Dish or Cable

[cadpro]

Okay, I've been toying with the idea of switching from cable to a dish, of some sorts.

My wife and I bought our 1st house, and the previous owners left the Dishnetwork Satellite attached, so, I was thinking of going this route. What else will I need to buy to go Dishnetwork?

What about Direct TV?

I don't even have cable right now, but I did have Charter before we moved to this house. Is dish really better (and cheaper) than cable? The thing I hated most about cable was the slight monthly increase in cost.

Here's what channels I usually like to have: local networks (Abc, Nbc, cbs, etc.), TLC, The Hitler (History) Channel, Discovery, A&E, Espn1 & 2, Speed, Comedy Channel, etc. Nothing fancy. There are only a couple of shows that me or my wife HAVE to watch, but usually its just to let the mind after a long day at work!

So, basically, I'd like to know what everyone is paying for the tv viewing pleasures: include upfront equipment and installation and monthly fees. I think my extended basica with Charter was $60 with all the fees and taxes.

Thanks!

Chad

[ss dave]

I love my directv, NFL and pay for view etc plus TIVO, HD you can get it all for less.

[trapin]

Chad...break yourself free from the evil empire (Cable) and come over to Satellite TV, you will not regret it.

I am through AT&T and I get my Phone, DSL, and DishNetwork altogether combined on one bill for $117 a month. We saved ourselves about $40 a month by switching over from Talk America phone service and Comast for our TV and Internet. I can PM you a more detailed breakdown if you want, in the event you don't need a phone service or Internet. I absolutely love it...the best decision I ever made. Our phone charges are fixed and include everything. The DSL is lightening fast, and the picture from the dish is 10 times better than cable because with cable you have to share the same signal with 1000's of other customers in your area. With a dish...it's just you and the satellite, that's why the picture is so good. They offer every channel that cable does, and then some others that cable doesn't. My service came with a DVR that has 100 hours of recording time on it. As far as dishes having problems in inclimate weather....DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE. I've had my dish for over 2 years and it's only cut out about 5 or 6 times. Big deal...it takes the system about 3 minutes to reconfigure itself and it's back online.

Stick your cable aspirations in the garbage....they are yesterday's news. I will NEVER go back.

[Steve68]

Another for Direct TV! Cables sucks rotten eggs!!!!

[rockdogz]

I have DirecTV now but would go to cable if they offered NFL Sunday Ticket. I'm tired of having to have a box at every TV...sucks. I'd rather go to having only one box for digital HDTV cable on the main TV and no boxes at all on the other TVs. I pay $55 a month for 3 boxes (no movie channels, just their total choice package), not including the $200 for Sunday Ticket and $100 for ESPN Gameplan a year. Plus I can't get HDTV through my dish right now because I only have 2 cables coming off the dish for the 3 boxes (split the signal). I need to run another cable to the dish, but that means drilling another hole in the side of the house.. arrgh

[BA.]

....DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE. I've had my dish for over 2 years and it's only cut out about 5 or 6 times. Big deal...it takes the system about 3 minutes to reconfigure itself and it's back online.

Cable is fine if you live in an area that doesn't get much rain. A good rain (not a drizzle) or thunderstorm will affect your reception. It's unavoidable.
If you get a decent amount of rain, I'd use cable, if not, go with a satellite.
I have had both, and I've worked in data communication field before so I've got a pretty good grasp of the physics/electronics at work for both options.
That being said, I go with cable and pay about $70 for a full range of channels, all the HBO and HD channels as well.

[67SSDan]

Satellite!!!

And you can share it with your buddies! ;) You didn't hear that from me though.

[dropit69]

sat..i have directv pay about 60 a month with 2 recievers and tivo..tivo rules!!!!!!!!...

[JJSmitches]

I have Comcast cable and I think it’s a rip. I keep it for high speed internet, the local DSL provider is not very good. Comcast told me they do not provide DVR without the digital package. When I first setup my TV the non-HD channels looked horrible, Comcast informed me that HD televisions require a different box, after I switched the picture quality improved some. I still don't think they look as good as an anolog television but the HD channels are excellent.

My monthly bill with DVR, HD, 2 extra boxes, and internet is over $130.

[BuddyP]

Get the Dish!!!! Cable sucks, their servise sucks. I've had the dish for almost 5 years with 0 problems!

[BonzoHansen]

I’ve resisted a dish for years because I love my cable modem (but hate cablevision). But now Verizon has showed up at my door with FIOS service. Fiber optic lines right to the house (not DSL). So I am very much considering the move. Their package of internet (with similar speed as cable) and home phone will cut my total bill for those items by $10 a month.

BTW, I need a cable box for any channel above 75 or so, and some below that (like speed). So the boxless thing is not really true. Plus you lose that on-screen channel info, which I am addicted to.

Eventually, Verizon will offer TV as well. And they tell me their converters run off a wireless network – meaning I could put a cable box wherever I want – or take it out on the deck or into the garage.

I’m just starting the research – I’ll report back what I find out.

[Bad Bowtie]

I'm putting in a vote for Directv satellite. But be forever warned that it will rain on Sunday evenings just when the telecast on ESPN2 shows the final eliminations at an NHRA event and your satellite says "searching for satellite signal". Honestly other than the sometimes rain issue i've had 0 complaints with Directv.
BB

[ZZ430]

I'm putting in a vote for Directv satellite. But be forever warned that it will rain on Sunday evenings just when the telecast on ESPN2 shows the final eliminations at an NHRA event and your satellite says "searching for satellite signal". Honestly other than the sometimes rain issue i've had 0 complaints with Directv.
BB

Exactly what happens to me too with the Dish.

In the 2 months I've had it, every single time we get lightning and rain it goes out...sometimes for 1/2 hour.

[trapin]

Exactly what happens to me too with the Dish.

In the 2 months I've had it, every single time we get lightning and rain it goes out...sometimes for 1/2 hour.

That's amazing that you guys have so many problems when it rains. Maybe it's a DirectTV thing. I have Dish Network and I've watched TV through torrential down pours and lightening storms and it's cut out maybe a couple of times in the 2 years I've had it. But like I said before...3 minutes and your back in business.

[JJSmitches]

I’ve resisted a dish for years because I love my cable modem (but hate cablevision). But now Verizon has showed up at my door with FIOS service. Fiber optic lines right to the house (not DSL). So I am very much considering the move. Their package of internet (with similar speed as cable) and home phone will cut my total bill for those items by $10 a month.

BTW, I need a cable box for any channel above 75 or so, and some below that (like speed). So the boxless thing is not really true. Plus you lose that on-screen channel info, which I am addicted to.

Eventually, Verizon will offer TV as well. And they tell me their converters run off a wireless network – meaning I could put a cable box wherever I want – or take it out on the deck or into the garage.

I’m just starting the research – I’ll report back what I find out.

Take the fiber optic, if its anything like SureWest here in Sacramento the internet speeds are RIDICULOUS FAST. Only wish it was available in my neighborhood. Believe me when I say I will switch the day it is.