yddet12
Active Member
Since our local cable company is switching to digital, we're considering switching to satellite TV. Previously, since our TV was analog, cable had an advantage: no converter box required. Now, with that advantage disappearing on September 22nd, we decided to look into satellite TV.
So, I checked the channel listings for both DirecTV and Dish--and for about $20 less for the first year (and either $5 to $10 less, or the same price, for later years) we can get significantly more channels, while still getting most of the old ones (nothing extremely important will be lost).
Then I read some of the reviews of Customer Service for both companies. DirecTV seems to have a huge group of unsatisfied customers (surprise charges, cancellation period being shorter than stated, receivers breaking after 2 days or two weeks and DirecTV charging you to fix it, local channels requiring a different satellite and having reception problems, etc.).
So, I ask all you AKers who have experienced these two companies:
1. What is your general opinion of DirecTV/Dish?
2. Is the equipment reliable (e.g. doesn't break 2 weeks after it's installed)
3. Is the reception good, or does it freeze up, require a restart, or pixelate often?
4. Is the reception for local channels also good? I've heard some people say DirecTV has a separate antenna for local channels, which has problems; I haven't heard anything about DishTV.
5. Are there any early cancellation fees for Dish? I know there are for DirecTV.
6. Does XM/Sirius radio come with Dish? I heard it comes with DirecTV, but if the customer service/reliability nightmares are true, I'm not sure it's worth it.
7. Does Dish have an early-termination fee if you cancel before the end of your one-/two-year contract?
8. Any other comments about either company?
So, I checked the channel listings for both DirecTV and Dish--and for about $20 less for the first year (and either $5 to $10 less, or the same price, for later years) we can get significantly more channels, while still getting most of the old ones (nothing extremely important will be lost).
Then I read some of the reviews of Customer Service for both companies. DirecTV seems to have a huge group of unsatisfied customers (surprise charges, cancellation period being shorter than stated, receivers breaking after 2 days or two weeks and DirecTV charging you to fix it, local channels requiring a different satellite and having reception problems, etc.).
So, I ask all you AKers who have experienced these two companies:
1. What is your general opinion of DirecTV/Dish?
2. Is the equipment reliable (e.g. doesn't break 2 weeks after it's installed)
3. Is the reception good, or does it freeze up, require a restart, or pixelate often?
4. Is the reception for local channels also good? I've heard some people say DirecTV has a separate antenna for local channels, which has problems; I haven't heard anything about DishTV.
5. Are there any early cancellation fees for Dish? I know there are for DirecTV.
6. Does XM/Sirius radio come with Dish? I heard it comes with DirecTV, but if the customer service/reliability nightmares are true, I'm not sure it's worth it.
7. Does Dish have an early-termination fee if you cancel before the end of your one-/two-year contract?
8. Any other comments about either company?