Our native mobile app has a new name: Fora Communities. Learn more.

DirecTV vs. Dish Network vs. OTA for HD

2243 Views 30 Replies 14 Participants Last post by rjc, Nov 14, 2006

beowulf7

Discussion Starter · Oct 7, 2006

I'll most likely move to a house if all goes well. After that occurs, I'll be eager to get a HDTV and HDTV service. The area I'll be moving to doesn't offer cable service (to my knowledge). So I'd have to go with satellite TV or try my luck with over-the-air service (I'd be about 30-something miles away from the source).

I've been getting some spam in the postal mail from DirecTV and Dish Network, both of which are big in my area (north TX). From your experience, who would you recommend? Or would you suggest going the free route and attaching an antenna on my roof to get HD over-the-air (OTA)? I don't really care about "cable TV stations" too much. I mainly need the free channels (e.g. FOX, NBC, ABC, CBS). If either of the satellite providers is running a promo (which they often do), I'll get the cheapest plan that offers ESPN and Comedy Central.

Obviously, my next task would be in selecting an HDTV and receiver, but that's for another thread in another sub-forum. TIA.

Status: Not open for further replies.

1 - 20 of 31 Posts

CycloneGT

· #2 · Oct 7, 2006

Well, all HDTV receivers from Dish Network and DirectTV have OTA tuners built into them. So you'll get OTA with them when you get their HD packages.

I don't know about D*, but I know that E* will require you to get their HD package if you get one of their HD receivers as part of their "sign up" promotion. You could always buy an HD receiver on eBay, but why pay that much when they're willing to eat a lot of the cost to sign you up.

Dish Network has better Picture Quality and more HDTV channels than DirectTV. But you might find D* cheaper.

mconstant

· #3 · Oct 7, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by CycloneGT
Well, all HDTV receivers from Dish Network and DirectTV have OTA tuners built into them. So you'll get OTA with them when you get their HD packages.

That isn't 100% true. I can't get OTA HD Local Channels with my Dish Network. The only way I can get OTA HD Locals is with a seperate Large Multi Directional Amped Antenna. It depends on where you live compared to the stations antenna.

HDTVFanAtic

· #4 · Oct 7, 2006

First, I recommend you NOT using someone who sends you spam. Even if they are legit, it encourages then send more spam.

Second, if all you want is OTA HD, neither D* or E* signal will be as good as the original OTA. It's also the cheapest route for you with no monthly fees.

beowulf7

Discussion Starter · #5 · Oct 7, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by CycloneGT
Well, all HDTV receivers from Dish Network and DirectTV have OTA tuners built into them. So you'll get OTA with them when you get their HD packages.

I don't know about D*, but I know that E* will require you to get their HD package if you get one of their HD receivers as part of their "sign up" promotion. You could always buy an HD receiver on eBay, but why pay that much when they're willing to eat a lot of the cost to sign you up.

Dish Network has better Picture Quality and more HDTV channels than DirectTV. But you might find D* cheaper.

Thanks for the info. I'm not sure with D* and E* terminology, but I'll look into it.

As I get closer to moving, I'll contact both DirecTV and Dish Network to see local OTA HD they can offer at where I'll be living. I also don't want to stick a bunch of antennae on my roof. Besides, my HOA (homeowner's assocation) only allows 1 antenna/dish per roof.

I did check antennaweb.org to see what kind of antenna I'd need if I went the OTA HD route. For digital stations only, I could get by with yellow UHF (small, multi-directional antenna).

See less See more

beowulf7

Discussion Starter · #6 · Oct 7, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by HDTVFanAtic
First, I recommend you NOT using someone who sends you spam. Even if they are legit, it encourages then send more spam.

Second, if all you want is OTA HD, neither D* or E* signal will be as good as the original OTA. It's also the cheapest route for you with no monthly fees.

That's good advice. When I meant spam, I meant postal mail spam (post cards) and not e-mail spam. You know, the crap you get from the mail that includes grocery flyers, furniture store flyers, etc.

In general, with satellite TV service, is there a long lag between flipping channels? And any side effects due to bad weather? A friend in NJ got satellite TV (non-HD) and when I lived in NJ and visited him and checked out his TV, it literally took 4-5 sec. to change channels. That seems annoying, but he said you get used to it. The picture quality was very good - better than cable TV. And he claimed that snow/rain didn't affect it much unless the weather was really bad. So I wonder if all that is true in an HD environment. Thanks again.

