[Richter X]

My dad is considering getting Dish Network. He said Comcast's cable was too expensive (been disconnected for over 2 years now). I, however, have been looking into C/Ku-Band. I know Dish network charges about $42 for their Top 150 service. Skyvision, a C/Ku-Band service, charges about $68 per month for their largest annual subscription package. What would be my best bet? Also, if I'm looking in the wrong place for C/Ku-Band service, then please tell me!

 

[emoxley]

I like DirecTv better, myself. A friend just moved back to hometown. He had Dish network for years. He couldn't get it in his new house. Trees in the way. Dish setting is too low. He got DirecTv and says he likes it better. Better channel selection (most are the same tho), $2 a month cheaper for more channels and more features. He also said that Dish lost picture more.........in bad weather.

 

[brenden]

C/Ku band is the best possible analog channel PQ, and has many premiums not available on E* or D*.

However, with C/Ku band you can only have one receiver per subscription, 2 receivers means 2 full price subscriptions, not just a $5/mo mirroring fee like E* or D*

Channel surfing on C/Ku band is slow, especially when the dish position needs to be moved.

D* or E* winds up being much more user friendly for most users, which usually outweighs the C/Ku advantages.

Generally the happiest D* and E* users are the ones with PVR's (It seems as though the DTivo users are the happiest overall) I'd strongly recommend a DVR, unless HDTV is a priority.

 

[brickie]

also check out the hdtv forums...there were some nice threads going on about c-band satellite..


brickie

 

[Richter X]

So what exactly is E* and D*?

 

[emoxley]

E*=Dish network (EchoStar)

D*= DirecTv