Thinking of switching to satellite

[hormy_83]

I currently have TWC and I'm using the 8300HD box.  I'm thinking of switching for one main reason - amount of HD channels.  Just like everyone else I would like more.

So I'm looking at Dish and DirecTV.  I was leaning a bit towards DirecTV because they are talking of all the new HD content they are brining this year.  

I gave them a call and asked them a few questions.  One thing that would be an added benefit over TWC is being able to record 3 things at once (2 from the satellite and 1 from OTA).  They said this was not possible - you can just record from the 2 tuners.  

So I asked if there was anyway to record the OTA - they said no and asked why I would want to.  I told them to record CBS - and when the checked my zip code (Brookfield 53045) - they said they had CBS in HD.  That surprised me because I've heard on here they don't and there website even says they don't.  Am I correct that they don't?  Is there any way to record it with DirecTV?

Also does anyone know if Dish has CBS in HD and if you are able to record 3 things with their DVR (2 via satellite and 1 via OTA)?

However my main concern about going with satellite is picture quality.  I've heard many people talk about DirecTV and saying some HD stations are considered "HDLite."  How does PQ compare among DirecTV, Dish, and TWC?

[hormy_83]

Also does anyone know if Dish has CBS in HD and if you are able to record 3 things with their DVR (2 via satellite and 1 via OTA)?

From what I've heard I believe Dish does not have any locals in HD - but with their DVR you can record them via OTA.  But you can only record at most 2 things at once (either 1 OTA and 1 satellite, or 2 satellite).

So that brings up another question - can you get NON-local stations in HD for Fox, NBC, CBS, ABC?  If so is that included in their typical HD package?

[HDCheeseHead]

Well, I was in your boat about a few months ago.  I initially decided to go with Dish.  Scheduled the install appt.  They got here and weren't able to install because of line of sight issues.  I decided to go with Dish because I could bundle them with my phone, DSL & cell phone.  To back track a little, I initially had all TWC services.  I got fed up with the VoIP because I was experiencing my internet not being available, so I had two services that I couldn't use.  So I dropped the VoIP and switched to AT & T, then I dropped Road Runner to go to AT & T DSL.

Ok, so now that Dish wasn't an option, I decided to go back to DirecTV.  I had them about a year ago.  So, I got a letter to re-join and I did it.  I used almost all of my prior equipment (HR10-250, D-Tivo & regular STB) and picked up a new DirecTV DVR.  Since I didn't get the new HD DVR from D*, I'm not able to get the HD locals that D* offers, which are just NBC, ABC & Fox.  No CBS HD.  (I'm in Tosa)  So, based on feedback I got from this forum, I had the installer run a separate run of coax so I could install an OTA antenna.  Because no one is providing 18-1 or 24-1 as part of their HD packages.  I now have the OTA antenna hooked up and am loving it.

I kept TWC for a couple of days after installation just to be sure.  On my HDTV, I was comparing HD channels between TWC & D*.  I couldn't tell any difference between the two.  Where I do tell the difference is on the  SD chanels.  I have a 61 rear projection and the TWC SD channels looked worse than the D* SD channels.

[Sparkman87]

From what I've heard I believe Dish does not have any locals in HD - but with their DVR you can record them via OTA.  But you can only record at most 2 things at once (either 1 OTA and 1 satellite, or 2 satellite).

So that brings up another question - can you get NON-local stations in HD for Fox, NBC, CBS, ABC?  If so is that included in their typical HD package?

No, Dish themselves no longer carry Distant Networks.  For people who qualify (Not being within Grade A or Grade B OTA), you can subscribe to SD nets from SF & Atl from a seperate company.  The channels do come thru  your Dish network receiver.

[bradsmainsite]

I currently have TWC and I'm using the 8300HD box.  I'm thinking of switching for one main reason - amount of HD channels.  Just like everyone else I would like more.

So I'm looking at Dish and DirecTV.  I was leaning a bit towards DirecTV because they are talking of all the new HD content they are brining this year.  

The majority of these channels will be local HD channels through out the country not necessarily all new HD channels.

What it will give them is more bandwidth, so they should not have to do as much (or any) compression.