See less See more

Marc Alexander

· #7 · Oct 7, 2006

A few years ago. satellite PQ was better than most cable providers. Today, the opposite is often true (especially for SD channels).

In general D* (DirecTV) is only your best option if you require NFL Sunday Ticket, otherwise E* (Dish Network) is the better satellite option (IMHO).

You need to check with your locals to determine wether satellite or cable is the better option for your area - Local HDTV Info and Reception

beowulf7

Discussion Starter · #8 · Oct 7, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marc Alexander
A few years ago. satellite PQ was better than most cable providers. Today, the opposite is often true (especially for SD channels).

In general D* (DirecTV) is only your best option if you require NFL Sunday Ticket, otherwise E* (Dish Network) is the better satellite option (IMHO).

You need to check with your locals to determine wether satellite or cable is the better option for your area - Local HDTV Info and Reception

Ahh, so D* is short-hand notation for DirecTV and E* for Dish Network. At least it's alphabetically correct in order.

Thanks for the link to that other sub-forum. I didn't see my city listed there, so I started a new thread. Right now, I'm just using www.antennaweb.org as the reference for OTA HD. I figure DirecTV and Dish Network should work the same anywhere in the country since you just need the ability to see the sky (facing south for those of us in the northern hemisphere). I am a big football fan, but not crazy enough to pay all those hundreds of $ for the NFL Ticket. I'll try my luck w/ whatever FOX has to see my Giants play. And since I live in Cowboy country, I know I'll at least be able to see those 2 games every year.

See less See more

audiomagnate

· #9 · Oct 7, 2006

The problem with OTA-HD and Dish HD-receivers is that you get no grid information unless you subscribe to the locals, which of course you don't need if you can get them OTA. I say get a used D* receiver for about $20 and use it for OTA-HD and forget the satelite companies. Spend the $70 per month on something worthwhile.

Steve Schauer

· #10 · Oct 7, 2006

1. Your HOA has no veto power concerning your antennas, although they may claim otherwise.

2. Any 32"+ display will already have a digital tuner if it was manufactured after (I think) July 2005. There is also guide information transmitted (PSIP) so you can get an onscreen guide for free on almost any newer display.

3. antennaweb.org won't know if there are any obstructions (hills, large buildings, big trees) between you and the transmitting towers, but if they say yellow it means you are in a strong signal area.

4. The picture you get with an antenna (assuming you get it - there's no middle ground with digital TV. You'll either get a perfect picture or no picture) will be the best HDTV possible, except for HD DVD or Blu-ray.

beowulf7

Discussion Starter · #11 · Oct 7, 2006

I appreciate the input, gentlemen. The more I think about it, I'd lean toward getting free OTA HDTV and not pay the outrageous price via satellite TV for a hundred plus channels of mostly crap. Yes, I would miss out on a couple good channels (ESPN, Comedy). Then again, if D* or E* run a nice 12-mo. promo for say $20/mo., it might be worth it then.

That's good that all new HDTVs will have the digital tuner built-in. I know when I bought my parents' HDTV a few years ago, it didn't have an HD tuner, just an analog one, and to this day, this still don't have HDTV service.

There are no large trees in the immediate neighborhood since it's a new development (new construction). There are 1- and 2-story homes in that area and no large hills, except for a gradual one from one part of the stree to its end.

Steve Schauer

· #12 · Oct 7, 2006

I had OTA only for three years but unfortunately my reception was far from rock solid. I finally succumbed to a Dish offer ($49.99 /mo with $20/mo off for 10 months, a great DVR for $299, no contract).

I personally couldn't live without a DVR. But like you I don't really watch a lot of channels outside of the networks. At first I was eating up MonstersHD, KungFu, HDNet Movies, Rave, and a couple others, but now that the new network season has started I rarely watch any of them.

I'm still happy I have it. Sampling new network shows with three tuners (2 satellite, one OTA) is great. The 622's OTA tuner is also far better than the Fusion PC tuner I used before.

Rammitinski

· #13 · Oct 7, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by beowulf7
I appreciate the input, gentlemen. The more I think about it, I'd lean toward getting free OTA HDTV and not pay the outrageous price via satellite TV for a hundred plus channels of mostly crap. Yes, I would miss out on a couple good channels (ESPN, Comedy). Then again, if D* or E* run a nice 12-mo. promo for say $20/mo., it might be worth it then.

