Time for Dish network?

[RainmanX]

First and foremost, my experience with Dtv&Tivo have been great. The big factor for Dtv&Tivo was the positive reviews.

Unfortunately it seems we are getting the short end of the stick (No new DVD HD anymore, leasing equipment (after purchasing).


Since dish has more HD channels, and is a bit cheaper, and I think mpeg4, is anyone else thinking of converting? Being reduced to a non-tivo dvr, a lease, and proprietary equipment is basically converting to dish.

[Hersheytx]

I do not think they are MPEG 4 yet. In fact I was thinking it would be next year they were going to start upgrading.
The HD DVR should be out this fall. Not sure if it will be as good as TIVO, but it is a start.
Just like everyone upgrading to FLat Panel TVs, Directv is ramping up for more HD.
We just happen to be in the lull before the big stuff.

I am looking forward to the HD DVR this fall. I really want to upgrade to Mpeg 4.

[beanpoppa]

'Upgrade' to MPEG4? MPEG4 is not an upgrade. It's just a different compression algorithm. One that makes different choices in what/how much of the original data can be thrown away without negatively affecting picture quality. Granted, for most video programs, you can achieve a lower bit-rate compared to MPEG2, while maintaining a comparable picture quality. However, if D* intends to use MPEG4 to get four times the number of channels, then you will not see any improvement in picture quality. With the number of Local HD channels that they intend to broadcast, I suspect that we will not see much improvement in the compression artifacting.

I do not think they are MPEG 4 yet. In fact I was thinking it would be next year they were going to start upgrading.
The HD DVR should be out this fall. Not sure if it will be as good as TIVO, but it is a start.
Just like everyone upgrading to FLat Panel TVs, Directv is ramping up for more HD.
We just happen to be in the lull before the big stuff.

I am looking forward to the HD DVR this fall. I really want to upgrade to Mpeg 4.

[extension 721]

dish is about the same per-channel. Right now they have the old VOOM channels, which is nice. both companies are looking to MP4 to increase their HD capacity by a large amount. D* will probably get there first, once they get enough MP4 equipment out there by "HD local upgrade" and eventually, I'll bet all the old HD channels will be MP4 and moved to the new satellites. Eventually HD will be the ONLY receivers that are produced, and they'll be able to readily downconvert (probably poorly) to SD. Then all the non-MP4 sats will be retired. Probably happen sometime around 2015-20. By then cable TV will be desperately converting to FIOS and computers will be able to show HD over broadband quite well. Most TV's will be connected to a home network, and most computers to a TV source.

[rminsk]

Eventually HD will be the ONLY receivers that are produced, and they'll be able to readily downconvert (probably poorly) to SD.Most/all of them downconvert and they do a very good job of it. The FCC requires that OTA digital receivers output 480i.
Then all the non-MP4 sats will be retired.There is no such thing as a mpeg-4 sat. The satellites just repeat the signals that are sent them. The encoders on the ground produce mpeg-4 and they transmit that data to the satellite.

[bidger]

No new DVD HD anymore
Uh, what?

Personally, I'd wait until the dust settles from the Echostar(DishNetwork)/TiVo verdict before I'd make any switch. There's a lot being said by both sides, but I've heard talk of TiVo filing an injunction regarding Dish DVRs and it's my understanding it includes existing ones. I'm not trying to trade in fear, but like I said, I'd want to make certain of things before I'd leap.

[Guindalf]

Here's something that may help (either way!)

Let me start out by saying this. I am not trying to be anti-D* or pro-Dish or vice versa. I just came across this CNet review of the new Dish ViP622 (http://reviews.cnet.com/Dish_Network_ViP622/4505-6474_7-31778299.html?tag=nl.e722) and I thought I would share it.

[Billy Bob Boy]

Here's something that may help (either way!)

Let me start out by saying this. I am not trying to be anti-D* or pro-Dish or vice versa. I just came across this CNet review of the new Dish ViP622 (http://reviews.cnet.com/Dish_Network_ViP622/4505-6474_7-31778299.html?tag=nl.e722) and I thought I would share it.
I never trust editors reviews or reviews from any source other than the public. Its hard to trust anyone whos business runs on advertising or sales. I trust reviews from the average joe only. If folks that own it and use it regularly give it a good review I take it seriously. If the owners of best buy were to review a product they sell or pc mag reviews a product they advertise I would tend to not trust them! I dont know what cnet relationship is with e* if any ,but I would prefer to hear from joe sixpack. That is why i will not get The R15. Too much bad press from john and jane doe.

[lajohn27]

Read the customer comments attached the DISH Review. In summary : 3 out of 4 aren't very impressed.

[austinsho]

Man, it's never time for DishNetwork. Upon reading the topic here yesterday, I went to Dish's home page and priced their packages for standard and HD. Then, I went to one of the major satellite forums and saw complaint after complaint after complaint after complaint regarding the instability of the equipment, CSR problems, etc. Just like it was when I had Dish years ago.

I signed on board with Charlie just because I didn't like sending my $$$$ to General Motors. It was a mistake then....and I'll bet it's an even bigger mistake now.

[goony]

Before you decide that the Dish grass is greener, spend some time in these satellite forums - especially the DVR sections:

http://www.dbstalk.com
http://www.dbsforums.com
http://www.satelliteguys.us

[tbeckner]

I trust reviews from the average joe only.But in the real world, who is the average Joe? When companies pay people to post positive reviews on sites like amazon.com and post positive reviews or comments in public forums.

It’s been noted for sometime that you cannot trust what are actually in reality anonymous postings on any public forum or web site.

So, where are the average Joe reviews?

Some examples would be useful.

Even personal blogs can actually be paid fronts for companies or marketing firms. And even if the postings are actually truthful and valid, what signifies a true scientific and analytical sample of users and valid truthful opinions?

And then what is "the frame of reference" of the poster? Has the poster been using the all of the valid competing products and for how long, and is the poster capable of framing valid reference points based upon valid assumptions and experiences?

See the difficulty in analyzing a true sample of possible valid reviews.

[Big Dawg 23]

Do not go to Dish. When you see the functions that their DVR doesnt have that TIVO does you will be happy you didnt switch. Also the TIVO/Dishnetwork lawsuit was settled on Mon. for $78 Mil.

[Arcady]

Two words: Dish sucks.

[Rkkeller]

I wonder :confused: what he was expecting people to say being this is a DirecTV forum ?

[RainmanX]

From the cnet review (the users), it seems--

1. Convert to dish and be disappointed overall.
2. Purchase the HD tivo from Dtv knowing it's owned by Dtv, and will need to be replaced in near future.
3. Keep existing Dtv SA tivo's and consider adding a separate HD tuner until Dtv has a new unit.