Compare DIRECTV and Dish Network
So you have decided to join millions of people across the country and make the switch from cable to satellite television. The choices are confusing but the programming looks amazing. You've heard about both DIRECTV and Dish Network and are wondering what the differences are. Do not jump too quickly to choose one or the other without investigating the facts first.
First let's take a look at the installation process. Both companies offer free installation which is a fabulous incentive to make the switch. The DirecTV dish is truly an amazing sight. It has a total of 5-LNB which provide you with incredible satellite coverage and access to more satellites then the competitor. If you do not want a large dish on your home you should go with Dish Network.
Direct TV advertises installation next day for most areas. Dish Network does not offer this as an incentive. Within the last month I have had two friends switch from cable to satellite TV. One friend went with Dish Network and the other DirecTV. My friend with DirecTV ordered the service on Wednesday and received the install on Thursday. The other friend ordered Dish Network on the same Thursday. Their installation was scheduled for a week from that Friday. While consumers may not experience this in other areas it is certainly something to consider.
Let's move on to content. The rave now is high-definition programming which is not surprising. This stunning, crystal-clear digital presentation with amazing surround sound capabilities is truly an experience unlike any other in television viewing. Dish Network and DirecTV both offer HD programming.
These companies have been on a race to provide more high-def programming to their subscribers. Each company was scheduled to launch a new satellite for this purpose in the spring of 2008. The satellite launch was successful for DirecTV and a failure for Dish Network. Both the satellite launches Direct TV was already ahead in the race for HD programming and this success will clearly give them a huge lead over Dish Network. Currently Dish Network offers 73 HD channels and cable offers 55+. DirecTV HD has a total of 95 HD channels and this number is continually rising. Direct TV can provide over 265 channels of regular programming while Dish Network has 250.
Consumers have been selecting HD DVRs as their receiver of choice. A DVR, Digital Video Recorder, allows the subscriber to select programming to record and Watch at a later date. Dish Network's ViP722 DVR is capable of record 350 hours of standard programming and 55 hours of HD programming. This can record 5 more hours of HD programming than DirecTV but with less HD programming available at Dish one would have to weigh the importance of 5 hours of recording. The DirecTV PLUS HD DVR can record a total of 200 SD programming hours and 50 HD hours. DirecTV also provides subscribers with the ability to schedule recordings using their mobile phone or the website.
Each provider offers sports programming. DirecTV is the exclusive provider for NFL Sunday Ticket while Dish Network has football in the form of ESPN GamePlan. MLB recently changed their provider to DirecTV from Dish Network but will continue to Air on Dish Network for a transitional period. Dish Network offers extensive Soccer coverage with MLS Direct Kick. Both providers offer NHL Center Ice and NBA League Pass. Direct TV has additional sports coverage including NASCAR HotPass, College Basketball & Football, Soccer, Rugby, and Cricket.
These providers offer more than television. Each provider offers satellite radio amongst their content. DirecTV offers XM Radio while Dish Network offers Sirius. With the upcoming merger between Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio this may not matter to consumers because the coverage will be the same.
The gap is widening between these two providers every day as DirecTV's content continues to grow and Dish Network falls steadily behind. Dish Network may be a few Dollars cheaper but it is not as comprehensive as DirecTV which makes Direct TV this writer's satellite provider of choice.
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