Direct TV Vs. Dish Network Vs. Cox

[Bdogg]

Hello everyone, I just recently got an HDTV Yea! So Exciting, however Cox only has 15 channels in my area, unacceptable if you ask me. I've been looking at both Direct TV and Dish Network and I just can't decide who to go with, I want to save $$ and get a good product. Has anyone had good/bad experiences they can tell me about. Thanks for any Advice here, I really am a newbie!

[xtop]

direc tv has more hd channels, but dish has a much better dvr. both have plans of launching new birds this year tho, so who knows who will be the leader

[The Don]

I have Dish and coming from Comcast, the PQ was automatically a noticeable downgrade...

they might be maxing out the bandwidth...they need a couple more birds to handle the HD content...

I haven't had Direct TV, but they have a whole bunch of HD channels available....it's ridiculous compared to the other companies..

[Bigwayne]

I have Directv, and overall I'm pretty happy with it. Of course my main reason for going Directv is because of Sunday Ticket.

[Shiggidy75]

Originally Posted by Bigwayne

I have Directv, and overall I'm pretty happy with it. Of course my main reason for going Directv is because of Sunday Ticket.

I love the ticket. How could I forget to add that in.

[ManUtd]

I have been with Directv for many many years, I'm still satisfied with their service.

[Shiggidy75]

I have Directv and love the picture quality. I cant get locals here but got east coast feed in HD so doesnt really matter. You can get on there website and see all the channels available in HD. I pay just over $70 for the choice and HD DVR and 1 extra receiver. Not too bad considering all the channels you get. PQ is great but Customer service not so much. Seems like everytime I call (which isnt often) they are updating there system. Not a big deal though.

[The_Architect]

I have DirecTV with the HD DVR and I love it. They have quite a few channels and it was the best value when compared with our other options here in San Diego. Customer service is pretty good. They have been quick to help each time I have called.

[Flomaster]

I have "cable one" and I think I have less than 10 channels
my contract is up next month and I can't wait to get Direct Tv with their HD DVR box.

only problem that sucks is I will be switching from Cable Internet to DSL and that requires me to sign up with a land line phone company which i DO NOT NEED but am forced to get in order to keep internet with the same company.

[CRMA]

I had Direct TV and moved. They wanted to charge me 1000.00 for a custom install. They charged me 225.00 to disconnect. They are going to move to 18 month contracts now too.

[Bango]

Originally Posted by CRMA

I had Direct TV and moved. They wanted to charge me 1000.00 for a custom install. They charged me 225.00 to disconnect. They are going to move to 18 month contracts now too.

Well unless you have some crazy setup going on...I moved twice in the past year, and although technically they only move you once for free, they did it twice, with no fees whatsoever. They ran wires for 5 rooms, (3 of which needed 2 lines). I absolutely love DirecTV. I originally started with DISH...then moved to COX cable...and there's no comparison. To get the full experience and the best HD lineup....get DirecTV. That being said...they're not the cheapest...I pay $109.99 for their premier package with all premium channels and HD DVR service (I think i may pay a little less than most due to an arrangement I have with Directv...long story) Dish doesn't have as many HD channels...plus their picture quality leaves you wanting more. Cox Cable has like 20 HD channels...pathetic really...anyway, hope this helps

[davidAZ]

I have cox here in Arizona. I use it mostly because my HOA is contracted with them and I'm paying for the basic through them whether I like it or not. I don't like that I can't get the extreme NFL packages that Dish has... but I don't want to mess around with the added equipment either. Yeah, I could fork over a fortune to add to my television programming, but I'd rather buy blu-rays at that point. Excessive HD programming gets expensive.

I have recently received a notice through cox that their HD programming is expanding...

Seven more HD channels coming in March!
Marching toward our goal of 80 HD channels by the end of 2008, we're adding seven more HD channels to the line-up on March 18. Joining the 22 HD channels already offered by Cox Digital Cable will be:
• TBS HD on channel 716
• Science Channel HD on channel 720
• Discovery HD on channel 723
• Golf Channel HD/Versus HD on channel 744
• Food Network HD on channel 746
• Animal Planet HD on channel 757
• History Channel HD on channel 762

They were also good about showing NFL Network HD during games and SuperBowl week, hopefully they'll add it full time soon.

[mikesoba]

Originally Posted by davidAZ

I have cox here in Arizona. I use it mostly because my HOA is contracted with them and I'm paying for the basic through them whether I like it or not. I don't like that I can't get the extreme NFL packages that Dish has... but I don't want to mess around with the added equipment either. [snip] .

