in the day when I finally called to inquire about the installation, they had us down for the 14th of January. You can imagine there was a big loud “WHAT” in reply. A call to Direct TV, gave me the name and number of the installation company – who supposedly were the ones who changed the appointment. Their repsponse was because of a big response to their promotion, they didn’t have the equipment to fill the orders. (Great planning on their part).

The biggest pain in the backside was we did not receive any notification the date had been changed, but in “their system” they had us down for the 14th of Jan. How easy was it for them to just type in a date and then tell us we were wrong. They did have an earlier date of the 3rd, but it would require either my husband or myself to take a day off of work (without compensation) to be here when they “decide” to make an appearance.

I was on the phone for over 50 minutes with the installation company, without a resolution- subsequently I was disconnected (imagine that). In the meantime from a cell phone I contacted Direct TV, being put on hold – again – got disconnected a couple times. Had difficulty even getting ahold of a supervisor. Direct TV would have given me a $100 credit on my account for the inconvenience, but it won’t pay any of the bills other than theirs.
What a bunch of “you know what”.

We checked into Dish Network, and we are getting a much better deal. We were to have it installed on Saturday, but some of their installers took the day off – no big thing with the New Years approaching. THEY CALLED us in the morning to give us the update – a courtesy Direct TV or their installation company don’t know the meaning of.
I would not recommend Direct TV to anyone after this fiasco. Again – it “wasn’t their fault” HAH!
To anyone reading this – go to any other company than Direct TV.