There are only so many HD channels available right now so to make the claim they are is do I dare say (smart marketing) or maybe just (not the whole truth)
marketing.  Anyway someone correct me if I'am wrong on this or if you have more info.

[Tom Snyder]

But you can only record at most 2 things at once (either 1 OTA and 1 satellite, or 2 satellite

Almost right... you can record 2 OTA. I do it every night (Leno and Letterman)....

[hormy_83]

Almost right... you can record 2 OTA. I do it every night (Leno and Letterman)....

How does the recording of OTA programs work with the DVR?  Do they show up in the guide and can you schedule all new episodes to record?  If so do you ever have problems of it missing new episodes of shows?

[AndrewP]

But you can only record at most 2 things at once (either 1 OTA and 1 satellite, or 2 satellite).

So that brings up another question - can you get NON-local stations in HD for Fox, NBC, CBS, ABC?  If so is that included in their typical HD package?

You are not correct here. With Dish HD DVR 622 you can record 3 HD programs (2 from sat and 1 OTA) at the same time. And at the same time you can watch one of the recorded program or another pre-recorded program off the DVR.

No, you can't get non local HD networks with Dish. But you can try to get them with OTA, like I have Chicago stations with ChannelMaster 4228 in the attic.

[hormy_83]

You are not correct here. With Dish HD DVR 622 you can record 3 HD programs (2 from sat and 1 OTA) at the same time. And at the same time you can watch one of the recorded program or another pre-recorded program off the DVR.

No, you can't get non local HD networks with Dish. But you can try to get them with OTA, like I have Chicago stations with ChannelMaster 4228 in the attic.

That is what I thought about recording 3 things at once - but when I asked the guy I talked to on the phone he said you couldn't.  I'm not surprised he didn't know exactly what he was talking about.

They also said for $50 they will sell you an OTA antenna.  It is a Winegard Sensar antenna.  Would you suggest a ChannelMaster 4228 instead?  Also do you think from Brookfield I'd be able to pick up Chicago's stations?

[AndrewP]

That is what I thought about recording 3 things at once - but when I asked the guy I talked to on the phone he said you couldn't.  I'm not surprised he didn't know exactly what he was talking about.

They also said for $50 they will sell you an OTA antenna.  It is a Winegard Sensar antenna.  Would you suggest a ChannelMaster 4228 instead?  Also do you think from Brookfield I'd be able to pick up Chicago's stations?

First of all, ChannelMaster 4228 is $40 at Marmax, one block east of 76&Rawson.
Second, of course it is much better then Sensar. I had Sensar outside with Voom and could't pick up Chicago. With ChannelMaster in the attic now I get Chicago stations.

Brookfield is 10 more miles from Chicago then Muskego. So it will not work in the attic for sure. But outside? You can try. Calculate the angle to the Sears tower from your house at //www.antennaweb.org and try.

If Chicago will not work, then you can try Madison instead.

But for me Madison was not appealing.

[bubbaridesfast]

The majority of these channels will be local HD channels through out the country not necessarily all new HD channels.

What it will give them is more bandwidth, so they should not have to do as much (or any) compression.

There are only so many HD channels available right now so to make the claim they are is do I dare say (smart marketing) or maybe just (not the whole truth)
marketing.  Anyway someone correct me if I'am wrong on this or if you have more info.

Last week at the CES, D* announced agreements with many national networks that confirm they will be adding HD simulcasts this year so D* will actually be adding a lot of national HD channels (probably not the 100 they claim) later this year when the 2 new satellites are operational.


BTW, a friend called D* Saturday to order the HD DVR through Customer Retention and was told that DISH lost a battle/lawsuit with TIVO and will have to discontinue DVR service soon. I don't know any more details or if this is accurate information but that's what they were told because they threatened to go with DISH if D* didn't give them a deal.

[Racer47]

Dish has a new promotion starting in Feb. Basically you can get a free 622 hd dvr and a small price break on programming. For hd networks, you can get ota and after the install you can change your address to the Minneapolis dma and get their hd networks which are conus not spot beams.

btw, the Dish Tivo thing is not accurate. Dish DVRs will work. See http://www.satelliteguys.us/forumdisplay.php?f=10  for tons more info.