Entertainment Center: TVs, Stereos, VCRs and DVDs - Dish vs. Direct TV

Fred,
A while ago you presented a very balanced discussion on the 'real' differences between Dish and Direct TV... Could I ask you to update that, possibly with a new thread given your knowledge and expertise of the different services and perhaps current offerings.
My wife and I stopped at a local Radio Shack and as you know, they market Dish satellite services. And of course, by their account Direct TV is garbage -- indicated that you don't get local channel access, that you have to install your own dish... clearly things that are incorrect by all other research I've done. [No flame intended for Radio Shack or its employees, I've bought a lot of stuff there and will continue to do so.]
Just looking for a clear, unbiased voice in the industry.
We're not looking to do anything until around October and was wondering, based on which service we go with, how much time to allow for scheduling to installation. In other words, would scheduling the installation for October in August be sufficient time for that?
Are there any service contract pitfalls that can be avoided in the service agreement. I know they're pretty much 'boiler-plate' contracts in the company's favor primarily but what can a consumer do to avoid problems? Since, you're not a lawyer (are you..?;-) you can just give your opinion or skip this question.
But your time and reply are appreciated.
Thanks,
Greynold99

Who's Fred? Are you talking about 'fewalt'? I'll PM him and tell him to read your post.

I started the new thread.

I don't think Fred's a lawyer; well, sea lawyer maybe. :D

FWIW I switched from Direct to Dish about a year ago. No particular reason at the time except we were having to upgrade for HD when we bought the big screen and they had a good deal going; free two channel/two TV DVR setup, free install. Plus we thought, what the heck let's try Dish. We've been VERY happy with the system & service. They recently upgraded the "local" channels (which for us is Tampa, about 90 miles away) to HD. IMHO the Direct/Dish competition is keeping them pretty tight in features and price. All of our favorite channels, in addition to the four networks, are available in HD. I'm having a hard time thinking of anything I have been dissatisfied with them.

Okay, Fred, your turn. ;)

Greynold99,
A lot depends on your viewing habits and how many TVs you have, and whether HD or not.

At present Direct has more HD channels: for awhile last year Dish had more. Both services are adding HD locals as fast as they can, and this takes working agreements with all networks in each market area. (I use an OTA 'over-the-air' antenna for the best HD local feeds).
MLB and NFL Sunday ticket are exclusive to Direct
For multiple tv locations 2,or 4 tvs, Dish has twin tuners - one box, with two independent channels. A phone line connected to a twin tuner avoids the extra box($5/mo) fee.
Bottom line; Direct w/4 tvs is four boxes($15 extra per month)
Dish w4 tvs is two twin tuners ($5 extra per mo.)
Dish HD DVRs have been stable and an external hard drive(customer provided) enables transfer from dvr to hard drive and back to dvr: ($40 activation fee required)

http://www.dishnetwork.com/content/our_products/dish_hd/external_hd/ExternalHDDStorage.pdf

What you heard at RS is probably a good reason to find an authorized LOCAL Dish dealer, other than RS. Check the Dish site or even your local yellow pages for local retailers. Visit their store and talk to them in person. You'll learn alot there!!!

Scheduling should be NO problem with a good local retailer.
For example: my bud's a retailer: call him tomorrow, supply necessary data. He orders or has equipment desired, installation can be next day or two days most!!(he he, depending on my golf schedule). Just kidding, he has a couple good installers.

Dish is basically all lease now, with 2 yr program agreements.
Receivers can be purchased, but why bother, when a leased receiver will be replaced free if it should go bad.

any more questions - fire away.

fred
(No, not a lawyer, but I did stay at HI express once!!!)

I have both services.Some channels on Dish are not available on Directv and vise versa.My kids have Directv for the channels they like and my wife has Dish for the channels she likes.Both services work great.I would sugest listing the channels your family likes to watch and then check to see who has them in their line up.:)

Fred, thanks for that HDD storage link; I didn't know that capability was active.

I wanted to thank all and especially Fred for your replies...

I am clear now on the different offers and will research locally for the best service as far as support and installation are concerned. Basically from what you've replied, either Dish or Direct TV will be fine but specific channel selection more important for other family members.

Thanks,
Greynold99

I have 2 houses. In one I have Direct TV. I had that installed there when Comcast couldn't get their act together to provide a strong enough signal for the digital tuners. Had Direct TV come in and they installed the dish and the boxes for free. The signal and quality is great. I do get all of my local stations in both standard def and HD.

If your phone company is Verizon, you might want to check to see if FIOS is avaliable. Have that at my primary residence. Love it. I did upgrade my wiring and when they came in, it was a smooth install. They carry all of my local stations.

In a nutshell, I'm happy with both of them

i heard the Dish sattelite sits lower and could be a problem for some with trees or buildings blocking the signal. not sure if that's true.

i heard the Dish sattelite sits lower and could be a problem for some with trees or buildings blocking the signal. not sure if that's true.

Only by a couple degrees in the Clark Belt.
Both Dish and Direct use a 110 bird, and most of Dishs other birds are lower in the sky, with the exception of their HD channels. They are mirrored on both 129 and the 61.5 position.
For the Eastern US, a new dish is forthcoming using a higher look angle called the Eastern Arc. So the look angle will be closer to 45 degrees.
Both services will always have possible tree issues.

fred