[Hellfire105]

Ok my promotional period is up on my Comcast bills, so I am getting charged like no tomorrow. I am really thinking of getting satellite TV. I was considering going with Dish Network's Everything pack.


Some stats about me, I live in an apartment (and yes I can have a dish hooked up) I have a 1080p Sony Bravia TV.


So is it worth it. I am sure this has been asked several times before but I am having a real hard time trying to figure out what I want for TV service right now.

 

[josephmckinney]

I am thinking the same thing. The Comcast bill is just silly! However, I am leaning towards staying with Comcast. My minimal readings through this site seems to say that the PQ with Comcast is better(some exceptions depending on area) because the satellite companies compress their HD content more. Don't get me wrong, I would like to save some money but I don't want to sacrifice PQ. If I am wrong with my assessment of satellite companies, someone please let me know.

 

[Rammitinski]

No, you are not wrong, unless you've got a cable company with really lousy picture quality.


Dish has a 30-day money back guarantee if you're not satisfied, just in case you're not aware. I don't personally have their HD (just OTA HD), but I can tell you that their SD channels, on my 50" plasma - even though it's a Pio Elite with a pretty good scaler - can be downright hard to watch sometimes (although there was an exceptionally clean movie on IFC yesterday that looked great - as good as a good DVD).


If your display is smaller than mine, the HD and the better, SD stuff should look OK - probably not with any old LCD, but since the Bravia's are supposed to be better than most with SD, it might be alright.

 

[Hellfire105]

Ok I am leaning more towards Dish now. BTW my Bravia is 40". Me and my roommate also have 2 SD TVs in our rooms that we would like to have the boxes on.


Also how "free" is the actual installation (in running cable, putting the dish up, yada yada?)

 

[Rammitinski]

It's generally free for all that stuff, provided it's just a basic, uninvolved setup.


They often require some kind of written confirmation that the landlord has agreed to let them do whatever it is they need to do to install it - and that goes for inside, with running the coax and installing outlets - basically putting holes in walls - not just with putting the dish up outside. And they won't do the work unless you have it. They may not even need that, though - if they're just using any existing outlets. But they will if they have to put holes in anything - inside or out.


I would just go with the 211 single-tunered HD receiver in the main room, and one of their 322 dual-tunered SD models for the other two SD sets. Unless you want the 622 DVR in the main room - it has an HD and an SD tuner, and the SD one can go to one of the other rooms, and you'll need an extra, 311 single-tunered SD one for the other room. Either way, you'll only get charged for one, extra receiver access fee.


Make sure you can get the locals in HD, though. If you can, they generally only give you CBS, NBC, ABC & Fox.