Dish Network - Switched away from my cable provider

[S2k Dude]

In summary:

* I've got two HD TV's and enjoy having access to as many HD channels as possible.

* My cable provider, Charter Networks, provided decent service but I didn't like the way the equipment worked and sometimes the HD channels experienced lots of problems. Also, the Motorola Moxi DVR Reciever sucks (IMO). Also, I estimated that the cost of having Charter for my video service was about the same as if I switched to satellite TV.

* After much research I decided to switch to Dish Network because they offer much more HD programming (I've got something like 25 HD channels now), the HD equipment was much nicer, and friends said the service is very reliable except in very bad weather.

* Went online and ordered the Dish HD Silver package with the HD DVR.

* Installer came out and spent 4 hours on Thursday, then had to come back on Saturday and spend another 4 hours doing a wall drop in my guest bedroom.

* Overall the install is okay, the dish is pretty well hidden on the back of my house and you don't see any cables outside. However, the idiot installer drilled a hole through the ceiling of my guest bedroom. They offered to do the repair but I said I'd rather have a professional come out and do the work.

* The programming is good, the equipment is very good. My only issue so far is the local HD NBC (WXIA) is having problems. Dish said they know about it but I'm a bit disappointed that they can't resolve the problem with the NBC feed.

* Finally, I'm not sure if all this is worth it. Dish costs about $1000/year, Internet another $648. Compared to about $1500/yr for Charter video + internet service.

All I can say is it costs a lot to stay connected and entertained in the twenty-first century!

[WebGod]

Wow $$$, we pay for basic cable and I'm fine with that....

[Aaron]

Wow $$$, we pay for basic cable and I'm fine with that....:withstupid:

love the HD but just can't justify the price.
basic basic cable + TIVO + Netflix + internet is enough
(i need to eliminate something cuz it's still a retarded expense - methinks twill be yon tivo)

[S2k Dude]

Aaron, I looked at that option also but Charter wanted to screw me out of about $80/month for cable + internet. Even if I got Charter to give me cable + internet for $65/month (which is a new customer price) then add Tivo and Netflix I'd still be in for about $1100/year. On top of that I'd also want to install two OTA HD boxes which may or may not get decent reception.

[Doctor T]

I've been mostly happy with my Dish service...I haven't had any issues with the NBC HD feed...but, when it's heavily clouded outside you'll lose your satellite feed...but I have found that it doesn't happen as often with the HD channels as it did with the regular channels (which I had before I upgraded to HD)...I think the HD satellite might be a tad stronger signal - the only time I have lost my signal since upgrading has been during REALLY severe weather...

[HartS2K]

I have an over the air HD antenna that the satellite service VOOM left when they went out of business (I just got to keep it although I never paid anything for it) and have always thought the NBC feed was the worst. It doesn't always come through while all the other channels are great. The installer tried to most it to several different spots but could never get a great feed. I always thought it was just NBC.

[dvergar]

How does the upstream part of your internet connection work with dish. Does your dish also have a transmitter linked to the satellite? How's the bandwidth?

[WebGod]

:withstupid:

love the HD but just can't justify the price.
basic basic cable + TIVO + Netflix + internet is enough
(i need to eliminate something cuz it's still a retarded expense - methinks twill be yon tivo)My Tivo has been paid for since day one... Lifetime service :D :D :D

[S2KOOL]

I went with DirecTV about 5 years ago when Charter wanted to put one of those POS Motorola digital settops in if we wanted any premium channels. Motorola is a direct competitor to Scientific-Atlanta, the company I work for. When we moved into the new house a year ago, I upgraded the dish to the three LNB HD dish and added the HD DVR. The picture quality is awesome. I am planning to install an off-air antenna to pick up the local HD channels. I'll get around to that after I finish all the other things that moving into a new house brings.

[MKS2k]

How does the upstream part of your internet connection work with dish. Does your dish also have a transmitter linked to the satellite? How's the bandwidth?

The satellite connection is fine if you are just surfing & downloading. Forget trying to upload. If you want to do anything real-time...forget it. It sends lots of packets every second rather than whatever it is with any other service. There is an inherent delay of about 700 ms when pinging out & about 1.7 seconds having someone ping you. VPN will cut the entire bandwidth in half. Uploads are right at 56k speeds no matter what hype they give you unless ya pay over 100 / month. Downloads are in the 1 meg range for the standard...I think about 60-70 a month.

It beats dialup...for everything. I have a few customers using direcway & we always have problems communicating with them because of this. Their surfing is probably more reliable than dsl & cable combined.

[silverfoxs2k]

I went with DirecTV about 5 years ago when Charter wanted to put one of those POS Motorola digital settops in if we wanted any premium channels. Motorola is a direct competitor to Scientific-Atlanta, the company I work for. When we moved into the new house a year ago, I upgraded the dish to the three LNB HD dish and added the HD DVR. The picture quality is awesome. I am planning to install an off-air antenna to pick up the local HD channels. I'll get around to that after I finish all the other things that moving into a new house brings.

I have the option on my TV to install an antenna feed for local HD, does that require a big special antenna or would something smallish and inside like rabbit ears work? I obviously have not checked into this at all yet.

[S2KOOL]

It all depends on how far you live from the stations antennas. I live about 60 miles from downtown Atlanta. I need the biggest off-air antenna I can find, and may need an amplifier as well. If you live in town, you may be able to get by with an antenna that sits on top of the TV. It will depend on the buildings surrounding your location and if they block the signal or not. Fry's sells the antennas and amplifiers at a reasonable price.

[Aaron]

Aaron, I looked at that option also but Charter wanted to screw me out of about $80/month for cable + internet. Even if I got Charter to give me cable + internet for $65/month (which is a new customer price) then add Tivo and Netflix I'd still be in for about $1100/year. On top of that I'd also want to install two OTA HD boxes which may or may not get decent reception.understand....the other issue I have with satellite, though, is that I'd need a phone line in order to take advantage of the DSL service that can be packaged.....that adds another $250 or more a year to the overall costs for me to ditch my cable

[S2k Dude]

Since the cable provider is charging $54/month now just for my cable modem I'm looking into switching to having a land line with DSL for about $10/month less.

[Aaron]

my cable/internet runs roughly $57 a month - - $684 annually

if I go with Dish then I've got
$60 for the Dish
$45 for the DSL
$18 for basic phone line
$123 total monthly or $1476 annually