That's good that all new HDTVs will have the digital tuner built-in. I know when I bought my parents' HDTV a few years ago, it didn't have an HD tuner, just an analog one, and to this day, this still don't have HDTV service.

There are no large trees in the immediate neighborhood since it's a new development (new construction). There are 1- and 2-story homes in that area and no large hills, except for a gradual one from one part of the stree to its end.

OTA is definitely the best quality.

If you want more HD, and you don't care about The Sunday Ticket for football, then you can just add E*'s Silver Package later. The last poster is right - they currently have the Silver Package, which includes 25 HD channels, for $29.99/mo. for 10 mos. (Not sure if that price includes the locals, also.) You don't have to rent the DVR to get it, either. I know at least Radio Shack offers the deal with free activation, too.

See less See more

beowulf7

Discussion Starter · #14 · Oct 7, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rammitinski
OTA is definitely the best quality.

If you want more HD, and you don't care about The Sunday Ticket for football, then you can just add E*'s Silver Package later. The last poster is right - they currently have the Silver Package, which includes 25 HD channels, for $29.99/mo. for 10 mos. (Not sure if that price includes the locals, also.) You don't have to rent the DVR to get it, either. I know at least Radio Shack offers the deal with free activation, too.

I just went to www.dishtv.com to play around with its configuration. They're currently charging $49.99/mo. for DishHD Bronze, which includes 23 HD channels and 65 SD channels. I see the $20/mo. promo they're running for 10 mos., bringing the price down to $29.99/mo. Then they're charging an extra $5/mo. for the local stations, for a grand total of $34.99 + tax. Yes, I would like to get an HD-DVR as well, either purchase or rent. Thanks for the heads-up on the RS deal.

Steve Schauer, did you live in an area that was too far for OTA HD from the broadcast source? Maybe your antenna wasn't strong enough or of the right type?

See less See more

Rammitinski

· #15 · Oct 7, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by beowulf7
I just went to www.dishtv.com to play around with its configuration. They're currently charging $49.99/mo. for DishHD Bronze, which includes 23 HD channels and 65 SD channels. I see the $20/mo. promo they're running for 10 mos., bringing the price down to $29.99/mo. Then they're charging an extra $5/mo. for the local stations, for a grand total of $34.99 + tax. Yes, I would like to get an HD-DVR as well, either purchase or rent. Thanks for the heads-up on the RS deal.

Steve Schauer, did you live in an area that was too far for OTA HD from the broadcast source? Maybe your antenna wasn't strong enough or of the right type?

+ tax?

I must be lucky. There haven't been any taxes added to my bill in the 2 years I've had them (in my area).

If you can get OTA, I'd really suggest going with that over what local HD's E* offers. The quality is better, you should get MANY more digital channels, HD AND SD, and you'll knock that much off of the bill. You can just use zap2it.com, titantv.com, or another source for the info.

See less See more

beowulf7

Discussion Starter · #16 · Oct 7, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rammitinski
+ tax?

I must be lucky. There haven't been any taxes added to my bill in the 2 years I've had them (in my area).

I'm just quoting what they said after the subtotal price. Maybe your state doesn't charge tax. So you pay no additional taxes/fees other than the $29.99 charge? Not bad at all.

Also, the Silver Package is currently an extra $10/mo., so you're really getting a very good deal.

beowulf7

Discussion Starter · #17 · Oct 7, 2006

I came across this article on CNET titled, "Three ways to get HDTV programming".

It seems pretty thorough and covers OTA, cable, and satellite.

Rammitinski

· #18 · Oct 7, 2006

I actually don't have any HD from E* myself - only SD - and the quality leaves a lot to be desired, especially with the locals. I use my 2 digital OTA tuners to watch those. MUCH better.

Steve Schauer

· #19 · Oct 7, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by beowulf7
Steve Schauer, did you live in an area that was too far for OTA HD from the broadcast source? Maybe your antenna wasn't strong enough or of the right type?

Not too far away, but my neighbors think their fir trees are cool and won't let me chainsaw them down.

Rammitinski

· #20 · Oct 7, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Schauer
Not too far away, but my neighbors think their fir trees are cool and won't let me chainsaw them down.

You guys probably already have enough deforestation up in those parts.

1 - 20 of 31 Posts

Status: Not open for further replies.