I'm thinking of dropping Comcast and going with Satellite TV. Each service has its pros and cons, please help me decide.

Direct TV comes with a DVR and free local channels
Dish Net comes with a DVR

I'm thinking of dropping Comcast and going with Satellite TV. Each service has its pros and cons, please help me decide.

Direct TV comes with a DVR and free local channels
Dish Net comes with a DVR

You need to find out these things...

Direct TV and Dish Net: How many shows can you tape at the same time? Can you tape a show then watch another channel? (My uncle has that in New Jersey, I wanted to tape an all star home run derby so my half sister can watch Spongebob but the DVR he had with comcast wouldn't let me. I guess it's a one tuner box.)

Is there something special you want with the satellite? Are you a sports fan who wants to watch the team you root for that is out of the city or state?

I was about to get DirectTV as part of my service with Qwest when I moved in to my new place, but their problem was that a row of pine trees would have gotten in the way of the satellite in the south sky. And they tried to see if maybe they could put it at a certain position on the roof, and all I needed was the landlady's permission. Unfortunately, she said that there were actually going to be no more dishes going up on the buildings because not only were harming the structures of the posts and balconies of the apartment units, but they were making the complex looking like a cluttered eyesore and hurting the value of the property. I was a little disappointed, since it would have been cheaper to go with it as part of the Qwest bundle, but oh well, I decided to give Comcast a shot, and I've been satisfied so far.

My only problem is that with these shows on basic cable, there are too many commercials, and they sometimes turn a two-hour movie into three!! :mad:

One problem we have now in the Seattle-Tacoma area is that Dish network for some contractural reasons refuses to carry Channel 4, the ABC affiliate. How does that happen?? :confused:

One problem we have now in the Seattle-Tacoma area is that Dish network for some contractural reasons refuses to carry Channel 4, the ABC affiliate. How does that happen?? :confused:

That has also happened to us in California but, that problem has been resolved according to my Niece. I guess either party could end the contract if there is something they don't like. Maybe channel 4 doesn't want to pay what Dish net is asking. So far that's one for Direct.:D

Make sure they put the satellite somewhere where you can get to it. If it snows, it blocks the picture and you have to go out and wipe it off. When I had Direc TV I had that problem. Also find out if they charge for installation, or any other what they call "adjustment fees". A lot of times they dont tell you about those, and you find your bill is higher than you expected.

I've only had Dish Network and have never had a problem. We still have yet to get our new Smart Cards, but the guy on the phone was nice about the whole thing. Dish carries Sirius music stations and Direct carries XM's, but they're one in the same now, so that's not an issue. The sports they carry are different, so check that out if you're a sports fan. There isn't a big difference in regular channels.

We've never lost signal due to snow and during thunderstorms it'll go out for a little while, but it's never gone longer than half an hour.

Dish Network was fine...until I couldn't pay the bills.

When I did, they threatened to take our satellite stuff. I paid them, but they wanted their stuff back.

I would've called for action! **** Dish Network, I'll go with AT&T since they're my phone service.

DirecTV, although with the way things are going right now, I think Dish Network will eventually merge with DirecTV as Sirius and XM did last year.

DirecTV, although with the way things are going right now, I think Dish Network will eventually merge with DirecTV as Sirius and XM did last year.

I think so too. They tried to merge back in 2002 but the FCC kept them doing it. I read in a business magazine back in August that a guy who works for one of the companies said they are often trying merge plans and he thinks maybe within a year or two they will be merged.

My sister has Dish network, she says it's a little cheaper than Direct but you don't get quite as many channels.

I have DirecTV and the DVR is sort of complicated. My cousins who I often house sit for have Dish and their DVR systems are pretty easy. One tip that I heard works to keep snow off a satellite is to spray non-stick cooking spray on it.

Good points, it doesn't snow where I live so I don't have to worry about that one. Hmm I'll do more research. Keep 'em coming.