DSS Satellite Options

[Diesel]

The guy I'm buying the house from had DSS. He's taking the dish and receiver, but he's leaving all of the cable runs, so all I'd have to do is buy a dish and receiver, and don't have to worry about running cables in the wall.

However, I've never had DSS, and don't know anyone personally who does.

The advice I've gotten so far is:
* DirectTV has better sports packages, and Dish Network has more channels and better image quality.
* The mounting and positioning is the most important factor in getting a good signal and good picture quality.

My concern is that I've heard the signal can get pretty weak, or disappear altogether, in poor weather. Others have told me that it's only a problem in extremely severe weather.

Anyone with firsthand experience that can give me some info?

TIA

 

[lobo]

Hello, Diesel Dan!

I have Dish 500 by Dish Network about 2 years. It has 2 focuses and can receipt 2 satellites at once.

Very nice, stable ... I also have dish player - such receiver with hard drive inside, it can record digital signal, but for $10 per mo.

1) Really, Dish 500 has better quality. But, I saw DirectTV too and ... I can not say that my Dish 500 much better. It is better than digital cable ... It is true...

2) The mounting is really important for these things. I bought this DSS at winter, when trees was naked. At spring leaves appear, and put shadow to my dish. Ok, I put it to roof ... But, I made weak attacment. Wind bounced dish, so ... I had very bad reception. Only after ataching it to a roof with giant bolts and all screws was tightened, I had good reception. ... But, One time ago storm wind rotate dish ... but it was really strong wind ...

Dish 500 very easy positioned, You need only compass, which is included to Dish 500 self-installation kit. When You pointing dish, TV made such gurgle sounds, but, better do it with somebody else - one positioned dish, another switched transponders.

It had good and stable reception. But, when far-far on south it have good rain or snow, it can loose reception for a small time. I had such 5 or 6 times, for 2 years. 2 times they had issues on satellite, and I had missed information on programms. But, my neighbor has Comcast, and he has more problem with it.

Suggestion: Before purchaseing DSS, look at Your location. Usually
dish must be pointed to south and about 30 degrees up. Check it ... Some peoles does not have ability to install dish. In some communities You does not have a right to install dish in front of Your house.

:snowman:
Hey, linguists, starts revolving in graves :D

 

[Prox]

My parents have DirectTV, and it isnt bad at all, I actually think the image quality is quite good. It does have fairly good add on sports packages, but It does cost ya. And like lobo said positioning is key, and watch out for those trees, we too had that same problem, the tree grew up too big and we ended up having to move our dish.

 

[WaterB]

i actually have neither.. but what i've seen and from what i've been told by many people is that dishnetwork has better picture quality while Direct tv units usually have a better menu..

i'm wondering if they'll stay different companies for the long run since the company that ownes dishnet bought direct tv..