Yes I did a search on related topics, but most go back to January which is really old news with D* new HD channels coming online.

Presently have Dish SD, but have a new HDTV on the way. Not interested in sports so NFL Ticket on D* has no value to me. I have the America's top 250 and like the Encore channels like Encore Westerns I really enjoy movies and the weekly sitcoms I'm in the southeast and I can get all the locals in HD. I'm not seeing really any western movie channels in D* HD, those with D* can you get the westerns in HD? I like the E* SD DVR so I'm going to guess the new E* HD DVR model 722 is very nice and it seems to hold more than the D* version. In many ways its really hard to find people who know alot about both satellite providers unless they have had both and can really compare the strengths and weaknesses. I can say I have had no issues with my E* service and the installer was fantastic, I just don't know if there will be a better PQ with D* over E*. It seems that D* doesnt quite have the variety (no encore channels for example unless I am missing them on there website) of non-sports channels that E* has.

So I have a couple of questions I have heard the term that D* is HD rather than HD lite (I assume the HD lite refers to E*) what is the difference between HD and HD lite and how does it affect PQ?

Please don't answer in techno jargon such as "longer GOP" or I-frames or b-frames I am clueless to what the terms mean, unless you don't mind clarifying.

Is HD cable even in the running against HD satellite? I know there was a big improvement going from cable to satellite so me thinks probably that HD cable doesnt compare with E* or D*

I thought I would throw in the D* link that shows a firm timeline for new HD channels: http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPageNR.jsp?assetId=P4360044

Also I read that E* star wont be adding new HD channels anytime soon due to equipment limitations and they don't have the bandwith that the new D* HD programming will, is this correct?

Many thanks in advance.

Everyone has different answers.

A lot of factors go into each persons decision. Like, where are you located? What do you like on TV? Etc...

I live in New Orleans...DirecTV has all in HD
I also LOVE sports...especially baseball so D* offers EI with some HD games..
I am a huge March Madness person....so I can get the MM package
I love the NFL so I get the Sunday Ticket package

So, it fits me perfectly.

I also love to haggle and I have gotten sweet deals with D* including paying a total of $99 for 2 HD-DVR's

With the new MPEG 4 channels and the new satellites, DirecTV is putting channels up now in very good picture quality. People are saying most look better than Dish, but of course you never know what bias these people might have.

I have DirecTV, and the new MPEG 4 channels do look very nice.

I say look at the programming options available. Are you ok, with what Dish Network offers? Dish has some exclusives like those Voom channels, can you live without those?

If so, all the channels on DirecTV now with more coming, might be something you're interested in. Thing is there is so much time when these new channels aren't actually HD of course, but at least the SD content looks better too, since it wasn't compressed heavily like the SD channel.

I think technically DirecTV is going to be able to offer more HD for the time being, so I'm happy to stay with them.

Whether you should switch, is something you have to decide, but I wouldn't stay away from DirecTV due to picture quality. It's fine I think.