Dish Network or DirecTv ??

[mkharsh33]

Re: Dish Network or DirecTv ??

stumbled across this thread...

i ordered directv two weeks ago and really like it!! i had the tampa, fl cable company for 4 years and it sucked (brighthouse networks). even the HD quality is MUCH better than my cable was. we have 3 dvr boxes (one HD).

one warning: the installer demanded money from me (of which i paid) to add a second line into each box because you cannot record and watch a different channel if you don't have the two lines into each box. after directv called me (following installation) i explained this to them and they said this should NOT have happened. so i put a stop payment on the check (gave him a few extra bucks - $180 in total - he wanted $52.50 per line)...now i'm in a battle with the technician as he wants his money. i'm not paying...directv tole me that this is part of "the normal installation process" but the technician who came out said he had to "go above and beyond what is a normal install." be sure to have this clarified up front - there's nothing in writing - and i'm going to win this one! (btw - he wanted the check made out to him and not directv, but he wasn't going to add the second line for each box unless i agreed to pay the money - so i was screwed, but now he is!).

but i love the service and am looking forward to the nfl package this fall.

also, make sure your phone and internet work fine before everyone leaves (i had a problem as well)...my cable company came out to shut off the cable line (but i kept my internet and phone with them - it's pretty good) and he cut EVERYTHING off...i ran out to him as he was pulling away and made him fix it...glad i did, as it would have been at least a week before they could have sent someone out.

bottom line: be aware and strong with these people...many of them are pretty stupid when it comes to customer service and don't back down.

[daflyboys]

Re: Dish Network or DirecTv ??

If you order DirecTV, ask lots of questions, get things in writing and make sure you cover EVERY base before you sign/agree.

[ifiok25]

Re: Dish Network or DirecTv ??

I love DirecTV. It is amazing. The HD is crystal clear too.

[p_rushing]

Re: Dish Network or DirecTv ??

stumbled across this thread...

i ordered directv two weeks ago and really like it!! i had the tampa, fl cable company for 4 years and it sucked (brighthouse networks). even the HD quality is MUCH better than my cable was. we have 3 dvr boxes (one HD).

one warning: the installer demanded money from me (of which i paid) to add a second line into each box because you cannot record and watch a different channel if you don't have the two lines into each box. after directv called me (following installation) i explained this to them and they said this should NOT have happened. so i put a stop payment on the check (gave him a few extra bucks - $180 in total - he wanted $52.50 per line)...now i'm in a battle with the technician as he wants his money. i'm not paying...directv tole me that this is part of "the normal installation process" but the technician who came out said he had to "go above and beyond what is a normal install." be sure to have this clarified up front - there's nothing in writing - and i'm going to win this one! (btw - he wanted the check made out to him and not directv, but he wasn't going to add the second line for each box unless i agreed to pay the money - so i was screwed, but now he is!).

but i love the service and am looking forward to the nfl package this fall.

also, make sure your phone and internet work fine before everyone leaves (i had a problem as well)...my cable company came out to shut off the cable line (but i kept my internet and phone with them - it's pretty good) and he cut EVERYTHING off...i ran out to him as he was pulling away and made him fix it...glad i did, as it would have been at least a week before they could have sent someone out.

bottom line: be aware and strong with these people...many of them are pretty stupid when it comes to customer service and don't back down.

Directv would have told you to make the check out to him. The installers don't work for them, its a local install company that DTV contracts with and they hire guys off the street with a van or truck. They don't pay much, so the installers try to scam people all the time. The problem is you can never get these companies on the phone if you have a problem and DTV even has problems getting in touch with them. DTV is at the mercy of these companies and DTV really has no recourse to hold them accountable other than doing a chargeback which then hits the installer and not the company. Know people who have canceled because of the idiot installers.

You get the same installers with Dish though, so no difference there. Sometimes it will be the same installer.

[crques]

Re: Dish Network or DirecTv ??

I tried getting Direct last summer when I bought my house and had a horrible time with customer service, and installation. After 2 days of phone calls and 1 day of meeting with the installation technician only to have him postpone my installation for 3 more days because of some bull regarding the satellite feed, I cancelled the service and went with Dish. The customer service and installation was 200% better with DISH and I got everything hooked up the next day after ordering it at 6:00 the evening before.

[fishepa]

Re: Dish Network or DirecTv ??

My DirecTV installer had no problem running two lines for the HD DVR, he said it was part of the standard installation.

[crques]

Re: Dish Network or DirecTv ??

