DirectTV w/TiVo vs Dish w/DVR? (Dish Users - HELP)

[NashVegas]

Hi all!

I am currently a DirectTV user w/a standalone TiVO. I'd like to switch due to the Rupert Murdoch factor, but going to Dish would cost me more $$, as far as I can tell.

Currently, my DirectTV package bills something like $56 per month (including taxes). That includes (pre-tax):

Total Choice Plus w/Locals - $39
HBO - $12.

When you throw in TiVo service, it's up to about $68.

The other reason I'm thinking about leaving is that they stopped sending monthly email updates w/programming news and other stuffs, at the same time they put out up to four invester bulletins per month on their website. This may seem like a small thing, but it's why I left Earthlink some time ago, because they stopped caring about communicating with their users, except for bill reminders.

If I were to switch to Dish, I'd have to get the Top 180 package, at a monthy $44 for comparable programming. Added (but unnecessary) bonus: Encore & TMC. BUT, HBO would be another $13. Local channels add another $6. So now we're looking at a monthly bill of $63.

So here're the questions:

If I were to purchase (or get free via product promotion) one of their DVRs:

Does it include all the TiVo features I dig (including wishlists)?
Does the service come included in my Dish bill or will it be another monthly charge?
Can my TiVo be used as a standalone instead?

Help me out here, folks. I'd love to jettison Rupert, but am having a hard time justifying the cost (and I'd miss Trio & NWI, which Dish doesn't carry).

[madrchsod]

1. go to the dishnetwork

website. call customer service, they usually have someone who is very good in discussing all the features of dish and what can and can`t be used. if you find someone who isn`t that helpful,wait and call later to get another csr. i`ve done this several times in changing programming, the last time the guy reinstalled my east-west coast that another csr said i couldn`t get and if you tell them you`re dumping direct,you maybe able to get free months of programming. dishnetwork does have really good customer service reps, but call on the weekends or late at night,daytime it is almost impossible to get a rep. dishnet carries worldlink and freespeach plus different universities programming...

[Greyskye]

2. Dish DVR vs. TIVO

Does it include all the TiVo features I dig (including wishlists)?

Probably not. The Dish DVR doesn't follow your shows if they move, or suggest shows based on your preferences. It's just a very fancy VCR in digital clothing, basically. It does have good search and record features, but from what I can see, it isn't nearly as sophisticated as a Tivo. On the flip side, if this sort of thing matters to you, you don't have to have it connected to a phone line (only if you order PPV material, and you can do that over the web instead if you want).


Does the service come included in my Dish bill or will it be another monthly charge?

There is an additional ~$5/month charge for the DVR service. Through a promotion I got the Dish DVR hardware free (for a service commitment).


Can my TiVo be used as a standalone instead?

No clue, sorry.

[thom1102]

3. If you live in an area where the Phone Company is SBC:

The Midwest, the West Coast, or CT, then you should probably wait a couple of months. SBC and Dish Networks are preparing to launch a bundled cobranded service called SBC/Dish Network (already available in CT). You will get a special discounted price for all your bundled services (local and long distance phone service, DSL, Cingular wireless, and Dish Network) and all provided to you on one bill. Check out the SBC Website for details.

Yes I work for SBC :-)