I think this is a violation of new FCC rules against exclusive contracts between cable providers and apts -- you might look into this if you care to.

I have DirecTV and have been generally happy with it. The HD channels vary in quality, but the best are quite good. I've had Cox in the past and have never been happy with them -- I use them now only for cable modem--and that hasn't been a good exerience.

[craigzilla]

If it is an FCC violation, it is done all over Orange County, CA with Cox. My housing tract also has an agreement for basic (which we don't use any longer as I have the Cox HD DVR - that sucks - and I'm getting SOOOO ready to switch to DirectTV. Even though Da Bears are gonna have a tough year, I've been here 8 years and miss my Sunday football :-(

[skahlan]

Originally Posted by davidAZ

I have cox here in Arizona. I use it mostly because my HOA is contracted with them and I'm paying for the basic through them whether I like it or not. I don't like that I can't get the extreme NFL packages that Dish has... but I don't want to mess around with the added equipment either. Yeah, I could fork over a fortune to add to my television programming, but I'd rather buy blu-rays at that point. Excessive HD programming gets expensive.

I have recently received a notice through cox that their HD programming is expanding...



They were also good about showing NFL Network HD during games and SuperBowl week, hopefully they'll add it full time soon.

Blu-rays sir, is that stimulating enough? Dircet TV is fairly reliable for service. When it comes to programming there are stations being added and the prices increasing without agreement from the customers. i do not see a need for excessive amount of channels covering any one topic or adding channels that are not requested or of interest.

[Bango]

Originally Posted by Flomaster

I have "cable one" and I think I have less than 10 channels
my contract is up next month and I can't wait to get Direct Tv with their HD DVR box.

only problem that sucks is I will be switching from Cable Internet to DSL and that requires me to sign up with a land line phone company which i DO NOT NEED but am forced to get in order to keep internet with the same company.

It's not all that bad switching....I went from 7mbps Cox Cable internet...to AT&T 6mbps DSL....no noticeable difference and it was about $15 a month cheaper. I know that the availability of "high speed" dsl is a lot less than cable internet though. YOu have to be less than 6000ft from their Hub or whatever I believe.

[jd13]

I will be the lone advocate for E*, I guess. Switched over from ConCast when they moved to the Houston area. I am satisfied with all that I have. I have the 622 DVR, external hard drive, and OTA plugged into the DVR, which allows for the recording of 3 channels in HD while watching a 4th. I also use the OTA to get non-compressed versions of network broadcasts. The one thing about some of the HD channels on Direct is that they are in "stretch-o-vision." I would rather watch SD than have my HD stretched. I am a purist. Also, HD PPV is usually at a higher bit rate. Most HD records at 3 to 6 Gig, the PPV movies have recorded at 12 plus gig.

All in all, it really depends on what you need. I may get a BUNCH of HD channels from Direct TV, but looking at the list, I wouldn't watch half of them anyway. So you really have to get what fits your budget and your needs. You can go to any Radio Shack and check out the E* quality. I think BB allows for D*.

PAX
JD

[Bango]

Originally Posted by jd13

I will be the lone advocate for E*, I guess. Switched over from ConCast when they moved to the Houston area. I am satisfied with all that I have. I have the 622 DVR, external hard drive, and OTA plugged into the DVR, which allows for the recording of 3 channels in HD while watching a 4th. I also use the OTA to get non-compressed versions of network broadcasts. The one thing about some of the HD channels on Direct is that they are in "stretch-o-vision." I would rather watch SD than have my HD stretched. I am a purist. Also, HD PPV is usually at a higher bit rate. Most HD records at 3 to 6 Gig, the PPV movies have recorded at 12 plus gig.

All in all, it really depends on what you need. I may get a BUNCH of HD channels from Direct TV, but looking at the list, I wouldn't watch half of them anyway. So you really have to get what fits your budget and your needs. You can go to any Radio Shack and check out the E* quality. I think BB allows for D*.

PAX
JD

Not sure what you're watching...I know early on when most of those channels were released that was the case....but only because a lot of hd content wasn't scheduled at the time. Now....I hard EVER see stretch-ovision...xcept for the occasional Discovery Channel Broadcast..

[Zipzap713]

When we switched from Dish to Comcast, lots of PQ was lost. So if its PQ you are looking for, get Dish. Looks fantastic! But if you want cheap HD, get Comcast. But I wouldn't recommend it since you probably won't get USAHD and Discovery Channel HD (Haven't gotten them on Comcast yet, sadly)

[America's Team]

Direct TV Hands Down......Suck my Cox!