Directv would have told you to make the check out to him. The installers don't work for them, its a local install company that DTV contracts with and they hire guys off the street with a van or truck. They don't pay much, so the installers try to scam people all the time. The problem is you can never get these companies on the phone if you have a problem and DTV even has problems getting in touch with them. DTV is at the mercy of these companies and DTV really has no recourse to hold them accountable other than doing a chargeback which then hits the installer and not the company. Know people who have canceled because of the idiot installers.

You get the same installers with Dish though, so no difference there. Sometimes it will be the same installer.

When I got my Dish installed last summer, the installation tech told me that he had worked for both companies and that DISH pays hourly and the Direct guys are paid by the job. If your installation is going to take more than a few hours, (mine took 4) then the Direct guys don't want to fool with it and are hard to deal with. The Dish guy was really nice and helpful and even game me his cell # so if I have any problems he told me I could call him directly instead of having to go through the 800 # and setting up an appointment.

[p_rushing]

Re: Dish Network or DirecTv ??

When I got my Dish installed last summer, the installation tech told me that he had worked for both companies and that DISH pays hourly and the Direct guys are paid by the job. If your installation is going to take more than a few hours, (mine took 4) then the Direct guys don't want to fool with it and are hard to deal with. The Dish guy was really nice and helpful and even game me his cell # so if I have any problems he told me I could call him directly instead of having to go through the 800 # and setting up an appointment.

Yeah I don't know if they really are getting paid by the hour, but DTV pays something like $90 for an install. The guys also have to pay for their own gas, cables, tools, etc. That is definitely a problem. Plus if you call and complain, they can do a charge back and the installer has to pay for it. Its a crappy job, that's why all the good ones either work for their self or with a local company.

[TruFunkSoldier]

Re: Dish Network or DirecTv ??

Does anyone know if Directv is going to release a new HD DVR receiver anytime soon? I've heard lots of complaints with the HR20 and HR21 models. Dish network has a great HD DVR receiver in the 722 model. I'm debating between the two.

Also, I've seen some of you say that X number of HD channels were added from time to time. If i go with Directv, i'll probably get the Choice Xtra with HD/DVR package. Will new HD channels add to the ones included in that package, or do you need the top-of-the-line package to get all new HD channels?

Couple more questions! do both DISH and DTV offer local channels in HD because i've read conflicting answers? And if you move to a new place, can you do so free of charge?

Thanks for the help!

[The Chef]

Re: Dish Network or DirecTv ??

In terms of the HD DVR Im not aware of any but someone else will need to answer that one for you.

To answer your other questions though, I have the Choice Xtra package and I never had to add anything to my package to continue to get any of the HD channels as they are added. They did take a couple and throw them in a seperate package, ie. MGM HD etc, or basically HD feeds that didnt have an SD feed already on Directv, I elected not to pay the extra since it was only like 5 channels and they seemed to mostly play old movies.

In terms of locals in HD, you should go to Directv and check for yourself because its different in different areas. In Oregon I get my local affiliates of ABC/NBC/Fox in HD but I dont get the local affiliate for CBS because the local CBS feed has some sort of agreement with cable for some reason. If you cant get any of your locals in HD then you can attempt to contact Directv and see if you can get the locals from either LA or NY depending on which one you are closer to, they have to approve it though so its probably more of a crap shoot in the end.

[p_rushing]

Re: Dish Network or DirecTv ??

DTV will be adding more HD channels soon. The new satellite is up and should be finished testing soon. All you will need is the HD access fee and the choice extra to get all HD channels except for the premium channels.

[The Chef]

Re: Dish Network or DirecTv ??

DTV will be adding more HD channels soon. The new satellite is up and should be finished testing soon. All you will need is the HD access fee and the choice extra to get all HD channels except for the premium channels.

Any idea which channels are being added? Im always waiting for more HD channels so I cant wait, but I have yet to hear anything about this.

[p_rushing]

Re: Dish Network or DirecTv ??

No clue, but they should be moving the remaining HD channels over to MPEG-4, ESPN, TNT, etc. They'll also add more locals and Sunday Ticket will be in MPEG-4. As far as new channels I don't know. There probably aren't many channels out there now that DTV doesn't have.

[countryboy]

Re: Dish Network or DirecTv ??

DirecTV

Extra Innings + Sunday Ticket = enough said.

[The Chef]

Re: Dish Network or DirecTv ??

Well Sunday Ticket for sure but Extra Innings is available pretty much everywhere, I can get that through Comcast here.