What would be best choice DirectTV or Dish (1 Viewer)

[Gerard Martin]

In terms of customer support, reliability, programming, price, picture quality, which supports 5.1. What do you have and are you satisfied?. I would require two receivers. TIA.

 

[Rob Tenniswood]

I've got DirecTV. If you sign up soon, you'll be able to get all the channels and every NFL game for about $40 a month for the first three months. After that, it's about $80 a month to keep all the channels, but they have a variety of pricing plans from about 21.99, so you can probably find what you're looking for. The major networks (ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox) don't have network-wide contracts with DirecTV, so there's a possibility that you can't get those stations on the dish without first getting a letter of authorization from the local affiliate. Other than that, the selection is pretty decent. Customer service has held it's own since I've been with them - they've always made the changes that I've requested at a moment's notice, etc. As for reliability, I've only had one instance where I didn't get any reception, and that was because a storm blew the dish over. The picture quality is really crisp - nothing to complain about there.

Hope it helps,
-Rob

 

[Gerard Martin]

Rob
Was the prices you quoted for one or two receivers or does it matter, does DirectTV
support DD 5.1, Thanks.

 

[Rob Tenniswood]

Gerard - the price I quoted was for one reciever. I actually don't know if DirecTV supports 5.1

-Rob

 

[Lew Crippen]

Was the prices you quoted for one or two receivers or does it matter, does DirectTV

Most DirectTV deals will cost another $5/mth per additional receiver.
DirectTV does support DD 5.1. It requires a different receiver than the basic model. The RCA receiver has an optical output for digital sound. It does not have a digital coax output. I think that this is true for the Sony version as well. Either the RCA or Sony digital will cost about $100 more than the basic receiver. Personally I went with a receiver for digital sound for my main system and the basic receiver for the bedroom.
However, the amount of programming that has 5.1 sound is minimal.
:frowning:

 

[shane_watson]

save your money on the 5.1 unit,get the analog and a good prologic 2 reciever,my brother paid 350.00$ for a sony w/digital out and my analog sounds much better,btw ive had no trouble at all from directv,awesome service IMO.

 

[GeoffL]

I've got DISH and am extremely happy.
It's cheaper and excellent service.

Dish now offers 3 free months. Also, even though
Dish doesn't have NFL ticket, they do have a sports package that offers ~60% of all NFL games. Plus, they offer collegiate football games (GO Purdue!!!).

I've been extremely happy with Dish. IMHO, it ends up being a lot cheaper for the same service.

 

[Rob Tenniswood]

Boo Purdue! Go IRISH!

 

[JustinP]

Screw the Irish. Go Trojans!!!

 

[Alf S]

save your money on the 5.1 unit,get the analog and a good prologic 2 reciever,my brother paid 350.00$ for a sony w/digital out and my analog sounds much better

I hope you were kidding Shane??

Listening to PPV and Starz/HBO Directv w/ 5.1 output sounds MUCH better than any Prologic set up.

Plus the receivers w/ 5.1 aren't that expensive these days..$150 tops.

 

[matt bee]

Yup, $350 seems pretty steep. I paid $100 (after rebate) for my Ultimate TV receiver w/ digital audio out. I didn't even want the UTV, but the unit was on sale for cheaper than the regular receiver w/ digital audio. I ordered the UTV service just to try it for a month, now I don't think I could live without it.

Oh, and I've been very happy with DirecTV so far. (3 months now) I just wish there were more shows that utilized the 5.1.

 

[DougRogers]

I am moving into a new house on Saturday and I have been looking for these things. I am going to order this one:
RCA with DD It is 80 bucks if you install it yourself. So, that is the route I am going to take. My parents have had DTV and Dish. They have finally decided on DTV. My friends have Dish and I was not to impressed but they say it is cheaper. But I am going DTV.
Doug

 

[Rob Tenniswood]

Bah. Irish all the way!!

Rob.