The two main satellite television services in the country are Dish Network and DirecTV. These are one of the few options you have when looking to switch from cable TV to satellite. Both are far superior in quality and customer service, offering the best deals available on the market compared to any normal cable provider. The best offers offered by the service providers, the best packages and their prices are available on their websites; thus providing a very customer-friendly environment. All information about packages and facilities can be obtained on the official website of the company. This not only saves you a lot of time, it also saves you a lot of trouble, as all the information you need is available in one place.
In summary, here is an overview of the background of the Dish Network and DirecTV company.
Owned by Echostar, Dish Network officially aired in 1995. Dish Network Satellite Television is a direct-broadcast-satellite (DBS) service that transmits digital satellite television and audio to homes in the United States. On the other hand, Hughes DirecTV, the first high-power DBS system, was launched in 1994 and was the first DBS service in North America. Owned by DirecTV Group, a Fox Entertainment Group subsidiary of News Corporation, DirecTV was the world’s first high-powered DBS service.
As both television services are offered based on the same technology, it is not surprising that buyers are faced with a dilemma when choosing either of them most of the time. An internet search should help you get a brief comparison between these two companies, but what is missing is the detailed comparison of the special features of Dish Network and DirecTV. To ease the pain, here is the comparison of its special features.
High definition and digital video recording system
HD / DVR receivers are part of the packages offered by these two service providers. This is the latest development in technology that aids in superior quality viewing.
Dish Network has to offer its customers two types of receivers: one is an HD receiver that can support up to 2 televisions, along with which they also offer a dual HD DVR receiver for up to 2 televisions. This latest HD DVR receiver offered by them is called ViP722 DVR and it is compatible with two types of TV, HDTV and SDTV. It is capable of recording over 350 hours of SDTV programs and approximately 55 hours or more of HDTV programs. This set also provides a satellite tuner that can be viewed in two modes; either a picture-in-picture mode (single mode) or a dual mode in which you can record a program and watch a previously recorded program simultaneously. Being highly customer-oriented, Dish Networks service provides a customer-friendly interface that also allows for an easy-to-use option for searches. If the customer wishes, the company also provides an on-screen caller ID feature, provided the customer has subscribed to it with their respective phone company.
DirecTV, on the other hand, promotes its newest product: Dual HD / DVR receiver (DirecTV plus HD DVR) that allows its customers the option of recording 200 hours of SDTV and 3000 minutes of HDTV. One of the best features this receiver offers is a feature known as Series Link, which allows people to record entire seasons and even adjust the date and time changes each week. Along with these features, the receiver has another feature known as Media share that gives customers access to view photos, play their favorite music that can be saved on a computer with an Inter Viiv processor.
In addition to allowing the Caller ID feature like its competitor, the TV Guide allows its customers to view the schedule of upcoming TV sitcoms and movies more than 14 days in advance.
Sports programming
As you may already notice, both service providers provide an impressive lineup of football, soccer, hockey and basketball games, allowing the customer to purchase the individual games or the full 4-game package during the mid-season or season. complete.
What sets DirecTV apart from Dish Network is that it offers rugby, cricket and NASCAR programming in its sports package. Additionally, DirecTV’s NFL Sunday Ticket is the most comprehensive soccer programming package on the market to date. In fact, there are many DirecTV customers who chose DirecTV just because they want more soccer action!
Pricing package
The price of satellite television is always much better than that of cable television. Both Dish Network and DirecTV require initial setups of $ 0. Dish Network monthly rates start at $ 19.99 / month; DirecTV, $ 29.99 / month.
Exclusive music and programming
Dish TV offers a wide range of exclusive interactive programs that allow customers to play games, monitor the weather, read gossip, check their horoscopes, view live scores of different games, and shop using the “home shopping network.” By partnering with SIRIUS, they provide over 60 different commercial music channels at no cost to suit different tastes, and feature several of their packages.
DirecTV, by comparison, offers a variety of exclusive shows through channel 101, including music and live shows. There is a channel known as Channel 103, which is dedicated to faith-based programs and inspirational events for the family. Along with this they also offer about 70 radio channels with specific packages.
Parental control locks
Both service providers offer parental control options along with locks at no additional monthly fee, allowing parents to block movies that have been certified as appropriate for viewing by children by the American Motion Picture Association. Dish Network also offers an extended option that allows parents to view expanded ratings for things like language, nudity, and violence, thereby offering additional protection to children. These parental locks also extend to channels you have to pay to watch or pay-to-watch channels.
Finishing things up
Well, Dish Network or DirecTV? Seriously, when it comes to choosing Dish Network and DirecTV deals, there really is no one-size-fits-all shoe on this question. The question you should ask yourself is which one is best for you. But in case you really need a short answer, I’d say DirecTV is more for sports fans; And if you prefer more international and HD programming (since Dish Network has the most HD channels), Dish Network seems like a better option for you.