Markets are swarming with the various deals offered by the satellite TV providers. But one has to make a choice depending upon prices, subscription deals and quality of customer service. Let's compare the offerings of the two magnates of satellite TV --Dish TV and DirecTV. Since everyone has a personal opinion on the services provided by both, a comparative study would help subscribers choose the better of the two.
1. DISH NETWORK Satellite TV Offers
Dish network was the first satellite TV to offer 500 channels which were fully digitalized. Dish network packages include Americas Top 60 Plus, Americas Top 120 Plus, and Americas Top180 Plus. It has wide range of programs that includes the best of sports, news, and children's programs.
Highlights of Dish Network deals:
? Dish Network Packages starting at $19.99 per month.
? It gives free 4-room satellite TV system.
? No equipment to buy.
? Free activation, delivery and professional installation.
? Free DVR and HD equipments options.
? Most Dish Network dealers? offers life time warranty for their basic satellite equipments.
? Dish Network broadcasts as many as 231 NFL pre-season, regular season and post-season playoff games without having to purchase a costly season package subscription! (Game access subject to channel availability and programmer restrictions).
? It has more comprehensive dishnetwork international programming with additional foreign language programming packages Dish 500 programming package also has Dish Latino, Dish Latino Dos and Dish Latino Max which features Spanish and English language channels. There are also Arabic, Greek, Russian, Korean, South Asian and dishnetwork Chinese packages.
High Definition TV for DISH NETWORK
Dish network's HDTV gives viewers crystal-clear picture which was not possible with the regular analog TV. It has 5.1 Dolby digital surround sound and reproduces TV programs with theatre quality. Dish Network is the first company in the world with the new HD receiver, which uses a MPEG-4/DVB system.
Digital Video Recorder by DISH NETWORK
DVR is offered by Dish network. Dishnetwork DVR allows you to digitally record, store and playback any type of Dish network programs. Live sporting, feature-length films, sit-coms can be recorded seamlessly. One can pause, reverse and fast-forward the recorded and upcoming programs.
2. DIRECTV Satellite TV Offers
DIRECTV offers nearly 225 channels that are digitalized. Its programmes include movies, pro and college sports, news, international programs, music and events. It also offers about 30 pay-per-view channels like HBO, Cinemax, Starz, and Showtime with 36 commercial free music channels. DirecTV also offers adult programs that include Playboy, Spice etc.
Highlights of DirecTV deals:
? DirecTV Packages starting at 29.99$ per month.
? It gives free 4-room satellite TV system.
? No equipment to buy for installation of satellite TV.
? Free activation, delivery and professional installation.
? DVR (Tivo) & HDTV upgrade options available. If you want a DVR receiver you will be charged an additional $49.99. The charge for HDTV receivers is $299.99.
? DirecTV dealers normally provide a 2 year extended warranty from the day of activation of their satellite systems.
? Direct TV's biggest advantage is that they have exclusive rights to NFL Sunday Ticket, which gives subscribers access to every NFL game each week. With Sports season pass feature on TiVo, DirecTV lets users record an entire season without re-runs. Dish Network, though, has plenty of sports and entertainment packages of their own to consider.
? Up to 50+ Premium Channels FREE with annual commitment to any Total Choice PLUS Programming Package.
DIRECTV HDTV ? (High Definition Television)
It is an optional service which requires a HD receiver in addition to satellite dish and HD compatible T V. The charge for HDTV receivers is $299.99.HDTV is totally digitalized with 5.1 surround sounds and has 10 times more pixels than a regular TV.
DIRECTV DVR (TiVo) - (Digital Video Recorder)
This facility is only available if you have a DVR in addition to the satellite dish and standard TV. If you want a DVR receiver you will be charged an additional $49.99.
DirecTV DVR offers 35 to 70 hours of recording. Two shows can be recorded at once; you can pause, rewind and watch recordings in slow motion.
Both DIRECTV and DISH Network offer great deals both with regard to programming and equipment. Who you choose is a matter of personal choice and preference.
A satellite TV system consists of a satellite dish which captures the signal from a satellite, an LNB (low-noise block) converter which amplifies and converts the signal, and a receiver which decodes the signal and sends it to a TV set.
DISH Network Satellite TV System
DISH Network will give you a fee satellite TV system consisting of a dish and a four-room receiver system when you order one of their programming packages.
The dish is a 20-inch all-weather aluminum dish with an advanced LNB converter.
DISH Network offers two types of free receivers - the DISH 311single tuner receiver for satellite TV viewing on one TV, and the DISH 322 for viewing two different channels on two TVs.
In addition to the standard receivers you can also get a free DVR (digital video recorder) receiver or a free HD (high definition) receiver.
With the DVR receiver you can digitally record 100 hours of satellite TV programming, and even record two programs while watching another. You can also pause and rewind live programming so you can get a snack or answer the phone. The HD receiver allows you to watch TV in high-definition format giving you a lifelike picture and three-dimensional sound.
Your system also comes with universal remotes that allow you to operate your satellite TV system, your TV, your DVD player, and your VCR.
For an additional $199 you can get a combination DVR/HD receiver that gives you the best of both worlds and can record up to 200 hours of programming.
Installation of your entire system is free, and when the installer is done he or she will show you how to operate your system and answer your questions.
Note: DISH Network program packages start at $19.99 per month.
DIRECTV Satellite TV System
With DIRECTV you also get a free satellite dish and a free four-room receiver system when you subscribe to their service.
Their standard dish is an 18" X 20" oval all-weather dish with a dual LNB converter.
DIRECTV's free D11 receiver is for single TV viewing and comes with interactive capabilities and a customizable on-screen guide that let's you create a personal program guide.
You can upgrade to a DVR receiver or an HD receiver for free after a $99 mail-in rebate.
With the DVR receiver you can digitally record up to 100 hours of programming - even record two shows at the same time - and pause and rewind live TV. The HD receiver lets you watch HD broadcasts giving you the highest-quality picture and sound available.
Their free universal remotes let you operate your satellite TV system, VCR, DVD player, and TV.
For $499 you can purchase an HD/DVR receiver so you can watch satellite TV in high definition and record up to 200 hours of programming.
DIRECTV satellite TV installation is free and your installer will show you how to operate your system and answer any questions you may have.
Note: DIRECTV program packages start at $29.99 per month.
Both Mike Lazier & Brian Stevens are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Mike Lazier has sinced written about articles on various topics from Satellite, Computers and The Internet and Satellite. Mike Lazier is a senior editor and an expert panelist with - one of the leading Authorized Dish Network Web Retailers.. Mike Lazier's top article generates over 1600 views. to your Favourites.
Brian Stevens has sinced written about articles on various topics from Satellite, Information Technology and Satellite. Visit for more information, ordering information, plus the latest special offers from. Brian Stevens's top article generates over 33100 views. to your Favourites.