Anyone have DISH Network?
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From: Palm Springs
Anyone have DISH Network?
I read the recent thread on Tivo and Ultimate TV systems, but having just had DISH Network installed (www.dishnetwork.com), I was wondering how this system stacks up against the others.
The main difference I see is that you pay a monthly fee and never own the equipment (but why would I want to own something that will be superceded soon, anyway?) However, I'm very satisfied with the features I get with this system, like free installation, free second room receiver, 169 channels, plus free local channels. And the 50 music channel selection has the best music I've ever had (from cable or DirecTV). Something else I'm thrilled with (I know you guys wouldn't be!) is that I get all the international cricket matches, live from the U.K (BBC feed). for the rest of the summer season. I can also choose to subscribe to live feeds from several other countries (Greece, France, Holland, etc) if I chose to pay a premium. I never thought international TV was going to be available, but it seems like it's here already!
Anyway, I just wanted to ask for any comments from anyone else who also has the DISH Network system (or has played with it). I'd like to know what they think of it, as an alternative to Tivo and UltimateTV.
BTW, if anyone is interested in DISH, I found this site which seems to have the lowest rates, and where you buy or lease/rent the equipment from them: http://www.satellitedeals.com/
The main difference I see is that you pay a monthly fee and never own the equipment (but why would I want to own something that will be superceded soon, anyway?) However, I'm very satisfied with the features I get with this system, like free installation, free second room receiver, 169 channels, plus free local channels. And the 50 music channel selection has the best music I've ever had (from cable or DirecTV). Something else I'm thrilled with (I know you guys wouldn't be!) is that I get all the international cricket matches, live from the U.K (BBC feed). for the rest of the summer season. I can also choose to subscribe to live feeds from several other countries (Greece, France, Holland, etc) if I chose to pay a premium. I never thought international TV was going to be available, but it seems like it's here already!
Anyway, I just wanted to ask for any comments from anyone else who also has the DISH Network system (or has played with it). I'd like to know what they think of it, as an alternative to Tivo and UltimateTV.
BTW, if anyone is interested in DISH, I found this site which seems to have the lowest rates, and where you buy or lease/rent the equipment from them: http://www.satellitedeals.com/
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: West Deptford NJ
I just had Dish installed last week. I got the 6000 Hd system. Dish offered an HD HBO feed that Direct did not.
The only drawback is that you need two dishes for the HD feeds.
The install was quite involved.
The 6000 doen's seem to be quite as good for OTA HD reception as some of the competitors are but it works ok.
I use my Tivo with Dish so I am not sure why you would use it in lieu of Dish or UTV.
So far it's been great except for a few minutes when acquision with the bird was lost during a thunderstorm.
The only drawback is that you need two dishes for the HD feeds.
The install was quite involved.
The 6000 doen's seem to be quite as good for OTA HD reception as some of the competitors are but it works ok.
I use my Tivo with Dish so I am not sure why you would use it in lieu of Dish or UTV.
So far it's been great except for a few minutes when acquision with the bird was lost during a thunderstorm.
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From: Boise
I've got the Dish 500 here...it's been awesome! We (me and my roommate) installed it last summer...we were up until 4am installing it without any additional hardware, we just pointed it until we got our bleeps and locked it down!
The reason we were up till 4 am crawling around the top of our house was because we wanted the roof to cool down and be early enough that we wouldn't bake the next morning!
our Raytek Laser Temp gauge said it was 170 degrees on the top of our house, 160 degrees inside the attic.
The reason we were up till 4 am crawling around the top of our house was because we wanted the roof to cool down and be early enough that we wouldn't bake the next morning!
our Raytek Laser Temp gauge said it was 170 degrees on the top of our house, 160 degrees inside the attic.
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From: Boise
I've had Dish Network for about 5 years now. Right now I'm using the 6000, I still haven't bought a PVR yet because I'm hoping that they'll come out with one in the near future that'll record High Definition. It seems that Dish Network should be able to maintain their lead in HiDef since they've got more satellites up, hopefully they'll be able to add something like NFL ticket after DTV's exclusive contract expires but I'm not holding my breath.
BTW, I bought my stuff from Dish USA and they were really good to deal with.
BTW, I bought my stuff from Dish USA and they were really good to deal with.
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From: Boise
You did notice I live in IDAHO didn't you 
Actually, we have 3 stations which are all supposed to start broadcasting digital within the next couple of months. I've been bugging their engineers with emails to find out when they're going to be broadcasting. They do actually have their transmitters in place now so it should be soon.
Back to the original question... I'm going to buy the 8-VSB module for the 6000, I bought the reciever quite a bit before they came out with the tuner and since we haven't had any local broadcasts yet I haven't bought it yet. I'll probably order it sometime this month. I figure since I've already got the 6000 reciever I might as well spend the $150 for the 8-VSB module for it instead of forking out another $600+ for something else. I kind of wish now that I would have bought the 5000 and HD modulator along with the Panasonic STB and digital VCR so that I could record high definition but since they've been discontinued the prices are through the roof for them now, when you can find them.
Actually, we have 3 stations which are all supposed to start broadcasting digital within the next couple of months. I've been bugging their engineers with emails to find out when they're going to be broadcasting. They do actually have their transmitters in place now so it should be soon. Back to the original question... I'm going to buy the 8-VSB module for the 6000, I bought the reciever quite a bit before they came out with the tuner and since we haven't had any local broadcasts yet I haven't bought it yet. I'll probably order it sometime this month. I figure since I've already got the 6000 reciever I might as well spend the $150 for the 8-VSB module for it instead of forking out another $600+ for something else. I kind of wish now that I would have bought the 5000 and HD modulator along with the Panasonic STB and digital VCR so that I could record high definition but since they've been discontinued the prices are through the roof for them now, when you can find them.