Cable tv versus Dish Network pros and cons

Rozmataz

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Jun 13, 2002
Posts
2,773
Loc
Fingerlakes Region of NYS
We have terrible cable reception. I know this may sound funny - but when they first installed the cable wire (which sat on the surface of the lawn) it was winter and we had phenominal reception. As soon as spring came and they came and spliced the cable and buried it to bring it to the hosue - we get horrible bands running vertically on our tv - mainly the one in the master bedroom. We called; inquired/complained; they sent someone out and we were told it was our interior wiring. He checked things out. No change. This happened again in the summer. Again in the winter. They installed a new wire and again, this was left on the surface until it could be buried in the spring. We had phenominal reception. Spring came; ditto to above. Except this time the guy who came to service it was really obnoxious about how it is our wiring inside, a "discussion" ensued and he was promptly shown the door. We called the cable company and got the same old same old song and dance. So we have been "living" with this for the past __ years! It is getting annoying especially since we upgraded the tv and cable costs continue to rise. So is it really our wiring!? (Oh, it only occurs on the local stations, not all the cable stations.)

The question becomes: What are the advantages of Dish? pros? cons? vs. cable?

Thanks,

Roz
 
Roz, the lines seem to indicate a bad splice. Aren't they responsible for at least some of the inside wiring? Worst case scenario is a bad or loose union or connection inside the cable outlet(s).

I have Dish Network and I LOVE it! Just find a place for the installer to put the little dish where it won't be obstructed by trees. Also, Dish Network will provide, at a slightly additional charge, a receiver that will record 100 minutes or more of digital-quality programming at the mere push of a button! Mine is called a "DISH/PVR" receiver. You'll be surprised how much the record function comes in handy. It can also be programmed to record like a VCR, only much more simply!

Good luck!
 
Charles, Thanks. I was told any time there is a splice/connection - it weakens the wire transmission, understandably - but this only happens when it is rainy/snowy outside!! So I tend to think it is the outer cable. But since we are tired of fighting with the cable company... we are looking at Dish.

The other question is what about multiple tv's? Are there separate receivers for each of them - if so, that's a negative. Any way to simplify in this day and age?
 
I have had DirecTV for about 10 years and love it. Theyre a bit bigger than Dish and are in the process of upgrading their network to the next generation of compression and adding a lot of HD programming. They recently bought a failing competitor and have added thosre satellites to their lineup. Dish is also good and similar.

The installer should be able to connect a signal meter at either end of your underground wire, to see if thats the cause of the loss. You can also ry disconnecting the wire and plugging your tv in at the source, to see if the picture improves (eliminating the house as a possible reason). If it comes in and hits a splitter, try disconnecting any unused runs from the splitter and putting a "terminating resistor" on any unused ports on the splitter. This may help the picture, as would an amplifier from Radio shack or the cable company. It sounds like water is getting into the underground conduit.

If you add internet service or DIGITAL cable, theyll be forced to fix your wiring. The digital cable will give you a clear picture all the time, and requires a perfect signal to work at all. Analog cable is being phased out in most areas, in favor of digital and HD programming.

A third option is FiOS, from your local phone company. This new service is in most areas and offers television and internet, at higher speeds.

There are a lot of choices out there now, thats for sure.
 
We just changed from cable to Dish Network. Two main reasons, price and service. Our cable would go out ALL the time OR we would lose the sound only. We had them come out to fix it on a regular basis and finally decided to go with DSL for internet and Dish for TV. The DSL (believe it or not) is 3 times faster than the cable modem! The cost is about 1/3 less than cable too! They installed our dish onto a free standing pole that was cemented in the ground.

The DVR is a lot of fun, we got two DVR's so the kids can record their stuff.

The only complaint that I would have about Dish is that when you call the 800 number they don't tell you everything that you need, the technician said this is a common complaint. The operators don't know all of the components needed for installation but they do know how to close a sale. So the price was somewhat higher than we thought it would be.
After several calls to the home office we got it all squared away and everyone was happy. It did take 5 hours to install so prepare to be home.
 
I Have Dish Network and I love it. If you go that way, get the 2 channel recorder - it records 100 hours and allows you to watch one show while recording another. The monthly cost of the recorder is the same as having 2 receivers for 2 TV's and it operates 2 TV's. There is usually a promotion where installation and the equipment are free when you are a new customer.

Pat :D
 
You have a very bad cable company. My brother who used to own a small >5,000 cable company says what you are experienceing is 1) line drop... of Dbs (power to your set) and 2) the cheaters are relying on the cable lines to pick-up as in antenna, the local stations... when you bury... there goes your antenna.

We went 7 years ago to DirecTV, because it had the NFL Ticket for my wife and mother-in-law.

It didn't get me one more woodworking show.... but I allowed me to sneak out to the shop more often.

Only problem we had was when 94 mph winds whipped out of the gorge and shifted the carport forward 5' and sheared the dish off the side of the house.... during a football game that my mother in law was watching....ho boy did I hear about that! :D
 
Directtv here! Love it!

It gives more channels, less expensive than comparable cable packages and their customer service is great.

You might be able to get a multiple system by going to the website or call them to get a package. They will want a 2 year commitment package but even my Mom committed to them and has been happy. (She doesn't like commiting to anything tech like)

It has gone out on us during very harsh storms but only loses signal for a few minutes before it comes back. With cable if it goes out most likely there is a line down somewhere in the system and then you have to wait for someone to get out there and fix it.
 
Our cable was ok, but the rates kept going up too much for what we were getting. We went with dish network and the picture quality is great. My only complaint is it goes out every time it rains hard or lightening is around the area. Just the other day it went out when it started to snow. We have had dish since the spring. I sure hope this snow thing isn't the norm, or I'll go back to cable when my commitment runs out. The company installed the system and said the signal is strong, but it must not be all that great if it goes out when it rains hard or it snows much.

