DirectTV vs. Dish Network...

[Ray H]

DirecTV will have much increased HD (HD locals in major market areas in addition to the current HD nets from network owned and operated stations) service in the second half of THIS year (2005). This was all announced at the just concluded CES in Las Vegas last week. Dish Network is at a disadvantage currently over capacity. Look for Charlie Ergen to attempt a buyout of Voom's satellite capacity when that service goes on the auction block. (Don't be surprised to see Rupert Murdoch bid the price up as long-overdue payback to his "buddy"...) Dish Network also has a couple of satellite launches planned soon, too. As for HD receivers, there are deals out there. Circuit City and Best Buy sell HD DirecTV receivers for under $300.00. (I got my Hughes HTL-HD receiver for $270 last year.) There is a "catch" you should be aware of, though with DirecTV. The buyer is on the hook for a year's continuous subscription or a $250 (I think) "penalty" for non-performance or early termination is charged back to the subscriber's credit card. If you think you'll walk into the store and pay cash for a new DirecTV receiver, think again. The store will "swipe" your card for a chargeback up to $250 in case you "forget" to subscribe or cancel your subscription early. You can, however, beat the mandatory subscription term by buying a used receiver. Unless it's from a family member who terminated in good standing, though, you will have to purchase a new access card (FedEx overnight delivery to your door). That's only $20, though. The reason for this is that new receiver costs, regardless of manufacturer, are heavily subsidized by DirecTV and to get to the break even point, they need the subscriber to stay with their service at least 1 year. (that and as protection against inveterate hackers stealing service) This early termination or non-performance penalty applies to both SD and HD receivers - everyone gets the "opportunity" to stay with DirecTV at least a year. There is no mandatory minimum subscription level. As to service outages, that depends mostly on weather.* During severe weather, dense rain clouds can and will degrade signal strength. Ku band satellite signals are similar to microwave oven frequency, so they're absorbed by water. Clouds are suspended ice crystals. In the nearly five years I've had the service, I've suffered absolute outages two or three times - never more than a minute and usually only single digit seconds. The usual weather-related problem is momentary pixilation breakup lasting less than a second. (annoying if you're making a permanent recording of a PPV event...) DirecTV supplies and requires free professional installation for all new installs. Partly to avoid stupid subscriber mistakes and partly to avoid stupid "subscriber" hacking. I can't speak for Dish Network, but the few times I've questioned a billing statement irregularity, I was able to resolve the issues over the phone to my satisfaction. I've found DirecTV's customer service representatives helpful and accomodating, and when the entry level CSRs weren't able to resolve the issue, they'd refer the matter to a supervisor who got things straightened out pronto. Finally if you want NFL Sunday Ticket, (which is now available in HD!!!) your only small dish satellite service choice in the U.S. is DirecTV. DirecTV just negotiated an exclusive five-year contract with the NFL. Sorry, Charlie...

*Mostly... But, never underestimate the importance of good exposed-lead dressing. Insecure terminations that become water-fouled can be a bon-of-a-sich to diagnose. As a subscriber who installed his own system prior to the mandatory professional install policy, trust me...