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.

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.

? 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.

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.

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.

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.

? 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.

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.

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.