Rock
 
I've checked into pricing on Dish and it seems to be the same as cable here. Plus, I know someone who says their satellite goes out all the time. So, I have stayed with my digital cable and love it. I have On Demand TV for movies and lots and lots of channels. My fave is HBO I can watch any of their series shows and movies when I want. That alone has me hooked on digital. Plus, to my knowledge it has never gone out.
 
We have a dish system and for the most part it is good. The only issue we have is when we have a blowing rain from the south it hits the dish, and if enough water sits on the pick up horn the picture drops or gets pixleated. I installed the dish, so the fix is as easy as walking out on the deck and wiping the horn with my hand.....although I do usually get wet doing it....

remember, we don't tan in Vancouver, we rust!

James
 
Originally posted by CharlesL:
Also, Dish Network will provide, at a slightly additional charge, a receiver that will record 100 minutes or more of digital-quality programming at the mere push of a button!
Roz, I said minutes instead of hours! Mine will record up to 100 HOURS of programming. Not 100 minutes. DishNetwork offers multi-room 'deals'. The most I've seen is 4 rooms, which means you get four receivers so the family can watch 4 different programs.

And they are prone to lose the signal now and again. Particularly as Phoneguy said: a blowing, heavy rain will do it. Mine always comes back by itself, when the rain no longer interferes with the signal. At any rate, it sounds like an occasional, brief signal loss is better than the cable service!

As an aside, mine ONLY goes out during a really bad blowing rain. The rest of the time, it keeps on truckin'.

Here's their website: DISH
 
If I didn't have very high trees in my backyard blocking the line of sight for a dish, I would have gone with a satellite 5 years ago. I just hate the cable companie(s)...
fire.gif


And Roz, if your internal wiring is the problem, your reception would have been bad whether the cable was buried or not! It is the cable company's problem, not yours.

Go with cable, you'll never look back. And, you'd also get great music channels too.
 
Originally posted by Phoneguy Canuck:
The only issue we have is when we have a blowing rain from the south it hits the dish, and if enough water sits on the pick up horn the picture drops or gets pixleated.
Jeez James, you need to get the Portland Series of Dish.... Rain, blowing snow, ice storms, volcanos.. no problems...

Of course when we have those hours of sunshine in July...everything goes to h3ll. :D

Oh, and there is the occational roving car-port...
fire.gif
 
Roz,

DirecTV - love it and you can install yourself if inclined! For a long time, cable wasn't available where we live.

We have a three receiver system - $5 a month per extra receiver if they are hooked up. Mulitples are nice in case you and Greg don't like to always watch the same thing at the same time!

Elaine
 
Roz,

Compare the channel lists for Dish vs DirecTV . They're similar but Dish appears to have more shopping channels, farm and ranch channels included with the basic packages to raise the count than DirecTv. Both will offer up to 4 room systems "installed" with a 12 month commitment to service and connection to a landline phone. I monitor a satellite tv forum and Dish seems to receive more grumbling from installers and customers than does DirecTV.... on equipment (receivers and DVR), service and customer service.

If you're in an area that gets wet snow, having the dish easily accessible is a plus. Snow & ice accumulation on the dish will cause the signal to disappear. With satellite, there is little to no fading of the signal; it's either good or gone. While accumulating snow (3-6 inch rates), we sometimes need to wipe the dish several times a day to keep the signal strength.

Directv just went live with many XM radio channels on Nov 15. Our local channels were added about a year ago which eliminated the need for our outside antenna.
 
Originally posted by Mike-L@GTP:
I have had DirecTV for about 10 years and love it. Theyre a bit bigger than Dish and are in the process of upgrading their network to the next generation of compression and adding a lot of HD programming.
This is an interesting bit of information. About 2-3 weeks ago we started noticing what I would call digital artifacts or pixelation on our DirecTV service. After living with it for a couple of weeks I decided to try and figure out what the problem was. What I found on several online forums is a claim that the problem is due to increased compression. Maybe it's just a different compression and my receiver isn't up to receiving it. Actually our second receiver (which is newer) displays fine. I don't know but it's getting very tiresome.
 
Actually, I think the new (mpeg-4) compression method is being done only on the new satellites. (They launched another new one November 16th) They're in the process of converting everyone over, one city at a time, over a 2 year period. In the meantime, they are broadcasting everything in both formats. When everyone is converted, they'll turn off the old (mpeg-2) compression stream completely - and then re-use those satellites to expand their offerings on the new format. When you upgrade, it requires new equipment - which they provide at no charge.

They're doing the cities in order of size, hitting the heavily populated areas first. (2005 cities: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Tampa and Washington, D.C.) The new system gives them room for many more channels than currently offered, more HD programming, and the picture quality will be improved. Dish Network has similar plans to do away with current mpeg-2 compression and boxes, and convert to mpeg-4, but I don't know the details or target date. Dish bought the failed VOOM network's satellites, and are using them for HD expansion.

If you're getting heavy pixelation, it could be the sign of a weak signal. We generally get 91-98 on the signal meter, with our dual tuner DirectTivo, and aren't experiencing pixelation. (I'm still on the old stream, they havent done our area yet) If your signal is below 75 or so, you'll likely have issues. Local channels and some HD channels may be more prone to signal problems, because their satellite is the hardest one to "see" for our area. When aligning the dish, be sure to check the signals for A, B, and C.

It's amazing, really, that millions of homes receive these signals which are about the power of 40 watt light bulbs ~22,300 miles up in space. The satellites are in a line and move at the exact same speed as the Earth's rotation. That's why the dishes remain in a fixed position.

Mike
 
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