Dish Network or DirecTV

[Matt27]

Me and my father are thinking of going satellite and would like to know hich is the one that is supposed to launch a new satellite system into space soon with the crap load of HD channels?

Which one is the better provider from people with experiance with the two company's?

I heard about a new satellite for one of the comapny's that's suppose to have over more than a 100 HD programs, is this legit?

That would be great if it was, any suggestions?

[BTalley]

DirecTV is launching two satellites this year and two more in 2007.

They are bragging now about "bringing 1,500 HD channels . . . ", but the first launch is basically for local channels.

So of those 1,500 HD channels . . .you'll see about 10.

The 2007 launch should be for national networks. How many and how much the price will increase is anyone's guess.

[gparris]

I am telling my contacts and installs when and if they ask me for HD alternatives outside the cable realm to go with Dish for now.
If they can get HD OTA, rent the HD DVR (with deposit) and get Voom with the other 7 HD channel options (HBO and SHo included), so be it.
D* is just one failure after another and that customer service is horrific, lately.

[mjones73]

DirecTV is launching two satellites this year and two more in 2007.

They are bragging now about "bringing 1,500 HD channels . . . ", but the first launch is basically for local channels.

So of those 1,500 HD channels . . .you'll see about 10.

The 2007 launch should be for national networks. How many and how much the price will increase is anyone's guess.

That's capabilty for 1500 local HD channels, not 1500 for every customer... They are supposed to be adding 150 channels of space for national channels also, as for when we'll see any new national channels, that's anyones guess....

[gparris]

National-HD channel additions, from Directv?

Their ads don't shout that out, you just hear about those 1500 channels and think...wow!

I think the ads work, we're all sort of excited for nothing (yet).

[Ratman]

Their ads don't shout that out because they're don't provide that type of HD programming (yet... if ever).

1500 or 150 channels... it's all speculation.

Don't let rumor and gossip lead your technical/programming desires.

[mjones73]

:rolleyes:

[Matt27]

So it's speculation i guess :(

We love HDTV but we want more of it, besides the few channels we have with comcast:(

We can't get enough of it man,I hope they do, do the 150+ or so HD channels since it will give more people reason's to get an HDTV set besides HD DVD players when they come out.

Bring on the HDTV Revolution!!!

[Ratman]

People have been buying HDTV's for over 5 years. That will not change provision/programming.

It's like asking "the tail to wag the dog".

[gparris]

Some folks I know that do have HDTVs, like my most recent setup, only wanted HD OTA with the built-in tuner and a decent DVD player (Denon 1910) for the Faroudja chipset and love it as it is and I can't complain, except they cannot time-shift their viewing since they don't want to buy a DVR or rent one with a cable service.
I tell them that once you have a HD DVR, you wonder why you didn't have one before, like a microwave oven...but it is their choice if they turn on the set and "nothing's on" (yet).
Others are sitting on the proverbial "fence" and waiting for D* to make a commitment and have HD cable service, which is pretty good in my area which is bordered by Chicago Comcast and Milwaukee Time Warner Cable with bundled services like Cable Internet, Digital Phone, HD DVRs and 14 or 16 HD channels (depending on the area), but Dish technically has more, so I tell them that. :D

[tdti1]

I had both DTV and dish, the SD looked so bad I never even watched it, the HD was ok I dumped them both, but I heard the new Voom channels on dish look good, I have not seen this myself so can't really say, but I guess for now I would go to Dish if I had to, but if your cable looks good and may be bringing more HD then stay with them for a while and see how the war goes with DTV and Dish.